When we walked on the sand, we leave clear and deep footprints which are striking. But in no time with wind and rain, the footprints are erased and not evident. No one would even know that some men walked there on the sand, let alone even know that it was us who did so.
In society work, be it secular or spiritual, we may be the pioneers who started the organisation. There might have been be much toil and sweat. But what we did will be like footprints we leave on sand. Our work may leave deep impression but due to the wind of newcomers who are often too keen to take over, what we did like the foot prints in the sand will be forgotten. Others who came will leave their own footprints.
Do not go for the fond memories of how well we have done our job in building up the place, be it a temple or otherwise. We have done good and the organisation has matured with its own majestic and fine concrete premise. Hopefully, the people are more magnificent.
It is time we bow out off the scene and let others run the show, be they good enough or not. We have done our job and hopefully a good one at that. But the problem is that those who are keen are those who, like Lord Bo Tien said, are like insects attracted to the flower. Blame not the flower for insects coming to it.
If the organisation is a temple, and indeed if we succeed in raising a majestic concrete building of a temple, alas like the flower, the temple will not be spared from insects coming to take credit as though they and not us who did a good job.
We may have done good, but our good are but like footprints in the sand of time. The footprints may be clear and deep. But the wind will wipe them away and others will leave their own. This is the nature of life.
Do good but cling not to what good we have done. Do move on and do more of other good. Above all, do not guard zealously what we have done. Of what use is it for us to do so.
If others want to claim credit and erase history like erasing the footprints on sand and leave their own, let it be. This is so that we can be at peace and not be ruffled by the wind.
We must not be like loose sand but we must be like the sand in the concrete pillar cemented together and unruffled by the wind. This analogy of the pillar is given by Lord Bo Tien.
Our good works and good thoughts are like footprints in the sand of time. We must move on and continue to do good and have the peace in us, never mind if the good we have done are like footprints in the sand and never mind if others choose to leave behind footprints of their own as though we have not been there or done the job.
At the macro level of life, we live and die. The good we do, we cannot return to after we are gone. But in the next life, we can do more good and have more peace of living and life, more so if we have accumulated good karma or fate.
It is not for us to worry if others take credit for what we have done and even put us in bad light. If we worry and feel cheated, we may create ill-will, dis-ease and no peace. That will not help us in the new life. It is because we have done good, that others who envy us want to take over and claim credit. They might even rewrite history as though we play no part. They are like insects coming to the flower of our good work for nectar.
It is "OK" and this is true, very true indeed. Why is this so? We were once like them and they are undergoing the same learning curve we had gone through. We should think of them fondly and wish them well. We should be happy they like the place and want to take credit and be in limelight. The saintly part can come later. We too are no better in the past and even for now. "Judge not lest we be judged." This is the famous quote from Lord Jesus.
It is "OK" and this is true, very true indeed. Why is this so? We were once like them and they are undergoing the same learning curve we had gone through. We should think of them fondly and wish them well. We should be happy they like the place and want to take credit and be in limelight. The saintly part can come later. We too are no better in the past and even for now. "Judge not lest we be judged." This is the famous quote from Lord Jesus.
Our late parents and ancestors have done wonders in their lifetimes but once they are gone, we remember them only on annual visits to the cemetery or ancestral halls. But this is alright if we could continue to have fond memories of them from time to time in our daily lives. Having bad memories of them would be unacceptable and not at all wholesome.
Do good, be at peace and do not carry a baggage with us as we move on in life, be it in this life or the life hereafter. Travel light, have light livelihood and be light hearted. That way, we can be more at peace and be ever more predisposed to be at peace to do more good. Omitofo
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PS Pioneers of a new temple premise like the above have done well but they must move on for others to do what they feel right. They the others are not the pioneers' puppets.
Otherwise, the pioneers will surely be bogged down by baggage of sorts and be far from being at peace. They should not expect their footprints in the sand of time ever to remain and be hurt if their footprints are wiped out and others leave their footprints instead. This is life and life is like that.
Live light and live right. Then there will be true abiding peace in the heart.
Omitofo.
Otherwise, the pioneers will surely be bogged down by baggage of sorts and be far from being at peace. They should not expect their footprints in the sand of time ever to remain and be hurt if their footprints are wiped out and others leave their footprints instead. This is life and life is like that.
Live light and live right. Then there will be true abiding peace in the heart.
Omitofo.
