There are a lot of lessons we can learn from the world. Whether you’re looking to Buddha for advice or merely asking a close friend if you never question things you will never be able to move forward.

While the story below not be an actual account with Buddha himself it is an allegory we can all take to heart. I recently came across it while I was at a low point and it gave me a lot of motivation so sharing it is the least I can do. In this story, a poor man meets Buddha and ask him to tell him why he is in the situation he is in. Buddha’s response is both thought-provoking and meaningful. Sure, it’s not from any kind of scripture, but the response is very much what a Buddhist would be willing to share.

While you might not be a Buddhist or even believe anything near what they do. I think this story is something that everyone will find hits home. Take this with a grain of salt and apply it to whatever you’d like.

A Poor Man Asks Buddha:

A poor man asked the Buddha, “Why am I so poor?”
The Buddha said, “You are not giving enough.”
So the poor man said, “But I have nothing left to give?”
Buddha said: “You have a few things,
The Face: which can give a smile;
The Mouth: you can praise or comfort others;
The Heart: it can open up to others;
The Eyes: who can look the other with the eyes of goodness;
The Body: which can be used to help others.”

While there are many different versions of this all over the web, this one is my favorite. What do you think about this? Could this be applied to your life? I think it speaks for itself. The more we give the more we will find in return. We have to do good to receive ‘good.’ Perhaps trying a little harder will go a long way.