LIFE LESSONS|SELF IMPROVEMENT|MENTAL HEALTH

The Broken Plate Teaches Life’s Lessons: Learnings From Alexander The Great

Materialistic things are temporary focus on everlasting happiness

Background When things break in your house, do you feel sad? There are some possessions that you have with you, that were a collector’s dream. Some artefacts that you collected on your travels are the pride of your living room. If they break how do you feel?

You feel as though you have lost something that was a part of your life. It was loaded with memories. I am sure when things break they affect you. This affects your mental health too.

How does a broken plate teach you a lesson? I read a story by Trista Signe Ainsworth on what a broken plate taught her. I immediately thought of my past experience and I wanted to share it with everyone so that the lessons that I learned would help others towards the guidance of receiving joy in life when things break and not feel gloomy about it.

The Broken Plate My story dates back to four decades ago. One evening, we had a large dinner to celebrate the birth of my eldest son. There was a lot of crockery and utensils after dinner. I stacked them all as it was late at night by the time the guests left.

Early next morning my part-time maid came and washed the crockery, cutlery and utensils. Suddenly we heard a loud noise and could well imagine that something had broken.

I have a lot of patience and these things usually do not disturb me. I took it in my stride, but my husband went immediately to find out what had happened. The maid told him that she had broken a plate.

The plate happened to be of fine bone china. It was a very expensive dinner set and we had just bought it a week ago. It was not possible to replace a piece again and the set was spoiled.

My husband was livid. He shouted at the maid. She pleaded that it was a mistake and that it slipped from her hand and she would not do it again. An argument continued between them.

I went to pacify and improve the situation. Somehow it was already too late. Strong words had passed between the two because she said, “It was only a plate and he is so angry with me.” It affected her mental health and also my husband’s because they were both angry and could not understand logic or reason.

In anger, she left the job and immediately left asking me for her monthly salary. Even though I persuaded her that this annoyance was a temporary measure because he had lost a plate that was precious for him and it would not be possible to find remnant pieces in the market, she wanted to leave. I paid her dues and she was gone.

Lessons learned This incident taught me five lessons in my life

#1. Lower your expectations Do not have high expectations from people. When they are working, expect that they will make mistakes and there will be things that you do not like but you have to accept them. A plate or an artefact may be a small thing for the maid even though it is precious for you.

Lower your expectations and you will be happy in all situations of your life.

#2. No materialistic thing is worth worrying about- ‘Alexander the Great’ When the plate broke, I was reminded of the story of Alexander the Great. He was the world’s greatest military leader and had a vast empire from Macedonia, Egypt, Greece and some parts of India. When he died, his priceless pieces of wealth with gems were strewn around his grave. He could not take anything with him. They turned to dust.

He himself said that no monument should be built near his grave so that people know that he carried nothing with him. Even though he plundered and had a lot of wealth he went empty-handed.

“Bury my body and don’t build any monument. Keep my hands out so the people know the one who won the world had nothing in hand when he died.” Alexander The Great.

#3. Take responsibility and do not blame others When things are so precious for you take responsibility and wash them yourself. If they get destroyed, then you have only yourself to blame for it. Why shout at others and scold them when you are responsible for maintaining your things properly.

If something is so important, do the job yourself so that you have no reason to blame others.

#4. Anger affects mental health When you are angry, you forget to reason about what is right and what is wrong. When you shout, the other person justifies his action and shouts more, affecting the mental health of both people.

When you are angry, deep breathe and calm down before you talk. You will begin to see reason and will be able to make rational decisions.

#5. Remorse at your action When you have taken an action in haste and you know that what you did was wrong, there is only remorse. You cannot go back and rectify anything. The efficient employee who made one mistake and was thrown out will never come back. Egos will be hit on both sides. The employer will not say sorry and neither will the employee. Moreover, even if he wants to, where will he find the person who is gone from his life.

Be in the present and think before you act for there is no time to grieve. If people go away and you are remorseful even, the action already done, cannot change. What is done is already done and you have to bear the consequences.

To recapitulate Small things in life should not matter. Worldly possessions keep on coming and going. Alexander was such a great leader and plundered wealth. Everything was left behind.

According to Alexander The Great “A tomb now suffices him for whom the world was not enough”.

Do not focus on materialistic things. Emphasize love, kind deeds and good actions. Leave your anger and take rational decisions. You will be a happy and joyful person with good mental health. Open yourself to the abundance of the universe and be filled with positive thoughts and energy.

“Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.” Alexander The Great

Please do see Trista Signe Ainsworth’s story on The Broken Plate