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 if as soon as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.
The mother filled three pots with water.
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. About twenty minutes later, she turned off the burners.
She fished the carrots, eggs and coffee out of each pot and placed them in separate bowls.
Turning to her daughter, she said, "Tell me what you see."
Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied (With that certain tone of voice)
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that the felt soft.
She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling of the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg inside.
Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The dauther smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "So, what's the point, mother?" (Same tone of voice - you know that inflection)
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same ADVERSITY - boiling water - but 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. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid center. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its insides had become hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however, After they were n the boiling water...the 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?"
THNK 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 hear, but changes witht he heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial, ahve I become hardened and stiff? Does my outer shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened hart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water - ther very circumstances that bring the pain. Wehn the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of the bean. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you instead of letting it change you.
When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you eleveat to another level? How do you handle adversity?
ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?
