Y’all, this month’s post will be short and sweet…
It’s my birthday month, as well as my husbands. The summer festivals have just opened, and we are looking forward to kicking off the summer with great friends, music, and all our beach town has to offer.
As I sit down to share the story of the carrot, egg, and coffee bean with you, I’m reminded of the moments in my own life when courage has been tested. This simple tale, speaks to the heart of how we face life’s challenges. It’s a story that’s stayed with me, urging us to find the courage not just to endure, but to shape our struggles into something meaningful. I’m excited to share this with you, because it reflects the resilience and bravery I see in many of you every day.
Are You the Carrot, Egg, or Coffee Bean?
There was a young woman who complained to her mother that things were so hard. Not knowing how she would get through it, the daughter felt she wanted to give up. Each day presented constant struggles, and she was tired of fighting. After one problem was solved, it seemed that another always arose in its place.
The mother took her daughter to the kitchen and filled three pots of water. In the first pot, the mother placed some raw carrots. In the second, she placed several uncooked whole eggs. And in the third, she placed ground coffee beans.
The mother and daughter watched and waited as the water began to boil, the mother not saying a word, the daughter impatient and wondering what her mom was doing. About 20 minutes passed, and the mom turned off the stove. Then, she fished out the cooked carrots and placed them in a bowl, she lifted out the boiled eggs and set them in another bowl, and she dipped a ladle into the coffee and poured some into a bowl as well.
Turning to her daughter, the mother asked, “Tell me what you see?”
The daughter replied, “Carrots, eggs, and coffee.”
Drawing the daughter toward them, the mom asked her to touch the carrots. They felt tender to the young woman’s fingers. The mom asked her to crack open and feel an egg, and she did so. The hard-boiled egg felt tough and rubbery to the touch. Lastly, the mom asked her to take a sip of the freshly brewed coffee. The young woman breathed in the rich aroma, which brought a smile to her face.
Sipping her coffee, the daughter asked, “Mom, why do you show me this?”
“Because each of these objects faced the same adversity: the boiling water,” said the mom, who explained how each of them had responded differently. The carrots went in ridged and hard but came out tender and weak. The eggs had been very delicate, but after they were boiled they turned tough and dense. But the coffee was different. Instead of being changed, it changed the water.
“Which are you?” the mother asked. “When troubles knock on your door, how do you respond, like carrots, eggs, or coffee?”
Final Thoughts on the Power of Courage
This story hits close to home because it’s about the choices we make when life gets tough – and trust me, I’ve had my share of tough moments. The carrot, egg, and coffee bean remind us that we can wilt under pressure, harden to protect ourselves, or, like the coffee bean, use our courage to transform our circumstances. To me, this story is a call to be brave, to choose growth over surrender, and to inspire others with our strength. You, my readers, embody this courage in your stories, your comments, and your unwavering spirit. Let’s keep being coffee beans – transforming challenges into opportunities and lifting each other up along the way. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
For the complete story…
The Coffee Bean by Jon Gordon & Damon West
The Coffee Bean is an inspiring tale that follows Abe, a young man filled with stress and fear as he faces challenges and pressure at school and home. One day after class, his teacher shares with him the life-changing lesson of the coffee bean, and this powerful message changes the way he thinks, acts, and sees the world. Abe discovers that instead of letting his environment change him for the worse, he can transform any environment he is in for the better. Equipped with this transformational truth, Abe embarks on an inspirational journey to live his life like the coffee bean. Wherever his life takes him, from school, to the military, to the business world, Abe demonstrates how this simple lesson can unleash the unstoppable power within you.
What a great example of courage I absolutely love this story, really makes us think about our choices. Thank you.
It’s a simple yet profound story of wisdom. So happy you found value in it!
Great story! Happy Birthday Debra and Cody!!!! Love to you both!
Why thank you Judy for your message. Love to you and we hope all is going well in your life, and with your gorgeous art.
Always giving us something important to think about. Thank you for sharing this. I love your product advice too.
Happy 4th of July!
Gotta keep the brain stimulated – thinking caps on, right? Thanks for your input and support. Happy 4th to y’all!
Love this! Simplifying the message like this will help so many understand.
Happy Birthday to you both!
Thanks Teresa, there are times when simple is needed. The message can become much more clear in simple terms, versus complicated jargon. TYSM for the birthday wishes!
Love this. On point as always. Thank you for the reminder to stay brave and bend and adapt as we go…. Hard to do but having a story like this helps us to remember our courage…. Happy 4th of July!! xo
I trust my instincts to lead the way each month, in hope of delivering a message that will resonate with my newsletter subscribers. TYSM for your insightful comment Sally. Courage is VIP for all of us. Happy 4th of July! Xo