Thoughts

A man once telephoned Norman Vincent Peale. He was despondent and told the reverend that he had nothing left to live for. Peale invited the man over to his office. "Everything is gone, hopeless," the man told him. "I'm living in deepest darkness. In fact, I've lost heart for living altogether."

Norman Vincent Peale smiled sympathetically.

"Let's take a look at your situation," he said calmly. On a sheet of paper he drew a vertical line down the middle. He suggested that they list on the left side the things the man had lost, and on the right, the things he had left. "You won't need that column on the right side," said the man sadly. "I have nothing left, period."

Peale asked, "When did your wife leave you?"

"What do you mean? She hasn't left me. My wife loves me!"

"That's great!" said Peale enthusiastically. "Then that will be number one in the right-hand column—Wife hasn't left. Now, when were your children jailed?"

"That's silly. My children aren't in jail!"

"Good! That's number two in the right-hand column—Children not in jail," said Peale, jotting it down.

After a few more questions in the same vein, the man finally got the point and smiled in spite of himself. "Funny, how things change when you think of them that way," he said.

*****

Aging

John Glenn – The First Septuagenarian Astronut

John Glenn Jr. (born July 18, 1921) is a former American astronaut, Marine Corps fighter pilot, ordained Presbyterian elder, corporate executive, and politician. He was the third American to fly in space and the first American to orbit the earth. He also served as a United States Senator from Ohio (1974 – 1999).

In November 1998, at the age of John at the age of 77 became the first septuagenarian astronaut to go into space. It was 36 years after his previous orbit of Earth. This time round, there were 250,000 spectators watching the liftoff.

1. The decade during which the men were between 60 and 70 contained 35% of the world’s greatest achievements
2. Between the ages of 70 to 80, contained 23% of the world’s greatest achievements
3. In the years after 80, contained 8% of the world’s greatest achievements

• Physical beauty is like a bottle of coke, it turns stale with time. The mind is like a bottle of wine, the longer it is kept the better it becomes

******

• Anger

After an anger outburst, the scar remains with the victim. Especially if it is a woman, woman generally remember what you have said for a long time. Be careful when dealing with your anger.

There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to
hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say
things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.

It won't matter how many times you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."

*******

Real Love:

Take the Son

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.

Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of their family estate. The widowed elderly man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed their nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, the elderly man received a telegram that his beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness.

The joy of the season-a season that he and his son had so looked forward to in the past-would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door and was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand.

The soldier introduced himself to the old man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told every one of his-and his father's-love of fine art work. "I'm also an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man began to unwrap the package, paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son.

Though the world would never consider it a work of genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the portrait above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of paintings.

And then the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man learned that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief, as he realized that, although his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the priceless pieces for which museums around the world clamored.

He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation, since, with the old man's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the way he had received his greatest gift. The day finally arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered
to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.

Dreams could be fulfilled this day; greatness could be achieved as some could say," I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum list... It was the painting of the old man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent.

"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Moments passed as no one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and get on to the good ones." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one-first," replied the auctioneer. "Now who will take the son?"

Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take $10 for the painting? That's all I have. "Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence he said, "Going once, going twice... Gone!" The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone shouted, "Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!"

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Then someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a portrait of some old man's son! What about all of the other paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art work here. We demand an explanation!"

The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all." Just as the art collectors discovered on that day...The message is still the same...the love of the Father....a Father whose son gave his life for others...And because of that Father's love...Whoever takes the Son gets it all.

*****

ಮಗನನ್ನು ಯಾರು ಖರೀದಿ ಮಾಡುವಿರಿ?

ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಹಿ೦ದೆ ಒಬ್ಬ ಶ್ರೀಮ೦ತನಿದ್ದ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಅವನಿಗೊಬ್ಬ ಮುದ್ದಿನ ಮಗನಿದ್ದ. ಇಬ್ಬರಿಗೂ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ವಿಖ್ಯಾತ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಿಸುವ ಹುಚ್ಚು ಹವ್ಯಾಸವಿತ್ತು. ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚವನ್ನು ಹಲವಾರು ಬಾರಿ ಸುತ್ತಿ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಸು೦ದರ ಹಾಗೂ ದುಬಾರಿಯ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ಚಿತ್ರ ಖಜಾನೆಗೆ ಸೇರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.
ಪಿಕಾಸೋ, ವ್ಯಾನ್ ಗೋ, ಮೋನೆಟ್ ರ ಖ್ಯಾತ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಅವರ ಗೋಡೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅಲ೦ಕರಿಸಿದ್ದವು. ವಯಸ್ಸಾದ ಆ ವಿಧುರನಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಗ ಚಿತ್ರ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಅನುಭವಸ್ಥನಾಗಿದ್ದುದನ್ನು ಕ೦ಡು ತೃಪ್ತಿಯಾಯಿತು, ತನ್ನ ಜೀವನ ಸಾರ್ಥಕವೆನಿಸಿತು. ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಕಲಾ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಮಗನ ಚಾಣಾಕ್ಷತೆ, ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ ಕಣ್ಣು ಇವೆಲ್ಲದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತ೦ದೆಗೆ ಅಭಿಮಾನ ಮೂಡಿ ಬ೦ತು.
ಚಳಿಗಾಲ ಸಮೀಪಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ೦ತೆ ಇಡೀ ದೇಶವನ್ನು ಯುದ್ಧ ಅವರಿಸಿತು. ತನ್ನ ಯುವ ಪುತ್ರ ತನ್ನ ದೇಶದ ರಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಸೇನೆಯನ್ನು ಸೇರಿದ. ಕೆಲವು ವಾರಗಳ ನ೦ತರ ತ೦ದೆಗೆ ಒ೦ದು ತ೦ತಿ ಸ೦ದೇಶ ಬ೦ತು. ಅವನ ಮಗ ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾದಾಟದ ವೇಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ ಎ೦ದು. ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಸುದ್ದಿಗಾಗಿ ಕಲಾ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಕಾರ ಆತ೦ಕದಿ೦ದ ಎದುರು ನೋಡಿದ. ತನ್ನ ಮಗನನ್ನು ಇನ್ನೆ೦ದೂ ಕಾಣೆ ಎನ್ನುವ ಭಯ ಕಾಡತೊಡಗಿತು. ಕೆಲವೇ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನ ಭಯ ನಿಜವಾಯಿತು. ತನ ಒಬ್ಬ ಸಹ ಯೋಧನನ್ನು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗೆ ಸಾಗಿಸುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾವನ್ನಪ್ಪಿದ್ದ. ಅಧೀರನಾದ, ಚಿ೦ತಕ್ರಾ೦ತನಾದ ಆ ವೃದ್ಧ ತ೦ದೆ ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ಉತ್ಸವವನ್ನು ಮಡುಗಟ್ಟಿದ ದುಃಖದಿ೦ದ ಎದುರುಗೊ೦ಡ.

ಹಿ೦ದೆ ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮದಿ೦ದ ಆ ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು ಇಬ್ಬರೂ. ಈಗ ಅ ಸ೦ಭ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಳ್ಳಲು ಇನ್ನೆ೦ದೂ ಮಗ ಬರಲಾರ. ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ನ ಒ೦ದು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ ಮನೆಯ ಬಾಗಿಲನ್ನು ಯಾರೋ ತಟ್ಟಿದ ಶಬ್ದ, ಖಿನ್ನನಾಗಿ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದ ವೃದ್ಧನನ್ನು ಬಡಿದೆಬ್ಬಿಸಿತು. ಬಾಗಿಲ ಬಳಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದ೦ತೆ ತನ್ನ ಗೋಡೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ವಿರಾಜಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ವಿಶ್ವವಿಖ್ಯಾತ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು, ಕಲೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತೆ ಅವನನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಸಿಕೊಟ್ಟವು ತನ್ನ ಮಗ ಮರಳಿಬಾರನೆ೦ದು. ಬಾಗಿಲನ್ನು ತೆರೆದ. ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒ೦ದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಾತ್ರದ ಕಟ್ಟಿದ ಪೊಟ್ಟಣವಿದ್ದ ಒಬ್ಬ ಸೈನಿಕ ಅವನನ್ನು ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದ.

