Inspiration: Facing Our Window On Life…

“Greatness appeals to the future. If I can be firm enough to-day to do right, and scorn eyes, I must have done so much right before as to defend me now. Be it how it will, do right now. Always scorn appearances, and you always may. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspiration: Facing Our Window On Life... what do you hope to see?

Every day, in some small or large way, we look out our window, be it symbolic or real, and imagine worlds we created in our minds; worlds or dreams where we are accomplished and carefree… with nary a worry or resentful bone in our lives. Then, for a moment, a wicked thought comes to mind and we want to crush it, to banish it, but it’s too strong because that angry memory is too strong. We avert our eyes and say a prayer. We are afraid that if we forgive so readily, we might get hurt again. So we hold unto old wounds and send imaginary poison arrow to the “enemy.” Staying angry and resentful over situations cost us more; emotionally, physically and mentally. The story below, The Window, is a cautionary tale on the tragedy that can occur when we let our petty hatreds get the best of us… Let them go; move on!

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge. The #Trust30 Prompt: If you are facing (and fearing) a difficult life decision, ask yourself these three questions: What are the costs of inaction? What kind of person do I want to be? In the event of failure, could I generate an alternative positive outcome?

When faced with difficult decisions that involve people, places and things that offend us, we need to resolve it or walk away from it… One we’ve determined the merits of the event, We must act and soon. Instead of getting mad, sad and even, we can use the #Trust30 questions above to help us gain perspective. It is imperative to ask ourselves, What kind of person do I want to be?

The story below (told in two parts), offers a great lesson on the damaging impact of resentment and the consequences of our actions. If we could look out our window daily, determined to find something good and uplifting, we would find it… Facing our window on life with a positive attitude will make all the difference… maintain your perspective. Read the story below… What are your thoughts?

The Window By Author Unknown

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should he have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn’t seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window – and that thought now controlled his life…

More … Contd Below. 😉

“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere” François de la Rochefoucauld

Inspiration: Facing Our Window On Life... what do you wish on your neighbor?

The Window By Author Unknown  Contd…

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence–deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away–no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

What is the lesson? Sure, there are times when we envy people or they make us mad and we wish them evil, but our sense of justice and compassion kicks in and we, unlike the man who let his roommate die, do the morally correct thing. We call the nurse and deflect the hurt through exercise, prayer or other activity. Hopefully, we will never have to resort to such reprehensible behavior, instead, we will ask ourself the three questions, and do the right thing. What are your thoughts? What would you do? How do you handle anger and resentment? What do you do to help overcome difficult temptations and situations? Do share! Thank you. 😉

This post was inspired by two prompts from WP Daily Post: When you get mad, what calms you down? and RalphWaldoEmerson.me: If you are facing (and fearing) a difficult life decision, ask yourself these three questions: What are the costs of inaction? What kind of person do I want to be? In the event of failure, could I generate an alternative positive outcome?

Positive Motivation Tip: Our window on life/the world is colored by our emotions and experiences. Be careful what you focus on for there are consequences for our actions…

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• Inspiration: It Only Takes One Smile… (eof737.wordpress.com)
• Inspiration: Tuning Out, Turning In… (eof737.wordpress.com)
• Reflections: Know Yourself and Bloom Where You Are… (eof737.wordpress.com)
• Reflections: Wherever We Go, There We Are (eof737.wordpress.com)

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of Teahouse window and casement window via Wikipedia. Story is courtesy of Dizzyboy.com

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet