The Power of 'Maybe'
If you are reading this I am going to assume you have have either shouldered or witnessed a fair amount of misfortune in your life. Sometimes it may even feel like life never lets up. When it rains it pours. Right?
But does it always pour? Is it possible for hardship to reach its end? Has there ever been a rise following a moment of devastation?
In a world where we are quick to judge and react to our circumstances, what if we paused? What if we paused to consider our inability to know the meaning of what is our now, or what our now means for tomorrow? What if we were able to ease into and hold space for the unknown?
Take the parable of the Chinese Farmer for example:
There was once a Chinese farmer who owned a horse and everyone around him said how lucky he was. One day, the farmer’s horse ran away. His neighbors came to him and said “what terrible news,” to which the farmer replies “maybe.”
The next day the horse returns and brought 7 wild horses back with him. His neighbors regale his good fortune, and again the farmer responds stoically to his apparent good fortune, saying “maybe.”
That week, the farmer’s son attempts to tame one of the wild horses and is thrown, breaking his leg. “How terrible for you,” the farmer’s neighbors extort. “Maybe,” the farmer says.
The following day, conscription staff visit the farm looking for every able-bodied young man to join the war effort. Upon seeing the broken leg of the farmer’s son, they reject him and move on. “What fantastic news” his neighbors declared. The farmer replied “maybe".” And the story continues…
Not every trial will lead to fortune. However, we can settle into a posture of openness to what is and what will be. With openness we release the need to assess every situation as good or bad. This can ultimately reduce the attachment we otherwise develop quickly to the outcome.
