塞翁失馬 焉知非福

《淮南子•人間訓》：“...................... 夫禍福之轉而相生，其變難見也。近 塞上之人，有善術者，馬無故亡而入胡，人皆吊之。其父曰：‘此何遽不爲福乎？’居數月，其馬將駿馬而歸，人皆賀之。…………………”

In response to my recent misfortune, classmate ACW tried to comfort and encourage me by saying “塞翁失馬，焉知非福”. He meant that a setback may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

It was certainly a “wake-up call” for me, and there is no question that it will change my work habits and prevent me from encountering another, or may be even a more serious, consequence in the future.

From now on, I need to “Stop and Think” when I resume my certain yard maintenance works that I have always considered to be “routines” for years. Before I perform such a task again, I need to think about it, is it worth the risk?, or should I simply avoid it ?

It was a wake-up call, and perhaps a blessing in disguise as well.


Yeh Tze