There’s a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck”, they said sympathetically. “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
The next morning, the horse returned, bringing with it a dozen other wild horses. “How wonderful”, exclaimed the neighbors. “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses. He was thrown off and broke his leg. The neighbors came, offering sympathy on this misfortune. “Such bad luck." “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
The next day, military officials came to the village to draft all young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things have turned out. “How wonderful”, exclaimed the neighbors. “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
What happenings are taking place in your life that, upon first inspection, might be such bad luck or, conversely, be wonderful? Are you attached to the outcomes of either one? How’s that playing out?
The moral of the story: we never know what goodness will come from a terrible situation and we never know how quickly a desired state will change. Perhaps staying steady with the flow of life, as it’s showing up moment to moment, can offer immense value. Instead of swinging between like and dislike (which can just get us all discombobulated), we can rest somewhere in the middle with a gentle smile and openness to what is. Like a tree, roots are grounded and deep while at the same time being flexible enough to shift and sway with the ever-changing winds of life.
Peace and Love,
Shanti
The next morning, the horse returned, bringing with it a dozen other wild horses. “How wonderful”, exclaimed the neighbors. “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses. He was thrown off and broke his leg. The neighbors came, offering sympathy on this misfortune. “Such bad luck." “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
The next day, military officials came to the village to draft all young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things have turned out. “How wonderful”, exclaimed the neighbors. “Perhaps”, the farmer replied.
What happenings are taking place in your life that, upon first inspection, might be such bad luck or, conversely, be wonderful? Are you attached to the outcomes of either one? How’s that playing out?
The moral of the story: we never know what goodness will come from a terrible situation and we never know how quickly a desired state will change. Perhaps staying steady with the flow of life, as it’s showing up moment to moment, can offer immense value. Instead of swinging between like and dislike (which can just get us all discombobulated), we can rest somewhere in the middle with a gentle smile and openness to what is. Like a tree, roots are grounded and deep while at the same time being flexible enough to shift and sway with the ever-changing winds of life.
Peace and Love,
Shanti
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