Last Sunday Drew and I spent some time with our friends watching football. We had a lovely afternoon visiting, swimming, watching the game and eating tacos.
On our way home our gas light came on so we pulled into a gas station. Drew filled up and I ran inside to pay.
The man at the counter was an older gentleman, probably in his 70s. He looked very tired. Not just exhausted from the day but life tired.
It was a quick judgment on my part, which I know isn’t polite, but he looked like he had been through many obstacles in his life.
As I approached the counter, I read his name tag “Bernard” was his name. He smiled a very bright and welcoming smile. He had a twinkle in his eyes. Like he wanted to teach me something.
I smiled back and said “I’d like to pay for pump #9 please”
As he was processing my payment, the younger man, mostly likely in his 20s, working the till next to him peaked out the window and noticed our Alberta plates.
The younger man looked at me and asked “What are the people like in Canada?”
Before I could answer, Bernard looked at his much younger co-worker and asked him “what are people like in your home town?”
He replied “Selfish and Greedy”
“Well” Bernard replies “You would probably find the people in Canada to be selfish and greedy too”
Then Bernard continued with “ You see, life is like an automobile. It’s driven from the inside out. If you focus on being more peaceful with where you are rather then focusing on where you’d rather be, you begin to find peace right now, in the present”
Bernard’s co-worker rolled his eyes as if to say- whatever old man or here he goes again.
I thanked Bernard, smiled and walked back out to meet Drew at the car.
I thought some more about Bernard’s words and tried to make sense of it in my own way.
Why is it that we believe if we were somewhere else, in a different relationship, drove a fancier car, lived in a bigger house, we’d be happier.
The truth is if we are angry, frustrated, get annoyed easily or constantly wishing things were different, these identical tendencies will follow you.
Something magical happens when we realize that happiness comes from the inside. Nothing external can bring us true happiness.
As you focus more on becoming more peaceful with where you are, rather than where you would rather be, you begin to find peace right away.
Then as you move around, try new things and meet new people, you carry that sense of inner peace with you.
That’s what Bernard was getting at. If the young man didn’t have inner peace, it would t matter where he was, his attitude of others will remain the same.
If you want more happiness in your life don’t look to things, look within. Happiness really does come from the inside out.