There Is Plenty For Everybody - Share It

A friend sent me a story about Heaven and Hell and sharing. It just struck me as such a good example of why a belief that there is plenty for everybody and a behavior of interdependence represent the highest order of living. At this time of year, and at this time in our economy, it's worth reminding ourselves of that fact.

The story: A man died and went to see St Peter. He was offered the choice of Heaven or Hell. He told St Peter he'd like to see what they looked like before making his decision. St Peter led him to two doors. He opened one, and inside was a large table laden with food. Around the table were people, and all had long spoons strapped to their arms. The spoons looked to be useful for serving the food. Upon closer inspection, the man noticed that all the people looked half starved and emaciated - near death's door - despite the table of food before them. He noticed that the spoons, that had seemed so useful , were actually so long and so tightly bound to the people arms that they couldn't maneuver the spoons contents into their mouths. He watched people struggle to feed themselves, and all failed - while sitting at a table of plenty. St Peter said "This is hell."

St Peter then took the man to the other door. He opened it and the same scene presented itself. The same big table, the same huge quantity of food, the same spoons strapped to all the people's arms. The difference was that all the people in this room were smiling and laughing and talking, and all looked really well fed and healthy. Then the man noticed something different- he saw one person dip their spoon into the food, and then feed the person next to him! He then saw that person dip her spoon into the food and feed him. They had overcome the challenge of the too long spoons by feeding each other, and all got as much as they needed at this table of plenty. St Peter said "This is Heaven. "

The man chose to stay there - wouldn't you?

I have to admit, when I read the first part of the story, it didn't occur to me to think of feeding others as the means to being fed myself. My instinct is independence. That was on display in the Hell room.

In the Heaven room, sharing from the bounty - not giving it away, but sharing - is interdependence - that level of life that is so much more fulfilling than trying to go it alone - interdependence was on display in Heaven. And all who participated in it flourished. There was - indeed - plenty for everybody, but the key to unlocking that plenty was sharing.

At this time of year, and with all the negative news we receive, it's important to remember and practice sharing - acting to help others, sometimes without thinking of return in a material sense, but return in the thanks we receive - or the good feeling helping another can give.

The next time you have an opportunity to help someone, in any number of ways, remember the story of Heaven and Hell, and share. The rewards may not seem apparent at the time, but they are there.