Because nothing lasts forever.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll
Once upon a time, there was an old hard working farmer. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck.” — they said sympathetically.
“Maybe.” — The farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How lucky you are.” — the neighbors exclaimed.
“Maybe.” — Replied the old man.
The following day, his son broke his leg trying to ride one of the untamed horses. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy.
“Maybe.” — Answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. Once again, the neighbors told the farmer how lucky he was.
“Maybe.” — Said the old man.
This Zen Buddhist fable is powerful to understand th…
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