We have forgotten an essential part in the education of our children, which is one of the causes, but so crucial in the desperation they have been going through for a long time.
The beautiful stories that could have been engraved in their memories and used as compasses, a sort of seed, a real faith they would always remember was neglected, hence the anxiety and discouragement that leads to the race to a better tomorrow in foreign lands, in defiance of his country that we regret to have left because; badly appreciated at first.
Whose fault is it?
Let’s see this story which seems to me to be topical, especially for us Haitians, but also, to all those who left their native countries to go elsewhere for economic and social reasons.
I’m talking about it, because, all the people I’ve had to meet since the few months I’ve been living in a foreign country, even after many years, people only talk about going back to their countries. I do not speak only with Haitians, but to many others.
And if this story had been told to them from their earliest childhood, imaginary or not, many of them would have stayed at home and cultivated their natural gifts to them who had been accustomed to spend their lives with contentment.
It is said that man is never satisfied with his lot, is it true?
Let us see THE following TALE.
CANDLES AND DIAMONDS
From the book. (SECRET) Unlocking the source of joy and fulfillment. By: Michael Berg
Long ago, there was a poor candlemaker named Jacob. He heard of a mysterious island where diamonds were as common as ordinary pebbles. So Jacob left his home and set out for the nearest seaport. There he learned that the island of diamonds really did exist, but he would have to hurry. A boat sailed to the island only once every seven years, and it was leaving immediately! So Jacob rushed aboard.
When he arrived on the island, he found that what he’d heard was all true! Diamonds were everywhere, like sand on the seashore. Falling to his knees, Jacob began filling his bags with the glittering gems, dreaming of how rich he was going to be back home.
Just then, however, one of the inhabitants of the island approached him. “You’re wasting your time filling your bag with those worthless pebbles,”
Said the newcomer. ‘’Since you’re going to be here for seven years, you’d better have a way to support yourself. Do you have a trade?’’
Why, ‘’I am a candlemaker,’’ said Jacob.
“Very well. Then you’d better start making candles.”
That is exactly what Jacob did, and very soon he had a thriving business. In fact, since there were no other candlemakers to compete with, he became the most important man on the island. Almost before Jacob knew it, seven years had passed-and one day the boat arrived.
So Jacob hurriedly packed up all his possessions and jumped onboard. When he returned home his family eagerly looked at his suitcases and stared at Jacob in amazement. “Where are all the treasures”? Asked his wife and children. “You were gone for seven years, and all you’ve brought back is a bunch of candles!”
Jacob laughed. Didn’t they understand? Candles had made him an important man on the island! But as he opened his mouth to speak, the truth suddenly dawned on him. He had forgotten the purpose for which he’d gone to the island- and now he had nothing more valuable than when he left.
The moral of this tale is that:
This physical world is an island we are visiting. The diamonds are the opportunities for giving and sharing that exist all around us. If we got caught up in the values of the island, we easily forget the purpose for which we have come here. We are here to live in joy and fulfillment.
Achieving that destiny requires profound transformation.
The fate we found ourselves at beginning must be transmuted, not to be accepted as a perpetual punishment by Providence as many wants you to believe.
God tests everyone, one with wealth, another with poverty. A rich man is tested in whether he would extend an arm of support to those who need it; a poor man in whether he would bear all his sufferings without discontent and with obedience –
The TALMUD
Flee all those who speak to you of sin, of eternal damnation, and of a God who holds rigor.