Cracked Pots
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his 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 bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But, the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way b ack to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do
all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts". The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were
flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day as we walk back, you've watered 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.
Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make
our lives together so interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in
them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in
your life!
I know that this board isn't really for sharing that sort of thing, but I loved the story when I read it and thought it was a nice way to start our Thursday.
I'll check in later to write a real post.
I did it back in college for about 10 weeks and pretty much lost nothing - not because of the plan, but because I rebelled against it for some reason. I try to count calories nowadays and track what I eat in an online food diary. Of course I never can quite seem to stay within my calorie limits, but that's besides the point. I basically view counting points and counting calories as being very similar.
Quick bio - I'm 24, live in the Washington DC area, have the world's most boring job possible, have no serious boy and pretty much just like to go out to bars with my friends for fun.
Sweater Girl , 04-18-2002 05:01 PM
