For me, it took losing everything in life I originally thought was valuable before I was willing to consider the possibility that my approach to money, career, and life in general must have been off the mark. I had followed all the rules, I had worked my butt off, I had the American Dream, a great marriage, and a successful company. It was only after accomplishing all this that I came to know that money and success alone do not make a person happy. I had both and I was miserable.
It got to the point where I was willing to do anything to find out the real truth. I had spent my entire life deeply mired in the illusion of what I believed would make for happiness. And I was definitely NOT happy.
There a was wealthy, man, a pillar of the community who came upon a guru in a stream talking to his disciples. The man yelled out to the guru, “ I want you to give me enlightenment.”
The Guru invited him into the water to learn with his other followers.
The wealthy man said indignantly, “I am a pillar of the community. I cannot lower myself to stand in a dirty stream and waste my days listening to you.”
With that, the Guru said, “Go your own way then and we will continue here.”
A few days later, the rich man came by and spoke again, demanding that the guru show him enlightenment. To that the guru said, “Put on this harness and go into the city and beg for alms for the poor.”
Of course, that was way beneath the man’s dignity and he made no attempt to conceal his distaste for what had been suggested.
When he came by and made demands again, the Guru pulled him into the water and held his head under as the man thrashed about trying to break free. When he was finally allowed to come up for air, he sputtered and gasped for breath. Finally gaining his composure, he looked straight at his captor indignently.
The guru said only one final sentence. “When you want enlightenment as much as you wanted that breath of air, you shall have it.”
I could compare my past self and others who determined to hang on to our old beliefs to that man. We may protest a long time. But… when it finally hurts bad enough, we will, at last, be ready to look squarely in the eyes of the truth.
And, the truth will set us free.
______________________________________________Dina Dove
As an author, inspirational speaker, and coach, I am dedicated to helping people remember who they really are at their deepest core and discover their unique path to career and personal fulfillment.
For further information, please contact me at Dina@BagladysGuide.com
www.dinadove.com
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Bagladys Guide to Elegant Living by Dina Dove 