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As I sat down to write today, the phrase “Who knows what is good or bad?” immediately popped into my mind.  This phrase, repeated in an old Chinese fable often cited by Dr. Shirzad Chamine in his talks on Positive Intelligence, provides profound insights into how we perceive and react to life’s events. 

The Fable of the Wise Farmer

The story revolves around an old farmer in a small Chinese village who owned a prized stallion. One day, the stallion won first prize in a competition, and his neighbors rushed to congratulate him. However, the farmer’s calm response was, “Who knows what is good or what is bad?”

A week later, thieves stole the stallion. The neighbors came to console him, but the farmer remained calm, repeating, “Who knows what is good or what is bad?”

The next week, the stallion returned with several wild horses. Again, the neighbors came to celebrate, only to hear the same response from the farmer.

A few days later, the farmer’s son broke his leg trying to tame one of the wild horses. The neighbors offered their sympathy, but the farmer stayed calm, saying, “Who knows what is good or what is bad?”

Two weeks later, a war broke out. The army conscripted young men, but the farmer’s son was exempt due to his injury. This time, the neighbors didn’t rush to the farmer, knowing what he would say: “Who knows what is good or what is bad?”

The Moral of the Fable

This fable illustrates a crucial lesson: our attachment to outcomes and events shapes our perception of their significance. We can choose to attach a great deal of significance to events, or we can choose to remain detached, understanding that the true impact of any event may be revealed only over time.

Inviting Curiosity and a Growth Mindset

This perspective doesn’t mean adopting false positivity or ignoring our emotions. Instead, it encourages us to invite curiosity and a growth mindset into our reflections and responses. By doing so, we can see beyond immediate circumstances and recognize potential gifts of knowledge, power, or insight that might emerge from challenging situations.

Reflecting on the Fable

What are your thoughts about this fable? How do you perceive the events in your life? Do you immediately judge them as good or bad, or do you leave room for the possibility that their true nature will unfold over time? This fable invites us to consider our reactions and to approach life with a sense of calm curiosity and openness to growth, regardless of the immediate appearance of events.

Embrace the wisdom of the old farmer: in every situation, remember, “Who knows what is good or what is bad?”

Thanks for stopping by.  We hope you found at least one little nugget you are taking away with you.  What will you do to bring it into full living color?

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