Once upon a time a strong woodcutter asked a timber merchant for a job. The timber merchant was happy to oblige. The pay was good and so were the work conditions. Therefore the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
The timber merchant presented the woodcutter with an axe and showed him where to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought eighteen trees.
“Congratulations!” the boss said. “Go on working like that!”
Motivated by the boss’ words the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could cut down only fifteen trees. The third day he tried even harder but cut down only ten trees. Day after day he brought fewer and fewer trees.
“I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to the timber merchant and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.
“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the timber merchant asked.
“Sharpened? I have had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been busy trying to cut trees,” said the woodcutter.
Our lives are like that. We sometimes become so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen our axe. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier but unhappier than ever. Why is that?
Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp?
There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work, but Krishna doesn’t want us to become so busy that we neglect what’s truly important in life, such as taking time to pray and to read the scripture. We all need time to relax, to think and chant, to learn and grow.
If we don’t take time to sharpen our axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start TODAY. The only way you can do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it is by CHANTING.
Hare Krishna!
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