"Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are"

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

"Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are"

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considerred a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked the son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad".

"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.

"Oh! yeah" said the son.

"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Out patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us. They have friends to protect them."

With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are"

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we dont have. What is one's person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks to God for all the bounty we have been provided by Him, instead of worrying about wanting more.

The Inquisitor · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 772

That's an old story, but a good one.

Perspective is everything. My sister leaves this signature at the bottom of each email:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass it's about learning to dance in the rain.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

yes, and that reminded me of this.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

The Inquisitor · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 772

good statement, obmar.

Too many people are worried about what they will receive, how much will it be, and how much more they can get next time. Life is full of joy and pleasure as it is, plain and simple. Whatever we receive is mere icing on the cake. It's better to worry about giving as much as possible that receiving. In giving we receive ten-fold.

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

so goes the common saying

The more you give
The more you get