Food for thought! –

“Today, we’re going to raise the bar a little,” Jeff said to his exercise group. “Who wants to be first to climb the wall?”

The exercises blasted him with a collective Not me: “No way!” “You’ve gotta be kidding..” “I can’t do that!” “I just started this fitness program – I’m not ready for this…”

As the class debated the difficulty of climbing the wall with Jeff, a skinny kid of about 15 pushed through them and attached himself to the belay line. He began cautiously.

The exercisers stopped arguing and started watching his ascent. But about halfway up, he lost his footing. Everyone gasped. Then they began “coaching” him: “Forget it, kid!” “It’s not worth it…” “It’s too hard!” “Young man, please come back down before you get hurt.”

But the young man’s belayer had a good hold on the line and prevented him from falling. Undaunted by the setback, and paying no attention to the exercisers, he continued climbing – slowly and steadily – until he reached the top. After he rappelled to the floor, his mother rushed forward and began signing to him. He wore a triumphant grin as he signed back to her.

“Maybe he’s naturally uninhibited because of his age,” Jeff said to the group. “Or maybe he just can’t hear all those negative voices saying ‘You can’t do it.’”

The group was silent, pondering the weight of Jeff’s words. “So, is anybody ready now to take it to the next level?” Jeff challenged.

This time everyone was ready.

– Moral: Don’t let others and their negative comments hold you back from achieving something greater!

Categories: Life