|
Training for Book Authors
|
|
|
Sites Owned by Bill Platt
|
|
|
|
|
Watch Out for Pumpkins
Copyright (c) 2009-2019 Leonard Porcano
When I was about 5 years old, I grew a pumpkin. My mother was planting a garden, and I wanted to grow something too. I wanted to grow a pumpkin. Being both lazy and stubborn as a five year old, I decided that the best place to grow my pumpkin was in the loose gravel at the side of our driveway, I scooped out some gravel and poured the contents of my packet of pumpkin seeds into the hole, and then covered it with the gravel. I watered the gravel covered seeds with our garden hose, and went back to playing with my matchbox cars.
Each day, I dutifully checked on my pumpkin seeds to see how they were progressing. After a few weeks, some vines and leaves started to grow from the gravel. It was at this point that I started to realize I had a real knack for gardening. All the advice I had received with regards to where to plant and the kind of soil which was needed were clearly wrong.
One morning a few weeks later when I went to check on my plants, I spotted some orange between the leaves. As I pushed the leaves aside, I discovered a large pumpkin. It was a marvelous pumpkin, big and orange and perfect. I don't know how I had missed it up until this point. I dragged the pumpkin up to the house, where my mother was incredibly impressed. I did not rub it in too badly that I was right about where to plant my seeds, and that she was not.
Despite this incredible early success with gardening, I did not follow up with it at all over the next 16 years. I was now in my early twenties and married. I was a newlywed and my wife, Marie, was working on planting a garden. She was complaining that she was having trouble getting the plants to grow. Me being a gracious husband, and remembering my early gardening successes, I offered my help with the garden. When questioned about what qualified me to offer advice, I quickly offered up my story about the pumpkin. It was a story I had told a number of times, and one I was quite proud of. Well, Marie's response was not quite what I expected. Rather than jump at the chance to have a real green thumb help, she started to laugh. What's more, the more I assured her that I had indeed grown my pumpkin, the harder she laughed. I was not going to let this go, so I insisted that we would verify my story with my family that weekend. After all, they had all seen my pumpkin and even helped carve it into a jack o lantern.
The weekend came, and I could not wait to prove to my new bride that I had in fact grown this pumpkin. I ran the scenario through my head a number of times. I would of course be gracious when she would be forced to apologize for questioning me, my story, and my gardening skills. We had scarcely entered my mother's house when I brought up the story for her to confirm in front of Marie. My mother looked at my sister, and my sister back at my mother. Then my sister started laughing. I sensed that something was not right, when my mother dropped the bombshell on me.
You see, the vines and leaves which I dutifully watered and nurtured were simply weeds, which my mother did not have the heart to pull. As the weeds grew up, and I kept watering my mother began to feel bad that I would never get a pumpkin out of them. So one evening, she stopped at the market and picked up a pumpkin. While I was safely tucked into bed, she carefully placed the pumpkin between the weeds I had been watering. It was the next day, I discovered my accomplishment.
Now I do believe that every story and every experience has a silver lining. You can take something positive from everything if you look hard enough. In this case though, it would be another 10 years before I found the silver. I was having a hard time with someone I worked with. This person had some really backwards views about people different than him. It did not matter what kind of evidence or logic I provided, this guy was not letting go of these backwards views he had. It was obvious that he was wrong, but nothing I could say or do would break through to him. It was during one conversation with this guy, that it hit me. These backwards views he had been carrying since childhood, these views were his pumpkin. He was not holding a different opinion than me, he was holding a different reality. There was no way I would ever convince him that he had a faulty reality, so I stopped trying. And in accepting that his reality and mine were different, I was able to find a place where we were able to get along.
In fact our minds are incapable of experiencing a truly objective reality. Each of us has a concept of reality shaped by our experiences.
The first lesson I took from this is that we are responsible for our own pumpkins. Each of us has to take responsibility for reconciling our reality or our world view with those around us. You can not take it upon yourself to clear up somebody else's pumpkin, you can only take care of your own.
The second lesson is that everyone has pumpkins. We all have places within our reality that don't match up with those around us. Places where, good or bad, we experience the world differently. It is important to realize this and to be aware of these differences.
