I love this little mindfulness story and it's a perfect illustration of how great and useful our so called imperfections can be. Enjoy.
"Once upon a time there was a water bearer who carried two pots of water to his teacher each day. Each day he would walk to the nearest stream, fill both pots with water, and walk back, one pot on each side of a pole he carried across his neck. One pot was cracked and so by the time the water bearer reached his teacher, it was only half full. This continued for two years, with the water bearer only bringing one and a half pots of water. The perfect pot was proud of its achievements. The cracked pot was sad that it could only do half the job it was supposed to do. One day, the cracked pot said to the water bearer “I feel so upset and ashamed. I’m imperfect and I can’t hold a full pot of water. What use am I to anyone?” The water bearer told the cracked pot to look on the ground and he carried it. The cracked pot notice the most beautiful wild flowers and plants on its side of the path. The water bearer explained, “When I realised you were cracked, I decided to plant seeds on one side of the path, and every day, as you leak, you water that side of the path. If you weren’t cracked, these gorgeous flowers wouldn’t be here for all to enjoy.” Sometime you may think you’re not perfect, or your mindfulness practice is not perfect, but how do you know? This story shows even a cracked pot can be seen as perfect, just as it is. In the same way, you’re perfect just the way you are, with all your imperfections – that’s what makes you unique. "
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