MAKE THAT U-TURN!
The past should not bind us. There’s always an opportunity to reform and start a new life with a focused goal
If a person has moved in the wrong direction, he can always take a U-turn. The angels of God will be with him. The past does not-cannot bind us
The Buddha was in a village congregation, telling the assembled people about the power of friendship and compassion. A fierce-looking man walked through the congregation and stood before the master. To the utter shock and confusion of the disciples who surrounded Buddha, the man spat on the Buddha’s snow-white stole.
Calmly, the master wiped away the filthy saliva stain from his garment, and said to the man, “Thank you for that, my friend. Have you anything more to say to me?”
Nonplussed, the man moved away, without looking back, without a word in reply.
“Master! That man’s act was dastardly!” said Ananda, who had been one of the shocked spectators to this event. “Why did you speak to him so politely? He deserved to be thrashed.”
“My dear Ananda, words can never express all that we feel,” the master explained. “Language always falls short of strong feelings. When we are overcome with love and affection, we find it easier to give the other person a hug, rather than trying to tell him what we feel about him. So it is with wrath. When we are too angry for words, our indignation finds expression in a gesture like the one made by our friend. I was concerned that the violent outburst would still have left him seething. That is why I asked him if he had managed to vent all of his anger, or had something left to express against me.”
The following day, the Buddha left the village to travel to the next stop on his wanderings. But, the angry man was left feeling guilty and ashamed after his outburst. He followed the Buddha to the next village, hiding himself away till the congregation had dispersed after the master’s discourse. Under the cover of darkness, he approached the master yet again. Not to be caught napping yet again, the disciples drew near the master, who silently gestured to them to remain where they were. The man drew near and fell at Buddha’s feet, weeping, shedding bitter tears of sorrow and repentance.
“Forgive me, O, Compassionate One,” he sobbed. “I am ashamed of myself! I can never live down the ignominy of my shameful conduct yesterday. I carry a heavy burden in my heart. Do thou forgive me!”
"Language always falls short of strong feelings. When we are overcome with love and affection, we find it easier to give the other person a hug, rather than trying to tell him what we feel about him"
“Yesterday!” exclaimed the Buddha. “So much water has flown in the Ganga since yesterday, and you still dwell there? Today is a new day, my friend.”
“True, it is another time, another day,” agreed the man, “nevertheless, I beg you to forgive me.”
“Go in peace,” the Master said to him, “let life flow on like the waters of the Ganga. Let the past remain behind. Live for now, and forget what happened yesterday.”
How to make a U-turn in life?
- First and foremost, you should realise that you have wasted all your years in wandering in moving away from your Goal. Every passing day has taken you farther and farther away from the goal that for want of a better word we call God. It is time to take a U-turn.
- Prepare yourself-Switch on the indicator signal that shows the direction of your turn.
- Check for the oncoming traffic. Block all negative thoughts that discourage you from making the turn.
- Press the accelerator ever so lightly—Seek help and inspiration from God who supplies the required strength that you need.
- Steer the wheel of your life towards the destination you have chosen.
- Enter your new lane and keep driving forward!