Nancy was in class that day and she shared a beautiful quote from Leonard Cohen that goes "Forget your perfect offering, there's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
When we let go of being the perfect parent, spouse, yogi, child, etc. We can actually allow light to shine in and show us where we need to loosen up, give our selves a break, maybe work on these things, or simply accept them. It also allows us to let the strengths (like compassion, vulnerability, kindness, sense of humour, and peace) shine outward.
Denine was in class that day. Today she brought me the following story that I'd like to share with you...
Work With What You Got
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 pots 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 my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
Thanks for being my teachers Nancy and Denine!