The Looking Glass of the Soul

How often we get lost in the looking glass of this world. How often we give in to temptations and go further and further along this mirror corridor, moving away from our true self. Or is it that we discover in us what was originally laid down, what we usually hide under various masks? But what is the reason for this, what pushes us towards this transformation?

It is difficult to answer all these questions. However... There is a parable about a merchant who saved money all his life, working in sweat, always striving to quench his desires, which with time became more and more insatiable. And one day, the merchant fell ill, and he fell so seriously ill that none of the doctors could help him. For hours he lay in his bed, wailing and crying. But he only got worse and worse every day ... Then he turned to God for the first time in a long time. Hearing his voice, one of the angels from above rushed down and entered his bedchamber in the guise of a simple monk. The monk looked sadly at the feverish merchant and put his hand on his forehead. In a second he felt better, his breathing became more even, and he opened his eyes. Seeing before him the quiet and bright face of the monk, the merchant said:
- I feel that my hour is near, and that I shall never get out of this bed again. Pray for me...
- Yes, your hour has come. But you have brought it nearer.
- Oh, my God, how could I? I haven't done so much with my life, I haven't had so much time. All my life I tried to live according to my conscience, to do what I thought was right, to go forward, to be better than all those who envied me.... And all by myself, all by myself.
- You are wrong, - the monk suddenly pointed to the space in front of him, and the Merchant saw his whole life in an instant. But the images were changing each other with incredible speed, he did not even have time to notice and consider anything. There were hard times, but those pictures shone with some special, unearthly light. - You see?
- I didn't get to see anything...
- That's the answer to your question. Striving for more, you forgot about the small things, forgot what it is like to simply enjoy the smell of flowers, the snow, which, swirling, lies on your shoulders, to rejoice in the laughter of your children.
- But I... I had to work so hard, because nothing in this world comes for free!
- Yeah, you're right. Nothing in this world comes for free. But it only makes sense when one has a purpose. When he feels that he is not acting for selfish reasons, but for a purpose, for something that can justify his existence on this planet. That's the way all great teachers, leaders, doctors think.... What drove you? What was your goal, what moved you through the life given to you by the Almighty? And, most importantly, did it bring you joy? Did these means give you what you wanted: happiness, health, love? And will they help you now?
But the merchant answered nothing, his lips tightly pressed together, he stared at the ceiling. The monk shook his head.
- That's about it... Eh... you'll have to start all over again. Maybe it will work this time?
- So there's still a chance? - The merchant looked hopefully at the monk's sad face. He shook his head.
- You already had a chance. You missed it. Maybe you should have thought of someone else besides yourself.
The merchant frowned, the monk's words making him clench his fists in impotent anger and resentment.
- ‘You are wrong. I was thinking of many. They were the ones who didn't care about me! Humans are not Angels... And yes, I had to be defensive, to check, not .
- ... trust. Yes, trust is an incredibly valuable thing. But when we walk away from ourselves, stop valuing the feelings of others and focus only on ourselves, we make a big mistake. We don't see anything or anyone around us and this makes us vulnerable because we stop noticing who is around us, we are so blinded that we don't realise when we ourselves are being used by techniques such as flattery, excessive praise and accolades that are not sincere. A sincere person who truly loves us always sees our virtues as well as our faults. And if he speaks, he speaks the truth, unvarnished, but not to offend, but to help, to protect. And you, too, begin to speak the truth, not afraid to be as you are, for the truly loving one will accept you in any way, for he sees you through, in his own way.... He is sad when you forget about him, reject him, and is ready to envelop you with tenderness when he sees it from you....
- But how to find such a man? How to realise that his words are not lies? - The man raised himself on the bed and looked into the monk's sad eyes. The monk smiled.
- It's simple - you have to open your eyes. You've spent your whole life in a cage, depending on other people's opinions, other people's words. By accepting who you are now, truly accepting, you will find freedom. Start with yourself, look around you, look at people with different eyes. And you shouldn't complain about loneliness. When it was hard and painful for you, your Angel was always with you, supporting and encouraging you. But then you drove him away. And now you will have to start your journey all over again, in a new body, in a new life....
With horror the merchant saw a tunnel leading to a light, but it was not the Light of Freedom.... It was the path to a New Life in this World, to new lessons that had to be learnt anew.... Perhaps even harder, harder lessons....
He looked back at the monk, ready to leave, but saw the Light Angel instead. The Angel looked sadly at the merchant, holding out his hand.
- Come on, we have to go.
- Wait, I don't... I don't want to! Please, I... I'll do anything, I'll make even more effort....
- You're missing the point,’ Angel stepped forward. - So let's go.
- No, I understand everything, - the merchant got up from the bed. - And I'm ready...
Angel smiled and the light coming from him enveloped the merchant... He squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened them, he saw that he was lying on his bed. The fever that had been tormenting him was gone, and it was as if the disease had never happened. The consilium of the assembled doctors confirmed the same. It was a miracle... Still weak after his illness, the merchant went out into the garden. His hair was touched by a playful breeze, a light fragrance came from the blossoming cherry trees, a brook was ringing somewhere, birds were singing in the blue sky ... Gluboko inspirational fresh air, kupetsya oglyazh. And then he saw his daughter running towards him. In her hand was a simple bouquet of dandelions.
- Daddy, Daddy, look! These are for you.
- Thanks, kin, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind, - unkind. A ray of sunlight touched his face. Suddenly the world became strangely blurred. Facing its cheek palm, cupez realised that the plachet. Still widely smiling New Life and Miru, that looked at him with the eyes of the daughter, he took it for a hand, and they returned to the house.

It's always not too late to make things right, and Heaven... The Universe always gives a Second Chance. The main thing is to be able to see it!