Cracked Pots
An elderly Chineese woman had two large pots. Each hung on the ends of a pole
on which she carried water 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.
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 two years of wht it perceived to be bitter failure,
it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself", the pot exclamed, "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?
"That's because I have always know 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 be no 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 of my "Cracked Pot" friends,
have a great day and remember to smell the flowers
on your side of the path.
(Author unknown)
*********************************************************************************
