Que Sera, Sera: The Power of Perspective.

 

Nothing Is Inherently Good or Bad—Our Perspective Shapes Our Reaction.

Life is unpredictable. Events unfold in ways we can’t always foresee, yet we rush to label them as “good” or “bad.” But what if we let go of these judgments? What if we embraced life with the understanding that every situation carries hidden potential? The timeless saying Que Sera, Sera (Spanish for "Whatever will be, will be") captures this wisdom beautifully. Popularized by the 1956 song from The Man Who Knew Too Much, it reflects an acceptance of life's uncertainties, much like the philosophy embedded in two ancient stories—one from a Chinese parable and another from Hindu scripture.

The Chinese Farmer and the Wisdom of ‘Maybe’.

Once, a Chinese farmer’s horse ran away. His neighbours consoled him, saying, “That’s too bad.” The farmer simply replied, “Maybe.”

The next day, the horse returned—bringing seven wild horses. The neighbours rejoiced, exclaiming, “That’s great, isn’t it?” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

Later, his son attempted to tame one of the horses but was thrown off and broke his leg. The neighbours lamented, “That’s too bad, isn’t it?” The farmer responded, “Maybe.”

Soon after, a war broke out, and army officers arrived to recruit young men. Due to his broken leg, the son was spared. That evening, the neighbours celebrated, saying, “Isn’t that wonderful?” Once more, the farmer simply said, “Maybe.”

Events Are Neutral—Only Our Judgment Labels Them.

Each time something happened, the neighbours judged it as fortunate or unfortunate. But the farmer never labelled events—he understood that outcomes unfold over time. What seems like a setback today may turn into a blessing tomorrow.

This story teaches us that our perspective shapes our experience. Instead of reacting emotionally to every twist and turn, we can step back and allow life to unfold.

King Harishchandra: The Ever-Changing Nature of Fortune and Misfortune.

This wisdom is echoed through the story of King Harishchandra primarily found in both the Markandeya Puran and the Devi Bhagavat Puran. Known for his unwavering commitment to truth, Harishchandra was tested by the sage Vishwamitra, who asked for his entire kingdom. True to his word, Harishchandra gave away everything—his palace, wealth, and power.

Now penniless, he wandered with his wife Shaivya and son Rohitashva, seeking shelter. They ended up in Kashi (Varanasi), where Harishchandra worked as a cremation ground keeper.

During this time:

• His wife worked as a servant.
• His son died from a snake bite.
• When his wife brought their son’s body for cremation, Harishchandra had to demand the required fee, as per his duty.

Despite immense suffering, Harishchandra did not lose faith or question fate. He accepted events as they came, without labelling them as good or bad.

Just as he was about to cremate his son, Vishwamitra and the Devas (Gods) appeared, revealing that all his suffering had been a test of his devotion to truth. His son was revived, and he was restored to his throne with divine blessings.

Parallels Between the Two Stories.

Both the Chinese farmer and King Harishchandra faced situations that seemed like misfortunes but later led to positive outcomes. Their wisdom lay in acceptance rather than resistance.

• Life is unpredictable—what seems like a curse may turn into a blessing.
• Judging events too quickly leads to emotional turmoil.
• True wisdom lies in patience and trust.

Applying This Wisdom in Our Lives.

In modern life, we often react emotionally to challenges—losing a job, facing rejection, or dealing with setbacks. But if we shift our perspective, we might see these experiences as stepping stones to something greater.

• Didn’t get the promotion? Maybe it’s leading to a better opportunity.
• Faced failure? Maybe it’s a lesson that will lead to success.
• End of a relationship? Maybe it’s making space for something more fulfilling.

Like the Chinese farmer and King Harishchandra, we can cultivate a mindset of acceptance—understanding that nothing is inherently good or bad; it is our perspective that shapes our experience.

The next time life surprises you, pause before reacting. Instead of labelling it as good or bad, try saying: Maybe. Or, as the song reminds us, Que Sera, Sera—Whatever will be, will be.