Once upon a time, there was a farmer who lived in a prosperous village, surrounded by vast, fertile fields. Every morning, he would wake up before sunrise, ready to go to the fields. But as he passed by his water jar to wash, he thought:
"Why wash now? I'm going to the field where the dust and mud will dirty me. It doesn't make sense."
And so, he would go to work, his hands full of energy, but his body still marked by the fatigue of the day before.
In the evening, upon returning from the field, covered in dirt and sweat, he would pass by the water jar again. But this time, he thought:
"Why wash now? Tomorrow, I’ll return to the field and get dirty again. It’s useless."
And so, day after day, he continued to delay his washing.
Over time, his body became heavy, his skin irritated, and his smell pushed away those around him. But most of all, he began to feel an exhaustion he didn’t understand. It wasn’t the work in the fields that drained him, but the neglect of his own self-care.
One day, an old man from the village called out to him:
"My son, why do you never wash?"
The farmer explained his reasoning, thinking his arguments were flawless. But the old man burst out laughing and said:
"Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Washing every day, even though you know you will get dirty again, is like taking care of your soul and spirit. If you neglect this daily care, your burden will become heavier than the one you carry in the fields."
The farmer, moved by these words, decided to change. From then on, he washed every morning to start the day light and fresh, and every evening to rid himself of the dust and worries accumulated. He regained his vitality, and the villagers noticed how radiant he seemed once again.
The Lesson
Like the farmer, we sometimes hesitate to engage in simple acts or pleasures in life, thinking they won’t last or may be compromised. But it is in these fleeting acts that lasting richness resides.
- Buying a new phone: Some hesitate to buy a phone for fear it will break or become obsolete. Yet, its value lies in what it allows us to experience here and now: staying in touch, capturing memories, exploring the digital world.
- Going on a trip: It is tempting to give up an adventure to save money for a durable material possession. But the memories you gather during a trip – the landscapes seen, the people met, the emotions felt – will last much longer than any physical object.
- Spending time with loved ones: Sometimes, we put off a dinner, outing, or call because we are busy or tired. Yet, these fleeting moments are the ones that nourish our relationships and shape our happiness.
Keeping in mind that material things are temporary helps us live fully in the present moment. The experiences lived and the memories stored in our hearts and minds are far more lasting than the objects we accumulate. Let’s take care of ourselves, live, and appreciate each day as a gift to cultivate.
