How To Convert Every Event Into A Gift And Opportunity

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An old Chinese fable tells the story of a farmer and his family who live in a remote village. One of his most valuable possessions is a stallion that he loves very much. One day, the farmer enters the stallion in a village competition and wins first prize. All his neighbors come to congratulate him. The farmer, impassive, tells them ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’

The following week, after everyone in the surroundings heard the news of the stallion’s prize, thieves stole the farmer’s beautiful and prized stallion. The neighbors came by to let the farmer know how sorry they were for his loss. Again, the farmer told them ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’

A few days later, the stallion escapes the thieves’ stable and comes back to its righteous owner’s farm bringing a few mares he found on his way. The neighbors come back all happy to celebrate the farmer’s good fortune. Once again, the farmer tells them ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’

Some weeks later, one of the mares throws off the farmer’s son as he tried to break it in, and his leg is fractured. The neighbors came back to commiserate with the farmer, and he reminded them ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’

The following week, the imperial army marches through the village, conscripting all eligible young men for the war that has just broken out. The old farmer’s son is spared due to his broken leg. The neighbors no longer bother to come to the old farmer to congratulate him. By now they know what his response will be: ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” — Napoleon Hill, American author

Every day we choose how we face each life event — from anger, fear, stress, scarcity, or from joy, abundance, courage. All of us have a good wolf and a bad wolf in constant battle. Who will win depends on which one we feed.

Unfortunately, our inner critic, judge, or gremlin seems to speak louder than our…