And finally, everyone includes you. So the next time you find yourself in a disagreement with someone realize that the thing that is coming between you may be a pumpkin, and what is more it may even be a pumpkin that you have been carrying and not them.
|
Leonard Porcano currently manages Novisi.com, a web development company. You can find Leonard's blog at Inspirinet.com. He loves to sail, and has raced sailboats and even spent a summer teaching sailing to the blind.
|
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Self Improvement Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Leonard Porcano
Most Recent "Self Improvement" Articles
Why So Many People Have Tried Dating And Are Still Alone
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-11-06 |
Word Count: 692 |
Page Views: 6427
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.06
Let's face it; we all want to find our special someone.
Unfortunately, too many people involved in the Dating Game are
hurting their chances of success, before they even go on that
first date.
Online Dating Is Easy, But Successful Relationships Require Hard Work
Written by: Denice Ritter |
Distributed: 2013-10-31 |
Word Count: 564 |
Page Views: 4601
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 1.57
My nineteenth anniversary will be here in a week and a half.
So what's so exceptional about that in Mormon Utah? Just
this: I have a mail-order husband. He has a mail-order
bride. In those days, there was no Internet, and therefore,
there was no such thing as online dating. I had to do it the
hard way...
Wal-Mart Has Everything You Need Including Your Next Dating Prospect
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-31 |
Word Count: 674 |
Page Views: 5508
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.10
My 20-year-old nephew came to live with me and my kids, until he
can get on his own two feet financially. His hometown - my
hometown is really small... providing little opportunity to
someone looking to get started in life on the right foot. I
showed him around town, set him on a path to find a job, and
pointed out where he could go to meet girls his own age... And in
the end, I learned an age-old lesson from my nephew...
Verify The Identity Of Your Online Dating Match
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-30 |
Word Count: 502 |
Page Views: 6928
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 1.69
The biggest hurdle that most people face in online dating world
is the question and concern of whether the person at the other
end of the conversation is really who he or she says that they
are.
Tips To Help You Spot and Avoid Online Dating Scams
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-29 |
Word Count: 1082 |
Page Views: 5268
| Votes: 18 |
Rating: 2.33
When seeking romance on the Internet, you should be aware of the
many scammers that are seeking to victimize those looking for
love.
Top 3 Things You Must Do To Sell Yourself to Others In The Dating Game
Written by: Kandice Skaggs |
Distributed: 2013-10-29 |
Word Count: 836 |
Page Views: 2777
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.00
Every day, we sell ourselves to others. We exert effort to
be accepted by the society, which is a form of selling
ourselves. In the office or any workplace, you sell yourself
to your boss, your workmates and clients, convincing them
that you are worthy of notice, time, and respect. Dating is
no different!
Tips For Building a Successful Long Distance Relationship
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-24 |
Word Count: 731 |
Page Views: 4887
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 1.86
From time to time, life will hand you a twist, and you will be
required to move from one place to another - this can be the
result of a job transfer, leaving home to attend college, or any
of a number of other reasons. When you move from one town to
another, it is not always possible to bring your partner with
you, and this sometimes leads to the formation of a long distance
relationship (LDR).
Take The Dating Scene One Step At A Time, After Divorce
Written by: RoseMary Alberts |
Distributed: 2013-10-23 |
Word Count: 567 |
Page Views: 4812
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 0.84
After divorce, the word "dating" scares a lot of people.
If you've been married a long time you probably have lost
track of all the unwritten rules or even how to go about
meeting new eligible people. Many people immediately take
off for the clubs thinking that that is the place they are
going to meet someone. You may meet someone there, but it
depends on what you are looking for. But, if you are looking
for more, this article will help you find your way...
Online Dating Tips: Can You Really Find Your Soul Mate Online?
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-22 |
Word Count: 855 |
Page Views: 2607
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 0.43
Many people think that finding THE ONE is really easy and
will just come when the time is right. Yes, it happens to
many people. But there are also those who go through many
challenges before meeting the person with whom they will
spend their lifetimes. This is why Internet dating has
become so attractive and popular.
