The Power of Maybe...

I was walking down the High Street and stopped to chat with a good friend. I was telling him about a challenge in my life, calling it bad luck. His response was simple: "Maybe."
That single word caught me off guard. I paused and asked, "What do you mean, 'maybe'?" He smiled and said, "Well, you don't know yet. It may end up being something good for you in the long run." I laughed because I understood immediately. I was so focused on the moment, stuck in my own story, that I wasn’t seeing the bigger picture.
He then shared a story from Alan Watts—the famous Chinese Farmer story. It goes like this:
The farmer’s horse runs away, and his neighbors exclaim, "What bad luck!" The farmer replies, "Maybe." The next day, the horse returns with several wild horses, and the neighbors say, "What good fortune!" Again, the farmer responds, "Maybe." This continues with ups and downs, and each time, the farmer’s answer remains the same: "Maybe."
This story is a wonderful reminder that we often don't see the full picture. What seems like bad luck today could turn out to be a blessing tomorrow. Instead of getting stuck on labeling something as ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ embracing the power of 'maybe' helps us stay open to life's possibilities.
In yoga, much like in life, this mindset is valuable. By staying open to whatever comes our way—whether it’s a difficult pose or a challenge off the mat—we build resilience, flexibility, and calm. It’s a beautiful way to flow with life's changes.
This lesson is something I love to share with kids. It helps them understand that not everything needs a label. Feelings and situations can just be without the need to call them good or bad. By embracing the power of 'maybe,' they learn to stay curious, open, and ready to face whatever comes their way—on and off the mat.

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