A story for anyone who's not quite perfect

Dear ones,

Recently I came across this short story, which I would like to share with you…I’m very sure most of you already know it…so do I (since childhood), but reading it again, brought into my awareness a whole new meaning for compassion, forgiveness, humbleness, gratitude and ultimately love, which I believe it could be a good refresher for all as we take a quick moment to ponder about life in general. Please, enjoy this light reading!

"THE CRACKED POT: A Story for anyone who's not quite perfect"

Once upon a time, a water bearer had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across her 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 a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot, in comparison, was deeply ashamed of its own imperfection, and truly 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 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 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, beautiful wild flowers on one 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 of 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 the path, but not on the other pot's side?
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I benefited from 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 our table. Without you being just the way you are, we would not have this beauty to grace our house."

MORAL: Each of us has unique flaws; in varied way/s, we're all are some sort of cracked pots, but it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding...we've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them, because it is a lot of good out there.

On the road to perfection, often we forget about the flowers from our side of the path, which bring their own fragrance to the journey…please take a moment to observe them, to think about them, spend more time to analyze them and suddenly you will realize that a new dialogue is unfolding – a dialogue between you and yourself, which has the potential of bringing answers to many unspoken questions. 

 “This is the very perfection of a man - to find out his own imperfections.” (Saint Augustine)

Excerpt from a summer journal

Summer – a time to relax and replenish...a wonderful season which allows unwinding or leisure travelling with loved ones, gardening or eventually walking barefoot on the green grass, sun bathing or sun gazing (at sun rise or sunset), attending varied outdoor festivals /activities, or a time just to simply cherish peaceful moments of rest in warm stillness.

For instance, describing the feelings of sincere joy and gratitude happening in my heart during a stroll on the beach at the sunset can’t be put into words, but definitively are making for a powerful relaxing experience, with a lasting reverberation.  

On the other hand, it has been observed that peaceful walks in nature during summer time can heighten our attention toward each step we take (either horizontally or vertically, metaphorically speaking) making us feel more present and appreciative at the same time.  

Without any doubt, summer is the perfect time of the year to enjoy the rejuvenating green colors of the blooming flora, while expressing sincere gratitude for all the miracles of creation as nature is spoiling us all with such a fertile bounty and truly splendid sunlight. 

Wishing you a pleasant season!

"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere." (Vincent van Gogh)

July 1, 2019: CANADA Day

CANADA DAY is a statutory holiday, which celebrates the 'birth' of Canada. 
From a historical perspective, I'm refreshing that on July 1, 1867, Canada became a new federation with its own constitution by signing the Constitution Act – formerly known as the 'British North America Act'. 

CANADA is one of the planet's most comfortable and caring societies. The United Nations Human Development Index cited the country as "the most desirable place in the world to live." (source: Time Magazine) 

Happy CANADA DAY,
dear fellow Canadians! 

National Anthem: ‘O Canada’ – audio