EXAMPLERARY LIFESTYLE

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
>pole which she 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 walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot
>arrived only half full.
>
>For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only
>one and a half pots of water.
>
>Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
>
>But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable
>that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
>
>After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the
>woman 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."
>
>The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side
>of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"
>
>"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
>seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water
>them."
>
>"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
>the table.
>
>Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to
>grace the house."
>
>Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each
>have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
>
>You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good
>in them.
>
>So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell
>the flowers on your side of the path!

LESSON: LIKE YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE