Embrace Change and Transform Like Coffee Beans

Lord Krishna says, "Change is the law of universe." It's something that happens to everyone and everything. But how we deal with change is up to us. If we face it with a positive attitude, we can not only improve ourselves but also inspire and uplift the people around us.

On a bright and cheerful afternoon, the sun was shining high in the sky, and the soft breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers. In a cozy little house, Chitra stood in her kitchen, her heart full of warmth and love. The kitchen was filled with the familiar clatter of pots and pans, and the golden sunlight streaming through the window made everything feel even more inviting. Chitra’s daughters, Tanya and Keesha, were busy playing in the other room, their laughter echoing through the house like a melody.

Chitra had an idea, a simple yet meaningful lesson she wanted to share with her daughters. She believed that some of life’s most important lessons could be taught in the most ordinary moments, and today was one of those moments. With a twinkle in her eye and a smile that could light up any room, she called out to Tanya and Keesha to join her in the kitchen.

Curious about what their mother had planned, the girls hurried in, their faces lighting up with excitement. They noticed three pots of boiling water on the counter and a few everyday items, a carrot, an egg, and some coffee beans, placed neatly beside them. The girls exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what their mother was up to this time.

Chitra’s voice was calm and kind as she began to speak. “Girls,” she said warmly, “today I want to show you something special. It’s a little activity, but it holds a big lesson, one I hope you’ll always remember.” Tanya and Keesha leaned in closer, their curiosity growing as they listened intently to their mother.

What followed would be a simple yet profound moment that would stay with Tanya and Keesha for years to come, a lesson about life, strength, and the power to rise above challenges. Little did they know that this sunny afternoon in their cozy kitchen would become a memory they cherished forever.

"Girls," Chitra began, "I want to teach you an important lesson about life today. Let’s start with a little activity."

On the counter, Tanya and Keesha noticed three pots of boiling water. Next to them were a carrot, an egg, and some coffee beans. Tanya and Keesha exchanged puzzled looks.

"What’s all this for, Mom?" Tanya asked.

"You’ll see," Chitra replied with a wink. "First, let’s put the carrot into the first pot of boiling water."

She gently dropped the carrot into the bubbling water. "Now, we’ll place the egg in the second pot," she continued, carefully lowering it in with a spoon. "And finally, these coffee beans will go into the third pot." She sprinkled the beans into the last pot.

"Alright," Chitra said, turning to her daughters. "We’re going to let these sit for a while. In the meantime, let me ask you something. When life gets tough, when you face struggles or challenges, how do you think people react?"

Tanya thought for a moment. "I guess it depends on the person," she said. "Some people get upset and give up, while others try to stay strong and push through."

"That’s true," Keesha added. "But sometimes, even strong people can feel overwhelmed."

Chitra nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. Life throws us all into boiling water at some point, difficult situations that test us. But how we respond makes all the difference."

After a few minutes, Chitra turned off the stove and carefully removed the carrot, the egg, and the coffee beans from their pots. She placed them on separate plates and gestured for her daughters to come closer.

"Now," she said, "let’s take a look at what happened. Tanya, touch the carrot."

Tanya reached out and touched the carrot. "It’s soft," she said.

"That’s right," Chitra replied. "The carrot went into the boiling water strong and firm, but after being in the heat, it became soft and weak. Some people are like that when they face struggles, they lose their strength and become fragile."

Chitra then handed Keesha the egg. "Now you try this one."

Keesha held the egg in her hands and peeled off its shell. "It’s hard inside now," she observed.

"Exactly," Chitra said. "The egg started out with a soft heart, a liquid center, but after being in boiling water, it became hardened. Some people are like this too. When they face challenges, they become tough and closed off, hiding their emotions."

Finally, Chitra pointed to the coffee beans. "Now smell this," she said with a smile.

Both girls leaned in and took a deep breath. The rich, comforting aroma of coffee filled the air.

"The coffee beans are different," Chitra explained. "Instead of being changed by the boiling water, they changed the water itself. They transformed their surroundings into something new and beautiful. Some people are like that when they face difficulties, they use their struggles to grow stronger and make things better for themselves and others."

The girls looked at their mother with wide eyes, understanding dawning on their faces.

"So," Chitra continued gently, "when life gets hard, you have a choice: You can let it make you weak like the carrot, harden you like the egg, or you can be like the coffee beans and turn your struggles into something positive."

Chitra added, "we all possess the ability to influence and uplift the world around us, just as coffee beans change water into something rich and flavorful. By embracing positivity and resilience, we can inspire and bring meaningful change to the lives of those we encounter. we too hold the potential to influence our environment and bring positive change to the lives of those around us."

Tanya smiled and said, "I want to be like the coffee beans!"

"Me too!" Keesha added enthusiastically.

Chitra wrapped her arms around her daughters and hugged them tightly. "I know you both have it in you to be strong and make the best of any situation. Just remember this little kitchen lesson whenever life gets tough."

And so, on that sunny afternoon filled with the warmth of love and laughter, Chitra gifted her daughters a lesson that would guide them through life’s ups and downs. In the simplest of moments, surrounded by the aroma of coffee and the golden sunlight streaming through their cozy kitchen, Tanya and Keesha learned the power of resilience, strength, and transformation. They understood that challenges were not just obstacles but opportunities to grow and shine even brighter.

As the years passed, the memory of that day stayed close to their hearts. Whenever life tested them, they’d smile at each other and say, “Be like the coffee beans!” It became their mantra, a reminder of their mother’s wisdom and the strength they carried within. Chitra’s lesson wasn’t just about carrots, eggs, or coffee beans; it was about embracing life with courage and turning even the toughest moments into something beautiful.

And so, they grew, not just as individuals but as a family bonded by love, strength, and the simple yet profound truths shared on that unforgettable afternoon.