Qi Roots

One day I decided to give up and quit my job, my relationship, my life. I went to the forest to talk to an old man who they said was very wise.

"Could you give me a good reason not to give up?" I asked him.

"Look around you," he replied. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes," I replied.

"When I sowed the fern and bamboo seeds, I took good care of them." The fern quickly grew. Its bright green covered the ground. But nothing came out of the bamboo seed. Nevertheless I did not give up on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew brighter and more abundant and, again, nothing grew from the bamboo seed. But I did not give up on the bamboo.

In the third year still nothing sprouted from the bamboo seed. But I did not give up on the bamboo.

In the fourth year, again, nothing came out of the bamboo seed. But I did not give up on the bamboo.

In the fifth year a small bamboo shoot peeked out of the ground. Compared to the fern it was apparently very small and insignificant.

In the sixth year, the bamboo grew more than 20 meters in height. It had spent five years putting down roots to sustain it. Those roots made him strong and gave him what he needed to survive.

Did you know that all this time you've been struggling, you've really been putting down roots? The old man said to me, and continued:

"The bamboo has a different purpose than the fern." However, both are necessary and make the forest a beautiful place.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good morning gives you happiness.

Bad days give you experience.

Both are essential for life.

Happiness keeps you sweet.

Attempts keep you strong.

The pains keep you human.

Falls keep you noble.

Success keeps you bright ...

If you don't get what you want, don't despair ... you may just be putting down roots.

But you will get it:

just look beyond.

"The fern and the bamboo", unknown author