Positive Talk
TURN YOUR FLAWS INTO ASSETS
By
Oct 30, 2008 - 10:52:08 AM

It would be a very boring world if we were all perfect. I have never met a perfect human being; each of us has flaws that make us unique. One of my readers from India (this column now goes to 37 countries) sent me the following story that talks about flaws and how they can help determine our worth to the world. I think you will find it interesting.

A servant in India had two large pots which he would carry on a yoke across his shoulders to the stream each day. One of the pots had a crack in it and, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering two pots of water—one full and one only half full. The perfect pot was proud of its perfection and ability to hold the water. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its flaw and miserable about accomplishing only half of its assigned task.
 
After two years of what it perceived as a bitter failure, the imperfect pot spoke to the servant one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The servant felt sorry for the imperfect pot and, with compassion, said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful flowers on the side of the path, and they cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, the pot still felt bad because half its load had fallen to the ground. So again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer then said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw and took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and you’ve watered them every day while we walk back from the stream. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
You are a child of God and even your flaws are part of his plan. As an example, I can think of one severely handicapped young woman. As frustrated as she becomes with life, she never loses her smile. For me and many others who know her, her smile is a flower along the pathway of our lives and brightens our way. She does make a difference.

Take time to look at what you have given to the world, rather than what you could not give. You might find that you have contributed more than you think to the lives of those around you.

Bill Hodges Hosts “Spotlight on Tampa Bay
Bill Hodges also hosts an interview-format television program, “Spotlight On Tampa Bay.” It airs Mondays at 8 p.m., Bright House cable channel 950 and Verizon cable channel 30. His guests for November 3 will be Florida State House Representative Ed Homan, MD from District 60. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon and a professor at USF medical school. Among his assignments in the legislature is sitting on the Committee on Health Innovation. This program will be repeated on November 5 at 7:30 p.m. on channel 949.

 Bright House subscribers who cannot get the higher channels can get—at no installation fee and a monthly $1 fee—a box to allow access to the upper level government and educational channels. Call Bright House for rental details. If you are unhappy about paying extra to see your government in action, complain to your state representatives and the Hillsborough BOCC which have either caused this situation or been complicit in allowing it to continue.
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