I am a droplet of water in the ocean:
I would like to compare myself with a droplet of water, following it in its journey through life and its many experiences.

I have been wondering around the world as a droplet of water for a long time. One day, when I was just a little patch of water vapor in the air, I rose and with many of my friends, formed a cloud. It was so much fun to ride the winds and the thermal currents, utilizing what the scientists call the “buoyancy forces.” I felt so good to be with so many of my friends, and to be suspended, carefree in the air.

After being totally surrounded by nitrogen, oxygen and a few other gases, this was the first time that “we” (most of the water - vapor particles in the region) were in the majority. We were actually holding our own gathering, or convention. Suspended somewhere up in the sky, away from all the troubles of the Earth, I was attending my first all - cloud convention! Everybody was giving speeches about how it is to be “down there,” confined within some strange - looking objects, and not being able to move around. I had no idea what they were talking about. You see, this was the first time I was “up there” with my friends, my buddies.

Our convention was in its third day of deliberation, and we were just about to vote on an important resolution: how we could hold on together, and not have to return to earth. We wanted to be “up there” all the time, and have more freedom to move about. Suddenly a strong wind blew us apart. It was like an earthquake. Everybody was screaming and running for cover. When you are part of a cloud, however, you don’t have too many places to hide. I was holding on to some of my friends as tightly as I could. That did not seem to work at all.

Then I decided to simply let go of my efforts and see what would happen. It felt good when I gave up trying to hold on to something, and decided simply to ride the current. I was then taken to a strange and cold place. I didn’t like what was happening to me, but I somehow realized that if I stopped my resistance and just let go, I would be better off. Suddenly, with all these changes taking place and my buddies complaining I saw myself as a beautiful little snowflake dancing to the ground. This was quite a new experience. I was so much smaller now than before. Furthermore, I could not move about as freely. I could only move down, and if the wind so desired, she would move me here and there. Finally I arrived at the ground. Many of my friends were already gathered there. There were so many of us that we were literally stacked on top of each other like blankets. Anytime a new snowflake landed, there was a cheer for him or her, as if everybody knew it was better to be together, rather than being alone in the world, I was happy to be with my friends again. Here we were almost holding another convention. But I knew that things were not the same as when we were up there in the sky.

Here, we were assigned the job of keeping the soil under us warm. My friends told me that this was a very cold country, and if we did not do our part, the soil and all the life therein would freeze and no vegetation would remain. With no vegetation, then there would be no animal life, and so on. I did not know what they were talking about. I was glad, however, that, while I had lost all of my freedom of movement, at least I could be of some help to the soil, and keep some poor soul (soil) warm.

My stay there did not last long. The sun started shining and the air was getting warmer. I could see changes taking place in myself. This was akin to a little child reaching maturity and beginning to see some changes in himself or herself. Next thing I knew I was a drop of water going down through the soil. It was such a strange feeling to move through all those dark places. I did not like the feel of it at all. I wanted to be free and move about in the sky, not in a dark and tight place like here. I was resisting hard, but to no avail. Then the strangest thing happened. There was this octopus - looking object with a lot of hair on its legs. I did not like it a bit, but could not help being drawn to it. There was something about the whole object that forced me toward him. I was grabbed by his hairs, and in a gulp swallowed by him.

All of a sudden I was in new territory, and supported by the whole environment. Never before had I experienced being so needed and respected. Everyone in my new “home” praised me constantly, and appreciated me so much. I loved what was going on. They told me that their lives actually depended on fellows like myself visiting them once in a while. I was actually saving their lives by delivering nourishment to them. I felt so good to be wanted and needed. When I told my new hosts about all the places I had been, and that I still had a long way to go to reach my destination, they became more appreciative of my visit. They offered a little prayer for me: for God to help me reach my final destination sooner.

Although I was enjoying myself, I still did not have any idea where I was. My new friends told me that I was now living in something called grass. They identified themselves by some other names too, but frankly I did not want to know the details. I had not known that grass had different identities, nor that they took pride in these types and species. I thought such behavior was exclusive to human beings who took pride in their separateness. Anyway, being wanted was a great feeling.

I had an itinerary while in my new residence. Every day I visited different floors of this new home, and liked it very much. As I moved upstairs to new floors, I got the feeling that the outside world was near. Actually, I could see the light peeping through the thick windows of the house.

Early one morning, when I could see the sunlight coming through the dense windows of my house, I felt a set sharp teeth cutting away part of the “residence.” I did not have time to complain, resist, or even ask for help. The whole house, except for its foundation, was in turmoil and was being churned in a very funny place. I was being tossed around a lot. I particularly did not like being pushed around so much.

My environment now shifted, and I soon realized that I was welcome in this new place, too. My new hob was to help keep a four - legged being alive. Just knowing that I was needed again was a great relief in itself. I traveled to strange places inside of this being, and participated in many activities which scientists call “ processes,” I also saw many funny - looking objects of all shapes and sizes. I was happily contributing to the teamwork that was necessary for keeping this creature alive and well.

The worst experience was when I entered this chamber with many of my friends and was pushed through a narrow gate into a long passage. When I asked what was happening they told me that we were being dispatched to far away places and that my job was to deliver food to many hungry cells who were working in different parts of this body. Again, I felt happy. For some strange reason I discovered that whenever I am helping someone or something, I feel good about myself.

