The last week has been rather rough.  However nothing to the point of making life itself seem a terrible thing.  We all experience stress and hardship from time to time.  I've frankly had much worse things happen in my life, and while I have been a bit stressed lately, it hasn't been the sort of thing to make me lose sleep really.  So I've been thinking on this lately, doing some meditation, and it reminded me of an ancient chinese story that goes something like this.

There was once a farmer who owned a horse.  One night he forgot to close the door to his barn at the end of a long day and his horse escaped.  His neighbor came over and said, "what misfortune, you've lost your only horse!"  The farmer had no response to this.  Two days later, his horse returned to the barn and another horse followed it home as well.  The farmer was very happy, but didn't shout or proclaim his joy.  The neighbor came over again later and said, "what amazing fortune you have!  You've not only gotten your horse back, but you've gained another horse."  The farmer smiled but was silent yet again.  A few months later, the new horse gave birth to a foal and again, the farmer was quietly happy.  The farmers had a son who wanted to train this new horse, however shortly after it was born the boy broke his leg.  The neighbor visits again and proclaims, "what misfortune this new horse has brought to your family."  The farmer is yet again quiet.  Shortly after this, the country ends up going to war.  The generals from the army traverse the countryside looking for infantry to fill their ranks.  All of the young sons from the surrounding farms and countryside were drafted into the war, except for the farmers son who had just broken his leg.  Later on their neighbor returns yet again, and says, "What great fortune you have to be injured and not have to go to war!"    

Such a great little story that sums up life, business, and EXISTENCE, perfectly.  From every bad situation, there is good to be born from it.  From every act of good there is bad to be found somewhere.  The trick to realize that good and evil, will balance themselves out given time.     That you cannot have fortune without misfortune, that in order to be brave you must be afraid.   Everything happens for a reason, and if you take both the good and bad into yourself in the same manner, you'll remain balanced and centered.  

Alright, time to get around here, get some more coffee, turn on some good music and start painting/coloring.