Overcoming Adversity — The Obstacle in Our Path — Changing our Perspective
Posted by Second Chance to Live on January 3, 2013
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy to see that you decided to stop by to visit with me. This morning my Mom forwarded a series of stories to me in an email. I would like to share the fourth one of those stories with you. Thank you Mom.
“One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.” Albert Schweitzer
I have researched who wrote the story to give them the credit, however have been unable to determine the original author. What I have found is that the story is among other universal stories.The story reminds me to see what I view as obstacles in a different way.
“For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.” Victor Frankl
Victor Frankl wrote an excellent book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Well worth reading.
Fourth Important Lesson – The Obstacle in our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s’ wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
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