Good Luck, Bad Luck, Who Knows

I was told a story, from a new friend that I’ve had the privilege to meet while being home.

It goes like this:

There was a farmer, and he had his best horse run away, his neighbors were quick to respond on his bad luck. The farmer replies, “No one can know what is good and what is bad.” The horse returns with a stallion, the same neighbors are even quicker to respond with his good luck. The farmers replies, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows” The farmers son then severely hurts his foot while training the wild stallion. Again, neighbors are now certain of the farmers “bad luck”. That night, a war breaks out, and all able men are collected to fight. With the son’s injury, he was not able to go, and spared.

The farmers response, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows.”

This story was told to me, a day before my so called plan, came to a complete stand still and my life took a slight turn.

My desire and passion to serve in the Peace Corp was one that I really can’t explain. Many didn’t understand, many questioned the choice, and few supported the idea. Regardless of the opinions, I didn’t care, and really believed this was my next chapter.

One thing I’ve learned while being home is that life may not always go as you wanted or planned. That my life has already been planned, and is continuously being guided from a power much higher then me, and this in itself is what got me through the punch you in the gut message I received at the end of May.

Circumstances that are beyond my control, are not allowing me serve in Cambodia as I hoped. To say it was easy to hear this news is an understatement. But to say I heard the news, in an environment of support, and strength, would also be saying it lightly.

As I received that letter, and felt like the world was falling beneath me, my parents were there to break my fall. It would be easy to question everything, to second guess my choice of leaving NYC, to do the entire woe me. But as I looked around, and saw the support, the roof over my head, I realized how blessed I was and still am.

I am not sharing this story to get sympathy, or to open up a flood gate to the world to ask why, who, what, when. I am sharing this story because I am hoping to relate to anyone who has had something in their life not go their way. Anyone who may be struggling with something they’ve wanted, and are having minimal luck. 

To those who are questioning their career choice, or a current relationship, anyone who may be struggling with trying to figure out their path.It is OKAY to get hit in the balls (excuse my french) and stomped on, and have things not go your way. It’s okay to take a day, pig out, and question EVERYTHING you thought you knew. It’s okay to have uncertainty, its okay to take it day by day, its okay to struggle.

These uncertainties, these struggles, are all part of your plan. They will show you how strong you are. They will lead to an even better path, the path that was meant for you. There is no timeline on what you are supposed to do with your life. You are given what you are supposed to have, what you can handle, and people who will be there to support you along the way.

What’s most important is to always pick yourself back up. To NEVER give up, to ALWAYS remember how special you are, how strong you are, to look back at what you’ve overcome, to look at your successes, and to look all of those beautiful people that you were blessed to have in your life, and get back on that damn horse.

I am overly joyed, excited, nervous, yet insanely ready to share with you that I’ve accepted a Programmatic Trading role (digital nerdy stuff) at Zimmeran Advertising in Ft. Lauderdale. This opportunity is one I worked my ass off for, and could not be more proud of being offered and accepting. I will be residing in Del Ray Beach and truly feel amazingly optimistic and blessed on this next chapter.

I want to thank you all for the support you showed me when I announced I was joining the Peace Corp. The amount of support and good wishes were overwhelming, and meant more to me then you’ll know. I’ve been blessed to grow up in such an amazing community, to be able to see friends who I haven't connected with in years, and be able to jump right back in, like no time was lost, is something not many can say they have.

To my family, being home, and spending time with you these past few months has brought me back to myself, and I thank you for every minute shared.

To my dad and brother, you two have been the most important men in my life, and without you I wouldn’t be who I am today.

To my mom, words cannot express my gratitude to you. You’ve been in my corner since day 1, you’ve chosen me over yourself, you’ve been my light, you’re everything I continue to strive to be and everything I do is to make you proud.  

So to wrap this post up, all I want to say is:

“Bad luck, good luck, who knows”

-Tell them you love them

Abby C. Ashton