Maybe Yes, Maybe No

Waiting for the inspiration to write and I am challenged by the world events, and the personal events of these times. I find solace in the parable of the Chinese Farmer. What ever we encounter is neither good nor bad, it just is. We are to remain present to the events around us and respond as we see fit. When we see an opportunity, we reply. In addition to all “catastrophic” events happening around us, we find the small challenges that we can engage with.

My personal challenges include confronting racism as an ally, and dealing with social inequality. I know these are in front of me because I care about them and I now have the opportunity to act. How will I show up? How will you show up to your challenges? I will step up to the challenge. It’s only “good” or “bad” depending on your frame of reference. I offer the Parable of the Chinese Farmer for your reflection. I first came across this in the Power of Now, by Eckart Tolle . Let me know how this challenges you to respond in your life.

Parable of the Chinese Farmer

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Once there was a Chinese farmer who worked his poor farm together with his son and their horse. When the horse ran off one day, neighbors came to say, “How unfortunate for you!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

When the horse returned, followed by a herd of wild horses, the neighbors

gathered around and exclaimed, “What good luck for you!”

The farmer stayed calm and replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

While trying to tame one of wild horses, the farmer’s son fell, and broke his leg. He had to rest up and couldn’t help with the farm chores. “How sad for you,” the neighbors cried.

“Maybe yes, maybe no,” said the farmer.

Shortly thereafter, a neighboring army threatened the farmer’s village. All

the young men in the village were drafted to fight the invaders. Many died.

But the farmer’s son had been left out of the fighting because of his broken

leg. People said to the farmer, “What a good thing your son couldn’t fight!”

“Maybe yes, maybe no,” was all the farmer said