12.14.13 The Cow In The Kitchen

If I have to choose story, or a joke, that held the greatest lesson for me and my life, I think this one would be among the greatest candidates.

It seems everyone of us, at one time or another, needs to recognize the cow in the kitchen. 

And when the cow is gone, oh how grateful we are.

And I bet you anything that some of my friends know the biblical story of the same ilk.

When I'm telling this story to clients, and they're on the table, and I'm working on them, teaching them about their health, describing their organs , empathizing with their great challenges or pain, I call this "The Cow In The Kitchen".

I say, "Have you heard the story of The Cow In The Kitchen?"

It's a joke and it's a story and it's a parable and it's probably in the Talmud. And maybe the Bible. Who Knows. And sometimes they know the story, but it's a really good one. So here it is.

Once upon a time there were two people who lived in a little house, and it was so crowded, and they were so miserable.

So they went to their Rabbi and they said to her "Our house is so small. We are so crowded. We are so miserable. Please, help us."

She turned to them, and said "Go outside, and get one of your chickens, and bring it into the house." And so they did.

In a few days, they returned to the Rabbi , and they said to her "We did as you suggested, and the chicken is flying here and there, dropping feathers and getting into the food and making noises early in the morning."

And so the Rabbi suggested that they bring in more chickens. And the people went home, did as she suggested, and kept returning, over and over again, each time the Rabbi suggesting they bring in more and more relatives, and homeless people, and neighbors, until finally, The two people went to see the Rabbi.

And she suggested that they bring the cow into the kitchen.

And so, they did.

They returned home, went outside to get the family cow, and carefully brought her into the kitchen.

The following day they returned to the Rabbi, wringing their hands, in great great distress.

They said to her "we have done everything that you suggested, Rabbi, and our small home is filled to the brim with so many people and neighbors and visitors and animals.

There is chaos and noise everywhere, and we cannot sleep or clean a table to prepare a meal. Please, please help us."

And so, she did.

The Rabbi told the people "Return all of the animals back out to the yard, to their own homes.

Bid leave of all of the individuals you invited to come visit and stay in your home."

And so they returned to their small home, and did as the Rabbi suggested.

The following day, they rushed back to the Rabbi, filled with gratitude and relief.

"Our home is so spacious, and beautiful, and quiet.

There is room for everything, and we sleep well at night.

Please accept our deepest gratitude for your assistance, Rabbi."

And smiling, she did.