LET YOUR WORDS HEAL AND NOT WOUND

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was near the only window in the room and the other was flat on his back because of his illness. They talked for hours together since they did not have anything else to do. They spoke about their families, their jobs, their social and financial matters. 

The man in the bed by the window could sit up once a while and he described everything that happened outside the window. He spoke vividly about the park outside with a stream running through, people enjoying in the garden, swans swimming in the water, the children playing in the park and so many other exciting things that was happening each day. The man in the other bed longed to hear the narrative. The description was such lively that he closed his eyes and started to see the things as the narration went on.  It instilled in him a thirst to live longer.   

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the nurse on that day’s duty came to see that the man near the window died peacefully.    She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and, after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself! He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Learn to encourage someone always in spite of your personal difficulties. Take time to care others in spite of your handicaps.  Let your words heal and not wound. Learn to emit positive energy around you!