[SeptemberMorn]

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 a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and 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. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her 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--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 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 to another level? How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Count your blessings...not your problems. The problem is not the problem. The problem exists in your attitude about the problem.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SunshineGold03]

SeptemberMorn,
This is extremely profound! I love this story! WOW! It is very inspirational! I am going to print this and keep it taped to my desk. I going to send this to my friends and family it is a great inspirational tail! If you don't mind my asking where did you find this? Or did you create it?

Jennifer

[dexter]

That is an amazing story Septmorn, thank you so much for sharing it. I too am going to save it, and I also would like to know where it came from, as I would like to see if I can post it on my website.

I think it is very accurate and fits very well will my personal spirituality, something that I am struggling to find my way back into through this. I believe I have always been the coffee bean but now I am becoming more like the egg and I need to find my road back.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

[SeptemberMorn]

I wish I could take credit for it but I can't. A friend of mine sent it to me through email.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SunshineGold03]

Well it is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!

Jenn

[SeptemberMorn]

It hit me where I live, Dave, because I, too, feel like I've become like the egg. What I've become the most cynical and hardened about it love in any form. Every day I find it harder and harder to believe in it.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[cocoa]

VERY NICE STORY

THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

JACQUI :-))

[LadyDragus]

hmmmm.. which one am I???
you know I will actually say I am more like the carrort for I normally turn when probelms arise, now..
I used to be more like the egg, but lately, I have not been,

I have saved this, and I am going to frame this one SeptemberMorn, Thank you for showing me I can change, and I will change, and I can



<font color=purple>
take time to heal thyself before trying to help others, or you will never get better

[dexter]

>>What I've become the most cynical and hardened about it love in any form.

For me it is love and especially trust.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

[lost_lonely]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this! This is the most inspirational, uplifting piece of work I've read in a long time! You're timing on posting was perfect, because I was just sitting here at my computer thinking about my problems and how I'm going to overcome them. I have to admit, I'm the carrot, and have been for years.
But this is truly great. It really inspires you to do something about your problems. Thanks you so much!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeptemberMorn]

You're very welcome. Thank the friend who sent it to me. Really hits where you live, doesn't it?




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Lady D, I think all of have a bit of all three in us and it's okay as one doesn't outweigh the other.

I've got faith in you, Gal! You're too sweet not to make it.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Dave, don't you think when one is violated so is the other? I mean, who do you trust the most if not the ones you love most dearly? I understand you completely.






<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Cocoa, I'm glad you liked it.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

I found the name of the person that wrote it!! Here it is if you want to give credit where credit is due.

Ashley Worcester





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[Nerak]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have printed it and have it right next to my computer. I also put a copy in my journal. Thanks again



Take time just for you.

Karen

[SeptemberMorn]

You're welcome, Karen! I guess I've scored some brownie points today, eh? LOL It IS a great story!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[heatherm]

Wow ((((((((((Tomi)))))))))))) I really needed to read this today. This is powerful and such a keeper.

Thank you.



Heather

[LadyDragus]

<font color=purple>
take time to heal thyself before trying to help others, or you will never get better

[SeptemberMorn]

{{{{{{{{{{{{Heather}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I'm glad you read it, Sweetheart. I thought of you when I read it. Seems someone's turned up the heat on your water lately. As sad as I am for you, I can't wait to see what beautiful aroma you release.

Another saying that I like but not nearly as beautiful as this story is "The truest gold goes through the hottest fire." There's already a beautiful glow coming from you. Imagine what it's going to be like after you get through this fire!

I love you!




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[somebody]

September Morn, the story was wonderful...thanks for sharing...
((((HUGS))))
Somebody

[SeptemberMorn]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Somebody}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I'm glad read it and liked it.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[Fuzzybear]

I really like this, Tomi! Thanks for sharing!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Tomi}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[SeptemberMorn]

You're welcome.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[angel04]

I'm a wilted carrot.

"hold me now, I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking......maybe six feet ain't so far down"