Life is like traversing a field of piles. You know the kind I mean; stinky, steaming piles of wasted time, misfortune, trials, hurt, and just plain excrement. Sometimes we’re able to see them coming on the horizon and avoid them. Other times we step right into the middle of the deepest, most depressing, draining, dreck imaginable. If we’re lucky, we avoid more than we step into.
I consider myself a “silver Lining” kind of gal. I’m always looking for the good in everything. I look for what I can learn or benefit from through the piles I encounter. Today’s entry is about that. It’s due to an old story I heard long ago and was recently reminded of. I repeat it here that you may find inspiration in its message.
Once upon a time there was a boy who had a horrible upbringing. His parents didn’t want him and as a result, they didn’t treat him well. The amazing thing about this boy was that he never gave up hope or lost his positive attitude.
Every Christmas morning, the boy would rush out to the living room and look under the tree for his gift. Unfortunately there was never a gift there. One year his father said, “Your gift is in the shed out back.” The boy ran out and threw open the shed door only to see a very large pile of horse manure. It was so large it rose above his head.
The boy gave a cry of joy and immediately began digging through the manure. The father came out and said, “What are you doing, you foolish boy!” Without stopping the boy replied, “With all this shit, there’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!”
The next time you step into a pile that rises above your head, remember that boy and start digging! You might be amazed at what you find.
