The Stonecutter

Once upon a time many years ago in the here and now there was a far away land that's just next door where a poor stonecutter lived alone. He was a pious, compassionate man and God listened to his prays. One night the stonecutter, tired of his lot and bone-weary from toil, prayed to God to make him rich and powerful. As he slept the Almighty worked his wonders and the very next morning the stonecutter awoke to find he had riches beyond his wildest dreams.

Later that day, standing at his door, he announced to the world, but to no one in particular, that he was the richest and most powerful force in creation. But the sun, shining above him, just laughed. “Are you powerful enough to make the trees and plants grow and to turn the earth into a sandy waste?” he asked. Clearly, the stonecutter was not that powerful. It took the gloss off his new found riches and very soon the stonecutter prayed to be as powerful as the sun.

Imagine his delight when he arose next morning with the sun, for he was the sun. His pleasure knew no bounds. He warmed the earth, made the plants grow and the flowers bloom. He scorched the fields of those who did not follow God and announced to the world, but to no one in particular, that now he was the most powerful force in creation. But the wind, swirling around him, just laughed. “Are you powerful enough to drive many ships through the ocean, to bend whole forests of trees and move the rain and the clouds so they block out your light?” Clearly, the stonecutter-sun was not that powerful and his pleasure again began to fade. So, once again, he prayed and this time he asked, “Make me as powerful as the wind.”

The very next morning, when he awoke, he was the wind. He huffed and he puffed, he roared and he soughed and took great pleasure in moving the clouds and the ships on the ocean. With great pride he announced to the world, but to no one in particular, that now he must surely be the most powerful force in creation. But the mountain, standing before him, just laughed and said, “Are you powerful enough to move me?” Well, the wind raged and howled, blasted and buffeted against that mountain, but did not move it at all. His delight in being the wind and moving the ships and the clouds and the forests soon faded and yet again, for a fourth time, he prayed to God to make him as powerful as the mountain.

Time passed but, sure enough, one morning he awoke to find he was a mountain. He delighted in the majesty of his form. The wind blew and could not move him. The sun shone, but could not reach behind the giant shadow that he cast. He was indeed powerful.

But, one day, his attention was drawn to a chip, chip, chipping sound. At the base of his lofty peak a stonecutter was knocking away big chunks of stone and carrying them off to make a house.

The man-mountain growled, “I am the most powerful force in creation. Go away!” the stonecutter smiled, “If you are so powerful, you go away. I am busy. I am building a house to keep my family dry and warm.”

The man-mountain sighed deeply. He had wanted to be the most powerful force in creation and he had been beaten into second place by a stonecutter. It was quite some time before the man-mountain prayed to God again, but eventually he did so.

“Make me as powerful as the stonecutter.”

And God spoke, “Are you sure?”

He replied, “It is all I want in the world.”

And the next morning the stonecutter awoke in his bed and his joy knew no bounds.

Doug Lipman story quoted by Annette Simmons
 

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Many people set out to look for the forest and get lost in the trees. In your dreams coaching gives you the space, time and tools to break out of this self-perpetuating cycle, get a clear picture of what you want and helps you design a suitable route map to your chosen destination.

Your first success has been recognising the need for assistance.

Your second is having the good sense to call for it.

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"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." ~ Henri Matisse