Towards Maturity.

Sometimes, it is much easier to step back and cry our childish whims, those selfish desires wanting attention as if we are the center of the universe. Yeah, hell much easier but time tells us we are not, the universe tells us we are not and hell yeah, sometimes it hurts. That's why it requires a tough soul, a try and try, an extended amount of time not to step back but to move forward towards maturity. Maturity differs from being a grown-up, as described in the Little Prince. Maturity is growing up while retaining the warmth and fun side of youth. Maturity embraces suffering and rejoices life's ups and downs. Do not falter when you are weak, do not be aloof when you are hurt, keep moving and keep smiling.

Rules.

I am currently staying at a condominium unit where the caretaker is the owner's sister. I remember talking to her the first time we are negotiating about the rent, and how at the same time, I seemed to love the place at first sight because of its cleanliness (which lacks on the other condominiums I visited). I remember how she honestly blurted out her strictness to house rules and cleanliness, asking me for any comments or complains. I quickly said no witnessing the neatness of the unit due to her strictness, maybe. As three months have already passed, I saw how she worked hard to keep her sister's unit in order, how she got frustrated when someone forgot the house rule for this and that, when my room mate left the unit with her bed linen and foam burnt due to ironing. I got confused why she's letting herself be that frustrated over such things. As I keep on staying there, I understood. I have understand that all us tenants only needs to pay and abide to the house rules but she - she is responsible for the condominium unit, she is the one who keeps it clean, who spends the weekend making sure everything is in the right place. And I understood and I became thankful for her. Thinking about rules in the scope of our community, I think that rules are there for its citizens' welfare. We obey rules not because we are afraid to be punished; we obey them because we fully know its use and understands as a citizen that its for the welfare of the community. Hence, before we obey a rule just for the sake that someone has slapped it to our face or has given the punishment for not abiding to it, we must first understand it, why was it made as a rule, we must inquire and criticize before we obey.

Warmth.

   Kudos to those who can keep their compassion and warmth radiate even though they experience disasters or cold treatment from other people. Day by day, we experience pressures from studies or work, frustrations from not having what we want, or a love reciprocated by neglect. We thought that being nonchalant vibrates an aura of toughness but for me,  it is the contrary. The easiest route, the quickest escape  from hurting is to close our doors, to detach ourselves and to let our attention slip away from things that cause us dismay.  Strong are those people who can give a beam, who can remain open, who can keep their enthusiasm and compassion despite the day's delivery of unwanted things. This story strongly describes what I mean:

Grandmother says... Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point,grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

Excerpt from: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/haveamagnificentday/2012/02/carrots-eggs-or-coffee-what-are-you.html