Happiness when Shared is Doubled...

As people struggle for survival and success in a highly competitive world, it is easy to neglect personal relationship.Today,technology has shortened the distance between people and across the world,but sadly we are more divided over political idealism and self interest.Individualism weakens the social bonding and undermines the traditional values of love and respect for people.

Let me share with you a story...

Two men, both seriously ill, shared thesame hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each day to help drain the fluid from his lungs.His bed was next to the rooms only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

Everytime when the man in the wndow could sit up, he would describe to his roommate all the beautiful things he could see outside the window. There was a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers wlked arms in arms amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all these in exquisite detail, his roommate would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. He began to live for those one-hour periods when his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

One morning, the nurse arrived only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window who had died peacefully in his sleep. As soon as it was appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch. 

Slowly and painfully, the man propped himself on one elbow to take the first look but to his astonishment, saw a blank wall!!!

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased companiion to describe to him such wonderful things outside the window. The nurse said the man was blind and could not even see the wall. "perhaps he just wanted to encourage you and make you feel happy", she said. 

Despite his own woes and limitations, the blind man kept up his spirit. He brought happiness to others, and in so doing, found a purpose for his own miserable life. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness, when shared is doubled...