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"A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee"
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity. Boiling water and each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. It's thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?" " Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? Count your blessings, not your problems......Putting others first makes relationships last.
There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Look for the one who puts the smile on your heart.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
"Mandy's Christian Web Site,"
for this heavenly award!
"Under His Wings II,"
for this great award!
"Mr. Mom's Web Site,"
for this inspirational award!
"Shepherd's Voice,"
for this family site award!
"By His Side,"
for this sharing award!
"Dolphin Dream's Quietude' along with Norbert's Linkables,"
for the use of their wonderful music!
"Emode,"
My score was 135, which gave me the title, "Visionary Philosopher."
and
Rev. Dr. Michael J. Scarlett, of the St. Benedict Interfaith Christian Fellowship, with his daughter, Tara, for their help in creating my graphics!
"Luvya!"
Whatever you give away today,
or think or say or do
will multiply about tenfold
and then return to you.
It may not come immediately,
nor from the obvious source
but the law applies unfailingly,
through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another,
be it love or hate or passion
will surely bounce right back to you
in some clear (or secret) fashion
If you speak about some person,
a word of praise or two,
soon, tens of other people
will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul,
not secrets of the brain.
Kind ones bring us happiness;
petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely
as reflections in a mirror.
If hate you send, hate you'll get back,
but loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day
and duty crowds your mind,
that kindness comes so quickly back
to those who first are kind.
Let that thought and this one
direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep
are the things we give away.