Life’s unexpected twists: A tale about perspective

Life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagined it would. One moment things seem to be going well, the next we’re thrown into uncertainty.

But what if every twist — whether joyful or painful — carried within it an opportunity to grow, shift, and see things differently?

What if life is not about labeling what happens as good or bad, but learning to meet what comes with openness, curiosity, and trust?

There’s an old Chinese folk tale that beautifully illustrates this idea:

The farmer’s horse 🐎

Once, a farmer’s horse ran away.

The townspeople came to him, concerned:

“What bad luck!” they said.

The farmer simply replied, “We’ll see.”

A few days later, the horse returned — bringing with it a herd of wild horses.

The people exclaimed, “How lucky!”

Again, the farmer said, “We’ll see.”

Soon after, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the wild horses and fell, breaking his leg.

“How unlucky,” said the neighbors.

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

Then, a war broke out. All able-bodied young men were drafted to fight — except for the farmer’s son, who was spared because of his injury.

“How lucky!” the villagers said.

And the farmer said… “We’ll see.”

Why this matters: This simple tale reminds us that life is full of unpredictable turns. What looks like a setback today might become a blessing tomorrow. And what feels like a win could bring its own challenges.

We don’t always choose what happens to us — but we can choose how we relate to it.

The mindset we bring to life’s ups and downs makes all the difference. When we slow down and step back from the urge to judge events immediately, we create space for perspective. We build resilience. And we open ourselves up to hidden gifts we might otherwise miss.

🌱 In coaching, I help people explore this shift in mindset: learning to pause, notice the story we’re telling ourselves, and choose a response that aligns with who we want to be. It’s about moving from reactivity to awareness, from judgment to presence, from resistance to trust. It’s about noticing the stories we tell ourselves — and finding more empowering, compassionate ways to move forward.

Questions to reflect on:

✨ What story are you telling yourself about your current situation?

✨ Could there be meaning, growth, or even a hidden gift waiting to be seen?

With warmth,

Raquel

Wellbeing Coach & Mentor • Companion on the path to intentional living