Once you know where the roller coaster is going, are you still in for the ride?
Read More: Currently I am ready a very interesting book that I found at a half-priced store. I have never seen this on anyone’s list as a “Must Have”, but I encourage you to get it. This book is more about mindset and looking at things in a whole new way. The book is called “UH_OH” by Robert Fulghum
I want to share a story out of it with you…it is a bit long.. Please read it all
I Promise …..You will Love it
In the dusty yellow light of an early summer morning, in the shade of graceful old trees in the forecourt of an ill-kept temple. Three small girls are offering little clay amulets tied to small bamboo cages containing tiny birds to those who come to pray. This is northwest Thailand….I see the bird-sellers each morning as I walk from my lodgings nearby to have breakfast in the only café in town where English is spoken.
The birds are not actually for sale in the sense that you can take them home with you. When you give the little girls a few baht, you are entitled to set one of the birds free and thereby add to your achievement
of merit. You keep the amulet as evidence of your act- a kind of ecclesiastical receipt for a righteous act.
A cynical mind might conclude here is one more example of the scams worked by organized religion on the young and/or gullible. The selling of the indulgences is ubiquitous and continuous the world over. Even Martin Luther’s whistle-blowing didn’t change the matter much in the Western world. Here in Buddist Thailand the tradition continues.
I express that opinion to my breakfast host
In a verbal puzzle of Thai, English , and German he explains that not only have I missed the whole point of the bird enterprise, but I don’t know all I need to know about how the operation really works.
Please to come with him to the temple.
“Now, before I finish my toast?”
“Now. This is important. You will digest your breakfast better if you know”
We returned to the temple - not to the salesgirls out front, but around back. On an old wooden table is the rest of the story. A pan of water, and several uninhabited bamboo cages with bread crumbs just inside the open doors. When the sparrows are freed out front, they fly around the temple to the table, take a drink of water, hop into a cage to eat the crumbs, and another little girl gently closes the cage and places it into a larger basket to be carried back around front.
My breakfast guru explains this is not a business for the temple- but it is in harmony with the purpose of the temple, so it is allowed. The little girls provide food and water for the birds, the birds provide an opportunity for a religious gesture to those who come to pray, and they, in turn, provide a small income for the little girls. It is no secret how the matter works, and no hypocrisy is involved- everyone has a part in an enterprise to which everyone gives and from which everyone is given. I see the bird business is nonviolent, ecologically sound, and existentially meaningful as a metaphor for the great circle of being.
“Do you get it?” my teacher asks.
“I get it,” say I, wondering how I ever missed it in the first place.
Then he asks if the knowledge of the full cycle of the bird business has affected my cynicism. That’s the heart of religious questioning, isn’t it? Once you get a handle on the infinite cycle of the restless existence of all things, do you willingly take your place in the circle? Does enlightenment lead to sorrowful disengagement or willing participation? Once you know where the roller coaster is going, are you still in for the ride?
As my friend has promised, what he had to show me was indeed important and did affect my breakfast. The eating became meditation. I ate everything but the toast, which was dry and crumbly by now. Took the toast with me to the temple. Around to the back. Gave it to the little girl. “This is for the birds,” I said, taking my place in the wholesale end of the merit market.
Give and it shall be given unto you, since the gifts go around and back again
In the practice of Mentoring For Free, we freely give not only Knowledge and Education
But the Empowerment to Soar.
Zelphina Pierson
Mentor with a Servants Heart
580-229-3629 (anytime)
zelphinapierson@gmail.com
Skype ID - zelphina.pierson
Zelphina was once a professional failure before coming across a great Master Mind Group in Mentoring For Free. Now this once nobody is making success an obtainable achievement for herself and anyone who works with her. Get to know more about her on her Face Book page and through her other articles here on BN.
Views: 1,237 | 
Comments: 19 
About the Author: Zelphina Pierson
Member Since: 01/13/2010
Company: MLM Success Heroes
Industry: MLM
Primary Web Site: http://zelphinapierson.successin10steps.com
That is amazing
I really enjoyed the story...just like you said. I think it is important for people to know "where the roller coaster is going" and make sure that they are really in for the ride.
Thanks Zelphina!
Soar On Zelphina !
This is a Great little story Zelphina !
I Am going to share this with my children I
know they will Appreciate it !
Thank You For Sharing It Zelphina :-)
Fly on little Z bird
No one can clip your wings!
Bless and be blessed
Very nice. Give and it will be given to you. A concept and truth so beautiful because blessings return back to you in good measure and flowing over.
