فصل نهم

CHAPTER NINE

In which the young man is first

shown the heart of the rose

YOU’VE LEARNED MANY IMPORTANT THINGS to-day,” the millionaire told the young man. “And hopefully you’ve understood them not only with your head but with your heart as well.

“Now you know that words deeply affect our lives whether we wish them to or not. A thought, even when false, can affect us if we believe it to be true. When you learn to distinguish the value of a thought, that is, the value you give it, your mind can regain or maintain its calm. It was your mind that gave meaning to the threat. If it had been written in a foreign language, you wouldn’t have paid the slightest attention to it.” The millionaire was silent for a moment, then continued.

“In the future, each time you come face-to-face with a problem — and the road to fortune is strewn with obstacles — remember this particular threat. Re-mind yourself that the problem facing you has as little to do with you as this threat did. This might seem unrealistic to you, since you’re the one who has to deal with the problem. But you don’t have to shoulder the anxiety it breeds, or let a problem acquire so much importance that it traumatizes you. By the time you have reached this point — and it’s not easy, I assure you — you will have mastered an invaluable skill and will be able to fulfill all your dreams.

“Let me warn you, however. The journey may be long and arduous before you manage to master it. But never give up. I promise you, it’ll be worth your while. One day you will learn that mastering your destiny and fulfilling your dreams is the ultimate pur-pose of life. The rest is unimportant.” They both remained silent, absorbed in their thoughts. The young man noticed the millionaire’s eyes filling with sadness. . . .

The millionaire continued, as if summing up everything he had said up to that point: “Life can be a rose garden or hell on earth, depending on your frame of mind. Think of the rose often. Lose yourself in the heart of a rose each time a problem crops up. And remember, you don’t have to shoulder the burden of your problems.” He placed particular emphasis on the following words: “Most people cannot understand what I’ve just said. They believe it to be pure, unadulterated optimism. But it’s much more profound than that. The world is but a reflection of your inner self. The conditions in your life are but a mirror image of your inner life. Concentrate on the heart of the rose and there you will find truth and the intuition you will need to guide you through life.

“You will also find the dual secret of true wealth: love for whatever you do, and love for others.”