MAYBE IT IS and MAYBE IT ISN'T

Out of feudal Japan comes one of my favorite stories about preconception and attachment to outcome. I am posting this because I just received an email from my son who "put me on the spot" about what I have learned as a result of being on this "walkabout" now entering the 4th month.

A farmer and his son were plowing the fields with an Ox. The boy would lead the ox while the father would pick up rocks or plant seeds. They awoke one morning to find their ox had died. The farmer walked into town to consult with the wisest man in the village over what he should do. After telling his story he said "This is the worst thing that could ever happen" The wise man replied, "Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't." The farmer stormed off saying under his breath "This guy is an idiot.'

When he arrived back at the farm he spotted a big horse standing in his field. He was able to capture the horse, the son rode on his back, and he plowed the field faster and more efficiently than ever before. The farmer went back to town to see the wise man and tell him the good news. "This is the best thing that could ever happen." The wise man said in reply "Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't." The farmer again walked off muttering.."This guy is missing the point."

On his return to the farm, he saw his son lying on the ground next to the horse. The boy was in obvious pain. As he got closer, he saw the boy had fallen off the horse and broken his leg. His farming was over for a while until he healed. Naturally, as was the custom, he went to share this with the wise man in the village. The farmer said "This is the worst thing that could happen. " Predictably the wise man replied "Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. " The farmer could not hold his tongue anymore and told the wise man that "this time" there was no way that this was not the worst thing that could happen and maybe he's not so wise after all. When he got back to the farm to sit with the young man and tend his broken leg he saw a cloud of dust in the distance and heard the sound of a hundred horses. A warlord and his army were riding through the countryside conscripting young men to fight and most like die in battle. When the warrior saw the young man lying there with a broken leg, he just rode on to the next farm and left the son with his father where he would live to farm again.

So, next time "the worst thing that could ever happen" happens, or you even THINK that a certain event is "the worst thing" just say to yourself, "Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. "

Let that be a lesson to you.