There are times in life when, despite our best efforts, we are disappointed with the results, or our efforts are underappreciated by those we are looking to serve or help. When this happens, we tend to become selective in our efforts, basing our performance on the situation or the audience. However, developing the right attitude in life entails always performing to the best of our ability, regardless of the circumstances, knowing that everyone deserves our best.
There is a tale about a band of four musicians that made their living by traveling from one town to another, performing their music. Times were hard and they were not earning much money. The poor people who used to come to hear them could no longer afford the small fee they charged for their music. Attendance was steadily dropping until only a few people were turning out to hear the performances.
One day, the group met to decide what to do. Three of them could see no reason for performing with so few people coming. But the fourth one said, “I know you are discouraged. I am also discouraged. But we have a responsibility to those who come. We will continue to play, and we will do the best job we can. It is not the fault of those who come that others do not come. They should not be punished by our giving less than we can give.”
The other musicians felt encouraged by his words and decided to play that night. They gave one of the best performances of their lives.
When the show was over and everyone had left, the fourth musician called the troupe together and handed them a note. He said, “One of the audience members left this note for us before the doors closed behind him.” He opened the note and it read: “Thank you for a beautiful performance tonight.” The note was signed “Your King.”
The spiritual takeaway
There is an important lesson in this story: the band’s decision to play their best happened to fall on the night that the king surprised them with an appearance. Yet they had decided to give their best to whoever came. This is the attitude with which we should always work.
It is an attitude of realizing that everyone has a king in them. Everyone is important. We all have a soul in us and we are all a part of God. When we work with an attitude that every person deserves the best we can give, we are honouring the God within everyone.
Some people only work hard to please certain people. They may give their best for their boss, or for the rich, or for someone who can do them a favour. But great are the people who do their best for the poor, or for those who have nothing to give them. Great are the people who treat all equally well.
Another lesson we can derive from this story is that we should not be discouraged when it seems that only a few are appreciating our work or benefiting from us. It is said that if we can transform even one life, our life is worth living.
-Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
