There’s a folk tale about a fisherwoman* who goes to visit her friend. Her friend sold flowers for a living and lived in a home full of beautiful smells from flowers – a contrast to the strong smells (stink?) of fish.
However, the fisherwoman has difficulty sleeping at night. Eventually, she realizes that she just misses the smells of her home. She remembers that she brought her fish basket with her. So she brings the fish basket close to her head and finally falls off to sleep.
I’ve remembered this story many a time over the years. It reminds us of a simple idea – to each their own.
Someone’s discard pile might have the stuff of our dreams. And vice versa.
Self-awareness and an acceptance of what matters to us goes a long way in helping us shape the life we consider good.
The more we understand this and align ourselves with people who value similar things, the more peaceful our lives will be.
*PS: There’s another western folk tale about a town mouse and country mouse that also drives home a similar lesson.
