There was a young man who was
repeatedly awakened at night by a recurring dream. In the dream, he found himself swimming in a
vast lake, moving skillfully like a professional athlete.
But the lake was too wide, and
his body gradually became exhausted. When
he felt he could no longer continue, he saw his father rowing a boat toward him. His father extended a hand and said,
"Grab my hand, and I’ll help you!” However, the man recalled the times his
father scolded and even punished him during his childhood. With a dry smile, he refused, saying,
"Thank you, Dad, but let me handle it myself!"
He continued to swim, despite
his growing fatigue. Not long after, his
younger sister rowed a boat toward him.
She threw a life buoy to him and said, "Take the buoy, brother!” But
he remembered the many times she had been stubborn and argumentative. Once
again, he refused: "No need, I’ll manage!"
After tremendous effort, he
finally reached the shore. Collapsing on
the wet sand, his body was drained, and his mind was foggy. A crowd of familiar faces—family, relatives,
and friends—gathered around him. Each
person wanted to help: one suggested taking him to the hospital, another wanted
to light a fire to warm him, and someone else offered dry clothes and a towel. Yet, every time someone tried to assist, he
remembered moments when they had wronged him, even in small ways. And he replied, "No, thank you, I’ll
handle it myself!"
He stood up, soaking wet,
covered in sand, and utterly exhausted. Leaving the crowd behind, he walked
away.
The dream repeated for several
nights, prompting him to seek out his grandmother—the one person he felt had
never wronged him and whom he trusted most.
"I’m not an expert in
interpreting dreams," she said, "but I think you’re harboring a lot
of resentment and bitterness."
"Resentment? Bitterness? I don’t think so! If I did, I’d feel it, wouldn’t I?" he
exclaimed.
His grandmother calmly replied:
"The lake in your dream represents what you’re struggling with in your
mind. You need help, but you don’t trust
anyone. You managed to reach the shore
this time, but what about the next time?
Forgiveness isn’t for others; it’s for yourself. If you don’t forgive, aren’t you building up
more and more resentment and anger inside you?"
She paused and then gently
added:
"As they say: No one is perfect, so everyone makes mistakes. If you forgive the mistakes of others, you,
too, will be forgiven for your own."
Reflections
The story teaches us many meaningful
lessons about life and how to interact with others. Here are some key takeaways:
1.
Forgiveness is a gift
to yourself:
Forgiving others not only frees them from their mistakes but, more importantly,
it releases you from resentment and bitterness.
Holding onto grudges only weighs your spirit down.
2.
No one is perfect:
Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes, including yourself. Learning to accept
this helps you develop empathy for others and build stronger relationships.
3.
Trust and accept
help:
No one can overcome all of life’s challenges alone. Refusing help due to past grievances or
misunderstandings only isolates and exhausts you further. Opening up and trusting others brings
strength and joy.
4.
Let go of the past:
The past is behind you, and clinging to it prevents you from enjoying the
present. Even small grudges can grow
over time and overshadow your happiness.
5.
The power of family
and community:
Despite past conflicts or misunderstandings, your family and loved ones are
often the ones who stand by you in times of need. Cherish these bonds, as they can provide
comfort and support during difficult times.
The story emphasizes that to
live a lighthearted and happy life, we must learn to forgive, let go, and open
our hearts to the love and care of those around us.