Standing on the shore of a lake. I can’t help but marvel at the tens or hundreds of thousands of small rocks that surround my boots. They were all created from hard surfaces, their edges softening over time.
And I wonder, can we learn from a pile of rocks?
Even the tallest mountains have worn down; none are as tall as they were 1.000 years ago. And much like a rock, I’ve found my attitude has softened and my desire to better understand others has expanded with each trip around the sun.
Once I too was a sharp rock covered in pointy edges. Today, after decades of the waters of life coursing over me, my edges are softer and more understanding. I’m less likely to judge and more interested in learning how we can exist together.
But I’m not a rock. I’m a human being filled with all the drama built into my DNA.
Two years ago, while traveling in the Pacific Northwest, I watched a restaurant owner ask several people to leave for not wearing masks. Not forceful and not rude. On the door read a sign: “Please wear a mask before entering our restaurant. We don’t like it either, but let’s all do what we can to get through this together.”
The group of young men wished to argue about the note.
I sat watching, understanding both sides. I’ve been those guys before, using my youthful edges to chip away at the world. What I lost, however, was the ability to grow from experiences by looking through the eyes of others. In learning to be more open, I’ve also found more happiness and success.
You can fit more rounded rocks in a jar than those with sharp edges. The former look for ways to adjust and make room for others; the latter never give an inch to accommodate others.
Time, like the waters rolling against once sharp stones, changes us by washing away our resistance to seeing the world from another’s point of view.
I placed a rounded stone into my jacket pocket. Mother Nature is holding class again.
4. What does the author compare the rocks to?
A.People’s abilities. | B.People’s personalities. |
C.What nature offers us. | D.Challenges we come across. |
5. Why did the group of guys argue in the restaurant?
A.They were dissatisfied with the owner’s attitude to them. |
B.They were unwilling to do what the owner wished them to. |
C.They intended to skip out on the bill due to the poor service. |
D.They were not allowed to leave the restaurant for their rudeness. |
6. What does the author want to tell us with this text?
A.We should adjust to new conditions. |
B.Be brave when in the face of difficulties in life. |
C.It’s necessary to consider the feelings of others. |
D.Being open and understanding brings you more happiness. |
7. What might be the best title of the text?
A.Changing with Time | B.Learning from Nature |
C.Growing from Experiences | D.Seeing from a Different Angle |