Why did this happen to me?

by | Apr 11, 2019 | Adversity

In every adversity there lies a seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time -Robert Collier.

When faced with problems in life, do you some times ask the question, “Why did this happen to me?” or “Why is this happening to me?” Why is my life complicated by misfortune; on ending bad luck..,why? I believe most of us have asked these questions. Our action is “reaction” to the situation. We believe that this situation is unique to us and no one can or will understand. Even when we hear truth about our situation/problem, we may respond with “yeah I know this, but…”

Our complications in life can be the trouble of a broken heart, the loss of a job, the loss a loved one, loneliness, health issues, etc. How you decide to deal with the situation will determine how it is resolved.

In an Asian country, there is a legend about a farmer who went to a wise man in his village and told him about his life and how things were so hard. He did not know how he is going to make it and wanted to give up. He was tired of fighting and struggling, it seems that one problem is solved, a new one arose.

The wise man asked the farmer to go down to the lake and bring back a bucket of water. He then poured the water into three pots and placed each on a hook over the fireplace. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first he placed a bunch of carrots, in the second he placed a few eggs, and in the last he placed a handful of tea leaves. After they boiled for a half hour, he removed the pots from the fireplace. He took the carrots out and put them in a bowl, he then took the eggs out an put them in another bowl, and lastly he poured the tea into a third bowl. Turning to the farmer he asked, tell me what do you sea? Carrots, eggs and tea the farmer replied. Then the wise man said, pick up the carrots and tell me what you feel. The farmer did so and said, the carrots are soft. Then he ordered the farmer to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the egg he observed that the egg had become hard. Finally the wise man asked the farmer to sip the tea. The farmer smiled as he tasted the rick aroma. The farmer then asked, what does this mean? The wise man then explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, the boiling water.

Each reacted differently. The carrot went strong and hard, however after been subjected to the boiling water it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, its thin outer shell had protected its soft interior but the boiling water hardened its inside. The tea leaves were unique however,  after they were in the boiling water they’ve changed the water. Which are you he asked the farmer? When adversity knocks on your door, how do your respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or tea leaf?

As you look at your problems you face in your life ask yourself which am I, am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I become soft and loose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a fragile heart and fluid spirit but after the lost of a job, a break up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Or am I like a tea leaf? The leave actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the tea leaf when things are their worst you get better and change the situation around you. When the  hour’s the darkest and the trials are at the greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity, are you a carrot, an egg or a tea leaf.