In an ancient city in Persia, there was an Academy where the wise men of the time used to meet. It was called Silent Academy because its members should remain silent as much as possible in meditation solving problems presented to them.

One day, when all were assembled, an eminent thinker was presented. His name was Dr. Zeb and was there to propose his candidacy for a place among those sages.

The President of the Academy met him in silence. Later, in front of many scholars, he wrote the number one thousand in the blackboard putting a zero to the left, making him understand that this was his significance to the present in the room.

Dr. Zeb, untroubled, erased the zero and shifted it to the right side of the number, making the number ten times bigger.

Surprised, the sage took a crystal bowl and filled it with water so that if a single drop was added the water would overflow.

The unperturbed candidate took a beautiful rose petal that adorned the room and placed it on the water, which continued still without any disturbance.

Given the excellent response, Dr. Zeb was then admitted as a member of that college of sages.

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Sometimes in life we feel like a leading zero. We believe that we are worth nothing, that we can offer nothing productive to the world, and that we would not be missed.

It's a feeling of worthlessness. In those days, it is important to remember the wisdom of Dr. Zeb. We always have to add something good, useful or beautiful in life.

We can be the busy housewife with the thousand chores who finds time to stand by the garden and plant a flower. Flowers that will blossom in color and scent and will beautify the day.

We can write a message to a distant friend, call a fellow who is in solitude. Everyone can give something of itself.

We can read a comforting page to an elderly, whose eyes were drained by the years. We can take a child for a ride so she can feel the sun heat, joyfully jump on the grass, and fill her tiny hands with earth and stones.

We can make a warm sweater for a little one or sew an outfit piece for those who are being born again. We can smile and sing.

How many talents have we got and forgotten to use and give it value?

Every creature on Earth is unique and valuable.

No one replaces another because each person is especially gifted with a unique tone of voice and personality.

Think of how we can be a rose petal in the world that beautifies the bowl filled with water and adds the delicate perfume of its presence.

*   *   *

We all have unimaginable resources that are in germ state in our souls and waiting for our stimuli.

We have our powerful Christ within us.

Let us allow Him to act through us. With Him we will be able to decide to abandon the sick thoughts that transform into torments.

Let us out into the streets, like the spring sun that beats the winter and announces that soon there will be an explosion of flowers and perfumes in the air.

 Spiritist Moment Team, based on the introduction of  book Vida feliz and on chapter 10 of the book Filho de Deus, both by  Spirit of Joanna de Angelis, psychographics of Divaldo Pereira Franco, published by Leal.
January 24.2011.