Imperfections

ImperfectionsAn elderly Chinese woman had two largepots, each hung on the ends of a polewhich she carried across her neck.One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and alwaysdelivered a full portion of water.At the end of the long walks from thestream to the house, the cracked potarrived only half full.For a full two years this went on daily,with the woman bringing home one anda half pots of water.Of course, the perfect pot was proud ofits accomplishments.But the poor cracked pot was ashamed ofits own imperfection, and miserable thatit could only do half of what it had beenmade to do.After two years of what it perceived to bea bitter failure, it spoke to the woman oneday by the stream - "I am ashamed of myself,because this crack in my side causes waterto leak out all the way back to your house."The old woman smiled, "Did you notice thatthere are flowers on your side of the path,but not on the other pot's side?"That's because I have always known aboutyour flaw, so I planted flower seeds on yourside of the path, and every day while we walkback, you water them.""For two years I have been able to pick thesebeautiful flowers to decorate the table.Without your being just the way you are, therewould not be this beauty to grace the house."Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it'sthe cracks and flaws we each have that makeour lives together so very interesting andrewarding.You've just got to take each person forwhat they are and look for the good in them.So, have a great day and remember to smellthe flowers on your side of the path!