A Parable of Perception
Life is a play of shadow and light. To comprehend one is to grasp the essence of the other.
A hateful person and a loving person were each given a word engraved into a piece of wood. They were told this word would define the course of their lives.
Resting on the hateful one’s neck was the word Live. Draped on the loving one’s neck was the word Evil.
The hateful person looked over at the loving person’s word with snickering amusement. They went their separate ways.
Some years later the hateful one came across the loving one who was beaming joyfully while gazing at a lake’s surface.
“You! You wretch! I don’t understand your trickery– our lives were supposed to reflect the words we carry! You’ve flourished while I have endured heartache and conflict. You cheated!” the hateful person bellowed.
“No, I haven’t. I have remained true to my word. The difference between us, sibling, is how I choose to see my word.”
Turning from the lake, the loving person gently rested a hand on the hateful one’s shoulder. “Look into the lake. You’ll understand what I mean.”
Quickly, the hateful one glimpsed at the lake, only to see the water’s surface. This heightened his bitterness.
“Look longer,” suggested the loving person before departing.
The hateful one’s eyes followed the loving person, contemplating seizing him in anger. However, reluctant to be outwitted, he resolved to examine the lake once more, thinking there might be something to discern. All he saw in the reflection was his own image.
As the day began to recede, he let out an exasperated sigh and berated the loving one for this ruse. But then… he caught sight of it.
Mirrored on the placid lake’s surface was his word. It read Evil.
“But my word reads, Live!” he objected out loud.
In a rush, he scrutinized the word he wore. True enough, it said, Live. He viewed it again through the water’s reflection. Anger overwhelmed him and his features displayed his defeat. He broke down, weeping. Then, his first-ever smile awkwardly spread across his face. The loving one’s words echoed in his mind…
“The difference between us, sibling, is how I choose to see my word.”
Then, he had his revelation.
Let’s look out for each other
Thank you for letting me be a guest in your mind. Your contribution sparks my contribution. If you like to continue this journey, feel free to delve into my other contemplations from here on Medium.
Or, if you are curious about my work as a Mind-Body therapist, please visit me at:
https://www.instagram.com/wisdom4betterlife/
See you on the road, traveler.
