Curses Are Often Blessings

A man owned a farm with his wife and teenage son.

Shortly before picking season, his son hurt his back playing sports, thus not being able to pick the crops.

A friend said to the man, “isn’t it terrible that your son hurt his back and cannot pick the crops?”

“Perhaps” replied the farmer.

During picking season, the farmer had to hire someone to replace his son working the fields.

The friend said “isn’t it terrible that you have to spend all this money to get the crops picked?”

“Perhaps”

Shortly after crop season, the farmer lost his farm and had to move into a rented house.

“Isn’t it terrible that you lost your farm and had to move?”

“Perhaps”

Then, the farmer’s wife let him for another man.

“Isn’t it terrible that your wife let you?”

“Perhaps”

Next, his son lost his hand when it got caught in the machinery at the mill where he worked.

“Isn’t it terrible that your son lost his hand?”

“Perhaps”

Lastly the man was diagnosed with a terminal illness which would certainly kill him.

“Isn’t it terrible that you have this illness and are going to die?”

“Perhaps”

Finally, the friend asked the farmer, “how each time there is bad news, you simply respond by saying ‘perhaps’?”

The farmer got quiet for a second and replied:

“When my son hurt his back, I went and hired someone to work the fields. One day, there was a terrible accident in which the man was killed. Because of the bad news of my son’s hurt back, he is alive today.

After his family sued me, the courts took my farm since I had no insurance. We moved into town and the following spring a tornado hit the old farmhouse, thus killing everyone. Because of the bad news of losing my farm, my family is alive today.

Then, my wife left me for another man. After I got over the grieving, I met and fell in love with a younger woman. After we were married, she blessed me with a daughter. Because of the bad news of my wife leaving, I have a child I would have otherwise not had.

Then my son lost his hand at the mill. At that time, all his friends were called up to the war. Of course, my son could not serve his country, much to his disappointment. However, the bus that was carrying his friends was involved in a horrible crash, killing all on board. Because of the bad news of him losing his hand, my son is alive today.

And now, I am faced with the bad news of having an illness that will kill me. However, all through my life, what appeared to be bad news was actually a fantastic blessing. After time, I realized that each event was actually God helping me. Because of that, I have no reason to believe that this is any different. Is the fact that I have a disease that will kill me bad news? Perhaps. Only time will tell.
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Keep Moving Forward

The world is awaiting the vote by the United States Congress on the "bailout" of the financial system; a move that will cost $700 billion. The intention is to shore up the markets and institutions to avoid a worldwide recession (depression). As I write this, the House is voting on it. Will it pass? It looks like it will. How does this affect you? Only time will reveal that answer.

It is easy to get caught "standing around". I like the analogy of the players at the end of a basketball game watching the superstar take control. Often, the team loses because everyone else is standing around watching. In effect, the star goes 1 on 5. He is left all alone.

We can follow a similar path if we are not careful. This morning the President addressed the nation regarding the need for this legislation to pass. However, most people got up and went to work. They are carrying forward in spite of what is transpiring in Washington. Yet, there are a few who are waiting the results to help them out. It reminds me of the people who were waiting helpless after Katrina for someone to come in and save them. They turned all their personal power over to another.

The last few days I wrote about personal responsibility and taking control of your life (click here). These examples show how people choose not to do that. Please bear in mind that I am not trying to make light of those who suffered in the hurricane a couple years back. Nevertheless, there was a time before the storm hit where people could have done something. The same thing with this financial mess. There was a time when you could have done something different. The fact that you did not put you in this situation. That is the "I am responsible" attitude.

How do we go about changing the situation that we are in? It starts with us continuing to move forward regardless of what anyone else does. If the financial bailout benefits you, wonderful. In the intern, decide to resolve the situation yourself. Do what is necessary to handle to circumstances on your own. Resist the temptation to depend on the government to help you. Remember, approximately 1,500 people in New Orleans put their faith in that source only to lose their lives. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself.

Get proactive in your life. Those in Washington will carry on with their lives regardless of what happens to you. Their concern ceases the minute they leave work. Trust me; you are not on their minds at cocktail parties. Responsibility means that you take care of yourself. Begin by taking the steps to move yourself forward.

The benefit to all of this is that what does not kill you will make you stronger. This is an old saying. My experience is that a saying becomes old because it is true. You will be a better person for enduring what you go through. Success is the result of experience. Sometimes we learn the most from the negative experiences in life. This is where growth comes from.

Where do you go from here? "Onward and upward" is what one of my employer use to say. It was his favorite saying. He died with a net worth of around $225 million so I believe he knew his stuff. Wherever you are at this moment, keep moving forward. The next thing you need to do is whatever is in front of you. Make it your goal to do that task to the best of your ability. Then, follow it up with the next activity. That is how we get past times such as these.

Remember that situations are temporary. Bad stuff only happens for a certain period of time. If you are broke now, that does not mean that you will be that way forever. Take responsibility for your financial situation to resolve it. The opportunity to learn is often worth the price you pay for the lesson. The key is to prohibit the situation from stopping you. This is the guaranteed way to fail.
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