When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change…
A chef’s daughter complained to her dad that her life was hard and that she didn’t know how to get through her struggles. She often felt defeated and hopeless.
Being a chef, the girl’s father took her into his kitchen, and preceded to boil three pots of water, all equal in size. He placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in another, and ground coffee beans in the final pot; and left them to boil.
After twenty minutes, he turned off the burners, removed the potatoes from the pot, and put them in a bowl. He did the same with the boiled eggs. Lastly, he poured the boiled coffee into a mug. He then asked his daughter, “What do you see?” She responded, “Potatoes, eggs, and coffee.”
Her father told her to take a closer look and touch the potatoes. After doing so, she noticed they were soft. Her father then told her to break open an egg. She acknowledged the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he told her to take a sip of the coffee. It was rich and delicious.
Her father explained that each of the three food items had just undergone the exact same experience (hardship) — twenty minutes inside of boiling water; however, each item had a different reaction.
The potato went into the water as a strong, hard item, but after being boiled, it turned soft and weak. The egg was fragile when it entered the water, however after it was left to boil, the inside of the egg became firm and strong.
Similarly, the ground coffee beans transformed, creating something new that is appreciated in different ways by many.
He asked his daughter, “Which are you? When you face adversity, do you respond by becoming soft and weak? Do you build strength? Or do you change the situation?”
The Moral:
Life is full of ups and downs, shifts in momentum, and adversity. Although many of us would rather not face such challenges, it doesn’t have to affect us in a negative way. It can provide us with wisdom which can lead to greater self-awareness, personal development, and growth. You get to choose how you respond. How are you planning to recreate a new you?
‘Within every adversity is the seed to an equal or greater benefit. ~ Napoleon Hill
To Your Success,
Peak Performance Coach