A luckless passenger rushed, panting, into the
station just as his train was steaming out. His
watch—unaccountably slow by ten minutes—had
let him down. “Don’t worry, Babuji,” sympathised a
passing porter, there will be another train along in
about a couple of hours. Why go away? Just wait
here for it on this same platform.” The passenger,
keen to reach his destination, decided to accept his
advice, even if it meant waiting; two long tedious
hours. Just getting to where he wanted to go was
too important to him to think of expending time
and energy coming and going from the station all
over again, and perhaps missing his train once
again, so he stayed right where he was and catch his
train he did.
When we miss a train, there is always the
comforting knowledge that there is that next train
coming along. That is the lesson that the platform
teaches. It is then up to us to make the correct
decision about our next move. But it is surprising
how many people fail to grasp this reality. They are
inexplicably plunged into gloom and depression
when they fail initially to grasp an opportunity and
frequently adopt such a pessimistic attitude that
they fritter away their precious energies in blaming
others for their failures. How much better it would
be if they were to make a proper assessment of the
situation, taking all possibilities into account, and
then seek new ways and means of achieving their
goals, even if it means a lengthy wait. This is a
matter simply of patience and determination. There
is always that “next train” for them to catch. It is
just a question of being properly alert to this, and
being ready to avail of that God-given second
opportunity.
If, in any given situation, someone with whom you
have business or personal relations turns hostile,
pursuing a policy of open confrontation seldom
reaps rewards. It is almost invariably more politic to
extend courtesy, love and sympathy. That is the
way to a person’s heart. It is only by pursuing such
a course that a formidable foe may be transformed
into a faithful friend.
Suppose you work in an office and, for reasons
which you fail to comprehend, you are dismissed.
In such a situation, if initial attempts to clear your
name and have yourself honourably reinstated
come to naught, it is seldom worthwhile persisting
in your efforts. It is far better to wash your hands of
the whole situation and try to break new ground
elsewhere. That way you can sometimes do even
better than before.
Often when someone does not pay you your dues,
your first inclination is to enter into legal battles
with him, or wage a relentless psychological war on
him. Either course should be eschewed, for the net
result is generally wasted time and money. Years
can go by without your receiving anything in return
for a great deal of energy spent. No, it is better to
ignore the injustice done to you, and to put your
trust in hard work to get what you want out of life.
It is perfectly possible that, through sheer diligence,
you will succeed in achieving all those things you
wanted others to give you as a matter of right.
Most personal problems are the result of a limited
outlook on life. If people were to broaden their
perspectives, they would soon realize that there are
many different ways of approaching the same
problem. It would, above all, become clear to them
that things which are impossible to obtain by direct
confrontation can be achieved by the patient
fostering of mutual goodwill. Where provocation
and retaliation have failed, patience and human
concern will succeed.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
