A tribute to all who find themselves dissatisfied with their accomplishments--we all have our place regardless of how imperfect we see ourselves; we touch so many lives in so many different ways.
Cracked Pots
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. There is a lot of good out there.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!
Or as I like to think of it ... if it hadn't been for the crackpots in my life, it would have been pretty boring and life certainly would have been much less interesting.
Thank you, all my crackpot friends.
25 comments on Cracked Pots
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Great post. I was thinking somewhere along those lines myself this morning. Remembering past times, and realising how far I have come, and improved. Nothing wrong with imperfection at all.
I am a prime example of that. Without my imperfections, I would have little left.
Oh this is so wonderful. I love the terms "Cracked Pot" and "Bent out of shape" a whole new meaning to those statements!!!!
I was inspired by some of your posts and thought that this went well with some of the things that you have been teaching me.
Great post! Thank you for sharing!
I am pleased that you enjoyed it. By the way, your art work is amazing. I visited your profile this morning and was greeted by your wonderful creative abilities and you awesome selection of music. Thank you.
Thanks for inviting me into your world and thanks for the lovely compliments!
You are most welcome.
This is one of my favorite lessons — and somehow I discovered how fond I am of all my cracks. I am one unique pot!
Yes, you most certainly are!
After a while all those cracks that are accumulated and mended (at times) can make a most beautiful design on the outside of the pot and make it unique among all others. Remember, stained glass is full of cracks and its beauty shines through the most when light is let through it... ("know thyself?")
And to thine ownself be true!
We need to deal more with the positive ourselves. Too many people are out there willing to give us all the negativity that we need--and more!
Oh, I love that story. It is beautiful and so true.
I found it to be very touching and instructive. I appreciate your comment.
I've always been a crackpot...*grins* Love the story...
This one is for you then elfie! And----all of us other crackpots!
Oh, I just read this in an email somebody sent to me. It's really good, isn't it? I've always known that I am a crackpot. I really liked this.
Angie I am one of those cracked pots too, not perfect in any way, but know I am good for something just like that cracked pot.
I think that it has a wonderful message. As Cheribelle said--stained glass is cracked and the light is beautiful coming through.
This is a good one Annie!!
Jenn
Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed. Tell you mom that I love her cracked pot and find her very uplifting. I can't answer her comment--no reply button!
From one crackpot to another.... thank you again for always writing what i need to hear. I love this.
Great! You have a wonderful weekend. I am so excited about your new job. One other thing--have you tried the mineral makeup? It takes less that 10 minutes to put on and is better for you skin.