A dog took a trip to see the country. A few days later he returned, and his friends asked him whether he faced problems on the trip. He said that he met with many people and animals along the way. They did not create any disturbances but allowed him to go his own way.
‘The only problems I faced were from our own kind’, he said. ‘They would not leave me alone. They barked at me and chased and tried to bite me.’
In the same way, when a person becomes successful, those who do not know him will heave him alone. Unfortunately, he has to put up with some of his friends and relatives who may feel envious of his success. They carry tales, and even create obstacles fro him. In such a situation, he should try to exercise patience. It may be useful for him to remember that it is easier for some people to associate with strangers rather than their own people.
~ o0o ~
We must be ever vigilant of unwholesome thoughts. Whenever a negative thought arises in the mind, we must try to replace or substitute the negative thought with a positive one. This requires us to be aware of what goes in and comes out of the mind. Through this gradual process of self-awareness, we will be able to check and weed out the negative thoughts before they can enslave us.
– How to live without fear & worry, K. Sri Dhammananda
