This is one of my favorite stories that I always told my daughters when they were still toddlers. I came across this in my inbox again and felt compelled to share it online. Kudos to whoever wrote this. If anyone knows, let me know so I can give  credit.

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of that warm and comforting Oolong tea.You will never look at tea the same way again.

Here goes:

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 Oolong tea. 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 Oolong out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see.” “Carrots, eggs, and Oolong tea,” 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 Oolong. 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 Oolong tea was unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water

color and taste.

“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 Oolong tea?

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 Oolong tea? The tea 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 tea, when things 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 Oolong tea?

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.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you; to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

May we all be OOLONG TEA !!!!!!!!!

***

And remember those tough times is when you become the strongest deep inside your core. Simply put when there’s a breakdown, there’s a breakthrough.

Want to give a piece of sunshine to others? Pass this article on.

The Box, The Dish Cloth, The Needles, The Threads, The Sun Glasses, The Candle..

What do they mean to me?  What do they symbolized?

GIFT OF LOVE FROM TOM

Dear Jhet,

These objects in the box symbolize variety of characteristics that you have given me and to others.  I am going to explain each of the objects to you.

Mother

First of all the “dish cloth” symbolizes your caring for me for the past four years. You’ve always did your best to keep me safe and away from bad influences. Just like the cloth which sometimes sanitizes house wares in the kitchen. I believe you are my personal best cloth of caring which kept me clean and away from bad influences.

Thanks for your care.

Mother

Secondly, the “needle” represents your toughness.  Although they are small and skinny, the needles can make beautiful textiles for people to see, wear and enjoy.   Despite your small physical appearance, you are very inspirational figure.  What lies within you is magnificent and astonishing.

Thank you for your tough ambition.

Mother

Thirdly, the “colorful threads” remind me of your creative and motivating mind.  Sometimes when I love my self-confidence, I remember you as one of my inspirational figures.  Just like when the threads are gathered together, they present as a colorful garment.

The threads’ hidden potential tells me that in reality, everyone has their own talent, which just needs to be found and sewn together. If there is a strong confidence and belief, there would be no doubt that each and every one of us can become great.

Thank you for your generosity to share your colorful mind.

Mother

The symbol of the “sunglasses” has been shared by you to millions of others around the world. The sun glasses symbolizes the vision which you have encouraged to  others. Because of you numerous people are saved and inspired to find their vision and God given talents.

Thank you for your inspiration.

Mother

Lastly, the “pink candle”, which has a scent of a rose. This symbolizes your love.  Your love has always been helpful, and one of cheerful harmonies in our house. I cannot possibly describe your love because… (at this point it was the edge of the card – hes got his own sense of humor) no more space to write.. ) Thank you Jhet.

Mother

The Card says.. From Your Son.

Mom this comes with special thoughts, with love and wishes too…for everything to make your day especially nice for you.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

WHO IS TOM?

Tom is from Seoul, Korea. He is the only son to his biological parents Patrick and Jane (Canadian English name Michelle had given them) Tom lived with us since he was 12 years old and left for University in Toronto, Canada at age 19. Couple of years ago Tom surprised me with one of the most significant gifts I ever received on mothers day.  As you read his notes and as described the items and what it symbolized for him and me, you know that he used his creativity, his talent and extra effort in giving me the gift of love that will last forever etched in my heart. My heart and soul is swelling with gratefulness.

Tom spent his teenage formative years in our home and became a brother to daughters Michelle and Catherine. We became really great friends with his parents. We visited them in Korea numerous times throughout the years and his parents spent 3 Christmases with us in Canada as one family.  He visited us in the Philippines including a trip to Pader, Lian, Batangas – the barrio where I was born. Tom moved on to study at the University of Toronto. He recently went back to Seoul, Korea and will serve the mandatory Army service in the next two years)

Before this gift from Tom (Mother’s Day Card and a cute box containing those items mentioned) all the while I was not so sure how I’m making an impact on Tom’s life. I treated him as a real member of our family – a son that I never had. If you know what I mean. I gave him tough love, I treated him as if he is my son – brother to Michelle and Catherine, put him to work and was asked to contribute to household chores. Oh yeah, He received his dozes of discipline. You see he is the only child and he is kind of spoiled both with love and material things at his own home. I thought that he can’t wait to get back home because he has not much of a freedom with us…until I received this message from his heart) Tom  filled our life with meaning and purpose. He was with us total of seven years. Deep in my heat he will make his own impact as a leader in his chosen field.

I love you son, our superman. Keep soaring like a SUPERMAN you are!

(If you own or read a copy of the book I’ve written THE TALE OF JULIET – You Have The Power To Change Your LIfe, Tom is the one in the picture with Michelle and Catherine dressed up as SUPERMAN)