I received an email with a cool story a number of years ago and I always meant to share it here but I misplaced it on my computer. I don't know who authored it, and it's probably been around the globe a hundred times, but it was new to me, and I like its message. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The Cracked Pot
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hanging on either end of a pole 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 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 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 bitterly perceiving itself to be a failure, it spoke to the woman one day as she was filling the pots with water at 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?"
She continued, "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.
And it works even better if you can find something inside of you that will bring out the best in them.
I like the author's comment at the end, but I took this story as a personal reminder to examine my own flaws - the ones that embitter me - and try to see if there's a way to use them positively.
So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
It's first time I read this story and it's wonderful! Thanks for posting it.
Posted by: Cindy C. | February 17, 2012 at 09:18 PM
such wisdom...i'll forgive the crackpot comment!
Posted by: nancyk | February 17, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Yes Deborah, I've read this too... but it is nice to read again. It is inspiring.
Posted by: Dawn T | February 17, 2012 at 01:52 AM
I needed this story today, Deborah! Thank you. Love the neew blog look. Hugs, Judy
Posted by: judyjung | February 16, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Wonderful story, Deborah, and a lesson to each of us to not only look for the good in all people, but find a positive way to use our own "flaws," Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: Barb | February 16, 2012 at 08:57 AM
Wonderful story, Deborah....thanks so much for sharing it with us! Hugs to a fellow crackpot!
Posted by: Lin | February 16, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Love this story . . . from another cracked pot!
Posted by: janet aka swanlady21 | February 16, 2012 at 08:03 AM
Deborah, There you go making me cry. ;) I have been struggling lately with my flaws and imperfections... With not being all that I *should* be & this is the third post in less than 24 hrs that has spoken to me. The old woman represents God and I need to remember that He knows what He's doing and made me with my strengths and weaknesses for a reason. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Posted by: Sarah M | February 16, 2012 at 07:19 AM
Deborah, what a beautiful & wonderful story. It's good to be reminded that what we see as flaws, may not be. Or as the pot discovered cause something beautiful to happen. Thanks for the reminder xoxoxo
Posted by: Paula | February 16, 2012 at 05:33 AM