Some Wise Words From Ron Brown's Newsletter

A Parable of Two Frogs
Author Unknown

A group of frogs were hopping contently through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit.  All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.  When they saw how deep the pit was, they agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might.  Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless and that the two frogs wouldn’t be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible.  The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead.  The two frogs continued jumping with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs.  Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died.  The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted.  Once again, his companions began yelling for him to  accept his fate, stop the pain and just die.  The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonders of wonders finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit.

Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom and then gathering around him asked, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?”  The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on.  What he perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

This simple story contains a powerful lesson.  The book of Proverbs says, “There is death and life in the power of the tongue.”  Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day.  Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone’s desire to continue trying – or even their life.  Your destructive, careless words can diminish someone in the eyes of others, destroy their influence and have a lasting impact on the way others respond to them.

Be careful what you say.  Speak life to (and about) those who cross your path.  There is enormous power in words.  If you have words of kindness, praise, or encouragement – speak them now to, and about others.  Listen to your heart and respond.

I attended a turning presentation featuring Nick Cook sometime around 2000. I had just learned to make Fancy Christmas Ornaments with elegant finials and I brought some to show Nick what I had learned. Dale Nish, founder of Craft Supply in Provo, Utah also attended this meeting. Much to my amazement, Nick spun around a showed my ornaments to Dale. Dale asked if he could buy some of my ornaments for his collection. Dale eventually included pictures of four of my Fancy Christmas Ornaments in his book “Woodturning Christmas Ornaments”.

Can you imagine what that did for my turning confidence so early in my professional turning career? When someone like Dale Nish thinks anything I’ve made is good enough to be in his personal collection, there is almost no greater compliment that can be paid. I’m sure that event helped shape my career as a woodturner and now as an inventor and manufacturer of unique turning-related jigs, fixtures, and accessories.