What Do You Value?

Before he died, a father said to his son; “Here is a watch that your grandfather gave me.  It is almost 200 years old.  Before I give it to you, go to the jewelry store downtown.  Tell them that I want to sell it, and see how much they offer you.”
The son went to the jewelry store, came back to his father, and said; “They offered $150.00 because it is so old.”

The father said, “Go to the pawn shop, and see how much they offer you.”

The son went to the pawn shop, came back to his father,  and said; “The pawn shop offered $10.00 because it looks so worn.”

The father asked his son to go to the museum and show them the watch.  The son went to the museum, came back and said to his father; “The curator offered $500,000.00 for this very rare piece to be included in their precious antique collections.”

​The father said, “I wanted to let you know that the right place (right people) values you in the right way.  Don’t find yourself in the wrong place (with the wrong people) and get angry if you are not valued.  Those that know your value are those who appreciate you.  Don’t stay in a place where others do not see your value. 
Know Your Worth!”                                                      -Thank you to Scott Tang for sharing this story

This story has interesting layers of understanding.  

Initially, I appreciated the clear understanding of the teaching - something that looks old and worn may be quite valuable to expert eyes.  

Then I reread, thought more and realized the story presented the teaching that old and worn are to be appreciated as having value.  

The favorite teaching to me was revealed in the idea that where we are the most appreciated is where we have the most value. 

​It is true that our value is inherent wherever we may be, and shining our light or sharing our value may positively influence and help others. Yet, seeking to be in places and the company of those who appreciate us is recognizing and knowing our own worth!

Namaste,
​Mary