July 21st marked the last day of class for me and also was the start of my summer vacation. It’s been a long semester and the break was most appreciated. A few things have happened since I last wrote. First, I ended up cutting my paddling season short due to personal family reasons. I was very disappointed about it but the support from my team made the decision less painful. With my stress level at an all time high, it was the best decision.
On the last day of class, my Professional Speaker instructor left us with a poem. It was very appropo for me as I was starting to seriously have doubts about a lot of things. Whether this field is right for me and life in general. I decided to share this poem because I hope others will get the same out of it as I did.
Never Give Up!
One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. “God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me.
“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?” “Yes”, I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.” He said.
“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said.
“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.” He said to me.
“Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?”
“I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.” “Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both made the forest beautiful.” “Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise high.”
“How high should I rise?” I asked. “How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return. “As high as it can?” I questioned. “Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.” I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you.
Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life!
