That's It, I Quit!

It's no news that 2016 is going to be a year of getting to know who is who. Oil prices have hit rock bottom and everyone seems clueless on the way forward, or more like we know the way forward but perhaps the task ahead seems so daunting that we are almost afraid to start. I need all the encouragement I can get this year, and so do you. If you already feel tempted to quit on anything in your life that seems not to be working now, I would like for you to go ahead and read this to the end.

One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality..... I wanted to quit my life. I went to have one last talk with my mentor. I said, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" 

The answer surprised me..."Look around. What do you see?” I see fernn and bamboo trees"
My mentor replied, "When the fern and the bamboo seeds were planted, 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 even more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. 

“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. But I would not quit. 

“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. Life does not give anyone a challenge they can not handle. 

"Did you know that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I did not quit on the bamboo. Never quit on yourself.  

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. You will rise high! How high should you rise? How high will the bamboo rise? ...As high as it can. So you should rise as high as you can.

Despite the forecasts of gloom and doom, 2016 will be beautiful yet. Have the faith to believe this and the staying power to work thing through until results show forth. 

Here's to all you great people. See you at the top!

Cover image via Quotegram. com