There was a farmer in China who had a beautiful horse.  One day the horse ran away and all the neighbors came over to console the farmer. The farmer asked, "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

A week later, the horse kicked the farmer's son and injured the son's leg.  The neighbors came to console the farmer.  Again the farmer asked, "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

A month later, the country went to war and soldiers came to the farmer's village to round up all able-bodied men to fight in the war.  The son was spared because of his injury to which the farmer asked once again, "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

This is one of my favorite stories that has helped me maintain a healthy perspective on life and encouraged me to focus on finding what the "good" is in every situation.  The story has evolved over the years but the message remains the same - we really can't tell if something that has just happened to us is a good thing or a bad thing.  So next time, if something awful happens to you, ask yourself, "Is this a good thing or a bad thing?"