Lend your Ear to Touch the Soul

 It is often felt that children are difficult to handle, we require a lot of patience with them. But I guess it's not just children, it is even adults at times. Adults also find it difficult to understand your point at times and rebel. What can you do with them? They are also vulnerable at so many times. Are they different than children to deal with at such times?

At times being available for them is all what they need you to be. Just be there for them and things will change when they work on it themselves.

Let me tell you what I am trying to say using a beautiful story. One day there was a sage who lived in the thick forest. A 20 year old boy who lived in the nearby habitat, came across the sage. He was mesmerized by the aura the sage carried and instantly decided to have the sage as his master. The boy often would come to the forest and meet his master, exchange ideas and discuss on life and would go back to his home. 

One such day he came to the forest in search of his mater. He said 'master I need to talk to you. I need you. There is something I want to tell you'

'I have recently finished my studies at the University and my parents are looking for a suitable bride for me.' the master exclaimed, 'so what is the problem?' 

The boy said, 'actually I wanted to get married to one girl who studied at the University with me. We both love each other. I want to get married to her, but we are not from the same community. That might be a problem at my house. I am going to break the news very soon and tell my parents that I am going to get married to her. Thank you for listening to me. I am going back and I am going to try it out.' The sage smiled and said 'good luck.''

After few days the boy came back to the sage. He said 'master, like I told about my parents, they got very very angry when I broke the news of getting married by choice in another community. After sometime my mother said, I love you and I will I love you to get married to the girl of your choice. I will also go ahead and explain your father about your love. In return you need to promise that she will get adjusted to our house and culture and adapt our style of living. I will get married to the girl soon, but I am apprehensive about how things will work after marriage. Let's see.' The sage smiled at him and said 'Good luck friend. Try what you have planned for.'

After few months the boy came back to the sage and said, 'Master my wife is getting accustomed to our house, I see that she has her own expectations in terms of traditions to follow. I  try to maintain a balance and be the calm person in the house. I hope years pass and the dust settles down by itself.'

After few years, he came back to the sage and said, 'master, it's years into my marriage and all have got adjusted to each other. Now I am also a father and have new set of responsibilities for this role. My wife is unable to manage on her own the demands of home and child. I see my parents are slowly adjusting to helping my wife get some respite while they take care of my child. I hope this problem gets resolved and my wife feels better soon.'' The sage smiled and said 'I know you can do it.'

After few years, again the man came to the sage and said 'my life is going great, I am so thankful that you heard me at every step and helped me resolve my issues.' The master said 'I am glad it is all in place for you. Since you have come down, may be we could talk.' The man said, 'Master, today I have come with no problem and you want to talk, but earlier you never told me that, Why?' The master said, 'My child you wanted me to give you a hear as you always came with an agenda and wanted to talk about it. I gave you what you wanted. I gave you a patient ear. You always had to resources to solve all your problems. And so you did. Today I see that you have no problem to talk about, so it's my turn to speak too. So now can we chat about life?'

Apart from this story l, even in real life, people are capable of solving their own problems, at most times. All they need is you to be available and a patient ear. Some of us are fortunate to have elders, teachers and some have mentors and coaches to be available for us to listen. As years pass by things start seeming frivolous of you look back. However, at that given moment, a sounding board is all you wanted. So being available and listening may create wonders for the other person.