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"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson

6 years ago
Get Comfortable Not Knowing

"There once was a village that had among its people a very wise old man. The villagers trusted this man to provide them answers to their questions and concerns".

"One day, a farmer from the village went to the wise man and said in a frantic tone, "Wise man, help me. A horrible thing has happened. My ox has died and I have no animal so help me plow my field! Isn't this the worst thing that could have possibly happened?" The wise old man replied, "Maybe so, maybe not". The man hurried back to the village and reported to his neighbors that the wise man had gone mad. Surely this was the worst thing that could have happened. Why couldn't he see this?".

"The very next day, however, a strong, young horse was seen near the man's farm. Because the man had no ox to rely on, he had to catch the horse to replace his ox --and he did. How joyful the farmer was. Plowing the field had never been easier. He went back to the wise man to apologize. "You were right wise man. Losing my ox wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. It was a blessing in disguise! I never would have captured my new horse had that not happened. You must agree that this is the best thing that could have happened". "Maybe so, maybe not".  Not again thought the farmer. Surely the wise man had gone mad now".