EVEN A TOOTHPICK HAS POTENTIAL

Even a Toothpick Has Potential

by Vic and Avellyn Garcia

            One of the greatest frustration in life is seeing potential go to waste. Many people with great potential never realize what they do not understand the seed of greatness that lies between them.

               A great tragedy happens when a seed dies before it has chance to became a tree. Remember, in every see, there is a tree; in every tree, a forest; in every baby boy, a man; in every baby girl, a woman; and every generation, a nation.

            I remember a discovery I made when I visited South Korea a few years ago that I would never forget. Among the many beautiful places we visited, I was most blessed when our team went to restaurant where I learned a lot. While most of my friends were busy eating, my eyes glued to a beautiful, smooth and perfectly-made green-colored toothpick. To my amazement, the toothpick has a history.  

         A Korean friend who was with us at that time was so puzzled that my eyes were glued to a simple Korean toothpick. What he did not realize was that I was not simply interested in the toothpick per se but I was more curious about its history. Being a pilgrim and not just a tourist, I love to learn about the people and places that I visit, regardless of whether it is a restaurant, public transportation or museum.

           I really love to observe and learn. So I asked my Korean friend to give more information about the said toothpick. He stopped eating for a while and patiently told me its history.

           A long time ago, South Korea used wooden toothpicks. One day, there was an unemployed and disillusioned man who entered a restaurant to observe what the people did after eating. He found out that the majority of the customers used toothpicks after their meal and left them on their plates. He also discovered that waiters would normally gather all the leftover food from the plates without even sorting out the used toothpicks. At the end of the day, someone would pick up all the leftover food with the sharp toothpicks in it and gave it to the animals to eat.

            He was shocked to discover that many animals that were given that leftover food died because of the toothpicks punctured their sensitive organs like their heart. When this unemployed man learned of this reality. he went home and began thinking of what he could do about the situation.

             Considering that the wooden toothpick could cause death to animals, he resolved to create a safe alternative. He decided to make a soluble toothpick – one that was made from sweet potatoes! Yes, he made toothpick from our lowly, kamote. In fact, one of my friends commented, “wow! May toothpick ka na, may dessert ka pa!” when asked why he came up with this simple invention, the man simply said, “because I love my country.”

       This ordinary, frustrated and unemployed individual’s creation was discovered by the government of South Korea. He was requested to produce billions upon billions of soluble toothpicks to be used in different establishments. That once jobless person is now a rich man!

             “Our talents are the gift god gives to us…what we make of our talents is our gift back to god” Leo Buscaglia

            Think about this, everything in life is created with potential, even toothpick has potential. We are responsible for that seed of greatness stored within each of us. That man who invented a soluble toothpick watered the seed of greatness within him and refused to be contented with his previous accomplishments. Had he not used his god talent, his life would not have made a turn for the better. This man may have remained unemployed and buried in self-pity.

           You may be in between jobs and filled with disappointments, frustrations, sadness, or pain. Your mother may have hated you because you reminded her of the man she detested. Just the mere fact that you were born, showed that god has a purpose for your life and he has placed a seed of potential for you to unleash.

           You cannot change the past that caused your disappointments, heartaches and frustrations. However, like that toothpick manufacturer, you can do something about your future. What is in front of you is far more important that what is behind you. Where you are going is far more important than what is behind you. Where you are going is far more important than where you have been stop looking back.

            Stop focusing on your painful past. Kalimutan ang nakaraan. Napakarami mo pang pweding Gawain sa buhay. Unleash the seed of the greetness that god has placed within you. You me think that your dreams have died, but remember that god can resurrect your dead dreams!
God has not given up on you and he never will. You have something to offer that nobody else can. There is great wealth of potential in you! Remember, you are more than what you have done. Even a toothpick has potential!