There was once a wise old ruler who became concerned with the unrest and discontent of his subjects? It was as though his people were always moaning and complaining about something or other. It seemed that each had a “cross” to bear and their displeasure and discontent was beginning to consume them. The wise old king decided it was time to get things into perspective, so he invited his subjects to gather before him so that they could openly voice all of their problems, troubles and complaints.

Well the people came from all around and a great audience gathered before the king. Then, one by one they began to share their tales of woe; each complaining of unfairness or ill-treatment or various problems with neighbours, work, family, griping on about their unfortunate circumstances. When eventually the last man had spoken, the wise king stood and gave counsel. He suggested that each person should exchange his problem with one of his neighbours. A silence then descended upon the court as each person contemplated the King’s advice and then a very strange thing happened. One by one, the people turned and began to walk away, no longer discontented. For when the opportunity was presented to actually swap places with someone else, the people decided to keep their own problems and deal with them, rather than exchange them for new and unknown ones.

Think about it. Everyone has problems. Would you really want to swap yours for someone else’s? Remember there is always someone worse off than you. The fact is, life is tough and we all experience hard and difficult times. Certainly everyone enjoys good times as well but, on the whole, life is never easy and life is not always fair. So then, don’t bemoan your lot. Instead, grit your teeth and get on with trying to do something to improve it.

R. Ian Seymour

R. Ian Seymour, excerpt from Discover Your True Potential

There was once a wise old ruler who became concerned with the unrest and discontent of his subjects? It was as though his people were always moaning and complaining about something or other. It seemed that each had a “cross” to bear and their displeasure and discontent was beginning to consume them. The wise old king decided it was time to get things into perspective, so he invited his subjects to gather before him so that they could openly voice all of their problems, troubles and complaints.

Well the people came from all around and a great audience gathered before the king. Then, one by one they began to share their tales of woe; each complaining of unfairness or ill-treatment or various problems with neighbours, work, family, griping on about their unfortunate circumstances. When eventually the last man had spoken, the wise king stood and gave counsel. He suggested that each person should exchange his problem with one of his neighbours. A silence then descended upon the court as each person contemplated the King’s advice and then a very strange thing happened. One by one, the people turned and began to walk away, no longer discontented. For when the opportunity was presented to actually swap places with someone else, the people decided to keep their own problems and deal with them, rather than exchange them for new and unknown ones.

Think about it. Everyone has problems. Would you really want to swap yours for someone else’s? Remember there is always someone worse off than you. The fact is, life is tough and we all experience hard and difficult times. Certainly everyone enjoys good times as well but, on the whole, life is never easy and life is not always fair. So then, don’t bemoan your lot. Instead, grit your teeth and get on with trying to do something to improve it.

R. Ian Seymour

R. Ian Seymour, excerpt from Discover Your True Potential