A koan of luck
A farmer in China once bought a horse, when he brought the horse home, the townspeople said, “Oh, what a fine horse, you are very fortunate”. The stoic farmer just answered “ Maybe.” After about a week, the horse broke out of its paddock and ran away into the mountains surrounding the valley the farmer lived in. the townspeople said, “Oh what very bad luck for you.” The farmer just shrugged and said, “Maybe.”
After another week went by, the horse returned to the farm leading six mares. The townspeople exclaimed, “You must be the luckiest man in China!” to which the farmer answered simply, “Maybe.” As the farmer’s son was attempting to train one of the mares, it kicked him and broke his leg. The townspeople cried,” You poor man, now there will be no one to help you with your spring planting, how dreadfully unfortunate for you!” the farmer just said, “Maybe.” The next week the Emperor demanded all eligible young men from the village to be conscripted to repulse the Mongol invaders, because of his broken leg the son was ineligible for the draft. The townspeople again extolled the farmer’s luck, to which the farmer just answered “Maybe”
Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t updated in a while- been busy with life and the lack of it. The above story represents where my life is right now. Sometimes good things happen to me and I don’t know why only to discover later that I needed those good things to survive. I’m kinda depressed right now because I didn’t get a job I wanted which would solve some of my money problems-but I found out today that had I had the job I wouldn’t be able to be a pallbearer in my step-father’s mother’s (step-grandmother?) funeral. I also would miss out on a dinner with Belinda, my HPS. Next week I have a wedding and a solstice to attend. Hopefully the universe will aid me in my money problems, which includes my old insurance company who are holding up my credit report hostage for a bill I do not owe. I’m tempted to curse the check I send them, but I won’t, it’s much more fun to watch my gods take care of my enemies than anything I can do. Well peace unto you, my friends.
After another week went by, the horse returned to the farm leading six mares. The townspeople exclaimed, “You must be the luckiest man in China!” to which the farmer answered simply, “Maybe.” As the farmer’s son was attempting to train one of the mares, it kicked him and broke his leg. The townspeople cried,” You poor man, now there will be no one to help you with your spring planting, how dreadfully unfortunate for you!” the farmer just said, “Maybe.” The next week the Emperor demanded all eligible young men from the village to be conscripted to repulse the Mongol invaders, because of his broken leg the son was ineligible for the draft. The townspeople again extolled the farmer’s luck, to which the farmer just answered “Maybe”
Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t updated in a while- been busy with life and the lack of it. The above story represents where my life is right now. Sometimes good things happen to me and I don’t know why only to discover later that I needed those good things to survive. I’m kinda depressed right now because I didn’t get a job I wanted which would solve some of my money problems-but I found out today that had I had the job I wouldn’t be able to be a pallbearer in my step-father’s mother’s (step-grandmother?) funeral. I also would miss out on a dinner with Belinda, my HPS. Next week I have a wedding and a solstice to attend. Hopefully the universe will aid me in my money problems, which includes my old insurance company who are holding up my credit report hostage for a bill I do not owe. I’m tempted to curse the check I send them, but I won’t, it’s much more fun to watch my gods take care of my enemies than anything I can do. Well peace unto you, my friends.