For the Eyes of those with Good Fortune

Source: The internet
Author: Cheung Chong Mao

In a society that emphasizes on the packaging, we could not keep from admiring other people’s glittering and gorgeous looking, and took one’s imperfection in heart. However, in my years of observation, I discovered that nobody’s life is intact, as everyone has one thing missing.

Some married couples who are deeply in love, have a monthly income of hundreds of thousands, but they have the serious problem of infertility; some people are both talented and good-looking, are competent and rich, but have a very bumpy ride when it comes to relationships; some people are millionaires, but their next generations show no filial affection towards them; some people seem to have a good life, but have an empty life. Heaven gives every person a breach in life, you may not want it, but it follows you around like a shadow.

In the past, I used to detest my deficiency in life. However, now I am able to accept it with open arms. This is because I have come to realise that the flaw in life is like having a thorn in our backs, often reminding us to be humble, and to have mercy on other people. If there is no suffering, we will be arrogant. If there is no vicissitudes of life, we will not use the same principle to comfort less fortunate people. I also believe that life should not be too perfect; having a crack to let happiness flow to others is a beautiful thing. You do not need to possess everything. If you have everything, what’s left for the others?  Furthermore, upon realising that each and every life has a deficiency, I will no longer make unnecessary comparisons with others; instead cherish what I already have. I remember an auntie who was named as the entrepreneur in Taiwan Oshin (台灣阿信), just before she took refuge in a religious life near the age of seventy, she told me, “In my lifetime I have met with countless rich and famous officials and dignitaries, their outward appearance look really admirable, but once delved deeper inside, everyone has one's problem, some are even miserable beyond speech” Therefore, stop admiring others whatever the reason, instead appreciate the grace endowed upon you from heaven, you will discover that what you have is far more than what you don’t have. For the deficiency, although not lovable, is still a part of your life; accept and appreciate it, then your life will be much happier and enriched.

If you were a clam, would you be willing to sustain a whole life of suffering in order to condense one pearl, or choose not to have the pearl and live a life of comfort?  If you were a rat, and you suddenly discovered that you were captured in a rat-trap and in front of you was a piece of delicious cake, would you still eat it or not?!  Early piggy banks were made of clay, once they were full, they had to be smashed. If there was such a piggy bank (pottery for saving money), with no money ever being put in and kept until today, it would have become a valuable antique. Which piggy bank were you willing to be?!  Every time you think of these questions, try to note down your answers, until one day when your answer remains the same, then you are mature!

Find someone who understands you, and also hope you are that someone who understands others. Clever people like to guess what’s on the minds of others; and although they may get it right every time, they lose their own mind. People who look silly like to give their hearts to others; although they are laughed at every time, they are well-liked by others.

Vajrayana disciple, Drahcir’s postscript:
Fish said, “You cannot see my tears, because I am in water….”
Water said, “I can feel your tears, because you are in my heart….”
Rinpoche said, “You cannot see my tears, because I am in the tears of sentient beings….”
The tears of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes Bodhisattva of Compassion said, “I can feel your tears, because you are in the heart of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes Bodhisattva of Compassion….”