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Ana was a young girl born into a rich
family. She had a luxurious life and always got all that she wished
for, but still was discontent and craved for more. Ana had a
classmate called Beth, a kind-hearted and happy girl, who always did
well in class.
One evening, on the way back from her
dance class, Ana stopped at a shop to get some candy. She was
surprised to see her friend Beth across the counter, working as the
store cashier. As it was closing time for the shop and darkness was
setting in Ana offered Beth a ride back home. On the way, Ana got to
know more about Beth's life. It seemed that there were many
difficulties Beth had to face everyday. She had to work after school
to support her family. She could not even dream of the kind of
clothes, cars and things that Ana took for granted.
Ana was puzzled as to how Beth could
possibly be happy, being in such a situation. She also realized that
though she had everything she could dream of, she always wanted more
and was often unhappy. So she asked Beth, "Even with so many
problems, how do you manage to do well in school and be so happy all
the time?" Beth's eyes brightened, as she told Ana 'the secret
of her happiness', "I too, used to feel unhappy before, when I
would compare my life with that of others'. Then, someone told me
that if I built faith in God that whatever He is doing is for my
best I would never be unhappy again. I was told that the easiest way
to build this faith is to chant (repeat) The Lord's Name. I was told
that if I chanted with faith, God would always be there for me.
Since then I have been chanting daily and it has been my experience
that every time I call out to God, He is there for me. Chanting has
brought me very close to God and helped me develop the faith that
God is always doing the best for me. Thus, I no longer feel unhappy
as I used to feel before, and in fact, feel the happiest that one
can be."
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