Perspectives: Could crisis be something else?

“Happy New Year!” “Happy New Year!” With the holidays almost over, you’ll hear it from almost everyone you meet on the street. It’s a pleasant welcome. Friendly. Well meant. Cheerful.

But I’m not happy. I am saddened. I’m grumpy. I don’t think 2025 will be a happy year in our part of the world. I look forward to 2025 with dread. I fear the actions of our next president. Lately I feel like I have a constant knot in the pit of my stomach and increasing anxiety.

So many systems and institutions seem broken now. Covered with cracks. And through these cracks pours in grief, anger, fear, outrage and unrest. I’m angry and afraid. I’m grumpy.

Wanting to help me calm down with a different perspective on things, our wise daughter introduced me to a traditional Chinese parable. This is how it works:

Once upon a time there was an old farmer who had worked his fields for many years with a loyal horse. One day his horse ran away. When his neighbors heard the news, they came to visit. “Your good horse is gone,” they said sympathetically. “What bad luck!”

“Maybe yes. Maybe not. We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two more wild horses. “How wonderful!” cried the neighbors. “Not only has your horse returned, but you have received two more. How lucky you are!”

“Maybe yes. Maybe not. “We’ll see,” replied the farmer.

The next day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors came again to express their condolences for his misfortune. “Now your son can no longer help you farm,” they said. “How terribly lucky you are!”

“Maybe yes. Maybe not. “We’ll see,” answered the old farmer.

The following week, military officials came to the village to recruit young men into the army. When they saw that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on the good result. “What great news. You must be so happy!”

The man smiled to himself and said again, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see,”

The story stops here, inconclusive. How does it end? We’ll never know.

The moral of this story is that no event in itself should be judged as good or bad, lucky or unfortunate, happy or unfortunate, but only time can tell the whole story. So even events that seem terrible, like the election of our next president, could turn out to be a “ray of hope,” an unforeseen positive development.

I’m trying to imagine what such an advantage could be. Congress begins to function as an independent body again and gathers the courage just in time to put a stop to the ambitions of a dictator? His declaration of martial law and the cancellation of the elections trigger an uprising that drives him into exile in Moscow and we are rid of him forever? Maybe yes. Maybe not. We’ll see.

So many systems and institutions are broken and full of cracks. What if these cracks could let in light, not fear, so we could see more clearly? What if these cracks could let in not anger but kindness so we could heal our communities? What if this crisis could be an opportunity for something better? Maybe yes. Maybe not. We’ll see.

Abi Sessions, formerly from Cornwall, lives in Weybridge with her husband Bill.