You can only drift off in the now, because now is all you ever get.
–Dr. Wayne Dyer
I have recently noticed, when I’m preoccupied with my work making money or determined to finish another task on the to-do list, I am much less happy and having a lot less fun than when I am in moment of the day-to-day experiences.
This discovery is related to the mindfulness journey I started several months ago. It has truly changed my life to be more peaceful and pleasant.
Then I received this Zen proverb, which ties in beautifully to this week’s message:
The story is of an old farmer in a remote village in China. He was the only man in the whole area who was given a horse to help work the fields.
“This is good!” said the neighbors.
“Maybe good, maybe bad,” replied the farmer, “It just is.”
One day, the horse got free and ran away.
“This is bad!” cried the neighbors.
“Maybe good, maybe bad,” replied the farmer, “It just is.”
Adjusting to work without the horse, everyone was surprised when a few days later the horse returned, bringing another horse with him.
“This is good!” exclaimed the neighbors.
“Maybe good, maybe bad,” replied the farmer, “It just is.”
Hoping to train the new horse, the old farmer’s son got up to ride the horse and fell and broke his leg.
“This is bad!” cried the neighbors.
“Maybe good, maybe bad,” replied the farmer, “It just is.”
The very next day, the Chinese government sent officers to the small farming village to conscript all the young men into service to fight a terrible war. The farmer’s son was the only young man spared, since his leg was broken and he could not fight.
“This is good!” exclaimed the neighbors.
“Maybe good, maybe bad,” replied the farmer, “It just is.”
And so it goes…
From Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, “become free to immerse yourself in this moment…”
Right now is called the present – it is a gift to open, enjoy, explore and nurture.
