Beauty Parlor For The Soul - Propitiousness

The choices we have in life are present every step of the way. They keep popping up all around us, urging us to exercise our power of discrimination. However, a little along the sands of time, it is not difficult to realize that whatever happens, happens for the best. There is always some good that is churned out of every circumstance. Though accepting this in times of adversity is very difficult, the truth shows up, sooner or later. We need to learn to accept these not-so-good-initial-lessons for all they are worth. It is not uncommon to hear people around you or you, yourself say, "What luck that happened!", or "It was difficult, but for the best!". It happens all the time.

Just like a mother would never give her toddler a knife to play with, I believe the forces of nature also react in very much the same way. The toddler may throw a tantrum, but in the end it is for his good. This kind of phenomena keeps taking place and we are really so lucky to be at the receptive end. Just glance back at life and imagine if all your deepest desires came true. No doubt you would be living in the lap of luxury (we somehow share this very predictable desire), but would certainly have problems of a different kind. Whether or not you would remain buoyant or succumb is debatable. But you surely would never have metamorphosed into the person you are today. Adversity takes you from strength to strength.

The master had this habit of repeating, "Whatever happens, happens for the best", whenever told about some setback. While these words empowered some, it brought on the wrath of quite a few. Someone lost his job - "Whatever happens, happens for the best"; someone succumbed to an ailment - "Whatever happens, happens for the best"; the little child fell and hurt himself - "Whatever happens, happens for the best". There was a limit! How could this man see hope in such situations? What the master saw was another, better job being offered, relief from physical pain and agony and greater balance while cycling. But the individuals would never realize that there and then, and there was much to talk about.

The king heard about this famous quip and was quite amused. He summoned the holy one. Now, nobody says, "No", to the king. The master, in all his wisdom, went to the capital. After the initial greetings, the master was shown to his chambers. That evening, the master was part of the discourses and problem-solving session at the royal court. The king was very surprised when every problem first got the famous, "Whatever happens, happens for the best", and was then offered a solution. He decided to test the man's inner faith and see if the same applied to him in challenging situations. He told the master that they would be going on a hunt the next day. Kings 'tell' or command, they don't request you know...just out of habit. But the master refused. He knew nothing about hunting and didn't want to be party. The royal ears went red and the king ordered that the master be thrown into the dungeon. Walking away with the guards, the master said, "Whatever happens, happens for the best"!

The next evening, the retinue left on the hunt – the king, a few ministers and the royal guards. They rode on horse-back, with the king flanked on either side by the retinue, for some time. Then suddenly, he spotted game. A deer was sighted and the king began the chase. Somehow, he strayed and separated from the rest of the group. He seemed to be penetrating deeper into the jungle. Dusk was upon the forest and there was no sign of sound or familiar sight. The king took silent refuge in the forest being within the capital and followed one path after another. But, he simply went deeper and deeper into the forest. Then there was sound. People, but strange and unfamiliar sounds, beating of drums, and then there was light! The king had caught a tribe in the middle of a ritual and some sort of debate.

But, soon everything was sorted out. It was a full moon night and they needed a human sacrifice to appease the gods. Here was the answer to their prayers. The king, headgear, satins and all was what they were looking for. Strong, robust and well built. Only the best would do for the gods. Before he knew what was happening, he was bound to a tree. The king was being prepared for the sacrifice. They seemed to be searching for something on the king's person. It was a rule that the body sacrificed to the gods should be without a scar. The king was not even listening to the elders, he was praying. The thought of the master and the parting quip - "Whatever happens, happens for the best", stirred a wrath that he knew meant death. God! He could kill the man! What on God's good earth was for the 'best' in this situation. The man was mad. Yes...that was the problem.

Suddenly, the tribesmen stopped the 'search' and looked at one another, disappointed and very irritated. What a waste of time. They now had to go and look for another 'offering'. The king had a wound on his thigh that was being treated. He had failed to qualify as the 'sacrifice to the gods'. Ired, the men released the king. It didn't take him long to get right out of sight. When he reached the capital, only the next morning and after a long sojourn of tracing and retracing his steps, he sent for the master. After relating the events of the previous evening, he asked the master amidst a full court-room what 'best' had come out of his being treated with so much disrespect!

The master told the king to focus on the nagging wound instead and how it had saved his life. His wandering has even made him aware of the inhuman rituals of the tribes that he didn't even know existed. Now he could address the need for change and thank God for even that wound, that saved him from quite a pickle! "And, how was your night in the dungeon the 'best', enlightened one?", the king asked sarcastically. "Well", said the master, "I for one would never lose you in the forest, like your retinue, and if they found the two of us... with you and that wound, I would most certainly not see the light of this glorious day!". Wow!

Difficult as it may be, even an adverse situation can prove conducive to growth. There is always something to learn and always an experience to be grateful for. The forces, invisible and visible, seem to have a plan of their own. And, how do you think guardian angels look? You think you are going to chance upon some beautiful body with wings? Think again.

"Whatever happens, happens for the best".

This is probably the most difficult one liner to digest. Adversity makes it difficult to assume an inherent goodness in whatever unfolds. Nevertheless, your life and mine are the best examples.

Shun those warts and freckles, try the peel off mask of 'propitiousness'.