I heard the quote “The same boiling water that softens the carrot hardens the egg” years ago and thought I’d been the egg far too long, and would strive to be the carrot. But recently I read a story version of this with an added twist –coffee beans.
After reading the story, I’ve decided I want to be coffee beans instead. (I think this will be widely received at home since I live in the land of Starbucks!) I couldn’t find the original authors of the quote or the story that follows, so please be sure to comment and tell me if you know.
A young woman went to her mother and told her how hard things were in her life. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about thirty 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 you see?”
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its richness. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity … boiling water. 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?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”
How about you? Does the boiling water of pain change you? Have you gone into hardship fragile like an egg, but come out hardened and bitter? Or strong like a carrot, only to be softened and defeated? Or, like the coffee beans, have you allowed the situation to be an opportunity for growth and change?
Jan 18, 2016 @ 13:52:13
Eggggggg
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Jun 26, 2014 @ 17:00:34
I want to be a coffee bean!
Once again, I stop by to visit and you bathe me in the Grace of Goodness.
You have a lovely way of looking at the world.
Thanks for sharing.
D
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Jun 03, 2014 @ 23:11:48
I love this story, Denise. Lots of food for thoughts indeed, thank you!
Dina xo
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Jun 04, 2014 @ 14:16:51
Thanks, Dina! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Apr 06, 2014 @ 15:36:00
Awesome Denise! Oh yes! You are definetly the coffee beans!
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Apr 06, 2014 @ 15:55:06
Awww, thanks Linda 🙂
I think you are too!
Happy Poetry Month!!
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Feb 26, 2014 @ 19:47:21
Great story!
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Feb 27, 2014 @ 05:48:48
It really is a good one, isn’t it?
🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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Feb 09, 2014 @ 02:02:54
Awww I liked that story, made me smile 🙂 I needed to smile, I’m a little bit of all three but wish I could be like the coffee beans more often.
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Feb 10, 2014 @ 17:35:11
It is a great story, isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by!
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Dec 28, 2013 @ 15:06:38
Great analogy, The first post of yours I selected to read. I think at times I have been all 3, hope I am moving in the direction of the bean… So you live in the land of Starbucks. I am still in Oregon, have been for 26 years. In a few weeks we will be moving to Arizona.
Becki
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Dec 28, 2013 @ 15:33:25
Hi Becki, ah yes the land of Starbucks! You are in Peet’s country down there in Oregon! Our daughter lives in Portland and loves to help “Keep Portland Weird.” 🙂
Good luck with your move further south!
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Dec 28, 2013 @ 16:25:34
Haha yes Portland is weird, we are out in Beaverton. Thank you for the wishes, I love the PNW and all its mountains and greenery, but ready for some sun. I’ve never drank much Peet’s. I do enjoy Dutch Bro’s. Chat soon.
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Nov 01, 2013 @ 01:50:46
Thanks for liking my blog and introducing me to your very inspirational blog. I would love to reblog this if thats OK with you. I hope my recent experiences have made me a coffe bean too… Love Denise
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Nov 01, 2013 @ 05:30:26
Hi Denise,
Yes, feel free to repost this. It’s been one of my most viewed over time.
You have a fun, engaging blog!
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Friday Fast One: Egg, Carrot or Coffee Bean | Tommia's Tablet
Aug 23, 2013 @ 07:19:38
May 02, 2013 @ 09:15:28
I saw this somewhere recently…can’t remember if it was a FB post or email thread…anyway, loved this story/parable…I choose to be the coffee bean also! ~ Sheila
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May 02, 2013 @ 20:09:32
Thanks, Sheila!
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Apr 30, 2013 @ 23:30:39
An if you put all three in the same pot, you get an orangey-brown hard-boiled egg that may be a little cracked, and even have the brown white part, which looks like fat, oozing out of the cracks. The carrots might eventually turn totally to mush, or tiny bits as in split pea and carrot soup, but in a brown broth that doesn’t taste like beef, and is not all pleasant to drink or eat, but is a huge disappointment! So the moral. If you’re in trouble, don’t try to hop into someone else’s hot water to get away from yours! 🙂 One more warning. Don’t mistake the hot brown liquid for heated maple syrup and pour it on your pancakes, either. My first husband accidentally did that because the coffee they brought him looked like a syrup container.
