I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when I thought a flower would grow.

— Abraham Lincoln

Imagine a man walking along a city street when a flowerpot falls from an apartment windowsill above and crashes at his feet, narrowly missing him. At this point the man has a choice of four paths of thought and action he might follow:

1. The path of retaliation. He could dash up the stairs, find the owner of the potted plant, and punch him or chew him out.
2. The victim path. He could see the experience as confirmation that life is dangerous, and things that could hurt him await at every turn. Then he might go home and hide or wear a hard hat for the rest of his life.
3. The stoic path. He could decide, Well, I guess it was my karma for the flowerpot to miss me, and just keep walking.
4. The high road. He could go to the flower shop on the corner, buy another potted plant, knock on the door of the owner of the plant that fell, and tell that person, “You may not know that you lost your plant. I thought you might like a replacement.”

Obviously the high road is the one that will bear the sweetest fruit for everyone concerned. At this moment you stand at a crossroads in your life where you must choose which path you will take. Keep thinking about your options until you discover what your high road is.

What choice now stands before you?

What would your high road be?

I choose the path that brings the deepest reward to me and everyone concerned.