STRENGTH
A boy and his father were walking along a road when they came across a large stone. The boy said to his father, "Do you think if I use all my strength, I can move this rock?"
His father answered, "If you use all your strength, I am sure you can do it."
The boy began to push the rock. Exerting himself as much as he could, he pushed and pushed. The rock did not move.
Discouraged, he said to his father, "You were wrong. I can't do it."
His father placed his arm around the boy's shoulder and said, "No son. You didn't use all your strength - you didn't ask me to help."
From Teaching Your Children About God
Do you believe that the Universe is a friendly, nurturing place or not?
Or is it a neutral or perhaps threatening place?
Do you believe that there are energies and beings that are just waiting to help you, if you just ask for their help? Or do you believe that you are all alone and basically just a spiritual orphan?
Do you believe that if you ask for support and believe and expect that it will come to you, that it will come to you?
These are the questions and beliefs that this parable is asking you to explore.
So, just take some time to explore and meditate on these questions. By doing so, you will come to better know yourself and then you will be better able to draw upon the sources of strength that are available to you.