Hanging in There

Some weeks, days, even hours, can be trying. When “bad things” happen, it can seem like they are serialized. Sickness in the family. Death. Robberies… You name it. And sometimes they do arrive in sets. We have to endure and find a way to smile, to see through it.

Remaining compassionate, yet detached enough to see the horizon. Letting things come as they will and leave when they are ready.

Sitting in a doctor or vet’s office, I see people aching, crying, worried. I don’t know them personally, but want to hug them and tell them things are moving, things are okay the way they are.

It reminds me of a story from the Chuang Tzu about the farmer’s horse.

近塞上之人有善術者，馬無故亡而入胡，人皆弔之。其父曰：「此何遽不為福乎！」居數月，其馬將胡駿馬而歸，人皆賀之。其父曰：「此何遽不能為禍乎！」家富 良馬，其子好騎，墮而折其髀，人皆弔之。其父曰：「此何遽不為福乎！」居一年，胡人大入塞，丁壯者引弦而戰，近塞之人，死者十九，此獨以跛之故，父子相 保。故福之為禍，禍之為福，化不可極，深不可測也。

Translation (see above link for annotations and comment):

Among the people who lived close to the border, there was a man who led a righteous life. Without reason, his horse escaped, and fled into barbarian territory. Everyone pitied him, but the old man said : “what makes you think this is not a good thing?”

Several months later, his horse returned, accompanied by a superb barbarian stallion. Everyone congratulated him. But the old man said: “what makes you think this is cannot be a bad thing?”

The family was richer from a good horse, his son enjoyed riding it. He fell and broke his hip. Everyone pitied him, but the old man said: “what makes you think this is not a good thing!”

One year later, a large party of barbarians entered the border. All the valid men drew their bows and went to battle. From the people living around the border, nine out of ten died. But just because he was lame, the old man and his son were both spared.

And I look at nestling birds, leaf-shedding trees, and sleeping cats and remember that things flow, move, change, and exist. It’s okay to worry, but better to relax into the moment.

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