塞翁失马, 焉知非福?

战国时期，靠近北部边城，住着一个老人，名叫塞翁。塞翁养了许多马，一天，他的马群中忽然有一匹走失了。邻居们听说这件事，跑来安慰，劝他不必太着急，年龄大了，多注意身体。塞翁见有人劝慰，笑了笑说：“丢了一匹马损失不大，没准会带来什么福气呢。”邻居听了塞翁的话，心里觉得很好笑。马丢了，明明是件坏事，他却认为也许是好事，显然是自我安慰而已。过了几天，丢失的马不仅自动返回家，还带回一匹匈奴的骏马。邻居听说了，对塞翁的预见非常佩服，向塞翁道贺说：“还是您有远见，马不仅没有丢，还带回一匹好马，真是福气呀。”塞翁听了邻人的祝贺，反而一点高兴的样子都没有，忧虑地说：“白白得了一匹好马，不一定是什么福气，也许惹出什么麻烦来。”邻居们以为他故作姿态纯属老年人的狡猾。心里明明高兴，有意不说出来。塞翁有个独生子，非常喜欢骑马。他发现带回来的那匹马顾盼生姿，身长蹄大，嘶鸣嘹亮，膘悍神骏，一看就知道是匹好马。他每天都骑马出游，心中洋洋得意。一天，他高兴得有些过火，打马飞奔，一个趔趄，从马背上跌下来，摔断了腿。邻居听说，纷纷来慰问。塞翁说：“没什么，腿摔断了却保住性命，或许是福气呢。”邻居们觉得他又在胡言乱语。他们想不出，摔断腿会带来什么福气。不久，匈奴兵大举入侵，青年人被应征入伍，塞翁的儿子因为摔断了腿，不能去当兵。入伍的青年都战死了，唯有塞翁的儿子保全了性命.(borrowed from: http://www.cnweblog.com/bjy1119/archive/2007/11/22/263153.html)

A short translation: During the Warring State times, there was an old man called, "Sai Weng" (塞翁), who reared many horses. One day, one of his horses escaped. While all his neighbours thought it was an unfortunate incident, Sai
Weng feels that loosing the horse might bring him luck and prosperity.

Later, his horse returns by itself and together with another fine horse. When the neighbours congratulated him and were happy for him for his gain, Sai Weng thought it might not be all so fortunate.

Sai Weng's son, a horse lover was delighted with the new horse and rode the horse everyday till one day he accidentally fell from the horse and broke his leg. Again, concerned neighbours came to visit and Sai Weng told them it's very fortunate that his son only broke his leg and not lost his life.

Some time later, Hsiungnu Soldiers attacked the country and all young men were summoned to join the army to defend the country. Sai Weng's son however,with the broken leg was exempted. Many lives were lost during the war but fortunately, Sai Weng's son was not one of them.

We would always associate losses with unfortunates and grieves. Sometimes, losses are not ill omen, it could be the start of something better.

If you don't first let go of what you have in your hands, you will not be able to grab hold of the something better. Whatever happen now, no matter how bad it seems or how hard it is to move on, it is perhaps a preparation for the best that will yet happen in your life.

There is always a reason for something to happen, we will not know why or what it will lead to, but what we can do is to always believe that it's for the best.