If You Truly Want Peace, It’s Time to Prove It

Is it good? Bad? Who knows?

There’s a Taoist story about a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. His neighbors lamented his loss, since he wouldn’t have a horse for the planting season. “Such bad luck,” they said. The farmer said, “Maybe.”

Not long after, the horse returned with three stallions. The neighbors told the farmer he was now a wealthy man, and a man of good fortune as well. “Maybe,” the farmer said.

The next day, the farmer’s son fell from one of the stallions, breaking his leg. The neighbors told the farmer, “What bad luck.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”

Within the week, soldiers came through the town, drafting young men for the army. Because he had a broken leg, the farmer’s son was excused. The neighbors came to celebrate the farmer’s good luck. “Maybe,” the farmer said.

The point is, there’s a bigger picture that we cannot see. And what seems like a disaster today may be a blessing tomorrow.  The question is, will we be open to seeing it, or will fear block our view?

Debra Engle is the author of The Only Little Prayer You Need and Let Your Spirit Guides Speak. You can find her on Facebook and at debraengle.com.