If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade
Point to Ponder:
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Winston Churchill
Story Line: Courtesy of Urmil Desai and Anil Deora
A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his 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 walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, & miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered 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"
Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. 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.
Musical and pictorial version of this story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiAIVLEe-JU&feature=related
That is what I try to do everyday since my new boss. -:)
Posted by: Miserable | December 04, 2008 at 07:09 PM
The way the economy is heading, that is the only thing we will be able to afford. Got a lemon tree in the backyard. Hope water stays FREE.
Posted by: Desparado | December 04, 2008 at 07:41 PM
A nice one......
Posted by: Vasant | December 04, 2008 at 07:44 PM
It must be a short walk because the bearer doesn't have to switch loads on his shoulders. The irony is there is always opportunity just that one needs to recognize it and capitalize on it. That in itself is not an easy thing to do irrespective of how hard one tries. My point? Keep trying, learning and reflecting; the walk is usually longer than one thinks.
Posted by: ex RabbleRouser | December 04, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I just have to say, this reminds me of a variation on the theme, my favorite album title of 2008 by the group Atmosphere (of course I still like your morality tale, because I’m definitely a cracked pot!):
When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
Posted by: Junior | December 05, 2008 at 02:44 AM
The economic storm really strike the semi-conductor industry severely.
Wish we could all tide over the cold. Just like you said, if life gives you a lemon, I will make a good use of it.
Posted by: Lee | December 05, 2008 at 03:23 AM
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Labor-market-got-uglier-November/story.aspx?guid={6A8AA73D-C840-44CF-8F1F-2C3C547004DE}
Job market got uglier in November, economists say
Expect 350,000 few jobs, and a rise in the jobless rate to 6.8%
Hello! How many lemons have you got?
Posted by: KY Smith | December 05, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Love the Winston C quote.
Question however: If the presidential race gives us a Barrack, do we make a barricade?
Posted by: Steve | December 05, 2008 at 07:59 AM