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Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Cast down your bucket...


A lot of times we worry and want to know about things about which we really cant do much about. Information for it's own sake is useless  unless one uses it to change oneself and/or change the conditions (for the better) around one.

I was once taught about two circles we have around us: 1. The circle of concern and 2. The circle of influence. The circle of concern is the bigger circle over which we typically dont have much influence. However, the circle of influence is a circle of things within our hands over which we can potentially have a much bigger impact. If we keep focussing on things that are far from us we will probabaly be losing valuable energy, time and resources. ( and  get furstrated as well). The things far away may be important but given our limited influence, it is prudent that we should instead focus on things which Allah has placed within our grasp.


"A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the mast of the unfortunate vessel was seen a signal: “Water, water. We die of thirst.” The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” A second time, the signal, “Water, send us water!” went up from the distressed vessel. And was answered: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” A third and fourth signal for water was answered: “Cast down your bucket where you are.” The captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River."

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