I hadn't read that story before, but it made me think. Positive and challenging things happen in our life on a regular occurrence and although we should celebrate the good and grieve for the not so good, the constant is the 'change'. The 'maybe' is a way to not get too consumed with the good or the bad.....as things will change. Sorry about your disappointment, Mary.
Happy Anniversary! I'm so impressed with your determination and loyalty to your writing and posting. You are an inspiration! I look forward to reading everything and anything you write!
And I love the story of the Chinese Farmer. There is another children's story by Remy Charlip called Fortunately that follows a similar logic and then there's the story The Farmer's Luck in Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth which tells a version of the Chinese Farmer. It's kind of a fun game to play with 5th graders - - teaching cause and effect and also the life lesson of uncertainty and things aren't always as they appear and anything can happen and so many other great life lessons! Kids eat this stuff up.
Thanks, Lori! I appreciate your encouragement and support. I haven't read Zen Shorts for years. I'll have to check it out again and Fortunately too. Thanks for mentioning those. And I bet the kids love that, especially with you as the teacher! :)
Ha! So funny. As I read this, I was also thinking that the one constant in life is change. Then, I read Sara's comment. In a similar vein, I am frequently annoyed with the need to find blame for events. I feel like placing blame can result in unfounded fear. I also think that the blame may be placed but the thread can probably be followed further back. Most things going wrong are caused by a series of events or factors. Most things aren't within our control. We just do our best each day and deal with whatever rolls our way: the good, the bad, the ugly. So like the story, MAYBE whatever rolls our way will have an outcome we didn't see coming.
Yes, Sandy, I agree. I think it's important to try to pinpoint the causes of events that may be avoidable or preventable, some diseases and disasters for example. And also many things can't be controlled. That's why I also really dislike the saying "everything happens for a reason." I don't believe that's true.
I hadn't read that story before, but it made me think. Positive and challenging things happen in our life on a regular occurrence and although we should celebrate the good and grieve for the not so good, the constant is the 'change'. The 'maybe' is a way to not get too consumed with the good or the bad.....as things will change. Sorry about your disappointment, Mary.
Yes - exactly, Sara! And thanks. :)
I really like this. As I get older, I see things differently, maybe?
Thanks, Laura!
WOW! thank you Mary, now and always!
Thanks for reading, Margaret!
Happy Anniversary! I'm so impressed with your determination and loyalty to your writing and posting. You are an inspiration! I look forward to reading everything and anything you write!
And I love the story of the Chinese Farmer. There is another children's story by Remy Charlip called Fortunately that follows a similar logic and then there's the story The Farmer's Luck in Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth which tells a version of the Chinese Farmer. It's kind of a fun game to play with 5th graders - - teaching cause and effect and also the life lesson of uncertainty and things aren't always as they appear and anything can happen and so many other great life lessons! Kids eat this stuff up.
Thanks, Lori! I appreciate your encouragement and support. I haven't read Zen Shorts for years. I'll have to check it out again and Fortunately too. Thanks for mentioning those. And I bet the kids love that, especially with you as the teacher! :)
Ha! So funny. As I read this, I was also thinking that the one constant in life is change. Then, I read Sara's comment. In a similar vein, I am frequently annoyed with the need to find blame for events. I feel like placing blame can result in unfounded fear. I also think that the blame may be placed but the thread can probably be followed further back. Most things going wrong are caused by a series of events or factors. Most things aren't within our control. We just do our best each day and deal with whatever rolls our way: the good, the bad, the ugly. So like the story, MAYBE whatever rolls our way will have an outcome we didn't see coming.
Yes, Sandy, I agree. I think it's important to try to pinpoint the causes of events that may be avoidable or preventable, some diseases and disasters for example. And also many things can't be controlled. That's why I also really dislike the saying "everything happens for a reason." I don't believe that's true.
Right! Everything happens because it happens. Then, people respond or deal with whatever has happened. That's just life. It just keeps rollin....