CARROT, EGG OR COFFEE?

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.She filled three pots with water. In
the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed a hard boiled egg and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned of the burners. She fished the carrot out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked her,"tell me what you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee,"she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrot. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. What's the point mother? Her mother explained that each of these object had faced the same adversity-boiling water, but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and relenting, however after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, it's thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique however, After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. Which are you she asked the daughter,"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I? Am I a carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?

Did I have a fluid spirit, but after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trail, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstances that bring the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrances and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst,you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trails are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle Adversity? Are you a CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?