The Parable of the Farmer and the Horse
This blog introduces a short story that forces readers to rethink their lives, priorities, and regrets. Read this blog to find out the two lessons everyone needs to hear!
Sahil Bloom
Exploring my curiosity and sharing what I learn along the way. Gave up a grand slam on ESPN in 2012 and still waiting for it to land.
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I recently came across a short story that forced me to rethink my life, priorities, and regrets:
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
The Parable of the Farmer and the Horse.
Here are the two lessons everyone needs to hear: -
There was a farmer in a small village with a single horse who helped him earn a living for his family.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
The other villagers constantly told the farmer how lucky he was to have such a great horse.
”Maybe,” he would reply. -
One day, the horse ran away. The villagers came to the farmer to express their sympathies.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
”Your horse ran away. How unfortunate!“ the villagers exclaimed.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied. -
A few days later, the horse returned home, with ten strong wild horses in tow.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
”What good fortune. What incredible luck,” the villagers crowed.
”Maybe,” the farmer again replied. -
The following week, the farmer’s son was riding one of the wild horses in the fields, when it kicked him off and broke his leg.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
The villagers arrived to express their dismay.
”What dismal luck,” they said.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied. -
The next month, a military officer marched into the village, recruiting able-bodied young men for the war. The farmer’s son, with his broken leg, was left behind.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
The villagers were joyful, “Your son has been spared. What beautiful luck!”
The farmer simply smiled.
”Maybe.” -
Lesson 1: Everything is Cyclical
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
Seeds of destruction are sown during creation. Seeds of creation are sown during destruction.
When times are bright, enjoy, but know the dark will come.
When times are dark, adjust your eyes, and remember the seeds of light are being sown. -
Lesson 2: Dispel the Narratives
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
The farmer separates story from reality. He allows space for the events to just exist, to be neither good nor bad—to just be.
Events of your life needn't be judged.
The wisest among us allow events to exist without applying a narrative layer. -
The Paradox of Change says that the only constant in life is change.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
Entropy is reality.
It’s the one thing you can always count on—the only constant.
The Parable of the Farmer and the Horse teaches us to embrace chaos—to be dynamic, to flow with it, and to avoid judging it. -
As you go through life, remember these two lessons:
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
1. Everything is Cyclical: Seeds of destruction are sown during creation. Seeds of creation are sown during destruction.
2. Dispel the Narratives: Allow events to simply exist.
Follow me @SahilBloom for more like this. pic.twitter.com/gwbCzOxt2l -
The Surfer Mentality
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
When a surfer gets up on a wave, they enjoy the moment, even though they know the wave will eventually end (and the next one may crash on their head).
They fully enjoy THIS wave—knowing that there are always more waves coming. pic.twitter.com/EdbGgTm4Sg -
Sometimes there are going to be long, painful periods between the waves.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
Sometimes so long that you may start to wonder whether there will ever be a good wave again.
But if you are patient—and position yourself appropriately—you'll be ready when the next wave inevitably comes. -
I write about these topics in my 2x weekly newsletter.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
It’s filled with actionable ideas to help you build a healthy, wealthy life.
Join 250,000 others who receive it here: https://t.co/32basvHgSr -
I have found great power in the classic parables.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 2, 2023
My view is that they have a sort of “Lindy Effect” signaling, whereby their survival and re-telling across the generations is a signal of their usefulness and value.
I re-read several classics quite often.