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The fern and the bamboo

By
Industry Observer with No longer practicing real estate as of 2008.

Someone just forwarded this to me in an email.  And I thought it was pretty cool!!

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.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. '

He said. 'In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.' 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 give up on the bamboo. I will never give up on you. Don't compare yourself to others.

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 what?' I questioned. 'Yes.' He said, 'As high as you can.'

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.   Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But God keeps You Going

-Author Unknown

Comments(2)

Ava Anderson
A-Z Atlanta Realty - Snellville, GA
Selling Atlanta from A-Z!
Becky, thanks for posting this.  I love it.
Jun 28, 2007 07:44 AM
Becky Troutt
No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL
You're welcome Ava!
Jun 28, 2007 08:02 AM