Positive Inspirational Attitude Stories
Digging for Gold
When I was a young boy in Santa Cruz, California I used to help my Grandfather in the fields by his home. This was not his land but back in those days it was not unusual to barter with the neighbours to work it for them so he could grow the vegetables that he loved. He would then share them with the neighbour for payment. He grew corn, beans, peas, zucchini, cucumbers and garlic. And nobody could grow bigger dahlias than my Grandfather.
As I worked along side him he used to love to tell this story of a man named Giuseppe (Joe) and his wife who moved to a new farm with their three sons. They were settling into the new community when a nearby farmer told Joe that there was gold in the dirt of his new property. Joe took that statement as that there was actual gold in the land. He thought to himself, 'I have three healthy sons, I'll tell them about it'. Indeed he told his sons that there was gold to be found in their new property. Needless to say his sons actually took charge of their personal enterprise right on their own land. They had visions of what they would do when they found gold. Each son had a different vision. For as young as they were, they set up quite a professional approach in the digging for gold.
They began in one corner with a certain width and kept going until they got to the end. Once they got to the property line they would start another swath and go back the other direction. They began to realize that digging for gold was fun! This procedure went on for about six months and they still weren't through going through the whole property.
Meanwhile Joe thought he would plant some crops in the area where the dirt had been turned thoroughly. He planted corn, tomatoes, potatoes and onions. His sons continued to dig through the soil, determined to find gold. As more dirt was available, Joe planted more crops. An interesting point here is that Joe had never farmed before but it had always been a dream of his to do so.
As each different crop became ready to be harvested Joe started to realize that there was more than he and his family could ever eat. One of Joe's neighbours suggested that he set up a vegetable stand. Joe and his wife did that very thing. They called it Joe and Family Vegetables. Joe even had to leave some crops on the ground because he had more than enough to meet the demands at the vegetable stand.
What were Joe's sons doing in the meantime? They were still working the land even after they had finished the entire parcel. They started once again in the original corner, working in the leftover plant material while they were still on their quest to find gold.
This process went on for years and Joe and his wife became quite wealthy from their little vegetable stand. They were even able to send their sons off to college simply because they wanted to find gold.
Remember at the beginning of the story when Joe was told by his new neighbour that there was gold in the land? Well, the truth is, Joe's understanding of the English language was less than perfect. His new neighbour friend actually told him that his land had rich soil. So you can see where the concept of gold came in.
Did Joe's sons become slaves to the digging? No, they were inspired because they had visions of what money could do for them and did not focus on the money itself.
Is there a way we can take this story to a higher level? Yes, the Universe provides us opportunity and sometimes dangles the carrot to inspire us. In essence, Joe's sons were inspired with the possibility of finding gold in the soil. Some of you I'm sure will draw your own meaning, but here is one to consider. Go out and pretend that there is gold in all your challenges and setbacks so that you can be inspired to motivate yourself to allow the Universe to provide all that you need and then some.
The Universe will never give up on you, if you never give up on yourself.
Written by Tony Masiello
My sincere thanks to Tony for allowing me to share his story in this issue of InspirEmail.
Tony is a Speaker, Author, and Consultant and is author of the e-book - Whispers from the Universe.
This story appeared in InspirEmail No 85 - May 22, 2006
- Attitude Stories
- Attitude
- The Nails in the Fence
- What am I
- People will probably forget what you said . . .
- The Star Fish Story
- I have a choice about today
- The parable of the marbles
- A New Ending
- I packed your parachute
- The Touchstone
- Knowing right from wrong and embracing it
- If you think you can't
- Loyalty and Friendship
- Reacting to Rita
- Think About This
- Not your ordinary sand castle
- Be Thankful
- The Trouble Tree
- Each day is a gift
- How's your life
- Some natural highs
- An interesting funeral
- Recipe for forever
- Steps to happiness
- The Optimist Creed
- Digging for Gold
- Broken Eggs and Shattered Glass
- Dancing with Friends
- Life
- Priceless gifts you can give
- Living life and having fun
- Please listen to me
- Life is a Hallmark Card
- The power of responsibility
- Smile
- Whose list are you on?
- If only we believe
- The wit and wisdom of dogs
- Share your time
- The man who sold very good hotdogs
- Priorities
- Reflection of you
- When the wind blows
- The Train Story a journey, an experience, and a feeling
- The Obstacle in our Path
- Attitude on Life
- Because the sun was shining
- Reflecting on Life
- All just part of my job!
- Glowing and Growing with the Appreciation
- The Carpenter
- The Best Doctors
- The words we love to hear