There were two Greek Gods, looking down on the earth. They saw a beggar, in tattered clothes, walking through a pasture. It was evident he was in great need. One god said to the other that she felt sorry for the beggar. Her idea was to give the man some riches to improve his life. The other god thought her idea was futile and he said, “Why do you think riches are the answer?” She had compassion on the beggar and placed a bag of gold in the path near his feet.
The startled man, jumped back. Then he carefully examined and walked around the bag, wondering about its contents; then headed off, continuing on his way. The God was bewildered. She didn’t understand how anyone would pass up such a wonderful gift! The gold would seem to solve his problems.
She was determined to understand the begar’s actions. Moments later she was face to face with him asking about the gold.
You gave it to me? He asked. “Yes, aren’t you grateful that I placed it in your path? she questioned. “Oh yes,” he said “I’m thankful I noticed it and stepped around it without tripping and falling!”
Sometimes an experience we wish to avoid is a gift from God. When we trust and believe, we’ll be better for it.
What is your bag of gold?
June 21st, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Linda,
It’s amazing at how sometimes we feel our “gifts” are not welcome. Experiences, no matter what our outlook, happen for a reason… for us to learn something and gain knowledge we might otherwise not receive.
They truly are our gifts.
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com
Pat and Lorna Shanks recently posted..Life is a Party! It’s All About Being Social and Getting Together
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 am
Yes, I agree! I have to say sometimes we don’t want to admit it~ it’s not always easy!!
June 21st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Linda,
What a great story. My bag of gold is my book – which was sitting in a file box, unpublished, for over 13 years. Then, in a 9 month mentoring program, for 8 months I was focused on writing a new book. Finally, in the last month, one of the mentors suggested that I take my book out of the file box and get it published. Boing! Now it is published, out of the file box, and out of my was as a stumbling block. Now it is truly a bag of gold for me. The title is Love Me, Touch Me, Heal Me.
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:38 am
How exciting Dr Goodstone! I can’t wait to read your book! Congratulations on getting it done!!
June 21st, 2010 at 7:59 pm
That reminds me of the story where there was a man on top of his roof saving himself from a flood. Over time, one, two, and three helicopters hovered over him to save him. Each time he refused. He kept praying God would help him… as the waters got deeper.. he cried out to God and said.. “God, I thought you were going to save me, where are you?” God yelled back, “I sent you three helicopters!”. Sometimes we just don’t see it ….
Lesly recently posted..Are You Brainwshing Yourself?
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:33 am
I love it Lesly! Yes, exactly!! How many times do we do that same thing? I appreciate you sharing!!
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:35 am
This is a very simple, elegant message Linda Grace. Nothing really has any meaning other than the meaning that we give to it !! Beautiful blog !!
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:52 am
Thank you Rose Mis~
Your words are true ‘nothing really has meaning other than the meaning we give to it!’ I like the way that sounds~ I had to repeat it!
~Linda
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:22 am
Linda,
My current pot of gold is an ebook of poems that my niece has written, entitled “99 Reflections In The Rain.” I am editing them and putting the ebook together for her. It’s a challenge, but a fun collaborative effort.
We need to ALWAYS keep our eyes open for a pot of gold right there within our grasp. How easy it is to become focused on the mundane and fail to keep searching for those golden opportunities!
Darlene Davis recently posted..The Five Abilities For True Success
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:53 am
Yes, Dar~
It’s like Jim said in your last post! Pay attention for true success!
June 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 am
Hi Linda,
I luv this story! It makes a point that I believe many of us also make the mistake of not seeing that by trying to avoid an experience, we may in fact be missing a gift ~ Thanks for sharing
Christine
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Christine~
Thanks for commenting! It is amazing that even though we know this, sometimes we still try to avoid!
~Linda
June 22nd, 2010 at 11:11 am
Linda,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. It’s true, sometimes your stumbling block is the next step to achieving your dreams. Face it head on and you’ll see it’s not so scary after all.
Thanks for the gentle reminder to approach things with an open mind. You never know what riches await you!
Val
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Thanks Val! I appreciate your input! I look forward to reading your latest post!
~Linda
June 22nd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Hi Linda
What a great story! (… he’s glad he saw it and didn’t trip over it! That’s funny!).
I’m sure most people have heard sayings such as:
“Not being able to see the forest for the trees”, and “I couldn’t see for looking”, etc.
Opportunities/messages are everywhere. The key to finding them is increasing our awareness and being open minded in order to notice them in the first place – plus trusting ourselves enough to take a leap of faith!
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Linda.
~ Kylie ~
June 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Yes, Kylie~
I love that one, “cant see the forest for the trees!” It’s all about opening our eyes!
June 24th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Linda,
I love stories that teach, so thanks so much for this one. I’ve had many bags of gold in my life. Doing my best to receive the gifts that are showing up and be appreciative.
Thanks again,
Adam
June 25th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Thank you Adam! I’m always amazed at how the gifts show up!
May 5th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
We don’t know what this bag of gold meant to the beggar. Maybe the begger was not asking himself the right questions as to what it was or how it could be used.
Sometimes we wonder why we end up with things in our pathway, but if we ask the right empowering questions, some great answers will come up.
May 7th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Jeannie,
I agree! Thank you for visiting my blog! Why don’t you get a Gravatar? I’ll show you how here http://lindagraceonline.com/get-the-focus-on-you/ then leave another comment and let me see!
Linda
July 1st, 2011 at 3:42 am
Thanks Linda for this very inspiring story. It touched my heart while reading through it and starting to realize many things in life. Thank you, thank you so much.
July 1st, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Anita,
I’m glad you found value in reading my story!
Linda
Ps. Why don’t you get a gravatar, a picture connected to your comment? I’ve created a post to show you how! Click right here and I’ll walk you through! http://lindagraceonline.com/get-the-focus-on-you/
October 24th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
I enjoy tales in which educative, therefore thanks a lot for this wonderful one. I’ve had numerous bags of precious gold during my lifestyle. Doing my personal better to have the Presents which can be showing up and stay appreciation. Thank you for this great post and I truly appreciate it!
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December 28th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Hey There Lindagraceonline,
Interesting Post, Bags can speak a thousand words about its owner. And there is no such thing as a perfect lifetime bag. Women, in general, tend to change or purchase bags at least once per month and this is not only because the fashion trend is in constant change but because bags are like people, each bag is unique in its own way and not one bag can go pretty well with each of your clothing.
Regards