Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Are you all you're cracked up to be?



An Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.


'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!


(thanks Mrs S, for this email forward. It brought a smile!)

7 comments:

James Higham said...

Leonard Cohen, in Anthem, sang:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Kayce aka lucy said...

thanks, james for the cohen connection.

i love the story shared here. i have heard it many times and it is ALWAYS a great reminder!!!

His Girl Friday said...

Hi James,

I found a nice video version of Anthem on youtube. thanks for the reference. (first time I've heard the song) :)

Hi Lucy,

an oldie but a goodie, yes! It's a good reminder. I sometimes have that perfection complex...I think it's much more fun to relax and have fun being imperfect!

MrsS said...

My pleasure, my dear! xx

Honey said...

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.
So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

Nick McGivney said...

I have been chasing my own tail for so long that I've started thinking that it's the only game in town. We've had a funny year, both of us, and I'm glad we've crossed paths in spots because when we do I forget for a minute the running in rings. Your calm is inspiring, HGF. I hope you know that. And this is a beautifully reflective piece which I shall steal round about now. :)

His Girl Friday said...

Mrs S,
:)

Honey,
haha, just saw that in an email!!

Nick,
steal away, my friend; and, thanks for your kind words