Never Quit

Shocking isn't it? Two posts in one month! This one is going to be brief, and mainly someone else's words rather than my own. I am often sent very profound words of wisdom from others, and this story I find particularly inspiring and uplifting. Unfortunately, I don't know the original author of the story, but my dad found it posted on the Sai Bhakti Radio website.

So often we find ourselves comparing our own accomplishments with others. We struggle to understand why 'bad' things happen to 'good' people, why success reaches some of us more easily than others, why we seem to fail even when we try our best. Maybe after reading this story, you can reflect on such moments, and remind yourself that those encounters you thought were bad things, failures, struggles, were not actually negative - they were opportunities for growing stronger.

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One day I decided to quit...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", GOD 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. It has brilliantly covered the floor green. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In 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." GOD said." In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." GOD 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." GOD said to me. "Did you know that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?" "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you." "Don't compare yourself to others." GOD said. "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?" GOD asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." GOD said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." I left the forest and bring back this story.