A poor town in India had a night watchman. Every night he would walk through the streets singing “All is Well.” People hearing him would feel reassured; he helped them sleep. The watchman went to bed before most people came out for the day, so few ever saw him.
This went on for years and years. Then one night, there was a robbery in the town, and the watchman said nothing. The next day the people went looking for him and discovered that the watchman was blind. – From the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots” Raj Kumari director
This deep story came to me when I most needed it. I was in crisis. Here’s the backstory and how it resolved. I hope it rings some bells for you.
nice story and thoughts.
What a great post! I love this sentiment. I am always vigilant about believing that things happen for a reason and that things will eventually work themselves out. It gives me a strong sense of calm and peace. Life has proven to me repeatedly that indeed things really do work themselves out so it lets me be a lot less stressed about life’s hiccups when I run into them. Wishing you peace. It really is “all good”.
I love this piece, David!! Full of thoughtful and thought-provoking insights. I’m going to try the mantra “all is well” for a while and see what t does for me 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this!
There must be some way of dealing well with negatives without being so positive about it. (;-)
David, I often cry when I read your pieces. There is nothing maudlin or weak about them. Rather you cut incisively through the layers to what connects us as people, our fears and vulnerabilities and our spirits (transcendent as they are.) It makes me look into my own fears and feel less frightened by that process (if that makes sense?)
I also cry when I read of hardships that you have endured, even though you invariably are looking for that “silver lining.” I draw strength from your reflective search and process through very difficult times. Thank you so much for sharing this metaphor and what you guys are experiencing. I hope so much that the situation eases soon.
I am so sorry you are having these trials of living with hateful people. You are a good and caring soul trying to live in peace with everyone. That can be very stressful, as you have discovered, to your health. I lived through a time like that and it hurt me much. Now I am away from all that and was much better for several years. But I really needed to read your piece today because I am in a stressful job situation. I need the reminder that “this too will pass.” If I let myself dwell on the future and what may or may not happen I would be a basket case. I do have my Christian faith to help me get through each day. James says to “count it all joy” when facing trials and tribulations. So I can say it is well with my soul. Thanks for sharing your story and may you soon have peace and good health.
I really like this story. If viewed too simplistically, it sounds polly-anna. But I relate to it, even though I feel more often than not that I cannot acheive that enlightened state. I can intellectualize what’s “important” and tell myself it will all be “alright,” but emotions and anxiety easily win over. It’s a life-long struggle, one I plan to keep on chipping away on. Sometimes I can say it and feel it at the same time–and truly, that’s a nice state to be in. Perhaps it’s not realitic to live there all the time.
Tammy, that is a wise comment. “Perhaps it’s not realitic to live there all the time.” I think with practice it becomes easier. I also think knowing all is well is meaningless if it cuts you off from having compassion for those who are suffering and from helping them when we can.
beautifully written article. a much needed reminder for all of us when life gets complicated 🙂
Loved this story (not the part with the nasty people). Reminds me of one of my very favorite quotes from Julian of Norwich, a 14th century anchoress in Norwich, England, who became famous throughout Europe for her writings. “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
Aren’t you and Aisha incredibly strong and generous people!
Thanks David. I really appreciate your message. I hope your roommate craziness resolves soon. Then life will not only be well, it’ll be better!! Big hugs to you.
You can’t argue with 120/75. If “All is well” did that, it would be enough.
All is well, David.
I don’t know that things are all well or that they will be. So much is wrong in our society today and the future looks bad. There is a problem in my family with drinking. I have been going to Alanon meetings to help to deal with the situation– but I just can’t agree to leave it alone because there is nothing I can do. Well, I want to change things. I want things to be well and fear that not doing something to change things will allow things to get worse. I want us all to have a better life. I want us all to have good health.
I do have to pay attention to the good things or I would crack up in despair. Life is pretty complicated. It is hard for me to stay positive and paying attention to the good does help me to carry on in my effort to make things better for us all.
Pat, I guess this is what Reinhold Niebuhr meant in the serenity prayer about changing what you can change, accepting what you can’t, and having the wisdom to know the difference. AlAnon teaches that other people’s alcoholism is something you cannot change. I’m glad you remember to appreciate the positive things. Otherwise, life gets grim.
Greetings David, fellow traveler through life. You know, I’ve been spending a lot of time out in the wilderness of the soul, getting beat up by the cares of this life and all its challenges, and once in a while, when I come in to the rare oasis to share a drink of cool water and get refreshed with other fellow travelers before we head out again , it makes me realize that we are not alone in our common quest. Your story caught my attention out on the horizon, and brought me in for a bit of refreshment- thanks, dear friend.
What I rejoice in, in reading your story, is that you saw opportunity in your adversity ,and therein lies the victory! So many times, we get caught up in the outward appearance of the particular trial we are facing, and focus on the suffering and injustice of the matter, which leads to bitterness and defeat. Whereas, in your case, you, in your weakness, were able to look past the mountain of intimidation before you and say to it, “peace, be still” and embrace the positive, even under negative circumstances, to claim that victory. I rejoice with you, dear friend- you have discovered that you have tools not of this world, not made by human hands, powerful indeed. I will go back out into the wilderness with a song in my heart that you gave me: Be encouraged,Love overcomes!
Nice piece, David. You turned your hellish situation (my words, not yours) into a learning experience with endurance. My mom used to always say “All is well,” and despite some incredibly rough patches in her life, she always came back to this. Love abides.
Hello David, Thank you for all your inspiring stories. You became my inspiration years ago when you had your book signing @ the Y and shared and thanked your “water running buddies” for saving your life. I have told that story to hundreds of friends and family and once they hear it their response generally is something like, “WOW–I don’t really have a problem”. My sincere empathy to you and Aisha. God Bless. ALL IS WELL. Angie