Newsletter 18th November 2007: The Cracked Pot

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 was perfect and always carried a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot was only half full. For 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 racked pot was ashamed of its imperfections. It was miserable that it could only do half what it had been made for.
After two years of what is 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 were flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "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 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 my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path.

How true is this, hope you enjoyed it!!