BTW, awards are still out there. When you next visit my site check out http://wp.me/p2jC53-1ot for your blog. This is my way of saying that you are a special blogging friend. Feel free to do with it what you will – no rush – no pressure. The world won’t collapse if you do nothing, nor will I. I just wanted to say, “Thanks for being a good friend.” 🙂 Marsha 🙂
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May 01, 2013 @ 09:54:51
Hahaha!! Now there’s an side story if I’ve ever heard one!
Thanks for the nomination, Marsha!! You are a real sweetie, and great friend, too!
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May 01, 2013 @ 15:02:57
Thanks for the kind words. Bloggers forever!
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Mar 29, 2013 @ 23:47:37
Hard-boiled eggs are nice to eat!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 17:10:49
Love that story! I’d like to think I’m the coffee bean but I think I’ve been a carrot and an egg at different times and in different situations.
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:09:36
Same for me… 😉
Thanks for stopping by, I’m heading over to see your blog now!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 17:00:31
I’m the rice. I just get bloated and sticky. (sorry, couldn’t help myself)
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:08:42
Ha! That’s awesome!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 16:10:05
Sent by Susie. Love the post and reblogged it. 😉
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:07:10
Glad you liked it, Jerry!
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 20:09:58
YVW! Great truths are always worthy of a reblog. 😉
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Mar 28, 2013 @ 16:09:27
Reblogged this on PhoPort.
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 18:06:44
Coffee bean definitely and nice post and blog 🙂
P.S Susie sent me 🙂
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Feb 16, 2013 @ 07:24:13
Hi Top Gun! Thanks for coming by for a visit! Heading over for a visit at your place now!
PS Susie is awesome!
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 13:38:23
Hello! Susie sent me. Great post! 🙂
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 14:27:54
Hi Bob! Susie’s a great party host! 😉
I’ll be over to check out your place, too!
Thanks for visiting…
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 11:17:13
A great little story. Funny and profound. Overall, I think I’m carrot.
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 12:22:39
Hi Rebecca, Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed the story.
I’m heading over to visit you now 😉
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:45:02
I love this tale and how true it is! Me and coffe beans are like this! …crosses fingers…
Thanks for sharing this at the party! Have fun mingling with the guests!
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 12:22:05
Hey Susie! You’ve always got a great party going on! 😉
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Feb 15, 2013 @ 12:39:49
Thanks! The people make the party!
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Feb 08, 2013 @ 06:55:48
Great story! And thank you for checking out my blog too !
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Jan 02, 2013 @ 16:46:20
Love this! Thank you for sharing, Denise!
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Jan 02, 2013 @ 17:17:02
It’s a great story, isn’t it?
Glad you enjoyed it…thanks for stopping by today! 😉
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Nov 14, 2012 @ 07:50:49
p.s. I couldn’t have gotten to the coffee beans without experiencing the carrots and eggs.
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Nov 14, 2012 @ 07:49:07
This gave me spiritual chills. I have never been a coffee drinker and suddenly had this craving for it after my long time marriage/life blew up in my face. I had to face adversity I’d never faced before and I’m thriving. Coffee for thought?
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Nov 14, 2012 @ 09:03:38
Definitely not a de-caf story! 🙂 What an interesting turn of events you had!
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Nov 12, 2012 @ 12:49:19
Interesting analogy, I think we are all capable of becoming any of those things at various points in our lives.
Thanks for sharing.
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Nov 12, 2012 @ 13:42:41
Yes, I think you’re right! Thanks for your comments!
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Nov 03, 2012 @ 13:31:44
Nov 03, 2012 @ 13:26:42
Once again Denise, we are so happy to have found your blog. Excellent posts that make one reflect. Looking forward to your future posts!
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Nov 03, 2012 @ 20:41:28
Thanks! Looking forward to checking out your blog as well!
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Oct 30, 2012 @ 14:52:31
Reblogged this on Thriving Survivor and commented:
Such a wonderful post, truly. I have been an egg and carrot before, and now I’m a coffee bean!
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Oct 29, 2012 @ 14:08:15
This illustration has been around for many, many years, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it attributed to an author.
