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FOOD
FOR THOUGHT
Editorials by Robert Kirwan |
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Never Be Satisfied With The Status Quo
Always Accept The Challenge to Effect Change |
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I want you to take the quotation above and post it in a place where you
will see it every day. My copy is right above my computer. Whenever you
find yourself facing a critical decision that may impact on your future,
turn to that little piece of paper. Before
you make your decision, carefully examine the conditions as they exist and
then ask yourself if you are ready to accept responsibility for changing
the situation.
Some people find that it is a lot easier to simply accept the
status quo, and go about their live with a feeling that nothing they do
will make a difference. These
people remind me about a story about two frogs which fell into a deep bowl
of cream. One was an optimistic soul, but the other took the gloomy view.
"I shall drown," cried the pessimist. "And so
shall you." So, with a last despairing cry, he closed
his eyes and said "Good-bye" and sank into the cream and died.
The people who do not believe in themselves take on the gloomy view
and say that it is useless to even try. On the other hand, there are those
who have the courage to break away from their chains and bring about
positive change. These are people who realize that without change, there
can be no growth. These are the people who have the courage and resolve to
challenge the status quo, even despite what may appear to be extremely
difficult obstacles.
Those people remind me of the other frog which fell into the deep
bowl of cream.
After its partner gave up and sank to the bottom, the other
optimistic frog said, "I can't get out, but I won't give in! I'll
swim around till my strength is spent. If I have to die, at least I will
die content knowing that I didn't give up."
And the frog bravely swam around and around the bowl until
his struggles began to churn the cream. Finally he came to rest on top of
the hardened butter which had been made as a result of his continuous
swimming. He then hopped out of the bowl to safety.
I admire people who won’t give up. You can find these people
among parents who are struggling to make ends meet and who still want to
give their children a good life; among students who are confused about
what career to pursue and who are faced with difficult choices; among
physically and mentally challenged individuals for whom the very basic
actions we take for granted are mountains to overcome; and for everyone
who is trying to cope with emotional and psychological demons rolling
around in their heads.
Let the lesson of the struggling frog be an inspiration. Let the
quotation be your motivation. You do have a choice! You can accept
conditions as they exist, or you can accept responsibility for changing
them. One day the cream will turn to butter and you will hop out to a
brighter future.
Have a good week! |
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