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Better off Blind
Find out what happened after they regained their eyesight : https://bit.ly/3gkVp83
Once upon a time lived a young couple, Josh and Jane. Both were in their twenties living a comfortable life with excellent careers. Josh was tall, handsome, fit, and popular with everyone. Jane was not only smart but also had the looks to rival a model. They were the perfect match, glamorous and stunning as a couple. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and were married.
Despite living a healthy lifestyle, Josh and Jane suffered from severe migraines. Due to their busy careers, they did not think to see a doctor for treatment of their shared condition. One day, while shopping for groceries, they passed by a pharmacy. Josh immediately said, “Jane, let’s check out the pharmacy and see what medicine they have.”
Without thinking twice, Jane replied, “Great idea, let’s see what they have available.”
However, without seeking proper medical advice, they were quick to buy what was available on the shelf and did not even research the potential side effects of taking the medication.
A few days later, as Josh and Jane were suffering yet another migraine, they took the medication they bought from the pharmacy. Both went to bed early that night, but, in the morning, they woke up to a completely different world. In a panic, Jane nudged Josh and screamed, “Oh my goodness! I don’t know what is happening but I can’t see!”
Not knowing what to do, Josh tried to clear his eyes as he replied, “I can’t see either! My vision has turned pitch black! What is going on?!”
One of the side effects of taking the migraine medicine had resulted in their vision being severely impaired. Overnight, both had turned blind.
Trying to come to terms with their shocking new reality, Josh and Jane were very afraid of losing each other. Their only source of comfort was to hold each other’s hands and hug each other. It was the reassurance they desperately needed to never leave each other. Over time, they became accustomed to their new way of life. Josh and Jane enjoyed each other’s company by making the most of their sense of touch and hearing.
Thirty years passed in a flash, and one day, Josh’s friend Max came over to visit them.
As Max came through the front door, he was greeted by Josh and Jane’s warm smiles. “How are you both doing?” Max asked.
“We’re doing great! We’re planning to spend the weekend relaxing at home and doing some housework. It does take us twice as long to get things done, on account of not being able to see.” Josh replied.
Having seen what the couple had been through over the years, Max asked, “Have you guys considered seeking treatment to restore your eyesight?”
Jane replied, “Yes, we’ve already visited several eye doctors in the past, and tried everything available, but so far nothing has worked.”
Seeing Jane’s disappointment, Max responded, “Technology has advanced significantly these days, and treatments are now much more effective. I know a high-profile eye doctor! He’s been very successful in treating patients with severe vision impairment. Maybe you guys should visit him for a consultation.”
Unconvinced, Josh hesitated and replied, “Is it really worth seeking another diagnosis? We have tried everything, so why would this eye doctor find or recommend something different from those we’ve already seen?”
Jane, feeling more optimistic, said, “I think we should try one more time. There’s no harm in seeking another medical professional’s advice anyway! Max, if you can connect us with the eye doctor, we will make an appointment.”
After a few consultations with this eye doctor, Josh and Jane decided to have surgery on their eyes. It was a successful operation and both had their eyesight restored.
However, as Josh opened his eyes for the first time in thirty years, he was shocked when he saw his wife. The wrinkles on Jane’s forehead and her sagging skin was an almost unbearable sight for Josh. He yelled, “You're not my wife! This woman I see standing in front of me is ugly, who are you and what have you done with my wife?!”
As for Jane, likewise, she stared at Josh in utter shock and shouted, “You're not my husband! My husband is handsome and charming. This man cannot be him!”
Their youthful memories of each other’s beautiful and handsome looks had been robbed by the harsh reality of time passing and the aging of the human body. Family members and close friends’ attempts to convince them that they were husband and wife were unsuccessful.
Even the eye doctor was saddened at seeing the argument unfold. He said, downcast, “It seems like you were both better off blind, for what remains unseen, the heart does not grieve over.”
This story teaches us that all things are impermanent. We live in a world that is itself impermanent. Time waits for no one and the clock keeps ticking every second, every minute, every day. The formation of mountains and rivers continue to change, the news that we see in the media daily is always evolving, and how we perceive all things, including love, throughout our lives change. Our appearance and perception changes as we grow from a baby into an adult, then as we experience parenthood and finally living as retirees in the latter part of our lives. As we acquire more experience and knowledge in life, our thoughts and wisdom likewise evolve over time.
These examples show that our lives constantly change. Time will never stop for us no matter if we wish to prolong feelings of happiness and joy that we cling to. Similarly, we cannot fast forward or rewind time when experiencing anger and grief.
In this story, the once happy couple were unable to accept the reality of aging. They did not understand the truth of impermanence, causing them to be in a world of pain. If we learn to embrace readily adapt to the conditions that we face, and be willing to grow as a person, then we shall adapt with ease to the flow of this ever-changing world. If we are bound by rigid ways of living, unable or unwilling to accept change, and clinging stubbornly to the past, we will not only experience disappointment and suffering, but will struggle to keep up with the ever-changing pace of modern times.
Just as Venerable Master Hsing Yun says,
“We cannot stop time, but we can discover impermanence.
Society’s impermanence makes progress possible.
