Sail on an ocean of discovery

It was a beautiful, warm summer morning when a man who had been feeling sad and unfulfilled for quite some time, walked on a cobblestone pathway to seek advice from a wise village scholar.

The man was living in comfortable surroundings, and his circumstances were secure. Nonetheless, the man was so dissatisfied and terribly unhappy with his life. Well-known for his Godly wisdom and counsel, the scholar compassionately agreed to meet with the man at the scholar’s quaint country home.

When the man arrived, the wise scholar was seated in a white rocking chair on his front porch. He was wearing a large brimmed hat and greeted the man with a warm smile. Yet, before the scholar said a word, the man desperately implored, “Great scholar, I have good health and material possessions, but I am so unsettled. I’m worried, depressed and down on my- self. I have sought to be happy, however something is missing.”

Listening closely, the wise scholar rocked back and forth in his chair. Pensively, the man continued, “I have an unsettling feeling that something important is undiscovered. And now, I’m fearful, and I think my best days have passed me by.” Then, the man let out a deep breath and asked, “Please, scholar, please tell me how can I be cured of this extreme discontentment?”

After a few minutes of silence, the scholar spoke, “I have an answer for you.” Immediately, the man’s heart nearly burst with relief.

“You must set out on a journey that will include many travels,” the scholar explained. “Every day, keep a journal of where you go and what you discover. God will be with you, as you journey on…”

“Then, when you get home from your trips,” the scholar said, “visit me again, and I will tell you what to do next.”

With that, the man uttered, “Thank you,” and he hurried off. Feeling energized, the man returned home and, with faith, he prepared for his extensive travels.

Soon, thereafter, he left. He went from one exciting place to another. The man met interesting people, saw incredible sights, and experienced many extraordinary adventures. And each day, obediently, he wrote in his journal as the wise scholar advised.

Eventually, the man came back from his remarkable journey. A few days later, he returned to the scholar’s home. The scholar greeted the man, and instantly he observed the sparkle of light and happiness in the man’s eyes. His whole attitude was somehow different.

“So you had a good trip?” the scholar questioned, nodding in approval. “Yes!” the man ex- claimed, and the man told him just a few of his exciting once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

The scholar smiled. Gently, he placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and asked, “What have you learned?”

Full of energy and elated, the man looked excitedly at the sage and replied, “I have learned that… You cannot discover new oceans until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Satisfied and saying a silent prayer of thankfulness to God, the wise scholar uttered, “Exactly!” And the rest of the man’s life was lived with passion, creating wonderful memories and experiences that kept fueling his heart’s desires.