MAN IS LIKE A GRAIN OF RICE

February 07, 2017

Man? Likened to a grain of rice?
I'm sure it sounds unimaginable but relax, you'll get to know why as you read on.

A Rice farmer decided to grow rice for human consumption and some for poultry. He prepared the land, sowed the seed and watered it everyday. The rice began to grow and mature.

After some time, it became ripe for harvest but it had to go through the processes of threshing and winnowing (removing the chaffs) to bring out the needed grain.

At this point, the rice is useful. Yes, useful for poultry birds to feed on but there is a better use and more value for the farmer when he sells it for the purpose of human consumption.

Sounded like your usual & maybe boring Agricultural science class right? But wait! Here's where I'm heading: THE LESSONS.

• The sowing of seed is likened to the birth of a child.

• The process of watering & care for the plant is equated to the quality of training we have received from parents, teachers and other people.

• The moment of ripening and maturity, points to the time when we can now make decisions consciously.

• The time of harvest is that time when we seem ready to face the world. The beginning of our real exposure.

• The process of threshing and winnowing is likened to the beginning of our challenges and hurdles.

Challenges are inevitable in life. Life they say, is not a bed of roses. There are going to be moments of ups and downs. It's part of the process that brings out the best in you just like threshing and winnowing separates the needed grain from the chaff.

At the emergence of just one challenge, some people quit and lose hope in life while others choose to be determined and ready to overcome their challenge.

These set of quitters are likened to the grains of rice fed on by poultry birds. They simply settle for less because they feel they cannot go passed that point.

Some other grains chose to be fed on by higher animals (Humans). This way, they are of greater and better value than the previous set. BUT it wasn't also an easy task. They had to go through another process (another challenge & hurdle) which was packaging. It is at this point that man learns to develop some skills to help him achieve his goals of being a better person as well as good education.

At this point, some grains also fall off and give up! While the others go through the 'pain of packaging'.

Due to the 'I have arrived' syndrome & lack of focus on their goal, some grains end up not being part of those selected for use (Human consumption).

The grains begin to appear beautiful gradually when they go through the process of washing before cooking.

Nevertheless, it is disheartening that some grains still fall off while the water used in washing them is drained off.

These ones are the people that got swept away due to yielding to distractions.

The remaining grains come out white, more edible and very beautiful. It was a much difficult process! They passed through the heat of boiling water!

It seemed like the higher they went the more difficult the challenges. It's the same with life.

They finally reached their goal because they decided to keep moving on, determined not to give up and never quit!

• Don't settle for less! You deserve more!