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butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings. By doing so it would be ready to fly once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were allowed to go through our lives without any obstacles it will cripple us. We will not be as strong as what we could have been. We will never fly!
I asked for Strength.
And I got Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.
And I got Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.
And I got Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.
And I got Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love.
And I got Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors.
And I got Opportunities.
I received Nothing that I Wanted. ...I received everything that I needed!
Very often we want someone to help us and do things for us. However, it is equally important to learn to do things for ourselves. Then they will be done the way we want and they will be done when we want them. As in the above story, if the butterfly had been
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SELF-RELIANCE
allowed to be self-reliant and had come out of the cocoon by himself he would have become a very pretty butterfly admired by all. When there was intervention, with the thought of helping, he was in fact hurt by it and lost far more than he gained. Just as gold is more pliable when it is heated, we get more self-sufficient and better as we go through life's difficulties and work out a solution for ourselves. We need to keep our standards high and rise up to them instead of lowering our standards to make our life easier and more comfortable.
Believe in Yourself
Set your standards high You deserve the best Try for what you want And never settle for less. Believe in yourself
No matter what you choose Keep a winning attitude And you can never lose. Think about your destination
But don't worry if you stray Because the most important thing Is what you've learned along the way. Take all that you've become To be all that you can be. Soar above the clouds And let your dreams set you free.
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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