Good Luck? Bad Luck? Who knows?

There is a Chinese story of an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and, when all 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 wild 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 attempted 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. Now was that good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?

This story reminds me of my strong belief that everything happens for a reason. Every time something discouraging happens in my life, I try to remember that and look for the positive in the situation instead of dwelling on the negatives. It has always come to bear out that something good does seem to eventually come from the bad, although it isn't always easy to see. But I truly do believe that everything does happen for a reason and that has helped me cope with many challenging situations in my life. I hope that this will help you try to look for the silver lining in the clouds of your life instead of just looking at the clouds!!

Thia