Past The Wall of Tears
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Keep Fresh The Enthusiasm
Lately, I've been somewhat discouraged. I think, in my inner-being, I set myself up for this discouragement. I have too great expectations of what "I" have perceived to be my talents, gifts, and abilities, and, to where "I" think that these should take me. When a door has not opened or an answer seems so far away, it's difficult to keep fresh the enthusiasm. I do, however, in light of disappointments believe things happen for a reason. Maybe my answer did come, just not in the form that I had expected it to, or, that I've been too self-centered lately that I've missed it! Maybe it just a flat out "NO!" and this is something I have to accept. None the less, no publisher's letters arrived in the mail and the finances fell short. Still, I live and I breath and weatherwise, today holds more sunshine than it did yesteday!
My wife (Hungarian!) often shares with me many Hungarian proverbs and stories. These are always so "wisdom filled" and totally appropriate to the moment. Having said that, this is a chinese one! Two frogs were hopping down a back alley. They came across an open window going into someone's basement. Out of curiousity, they jumped into the open window only to land in a bucket of cream. Realizing now that they were both in serious trouble and could not reach the edge of the bucket to climb free, they had no choice but to swim. They continued to swim round and round as they tried to think of how they could get out of the bucket. One of the frogs began to tire, it was too much for him to continue swimming. The frog lost hope, gave up, and perished. The other frog just kept on swimming. He soon realized something was happening to the cream as he swam. The cream was getting thicker. He swam harder, faster. The cream thickened some more. He continued this until the cream had gotten so thick that he was able to step on the chunks that had formed and was able to leap to freedom. The frog had churned the cream to butter!
In the words of my wife. It may seem like you're just going in circles but what you're actually doing is churning butter. Something has to give some where and you will get your answer!
