The Story of the Chinese Farmer

Gardenlover

Gardenlover

The world needs more love
A friend on the forum sent me this today, it is helpful.

You're going through a bit of a storm right now, then this is one of the stories I read to myself to just give me a little bit more of a perspective. So, I thought you might like it, too. It's the story of the Chinese farmer.

"The Story of the Chinese Farmer" by Alan Watts
There was once a Chinese farmer who had a horse. One day, the horse ran away. The neighbors came over and said, "I'm so sorry to hear your horse ran away." The farmer replied, "Maybe."

The next day, the horse returned, bringing seven wild horses with it. The neighbors came again. What great fortune," the farmer said, "Maybe."

The day after that, the farmer's son tried to ride one of the wild horses. He was thrown off and broke his leg. The neighbors rushed over. How terrible, the farmer said, “Maybe.”

Then the army came, drafting young men into war. They passed over the farmer's son because of the broken leg. The neighbors came by again. You must be so relieved. And the farmer simply said, "Maybe."

This reminds us to trust the unfolding. We never know which way is going to be the right way or the wrong way. That maybe this is where we're meant to be right now.
 

There were jobs that I wanted, girlfriends that I wanted, that never happened. There could very well have been nightmares that I avoided. Girlfriends and wives I did end up with ... I am very glad they are not near my life today.

Except for Britney of course, I still think we would make a very good couple.
 
Lawrence00 said:
There were jobs that I wanted, girlfriends that I wanted, that never happened. There could very well have been nightmares that I avoided. Girlfriends and wives I did end up with ... I am very glad they are not near my life today.

Except for Britney of course, I still think we would make a very good couple.
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And perhaps they are very glad that you are not in their lives?
 

Lawrence00 said:
There were jobs that I wanted, girlfriends that I wanted, that never happened. There could very well have been nightmares that I avoided. Girlfriends and wives I did end up with ... I am very glad they are not near my life today.

Except for Britney of course, I still think we would make a very good couple.
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Sometimes if a relationship doesn't last, it doesn't mean anything inherently wrong with either party. They simply may not be compatible, or were mentally/emotionally 'growing' at different paces. In my life i've tended to feel we had 'karma' with each other we had to work out.

And all that can be true of familial, romantic or friends' type relationships. Not all connections are meant to be lifelong ones.
 
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@Gardenlover Watts is a favorite of mine. Suspect he read a lot of the same writings from ancient cultures that i did as a teen. One my favorites of his 'The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are'. First read it in my 20s.

This particular story has a feel similar to Buddhist ones.

i more often say "We'll see." if some one approaches me with concern. i've found often things that seem bad at first work out for the better. Even if it just means whatever put me in right place/time to help someone who needed it.
 
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