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The Hardest Lesson I Ever Had to Learn
From Titotiger on 10/14/2011 10:50:16 AM
(My adaptation of a story I once heard.)
The Hardest Lesson I Ever Had To Learn
One day this man (we’ll call him Tom) decided to change his life. He decided to go to a place he had heard about where all his dreams would come true. Tom would be successful and happy beyond his wildest dreams. So Tom headed off on this journey.
The last part of Tom’s journey was across a footbridge that spanned a deep ravine. As Tom was crossing this bridge he saw a gentleman crossing the bridge from the other direction. As they neared one another, Tom noticed that the gentleman had a rope tied around his waist and the gentleman was holding the rest of the rope in his hands. They exchanged greetings and then this gentleman said to Tom, “Would you do me a favor please and hold this?” He handed Tom the loose end of the rope which Tom took although confused. “Hang on tight,” the man said and then he jumped off the bridge.
Instantly Tom was in a panic and almost got pulled off the bridge himself. The gentleman was dangling in the air with the rope tied around his waist while Tom desperately held onto the rope with all his strength. “What are you doing?” Tom screamed in disbelief. “Pull yourself up”
The man was yelling, “Save me, save me.” Tom said, “I’ll hang onto the rope. Pull yourself up.” The gentleman said, “No you must save me.” Tom said, “You are too heavy. I can help but you must pull yourself up.” The gentleman said, “No you must pull me up by yourself.”
Tom was frantic. The man was pulling Tom off the bridge as well. Tom could save this gentleman if the gentleman helped but he refused to help. “Please pull yourself up or I’ll have to let go of the rope,” yelled Tom. The gentleman cried, “No if you let go I will fall and it will all be your fault.” Tom said, “I can’t hold you – pull yourself up.” But the gentleman refused to help.
Tom said, “I’m sorry but I have to let go if you don’t help.” The gentleman said, “It’s up to you to save me.” Tom said, “I will count to 3. If you don’t help I will let go of the rope. One” “No I’ll fall if you let go,” the gentleman screamed. “Two” “I will fall and it will all be your fault.” “Three” “Please, please save me,” said the man. Finally, Tom let go of the rope.
This was, as I said, the hardest lesson I ever had to learn. Life is full of people who are trying to pull you off your bridge. You have to learn when to let go of the rope. You can educate, motivate, and encourage others but everyone is responsible for their own actions; and here on the Q, everyone is responsible for their own quit. For those who refuse to help themselves, you better let go of the rope or you’ll never get to complete your journey.
See You At The Top
Dave
(Quit 4-12-03; Passed 5-20-14)