True happiness is not found in the absence of problems
but in the strength to overcome them with a joyful heart.
Once, in a quaint village nestled amidst rolling hills, there lived a wise old man named Zen. Despite facing numerous trials and tribulations throughout his life, Zen was always seen with a serene smile etched upon his weathered face.
One day, a curious young traveller approached Zen and asked, “How do you manage to stay so content amidst life's challenges?”
With a twinkle in his eye, Zen replied, “Happiness, my dear friend, is not a destination but a journey. It is not about avoiding problems but about embracing them as opportunities for growth.”
Intrigued, the traveller sought to learn more from Zen. Over the course of several days, Zen shared stories of his past struggles and how he overcame them with resilience and positivity. Each tale was accompanied by his trademark smile, revealing the profound truth that happiness was not dependent on external circumstances but on one's internal state of mind.
Inspired by Zen's wisdom, the traveller embarked on his own journey, facing challenges with newfound courage and optimism. Along the way, he encountered setbacks and obstacles, but instead of feeling defeated, he embraced them as valuable lessons in his pursuit of happiness.
Years later, the traveller returned to the village to seek out Zen once more. This time, he found the wise old man sitting under the shade of a towering oak tree, his smile as radiant as ever.
“I followed your teachings, Zen,” the traveller said with gratitude. “And I have discovered that true happiness lies not in the absence of problems but in the strength to overcome them with a joyful heart.”
Zen nodded, his eyes twinkling with pride. “Remember, my friend, happiness is not a destination to be reached but a way of travelling through life. Embrace each moment, both the joys and the challenges, and you will find that happiness resides within you, always.”
Hope you’ve enjoyed the short story.
“The essence of living lies not in evading storms but in dancing amidst the thunder with unwavering grace.” — Coffee Times
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What a lovely story. Your posts are so calming and help me recenter my writing week. Are you still doing your weekly chat thread? The last one I could see is from March.
Love this 😊 Very wise... and reminds me of a quote I have (hanging in my downstairs loo of all places) 😆 “Happiness is.. the absence of striving for happiness” 💛