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"IF" and "WHEN"
"IF" and "WHEN" were friends. Every
week they met and had lunch.
Their conversation usually centered on all the
things they were going to achieve.
They both had many dreams and they loved
to talk about them.
This particular Saturday when they
met, "WHEN" sensed that "IF" was not in a great mood. As usual they sat at the
table reserved for them and ordered their lunch. Once they placed their order,
"WHEN" questioned "IF". "(IF), what is wrong with you? You don't seem your usual
cheery self?!"
"IF" looked at "WHEN" and replied,
"I'm not sure, I just don't feel like I am making any progress. This last week I
saw a course I wanted to take if only I had the time to take
it."
"WHEN" knew exactly how "IF" felt.
"Yeah," replied (WHEN), "I too saw a course and I am going to register
when I get enough money together." (WHEN) then said,
"well what about
that new job you were going to apply for. You were so
excited about it last
week, did you apply?"
(IF) responded, "If my
computer didn't break down last week, I would have applied. But, my computer is
not working, so I could not type my resume."
"Don't worry about it (IF), when you
are ready another job will come through.
I have been thinking about looking
for another job also, but I will wait and
when the weather gets nicer
I will look then." (WHEN) then went on to tell (IF) about his week, hoping that
it would cheer him up a bit.
The man at the next table couldn't
help overhear "WHEN" and "IF". They both were talking about when this and
if that, finally he couldn't take it anymore.
"Excuse me gentlemen,"
the man said. "IF" and "WHEN" both looked at the man and wondered what he
wanted. The man continued, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help hearing your
conversation. I think I know how you could solve your problems."
"IF" smiled and thought, how could a
complete stranger know how to solve all of their problems. If only he
knew. When he realized the challenges they
faced there was no way he
could solve their problems! Curious, "IF" asked the gentleman, "How do you think
you can solve our problems?"
The gentleman smiled and said, "You
only need listen to yourselves. It
reminds me of an old proverb:
'If and When were planted, and Nothing grew'."
"IF" and "WHEN" looked puzzled. The
gentleman smiled and said, "Start counting how many times you use the words
'if' and 'when'. Rather than thinking 'if and when',
start doing, take action, stop talking about 'if and
when'."
"IF" and "WHEN" both looked
surprised, and suddenly realized that what the gentleman had said was so true.
Both of them were guilty of thinking, acting and living their life for the
"ifs and whens". The gentleman left and "IF" and "WHEN"'s
conversation changed. They made a pact that when they met for lunch next
week, there would be no "ifs and whens"; they would only talk
about what they accomplished.
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