As a kid growing up in Taoist and Buddhist environment, my outlook is shaped by those cultural influences. One of those is the optimistic and pragmatic approach to events happening around me drawn from the parable of the farmer and the horse:
“A long time ago, a poor Chinese farmer lost a horse, and all the neighbours came around and said, ‘well that’s too bad’. The farmer said, ‘maybe’. Shortly after, the horse returned bringing another horse with him, and all the neighbours came around and said, ‘well that’s good fortune’, to which the farmer replied, ‘maybe’. The next day, the farmer’s son was trying to tame the new horse and fell, breaking his leg, and all the neighbours came around and said, ‘well that’s too bad’ and the farmer replied, ‘maybe’.
Shortly after, the emperor declared war on a neighbouring nation and ordered all able-bodied men to come and fight—many died or were badly maimed, but the farmer’s son was unable to fight, and spared, due to his injury. And all the neighbours came around and said, ‘well that’s good fortune’, to which the farmer replied, ‘maybe’. And so the story goes on.”
Events happening around the world today may be the cause of much concern. However, embracing uncertainty, and not judging events as inherently good or bad, can be helpful as the consequences of any event are unpredictable.
There is, however, one thing we can do in the face of an uncertain world: work at being better men and women and making a positive contribution in our own local community!
ED. Stephen
Stephen Sia on Lord Howe Island