2020, Was it that bad? Maybe.
They say hindsight is 2020, because only time can tell the whole story.
When I allow myself time to understand an experience after it has actually happened, I have found it’s feels like a magical recipe for beauty. Hindsight isn’t always “2020” as in, full understanding, but it does always feel beautiful…if I allow myself enough time to process.
So, as we emerge from the “dumpster fire” of 2020, let’s give ourselves time. I experienced an insurmountable amount of loss last year — from relationships to homes to paradigms that I had built my life around. It was damn difficult, yet, here I am, slowly reflecting, processing, trusting, building forward.
A simple parable that beautifully illustrates the curious concept of “time telling the whole story”…
There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.
“Maybe,” the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.
“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 for what they called 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.
Let time work it’s beautiful magic. Remain equanimous and impartial.
