In a bustling village, there was a candle maker who took great pride in his craft. He made the finest candles, and they were in high demand, especially during the long, dark nights. Every evening, as the village streets grew dim, people would rush to buy his candles, and he would light up their homes with his creations.
One day, while he was working in his shop, a young apprentice came to him, eager to learn the trade. The apprentice worked hard and admired the candle maker’s success, but he was also puzzled by something. Every day, the candle maker seemed to pause his work around midday, when the sun was at its highest, and step outside to sit quietly for a few minutes.
The apprentice, curious, asked, “Why do you take this break every day when the sun is out? There’s so much work to be done, and people rely on your candles for light. Wouldn’t it be better to keep working and make more candles?”
The candle maker smiled and replied, “Come with me tomorrow at noon, and I will show you.”
The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, the candle maker took the apprentice outside. “Look up,” he said, pointing to the bright sun shining overhead. “Tell me, can any candle I make compare to this light?”
The apprentice squinted at the sun, its powerful rays lighting up the entire village. “No,” he said. “The sun’s light is much greater than any candle.”
The candle maker nodded. “Exactly. My candles are helpful when it is dark, but they cannot replace the brilliance of the sun. That’s why I take a moment each day to remind myself of something important—while my work is valuable, it is not the only source of light. There are greater forces at play that bring light into the world, and it’s important to remember that.”
The apprentice thought for a moment and then asked, “But how does that help with your work?”
The candle maker replied, “In work, as in life, we must remember that we are part of something larger. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our tasks that we forget the bigger picture. Taking a moment to reflect reminds me to stay humble, and to understand that I’m just one part of the light that helps others. When we know our place in the larger scheme, we work with more purpose and less stress.”
Moral of the story:
In the workplace, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our daily tasks and think our work is the center of everything. But like the candle compared to the sun, it’s important to remember that we are part of a bigger picture. When we pause and reflect on our role in the larger scheme, we gain perspective, work with more purpose, and stress less about small things. 🌞🕯️