Life’s impermanence makes future lives possible.”
Once upon a time lived a young couple, Josh and Jane. Both were in their twenties living a comfortable life with excellent careers. Josh was tall, handsome, fit, and popular with everyone. Jane was not only smart but also had the looks to rival a model. They were the perfect match, glamorous and stunning as a couple. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and were married.
Despite living a healthy lifestyle, Josh and Jane suffered from severe migraines. Due to their busy careers, they did not think to see a doctor for treatment of their shared condition. One day, while shopping for groceries, they passed by a pharmacy. Josh immediately said, “Jane, let’s check out the pharmacy and see what medicine they have.”
Without thinking twice, Jane replied, “Great idea, let’s see what they have available.”
However, without seeking proper medical advice, they were quick to buy what was available on the shelf and did not even research the potential side effects of taking the medication.
A few days later, as Josh and Jane were suffering yet another migraine, they took the medication they bought from the pharmacy. Both went to bed early that night, but, in the morning, they woke up to a completely different world. In a panic, Jane nudged Josh and screamed, “Oh my goodness! I don’t know what is happening but I can’t see!”
Not knowing what to do, Josh tried to clear his eyes as he replied, “I can’t see either! My vision has turned pitch black! What is going on?!”
One of the side effects of taking the migraine medicine had resulted in their vision being severely impaired. Overnight, both had turned blind.
Trying to come to terms with their shocking new reality, Josh and Jane were very afraid of losing each other. Their only source of comfort was to hold each other’s hands and hug each other. It was the reassurance they desperately needed to never leave each other. Over time, they became accustomed to their new way of life. Josh and Jane enjoyed each other’s company by making the most of their sense of touch and hearing.
Thirty years passed in a flash, and one day, Josh’s friend Max came over to visit them.
As Max came through the front door, he was greeted by Josh and Jane’s warm smiles. “How are you both doing?” Max asked.
“We’re doing great! We’re planning to spend the weekend relaxing at home and doing some housework. It does take us twice as long to get things done, on account of not being able to see.” Josh replied.
Having seen what the couple had been through over the years, Max asked, “Have you guys considered seeking treatment to restore your eyesight?”
Jane replied, “Yes, we’ve already visited several eye doctors in the past, and tried everything available, but so far nothing has worked.”
Seeing Jane’s disappointment, Max responded, “Technology has advanced significantly these days, and treatments are now much more effective. I know a high-profile eye doctor! He’s been very successful in treating patients with severe vision impairment. Maybe you guys should visit him for a consultation.”
Unconvinced, Josh hesitated and replied, “Is it really worth seeking another diagnosis? We have tried everything, so why would this eye doctor find or recommend something different from those we’ve already seen?”
Jane, feeling more optimistic, said, “I think we should try one more time. There’s no harm in seeking another medical professional’s advice anyway! Max, if you can connect us with the eye doctor, we will make an appointment.”
After a few consultations with this eye doctor, Josh and Jane decided to have surgery on their eyes. It was a successful operation and both had their eyesight restored.
However, as Josh opened his eyes for the first time in thirty years, he was shocked when he saw his wife. The wrinkles on Jane’s forehead and her sagging skin was an almost unbearable sight for Josh. He yelled, “You're not my wife! This woman I see standing in front of me is ugly, who are you and what have you done with my wife?!”
As for Jane, likewise, she stared at Josh in utter shock and shouted, “You're not my husband! My husband is handsome and charming. This man cannot be him!”
Their youthful memories of each other’s beautiful and handsome looks had been robbed by the harsh reality of time passing and the aging of the human body. Family members and close friends’ attempts to convince them that they were husband and wife were unsuccessful.
Even the eye doctor was saddened at seeing the argument unfold. He said, downcast, “It seems like you were both better off blind, for what remains unseen, the heart does not grieve over.”
This story teaches us that all things are impermanent. We live in a world that is itself impermanent. Time waits for no one and the clock keeps ticking every second, every minute, every day. The formation of mountains and rivers continue to change, the news that we see in the media daily is always evolving, and how we perceive all things, including love, throughout our lives change. Our appearance and perception changes as we grow from a baby into an adult, then as we experience parenthood and finally living as retirees in the latter part of our lives. As we acquire more experience and knowledge in life, our thoughts and wisdom likewise evolve over time.
These examples show that our lives constantly change. Time will never stop for us no matter if we wish to prolong feelings of happiness and joy that we cling to. Similarly, we cannot fast forward or rewind time when experiencing anger and grief.
In this story, the once happy couple were unable to accept the reality of aging. They did not understand the truth of impermanence, causing them to be in a world of pain. If we learn to embrace readily adapt to the conditions that we face, and be willing to grow as a person, then we shall adapt with ease to the flow of this ever-changing world. If we are bound by rigid ways of living, unable or unwilling to accept change, and clinging stubbornly to the past, we will not only experience disappointment and suffering, but will struggle to keep up with the ever-changing pace of modern times.
Just as Venerable Master Hsing Yun says,
“We cannot stop time, but we can discover impermanence.
Society’s impermanence makes progress possible.
Life’s impermanence makes future lives possible.”
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