Forget Your Two Drops of Oil

A merchant asked his son to go to a well known guru and learn the secret of happiness from him. This guru lived in a beautiful isolated castle. The young man wandered through the desert for 40 days before he could find the castle at the top of the mountain where the wise guru lived.

When the boy entered the guru's room, he saw a great deal of activity; merchants coming and going, people chanting in the corners, a small orchestra playing sweet melodies, and there was a table laden with the most delectable dishes of that part of the world.

The guru was very busy talking to his visitors one by one, and the young man had to wait for several hours before he could get to meet him. With considerable patience, the sage listened attentively to the reason for the boy's visit. He told the boy that at the moment, he did not have the time to explain to him the 'secret of happiness'. He suggested that the young man take a tour of the beautiful castle and meet him after that. "However, I want to ask you a favor.", he added, handing the boy a teaspoon, in which he poured two drops of oil. "While you walk, carry this spoon and don't let the oil spill. "The young man began to climb up and down the stairs of the castle, always keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. At the end of his tour, he returned to the presence of the wise man.

The sage asked, "So, did you see the persian tapestries hanging in the dining room? Did you see the garden that the Master of Gardeners took ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in the library?"

Embarrassed, the young man confessed that he had seen nothing. His only concern was not to spill the drops of oil that the guru had entrusted to him.

"So, take a tour again and make sure to experience the wonders of this castle.", said the wise man, "You can't trust a man if you don't know his house."

Now more at ease, the boy took the spoon and strolled again through the castle, this time paying attention to all the works of art that hung from the ceiling and walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around the castle, the delicacy of the flowers, the taste with which each work of art was placed in its niche.

Returning to the sage, he reported in detail all that he had seen. "But where are the two drops of oil that I entrusted to you?", asked the sage.

Looking down at the spoon, the young man realized that he had spilled the oil.

"Well, that is the only advice I have for you," said the sage, "the secret of happiness centers around not letting the two drops of oil ruin your enjoyment of looking at all the wonders of the world."

Think about it. life is beautiful, but our preoccupation with our 'two drops of oil' takes away the happiness from it. What are your two drops of oil? It could be our your worries, cherished goals, a grudge that you hold, etc. Just identify them and forget these two drops of oil and you will find true happiness in your day-to-day life.  
 

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Posted from Chennai Airport