There lived a happy farmer who raised horses. One day a horse run away, and the other villagers said: “What a bad luck”. He smiled and said: “You never know, it might as well be good luck”.
The next day his horse returned and brought with him a bunch of wild horses. The villagers said: “What a good luck”. The farmer smiled and said: “Indeed, I am very fortunate”.
As the farmers son was riding in the wild horses, he fell and broke his leg. The villagers said: “What a bad luck”, but the farmer smiled and said: “You never know. It might as well be good luck”.
After a couple of weeks the army came by, and took all the young boys to war, but not the farmers son who had a broken leg. The villagers said: “What a good luck”. The farmer overfilled with joy, beamed and said: “I am indeed the blessed one”.
As it happened one day the farmer died, and all the villagers came to his funeral. The priest held a farewell speech: "I never knew this farmer, but I heard that he was one very happy man. I have talked to many of you and you all agree, but it seems that no one is able to tell me the secret of his happiness.
P.S. This is related to another post titled “How to be happy”, which I wrote 8 years ago. If there are any Eckhart Tolle fans, this is related to what he calls “surrender” or “acceptance of what is” although I think he chose somewhat misleading names. Joseph Campbell’s “joyful participation in the sorrows of the world” is better, but also misleading. What the farmer incorporated was more “joyful participation in the joys of the world”, because what Campbell interpreted as “sorrows of the world”, the farmer interpreted as “joys (and suspended joys) of the world”. If any readers doubt that braking a leg can bring luck should read Laura Sinclair’s book “Over 50, Overweight & Out Of Breath: A Year Of Going From Super Fat To Super Fit”.
Ahhh! Young Robert, you’ve returned to the Good Ship Scrivener. Welcome back I trust your long absence from Scriv’s decks, has no untoward cause.
Hope you are fit and well, and remain as sharp witted as ever.
Once again, welcome back
Take care
Vic
Glad to see that you are still around Vic, sharing kindness and wisdom to the crew
I will do one experiment. For a week I will think and behave like the farmer. I will joyfully participate in the joys (and suspended joys) of the world, and will report back.
If any of the readers want to make this experiment as well (I suspect no one will), it would be very interesting to hear the experience.
Not at all!! You could always be relied upon to raise the standard on Scriv’s lower decks, with challenging debate. The likes of Hugh, could invariably be seen to maintain those standards, whereas, on t’other-hand, I could/can be relied on to lower the standards to just above the lapping of the water in the bilges.
We all have a role to play … [size=85]that’s my excuse, anyway.[/size]
Take care
Vic
Being of a contrary or unique opinion does not make one unwelcome in groups of “mature” adults. In this context mature does not mean age or behavior. It refers to knowing that each person is owed the same level of respect.
While I may not have always agreed with or appreciated your thoughts, the forum is incomplete without them.
I trust your long absence from Scriv’s decks, has no untoward cause.
