"Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began....
Honestly:
No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:
'Oh, WAY too difficult!!'
'They will NEVER make it to the top.'
or:
'Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!'
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one.... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.. The crowd continued to yell,
'It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!'
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.... This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... That the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is:
Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic.... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart!
I like this story, thanks Deborah for mailing me the runningstory --- Kjell
4 comments:
Indeed a good story, Cousin.
This is similar to what I have learned in my life. There are people in our lives who drag us down (the pessimistic crowd) and people in our lives who lift us up (the frog's true supporters who we cannot hear over the crowd but who must be present in the frog's heart).
Examples of people who drag me down, hold me back, or otherwise prevent me from reaching the top of the tower:
- Relatives especially who are so wrapped-up in their own busy lives that they do not truly care what is happening in mine, even when I need them most.
- Friends/relatives who only call me when they want something from me. (needy)
- Adults who try to make me feel guilty because I don't do things exactly the way that they want or don't do things for them. (act like 3-yr-olds)
- Adults especially who whine because they don't get their way. (act like 2-yr-olds)
- Adults who just cannot accept responsibility for their own actions. This is the hardest type to recognize. These people usually come crying to their friends when something really bad "happens to them." They can never see/admit that their own actions brought about or contributed to the really bad something. Consequently, they have a chronic pattern of having really bad somethings "happen to them" -- resulting in them repeatedly coming to me crying and seeking advice (that they won't wind up following anyway). This drains my energy and happiness because I worry and care about this friend.
As much as we might love those friends or relatives who drag us down, it is best to hold them at arm's length - maintain a healthy distance between you and that person's negativity or negative lifestyle. Sadly and painfully, this has meant severing a few unhealthy friendships.
People who lift me up:
- Those who actually care what is happening in my life and who sincerely and selflessly hope that I succeed in whatever goal I set for myself. Even though I don't do a good job of staying in touch with some of these people, I still sense that they are there in my heart cheering me on.
- Those who serve as patient and trustworthy "sounding boards." People I can open up to and with whom I can entertain crazy ideas of how to grow my business or grow as a person.
- Those everyday people who serve as role models and set a true beacon for me to follow in any aspect of my life -- whether spiritual, professional, personal, ethical....
- Those people who recognize they are not perfect, but at least are doing something proactive to try to improve themselves.
Seek out those people who lift you up.
Be the unheard supporter of the frog -- the quiet voice in the frog's heart who carries him to the top of the tower. Be that person for someone else, and you shall reap what you sow.
I am cheering for you, dear Cousin.
Part of life's challenge, to me, is discerning the voices of those who care for us from the cacophony of the masses. It can be hard. The sound can sound so sweet but be so severe. This is why I cherish many of you so much.
By-the-by, it is hard to post here when I know no German. The colors are blue and orange. It they were green and red I could guess which one to click. We'll see if I guess correctly.
Dear Deborah, dear Virginia,
thank you for your posts and I like it allot what you wrote. Hope to see you both soon. all the best from - your Kjell
I really like that story and the inspirations left below. I love my family!
Hope things are well with all of you
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