One of the activities prohibited in the Gulag was card playing. It was considered a severe crime, and harsh punishment was imposed if one was caught violating this prison rule.
Somehow, the inmates managed to smuggle in a deck of cards and would while away their free time with the forbidden game.
The guards were told about the breach and came to inspect the prisoners' quarters. They found nothing.
As weeks went by, and the games continued, the guards were baffled. Were these uncouth prisoners really outsmarting them? They wondered.
They finally decided to put an end to this. They carried out a surprise inspection, checking every inch of the barracks as well as the bodies and clothes of the inmates.
They found nothing.
As soon as the inspectors left, the cards re - appeared, and the games continued as usual.
How was that possible? The inspectors had checked every possible hiding place.
Eventually,the secret was let out.
You see, they were professional pickpockets . As soon as the guards would enter the barracks, they would slip the cards into their - the guards' pockets. Right before they would leave, they would slip them back out again. Obviously it never occurred to the guards to check their own pockets...
The lesson is clear. If you want to make an accurate assessment of reality, start your search by checking your own 'pockets'.
Often when we make our spiritual and personal inventory, we instinctively look to place blame on those around us. "My parents are responsible," "my education is responsible," etc. Everyone is blamed except oneself. That is an easier and less painful way to do things, but it is not effective in the long run. In order to really put your life into order, we must not overlook our own "pockets."
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