The Cracked Pot

I’ve heard this story before but received it again from a friend.  I wanted to share with you here:

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it, 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 house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.  For an entire two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect 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 because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.  I have failed.”  The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?  That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you’ve watered them.  For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my home.  Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my home.”

Moral of the story:  Each of us have our own unique set of flaws.  We’re all cracked pots.  It’s the cracks and flaws we each have that makes our lives together so interesting and rewarding.  You’ve just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.  For yourself, accept your cracks and the beauty along with the difference you make as the unique person that you are.

Love and embrace your own special set of cracks.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator