Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

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 though just 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.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second eggs and in the last coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the stove.

She took the carrots and placed them in a bowl.  She took the eggs and put them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee and poured it into a bowl.  Turning to her daughter she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee," she said.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did, and noted 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 enjoyed its rich aroma and taste.  The daughter asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity:  boiling water.  But each reacted differently.

The carrots went in strong, hard and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, softened and became weak.

At first, the eggs were fragile and the thin outer shell protected the liquid interior.  However, after being in the boiling water the inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans, however, were unique.  After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter.  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?  Are you like a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

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Think on this:  Which am I like?
Am I like the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I like 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 a 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 its fragrance and flavor. 

If you are like the coffee 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 like the carrot, egg or coffee bean?

*            *            *            *            *   Don't get bitter.  Get better.

Put gratitude in your attitude.

Change your attitude and you'll change your altitude. 

Life can be sweeter as the years go by.  It's up to you.