Hey, I just met you,
And this is crazy,
But here’s my number,
So call me, maybe!
Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe

Maybe Carly Rae’s song has nothing to do with this post. Maybe?

There is a classic Zen story about an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, the farmer’s neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically about his horse running away.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed now that the farmer had more horses.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.

Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it’s all vanity.
And that’s about the way it is in the merry-go-round
Cake – Thrills

Polarizing change lies at the heart of life. The sun rises and then it sets. Light gives way to night. Sometimes life’s unfolding can be violent and chaotic.

Many times events occur to us that are beyond our control. Often we ascribe judgments to events which can leave us either prideful when things go well or in despair when things go bad.

But we can find calm in the storm by adopting a higher perspective. We can be in the stillness, practicing equanimity like the farmer in the Zen story.

We can go with the flow of life and allow it.

What other choice do we have? After all, we are the awareness that watches all of this unfold.

Maybe, just maybe we can love it.

Namaste

p.s. Please share this with anyone you think may benefit from a slight change in perception and perspective.

p.p.s.: If you would like some practice on how to appreciate more of what is, please sign up for my FREE  10-Day Tune-Up on thankfulness and gratitude.