Dr. Buddhi Malla
Bimit, a poor guy found himself deeply distressed with his life, convinced he was the most unfortunate person on the Earth. He embraced feelings of ugliness, weakness, and poverty, with his surroundings appearing equally miserable. His days were masked in sadness, perpetually bearing grievances against his family and friends. His dejection escalated to the point where he attempted suicide, only to be rescued by his family from the brink of death by hanging.
One day, while wandering through the city, Bimit encountered a small child begging for food for his ailing mother. Witnessing this scene stirred something within him. Reflecting on his own youth and the fact that his mother was healthy and cared for, he couldn’t help but smiled.
Days later, Bimit crossed paths with a labor working away at a brick factory. Inquiring about the worker’s residence, Bimit learned that he had no permanent home, merely living wherever work could be found. Suddenly, memories of his own home, which he had previously deemed old and ordinary, flooded his mind. He realized that while his house might not be perfect, he was fortunate to have one at all, unlike many others in the world. With this realization, a smile spread across his face.
One evening, while Bimit was at Ekadasi Bazar (the local market), he witnessed a heated quarrel between two individuals. To his disappointment, he realized they were siblings, involved in a dispute over their inheritance. The division of their parents’ property had left them unsatisfied and at odds with each other. Reflecting on his own family, Bimit couldn’t help but smiled, remembering the deep affection and care his elder brother always showed him.
The following day, as Bimit ventured into the jungle, he noticed a decaying tree. Upon closer inspection, he spotted a bird’s nest nestled within its branches. Concern risen up within him as he considered the trouble of the bird family, facing the just around the corner loss of their home and the lack of shelter during rainfall, prompting a need to relocate their nest instantly. His worry escalated upon spotting a snake moving towards the nest, endangering the lives of the birds’ offspring. Although the bird managed to save herself, tragically, she couldn’t rescue her young.
A few weeks later, he came across a news report detailing a tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of an entire family. Some suffered severe injuries, losing limbs or their eyesight. Rushing back home, Bimit embraced each member of his family tightly, relieved to find them all unharmed and healthy. In that moment, he realized that despite life’s challenges, he wasn’t as unfortunate as he had once believed.
Previously, Bimit’s thoughts had been confined to a narrow perspective, leading him to contemplate suicide. However, with guidance from his family and friends, his mindset began to shift. He came to understand that his academic struggles didn’t define his worth, recognizing that even highly successful individuals faced failures in exams and setbacks in life. Similarly, his dissatisfaction with his height gradually waned as he realized the diversity of physical appearances among people worldwide. Acceptance of oneself, he concluded, is paramount, regardless of perceived shortcomings.
Bimit had always embraced the belief that he should have been born into a wealthy urban family. However, upon relocating to the city for work, he came to realize the drawbacks of urban life. Unlike the strong communal bonds found in rural areas, urban inhabitants often lack the time or feeling to support one another outside of professional settings. While there is a form of connection in urban life, it tends to be transactional rather than personal. Both lifestyles, he concluded, have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Another source of Bimit’s dissatisfaction stemmed from his perceived lack of popularity among people. One day, he encountered a saint during a rainy spell. Pointing to the flowing water, the saint imparted a valuable lesson: water naturally seeks lower ground, symbolizing humility and kindness. Conversely, higher altitudes represent arrogance and negativity. Inspired by this wisdom, Bimit resolved to change his behavior. Over the ensuing months, he underwent a transformation, embracing humility, cooperation, and kindness, and consequently earned the love and respect of those around him.
Aristotle, the great Ancient Greek philosopher, has said that, “Knowing yourself is the inception of all wisdom.” This assertion elucidates the significance of self-awareness, emphasizing its profound relevance in our lives. Just as Aristotle’s wisdom highlights, understanding oneself holds paramount importance. Similarly, Bimit’s life underwent transformation through self-discovery. This exemplifies the enduring truth behind Aristotle’s words, illustrating the transformative power of introspection. Thus, recognizing the depths of our being not only unlocks wisdom but also catalyzes personal growth, resonating as a timeless principle applicable to every individual’s journey.
In this world, many people struggle with dissatisfaction in their lives. No one receives everything exactly as they expect. Discrepancies between reality and expectations are inevitable, leading to ups and downs. Embracing this reality and approaching life with excitement is crucial. Positive thinking serves as a powerful remedy to beautify our lives. By fostering positivity, we can find happiness and fulfillment amidst life’s challenges. Stay positive, embrace happiness, and live life to the fullest.
(Author Dr. Malla is a Banker.)
