Lesson One : The Mystery of Living

It was a sunny April morning. Albert got down
from the bus at the multi-story flat, got into the
lift and pressed the button for the top floor. His
pale, gaunt face was drained of emotions. So
many sleepless nights he spent thinking over his
insoluble problems.

"No one wants to listen to my problems. All my
friends are so involved with themselves they
have no time for me," Albert said to himself. "I
wish I am Frank. He is so lucky. He is intelligent,
good-looking, talented and happy. He is always
happy. Doesn't he have any problems?"

"No, he doesn't," Albert brooded. "Only I have
problems. Why am I so useless? Even the
psychiatrist was confused. No one understands
me. My mother nags at me and calls me 'stupid'
and 'useless' because I am not successful like
my brothers. Won't someone say a kind word to
me? I am fed-up of being reminded that I am
useless. I am fed-up with this life."

A bell rang and the lift stopped at the top floor.
Like a zombie, Albert walked out of the lift to
the balcony and looked down. Half an hour later
he jumped down and fell many floors·

Below He landed not head down nor sideways
but in a sitting position. Only twenty-two years,
Albert was so frustrated that he decided to end
his life

Something in common?

Poor Albert. No one knew the agonies and the

sleepless nights he spent thinking over his

problems. How lonely he was. No one

under-stood him. He could not face up to his

weakness and addiction to some terrible habits.

Home was torture with a nagging motherand

scornful brothers and sisters. Not being able to

face his sorrows, Albert decide that twenty-two

years was enough.

Though we may never resort to such a drastic

solution, we have something in common with

Albert. None of us have any guarantee against

failure and disappointment. One day we receive

gain, fame, praises and happiness. That we

welcome heartily. The next day comes the

opposite -loss, defame, blame and pain -and

the suffering is hard to endure. But like a

pendulum which swings to the right and left, we

must without exception face the desirable as

well as the undesirable conditions.

1.Can we findtrue security inthe world?

In the desperate search for happiness, a person

places his hopes and dreams· on his family,

friends, success in business, acquiring wealth

and property, pleasure and beauty. Yet, does he

get perfect happiness from any of them?

"I depend on my family and friends for

security," he says. While a loving family and

good friends can be a constant source of

happiness, he cannot depend on them forever.

Someone he loves may pass awayor leave him.

If his love is centered on one person, the

separation will cause him great sorrow.