Happiness Is Reaching Out To Others In Challenging Times

I just received an inspiring story from whatsapp which I like to share with all of you.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour >each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man >had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, >their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation, etc
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his >roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one >hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activities and colors of the world >outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children >sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colours and a fine view of the city >skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on >the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagined this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the >man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see >it in his mind as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the >lifeless body of the man by the window, who died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital >attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved >next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left >him alone. Slowly, he propelled himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained >to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could >have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse >responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage >you”.

Source Unknown (Received through whatsapp)

The main lesson behind this story is that even when one is in a difficult and challenging situation, it is still possible for one to reach out and touch others' lives just like the blind man in the above story. In bringing happiness to his room mate, he is experiencing happiness himself. In whatever circumstances you are, if you want to experience happiness just give happiness to others. If you want to experience love, give love to others. This is a simple lesson of life.

I have written in my previous post that the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggles. In this story, the blind is not only struggling with his blindness but with his health. Yet, in his times of struggles, he is not wallowing in self pity but chooses to rise from his struggles to help another fellow human being. And in doing this, he has left behind a legacy.

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Cheers
Charles

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