IF and WHEN

(this is a veri good story- cheers! -sm)

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