There’s a story about a young woman who complained to her father about her life and how hard things were for her. The adversity of life was overwhelming her, and she wanted to give up.
As he listened, her father filled three pots with water and brought them to a boil on the stove. Into the first he put carrot slices, into the second he put eggs, and into the third he put ground coffee beans. He let them simmer for a few minutes and then placed the carrots, eggs, and coffee before her in three containers.
“What do you see?” he asked.
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.
He asked her to feel the carrots. She picked up a piece and it squished between her fingers. He then asked her to examine an egg. She picked one up, broke the shell, and saw the hard-boiled egg inside it. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavor.
“So what does it mean?” she asked.
“Each ingredient was subjected to the same thing—boiling water—but each reacted differently. The carrots went in hard. But after they were in the boiling water, they became soft. The egg was fragile with a thin outer shell and a liquid interior. But it became hardened. The ground coffee beans changed little. But they changed the water for the better.”
“Which are you,” he asked. “When you face adversity, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”
Life is filled with adversity. We can be squashed by it. We can allow it to make us hard. Or we can make the best of it, improving the situation. As British Prime Minister Winston Churchill noted, “I have derived continued benefit from criticism at all periods of my life, and I do not remember any time when I was ever short of it.” Since you will face adversity, why not make the best of it?
Adversity has introduced me to myself in many times during my lifetime. It has opened my eyes. It has plumbed the depths of my heart. It has tested my strength. And it has taught me a lot. Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned:
- When I have gotten off track and am seemingly lost, I have learned that the road to success is not always a road.
- When I have been exhausted and frustrated, I have learned that trying times are not the time to stop trying.
- When I have been discouraged with my progress, I have learned not to let what I was doing get to me before I got to it.
- When I have failed, I have learned that I will not be judged by the number of times I have failed but by the number of times I succeed.
Several people reading this are already clients and in our system at Transformation Fitness and Wellness, others may be new to our system and process, and also some reading this post are completely new to us. Adversity lies before all of us. It is how we learn, grow, and react. Sometimes you need people to help you along the way and that is what we do.
We provide the support and accountability with your health and wellness goals! We have a system and a proven track record for success!
I cannot tell you the path is straight to achieve your goals but together with a coach we will find, create, and pave your path through all adversities life throws at you.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and I highly recommend reading John Maxwell’s book, Sometimes You Win—Sometimes You Learn!
Have an awesome day today and you need help getting through your adversities we are here for you! Request a Free Consultation Today!
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