When the worst becomes the best

There's a story about an ancient Japanese farmer whose teen age son was chosen to be a Samurai warrior - the military aristocracy of the time.

This thrilled the old man - he loved his son so deeply, he believed his becoming a Samurai would bring the greatest pride to him and his family.

The day before the Samurai were to come by to take the young man into their fold, the son's horse fell on him, breaking both legs.

The next day the Samurai warrior guards came and left - without the teenager. His injuries prevented him from joining the ranks of the adventurous heroic champions, heralded for their conquering celebrity.

The farmer was devastated. Filled with shame and hurt and anger that his son could not become a Samurai, he bemoaned his fate to the villagers for weeks on end, while his son slowly recuperated in his sickbed.

Able to walk once more, albeit with a noticable limp, the boy was once again at his father's side, helping with the family farm. The old man saw this as a constant reminder that his son was *here* instead of galloping around the country with the valiant, gallant ranks of the stouthearted Samurai.

One evening, after they finished their chores, a villager came by with news that the entire battalion of Samurai that his son was to join had been decimated. All of them, killed.

Tears welled in the father's eyes as he looked at his beloved son with a new awareness - his favorite child was alive. Alive and working alongside him - and would continue to, day after grateful day, for the rest of the old man's life.

What he had experienced as the worst thing that ever happened to him - in reality, turned out to be the best.

This story reminds me of Jim Carrey's experience when he was cast in the sketch show "In Living Color." Carrey had been hoping beyond hope to be cast on Saturday Night Live. Not only was he devastated that the new Wayans Brothers show was untested but also on the new FOX network - which enjoyed a very small audience in comparison.

It turned out to be the very best thing that ever happened in Carrey's *life!* He was given much more free reign to create characters and act - plus, the fully integrated program was seen as "hip, now and wow!" compared to the tired SNL.

Thanks to ILC, Carrey has gone on to experience a career beyond his wildest dreams, artistically and financially.

I don't know about you, but this phenomenon has happened in my life more times than I care to admit - that what appears to be the worst thing that could happen to me turns out to be the best.

I just need to remember this truth always prevails - even if it drags us through a most miserable drubbing on its way to becoming that uplifting reality! :-)