A young boy and his father were walking along a forest path. At some point, they came across a large tree branch on the ground in front of them.
The boy asked his father, “If I try, do you think I could move that branch?” His father replied, “I am sure you can, if you use all your strength.”
The boy tried his best to lift or push the branch, but he was not strong enough and he couldn’t move it.
He said, with disappointment, “You were wrong, dad. I can’t move it.”
“Try again,” replied his father.
Again, the boy tried hard to push the branch. He struggled but it did not move.
“Dad, I cannot do it,” said the boy.
Finally his father said, “Son, I advised you to use all your strength. You didn’t.
You didn’t ask for my help.”
Some reflections on this story…
We haven’t used all our strength until we have recognized, appreciated and galvanized the strength and support of those who love and surround us, and those who care about our purpose.
Our real strength lies not in independence, but in interdependence.
No individual person has all the strengths, all the resources and all the stamina required for the complete blossoming of their vision.
That requires the inspired collaboration of many like-hearted beings.
To ask for help and support when we need it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom.
It is a call for the greater strength that lives in our togetherness.
When we ask for help and we are refused, it just means we have to ask at another time, or ask in another way, or ask another person.
It helps to remember SWSWSWSW.
Some will, some won’t, so what, someone’s waiting!
When by yourself
You cannot manage
To complete any task
Use ALL your strength
Turn around and ASK!