An Afternoon In The Park

Aum Sairam

There once was a little boy, called Tommy, who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a few orange juice cartons and started on his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. Tommy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his orange juice when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie.

She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a juice. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, Tommy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When Tommy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" Tommy replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly woman, who too was radiant with joy, left the park with a song on her lips. When she returned home, her son was struck by the look of peace on her face, and asked, "Mother, you’re looking great – how come you’re so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son could respond, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I had expected."

Sri Sai says, “Every person is essentially divine. Therefore, the more one manifests the divine attributes of love, justice, truth and peace, the more happiness one can enjoy and also impart to others.”

All we have to do is to see God’s glorious reflection everywhere and in every person, and not limit Him to the idols and statues in the temples and churches, or to a name or form. So, if we can sincerely look upon every body we work with, live or play with as embodiments of the Divine, then truly our life will be one of perennial joy and love. It’s a simple change of perception, and as easy as we make it.

Allah Malik