I encounter a plethora of stories that teach me business lessons, life lessons, and beautiful emotional reflections. Recently, I came across a story that really struck a chord with me. I wanted to share this story by an anonymous author with all my readers:
“WHERE ARE YOUR CLASSMATES?”
A 60-year-old man was suffering from major depression, and his wife scheduled an appointment with a therapist.
“He is in severe depression,” the wife said, “please take care of him.”
While the gentleman’s wife sat outside, the Counselor began his counselling by asking some personal questions.
“I’m too worried,” said the gentleman. “In fact, I’m overwhelmed by concerns: family issues, job stress, friends, children’s education, mortgage loan, car loan, and so on. I’ve lost interest in everything I used to enjoy. The world sees me as a cannon, as if I have everything, but I don’t have as much as a cartridge. I’m in a perennial bad mood.”
The skilled Counselor then inquired, “Which secondary school did you attend?”
The gentleman informed him of the school’s name.
The counsellor suggested that you visit that school. When you arrive at school, look for your ‘Class register,’ if it is still there, look up the names of your classmates, and try to learn about their current well-being.
Write down everything you learn about them and meet with me in a month! The gentleman returned to his old school, located the register, and copied every name on it. There were a total of 120 names.
Despite working day and night for a month, he was only able to gather information on about 75-80 of his classmates.
There were surprising outcomes!!!
Twenty of them had died. Seven were widows or widowers, and thirteen were divorced. Ten of them turned out to be drug addicts. Five were so bad that no one could connect with them.
Six were so wealthy that he couldn’t believe it.
Some had cancer, others were bedridden, and still, others had diabetes, asthma, or heart disease. A couple of them were doing alright but their children had turned out to be insane, vagabonds, and so on. One was imprisoned.
After two divorces, one person was looking for a third marriage.
“Now tell me how your depression is,” the counsellor inquired.
The gentleman realised he didn’t have a disease; he wasn’t hungry, his mind was perfect, and he wasn’t unlucky. He was fortunate that his wife and children were in good health. He was also in good health. He could eat three meals a day. His difficulties paled in comparison to those of others.
The gentleman realised that there is a lot of sorrow in the world and that he was fortunate and happy!
When I came across this story, it put things into perspective for me. I am grateful for my life and the unique problems that have been given to me. For me, the lesson is to stop peering into other people’s plates (especially other people’s fortunes and misfortunes). Instead, we must accept our bounty with love and grace. Don’t measure your life against the lives of others.
Everyone is moving according to their destiny; you are neither late nor early. We must be grateful for everything, big or small, good or bad.
The story is beautiful and gives hope to many people around.