Bend but Don't Break (Story)-- Unknown

One of my fondest memories as a child is going by the river and sitting 
idly on the bank. There I would enjoy the peace and quiet, watch the water 
rush downstream, and listen to the chirps of birds and the rustling of 
leaves in the trees. I would also watch the bamboo trees bend under 
pressure from the wind and watch them return gracefully to their upright or 
original position after the wind had died down. 

When I think about the bamboo tree's ability to bounce back or return to 
it's original position, the word resilience comes to mind. When used in 
reference to a person this word means the ability to readily recover from 
shock, depression or any other situation that stretches the limits of a 
person's emotions. 

Have you ever felt like you are about to snap? Have you ever felt like you 
are at your breaking point? Thankfully, you have survived the experience to 
live to talk about it. 

During the experience you probably felt a mix of emotions that threatened 
your health. You felt emotionally drained, mentally exhausted and you most 
likely endured unpleasant physical symptoms. 

Life is a mixture of good times and bad times, happy moments and unhappy 
moments. The next time you are experiencing one of those bad times or 
unhappy moments that take you close to your breaking point, bend but don't 
break. Try your best not to let the situation get the best of you. 

A measure of hope will take you through the unpleasant ordeal. With hope 
for a better tomorrow or a better situation, things may not be as bad as 
they seem to be. The unpleasant ordeal may be easier to deal with if the 
end result is worth having. 

If the going gets tough and you are at your breaking point, show 
resilience. Like the bamboo tree, bend, but don't break!