FIND THE TREASURE IN AND AROUND YOU

There is true and old story told about a man by the name of Ali Facid. He had a small farm and a family. 

One day, the story goes, a Buddhist priest came by and said to Ali, “You know, there are valuable stones called diamonds, and if you find one of these you could be a wealthy man."  Ali Facid went to bed that night, but the words of the old priest haunted him. He was so obsessed that he felt that he must find one of these diamonds so that he could become rich. He sold his farm, put his family out to neighbors and went out to find his acres of diamonds. Months passed. He was broken in body and spirit. His funds were gone. And at the Bay of Barcelona, he threw himself into the sea, never to walk this earth again.

Meanwhile, the man who bought his farm bent over one day and picked up a little stone.  He laid it on the mantle that night not knowing what it was. A few days later the old Buddhist priest came by and saw it and exclaimed; “Ali Facid must be back from his search!” 

“No”, came the response. “Then where did that diamond come from?” The farmer replied; “I was out plowing in the garden and found it there.” And from that very garden, came the jewels and diamonds that today adorn the crown heads of Europe and Russia. In Ali Facid’s own back yard there were acres of diamonds and he knew it not. He threw his life away in search of that which was under his nose the whole time.

How often do we miss the very treasure that God has put right within, before and around us because we are unwilling to open our eyes and see His mighty blessing? How many of us search ourselves and make use of the abilities put into us by our Creator? How many of us discover the possibilities before and around us – in the form of opportunities, persons who  are ready to help and guide us for our betterment?