Here is your Saturday STORY on: SOLVING PROBLEMS: I personally have a problem with jealousy and consistently fight its effect, as I guess does everyone. If I could help diminish its effect, would you be impressed? Opportunities arise regularly to dissolve big issues in life, but we forget to take them. Let me explain… What I have always endeavoured to do with a subject is to turn it on its head. Instead of jealousy being a problem, I've tried to view it from beauty. What is jealousy telling you? It is saying in a relationship for example that you are selfishly in love with your partner. But love is a beautiful thing! Being too selfish is where the trap is! In every aspect of your life, being too selfish can destroy what is good. As jealousy can often damage a relationship, isn't it then beautiful when you notice the moment a jealous thought enters your head, this is an opportunity to put things right? Today’s story is about selfishness and to what extent you can take it. When you think you are right, you become so self-indulged that no other person can offer a better solution. The story although amusing and often used as a joke, has a stark reminder how selfish we can all be at times. THE FLOOD It was a day of heavy rain and the flood-waters came, a man, a religious man, was trapped on his own roof. As he saw the waters rise he prayed for God's assistance. "I know he will come and save me, " the man said. Two men came by in a small boat, "Hop in old chap, we can take you to dry land, " they said. "It's okay, " he replied, "God is coming to save me." A speed-boat then passed. "Jump in quick, the water is rising, " said the driver. "It's okay, " he replied, "God is coming to save me." As the waters began to rise a helicopter flew by. "Climb onto the rope ladder, we can still save your life, " said the rescuer. "It's okay, " he replied, "God is coming to save me." Eventually the man drowned. As he got to the gates of heaven, he was annoyed. "Where is God, I want a word with him, " he said in a raised voice. "I am God, what can I do for you?" The man continued, "You of all people should answer prayers, I drowned as a consequence of you!" God replied, "I sent a rowing boat, a speed boat and a helicopter, what else could I have done!" Opportunities are presented to you if you choose to take them. As soon as you see a jealous moment arrive, you have an opportunity to improve and thus lessen the grip it is likely to take. QUOTE: "Bad times have a value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Author & Philosopher).