The Parable of the Frog: A Story of Change

"Do not consider painful what is good for you."
-- Euripides
A few years ago scientists conducted an experiment involving frogs. They wanted to determine how a frog would react when dropped into a vat of boiling water. When they dropped a frog into the boiling water it blasted from that vat like a bat out of Hades!
 
The scientists decided to take the experiment a step further. They took the frog, and held it over a different vat of water. Only this time the water was lukewarm. They dropped the frog and it just laid there, floating lazily on the water's surface. The frog laid in the water contented, happy, and relaxed. But - What the frog didn't know was that underneath the vat was a raging fire. It was slowly, but surely, heating the vat of water. The contented frog, oblivious to the changing temperature, boiled to death.
 
You're probably thinking to yourself: what a terrible story.  Think again. Apply this story of the frog to that of your own life and Rotary right now. If we and Rotary are really serious about being successful we need to make some changes sometimes. If you're not moving in the direction you need to go in order to realize your visions, you'll end up like our little frog. You'll die in your own complacency, mediocrity and contentment.
 
Some Rotary clubs could be dying a slow death from not embracing change. Our RI President Ravi has said he will pull the charter of any club who does not welcome women. Good for him! I (PDG Ed Charlesworth) had the honor of bringing in the first women in my previous club, and those women have gone on to make tremendous influence in the world of Rotary. Now we have chartered the first e-club in District 5890, and we are making incredible changes in bringing the great works of Rotary to those who could not attend traditional meetings.
 
Read the quote at the beginning of this article. For our club the quote is quite profound. Our recent changes in leadership have been painful. But they have also been good for us. We have seen the club BOD and members came together in a time of crisis to embrace change and grow. Thanks to all of you for being part of the solution, and not part of the problem. Our program this week gives six keys leaders use to create positive change: show up, speak up and influence our agenda to positive action, look up to a vision of hopeful change and stay mindful of our mission, team up with our partners, never give up and “find your inner Mandela,” and lift others up and share success.