Tag: bp

Reflections February 9, 2016

February 9, 2016 /

Today is one of those days when I think too much.

I have three mantra words. They are openness (open-minded, inquisitive, non-judging), presence (be here and now) and gratitude. To me that’s a great mindset. Sometimes they are hard to follow, there are days like today when I do expect much more of myself – making a bigger difference in the world.

Days like these pass, in a larger context they are simply minor bumps in the road. The last days I have watched some videos and listened to some podcasts. What I took from them was this that can be handy to get back to where I want to be.

  • Stay inquisitive! Curiosity might have killed the cat but it drives both learning and change.
  • Be present and grateful!
  • See and create magic!
  • Dare to be messy! (days like today and failing)
  • Be the best you can be!

What are your tricks to get back to your place of strength?

The cracked pot

June 23, 2009 /

I got this classic story from a friend, it’s great and makes us see cracks and flaws in a different way.

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One pot 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, and 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, 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. 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.

This was originally posted at Forty Plus Two, another blog of mine.

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