Sunday, July 4, 2010

Try This On For Size

I have to admit, my post today was going to have a slightly negative spin to it.

I was going to lament about how far the United States has strayed in 234 years.

I didn't want to, trust me. I love this country and what it stands for.

But that thought was really at the forefront of my mind this weekend.

And then I heard a story I had not heard before. One that was so simple, and yet, so motivating that it changed my outlook. It has nothing to do with America, or freedom. It's just a perfect lesson that perspective is everything.

It goes something like this:

Mahatma Gandhi was on a train when one of his sandals slipped off and fell onto the tracks. Since the train was moving, he could not retrieve the lost sandal. Instead, he calmly took off his other one, and threw it onto the tracks next to the first one.

When onlookers asked him why he chose to do that, he simply said that "the poor person that finds the first sandal now has a pair that he can wear."


What a wonderful gesture.

And a reminder that, even in a negative situation, there is always something you can do to help someone less fortunate.

Happy Birthday America.

God Bless.

6 comments:

Karinann said...

Michael,
I can relate to the feeling of negativity when looking at where our country has gone in these last 234 years (thank you for doing the math:)
Thank you for sharing this simple yet profound story. There is always hope.
God Bless!

paramedicgirl said...

That's a wonderful story! Your blog is such a positive and happy place; I am glad you didn't post the negative.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Brilliant story. Thank you.

Best wishes and God bless.

Anne said...

It seems that anytime the name Mahatma Gandhi is mentioned, the story is a good one!

Anonymous said...

What a great story and a reminder that material possessions aren't all that important any way. Happy Fourth of July Michael. I hope you had a nice day.

Michael said...

Karinann: I have to admit, I used a calculator. (and checked it twice)

paramedicgirl: Thank you for those kind words!

Victor: Thank you, sir.

Anne: You might be right. Sadly, I really haven't learned much about him (other than the "well known" facts) That quote inspired me to add a book about him to my reading queue.

Carol: Thanks! Judging by your posts, you sure did!