I was quite content in this new residence. I delivered food to all those cells and on my return I carried some of their waste or garbage. So much waste is generated these days. This went on and on and I was getting tired of it. One day something very strange but pleasant happened to me. The outside weather had become so hot, and this four - legged creature was so miserable keeping himself cool, that I decided to help the poor fellow out. In one of my rounds when I was near his skin, and could see the sunshine coming through his tough coat, I found a little hole there and got out. It was strange to feel the wind blowing on my face. I did not know what to make of this new experience. I wanted to go back home and continue delivering food and carrying waste. I wanted to be with my friends again. But somehow I could not return to where I was. Besides, I kind of liked it here because I felt a sense of freedom again. I became content, and knew that I could provide this poor creature thermal comfort.

I was not in this location long. A wind blew over me and cut me lose from my platform, carrying me with it again. The poor creature now really cooled off. This was a process the scientists called “evaporative cooling”

I was free at last and could move quickly over a large territory. A lot had happened since the last time I had been free. I felt I was now a pro. I had been in a lot of places, and helped a lot of beings. It was a wonderful feeling to be free from all kinds of constraints.

While enjoying my freedom and dancing around in a large space, I saw some of my old cloud friends. They invited me to join them at their new all- cloud convention. There were many I had not met before.

Being the sociable cloud patch that I was, I found it easy to meet and make new friends. In fact this friendship became so strong that I was nominated by some of these newcomers for an office in their organization. I was very honored by the respect of my peers. Their respect was based on my friendliness and my seniority. They thought that I could help their convention by simply sharing my experiences with them, and telling them how best they can live their lives so that they may reach their destination sooner.

They appointed me to become a cloud - counselor. This idea pleased me because not only had I earned the respect and praises of my peers, I also had the opportunity to help my fellow beings. This was such a great feeling: the feeling of being loved and respected.

Again, during our convention, a strong wind blew us apart, dispersing us far and wide. Cold weather settled in, and I was separated from my buddies. I was transformed into a droplet of water again, in some strange territory. This time I knew that I was there to serve plants, animals, or people, so I was not bothered. I simply decided to follow the flow.

This cycle continued for generations. After another “lifetime” as a water droplet and serving different creatures for various purposes, I finally attended what turned out to be my final all - cloud convention. While I was getting tired of changing phase (or face) so many times, I somehow knew that this convention would be my last.

Predictably, this convention was broken by the wind and I was blown away. I turned into a water droplet and landed on a river, which was moving fast. I was glad I was not isolated in some confined place. I was moving fast upon a stream and saw a lot of my old friends. We were so happy to be together again. We reached a large lake and stayed there for a few days. I did not like to be stagnant again, and was afraid that I may be whisked away once more- to another cloud convention or four - legged creature. I felt that I was actually passing through a very special “leg” of my journey, and that I was in a safe place. I felt that I would not have to attend any more cloud- conventions.

I was talking to my buddies and having a good time in a relatively safe place, when suddenly I began moving very fast through a long pipe. This pipe was much wider than the passages that I have been accustomed to. I was moving much faster, too. Then I was forced to hit a large number of metal blades over and over again. It was so painful to bump into hard, lifeless objects. But, by this time I was a pro, and knew that there was a reason for all of this. Once I let go again, deciding to offer no resistance and to experience all this hardship, I felt peaceful and clam. Then, an inner voice told me that my activity was generating electricity, which brought light into people’s life. I was happy again to be of service. The feeling of being useful once again helped me calm down. I was able to simply enjoy whatever happened to me from that point on.

Generating electricity was by far my hardest experience. I could not have endured it (and perhaps would not have been assigned to it) if I had been just an amateur droplet. They tend to give the hardest tasks to the professionals, letting the newcomers just watch and learn. Even though generating electricity was hard, I felt calm and serene inside. I knew I was being of service.

I now completed my hardest assignment yet. I had just finished going through a hydraulic turbine and pounded on its blades. Next, I was flowing in a calm, beautiful river behind the dam. Somehow I knew that this was my last journey, as I was now surrounded by many loving friends. They were all like myself - just little droplets of water. There were a few whom I had not met, but that didn’t bother me or anyone else. We were in total love and harmony with each other. We had become such good friends. We all knew that we were moving toward our final destination.

Ours was such a beautiful journey. There was not a speck of impurity among us. There were fishes and children swimming within us, but none of them were a bother. They could not prevent us from the last leg of our journey. I was happy that even during this juncture we provided a habitat for some creatures, and swimming enjoyment for others.

My final destination was getting closer. I now felt the anticipation of getting there and becoming one with my beloved again…

The blessed moment arrived! At last, I was one with the ocean!

It was so wonderful to feel such oneness. This was the greatest experience of my long life: to be in the ocean, merged with my beloved again.

While there, enjoying every moment of my existence, I realized that I had been one with the ocean all along. I simply had remained unaware of this. Upon consideration, I realized that I had all the properties of the ocean. In fact, I was actually manifesting the ocean in different ways! It had been so easy to remain unaware. I asked myself why it took such a long time and so many excursions for a little drop of water like me to make this breakthrough. Why did it take me so long to realize that I had always been part of this Source of Love and Life? God willing, some day I will find out. Could it be that the “Ocean” is having fun with itself on this cosmic stage, in the play called “Life”?