Parable: A Peaceful Walk in the Park

The Story

You decide to go for a walk in your favorite park.  There are large canopy shade trees along a lazy stream.  Wild flowers line the trail.  Song birds fill the air.  As you quietly stroll, you feel the weight of the world melt away and a peace and serenity engulfs you.  

Then you hear a sound.

"help" someone seems to be calling out.  

You pause.  

Listen.  

Nothing.

Then continue your walk, immersing yourself in the quiet and beauty.

"Help!"  

You hear it again, but this time it is louder.  You detect where it is coming from and turn to the voice.

"BE QUIET!!!" You yell.

Then you turn and return on your stroll.

"Please, Help!  Help!"

Once again you turn to the voice.

"I"M TRYING TO HAVE A PEACEFUL WALK.  CAN YOU PLEASE STOP YELLING" You yell back.

Then you start walking again.

"PLEASE, OH PLEASE, HELP!!! HELP!!! HELP!!!" The voice is much louder and urgent.

You turn to the voice and yell

"EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE JUST FINE.  JUST RELAX."

The Moral 

What is your reaction to this story?  Could you identify at all with the "you"?  The person crying for help could be a stranger, a friend, a loved one, or even yourself.  The cry for help symbolizes any strong emotion: fear, anger, sadness, joy, surprise.  We try to ignore, avoid or stifle strong emotions because they push us out of our comfort zones.  We justify ignoring the emotional outburst by blaming the person.  If they had only been more careful. If they just saw things more clearly.

Maybe they deserve to feel that way.  But while the emotion is being expressed, the least we can do is acknowledge that the emotion exists.  "Wow, I can tell you are really sad/upset/angry!  Help me to understand why".  You don't necessarily need to take on the emotion or feel it yourself.  But you can learn from it.

Last week my dog died.  He was 11 years old.  I knew this day would come and to be honest, I've been ready to have a dog free house for a while.  Yet the day he died I felt a strong grief and loss.  I didn't want to.  But I did.  So I stopped and let myself feel it.  Grief is a wake up call to help us realize how many strong bonds we have with those around us, that now is the time to make the most of our relationships. 

Investigating someone else's (or your own) emotions is sure to bring greater understanding.