One day the man decided to quit...
He quit his job, his relationship, his spirituality. .. I want to quit my life.
He went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", he said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised him...

"Look around", God said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", he 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.
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 more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. God said.
"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. "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 man. "Did you know, my child, 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 too."

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 him. "You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" he asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return.
"As high as it can?" he questioned.
"Yes." God said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

The man left the forest and brought this story.
A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey." Keep going...

REFLECTION
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
but Only God keeps You Going!