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A young boy went to his father and told him about his life and how things were so hard for him. He did not know how he was going to make it and wanted to give up. He was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
His father took him to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water; in the first he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and in the last he put some coffee beans. He let them boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then he took the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Father brought the son and asked him to feel the carrots. He did and noted that they were soft. The Father then asked him to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, he observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the father asked him to sip the coffee. The son tasted it and asked, "What does it mean?"
Father explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. 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 interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" Father asked him. "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 seemed strong, but with pain and adversity it became soft and lost its strength?
Am I The egg that starts with a soft 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 beans? 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.
How do you handle adversity? When the hour is the darkest and trials are greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee bean?
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