If Life could speak, it might have to say to most of us, ‘So who told you I was going to be easy? Stop fretting and start living.’
That’s the trouble with life. No matter how much we love it, it never gets easy to live with. And sometime it seems we are buckled to a treadmill, and no matter how long or fast we walk, we just aren’t going anywhere. Nothing can be more frustrating then seeing all your dear-costing efforts going to waste. And at such times, nothing is more tempting than the thought of giving up, to stop trying, to take another road, or simple to stop walking and bid adieu. Sometimes, it really does seem far easier to say adieu even to our fondest dreams, than to risk yet another failure and heartbreak.
But the truth remains, a sustained, indefatigable trial of efforts and will is the only way to attain success.
But why am I saying all this? Well, let’s just say that I’m feeling really inspired. And I am writing this post just to share with you all what filled me up with so much inspiration today.
Here’s the story that reached me today in a mail forward. I loved it, and wanted to keep it safe with me forever. I don’t know who wrote it, but I heartily thank the author for the lovely message he conveyed in such simple terms. So here is the story:
One day I decided to quit…. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. …
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
“God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”
His answer surprised me…
“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”
“Yes”, I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo”.
He said. “In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
I would not quit.”
He said. “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 Feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”
He said to me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I Would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others.”
He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the Fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful.”
“Your time will come, “God said to me.” You will rise high!”
“How high should I rise?” I asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.
“As high as it can?” I questioned.
“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you and so You should never give up !!
