A Parable to Live By: A Man, a Walk, and a Bucket

A man went for a walk in the early morning to gather water. Step-by-step his bare feet took him on a journey through the dewy grass and rich dirt that smelled of earthworms and life. He walked forward. 
 
Only thinking of the water, he traveled across a bridge above a gravel road. He walked across a field covered in wildflowers and cocktails. He received a greeting from a turkey, a blue bird, and a pheasant. He walked forward. 
 
The sunrise filled the sky with hues of yellow, orange and red. The air was still. He walked forward. 
 
An hour later he approached the stream. While filling his large wooden bucket full of water the handle broke beyond repair. In that moment, a young man was approaching the stream. He looked at the man with the broken bucket handle. Smiled. Filled his bucket full. And silently gave his bucket filled with water to the man in exchange for the bucket without the handle. With a look of gratitude, the man asked, “How far is your walk?” The young man pointed toward the horizon, picked up the bucket without the handle, balanced it on his shoulder and responded, “Three days' time.” 
 
And with that, both men walked forward each a better man. 

-- Gina Soleil, American Author 

There are many lessons in the parable. Selflessness. Gratitude. Being present. Receiving. Awareness that someone else is always suffering a greater hardship than the one you're experiencing. Patience. Compassion. The list goes on and on.  

As you start or end your busy week, take a moment to reflect on the message this parable has for you. Then, walk forward a better man, woman, mother, father, sister, brother, friend, colleague, or leader. In both word and action, today choose to walk forward in a better way. 

Learn more about the bold, human-centered leadership style of Gina Soleil—where science meets soul, and transformation is always personal by visiting ConsultReframe.com.