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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

good luck? bad luck?

next time you've had a bad day & life gets you down, remember this story. today's trials, or perhaps your alexander type of day, more often than not, is just a blessing in disguise. our lives are full of blessings, sometimes the trick is simply learning to recognize them...

there is an ancient chinese story of a farmer who owned an old horse that till his fields. one day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “bad luck? good luck? who knows?”

a week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. his reply was, “good luck? bad luck? who knows?”

then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. everyone thought this very bad luck. not the farmer, whose only reaction was, “bad luck? good luck? who knows?”

some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. when they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. once again, the farmer's only reaction was, “bad luck? good luck? who knows?”

there are no misfortunes in life. there are only missed fortunes… missed only because we fail to recognise and appreciate them for what they truly are: fortunes, experiences, learning opportunities, seeds of wisdom.

- author unknown.

13 comments:

Tina said...

I love that story, thanks!
Sometimes I think I have "TRIALS" when really they are mere "INCONVENIENCES" I have to force myself to recognize the differences, and I think I will take inconviences over trials anyday!
Thanks again!

Lexi said...

This is so what I needed to hear today! Thank you!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

What a great story and one to remember :o)

I have a painted rock in the kitchen with a quote from Henry Ford

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

Same sort of idea. :o)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that story!

The Shabby Princess said...

Ah!! Just what I needed after a few very hard days/weeks. So true. I've just got to look at things from a different perspective. Sigh...

Very appropriate for what is going on with me.

Thanks for posting that. It really brightened up my day!

Wendi said...

Great story.

I am going to look back over my chaotic day and look for those disguised blessings.

I am sure they are there.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

Robin Beck said...

I have finally learned in my older years (I laugh I'm 43) that you have to thank God for the good and thank God for the bad. I've even been driving in my car crying my head off saying, "thank you God-I know something good just might come out of this" You'd be surprised how many times good did prevail~! Take Care Kelly.
~smiles~

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

what a lovely reminder. just what I needed too! thanks.

aaron and allee said...

It is all in how you look at it, isn't it? Thanks for posting this!

My Two Army Brats said...

I love that story. I need to be reminded of the importance of everything we go through in life and how it all leads to something new.

mama jo said...

love that story...we always need to remember that lesson.

katylinvw said...

i like this a lot! it's like the quote that says all challenges are only opportunities in disguise . . . or something to that effect :)

Marilee said...

I love this story!!!