Are You Like Coffee, Carrot, or Egg?

Today, I came across an insightful story you and I can learn from when going through hurtful times. It's about what I'd like to describe as Lola's question: "Are you like coffee, carrot, or egg?"

A young woman went to her "lola" (grandmother). She told about how her husband cheated on her. The devastation caused her to lose energy and hope. She wondered whether or not it's still worth living. She wanted to give up.

Her lola took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water on high heat. Soon the pots boil. In the first pot, she placed carrots. In the second, eggs. And in the last pot, she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. Then, after boiling, lola put each of them out and placed them in separate containers.

Her lola explained that the egg, carrot, and coffee faced the same trial: boiling water. Each reacted differently. 

The carrot went in strong, hard, and fighting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak, losing strength. 

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became stiff and hardened. 

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

Turning to her granddaughter going through marital trauma, lola asked:  "Which are you? When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond, dear?"

Think of it: Are you like coffee, carrot, or egg?