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In life, doing good is something we must not wait, because to complete a good deed, it requires the coming together of many karmic causes and conditions. What is most important is whether we can seize the time and opportunity to do good in a timely manner. It is often said that giving is more joyful than receiving. Therefore, those who have the opportunity to help others promptly are truly blessed.
It is very cold during winter in Europe, and it often snows heavily. On a snowy day, a young man was listening to music in his home, with the TV on at the same time. His father came to his side, patted him on the shoulder and asked, "Son, do you think this music is nice?"
He replied, “Yes, it is!”
The father then said, “For how long can you remember the music after listening to it?”
The young man was puzzled to hear that, and his father continued, “Would you like to do something that you will remember for life, and it is something that will make you happy for the rest of your life?”
The young man replied, “What is it? It sounds really special.”
The father then pointed in the direction of their neighbour’s home and said, “It snowed very heavily last night, and it seems that the elderly lady who lives alone next to us hasn’t gone out to buy things for days. Could you go over and help her sweep away the snow in front of her house?”
The boy said that that was an easy task and then went over to his neighbour’s house with a broom.
After he finished sweeping the snow away and went back to his home, he saw the old lady open her door to take a peep outside. The lady smiled very happily when she saw that the snow outside her home had been cleared. Then, she took a basket and carefully walked out of her house.
The father stood beside his son and asked him, "Did you see that? The old lady has gone out of her house."
The young man turned around, hugged his father, and said happily, "Dad, thank you! Now I know that helping others makes me so happy.”
Twenty years later, the young man became a father himself, and he told his son the story. What his father had taught him at that time was an unforgettable memory. As he recalled the old lady’s facial expression when she saw that the snow in front of her house had been cleared, he would always remember that (the best reward for helping others is) seeing the happy and content smile on their face, and this is the most beautiful face in the world.
In fact, (spiritual cultivation and good deeds are all done as we encounter the normal day-to-day things in life). As long as we harbour kindness in our hearts at all times, fulfil our roles and duties the best we can, and make full use of the time that we have, we will find peace in our minds, and life will be much better and more fulfilling.
Extracted from Tzu Chi Taiwan website
Translated by Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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