Jumping to conclusions is the only daily exercise I get. It's not helpful when those conclusions are extreme! It's far too easy, when something small goes wrong, to extrapolate the consequences to herald the end of the world! I need to stay more open to possibilities.

Once upon a time I heard a story about a fortunate farmer. Onto his farm wandered a most gorgeous wild stallion. Much strength could be harnessed if the stallion could be tamed. The farmer's neighbours all gathered to celebrate his good luck. "You are so lucky to have this wonderful animal on your farm!"

His smiling reply was, "Maybe, maybe not."

The farmer had a single son. His son and the stallion became friends, and when the stallion was almost tame, the son climbed upon his back. The stallion, startled, threw the son from his back, and the son became crippled, unable to walk without support.

The farmer's neighbours gathered together to console the family. "You are so unlucky to have had this happen to you!"

The farmer's smiling reply was, "Maybe, maybe not."

The king of their country went to war with a neighbouring nation. All the fit and healthy young men were conscripted into the army. The farmer's son could not join them as he could not walk without support.

The farmer's neighbours wept to see their own sons dragged off into conflict. They said to the farmer, "You are so lucky that your son has been spared..."

Of course, the farmer said, with a smile, "Maybe, maybe not!"

The moral of the story is to stay open. Not everything good that happens to us remains wonderful for ever – so we must cherish the moments. However, not everything bad that happens to us leads to a bad outcome in the long-term. Saying, "Maybe, maybe not," keeps us open to possibilities.

What the caterpillar concludes is the end of the world, the butterfly embraces as the beginning!

I'd be fascinated to hear your own stories of setbacks that became a blessing.

Lex

A Moodscope member.