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Chinese Fable
A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
pole which he carried across his neck.
One pot 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, 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, and I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path.. Every day while 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 very
interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what
they are, and look for the good in them.
-Submitted by LaVonne R.
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"Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world."
-Dr. Wayne Dyer,
American Author and Lecturer
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“Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE". When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to
begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the
piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a
frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the
Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped; rather, He equips the 'called'. Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.”
-Submitted by Rhonnie P.
The Lord is my sponsor! I shall not want.
He maketh me to go to many meetings; He leadeth me to sit back, relax, and listen with an open mind.
He restored my soul, my sanity, and my health; He leadeth me in the paths of sobriety, serenity, and fellowship for mine own sake. He teacheth me to think, to take it easy, to live and let live, and to do first things first; He maketh me honest, humble, and grateful. He teacheth me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things that I can and giveth me the wisdom to know the difference.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt, and remorse, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; the Program, Thy way of life, the Twelve steps, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; rationalization, fear, anxiety, self-pity, and resentment. Thou anointest my confused mind and jangled nerves with knowledge, understanding, and hope. No longer am I alone; neither am I afraid, nor sick, nor helpless, nor hopeless. My cup runneth over.
Surely sobriety and serenity shall follow me every day of my life, twenty-four hours at a time, as I surrender my will to Thine and carry the message to others; and I will dwell in the house of my Higher Power daily. Forever and Ever.
-- from “The Twelve Step Prayer Book” by Anonymous
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Copyright © 2004, Codependent's Anonymous of the Greater Omaha Service Area
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