Hang In There

One fine day, a man was walking down a path when he spotted a butterfly cocoon that was about to open. As he watched, a small opening appeared in the cocoon. So he sat and watched butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole.

Suddenly it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if he had gotten as far as it could and could not go any further.

So the man decide to help the butterfly. He took something and opened the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily but it had a tiny withered body and its wings were shriveled.

The man continued to watch because he expected that at any moment the wings would open and expand, and be able to support the butterfly's body. To his disappointment neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shriveled wings. It was never be able to take flight.

What the man did not understand is that a restrictive cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing strength  from the butterfly's body into its wings, so that it would be  ready for the flight once it freed itself from the cocoon.
Also, are not we becoming such parents to our children? Better we give people strength of knowledge, skill and paradigm shift instead of easing their challenges. Right?

'Today is brutal. Tomorrow is more brutal. But, the day after tomorrow is beautiful. However, the majority of people will die tomorrow night.' - Jack Ma

Struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. It is for those obstacles and challenges, we could or would fly. Challenges and struggles and bring fears of failure and doubts. You are never not afraid. But, hang in there. 'Hang' or 'to suspend' has a word 'Shankate' in Sanskrit, meaning 'is in doubt' or 'hesitates' and in Latin, 'Delay'. Hang in until  you are ready to string up your fears from the neck. Don't let yourself lose yourself. Live life without fear, confront all obstacles and know that you can overcome them.

It will come - success. There are many steps to reach there. One needs to pass through rejections, adversities, ignorance of others, personal failures, criticism, doubts, sacrifices, courage, discipline, competition, struggles, late nights of hard work, huge risks, disappointments and persistence, before reaching to the summit of success. So just hang in there. You will reach at your destination.

'Obsessed' is just a word the lazy people use to describe the dedicated.' - Russel Warren

Unless one looks inward, he cannot look upward.

Enjoy the process of your search. Keep throwing darts at the dart-board of life. Remember that it's possible that not everyone may like you. But it is okay. Don't listen to the critics as long as you continue to learn how to live.

Stay busy in your actions.

PS: To the people of Sulawesi Island, hang in there. May God be with you.

An inspiring story from Indonesia:

Respected Late Mr. Anthonius Gunawan Agung, a 21 year-old air traffic controller, died while staying back alone to guide a passenger plane in taking off as earthquake destroyed an airport's terminal in Indonesia. Following the take off, Agung jumped from the fourth floor. He was hospitalized due to internal injuries but died before a helicopter could shift hiim to a speciality hospital. He may have saved hundreds of lives with his decision.
Salute!