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Thursday, January 23, 2025

Every Bread Has Its Cheese: Lessons in Self-Belief.

 


We often hear the phrase, "Every bread has its cheese." It’s a reminder that each of us is perfectly suited for our journey. Yet, it’s easy to look at others and think they have more—more talent, more fortune, more purpose. But the truth is, each of us is created perfectly for the path we’re meant to take. God made you exactly as you are for a reason.

Consider the story of the crow.

One day, a crow began to feel dissatisfied with its life. “Why am I so plain?” it thought. Perched on a towering immortelle tree, its fiery orange flowers symbolizing hope, the crow looked at a swan in a nearby pond. With its pristine white feathers gliding gracefully across the water, the swan seemed to embody perfection. “The swan must be the happiest bird alive,” the crow mused.

The crow flew to the swan, hoping to discover more. But when the crow asked the swan, the swan replied, “I once thought I was, until I saw the parrot, who lives at the neighboring house, with its beautiful green feathers and red beak.”

Curious, the crow sought out the parrot, only to hear a similar story. “Even I wished to be more,” said the parrot. “That is until I saw the peacock, admired by all for its dazzling colors.”

At last, the crow approached the peacock in a grand enclosure at the city zoo, where people marveled at its beauty. But to the crow’s surprise, the peacock sighed, “Yes, people admire me, but because of my beauty, I am caged. I long for the freedom you have, to fly wherever you wish.”

In that moment, the crow realized its blessings—its freedom, adaptability, and resilience. It no longer wished to be any other bird, understanding that God made it as it was for a unique purpose.

This lesson of self-belief is echoed in the Ramayana, particularly in Shri Hanuman Ji’s journey across the ocean.

Hanuman’s Doubt.

When Shri Hanuman Ji was tasked with finding Sita in Lanka, he, along with all the others, doubted themselves. Standing aside, he thought to himself, “How can I cross this vast ocean? Am I truly capable of completing this mission?” He wondered. But then, he was reminded by the wise, old Jamavant about the divine blessings he carried and the reason he had been chosen for the task. Trusting in his inner strength, he took a mighty leap and soared across the ocean. Along the way, he overcame every challenge.

Hanuman Ji’s journey teaches us that when we remember our purpose and trust in the gifts we’ve been given, we can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

The Core Message.

Both the crow’s story and Hanuman Ji’s journey remind us of this universal truth: God made us like this for a reason. The crow once envied other birds, but it came to see its own unique blessings. Hanuman Ji doubted his abilities, only to discover the strength he already had.

You don’t need to be anyone else or have what others have. Everything you need is already within you. Trust in yourself, embrace your path, and remember—your design is not a mistake; it’s a masterpiece by the Lord himself.

As you navigate your journey, think of the crow perched on the immortelle tree or Hanuman Ji standing on the shore. They both discovered their purpose and soared. And so can you!

 

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