Welcome to the happiness podcast. I'm Dr. Robert Puff.

Many years ago I heard this story. I'm not sure where, but it's a story filled with potential for finding happiness even in the face of tragedy in our lives. I've entitled it, The Hermit and The Thief.

And here's what happens.

There once was a Hermit who lived by himself, which is actually the definition of a hermit.

It's a person who chooses for spiritual reasons to live by themselves and get closer to God by being alone with God.

Well, in this story, this hermit lived out in the wilderness in a small cabin.

And because he really didn't own anything of value, he didn't lock his doors and just spent much of the time in silence, often meditating.

So one night, a robber came to steal from him because he saw the cabin.

He said, oh, I bet I can get things from this cabin and no one is around to hear me.

Because the cabin was very isolated and he didn't see anyone coming and going.

Well, when he snuck in, the monk was meditating, but it was dark, so the robber knocked

over a table and things came crashing down.

Well, it startled the monk, so he stood up and it also startled the robber and he was frightened.

So he grabbed the knife that he concealed underneath his cloak and went up to the hermit and stabbed

them in the stomach.

Well the hermit was in great pain and he knew that he was dying, but he put his hands

on the robber's shoulders, and he said, look at him straight

in the eyes, I see you, God, you can't fool me.

And then he died peacefully.

This is actually one of my favorite stories about happiness.

And if you have no belief in God whatsoever, that really won't be that relevant to this

podcast.

...