“What should I know about life which is most important?” The disciple asked the master.
The master smiled and said, “It is better for you to look for and find the answer through own experience,” he began. “I want you to go out into the world and find what is most important and bring me your answer in five years.”
After five years, the disciple came and placed ten books in front of the master. I have condensed what I believe to be what is most important in these ten books.”
The master took one of them and passed his fingers lightly over the fine leather which enclosed the words of wisdom within. He opened it and glanced through the pages. “You have done very good son, and I promise I will read each of these volumes with love and attention but it’s too much information. I want you to go back into the world and return with something more concise.”
The disciple obeyed and after five years returned and this time placed one book in front of the master who opened it and began reading in several places. He smiled and commented, “Again you have done an excellent job my son and with the little I have read so far, I see you have learned well and have discovered much about life and what is important. Nevertheless, it’s still too much information. I want you to be even more precise. You know what to do…”
Five years later he came once again and this time carefully placed a single sheet of paper before the master who lifted the page and read it carefully. After reading it, he smiled and said, “You have learned much and are getting close to the answer.”
Now visibly upset, the disciple answered, “Getting close? How can it be that you are still not satisfied? What should I do?”
“I want you to condense what is most important in life into one word,” answered the master again with a smile.
Five years later the disciple, who had become very successful, came and told the master, “I believe I have the answer master.”
“Tell me son, how did you discover the answer?” the master wanted to know.
“I came to the conclusion fairly quickly that the most important thing in life is to “Be Happy” but it was two words. Then after several years had passed, I thought of each of our conversations and found you had given me the answer from the very start. To be happy is directly related to our attitude and our attitude shows through our expression.
The master continued listening carefully to the explanation of his disciple.
“Master, the most important thing in life is to S M I L E.”
The master smiled and nodded in agreement…
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL III 3