[Pebbles_Nibbles]

Like potted plants, people can become "root-bound." We have a
beautiful "Christmas Cactus" which I gave to my wife as a gift many years ago.
It has accompanied us through tough years and good times. It has lived
with us in four different communities and has been present during the
raising of our family. But it almost died.

As the small plant grew, we transferred it to a larger pot. It did well
for about twenty years, but then began to die. It seemed that no amount
of feeding, coddling or attention helped. We finally plucked a few
leaves, re-rooted them and started over. We could barely remove the
now-dead plant from its pot for all the knotted and intertwined roots. The
beautiful succulent was dying because it outgrew its environment. The
plant changed, but the container it lived in stayed the same.

People, too, can die when they outgrow their environments. They need
broader views, bigger challenges. Songwriter Bob Dylan put it this way:
"If you are not busy being born, you are busy dying."

One man was offered employment at a salary higher than he had ever made
in his life. After careful consideration, he declined the position.

"What is the matter?" his potential boss asked. "Isn't the salary big
enough?"

"The salary is fine," the man said. "It's the job that's not big
enough."

He chose growth over decline, life over death.

[foxxy]

WOw...I wish someone would give me such an opportunity!