Hello my dear friends. I woke up with a bit of anxiety today because my creative mind seems to be stopped up again, and I couldn’t find any inspiration on what to write about today.
I’m really grateful to have this platform as a method of accountability for myself. I can’t hide in the corner or bury my head in the sand when I feel small. I have to sit in front of this computer and say something — for myself, for y’all, and for whatever it is that we create when we connect together.
I have a whiteboard in my bedroom that I write a new phrase on once in a while, something to remind me of my path in life. Currently it says, “Who knows what is good and what is bad?” This statement is one of my most important reminders to not spiral into oblivion when something goes “wrong.”
There are many versions of this parable from Taoism, but I went ahead and copy & pasted a succinct version from www.leadyoufirst.com (not because I know anything about the website, but because there it was when I searched for the parable.)
“A farmer and his son lived on a farm in the countryside.
They owned a beautiful horse they cherished deeply. The farmer entered the horse into a village contest and won first prize along with some money.
When his neighbors gathered to congratulate him, they said enviously, “How lucky you are to have such a remarkable horse.”
To the neighbor’s puzzlement, the farmer responded, “Who knows what is good or bad.”
Not long after, some thieves heard about the prize-winning horse and stole it during the night.
The neighbors came by to express their sympathy for the farmers loss and again were confused by the farmers calm response—“Who knows what is good or bad.”
The next week the spirited horse escaped from the thieves and miraculously returned to the farm—with several other spectacular wild horses.
Again, the astounded neighbors commended the farmer on his incredible good fortune, but his reaction was unchanged—“Who knows what is good or bad.”
Not long after, the farmer’s son fell off one of the horses and broke his leg. Compassionate neighbors again expressed their heartfelt sorrow.
“Who knows what is good or bad,” repeated the farmer calmly.
A short time later, the King’s army passed through town requiring all young and able-bodied men to be drafted into the War, but the farmer’s son was passed over due to his badly broken leg.
By this time, the neighbors brought some food and simply came to enjoy a meal with the farmer and his son. They expressed neither joy nor concern for the farmers current circumstances because they knew how he would respond.”
What I get from this parable is that we can jump to conclusions about the meaning of events in our lives, but in reality, there is no way to predict what will happen next. It is an invitation to watch the beauty, ugliness, and complexity of life unfold. It is an invitation to forego judgement, and to marvel at the randomness and intensity of life.
May you be happy and free, dear reader.
Announcements and such:
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