OUR FLAWS... OUR BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE

“Every being has flaws;

the potential is always there

to connect to the light or to darkness.”

-       Lindsey McKeon

As a young man, I had struggled constantly with a chronic inferiority complex. I was full of self-doubts and crippled with anxiety. I would imagine distant situations and feel in me the numbness. Comparing myself with others and letting me feel low had become a hardened part of my nature… I failed to notice what was good about me – my talents, skills and strengths. Instead, I only saw what was not good about me - my flaws, my weaknesses. I was filled with self-pity, and my future looked eternally dark!

It’s only when I ‘woke up’, one day, to my dream – of becoming a fine teacher and a writer… Yes, it’s only when I saw clearly my hidden talent (of teaching and writing) and started believing in it, that things began to change for me.  My flaws and weaknesses became my greatest motivators… I was now determined to convert them into my greatest strengths. In fact, the rest of my life-journey has been an exciting journey of overcoming my weaknesses. In the process, I was able to make a difference in the lives of many, many young ones…

All because, I was a ‘flawed human being’… a ‘cracked pot’!

This morning, I found myself sharing one of my favourite stories with a middle-aged man. He had been going through a constant feeling of worthlessness, and hopelessness… He had come to seek help. I shared with him this story…

THE CRACKED POT

Long time ago, there lived an old woman in a Chinese village. Every day, she carried water from the village stream to her house. Two pots, hung on each side of a pole, she carried them on her shoulders.

Now, one of the pots had a crack on it; so, by the time the woman reached home, half of the water spilled out of the pot… while the other pot was perfect and carried full water in it, every day.

And, this went on and on…

The perfect pot was obviously proud of its achievement, its perfection… while the cracked pot felt ashamed, apologetic and guilty.

After almost two years, unable to suffer it any longer, one evening, the cracked pot collected enough courage and said to the woman: “Ma’am, for two long years, you have been carrying me on your shoulders, despite my defect… despite knowing that I spilled half of the water along your way and served you only half good as compared to the other pot who has been always perfect… Why did you tolerate me? Have I not let you down? I feel ashamed and guilty!”

“Come, I will show you why,” said the woman consolingly to the heart-broken pot, “I will tell you why you should not feel ashamed or guilty about your defect.”

Saying so, the woman pointed to the beautiful flowers on the wayside. “Dear, can you believe that these plants bear such beautiful flowers only because of you?”

The pot was left puzzled!

“I knew of your flaw, and hence, I planted these flower seeds on your side of the path,” the woman explained gently, “For two years, you have been nurturing them without your knowledge… and, look, how glorious they look!”

The cracked pot was unable to believe it!

“My dear friend, every day, I would take these flowers home and decorate my table,” the woman continued with all her warmth. She asked, “Is it not because you had that crack in you?”

Frankly, this enchanting story has been such a constant source of inspiration and hope to me. When I look back, I can only thank God – my ‘Master’ – for making me ‘cracked pot’… My defects have been my blessings in disguise… I do what I do, today, only because of them… I can see the flowers in bloom along my path… I can see those flowers beautifully decorate my ‘Master’s house’!

And, this morning, after sharing this story, I could see a quiet ray of hope, and a profound sense of peace, in the heart of one more ‘Cracked Pot’!

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic.: Rekha Srikar Shenoy