The Bamboo Tree

This is one of my favorite stories. I heard it on a system cd's a few years ago. And, I related with it so much. To me, it goes back to learning line upon line. Sometimes I think we all feel that we aren't getting where we want to be/becoming the person we want to become etc. fast enough. I know you can all relate. This story helps me keep things in persepective. It helps me know that I AM growing. Even when it appears on the surface that there has been no change!! Enjoy!! (You can find it on page 59 of Day by Day with James Allen; a great book)

_______________________________________________________

Bamboo Tree

Bamboo Tree grow up to about a 100 feet high in the air. But, the most incredible thing about them is how they grow. You have to water the bamboo tree every day for 5 years and you cannot miss one single day or it will not sprout

When the bamboo tree sprouts, after 1825 days of watering it grows 3 feet every 24 hours and within six weeks it will grow over 90 feet high. You can actually sit and watch it grow.

So, imagine you if you decided to grow a bamboo tree in your backyard. You took your little stock and you dug your three feet and you covered it and you are out there watering it every day. So, suppose one of your neighbors sees you doing this for several days and asks “What are you watering this same spot every day for?” And you tell him, “Well I am going to grow a bamboo tree. So, after five years of watering this every day it is going to sprout and grow ninety feet high. You oughta do it too!” (Do any of you relate??)

Well, they turn to you and say, “Well no, I’ll wait and see if it works for you.”

So, the next year the same neighbor sees that you are watering that same spot of ground and he asks, “Why do you keep watering the same spot and nothing happens?” And you tell the man, “It takes time to grow a bamboo tree but once it comes out of the ground it’s the most awesome sight to see. You oughta grow one too!!” The neighbor just laughed and replied, “No, I’ll just wait and see how yours turns out.”

Well, the third year the neighbor isn’t talking to you anymore and doesn’t want anything to do with you. And the whole neighborhood has heard about this crazy person on the block who keeps watering every day and hoping to grow a bamboo tree. And the fourth year they are sizing you up for a straight jacket and none of the children are allowed to play near your home.

But, in the fifth year the ground breaks open and that stock that you had planted catches its first rays of sunshine and away it goes. Six weeks later the neighbors are admiring the awesome sight that you now have and wishing that they had a bamboo tree. But, they would have to wait five years for theirs to grow. Boy, do they wish they had listened to you five years ago.