Fate is fickle

Even if now you’re in a difficult situation, if everything is bad, do not spoil the mood of others and be angry that someone else is good and fun. Let me say right away: this is not about the neighbors who are chanting songs behind the wall at four in the morning. They do cause harm. They are trespassing. And there are times when it’s just someone else’s holiday.

Everyone is so cheerful, happy, dressed up, all laughing and smiling, carrying gifts… And you stand sad and poor on the sidelines of life. Or even on the bridge. And you think that it would be a good idea to jump off that bridge. Or something else hopeless…

…I don’t know what the poorly dressed old man was thinking as he reeled in his fishing line. He was fishing from the bridge; he’d been standing there since this morning. Caught nothing, no luck. Not a good fishing trip. And next to the old man sat a doggie, waiting for a catch, too. But the old fisherman caught nothing. And there’s a wedding on the bridge! A noisy village wedding; everyone is walking and talking loudly, singing and laughing. They scare all the fish away! They are having fun, but the old man is sad. He didn’t catch anything. He has to go away with the doggy, and carry the fishing rod and an empty bucket. Bad mood.

But the wedding procession came up to the old man. He smiled into his wrinkled face. He took off his cap and waved in the air. He congratulated the young people with all his heart! And the doggy barked loudly and got up on his hind legs. So what if the fishing trip was a failure? But people are happy and congratulations are in order. Rejoice in other people’s happiness.

The old man was thanked and invited to come along; politely and kindly. And in half an hour the old man and his dog were eating steak together with everybody else in an open cafe on the shore. Steak, ribs – triangular patties and assorted goodies. The music was playing, everybody was dancing and having fun. The good-natured fisherman was perfectly happy, he was even invited to dance, but he didn’t go, just singing along. And the doggy grew fat as a balloon before his eyes.

Life is changeable. Now you’re standing on the bridge with an empty bucket; it’s time to reel it in. Nothing good can come of it… But then other people show up, a holiday begins, an opportunity and a chance arise. The main thing is not to be embittered and not to be angry at those who are doing well. You have to be able to be happy for them and congratulate them, if necessary. And then everything can change for the better. I often observe this.

Whoever knows how to rejoice in someone else’s happiness and congratulate them on a holiday will also get something good. A piece of happiness is like a piece of birthday cake; why not? There’s enough happiness for everyone. The main thing is to rejoice in it, even if sad. And it will pay attention to us…