Reflections on Acceptance and Resilience: The Farmer's Tale
The saying 'Have you found the saying' is rooted in a profound truth that resonates deeply when faced with the inevitable challenges of life. This perspective can be comforting especially during times of loss or change as it encourages letting go of what doesn't serve us and trusting the process of life. However, its truth may vary from person to person based on individual experiences and beliefs. Some may see it as a way to cope with loss while others might find it overly simplistic. Ultimately, the saying invites reflection on the nature of relationships and possessions, emphasizing a mindset of acceptance and resilience.
The Farmer's Journey
A poor farmer had a tiny piece of land. Life was not only unfair but quite hard on him. That year, his crops were affected by untimely heavy rains, drought when watering was required, cattle attack, and pest attack. Each day, he kept fighting a new war to protect his crops. Other farmers with a bigger piece of land and better facilities were making much less effort and enjoying the fruits. Finally, his crops were ready to harvest and sell. He rented a small bullock cart to take the crops to the mandi market. He was finally a little happy to at least arrange the basic livelihood for the family.
On the way on a bridge, one of the bulls went insane and the cart fell into the river. He managed to jump on time and save himself but was now liable to pay for the cart and bulls and lost all his earnings. He couldn't even grieve for his loss as there was no time. He consoled himself by thinking that the crop didn't belong to him, and thus nature found some way of destroying it despite his efforts. Also, he appreciated that he still had life to live and that's why he was able to jump in time from the cart; otherwise, he didn't even know how to swim, and he wasn't hurt and could still work hard.
The family went to a temple in the evening and thanked God for saving his life. The next day, he found labor work and started working really hard as there was no food at home except some grains and he had to pay back for the cart.
Transformation and Resilience
The owner of the place, where he worked, was a wise gentleman. Seeing the farmer's hard work and dedication, he slowly promoted him, and after a few years, he was made the head supervisor of the business and earned many times more than before. Slowly, he purchased small pieces of land, created a big land bank, and arranged facilities to sustainably grow crops. He hired workers to farm his land. The family lived a comfortable life now.
Maybe God heard his prayers because despite being in such a terrible situation, they were still thankful and hopeful. Unlike millions of others, who would have cursed God, he reflected on the possibility that some things are beyond control. Nature had certain things in mind for him, and there was a list of what he would have and what not. God knows.
All that happened with him could have happened with anyone; there's no guarantee life offers. If you suffered from one reason of misery, ten more life-shattering events could happen simultaneously. Because they exist, they can happen, and your every step has the probability of stepping on the right spot or twisting your feet and causing a fracture or a ligament tear. Similarly, the farmer's life was saved in the accident, and he instantly found a job to sustain himself and his family. His and his family's health was intact, and they had a small roof over their head that they could call theirs.
There is no guarantee for even these in life. But they were his by the act of fate or karma, despite not making any special efforts to preserve them. Also, his future was unexpected and privileged, and to reach there, that loss was necessary. I am nobody to put a claim on anything that I consider myself as deserving of. My deserving is based on my efforts, my desires and needs, other people's belongings, and my personal bias in favor of myself.
Resilience and Effort
In a lab setting, with the hypothesis of fairness and a copybook definition of life, it might be possible to attribute deserving based on a set of controlled circumstances. However, in real life, with millions of combinations and events, that can change one's life in a second, it's a different story. But why should I make any effort if the above statement is true? Because I haven't seen my future, and the best way to live is to get closer to what I want so that at least I fall in the category of deserving. Much better than sitting idle and becoming deserving of the worst.
Circumstances aren't yours but this mind and body are. How to use them is in your hands, so do the best you can do. If you suddenly face a wild animal, either you can fight or run for your life. Embrace them and let them tear you off. Instinctively, most would make the best of efforts with no assurance for survival, so why can't we do the same if the problems aren't immediate but long stretched.
Therefore, resilience and acceptance are not only about the past and the present but also about the future. In the face of adversity, it's not about what happened but about how you respond. The farmer's tale is a timeless reminder that even in the face of devastating loss, one can find a way to rebuild and thrive. This is a story of resilience, acceptance, and the power of mindful effort.
Final Thought
In the end, the saying 'Have you found the saying' is not about resignation but about understanding the complexities of life and choosing to move forward with resilience and grace. Whether you believe in divine intervention, fate, or simply the power of hard work, the important thing is to embrace the journey and find hope in the midst of uncertainty. The farmer's tale is a powerful reminder of this truth.