Here’s a thought I’d like to share…
The Woodcutter (an old teaching story)Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed towork.The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Keep up the good work!”Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”
Life can be like this, we try so hard, but we forget to take the time to sharpen our axe. We leave out the most important things in favor of “doing” more. And there’s nothing wrong with getting lots of things done, working hard, and being diligent. But we can DO to the point that we lose our “edge” and become less effective.
When we pause to take care of our personal lives, our bodies, our spiritual lives, we are better able to do the work of our lives. We stay “sharp” and our lives are easier and happier.
Wishing you the time and tools to sharpen your axe,
Namasté Augusta