Comments on: A Lesson Learned from the Back-to-School Rush

By: Jennifer from Karma Spot

Jennifer from Karma Spot — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:13:09 +0000

I love the Chinese story by Lao Tzu of the farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?”

Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?

Who knows?

The story helps me to deal with set backs or times when things are not going how I’d like them to. It also helps me to appreciate more fully the good times as everything does indeed change. Thanks for the great post!

By: thepranamama

thepranamama — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:07:29 +0000

Great comments! Aruna, I love Sheryl Crow for naming one of her songs “A Change Would Do You Good.” I almost used it in this piece, but realized that change has to come from within. No one can make you change for the better. It’s something that must be realized, thought out and approached with caution, but yes, Donna, it usually allows you to grow as a person and brings new and wonderful experiences.

My life has been a constant change, with homes, friendships, jobs, and schedules. As a parent, change is an absolute. I always say, just when I get through a phase or a challenge with either of my kids, they grow out of it and there is a new challenge to overcome.

Thanks Lisa for recognizing non-attachment as a yoga principle and tying it in to your own personal resistance to change. That ‘s why I love yoga, because with or without the ability to touch our toes, we can all apply yoga’s spiritual teachings to our own lives.

By: Aruna

Aruna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:54:26 +0000

One of my favorite song lyrics (but I can’t remember the song) goes:

“Just one thing stays the same,
that everything’s got to change.”

I usually like change when its for the better, but when its unexpected or hard to let go, like a small change I’m going through now with some friends leaving, I do feel sad but I like the idea of re-directing myself – I have a few piles of things that need sorting, not to mention all my other goals.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:44:43 +0000

I love change and see life as constantly in flux. Change brings about awarenss, growth, new adventures. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to become a better, more fulfilled person. No its not always easy, simple, or convenient, usually not in the least. But I like myself so much better now than I did 20 years ago and who I am wouldn’t have happened without a whole lot of changes.

By: Lisa Flynn

Lisa Flynn — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:01:13 +0000

Don’t like change, but it’s inevitable. Clinging to a certain way only causes angst. I know that angst well (I was one of the kids that moved a lot growing up and DIDN’T like it!). But that is why yoga has been so helpful for me. Yoga teaches us to be unattached as change IS going to happen. As a mom, a business owner and recovering ‘change hater’, my mantra is ‘Just have faith.’ I must say that to myself 100 times a day. After a few years, it’s starting to stick. And as change happens, I’m finding I’m less surprised and much less bothered by it. In fact, I might even be starting to, dare I say it?…relish change. The more I embrace it, the easier it is – AND (here’s the most important thing for me) enjoy the present moment even more.

Thanks for the great post, as always!