From Flaws to Flowers

Some of you may have noticed today's story was posted exactly 1 minute before Tuesday. In case anyone was wondering, no, it wasn't because I was not bothered to post one earlier.

It's because I like to live on the edge.

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and 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 master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, fulfilling the purpose for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. One day, after two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it up. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day you have watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

I guess, in a way, we're all cracked pots. No one's perfect in this world (thank goodness!) and each of us have our own flaws. Yes, even me. I, too, am prone to being lazy, getting annoyed, being messy, making long lists...

Don't be afraid of your flaws - acknowledge them (I know this can be scary but bear with me) and turn them to your advantage. Turn them into something to make your Mum proud. Turn them into flowers that will grow and blossom.

Turn them into something to make you smile.

Sneaky hint for our September project: Bella and me have been busy these last few days turning our cracks into flowers. We hope you guys are ready for Spring! ;)

Until then, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)