Do I focus on the good or do I focus on the bad? Am I an optimist or a pessimist? Do I dwell on my troubles?
Focus on what is wrong and you will find it. This leads to constant frustration. Successful people focus on what is right. What seems like trouble today can be a blessing tomorrow.
Good News, Bad News, Who Knows?
There once was a farmer who owned a beautiful horse. One day, during a great storm, the horse was spooked and broke out of his stall.
A neighbor came by to consol him saying, “Oh what bad news to have lost such a beautiful horse.”
The farmer shrugged and said only, “Good news, bad news, who knows?”
The horse returned a few days later with three other beautiful wild horses. The neighbor came by to proclaim the good news but the farmer said only, “Good news, bad news, who knows?”
Soon after, the farmer’s 18 year old son breaks his leg while trying to ride one of the wild horses, and of course the neighbor came by and said, “Oh, such terrible news that your son has broken his leg.” But the farmer only said, “Good news, bad news, who knows?”
Then the military came through looking to bring all the young able men they could find into the war, but the farmer’s son was of no use with a broken leg. Good news, bad news… who knows?
Originally published in December 2003 under the title “Good Question! Good News, Bad News”