Online Dating: Not Your Ticket To Adam Levine
Written by: Kandice Skaggs |
Distributed: 2013-10-22 |
Word Count: 912 |
Page Views: 2601
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 0.43
Okay. You think you're hot. Sexy, accomplished, young. But
you're single. Oops. There goes the relationship barometer
- down, way down the drain, and you suddenly turn to the
internet. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Most Viewed "Self Improvement" Articles
Fill-In-The-Blank Bio Templates to Write Your Personal or Professional Bio
Written by: Barbra Sundquist |
Distributed: 2008-04-17 |
Word Count: 654 |
Page Views: 138069
| Votes: 240 |
Rating: 2.45
It's not hard to write a personal or professional bio when you
use the fill-in-the-blank bio templates provided in this article.
All you have to do is choose one or two sentences from each of
the four categories and add your details. The result will be a
first-rate personal or professional bio.
Making Women Lust For You
Written by: Kathy Stafford |
Distributed: 2007-10-29 |
Word Count: 566 |
Page Views: 28792
| Votes: 91 |
Rating: 1.71
Ways to be the man women will lust for. Offers suggestions on how
to improve your physical image as well as your personality to
make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex.
Why Is Failure The Steppingstone To Success?
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success |
Distributed: 2007-06-07 |
Word Count: 156 |
Page Views: 17449
| Votes: 142 |
Rating: 1.82
The pervasive misperception is that failure is somehow bad for
you. I think failure is just the opposite and have identified 8
reasons why failure is your steppingstone to success.
Do You Take Things Personally? Learn How Not To
Written by: Carol Chanel |
Distributed: 2006-11-02 |
Word Count: 1891 |
Page Views: 15859
| Votes: 49 |
Rating: 4.08
Do you take things personally and wish you didn't? Do you want
to know how not to take things personally? Every time I say I
help people learn how not to take things personally I always get
the same response – oh, I need help with that.
She Won't Call Me Back
Written by: Kathy Stafford |
Distributed: 2007-11-07 |
Word Count: 503 |
Page Views: 11348
| Votes: 30 |
Rating: 2.93
How to proceed when the woman you connected with won't return
your phone calls or emails. Tips for determining whether you
should continue to try to contact her or forget her and move on
to someone new.
How To Be Happy -- With Whatever Life Gives You!
Written by: Bruce Elkin |
Distributed: 2008-01-28 |
Word Count: 1087 |
Page Views: 10582
| Votes: 18 |
Rating: 2.11
The way we make ourselves happy is unique to each of us. But the ways we make ourselves unhappy are remarkably common to all of us. So, perhaps, by not doing the things that makes us unhappy, we can create more space for deep and lasting happiness we long for.
How To Avoid The Pitfalls, Wrong Turns, Broken Hearts Of Online Dating
Written by: Lance Metzger |
Distributed: 2013-10-16 |
Word Count: 657 |
Page Views: 10098
| Votes: 23 |
Rating: 1.78
As an experienced online dater, I feel qualified to help you avoid
pitfalls, wrong turns, broken hearts, and the general
catastrophes associated with internet wooing. Read on as I
examine many of the pitfalls of online dating and how to avoid
them...
Talking About Past Relationships
Written by: Kathy Stafford |
Distributed: 2007-11-13 |
Word Count: 685 |
Page Views: 9686
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.44
How much information do you give your girlfriend about your past
relationships? Offers tips for how to answer the question from
your girlfriend about your past relationship – what to tell, and
what not to tell.
Getting Your Boyfriend's Forgiveness
Written by: Kathy Stafford |
Distributed: 2007-10-10 |
Word Count: 499 |
Page Views: 9410
| Votes: 28 |
Rating: 1.50
Advice on asking for forgiveness after you've made a mistake in
your relationship. How to repair your relationship and reduce the
anger.
She Wants You Back
Written by: Kathy Stafford |
Distributed: 2007-11-05 |
Word Count: 482 |
Page Views: 7484
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.14
How to handle a touchy situation when the girl who left you wants
you back. Offers tips on how to determine if you should re-kindle
your relationship with her or move on to someone new.
Highest Ranked "Self Improvement" Articles
Do You Take Things Personally? Learn How Not To
Written by: Carol Chanel |
Distributed: 2006-11-02 |
Word Count: 1891 |
Page Views: 15859
| Votes: 49 |
Rating: 4.08
Do you take things personally and wish you didn't? Do you want
to know how not to take things personally? Every time I say I
help people learn how not to take things personally I always get
the same response – oh, I need help with that.
Learn The Secret To Becoming An Expert At Anything
Written by: Jason OConnor |
Distributed: 2007-05-09 |
Word Count: 930 |
Page Views: 3350
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 3.80
What happens when you step off the edge of a thirty story
building's rooftop with nothing to keep you in the air? Gravity
drops you like a rock. It's an immutable law. This law will
never be broken. Here's another one. Energy can't be created or
destroyed; it may be transformed from one form to another, but
the total amount of energy can never change. You may be wondering
what this has to do with becoming an expert at something. Read
on, you'll begin to see what I'm getting at here.
Law of Success: Part I
Written by: Sharif Khan |
Distributed: 2007-07-17 |
Word Count: 1173 |
Page Views: 3299
| Votes: 18 |
Rating: 3.44
Learn the Success Secrets of over 500 of the world's greatest
achievers in this special three part educational series
commemorating the work of Napoleon Hill's classic bestseller,
'Law of Success.'
The Key to Success in Psychometric Tests – Personality and Aptitude
Written by: Ron Clover |
Distributed: 2008-02-13 |
Word Count: 793 |
Page Views: 3893
| Votes: 9 |
Rating: 3.44
In the current job market, being invited to a job interview
almost always entails taking psychometric tests. The two main
elements in psychometric testing consist of – personality tests
and aptitude (IQ) tests.
Time Management For Busy Moms
Written by: Jance Hayes |
Distributed: 2006-07-12 |
Word Count: 348 |
Page Views: 3598
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.43
How do you do it? You work 40 hours a week, commute eight, cook,
clean, read bed time stories, help with homework, finagle home
finances and still have time for yourself and your spouse. Is
there an easier way? Before you peanut butter that gum out of
Sarah's hair or hunt down Cameron's pet rat, take a deep breath
and try these helpful time management tips:
To Do List Draining You? How to Brighten Up the Tasks You Dread
Written by: Bonnie McFarland |
Distributed: 2007-04-03 |
Word Count: 845 |
Page Views: 2043
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 3.40
Something on your to do list you dread doing? That drains your
energy like a vampire? Here's a way to lighten and brighten
those dull, draining tasks. And maybe even have a little fun with
them!
Law of Success: Part II
Written by: Sharif Khan |
Distributed: 2007-07-18 |
Word Count: 1856 |
Page Views: 3811
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 3.40
Learn the Success Secrets of over 500 of the world's greatest
achievers in this special three part educational series
commemorating the work of Napoleon Hill's classic bestseller,
'Law of Success.'
Dream Big!
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success |
Distributed: 2006-09-22 |
Word Count: 456 |
Page Views: 4514
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 3.20
Everybody, regardless of who you are, has a dream that they want
to accomplish in life. Remember, if this is your life long goal
you want it to be something huge.
Spring Clean Your Life!
Written by: Jan Hornford |
Distributed: 2008-05-13 |
Word Count: 1091 |
Page Views: 3000
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 3.17
My spring cleaning has been centered on eliminating tolerations.
Tolerations are anything that you are putting up with that drains
your energy or irritates you. Eliminating tolerations is a simple
way to get you into action, generate momentum and create energy
in your life.
Ten Things You Can Do To Decrease Your Stress At The Office
Written by: Chris Le Roy |
Distributed: 2006-08-24 |
Word Count: 2971 |
Page Views: 4481
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 3.13
The world we live on is nothing but a mound of chaotic pressure
that is building to the point it bursts like a volcano. We are
bombarded with pressure from our employers, our customers and
families to the point where some people actually do break. Most
of us today in professional lives spend between 8 and 16 hours a
day at the office, which equates to almost two-thirds of our
lives being in a place we really do not want to be in, but there
are things you can do to decrease the stress in your office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|
This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 1025
Total Views: 2043
Article Rating: 2.40 of 5
Votes Cast: 5
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Last Distribution Date:
2009-01-21 13:48:00
Internal ID: #6514
|
|
|
Home