The Wise Woman’s Stone - Author Unknown
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.
The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.”
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
The first time I read this meditation I said to myself…I’m not there yet.
This morning I found myself comtemplating this story….wondering…how did this woman give away such a precious item? The answer came to me in a whisper….MY God supplies all my needs according to his riches and glory. That is IT….I have and will have all I need to live…everything..and everyone in my life is a gift….I do not own anything…the key for me is to appreciate all the gifts I have knowing that gifts come and depart in a split second…so I need to carpe diem, live in the present moment and appreciate it knowing that things change…..like the seasons…there is a time for everything.
Thank you MJ for this warm reminder to “Let Go, Let God.”
God bless us all.
Suzanne
January 5th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Indeed, Suzanne, our children, our lives, our bodies. They are all on loan to us. We think we own so much when in actuality we own only our own thoughts and maybe not even them.
May 21st, 2010 at 5:55 am
MJ, could I reference some of the material from this entry if I link back to you?
May 21st, 2010 at 6:13 am
Yes, of course, Wyatt, and thank you for asking.
July 18th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Dear MJ,
A great story. Reflects truly the message, “There is greater satisfaction in giving than in receiving.” Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Shared with my contacts the story and the link to the MJHB blog.
With love and regards,
Siva
July 19th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Siva,
A lovely post from you. Indeed, there is a deeper satisfaction when we give. Gibran says it so beautifully.
Then said a rich man, “Speak to us of Giving.” And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; they give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; and to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.
And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given; therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.
You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.” The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving? And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving. For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness. And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.