by Words to Live by; Stories to Inspire!
Growing in Prayer
If the request is wrong, God says, ‘No.” If the timing is wrong, God says, ‘Slow.” If you are wrong, God says, ‘Grow.” But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says, ‘Go!”
The Wind
If you were riding a bike into the wind, then stopped and turned around, you might think that the wind changed because it went from hindering you to helping you. In actuality it didn’t change, you did.
Chinese Bamboo Tree Facts
Chinese bamboo tree is an amazing plant, ideal for any home or office. The plant can be grown from both seeds and cuttings. However, cuttings are usually preferred to grow these plants, as growing from seeds can take several years. The most interesting fact about the growth pattern of Chinese bamboo tree is that, the seeds of the tree do not sprout for four long years. However, in the fifth year, the seeds not only sprout but the plant grows at an astonishing speed to reach a height of about 80 to 90 feet, that is also in just one growing season.
That the wind of adversity
“For two years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Bio-spher-i-ans created a number of mini-environments, including a desert, rain forest, even an ocean. Nearly every weather condition could be simulated except one, wind. Over time, the effects of their windless environment became apparent. A number of acacia trees bent over and even snapped. Without the stress of wind to strengthen the wood, the trunks grew weak and could not hold up their own weight.” We must remember that the wind of adversity strengthens our resolve to rely on the Lord and not on ourselves. In effect, like trees subjected to the winds of storms, we end up possessing a greater strength. We are strengthened through our crosses.
Even in the mud a lotus can flower
You are lotus by birth!
Lotus flower grows in mud and it is a symbol of transformation! You have same potential to bloom under any circumstances. The intention and belief in yourself is the most important requirement to unlock your potential.
Consider the lotus plant: The depths of the pond are full of mud and slime! The beginnings of the lotus are in these murky depths. The slime could be a metaphor for all the dirt that we live with everyday – the corruption, the selfishness, the jealousy, anger, resentment, and all the other things around us.
It is said that there are different types of lotus:
– One that stays in the depths of the slime and never blossoms.
– One that comes up a little bit and blossoms under water.
– One that completely comes out in response to the sunlight, and blossoms on the surface of the water!
The first and to a certain extent second category seems to match Henry David Thoreau’s words “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them”
The lotus symbolizes the divine possibilities of human nature. May we inculcate enough silence to tap into this potential, and allow the lotus within us to bloom to our fullest extent!
The Frog Story
A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.
When they saw how deep the pit was, they agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.
Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn’t be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead.
The two frogs continued jumping with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs. Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted. Once again, his companions began yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonder of wonders, finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit.
Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom and then gathering around him asked, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?”
The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.
Story of a deaf frog
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 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!
Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions! Therefore: ALWAYS be…. POSITIVE!
And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!