Thanks for the reminder again. I always couple this story with the “Count – know – let – ask” of James 1:2-5 We can COUNT it all joy when beset by trials, because we KNOW the purposes of God. We can LET God’s maturing process work in us while we ASK for wisdom that we won’t waste the opportunity, but will use it to grow and mature.
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Oct 29, 2012 @ 18:05:20
That’s awesome! Thanks for commenting and the great prompt! 😉
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 22:56:59
What a fabulous story, Denise – this is the first time I’ve heard it. I think I’ve been the carrot, the egg and the coffee bean – but I’m hoping I’ll stay the coffee bean for a long time as I mellow with age 😉
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Oct 29, 2012 @ 05:04:19
Hi Dianne, it is a fun story, isn’t it? I was intrigued the moment I began reading it and was excited to share!
Thanks for commenting 😉
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 20:52:52
I never heard this before. I want a Starbucks!
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 21:46:59
🙂
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 11:57:47
This is a beautiful analogy…although I think of the carrot as developing a softer “heart center”. However, if that center becomes too soft a person can lose his or her perspective and be easily manipulated. I can waver, at times, between the carrot and the egg…but mostly I try to use/view my painful experiences as an opportunity for personal growth. Thanks for posting this, Denise.
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:09:21
You’re welcome, Lizabeth! It is an interesting story 😉
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 20:53:35
I never heard that before, it was fascinating to think about!
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:14:45
Yes, it really makes us think, doesn’t it?
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 19:17:19
Thank you for sharing this story. Hmmm, I guess I would be the egg. 🙂
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:14:18
So glad you enjoyed the story!!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 18:46:19
Love the analogies. I’ve somehow managed to be all 3, sometimes in the same day. God is dealing squarely with me in so many areas right now, but thankfully He is patient and gracious….and so, so loving. Thanks for sharing, Denise. 🙂
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:13:56
That seems to be a common thread with those who have left comments… being all 3. It is helping me stretch outside my black and white singular box to consider it’s ok to be more than one! Thanks!!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 09:18:41
And to reply to your question, I suppose I’m an egg. 😀
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:12:42
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment 😉
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 09:18:01
I really loved this one. Thanks for sharing.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 09:08:56
Oh – I just realized I meant to say I would yell “This will not defeat ME” but I don’t know how to edit my comment. Ooops! That totally changes the story 🙂
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 13:12:06
It seems like most of us have been all 3, and are finding the right ‘blend’ for our own lives. Thanks for sharing and for your persepctive!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 09:07:07
That’s a really interesting analogy partly because I got something totally different out of the carrot and egg analogy. At first I thought of the carrot as “softening” (ie: becoming more loving, accepting and adaptabe) and the egg becoming hard (ie: unfeeling, lots of emotional defenses and unaccepting). But I like the egg, carrot, coffee bean analogy much better!
I wish I could say I am the coffee bean but I’m not sure if I positively effect the “water” around me or not. I hope I do! Right now my daughter is a very happy, confident, well-adjusted child so I hope all my hard work on myself is paying off by positively affecting how I raise her.
I think I was lucky because I naturally seem to have a very fiery temper and I think that has helped me in my healing because it gives me the motivation to keep going and to prevail by not having the life of a “victim”. During the worst of my healing when I had full-blown agoraphobia and could barely even go in my own front yard without a horrific panic attack, my boyfriend (now husband) hung a heavy bag in my basement and every day I’d go there and beat the crap out of the heavy bag and yell, “This will not defeat it!” It is one of those normally “negative traits” (a terrible temper) that turned into a benefit for me.
