Carrots, Eggs or Coffee Beans – Which One Are You?
Have you ever come across a positive, feel-good story that really strikes a chord? You know, the kind of inspirational stories that are so neat that they get forwarded over and over again amongst friends.
Well just the other day, one of those stories popped up on my computer screen. I decided to share it here because of the tie in with some of the tips I’ve been posting lately about how to survive and prosper even during a down economy. If you haven’t already done so, I’d encourage you to read this article too: 6 Tips For Home Based Jewelry Business Owners To Beat The Bad Economy
The Mother-Daughter part of the following Carrots-Eggs-Coffee story, is also an appropriate follow up to the Jewelry Craft Fair article from a few days ago. Remember… I shared a bit about my own daughters entrepreneurial gourmet dog treats business… Willow’s Wonderful Woofies!
Anyways… without further adieu… or more correctly… without further ado…
I know times are tough right now. Stuff isn’t selling as well as it did last year. Craft fair sales are down. Stress is up. But how we come through when ‘the heat is on’ will depend on what we are made of.
So what are you made of… carrots, eggs or coffee beans?
What a lovely story! Just the kind of inspiration we need in these difficult times.
I wish I could say I was made of coffee beans, but not all days feel like that. (-:
Thank you Deanna! I know… I have not always been made of coffee beans. Have spent some time as a carrot! My goal is to be a lovely Mocha Cappuccino though… never hurts to be a little extra sweet inside! :-)
Dear Cindy,
I can really relate to this story. We almost lost our youngest daughter Kaylah when she was only 8 years old. Kaylah is 21 now, and since then she has had many surgeries, including a kidney transplant, and many close calls in several different areas regarding her health. She still struggles to keep her red blood count high enough to survive, her blood pressure down, and she still has rejection and failure episodes averaging once or twice a year. Kaylah takes many meds every day to keep her immune system suppressed so that she won’t lose her kidney, and many other meds just to maintain a somewhat normal life.
I had to learn to be like coffee beans within the first few weeks when Kaylah was first diagnosed, just to be able to survive all that we had to face, and continue to have to go through and face in order to keep Kaylah alive and well. If I had been carrots or eggs for very long even in the beginning, all of the fear and bitterness would have taken my ability away to care in the best ways possible for my daughter and for my two other children…who are all young adults now.
I think that when we turn around and find that we are coffee beans, we also find that we have become survivors of this life; survivors who managed to keep ahold of our hearts, and our spirits, and our faith, and our ability to love unconditionally, through any and all adversities.
Thanks for the story. It is very apropos at this time of year especially, when the Spirit of Love abounds.
:) Cindy E.
I’ve seen the carrots, egg, or coffee beans story many times. But, Cindy E., you have lived the story and have enriched all our lives by sharing your story with us. Thank you and God bless you!
A year ago I never would have thought that a blog community would become so special to me. Thank you Cindy L. for everything!
Oh CindyE. what a touching story! You are an amazing woman with such strength. I admire you very much! It is a pleasure getting to know you!
Marsha, me too! A year ago, I would not have predicted that this blog would be such a human connection for me, with all of you. I thought it would be more about me teaching you about making beads. Turns out I am the one learning here too!
What perfect timing for this coffee beans story. I have been all of those things but mainly coffee. This comes to me at the right time, I am hoping that I can reprint this for my daughter – in – law who needs to find out what she is really made of. So that she can figure out how to make herself happy. Thank you for all of the support you give to all of us, Cindy. Many many blessings will come your way.
Thank you Illaya! We all go through struggles. Hopefully, with your love, your daughter-in-law can make it through whatever her struggles are more like the coffee than the carrots and eggs.
We all need each other. It is very touching to have you all here supporting each other.
Cindy;
I tried every which way than actually taking a chain saw to my monitor to copy this poignant story. I would like to print it out and give to my Daughter-in-law. Would it be to much to ask for you to send it to me as an email attachment. Hope I am not asking for the moon here. If I am I apologize for my rudeness. Right clicking copies it in the smallest script I have ever seen and unreadable.
Not a problem Illaya. I will email the text for the story to you so that you can print it out.
I can’t tell you how this helped me! Cindy L., you have created a world to which all of us can come to and relieve stress, become a better person, appreciate art, and a multitude of other good things.
I can’t always comment on the blog, but I read constantly, each time I get a chance.
Thank you from all of us who benefit from your hard work and dedication!
God Bless all of us in this wonderful blog. I am PROUD to be a part of this wonderful family.
Thank you!
You are very welcome Debi and Peggy. This “Carrots, Eggs or Coffee Beans” story is timeless isn’t it!? I’m glad that you were able to find it and that took the time to absorb the message.
Recently I made it so that all of the blog comments that happen every day (even in these posts that are over a year old), now show up with quick links in the right side bar.
So when you gals make comments like this on some of the older posts, it will help other visitors to discover them as well. This blog is getting very large so I am always looking for ways to make the information as accessible as possible for everyone.
Happy Holidays to All!!!