J. M. Mehta - 75 Ways to Happiness. A Collection of Value-Based Stories

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ISBN 978-935-05721-0-8
Edition: April 2012

The Copyright of this book, as well as all matter contained herein (including illustrations) rests with the Publishers. No person shall copy the name of the book, its title design, matter and illustrations in any form and in any language, totally or partially or in any distorted form. Anybody doing so shall face legal action and will be responsible for damages.

Its often said that Values, Morals and Ethics are intricately tied together. Values are what we learn from childhood; Morals are the intrinsic beliefs developed over our lifespan and Ethics are how we actually behave in the face of difficult situations that test our moral fibre. Hence, imbibing the right values in life is a must for everyone, who seeks happiness and bliss.

It is true that in our busy life schedule, we hardly get time to think and understand the significance of values, such as honesty, sincerity, faith, kindness, etc. Nonetheless, these values form the basis of our lives, families or the society, as a whole. We can inculcate these values by keeping a good company or by reading some good books teaching us the right values and morals of life for becoming a good person.

The book, 75 Ways to Happiness, is a collection of such value-based stories in which each story teaches us some good value of life, as mentioned above through a short and interesting incident which we can easily relate to our day to day life. There is a box at the end of each story named Something Extra which highlights the moral or the value hidden in the story. The language used in the book is simple and lucid, and thus it can reach and enlighten people of almost all age groups.

Hope you enjoy reading these fascinating stories, and learn from them the values that can bring happiness into your lives

A few years ago, I came across a book in Englishtitled Chicken Soup for the Souls It was one of the best sellers of that time. For me, its title appeared both interesting as well as funny! Different versions of this book have been published with similar titles. However, the chicken soup remained the main ingredient. Each book contained different stories about efforts made by people in different spheres of life. Most of these stories were interesting and inspiring.

What intrigued me about this book was its funny title Chicken soup for the Souls! I wondered why the soul should be made to feed on the chicken soup. I could not reconcile with the thought that the souls in Europe, America or elsewhere were fond of non-vegetarian food.

Anyway, without the best intention to enter into any controversy in this matter, I must admit that I was also inspired to collect relevant stories with an Indian or oriental background. Consequently, I have been able to compile a collection of 162 such micro-stories thanks to the persistent efforts of several years. Out of these, about 75 stories have been compiled in this book. The main function of these stories is to ignite the process of thinking in relation to the various situations arising in human life. The reader may align himself with a story and deduce morals which may enable him to confront his own problems and find appropriate solutions.

I hope the stories contained in this book, some of which are true while others are fictitious, should serve as a healthy tonic to the minds and the souls of all general readers.

However, the stuff is pure vegetarian, but no less nutritious!

After conquering many countries, Emperor Alexander invaded India, where he met a naked saint, whose words opened the Conquerors eyes!

Alexander on seeing the naked saint told him, You have nothing. The saint laughed and said: The whole universe is mine. I have it without invading it. Alexander said, How can anyone win the world without conquering it? The saint replied: I have won over the Creator of this world. When I own the creator, the whole creation is mine. The way of my conquest is different from yours. I conquer, not by sword, but by surrendering myself! Alexander was impressed by this reply and felt very pleased. Alexander said, I too have conquered the world. In response the saint said, Just imagine for a while that you are lost deep in a desert and are extremely thirsty. Then I appear before you with a jug of water and offer the same to you for a price. In case, you are about to die for water, how much of your kingdom can you give me for a jug of life saving water.

Alexander replied: I shall be prepared to give half of my kingdom.

The saint said: Suppose I do not sell my water at that price. Alexander told that he would be ready to give his whole kingdom to save his life. The saint laughed and said: Then, in that case, only one jug of water is the price of your whole kingdom for which you have wasted your entire life.

These words of the saint had great impact on the mind of Alexander that he gave up the idea of further conquests. This incident which changed his thinking was also one of the reasons which prompted him to return to his country.

In order to show off their love and respect to Lord Buddha, rich devotees used to light costly lamps as offerings to him. A very poor woman, who had great love and respect for Buddha, noticed this and she too wanted to offer a lamp, but was too poor to buy one.

Nevertheless, she worked hard, begged and raised a small amount to buy an earthen lamp and filled it with some oil and small cotton wick. She prayed earnestly and begged Buddha to accept her humble offering. Next morning, it came to the notice of one of the chief disciples of lord Buddha that barring a little earthen lamp, all other lamps were extinguished. The little earthen lamp was still burning and was full of oil and wick. He communicated this strange happening to the Lord, who said, This lamp is lit with the wick of devotion and the oil of sincerity. Nothing will put out this light. Let us all bestow our inner selves with this type of light.