‘A BUNDLE OF STICKS IS WORTH MORE THAN A SINGLE STICK’

Many a time the phrase “unity is strength” and the “power of team-work” is over-emphasized. But how many times does the reality of it dawn on us so powerfully?

A story is told: “A father had a family of sons. Unfortunately they weren’t very nice to each other. There was constant quarreling and bickering. No matter what this Father said to his sons, it didn’t do any good. As a result he thought long and hard about what he could say. He wanted to provide them with some type of lesson that would help them realize the impact that their constant quarreling would ultimately have.

One day the quarreling became more aggressive and even violent. The father broke it up and sent each son to a different corner of the yard. It was at that point that this wise Father came up with a lesson. He sent one of the sons to bring him a bundle of sticks. He tied the bundle of sticks and asked each son to take turns in trying to break them. Each of them tried very hard, but couldn’t come close to snapping the bundle. The father then untied the bundle and gave each son one stick and asked them to break it now. They did so easily.

He then said: “My sons, do you not see how if you help each other and work with each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you continue to be divided amongst yourselves you won’t be any stronger than a single-stick in that bundle.”

Try breaking a bundle of sticks and a single one..

Two very critical lessons can be learnt from that story. THE POWER OF TRUST and TEAM-WORK.

Why are there fights between siblings and within family-lack of trust and team-work? Why are relationships and marriages breaking each passing day-lack of trust and team-work? Why are company partnerships falling apart and organizations failing-lack of trust and team-work? Why are friendships falling apart-lack of trust and team-work.

Many are the times the quarrels we engage in are fueled by just a slight drop in the trust levels between the parties involved.Definitely,without trust ,team-work cannot apply. Before you think of ending that friendship, that marriage, that partnership or whatever is not working out in your life. Pose the question, have I trusted enough? And if I have, how best can we work together( be it the two of you or more) to bring things in order.
Together you are like a bundle of sticks (that an external force cannot break/ruin) but apart you are very vulnerable. Where best do you stand, is it as a bundle or on your own?

“HOLDING ON TO THE LAST STRING”

 

A story is told of Niccolo Paganini, who was a well-known and gifted
nineteenth century violinist. He was also well known as a great showman with a quick sense of humor. His most memorable concert was in Italy with a full orchestra. He was performing before a packed house and his technique was incredible, his tone was fantastic, and his audience dearly loved him.

Toward the end of his concert, Paganini was astounding his audience with an unbelievable composition when suddenly one string on his violin snapped and hung limply from his instrument. Paganini frowned briefly, shook his head, and continued to play, improvising beautifully.

Then to everyone’s surprise, a second string broke. And shortly thereafter, a third. Almost like a slapstick comedy, Paganini stood there with three strings dangling from his Stradivarius. But instead of leaving the stage, Paganini stood his ground and calmly completed the difficult number on the one remaining string.”

Even when the 1st string snaps,then the 2nd,3rd..there’s still one more-and its still a violin

This is something most of us struggle with, me included. WE GIVE UP! When strings in our violins break, when we are on that mega performance-When things in our lives (at work, family, relationships, marriage, business) just don’t seem to work out as they should. We get frustrated and just give up. This is the hardest thing to actualize but easy to say, yet very important. Just like the lesson learnt from Niccolo,even when the strings break and never has a violin been played using a single string (and there’s every good reason to stop the performance) -just give yourself hope even when no-one else believes in you and keep going. You will be remembered for KEEPING strong and HOLDING ON to the last string.

What last string of your life are you holding on to?If it’s worth it, keep it right there, don’t give up just yet! At least there’s  something to hold on to – a string to play.