What's Your Cow?

I would like to share a story from Dr. Camilo Cruz's book, "La Vaca" (The Cow), which illustrates how, often without realizing it, we tie our lives to our beliefs instead of choosing to make a change and create a new narrative.

The teacher visited a rundown house where eight people lived amid garbage, and their only possession was a skinny cow that provided them with food. They believed this cow protected them from total despair.

The teacher and his disciple spent the night in the house, and the next morning, they woke up early to continue their journey. Before leaving, the elderly teacher said to his disciple, "It's time for you to learn an important lesson."

The old man took out a knife and slaughtered the unfortunate cow. The young man was in disbelief, crying out in despair, "Master, what have you done? What lesson is this? How can you leave this family in total ruin?"

The old man remained silent and continued their way.

A year later, the two men returned to visit the family. They searched for the dilapidated house amidst the garbage but found it gone. In its place stood a large, well-maintained house.

They were astonished when the same man who had offered them shelter a year ago came out to greet them.

"What caused this transformation?" the Master inquired.

The man explained that someone, envious of their cow, had taken it from them. Their initial reaction to the cow's death was one of despair and sorrow. However, after that tragic day, the family resolved to act. They cleaned up their land, acquired seeds, and began planting vegetables to sustain themselves.

Over time, they started selling the surplus produce, using the money to buy more seeds and expand their crops for sale at the market. Their lives had dramatically improved.

Why hadn't this family changed their reality sooner?

Perhaps because they never believed it was within their power to change their own story.

Have you ever considered what your "cow" is?