In a small village, in the valley, lived a man who always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. He always smiled, and had kind and encouraging words to say, whenever it was necessary. Everyone who met him, left feeling better, happier and elated. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.

One of the village dwellers was curious to know what his secret was, and how he could always be so kind and helpful. He wondered, how is it that he held no grudge toward anyone, and always was happy.

Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: “Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They don’t smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?”

The man smiled at him and replied, “When you make peace with yourself, you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control, you become strong and firm. The personality is like robot programmed to do certain tasks. Your habits and thoughts are the tools and programs that control your personality. Become free from being programmed, and then the inner good and the happiness that reside within you will be revealed.”

“But a lot of work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be climbed. It’s not an easy task.” Lamented the villager.

“Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise this is what you will see and experience. Just quiten your feelings and thoughts, and try to stay in this peace. Just try to be calm, and do not let yourself be carried away by your thoughts.”

“Is that all ?” Asked the villager.

“Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises.The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. The peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love. In time, you will realize that you are one with the Universal Power, and this will lead you to act from a different dimension - point of view - consciousness, not from the selfish, small, limited ego.”

“I will try to remember your words,” said the villager, and continued, “there is another thing that I am curious about. You don’t seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word for everyone, and you are helpful. People treat you well, and never exploit your goodness”.

“Being good and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good, you can also be strong. People sense your inner strength, and therefore, do not impose on you. When you are strong and calm inside, you help people, because yo can, and you want to. You act from strength, not from weakness. Goodness is not a sign of weakness, as some people erroneously think. It can manifest together with power and strength.”

“Thank you very much for your advise and explanations”, said the villager, and went away happy and satisfied.

The Villager and the Happy Man

written by Remez Sasson as seen on Jogja Ad January 29 - February 11, 2013.