The Fern and The BambooThere was once a man who got so sick of life, he quit his job, severed all relationship ties and headed into the woods for one last reflection.
There he saw a meditating wise man and told him why he was there.
"Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" the man asked.
The wise man responded to his question with another question, "Look around… Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", the man replied.
The wise man continued, "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.
On 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.
On the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit. On the fourth year, yet again nothing came out from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit.
Then on the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the last four years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
All this time that you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. The growth of the bamboo was no magic. Yet it towers above the fern in the end. Don't compare yourself to others.
The bamboo has a different purpose from the fern. But together they both make the forest beautiful.
The wise man then looked pointedly at the man and said, "Your time will come. Take your roots and you shall rise high just like the bamboo.
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Don't give up easily.
You never know what lies ahead.
You just have to know, you can do it!
Believe in yourself, no matter what comes your way.
Hold on to what you want to happen, and it will, slowly, but surely :D
Failure happens, when you quit.
For example, the world is full of those who "tried" to get a business going. After meeting with difficulty or rejections, they quit. They accepted failure, and faded back into the crowd never to be heard from again. The worst part is not that they quit their business, but that they quit themselves.
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"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
Thomas A. Edison
People have always known that persistence and perseverance are a key ingredient in success. Hence the old saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again".
And recent psychological research has backed this up. Studies of successful entrepreneurs show that the millionaires in this world possess a tremendous level of perseverance - they stick at it not just when the going gets tough, but even when others tell them to stop.
Loves,
JUNMAY!
With ♥!