Nice Story Zephina with honor and Integrity.
Zephina, Nice story and great value. It goes to show you how important it really is to give without want. Believe when you give, you will alway get back. Thank you for writing the article and sharing.
Zelphina to a great friend!
Zelphina the story is AMAZING, just like YOU.
You are applying R2A2 as introduced by W. Clement Stone!
Recognize the principles. Relate them to your life. Assimilate them into your world. Apply them when it's important to you.
I appreciate You All
I know it was a bit long, but there was no place to "Trim the Fat".I highly recommend this book, and by the time you are finished you will truly know the saying " Don't be angry that the Roses have thorns, appreciate that the thorns have Roses"
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Wonderful story...
...great lesson! One of my favorite quotes is: “Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given.” ~Deepak Chopra. Thank you, Zelphina, for sharing this lesson.
Regarding Jon Taylor's comment: Tim Sales and Robert Kyosaki say it best in these videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT16eBr0aEw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LEjX1GfDEI and Robert Kyosaki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-iVpiDUGUI
Thank You Jon
Thank You for your input. It appears you have been to several articles and forums today "Spreading The Word" as you see it. Could it be you have had a bad experience and feel it necessary to be on a rampage? Not quite sure your reason for attacking the story that is more about mindset, but we are all entitled to our opinions. Have a great weekend.....Zel
Outstanding, Inspiring!!! Give and It Shall Be Given Back!!!
Zelphina,
This is great story Zelphina. It is so ironic how the process of life brings us back around to the facts of what we are before us..
After investigating many Marketing/MLM scams it is evident homework has to be done...
Don't rely on just one source but many sources and never believe a expert in the field for most of time they are the ones who have written the rules...
You have captured the true essences of any business weather it is brick and mortar or MLM. It is about relationships first and foremost.
Be of good courage you are on the right track!!!
Danny & Laura
What courage
Hey Zel, What courage it takes to shine the light on the "process" of this business. Yes, even the water in which we drink EVERYDAY, some of us pay for it, some of us sell it, and yet it came from the heavens freely and then returned to the sky to drip on us again-to do again whatever it is that we do....a cycle.
Yes, there are so many companies that offer a carrot on a stick like the sentiments of Jon Taylor. And many have abused the system...look at how many e-books are for sale, when it is clear that you can get the information free.
That is why Mentoring For Free is available, to give a person back their dignity, and their sanity. Now, learning what true marketing should look like ("5 pillar company") and what a company's policy & procedure should have in it, so as to PROTECT their affiliate.
I have only found 1 company to date ( might be other's out there ) that has all of 3 pages of P&P's. That's it! Most companies have 12 or more pages of p&p's and somewhere in the clause has "we the company have the right NOT to RENEW your contract at the Anniversary of your account".
When you share valuable knowledge and you don't charge for that knowledge you become an asset to all those that are searching for the truth and for the right answers.
I know that is what you are representing, and I am glad that I have gotten to know you through Better Networker
~ME~
Give and it shall be given unto you
Zelphina, you are the essence of a servant's heart. Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder of how important each one is to the circle of life. I love your description of yourself as being a "Professional Failure" before joining MFF. So glad you are discovering SUCCESS!
What A Great Reminder!
Zelphina,
Your story reminded me of the cycle of nature, the way that nature feeds on nature for the benefit of nature. Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
GIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
The good old truth of coming full circle. What goes around comes around, literally in this story. Win-Win situation is always best for both sides. So where do I start working with you?
Great, Great, Great Article
Hey Zelphina
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It has really taught me a valuable lesson that everything and everyone plays a purpose for something in life and just because we don't fully understand all of what's happening, listening to those who have paved the way should be the better thing to do. Mentoring for Free has helped so many people. I can't think of a better free training system out there.
God Bless
God Bless
Enjoy the Ride!
The Joy in EnJoy is so important! Live it and Love every part of the journey for all of the ups and downs and confusion and enlightenment, makes us all the richer, not just in a monetary sense! Give without want and it comes back ten fold!
Thank you Zelphina, you are awesome!
Vicki
Very Nice
I like this it was abstract but not the lesson which basically taught 2000 yrs ago by the Master Teacher give and shall be given unto you. Enjoyed it.
Steve Shoemaker
Beautiful story
Thank you Zelphina for sharing such a powerful story with us..
We all really need to look deep down inside us and ask the right questions - Once you know where the roller coaster is going, are you still in for the ride? - this is a great question!
Stay positive,
Milena Milivojevic
http://milenamlmexpert.wordpress.com/