A story is told of a Zen farmer who had a horse that helped him plough the land. One day, the horse ventured off the farm and got lost in the forest.
The farmer’s neighbors sympathized with him saying, “too bad that you have lost your horse”. The farmer said “maybe.
A few days later, the lost horse came back with seven other wild horses. The neighbors congratulated the farmer and said, “Good for you, now you have more horses to help you with the farm”. The farmer’s response was, “maybe”
The next day the farmer’s son broke his leg as he tried to tie one of the wild horses in the staple. The neighbors were sorry for the farmer and condoled him saying “too bad that your son has broken his leg”. The farmer said “maybe”.
After a few days, the government was forcefully recruiting able bodied young men to fight in a war. But because the farmer’s boy had a broken leg, he was not recruited.
The neighbors again said to the farmer, “isn’t it great that your son was spared from being forcefully sent to war?”. You know the farmers response by now.
Fortune or misfortune. All have consequences that are unseen in the long run.
Whatever life brings our way, might be a blessing or a curse in disguise.
One day our loss may be our gain. One day our gain may be our loss.
Whatever the universe throws at us. We receive with open arms.
If it is joy, we drink it. If it is sorrow, we imbibe it with the same vigor.
Life is life
Fabio