I think I am a coffee bean if nothing else in the making. But I’m not going any further with this analogy because I can’t stand weak coffee so if I haven’t gotten to strong coffee bean status yet I don’t want to think about 🙂
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 08:09:44
Great story! I guess I’m all three, too, depending on the circumstances. I think that I’m mostly coffee, though, as I have come to realize that even adversity can have a positive outcome; it all depends on our attitude. A positive attitude brings positive results, while a negative attitude brings more negatives into our lives.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 08:11:11
Hi Ruth! Another hero of mine, living in the grey zone, a blend of all 3! 😉 Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed this story!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:55:26
I’ve been the carrot, and I’ve been the egg. But I’m working on being the coffee bean. Love this story. 🙂
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 08:00:16
Hi Tonia! Me, too! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:36:38
I love this! I so wish I could say coffee all the way, all the time, but the truth is I’ve been all three some times all together…as I processed my stuff!!! Great story…will definitely remember it!! Bless u! xo
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:58:25
Thanks, Arlene! I’ve decided I want to be all 3, now, too! 😉
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:08:14
very cool
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:55:22
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 06:52:48
An interesting analogy…and one for which I have no clear-cut answer.
I have definitely been changed by the process of facing adversity.
In some ways I’m harder. I’m much better at defending personal boundaries than I was before, for example. I’m also much less naive in my assumptions about others. I CAN be overly defensive at times…which is not so good…but it is what it is…I recognize it, confess, apologize…and forgive myself.
In some ways I’m softer. I am much more understanding of other people who face adversity. I have more grace and compassion. I have more of a heart for encouraging others and sharing Christ’s love for them in difficult circumstances.
And, my views of scripture and doctrine have been changed as well. Not by the avdersity, but by how The Holy Spirit as ministered to me through adversity. I’m less dogmatic…more open to trying to understand someone else’s viewpoint…less legalistic…more aware of God’s amazing grace!
So…how am I changed by adversity? Hopefully, all of the above (the carrot, the egg, and the coffee beans) in the hands of the master potter, as He works His will in my life, conforming my heart closer to His image.
Blessings to you, Denise!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:57:47
Joe! You always make me think outside my little black and white box! I love your answer and agree that a blend is probably the most balanced way of all.
Because of you, I won’t be so hard on myself for not fitting in one category. Thank you, I needed that reminder Again. 😉
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 04:37:50
I used to see mostly black-and-white answers. Now I mostly see rainbows of options and responses! 😉
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 21:37:08
I’m with Joe there – softer to be more compassionate, and also to be less resistant to change and less adversarial; harder to stand up for myself more; infused (?) to help myself and others move onward in life’s journey, perhaps make the world a fraction better in the process 🙂
The story, and the analogies were unknown to me – I wonder what it would have been like to have a mother who was filled with old wisdom like that?
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Oct 28, 2012 @ 21:48:02
Yes, I wondered the same…it would be such an honor to be so wise.
Thanks for sharing!!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 06:32:35
Oct 27, 2012 @ 06:30:07
What an awesome story. I would like to think I’m a bean, mostly. Though sometimes, I go soft and squishy.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:53:54
Glad you liked the story, Karen! After reading everyone’s comments, I beginning to agree a blending is a good thing!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 05:05:59
I love this!! Thanks for sharing…I’m coffee too xoxo
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 05:22:41
That’s awesome! Glad you liked the story!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 06:33:35
I reblogged it today http://misifusa.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/are-you-an-egg-carrot-or-coffee-bean/
Thank you for your excellent post! xo
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:54:22
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 04:12:29
I’ve never heard this before, but thank you! It’s given me much to think about.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 05:22:12
It really makes me think, too! Glad you enjoyed it!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 06:09:04
I tweeted this. I thought it was definitely worth sharing. Hope you don’t mind.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:50:38
That’s awesome! Thank you! 😉
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:58:53
Sure thing pal. Keep up the awesome sauce over here, as one of my favorite blog pals likes to say!
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 07:59:49
HaHaHa!! Thanks (although I’ve not heard that one before!) 🙂
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 03:30:07
Hardship has changed me for the better, but I don’t feel it was my choice somehow. Having said this, I sometimes feel angry at the hardship, though I know without doubt it was for the best. Little bit egg, little bit coffee bean? Thanks for a really thought-provoking post.
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Oct 27, 2012 @ 05:21:30
Thanks for sharing, Yaz, and for your honesty. I’m finding it’s ok to be both, I think.
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Apr 27, 2013 @ 03:46:41
Hear hear what Yaz says – hardship has indeed changed her for the better. She writes great, insightful posts 🙂
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Apr 27, 2013 @ 09:40:10
I couldn’t agree more! Yaz is very wise and generous to share her insights…
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