I heard a story many years ago that began by answering a question that I really didn't think was particularly interesting. But I love a good story. So on the off chance that one was in the making and I might miss it, I listened.
A conversation was in progress between a farmer and young man who was visiting him from a large city. This particular farmer raised chickens. The young man's visit occurred right at the time that chicks were hatching. He was thoroughly captivated with the piping-chicks pecking on the shells of the eggs from the inside to emerge out. They would pipe for a while, stop, and pipe some more. The young guy lost track of time, just watching the eggs transform into chicks. The life birthed through the struggle was overwhelmingly fascinating!
One chick began the piping but seemed to stop. "Is it alright?" the young man asked. "Don't know" responded the farmer. The young man waited and watched. "Why don't we help it? It's been working at this for a long time." The farmer, who hadn't been the most talkative person, inhaled deeply and exhaled what seemed like pain on the behalf of the chick struggling inside the egg. After a longer silence he answered. "The chick has to get out of the shell by itself or it will die." "That make's no sense." The young man's concern was growing from compassion, to anxiety, into anger. The farmer, recalling that the young man was unfamiliar with farm life, continued. "If the chick is to live, it must make it out by itself. If we help, it will die. It will die because its ability to survive outside of the shell it dependent on the strength it builds between piping and resting. If I help it or let you help it, its lungs won't be fully developed. It will be crippled. It may also develop an infection." It was difficult; it seemed unfair, but the young man understood.
In our lives, not once but continuously, {as long as we are still growing new dreams, new ideas, setting new goals}, there's seemingly an endless amount of times when we as individuals must peck through shells. Our shells are sometimes walls like-
Transforming an idea into a new business
Seeking new markets to expand an existing business
Raising children alone
Finishing school
Going to and/or succeeding in school
Finances: not enough
Work/job/career-ends suddenly
And more!
You may take one step forward, and something "hurls" you ten steps backwards. Every step seems to end in a dead end. You seek assistance, only to be told, NO! This is the place where the chick, has piped a couple of holes in the shell to inhale and prepare its lungs for the outside atmosphere.
I discovered a couple of things through this story. It's NOT about survival of the fittest! It's NOT about being fit to survive! It is about being fully trained, strengthened to address any and all obstacles that are thrown or placed in your path of life. Every event, challenge, struggle, joy, accomplishment, teaches, prepares us for what's coming next! You are in training? So what's next?
Just on the other side of disappointment, closed doors, delayed dreams, is the opportunity you've been seeking, the solution to the problem that didn't seem solvable. Every chick doesn't survive. They grow weary, stop, and never start again.
Consider the last statement that the farmer said to the young man in this story. "The chick, even though it's small, and doesn't know what life is like outside of the shell, has EVERYTHING it needs to make it out. The chick was DESIGNED with everything it needs, just for that moment. It must believe it." You have everything in you to remove walls, overcome barriers, and to do the things you need and want in this life, and for the life you deserve. You were designed with it. You must believe it.
I meet and work with people at all stages of life. Some believe that life itself has become an impossible dream. I teach some how to re-engage in the "piping" process. I train others to use their tools, the ones designed from within, to take the next step after emerging from their "shells", and for others, how to soar in this journey we call life.
Ms. Summers owns a consulting business that specializes in designing "wellness" solution tools for a wide range of personal and business problems, e.g. personal development, education, health, financial--resource building and small business development. These "solution tools" incorporate training, workshops, coaching--business & personal, along with educational and self-development products. Products include, but are not limited to consultation, software for building personal financial wellness, powerful image internet presence, and internet business marketing and development.
Ms. La Verne Summers, M.Ed., M.C.R.P.
The Earthen Vessel Wellness Collection
http://www.myspace.com/l_summers
i_will_not_quit_this_time@yahoo.com
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