Just the other day , I was going through my collection of old editions of Reader's Digest ,when I stumbled upon an article -Finding Yourself Again By Arthur Gordon. It was a story about a successful man who felt a loss of energy and enthusiasm in his life.He felt despondent without any reason. Have you ever shared the same feeling at some time of life? If the answer is yes, then take a look at this story by Arthur Gordon which I have tried to summarize in my own words.
This man ( say Mr.X ) then consulted the doctor who advised him to go to the beach the next day and not to read or write or listen to music or even talk to anyone. The doctor had given him four prescription notes which were to be opened and read at 9a.m, 12p.m, 3p.m and 6p.m respectively. Mr X , at first thought the doctor must be crazy; nevertheless he went to the beach the next day.He then opened the first prescription which read as follows:
LISTEN CAREFULLY
He concentrated on the sounds of nature.He listened to the growl of sea , the lapping of waves against rocks and wondered about the enormity of nature.It was then that he realized he was feeling and thinking of things bigger than himself and that gave him immense relief. Moreover he found that by shifting his focus from inner problems to the outer world(nature), he is able to it calm his frantic mind.At 12p.m when the sea glittered in the golden rays of sun, he read the next prescription which said:
TRY REACHING BACK
So Mr. X peered into the well of past and basked in the happy memories of his childhood.He realized that by reaching back, he had virtually touched happiness which released little flashes of power and emotional strength.He felt very light-hearted. At 3p.m , he opened the third prescription which read:
RE-EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVES
Mr. X followed the instructions and realized that earlier he used to derive pleasure while working ,which later starting fading and what remained was just the material benefits the work rewarded.It was at this point of time that the boredom & lack of energy started seeping into his work life.He understood the problem and pledged to himself that he would work not just for money but also for the sense of joy , sense of contributing to society and also for the sense of productivity.At 6p.m,as he gazed at the setting sun , he read the last prescription which said:
WRITE YOUR WORRIES ON SAND
And that's exactly what he did He then turned his back and walked towards the city with a spring in his steps and music in his heart , as the tide behind him came in and washed his worries.
This man ( say Mr.X ) then consulted the doctor who advised him to go to the beach the next day and not to read or write or listen to music or even talk to anyone. The doctor had given him four prescription notes which were to be opened and read at 9a.m, 12p.m, 3p.m and 6p.m respectively. Mr X , at first thought the doctor must be crazy; nevertheless he went to the beach the next day.He then opened the first prescription which read as follows:
LISTEN CAREFULLY
He concentrated on the sounds of nature.He listened to the growl of sea , the lapping of waves against rocks and wondered about the enormity of nature.It was then that he realized he was feeling and thinking of things bigger than himself and that gave him immense relief. Moreover he found that by shifting his focus from inner problems to the outer world(nature), he is able to it calm his frantic mind.At 12p.m when the sea glittered in the golden rays of sun, he read the next prescription which said:
TRY REACHING BACK
So Mr. X peered into the well of past and basked in the happy memories of his childhood.He realized that by reaching back, he had virtually touched happiness which released little flashes of power and emotional strength.He felt very light-hearted. At 3p.m , he opened the third prescription which read:
RE-EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVES
Mr. X followed the instructions and realized that earlier he used to derive pleasure while working ,which later starting fading and what remained was just the material benefits the work rewarded.It was at this point of time that the boredom & lack of energy started seeping into his work life.He understood the problem and pledged to himself that he would work not just for money but also for the sense of joy , sense of contributing to society and also for the sense of productivity.At 6p.m,as he gazed at the setting sun , he read the last prescription which said:
WRITE YOUR WORRIES ON SAND
And that's exactly what he did He then turned his back and walked towards the city with a spring in his steps and music in his heart , as the tide behind him came in and washed his worries.
2 comments:
Hi Neha,
It was a real touching article. Though I do not write much but yes I am fond of writing limiricks like poems & I remember one on this topic -
BE WHAT YOU ARE,
AND LET THERE BE NO BAR,
BECAUSE BEING YOURSELF,
IS THE FIRST STEP,
IN MAKING YOURSELF BETTER,
THAN WHAT YOU ARE!
Thanks once again Jasmine for your opinion.In fact that was a lovely poem you have written.It is absolutely right that you should be what you are and not force yourself into an image formed either by you yourself or by others.
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