LAZARUS’S BLA BLA BLOG

The Desert Within

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Once, a man named Enoch lived in a bustling city filled with noise and endless activity. His days were a whirlwind of work, deadlines, and social obligations. Over time, the vibrant colours of his life faded into a dull grey, and a profound emptiness settled within him—a desert devoid of life, hope, and meaning. Enoch felt his soul had become a barren wasteland, where nothing grew and nothing mattered. Friends drifted away, and even his passions seemed like distant mirages. The more he searched for fulfilment, the more elusive it became, leaving him parched and exhausted.

One morning, as he wandered through a park seeking solace, he noticed a small, withered plant struggling to survive in a cracked patch of earth. Its resilience struck him, and he realised that even in the harshest environments, life persists—sometimes in the tiniest forms, waiting for the right conditions to flourish. Inspired by this, Enoch began to tend to his inner landscape. He started small, taking walks in nature, practising mindfulness, and reconnecting with the things that once brought him joy. Like rain nourishing a desert, hope seeped back into his heart.

Over time, the barren desert of his life transformed. New seeds of purpose and passion took root, blooming into a vibrant oasis of meaning and connection. Enoch learned that even the driest deserts can be turned into gardens if one dares to nurture hope and resilience. His life was no longer a desert but a flourishing landscape—proof that life can thrive in even the emptiest places.

Parable of Two Shepherds

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Once upon a time, there were two shepherds named Tomas and Eli. Both tended flocks of sheep and loved their animals dearly. The valley was beautiful, with plenty of grass and fresh water, but it was also small, and the grazing grounds were shared. One summer, as the grass grew sparse, Tomas and Eli found themselves in a disagreement. Tomas believed that the northern part of the valley belonged to him because he had been grazing his sheep there longer. On the other hand, Eli argued that the southern fields were his since he had started grazing his sheep there more recently. Their disagreement quickly grew into a heated argument. Tomas claimed,

“I have been here for many years, and my sheep have always grazed in this part of the valley. It is my right to continue doing so.”

Eli, in his own defence, replied,

“But I have also been here these past few seasons, and I need the grazing grounds just as much as you do. We both need to share fairly.”

The two shepherds argued day after day, each convinced they were right. Confused by the noise, their sheep began to stray and wander into the neighbouring pastures, causing more trouble. Finally, a wise old man who lived nearby heard about the dispute. He visited Tomas and Eli and asked to speak with them.

“Let me tell you a story,” he said. “There was once a river that flowed through a valley. Two farmers built their fields on either side of the river. Both wanted to use the water for their crops, but there was only enough for one to use at a time. They argued endlessly, each claiming the water was theirs.”

The old man paused and looked at the shepherds.

“One day, a wise elder suggested they build a small dam to direct the water to both fields at different times. They agreed to share the water equally, respecting each other’s needs. From then on, they worked together instead of fighting.”

Tomas and Eli listened carefully. They realised that their argument was causing more harm than good and that cooperation was better than conflict. They divided the grazing grounds equally, rotating their sheep between the two parts of the valley. From that day on, they worked together peacefully, and their sheep thrived in the harmony of shared land. So, the valley remained peaceful, and the two shepherds learned that sharing and understanding could solve even the thorniest disputes.