Do Thy Best And Leave The Rest To Providence

: THE TRAINING OF THE MIND AND THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION

There is another point of view which enables us to enjoy life. It is

simply this, that everything is placed in the condition best for

itself, as it is the sum total of the consequences of its actions and

reactions since the dawn of time. Take, for instance, the minutest

grains of dirt that are regarded by us the worst, lifeless,

valueless, mindless, inert matter. They are placed in their best

condition, no matter ho poor and worthless they may seem. They can

never become a thing higher nor lower than they. To be the grains of

dirt is best for them. But for these minute microcosms, which,

flying in the air, reflect the sunbeams, we could have no azure sky.

It is they that scatter the sun's rays in mid-air and send them into

our rooms. It is also these grains of dirt that form the nuclei of

raindrops and bring seasonable rain. Thus they are not things

worthless and good for nothing, but have a hidden import and purpose

in their existence. Had they mind to think, heart to feel, they

should be contented and happy with their present condition.



Take, for another example, the flowers of the morning glory. They

bloom and smile every morning, fade and die in a few hours. How

fleeting and ephemeral their lives are! But it is that short life

itself that makes them frail, delicate, and lovely. They come forth

all at once as bright and beautiful as a rainbow or as the Northern

light, and disappear like dreams. This is the best condition for

them, because, if they last for days together, the morning glory

shall no longer be the morning glory. It is so with the cherry-tree

that puts forth the loveliest flowers and bears bitter fruits. It is

so with the apple-tree, which bears the sweetest of fruits and has

ugly blossoms. It is so with animals and men. Each of them is

placed in the condition best for his appointed mission.



The newly-born baby sucks, sleeps, and cries. It can do no more nor

less. Is it not best for it to do so? When it attained to its

boyhood, he goes to school and is admitted to the first-year class.

He cannot be put in a higher nor lower class. It is best for him to

be the first-year class student. When his school education is over,

he may get a position in society according to his abilities, or may

lead a miserable life owing to his failure of some sort or other. In

any case he is in a position best for his special mission ordained by

Providence or the Hum-total of the fruits of his actions and

reactions since all eternity. He should be contented and happy, and

do what is right with might and main. Discontent and vexation only

make him more worthy of his ruin Therefore our positions, no matter,

how high or low, no matter how favourable or unfavourable our

environment, we are to be cheerful. Do thy best and leave the rest

to Providence, says a Chinese adage. Longfellow also says:



Do thy best; that is best.

Leave unto thy Lord the rest.