The Realities We Hold

Once upon a time, a man lived by the side of the road. It was so noisy there, he could never get to nap, especially at noontime when pedestrian traffic was heavy. But the man saw a good opportunity in the place, and took advantage of it. He started selling hotdog sandwiches.

His sandwiches were good; he was not ashamed to ask people to buy. He even put up a large sign on the highway, telling passersby how good his hotdog sandwiches were. People bought, and they kept coming back.

The man’s sales grew, and soon he had to increase his orders for hotdogs and buns to meet the ever increasing demand. The business flourished further. Eventually, he expanded his store to accommodate his growing clientele.

In the summer, his son who was attending college in the city came home. The man was glad that now he could have some help in the hotdog store.  But, instead, something else happened.

When the son saw his father’s store, he couldn’t believe it. “Father,” he said, “didn’t you know that we are in the midst of an economic crisis? Haven’t you been following the news?” No, the father had not been keeping track of news reports.     

The father didn’t have radio or television. He got too busy with his new business that he had no more time to exchange stories with people. He totally focused himself on selling hotdog sandwiches.

The son explained to his father how the economic situation could worsen further. This meant that people would get into more difficult times, and they would have to stop buying non-essential things, including their favorite hotdog sandwich. And the store might end up with a lot of stocks that would just rot away.

The father pondered: “My son is educated. He’s up-to-date with the latest news. He ought to know better and understand what’s going on.” And, so the father decided, he must listen to his son.

Right the following day, the father cut down his order for hotdogs and buns. He took down his advertising sign, and was no longer as enthusiastic in running his store. His sales of hotdog sandwiches plunged. 

As they were finally closing down the store, the father said to the son, “You’re right, boy. We are certainly in the middle of an economic crisis.”

We live in two worlds, simultaneously – the world of actual experience and the world we hold in our heads. One can affect the other, and vice versa. Real-world events can condition our minds. In the same way, our minds – our sheer intention – can change actual reality.

It is written: “You will know the tree by its fruits.” The way we respond to a crisis defines the kind of people we are. We can either be strong enough to rule over our difficulties or too weak to be ruled by them. The hardships we find ourselves with, whatever they may be, may actually be of our own making.