Storytelling can be a way to reflect deeper into our spiritual selves. Our stories and the stories of those among us can help us to see things differently and open us up to possibilities. As we tell and listen to stories, we can re-imagine and re-frame our joys and our sorrows connecting our personal story to the divine story.

Here is a story for reflection:

An old man lived in a village in China. He was a farmer in a poor, isolated village in the mountains. 

One day he took a meager harvest from his garden and traveled far in hopes of selling it.

After a few days, he returned to the village with an old horse that he received in trade from his harvest.

When the villagers saw the horse, they said to the old man: “This horse can help you plow your fields.  How lucky you are to have the only horse in the village.” And the old man said: WE SHALL SEE.

At the end of a long day of work, the old man accidentally left the gate open and the horse wandered away. When the villagers heard this, they came to the old man and said: “We are sorry for your bad luck.” And the old man said: WE SHALL SEE.

After a few days, the horse came back with a beautiful stallion.  When the villagers saw this, they said to the old man:  “You should rejoice, now you have two horses. You are so fortunate.” And the old man said: WE SHALL SEE.

The old man had a son. The son decided to ride the stallion. While riding the stallion, he was thrown from the horse. The son broke his leg so badly that the doctor told him he will always walk with a limp. When the villagers heard his, they went to the old man and said: “We are so sorry to hear about your son. What a terrible misfortunate this is.” And the old man said: WE SHALL SEE. 

In a few weeks, the Emperor came through the town with an army of soldiers. War had erupted in his empire. He ordered all the young men to join him in battle. Because the old man’s son walked with a limp, the Emperor excused him. When all the young men left the village with the Emperor and his army, the villagers went to the old man and said: “You are so lucky that your son walks with a limp.” And the old man said: WE SHALL SEE.

and the story continues…. 

What does this story tell us? Some reflections:

• Live in the present. We don’t know what’s in the future or how actions affect the future.
• Live one day at a time.
• Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.
• Other people’s perception of your situation may be different than your own.
• Life is full of unpredictability. Our first reaction may be different than ultimate reality.
• Your spirituality affects your day-to-day life and your outlook and attitude toward life.
• Each of our stories is part of a larger story. We connect with life and things beyond ourselves.