While perusing the pages and enjoying my cup-o-joy I came upon a wonderful and moving short story. Mind you, I had spent the last week working on an all new blog post, my next two blog posts in fact (I like to multi-task), but this story struck me to such a degree that I was deeply compelled to share it. I found this message simple yet powerful and the delivery of the story endearing. So here it is; I hope this touches you as it did me. Just one last thought before you read on, it's amazing all the things we take for granted...
"Seattle is a beautiful place, but in the 1980s I was living in a beat-up beach cabin. I had an old TV, a lumpy futon, and one of those white plastic Princess Phones. I was basically broke, but my noisy old refrigerator was stuffed with fresh vegetables, eggs, fruit, beer and frozen pizza...and I had a spectacular view of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline.
That year, I volunteered to host a college exchange student from Guinea-Bissau, Africa. When I picked him up at the airport, Salvatore was easy to spot. He was 23 tall and regal-looking, with a huge smile and lustrous blue-black skin. He had lived his entire life as a barefoot fisherman in a small native village located on a big river deep in the jungle of Guinea-Bissau...and now his village had raised the money to send him to study U.S. Fisheries on their behalf. He had travelled directly from his African village to Seattle, and I could see he was astonished at what he saw as we drove through the beautiful city.
When we arrived at my raggedy cabin, I worried that Salvatore might be disappointed with his new accommodations. He seemed somber as I showed him the little bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, TV and telephone. What was Salvatore thinking? I decided to take him out on the little deck to try to impress him with the view. The snow-clad mountains were spread out against the sky that day, and one of Seattle's majestic white ferries was gliding across the sparkling waters of Puget Sound. We stood there silently for awhile, and then Salvatore turned to me with his brow deeply knit in thought.
"You are a king?" he asked. "No," I laughed "I'm just an everyday person like you." Salvatore was silent for a moment , and then he turned again and said quite clearly and emphatically, "You are a King." And it suddenly dawned on me that he was right. All these years I had been a king and not known it."
Story by Scott Sabol, Ph.D.
During this Holiday season, as in many Holiday seasons past we may find ourselves getting caught up in the "stuff" we want. Our focus may be on the gifts we plan to buy others or the gifts we hope to get. But I warn, be careful, because while we are focused on what we don't have or wish we could have, we are not appreciating what we "do" have.
For me the story above is the ultimate example of gratitude. The key is a shift in "perspective". In the two minutes it took me to read this short story I went from a feeling of lack to the thought that I am as I was created to be... Royalty, and I have all I need and want. Even though we/I may, lose focus from time to time I am a believer that everything we want or desire in life is already ours and if we live as though our desires are already a reality, they shall be; this is the art of manifestation.
So if you or someone you know is struggling, wishing they had or could buy others more stuff this season share with them this story and remind them "They Are Royalty."
A few more thoughts and a final excerpt from ONE:
- If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of the world's population.
- If you have a little money in the bank or spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
- If you can drink from your kitchen faucet whenever you want...you are more fortunate by far than 1.5 billion people we have no access to clean water at all.
- If you can attend a church or a political rally without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death...you have the kind of freedom denied to more than three billion people in the world.
- If you can read this message, you are more blessed than two billion people who cannot read at all.
- If your everyday problems are weighing you down, there are millions of people on Earth who would gladly trade places with you right now, problems and all - and feel they have been royally blessed.
Remember: "From those to whom much is given much is expected."
ONE is on sale now at Starbucks and is filled with great anecdotes, ideas, quotes and suggestions to help you live and appreciate life more. It's a great gift for under $10 to share with someone special.
Also the publisher Compendium, Incorporated have many more books like this, many are themed by occasion; Birthday, Wedding or specific for Son, Daughter, family or friends. Check them out here:
I hope you'll share this post with someone you know.
Peace & Prosperity,
Dallas M Cyr
