Perspective is everything!

The following is an excerpt from , "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson". I have shared it many times with people, especially when events in their life are up in the air. It brings a new prospective...

Grandfather had told her[Shirley Temple Wong] many times.
"Things are not what they seem. Good can be bad. Bad can be good. Sadness can be happiness. Joy, sorrow."
"Remember always the tale of Wispy Whiskers, who did not cry when his beautiful stallion ran away. All his neighbors, though, were certain that it was a sign from heaven of his ill fortune.
"Later, when the stallion returned leading a herd of wild horses, he did not boast of his newfound wealth. This time his neighbors were equally certain that it was a sign from heaven of his good fortune.
"Later still when his son broke his leg taming one of the mares, the wise man did not despair. Not even when behind his back all his neighbors spread the terrible rumor that anyone with even one droplet of Wispy Whiskers' blood was forever cursed by the gods.
"And in the end, only his son lived. For the sons of all the inconstant neighbors, being sound of body, were forced into military service and one by one perished in a futile battle for a greedy emperor."
How wise Grandfather was, Shirley thought.

Sometimes the things that we perceive to be negative, unlucky, or sad ..hold some kind of positive results in the end. We just don't know it.

One day at a time.

Don't forget to smell the roses.
Be nicer than necessary.

Practice sharing acts of kindness.

Smiles are contagious.




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