Perspective is Beautiful

by CHRISTINA VIEGAS
Posted on 2008-11-20
I still remember a very significant story told to me some years ago. A wealthy man once took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of nights on a farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from the trip, the enthusiastic father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
"It was great Dad," was the excited riposte from the young lad.
The father happily persisted, "Did you see how poor people live? Now tell me, what did you learn?"
And the boy’s reply rendered the father speechless as he answered, "We have one dog, they had four. We have a pool that reaches right up to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon."
He continued, "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."
And the beauty of his answer went on with, "We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. We have walls around our property to protect us, but they have friends to protect them!" Oh! What moving words!
And finally he concluded, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? And quite aptly my storyteller completed the story with a reminder to appreciate our friends, as he concluded with, "Life is too short and true friends are too few."
Most often, even family members are constantly 'wanting' and ‘expecting’ from you, whether it is earning and providing for them, caring and nurturing, whatever.
But, with friends, and I mean friends in the true sense of the word, not the abused version, you are just eager to give and give and give. Even during bad times, you will fondly recall only the smiles, jokes, laughs and happiness that your friend brought into your life.
In life, most people flock around you because you are fun, witty, intelligent, cheerful and easy to get along with. Your energy rejuvenates them. But, when you are hurt or going through a rough phase, these very people will flee in the opposite direction because you don't interest them anymore.
But a true friend will reprimand you and make you realise that you are headed downhill; will remind you of your inherent qualities that make you the person you are; will remind you that ‘this phase too will pass’ and will strive till you are your old liberated self once again and you are back to smiling, without wondering, 'what if or why?' In fact, they will bring out a new, stronger 'you'.
There is a Jewish saying, "Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure for life." Yes, it takes only an unexpected moment to know that you found one, yet, try explaining friendship and it will take you a lifetime. Because a friend is someone you embrace, not just at your bosom, but with your heart.