Another milestone, another challenge and another pebble in the road that Sydney has overcome. I hate to say it but the cold weather has managed to place itself conveniently at our doorstep and helped us in moving forward on the next challenge. I have stood outside the doors of the school since December and watched as Syndey some days takes the hand of the teacher and other days being ushered in by a gentle hand gracing her back with words of encouragement. I’ve painfully watched as some days the tears flowed and felt a light-hearted cheer as some days she’s walked in with a smile on her face.
As the days have gotten cold the children were not asked to wait outside but to come in from the cold. I blogged about this a couple days ago and about how Sydney has taken it upon herself to take the first step in overcoming the anxiety and walking forward without me. Now that the weather has warmed up slightly and she stands again on the yellow lines awaiting to be let in she surprised me this morning with her strength and courage. The teacher that was responsible for taking her in this morning was busy on the other side of the line-up and before he had a chance to turn around Sydney did not take my hand, Sydney did not get teary eyed, instead Sydney walked in line with her class and headed for the door. I didn’t say anything because I wanted her to continue with her positive performance and before I knew it she was through the doors and I was left standing outside.

The teacher on duty looked around as I walked away from the door and low and behold we both stood in amazement as Sydney had taken her first independent steps and threw the anxiety off to the side. I have to say it left me breathless. This is the lesson that I have been trying to tell everyone. With the compassion, understanding and patience she will accomplish whatever task we set in front of her. With time and support she will flourish and she will be all that we “expect” her to be. She will be a strong Sydney, an independent Sydney just give her time. I can’t tell you how proud I was.

A friend the other day emailed me a life lesson that I thought was very appropriate for this mornings accomplishment. You’ll understand more when you read it but Sydney today was like coffee and I believe I am too! Enjoy finding out if you are carrots, eggs or coffee.

Carrots, Eggs & Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee…You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother 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 mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in 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 daughter, she asked, ‘ Tell me what you see.’

‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied..

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, mother?’
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. 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 daughter. ‘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 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 thi ngs are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.