Strength to Change

Nasrudin was now an old man looking back on his life. He sat with his friends in the tea shop telling his story. When I was young I was fiery – I wanted to awaken everyone. I prayed to Allah to give me the strength to change the world.

In mid-life I awoke one day and realized my life was half over and I had changed no one SO I prayed to Allah to give me the strength to change those close around me who so much needed it.

Alas, now I am old and my prayer is simpler. Allah, I ask, please give me the strength to at least change myself.

This story is from Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart by Christina Feldman and Jack Kornfield.