Life presents both challenges and blessings. Your perspective determines how they affect you and your ability to make your dreams come true.
Once upon a time there was a farmer named Sei Weng who had one horse and one son. One day the horse wandered away, and the neighbors commented that this was unfortunate. The farmer replied, “How do you know it’s bad luck?”
Soon after the horse returned bringing several wild mares with him. The neighbors congratulated him on his good luck. Ah, what lovely, strong horses! However, the farmer responded by saying, “How do you know it’s good luck?”
The son was thrown while riding one of the wild horses and broke his leg. His neighbors once again commented on how sorry they were for his bad luck, at which the farmer said, “Good luck, bad luck. Who knows?”
A war came, and every able-bodied man was conscripted into the military and sent into battle. Because he had a broken leg, the old man’s son didn’t have to go to war. The neighbors were excited about his good fortune, but the farmer remarked, “Is it good or is it bad?”
Another version of this Chinese folktale concludes with, “That’s the way it is.”
Another says that fortune turns to misfortune, and misfortune to fortune. There is no end to changes, and the mystery can’t be known.
Because the farmer was emotionally detached and didn’t go along with everyone’s thinking, he was able to see a bigger picture.
According to the Chaos Theory our lives are always in chaos, and this is what opens us to fresh forms and possibilities. When we reach what is called a “bi-furcation point,” a “point of departure” takes place, and a “self-organization out of chaos” occurs.
In other words, events that serve as turning points create a new order and structure.
Instead of adversely reacting to circumstances that seem bad, consider they may be a portal to something greater than you currently can imagine.
A messy divorce may be a ticket to personal empowerment and overcoming fear.
The loss or lack of worldly goods may be what cracks the shell to allow humility and what’s truly important to be seen or to create space for a new direction or life-changing insights… and the impetus to pursue one’s dreams, perhaps in a new way.
However, these new ways are often different than we previously imagined how our lives would be. Suffering, tears and frustration can be the result when we’re at a “point of departure” but resist departing from our old ways.
My recent experience:
I researched ceiling fans with lights that had to meet very specific criteria for my back porch. I invested a bizarre amount of hours to find the right one. FOUR fans that I chose became unavailable as they sold out while I was looking at them!
Getting frustrated was an option, but instead I said to myself, “this or something better.” I was on the verge of giving up but accidentally found a green one I absolutely love. Originally, it was in a price range that was over six times more than some I’d been considering.
I called the fan company with questions, at which time I inquired about the cost, too. It was less than half the price that a dozen other sites were charging for their sales price, plus I found an additonal discount code.
The rep told me that green was an unusual color, and it just went on sale for a fraction of the original cost.
It fits my needs way better than fans I’d seen at any price.
I kept getting blocked from purchasing others until the right fan showed up at the right price.
It was challenging when I missed out FOUR times on fans I spent a long time on finding. Disappointing? Is it good or is it bad? Turned out way better.
You can choose your perspective. Look deeper. When the timing is right, you may see the silver lining.
No matter how it appears, things change. The highs become lows or ordinary. Regardless of how frustrating or hopeless aspects of your life may seem, this too shall pass.
Your highs and lows come from judging how you think your life should’ve been in the past or should be in the future. Your now, this moment of time, is perfect just the way it is.
Embrace what is without a drama-filled story attached to it, and all your struggles are over.
Your dreams can come true. How? The way reveals itself. Listen to the inner whispers guiding you. Be open to receive. Consider a new point of view because nothing is what it seems. All is in divine order and surpasses your wildest imagination.
Nothing would be what it is.
Because everything would be what it isn’t.
And contrary-wise – what it is, it wouldn’t be.
And what it wouldn’t be, it would.
You see?
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
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Edited and reposted from Soulgoals’ Blog, March 8, 2013
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Tags: Alice in Wonderland, Chaos Theory, Chinese folktale, how to let go of frustration, Is it good or is it bad?, Loss, Messy divorce, Nothing would be what it is
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