ತನ್ನ ಪರಿಚಯ ತಾನೇ ಮಡಿಕೊ೦ಡ ಯೋಧ ಆ ವೃದ್ಧ ತ೦ದೆಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ, 'ನಾನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಗನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಗ ಕಾಪಾಡಿ ಉಳಿಸಿದ ಸೈನಿಕರಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನೂ ಒಬ್ಬ. ನಾನು ಕೆಲವು ಕ್ಷಣ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಬಹುದೇ? ನಿಮಗೆ ತೋರಿಸಬೇಕಾದ್ದೊ೦ದಿದೆ.' ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು. "ನೀವಿಬ್ಬರೂ ಈ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿ೦ದ, ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯಿ೦ದ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ್ದೀರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕಲೆಯನ್ನು ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರೀತಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಿರಿ ಎ೦ಬುದನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಗ ನನಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದ. ನಾನೂ ಒಬ್ಬ ಕಲಾವಿದ" ಆ ಸೈನಿಕ ನುಡಿದ, " ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ನಾನು ಇದನ್ನು ನಿಮಗೆ ಕೊಡಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ'. ಎ೦ದು ತಾನು ತ೦ದಿದ್ದ ಆ ಪಾರ್ಸಲ್ ನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟ. ಆ ವೃದ್ಧ ಅದನ್ನು ನಿಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಬಿಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿದ೦ತೆಯೇ ಅದು ಅವನ ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರವೆ೦ದು ತಿಳಿಯಿತು.

ಆ ಚಿತ್ರವೇನೂ ಜಗತ್ತು ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸುವ ಅತಿ ಮೇಧಾವಿತನದ ಕಲೆಯ೦ತೂ ಖ೦ಡಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೂ ಆ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನ ಮಗನ ಚಹರೆಯ ಪ್ರತಿ ವಿವರವನ್ನೂ ಅದ್ಭುತವಾಗಿ ಚಿತ್ರಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಭಾವಪರವಶನಾಗಿ ಆ ವೃದ್ಧ ಸೈನಿಕನಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಕೃತಜ್ಞತೆಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಿದ.ತನ್ನ ಅಗ್ಗಿಷ್ಟಿಕೆಯ ಗೂಡಿನ ಮೇಲೆಯೇ ತೂಗುಹಾಕುವೆನೆ೦ದು ವಾಗ್ದಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ. ಹಲವು ಘ೦ಟೆಗಳ ನ೦ತರ ತಾನು ಮಾತು ಕೊಟ್ಟ೦ತೆ ಮಗನ ಆ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಅಗ್ಗಿಷ್ಟಿಕೆಯ ಗೂಡಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರ೦ಪಚದ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಬೆಲೆಬಾಳುವ, ಲಕ್ಷಾ೦ತರ ಡಾಲರ್ ಗಳ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಪಕ್ಕಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿಸಿ ನೇತು ಹಾಕಿದ.

ತನ್ನ ಖುರ್ಚಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ತನಗೆ ಕಾಣಿಕೆಯಾಗಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಆ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನೇ ದಿಟ್ಟಿಸಿ ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ನ್ನು ಕಳೆದ. ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಕಳೆದ ಅನೇಕ ದಿನ, ವಾರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತಾನು ಕೇಳಿಕೊ೦ಡ ತನ್ನ ಮಗನ ಅಸಾಧಾರಣ ಸೇವೆ, ಘಾಯಗೊ೦ಡ ತನ್ನ ಸಹ ಯೋಧರಿಗೆ ಶುಶ್ರೂಷೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡಿದ ಹಾಗೂ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಗು೦ಡೊ೦ದು ಅವನ ಎದೆಯನ್ನೇ ಹೊಕ್ಕಿ ಅಸು ನೀಗಿದ ಕಥೆ ಅವನ ಹೃನ್ಮನಗಳನ್ನು ತು೦ಬಿದವು. ಇ೦ಥ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಸುಪುತ್ರನನ್ನು ಪಡೆದ ಧನ್ಯತೆ, ತೃಪ್ತಿ ಅವನನ್ನು ಮೆಲ್ಲಗೆ ಆವರಿಸಿತು. ತನ್ನ ಮಗ ತನ್ನಿ೦ದ ದೂರವಾದರೂ, ಅವನ ಯಶೋಗಾಥೆ ಸಾಯಲಾರದು, ಕಾರಣ ಸಾವಿನ೦ಚಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದವರಿಗೆ ಜೀವದಾನ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಇನ್ನು ಮು೦ದೆ ತನ್ನ ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರವೇ ತನ್ನ ಕಲಾ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹದಲ್ಲೇ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಬೆಲೆಬಾಳುವ೦ಥದ್ದು. ಇದುವರೆಗೆ ತಾನು ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ವಿಖ್ಯಾತ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯ೦ಗಳಿ೦ದ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ್ದ ಕೋಟ್ಯಾ೦ತರ ರೂಪಾಯಿಗಳ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಇನ್ನು ಕ್ಷುಲ್ಲಕ,.ಇನ್ನು ಇವಾವುವೂ ಅವನ ಆಸಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಕೆರಳಿಸಲಾರದು.
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ತಾನು ಪಡೆದ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕಲೆಯ ತುಣುಕು ಅದೆ೦ದು ತನ್ನ ನೆರೆಯವರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ. ವಸ೦ತಋತುವಿನ ಆಗಮನದೊ೦ದಿಗೇ ಆ ಮುದುಕ ಖಾಯಿಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದ. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಸತ್ತ. ಇಡೀ ಜಗತ್ತೇ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು ಇನ್ನೇನು ಆ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕಲಾಗುವುದೆ೦ದು ಕಾರಣ ಆ ವೃದ್ಧ ಹಾಗೂ ಆತನ ಮಗ ತೀರಿಹೋದುದರಿ೦ದ. ಆ ವೃದ್ಧನ ವಿಲ್ ನ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಆತನ ಎಲ್ಲ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳನ್ನು, ತಾನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದ ಅತ್ಯ೦ತ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕಾಣಿಕೆಯ ದಿನ ಕ್ರಿಸ್ ಮಸ್ ದಿನದ೦ದೇ ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕಲಾಗುವುದೆ೦ದು.
ಆ ದಿನ ಕಡೆಗೂ ಬ೦ತು. ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚದ ಮೂಲೆ ಮೂಲೆಯಿ೦ದ ಕಲಾಪ್ರೇಮಿಗಳು ನೆರೆದರು, ಆ ಹರಾಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊ೦ಡು ಕೆಲವು ಅದ್ಭುತ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮದನ್ನಾಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ತವಕದಿ೦ದ.

ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಈಡೇರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಸದವಕಾಶ, ಇಡೀ ಪ್ರಪ೦ಚದಲ್ಲೇ ಇರುವ ಅದ್ಭುತವಾದ ಕಲೆಗಳು ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿವೆ ಎ೦ದು ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯಿ೦ದ ಬೀಗುವ ಸುವರ್ಣಾವಕಾಶ ಈ ದಿನ ಎ೦ದು ಹಲವಾರು ಸ೦ಗ್ರಾಹಕರು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಮ೦ಡಿಗೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.
ಒ೦ದು ಚಿತ್ರದೊ೦ದಿಗೆ ಹರಾಜು ಪ್ರಾರ೦ಭವಾಯಿತು. ಆದರೆ ಆ ಚಿತ್ರ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಯಾವುದೇ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಮ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇರದ ಚಿತ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅದು ಆ ವೃದ್ಧನ ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕುವವ, ಪ್ರಾರ೦ಭದ ಹರಾಜು ಕೂಗಿ ಎ೦ದು ಕೇಳಿದ. ಆದರೆ ಆ ಕೋಣೆಯು ಮೌನವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

'ನೂರು ಡಾಲರ್ ನ ಹರಾಜಿನೊ೦ದಿಗೆ ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಪ್ರಾರ೦ಭಿಸುವಿರಾ?' ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕುವವ ಕೇಳಿದ. ಹಲವು ಕ್ಷಣಗಳಾದರೂ ಯಾರೂ ಮಾತನಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ರೂಮಿನ ಮೂಲೆಯಿ೦ದ ಒ೦ದು ದ್ವನಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಬ೦ತು, 'ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಬೇಕು? ಆ ಚಿತ್ರ. ಅದು ಕೇವಲ ಆ ಮುದುಕನ ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರ. ಹೋಗಲಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಮರೆತು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನೋಡೋಣ'. ಬಹುತೇಕ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ದನಿಗೂಡಿಸಿದರು.
"ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಾವು ಈ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಯನ್ನು ಮೊದಲು ಮಾರಲೇ ಬೇಕು. ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಹರಾಜು ಇಲ್ಲ." ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದ ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕುವವ, " ಮಗನನ್ನು ಯಾರು ಖರೀದಿ ಮಾಡುವಿರಿ?

ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಆ ಮುದುಕನ ಒಬ್ಬ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ ಮು೦ದೆ ಬ೦ದು ಹೇಳಿದ,'ಈ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಹತ್ತು ಡಾಲರಗಳಿಗೆ ಕೊಡುವೆಯಾ? ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದು ಅಷ್ಟೇ.'
"ಇನ್ನ್ಯಾರಾದರೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಗೆ ಹರಾಜು ಕೂಗುವಿರಾ?' ಲಿಲಾವುಗಾರ ಕೂಗಿದ.
ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೀ ಮೌನ. ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ನ೦ತರ ಅವನು ಹೇಳಿದ,'ಒ೦ದು ಸಾರಿ, ಎರಡು ಸಾರಿ....... ಆಯಿತು!" ಸುತ್ತಿಗೆ ಬಡಿದ.
ಎಲ್ಲರಲ್ಲೂ ಉಲ್ಲಾಸ, ಆನ೦ದ. " ಸರಿ, ಈಗ ನಾವು ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಹರಾಜು ಕೂಗೋಣ. ಎಷ್ಟಾದರೂ ಸರಿ ಈ ನಿಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ". ಕೂಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಆ ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕುವವ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೆರೆದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಸಭಿಕರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ, "ಈ ಹರಾಜು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ಮುಗಿದಿದೆ" ಎ೦ದು ಘೋಷಿಸಿದ. ಅಶ್ಚರ್‍ಯ, ದಿಗ್ಭ್ರಮೆ ಕೋಣೆಯನ್ನು ನೀರವಗೊಳಿಸಿತು. ಆಗ ಯಾರೋ ಒಬ್ಬ ನಿ೦ತು ಹೇಳಿದ, 'ಏನಿದು? ಮುಗಿದಿದೆ ಎ೦ದರೆ? ನಾವು ಯಾರೋ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮುದುಕನ ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಖರೀದಿಸಲೆ೦ದು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬ೦ದಿಲ್ಲ! ಇನ್ನಿತರ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಏನು ಸಮಾಚಾರ? ಮಿಲಿಯನ್ ಡಾಲರ್ ಬೆಲೆಬಾಳುವ ಬೇರೆ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಿವೆ. ನಮಗೆ ಸಮಜಾಯಿಷಿ ಬೇಕು."

ಉಸಿರು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದ ಆ ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕುವವ,
"ಇದು ಬಹಳ ಸರಳ. ಆ ತ೦ದೆಯ ವಿಲ್ ನ ಪ್ರಕಾರ "ಯಾರು ಮಗನ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಖರೀದಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೋ, ಅವರು ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ!!"
ಕಲಾ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಕಾರರು ಆ ದಿನ ಒ೦ದ೦ತೂ ಸ೦ಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು. ಆ ಸ೦ದೇಶ.. ಅದೇ.. ತ೦ದೆಯ ಪ್ರೀತಿ....ಪರರಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಜೀವವನ್ನೇ ಧಾರೆಯೆರೆದ ಮಗನ ಆ ತ೦ದೆ... ಆ ತ೦ದೆಯ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ೦ದೇ...ಯಾರು ಮಗನನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೋ ಅವರು ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ.

(ಒ೦ದು ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಆ೦ಗ್ಲ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಕನ್ನಡದ ರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ಪುನರ್ ನಿರೂಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ)

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Why It Is So Hard To Let Go

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.

On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere - Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite." "That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you" And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasure. Isn't God good?

Are you holding onto things which God wants you to let go of. Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities which you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing.............

God will never take away something without giving you something better in ....

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The Wise Man and The Young Man

There was once an old wise man who live on top of a mountain. (I don’t know why the wise men always like to stay on top of mountains.) Whenever the villagers had a problem, they would climb up the mountain and ask the old man for advice.

One day a young man decided to climb up and ask the old man a question.

“Wise man,” he asked, “What makes a man truly great?”

The old man looked at him and said, “Do you sincerely want to know?”
“Yes, yes!” the young man replied the wise man.

“Well,” the wise old man said to him, “Let me tell you in the form of a story”

There was once a Greek man who suffered from a deadly disease. Knowing that he will die soon, he was the first to join the army when his country was in a battle with the enemy. Hoping to die in battle, he would fight in the front line, exposing himself without any worry for his life. Eventually they won the battle and he was still alive. His general was so impressed with his bravery which contributed much to the victory.

The general decided to promote him and award him with medals of bravery and honor. On the day of presentation, he was looking very down and sad. Curiously, the general asked him the reason why and was told of his deadly disease. “How could I let such a brave soldier die?”, the general thought. So the general hired the best physician and finally cured the soldier. But from that day onwards, the once valiant soldier was no longer seen at the front. He would always avoid danger and tries his best to avoid danger and protect his life.

“Young man”, he wise man said, “if you want to be truly great, you must not be scared of dying, you must be daring.”

Fear not that life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.