In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter she asked Tell me what do you see? Carrots eggs and coffee the young woman replied. The mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked What does it mean, mother? Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity boiling water but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water its inside became hardened! The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. Which are you? the mother asked her daughter. When adversity knocks on your door how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I Am I the carrot that seems strong but, with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, or a financial hardship, does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.