Just The Way You Are
Page 3 Page 4
Just The Way You Are
ust the other day I heard a story about
a man named Lee who lived in China.
Lee was a water bearer.
He had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole that he carried across the back of his neck and shoulders.
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 his house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one full pot of water and the other pot half full 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 could accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the pot spoke to the water bearer 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 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.”
“Your flaw wasn’t to your disadvantage but always to your success. The perfect pot could not create beauty as you can in your own unique and individual way.”
“I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walked back, you've watered them, causing the seeds to
J
Page 1 Page 2
Just The Way You Are
Page 3 Page 4
Just The Way You Are
Page 3 Page 4
become flowers.”
“Come; let me show you…”
“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table and grace the house. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house. Your water was never wasted! It blesses the house more than you knew.”
“Just look at what you’ve caused to come into existence—an array of beauty—sooo many assortments of flowers! Look over here at the brilliant yellow Sunflowers! I love and enjoy eating the Sunflower Seeds. You have been a real blessing to me and to those who enter my home.”
Each of us has our own unique flaws to our advantage, and that can bless others.
To some degree, we all are cracked pots. But it's the seeming cracks and flaws we each have
have that make our lives so very interesting, beautiful, and rewarding.
Accept each person for what they are,
and look for the good in them.
No one is worthless or insignificant or a fail-
ure.
No matter how you may see or think of your- self, everyone has something good and unique to offer—to share with others.
Even with your so-called handicaps, you still can do great things. You can accomplish more good then you have ever experienced.
We are all stars in the reality of the uniqueness of truth!
--From Nature Speaks To Me: Poetic Life Lessons
By William J. Brooks
