Embrace Selfless Love: Bring True Abundance Into Your Life.
Introduction
I’ve come across different versions of this story online, quite a few times now. And every time I read it, I’m off on a thought provoking journey. A journey about why at the end of the day the little things in life matter the most. It seems the origins of this story are unknown, so I will not take credit for it. However, now that I’m writing zen-lightenment blogs, I thought I’d put my own version of this story out here. Enjoy!
What’s important to you in your life? Let me know what you think.
In a time long ago, there lived a wealthy art collector, renowned for his impeccable taste and his devotion to the world of art. Together with his young and passionate son, they embarked on a journey to amass a remarkable collection of artistic treasures. From the mesmerizing strokes of Picasso to the ethereal landscapes of Monet, their walls were adorned with priceless works that inspired awe and admiration.
The father took great pride in his son, who possessed a keen eye for art and a shrewd business mind. They traveled far and wide, engaging with art collectors and connoisseurs, solidifying their reputation as distinguished patrons of the arts. However, as winter approached, darkness loomed over the nation in the form of a raging war, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their lives.
The son, fueled by a sense of duty and patriotism, made the noble decision to join the fight, leaving his grieving father behind. Weeks turned into anxious months as the father awaited news of his beloved son. Then, a telegram arrived, delivering the devastating blow. The son had gone missing in action, and the weight of the realization that he might never return crushed the father’s heart.
The upcoming Christmas season once a joyous occasion filled with anticipation and shared delights between father and son, now loomed ahead with desolation and emptiness. On Christmas morning, as the father’s melancholy reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door, he reluctantly rose from his chair to answer. Before him stood a soldier, holding a sizable package. The soldier introduced himself as a friend of his son, recounting the story of their bond forged amidst the horrors of war.
In a voice filled with emotion, the soldier revealed that the son had spoken fondly of his father’s deep love for art. The soldier, an artist himself, expressed his desire to offer a gift to the grieving father. With trembling hands, the old man unwrapped the package, revealing a portrait of his departed son. Though it may not have possessed the technical brilliance of the masters, the painting captured the son’s essence in such a profound and moving manner that tears welled up in the father’s eyes.
Gratitude flooded the father’s heart as he thanked the soldier, promising to display the portrait prominently in their home. As the hours and days passed, the old man found solace and comfort in the painting, discovering that his son’s life would endure through the lives he had touched. Stories of his son’s bravery and compassion reached the father, filling him with a sense of pride and fulfillment.
In the following spring, the old man’s health rapidly declined, and he peacefully departed from the world, leaving behind a legacy of art and love. The news of the art collector’s passing spread stirring excitement and anticipation in the art world. Unknown to them, the man’s will had a remarkable stipulation. On Christmas day, the paintings, which had captivated the world’s attention for years, would be auctioned off first.
Art collectors from far and wide assembled eager to claim their share of the masterpieces. The auction commenced with a painting that had not been featured in any renowned museum— the portrait of the son. The room fell into a profound silence, some dismissing its significance, yearning to move on to the perceived “treasures.” But the auctioneer insisted that the son’s painting take precedence, initiating the bidding at a humble ten dollars.
A friend of the old man, who shared in the son’s memory, stepped forward and placed the bid. The room remained hushed, devoid of competing offers. The gavel fell, announcing the conclusion of the auction. Bewilderment and disbelief filled the air as voices clamored, demanding an explanation for the unexpected turn of events. The auctioneer calmly responded, stating that, as per the father’s will, “whoever takes the son…gets it all.”
In that moment, the art collectors were jolted into a profound realization. They were reminded that the true essence of life’s richness and abundance lay not in the material possessions they had relentlessly pursued, but in the selfless love and sacrifice symbolized by the portrait of the son. It was a poignant reminder that the Father’s love, encapsulated in His Son’s ultimate sacrifice, offered immeasurable blessings to those who embraced Him wholeheartedly.
Moral: The priceless treasures of life are found in the depth of relationships, acts of compassion, and the profound connections that transcend material wealth.
None of the information in my blogs posts should be considered, or accepted as professional advice. It is based on personal experiences, and is for reading purposes only.
