Who knows what is good or what is bad
A simple balm for our times
So much of our world, and sometimes existence, feels out of control.
This Taoist parable has been foundational in helping me cope with this reality, enabling me to show up daily, in the ways that matter. I’ve told so many people about it and always struggle to find the original, simple version that resonated so deeply with me so I’m just going to write it here in my own words:
When an old farmer’s horse wins a prize at a local show, his neighbours call to congratulate him saying “What good fortune!”. He shrugs and says “Who knows what is good and what is bad”.
The next day, his horse is stolen by thieves and his neighbours call to say “What bad fortune!”. The old farmer shrugs and says “Who knows what is good or what is bad”.
The next day, the horse breaks free and returns to the farmer, accompanied by a herd of wild horses. The farmer’s neighbours call to him and say “What good fortune!”. The old farmer shrugs and replies “Who knows what is good or what is bad”.
The next day, his son is riding one of the wild horses and falls off, breaking his leg. His neighbours call to say “What bad fortune!” The old farmer shrugs and says “Who knows what is good or what is bad”.
Soon after the army comes to town conscripting all able bodied men to fight in a war but do not take the farmer’s son. His neighbours call to him and say “What good fortune!”. The old farmer shrugs and replies “Who knows what is good or what is bad”.
This story can continue without end but it illustrates an incredibly simple yet comforting point of life - despite appearances, we cannot predict the future. We cannot control circumstance but we can control how we react to it.
In moments of deep struggle, this simple parable has allowed me to recover my breath. Who knows what is good or what is bad. All I know for sure is that in this moment, everything is perfect. I am alive, my kids are safe and healthy, we have food on the table. Such a simple yet profound change of state.
This wisdom reminds me of another saying I cherish that I’ve since connected to this parable:
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery - today is a gift.
Apparently its attribution is to Kung Fu Panda, which I love - philosophy for all, but I’m sure I encountered it on a social media post which is ironic as that is also the source of much of my current existential dread 🤷♀️.
Those two sayings have held my ship in place when the waters have been unbearable.
I hope they do the same for you x
I've read that parable before Orla and I agree it's message is simple and profound. Circumstance is so often beyond our control, and so we should just let it happen without become attached, for good or for bad, to it.
❤️