Musings: Condemn None…
“Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” Swami Vivekananda
Musings: Condemn None… Encourage Others… Fungoid frog (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Encouraged Frog… Three young frogs, yet unwise about the ways of the world, were out one day exploring their surroundings. They came to a dairy and boldly entered it to investigate. There was a bucket, and curious to learn more about it, two of them jumped right in. Splash! The third frog, a tad timid, only jumped onto the top rim of the bucket and looked down at his two comrades now struggling below to jump out of a white substance. Neither of them knew it was milk! As they pedaled away, desperate to climb out, he shouted down to them, “You’ll never make it. Face facts and prepare to die!” But self-preservation is the first rule of life for humans and animals alike, so they continued to struggle for as long as possible. The frog on top continued to shout down, “You’ll never make it. Give up and die peacefully”. Sadly, one of the two struggling frogs started to repeat the words of discouragement… “Give up. You’ll never make it…” Soon enough, he could not continue and disappeared below the surface never to be seen again. Contd Below!
Condemn None… Encourage Others: We spend many hours a day around other people; interacting with them in some way or the other. It would be fantastic if we developed the habit of using that opportunity to encourage others. In the absence of encouragement, despair can set in unless we stay strong. More below!
“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.” Helen Keller
Musings: Condemn None… Encourage Others… Javanese tree shrew (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The second frog continued pedaling despite the discouragement of his comrade on top of the bucket. He was getting tired but decided to keep up the struggle. After a short while, he realized his feet were standing on a soft yellow substance. He had churned butter out of the cream on top of the milk. Once he had enough for a foothold, he positioned himself and jumped out of the bucket! Ecstatic, he turned to his comrade, the third frog, and thanked him profusely for all the encouragement he shouted at him. “I would never have made it without your help,” he said. The third frog was stunned. You see, the surviving frog was slightly deaf and could only hear snatches of words – “You. Make it. Face facts. Prepare. Peacefully!” Author Anon
We could start with an encouraging word, a supportive smile, a helpful tip or even a whispered prayer. Given how much pain and suffering we see around us, becoming part of the healing solution will help us all… let’s try it… Of course, we can build ourselves up within so we can tune out the voices of discontent. More quotes come to mind on this subject: “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25. and “The difference between a helping hand and an outstretched palm is a twist of the wrist.” Laurence Leamer.
Have a spectacular week! You are already a light on the path. 🙂 What are your thoughts? Do you believe in offering others encouragement? When was the last time you applauded another person’s effort and told them so? Who has encouraged you in your life? What insights could you offer others? Do share! Thank you. 😉
*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… I’m back on track with reading and responding to your blogs; albeit at a slow pace. Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: If we can’t find words to encourage others then let our lips be sealed from condemning others… Help others thrive!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: Fungoid frog, Javanese tree shrew, via Wikipedia, Flickr or from Facebook/my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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True words
TY Willowdot21! Catching up on my postings…. Appreciate the feedback. 😉
As my mother fought her final battles with cancer some years ago, she was SUCH a source of encouragement to her whole community! Such a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit she did shower all of us with! Praise be to God!
Praises on her too! That is such a beautiful memory Granbee. TY for sharing it. 😉
Gorgeous
Tolerance compassion empathy
it’s not that difficult is it ?
🙂
Love
Cat
One would think not until we look around our planet… TY for the video too! 🙂
and look closely ……… 🙂 It’s a way more beautiful world when we look realllly close …:)
I hear you… 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
i hear u too 🙂
ty xo
🙂 🙂 🙂 😆
That’s a lot of smiles 🙂
It’s not that difficult to smile is it 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
It’s the other way that is harder on everything …………….!!!!
Just found u on twitter .
what a page wow …….
TY for visiting… I’m not on it as much as I used to… Sadly, not enough hours in the day. But I do go and follow people back, add a tweet or retweet others once a week or so. 🙂
well found u 🙂 and yes looking forward to connect there 🙂
Will connect back. Definitely! 🙂 TY!
Huggs and more ………..
i just reopened my account after about a year i think ? and yes – slowly am getting the hang of it …….Slowly 🙂
Words are very powerful. Great story. 🙂
They truly are… being mindful isn’t so easy either. TY! 🙂
Encouragement is powerful. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
As an expat I meet so many people whose dream has not matched reality. Over time I have encouraged these people by reaching out to find positives amongst their negative attitude. Our car proke down recently and I was overwhelmed by the number of people who offred to lend a helping hand with lifts and even the loan of a car.
sorry that should be broke down!
Great post. I tell a more traditional version of that story–it’s a Russian folk tale–but I found your version very interesting. As always, your post is as full of goodies as a fruit cake!
This really spoke to me – thank you!
there is so much negativity in the world that people start to think it’s normal. positivity, happiness, hope…these are all possible, we all just need to think it, live it, breathe it. Love this, ““There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.” Thanks.
Thanks for your lovely comments today! I love the frog story… and the first quote is wonderful. I must remember to try and fold my hands. Not good at that but have to keep trying…
Thankful is best, as you say.
I used to listen to the radio when quite small …and a narrator on a show used to say. “If you can’t say something nice about some one …just don’t say anything at all”…Kind of goes along with what you quoted…”If you can’t give encouragement… or give a helping hand…just fold your hands …let them go their own way…but, don’t discourage them”…Just loved that thought…Also my favorite little charachter from BAMBI…”Thumper” said the same thing in this wonderful animated film…
Thumper? How sweet… Now you take me back to childhood and those wise animals. 🙂 TY!
Thank you for this beautifully written post…encouraging others is like giving others a moment to enjoy a bit of sweet candy.
Profound saying by Swami Vivekananda! And your frog story illustrates that message perfectly 🙂