Monday, June 23, 2008

Meaningful Monday

Black Pottery Typical of Oaxaca Area, Mexico, North America by Robert Harding
Black Pottery Typical of Oaxaca Area, Mexico, North America

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her 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 walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.


Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.


After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman 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 old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water 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.'


Each of us has our own unique flaw. 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.


SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!




I hadn't done a 'Meaningful Monday' for some time now and thought this one to be a good choice. I know it has been around the block more than a few times, but the message is one that we all need to be reminded of from time to time.


9 comments:

Peggy said...

I loved that story. Thanks from from cracked pot to another. :)

Aisha said...

This is really a beautiful story. Thank you for making smile. This is really true. It made me think of people I know who have good qualities in them.

Shelley said...

Wonderful story. Whenever I visit your blog, I leave with such wonderful thoughts. Thanks for sharing such heartfelt stories.

Linds said...

I haven't seen this one before so thanks for posting it! I love the simple analogy. So true.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story.
Gave me alot to think of.

Thank you.

BClark said...

Always a good reminder, there is good and bad in all of us. We just have to choose which to nourish. Thank you, Barbara

Juli said...

The cracked pot story has always been one of my favorites :)

Thank you so much for your kind words :) From now on I'll think of your kind parents each time I tend the feral cats.

violetlady said...

What a beautiful little story. Certainly food for thought. Thank you, Jo.

Tracy said...

I love this. I have heard it before, and it always touches me when seeing it again. Indeed it is perfect for meaningful monday.

Hugs and blessings