Count the blessings. not the curses

In a small village, there lived a man named Thomas. Thomas had a very difficult life. His crops often died, his house was old, and he felt that he was the unluckiest person in the world. He spent every day walking with his head down, complaining about his "curses."

One day, Thomas decided to climb a high mountain to ask a wise old man for advice. "Why is my life so full of darkness?" Thomas asked, looking at the ground.

The wise man smiled and said, "Thomas, I have placed five beautiful gifts along the path you just walked. Did you see them?"

Thomas was confused. "No, I saw only stones and dust."

"That is because you were looking down at your shadow," the wise man replied. "Go back down, but this time, keep your head up. Do not look for the stones. Look for the blessings."

Thomas began his journey home. Because his head was up, he noticed things he had never seen before:

• He saw the magnificent sunset that painted the sky in gold.

• He found a tree filled with sweet, ripe fruit to eat.

• He noticed a cool spring of clear water to drink.

• He saw the beautiful flowers growing between the rocks.

• Finally, he met a lonely traveler who shared a wonderful story and became his friend.

Thomas realized that the "curses" were just small stones on the road, but the "blessings" were everywhere. He just had to raise his eyes to see them.

The Moral of the Story

"Always keep your head up, because if it's down, you won't be able to see the blessings that have been placed in your life."