Dear Youth of the World,

Many of the real aspects of life are more unpredictable and wonderful than imagination. When we analyze them and try to understand the logic behind them, they often lie beyond our limits of perception. But, not rarely I have found out that there are some universal principles in force, which decide what we get or what we do not get. When we are qualified and deserve something we do get it; If we do not deserve it or become unqualified for it, we do not get it.

Many occasions when what I have said here was not exactly true might cross your mind now. If only you think about them seriously, you may understand that you are able to remember them so vividly only because they were very small in number; and that they were exceptions; not rules.

We may desire to achieve any worthwhile thing but our first step ought to be to acquire necessary qualification; to become master of the relevant art; and, to get rid of qualities and practices that do not go well with our goals; to avoid carefully becoming unfit for the cherished objectives. Working for achievements and attainments calls for sensible plans, selective methods and sincere efforts.

Sometimes, senseless efforts would condition the body and mind in a negative manner.

Once a poor man got a very valuable book by a stroke of luck. Though it had passed the hands of several men before him, none of them had understood the value of its contents.  In fact, it described about a ‘Touchstone’ that could help convert anything into gold! The book explained in detail as to how the magical stone could be identified; it also said where it is lying to be found out by a poor, hardworking and intelligent person. The one major difficulty in securing the touchstone was that it looked like a pebble with minor difference and was lying in the midst of several millions of ordinary pebbles.

The poor man determined to secure the touchstone. He went to the seashore mentioned in the book and started diligently searching for the touchstone. Tirelessly he took the pebbles one after another, scrutinized them and threw them into the sea after ascertaining that they were useless pebbles.

The immensity of the task could be easily understood. He had faith in the book. As a sincere person, he continued the work every day from dawn to dusk. He went on working like this for several months! He had become specialized in evaluating the pebbles. So he had become capable of working very fast; he could cover a vast area of seashore everyday!

One day while at work he got the touchstone. He identified it the moment he saw it. But alas, before the significance of his find could register in his mind, his hand had already thrown the touchstone into the sea! He had lost it once for all.

Mere speed and efficiency cannot guarantee success. While acquiring speed and efficiency, we should make sure that we do not become conditioned to react thoughtlessly. The routine reactions cannot develop our personality. In the absence of intellectual support, the skills we acquire may let us down at any point of time.

Wishing you all the best,

(T Joseph Benziger)
28 February 2010