Ages back, an old man was on a pilgrimage. On the way, he sees that a huge temple is being constructed in a village. He sits under a banyan tree on the wayside and starts observing the activities at the temple construction site. After resting there for some time, the man goes to a laborer engaged in the construction work and asks, “Dear, you are looking very busy. What are you doing?”
The laborer, who seems very tired, throws a glance at the old man and replies, “Can’t you see that I am hammering the stones.”
Frustration, irritation, anger – all are dripping from the words of the laborer.
The old man smiles, conveys his best wishes to the laborer and moves ahead.
Now he comes across another laborer. He asks the same question, “Dear, you are looking very busy. What are you doing?”
The second laborer replies, “Just going on with the daily struggle. There is a wife and two kids back home. I must undergo all this grind to make the two ends meet.”
The old man smiles, conveys his best wishes to the second laborer and moves ahead.
Now he comes across the third laborer, who seems very happy and is humming a song while engaged in his work.
The old man puts up the same question to him too: “Dear, you are looking very busy. What are you doing?”
The laborer replies, “I am enjoying my life. See, a grand temple is set to come up here and I am witnessing this noble phenomenon. This will be a major pilgrimage center where people from far off place will come and seek God’s blessings and peace.” And with these words, the laborer gets back to his work.
The old man smiles, conveys his best wishes to the third laborer and moves ahead.
Just like the old man, we too meet three types of people in our daily lives.
Some people, just like the first laborer, feel frustration and irritation in every work that they do. They are always finding flaws and faults in life and work.
And then some people, just like the second laborer, don’t live their life. They just spend their days and months, with an aim to complete their lifespan. Their lives are mechanical. They work but don’t enjoy their life.
And some people, like the third laborer, remain joyful in all circumstances. They are happy in whatever they have, whatever they get. They lead happy and healthy lives, besides spreading happiness all around. We should reflect on ourselves and assess that to which group we belong.
For the three laborers, the work was same, the place was also same. It was just their outlook towards the life and work that was different. This outlook is what makes one’s life happy and peaceful. We should develop a positive attitude towards life.
