Good thing. Bad thing. Who knows?

An old Sufi story reminds us to be aware not to label our thoughts and actions as good nor bad but simply see them for what they are without dwelling and judgment:

Once upon a time, an old farmer lived in a valley with his son, a handsome and dutiful youth. They lived a peaceful life despite a lack of material possessions. They were very happy. So much so, that neighbours wanted to understand the secret of their happiness.

One day, the old man used all his savings to buy a young, beautiful horse. The very same day he bought it, the horse jumped the fence and escaped into the hills. The neighbours came to express their concern, “Oh, that’s too bad. How are you going to work the fields now?”

The farmer replied, “Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows?”

A few days later, his horse came back from the hills and brought eight strong horses with him. The neighbours again gathered around, “Oh, how lucky! Now you are truly wealthy!” they said.

The farmer replied, “Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows?

The next day, the farmer’s son fell off one of the new horses and broke his leg. “Such misfortune,” said the neighbours. The leg healed crookedly and the son was with a permanent limp and terrible pain. The neighbours were concerned again, “Now that he is incapable, he can’t help you here, that’s too bad.”

The farmer replied, “Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows?”

Soon, the news came that war has broken out, and all the young men were required to join the army. The villagers were sad because they knew that many of the young men would not come back. The farmer’s son could not be drafted because of his broken leg. His neighbours were envious: “How lucky! You get to keep your only son!”

The farmer replied, “Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows?”

And so the story goes on…

How do we handle what appears to be a terrible outcome, or an outcome that seems to be incredible good fortune? Can we say “It is what it is, what’s next?” or do we linger in the moment, allowing our life to stop? Do we dwell in the outcome and stay back from progress? Or do we use the outcome as a stepping stone toward our purpose?

It’s easy to get caught in judging ourselves and others … ummm let’s face it, we do this subconsciously, all the time, due to our mental, physical and psychological conditioning.

However those who master dominion over themselves, have the vision, the discipline and the knowing to rise above the conditioning chatter. These are the people who reply: Good thing? bad thing? Who knows?