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No More Frustration: The Thorns of Opportunity - Part II
The quest for the ultimate victory. In part one I shared with you how not knowing what you don't know, much like the "thorny" gardener, can rob you of your time, and keep you from enjoying and living the life you want. You also learned how a seemingly accidental event can instantly change your life, as you experience the magic of an "ah ha" moment. Do you ever find yourself saying "Why bother!" or asking "What's the point?" I mean you put in the time and effort only to end up with a result you don't like or worse yet, a result you know others won't like. How many projects have you left incomplete, simply because you didn't like the results? Read on and learn why the frustration of incomplete projects doesn't have to happen. In this story you will learn that perfection often has little to do with being perfect. Today I am going to tell you about the third field of roses and how the gardener of that field tended to the 1000's of rose bushes in the third field. Much like the "thorny" gardener, the third gardener was constantly clipping buds from the rose bushes. Working from sun up to sun down it took every ounce of energy the third gardener had to clip the 1000's of rose buds. Weeds were constantly a distraction. There was never enough time to tend to both the rose buds and the weeds. Still, the gardener tried. So, why is it that the third gardener was clipping the rose buds? Unlike the "thorny" gardener the third gardener was well aware of the bud's purpose and very much wanted the rose to bloom. In fact the third gardener focused every waking moment on making sure the rose bloom had every opportunity to bloom to perfection. You see the third gardener was not focused on the thorny bush nor was the gardener inspired by the possibility of a field filled with 1000's of colorful blooms. The third gardener, the "perfect" gardener, was not focused on having a field of roses. The "perfect bloom" was the focus of the "perfect gardener." With all of the "perfect" gardener's effort it was still true, more often than not, that the field was filled with nothing but thorny bushes, without a single bloom. If the "perfect" gardener" wasn't examining a bush and clipping it's buds, the gardener was tending to the weeds. On many occasions you could find the "perfect" gardener digging up a rose bush to make room for a new and improved rose bush. You see, only the best rose bush could produce the perfect bloom. After all the "perfect bloom," was the "perfect" gardener's dream. To even be considered as a contender the bloom must have a certain shape, quality of color, the right number of pedals, and that one of a kind and alluring fragrance. The "perfect bloom" started with the "perfect bud." The "perfect" gardener was always asking, "Could this bud produce the perfect rose? Few buds survived being clipped. As life would have it, in a forgotten part of the field; in an area where the soil was riddled with rocks and was dry more often than not, stood a thorny bush. This bush was different and it was not easily seen. The little bush was surrounded and nearly smothered by the many weeds. Still, without the attention and care of the "perfect" gardener the rose bush in the forgotten part of the field, would grow. Stunted by the limits of it's environment the little bush was easily missed as it continued to grow. That is until that one special moment, that special morning when the bush would produce a single bloom. It was a morning like every other for the "perfect" gardener. While bending over to clip a bud the morning breeze changed direction and with the changing breeze the "perfect" gardener was suddenly able to notice a fragrance so perfect and sweet. The fragrance was captivating. Immediately without a clip the "perfect" gardener stood in surprise. As the gardener scanned the field of thorny bushes, the gardener quickly realized, there was not a single bloom to be seen. Franticly the gardener began to search the field for the source of the alluring fragrance. The "perfect" gardener went from corner to corner, and even zigged and zagged across the field of thorny bushes and still not a bloom was to be seen. At wits end, and the gardener's frustration peaked a break was needed. The gardener move quickly away from the field. As luck would have it, once again, the morning breeze would change direction. The alluring fragrance would have the gardener change direction and eagerly begin to survey the surrounding areas of the field. The anticipation of finding the source of such a fragrance was almost to much to bear. To the gardener's left, near a pile of discarded rose bushes, and hidden amongst the weeds was a color that seemed out of place, a color that didn't seem to belong. Moving quickly to see, the morning breeze would confirm the gardener was en route to the source of the captivating fragrance. Breaking into a full stride the gardener moved toward the clump of weeds. Once the gardener was upon the clump of weeds, the rose, the "perfect bloom," was now plain to see. Quickly pushing the weeds away, the gardener kneeled to take in the magnificence of the perfect bloom. As the "perfect" gardener held the perfect bloom a question came to mind; "how?" How could such a perfect rose bloom be found on such a bush? In fact the rose bush was more like a short crooked twig with many thorns and a few leaves. Standing slowly the gardener looked in disbelief. It was difficult to know how a bush, which was thrown away, could survive as it did. The morning had come and gone as the gardener now looked at the field of thorns. The questions were many. All the work, and all the time, how could this be? The gardener would spend the next few mornings amongst the weeds enjoying the perfection of such a bloom. As the perfect bloom began to fade the gardener asked "what is next?" With a smile the once "perfect" gardener started tending the weeds. No longer would the gardener hurry to clip the buds, no longer would the gardener hurry to examine a bush, and no longer would the gardener discard a bush. This season the gardener's heart would fill with joy as the field of thorns became a field of blooms. No longer would the gardener wait for such a perfect bloom. The once "perfect" gardener could now see the perfection in each of the many blooms. The perfection the gardener once tried so hard to create now was easy to see. James Smith
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor) Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News) In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News) STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report) Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel) Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News) Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data. Site: news - Google News News Analysis A Difficult Road Awaits Panetta at the CIA - New York Times
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb) Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News) Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee) For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News) Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph) For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire) DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel) When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune) ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville) The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, inspirational speaker - Baltimore Sun
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