To cut the long story short: Change or be extinct!
The Story
> >
> >
> >Once, long ago in a land far away, there lived four little characters who
> >ran through a maze looking for cheese to nourish them and make them happy.
> >
> >Two were mice named "Sniff" and "Scurry" and two were littlepeople - beings
> >who were as small as mice but who looked and acted a lot like people today.
> > Their names were "Hem" and "Haw".
> >
> >Due to their small size, it would be easy not to notice what the four of
> >them were doing. But if you looked closely enough, you could discover the
> >most amazing things!
> >
> >Every day the mice and the littlepeople spent time in the maze looking for
> >their own special cheese.
> >
> >The mice, Sniff and Scurry, possessing only simple rodent brains, but good
> >instincts, searched for the hard nibbling cheese they likes, as mice often
> >do.
> >
> >The two littlepeople, Hem and Haw, used their brains, filled with many
> >beliefs, to search for a very different kind of Cheese - with a capital C -
> >which they believed would make them feel happy and successful.
> >
> >As different as the mice and littlepeople were, they shared something in
> >common; every morning, they each put on their jogging suits and running
> >shoes, left their little homes, and raced out into the maze looking for
> >their favourite cheese.
> >
> >The maze was a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, some containing
> >delicious cheese. But there were also dark corners and blind alleys
> >leading nowhere. It was an easy place for anyone to get lost.
> >
> >However, for those who found their way, the maze held secrets that led them
> >enjoy a better life.
> >
> >The mice, Sniff and Scurry, used the simple, but inefficient,
> >trial-and-error method of finding cheese. They ran down one corridor and
> >if it proved empty, they turned and ran down another.
> >
> >Sniff would smell out the general direction of the cheese, using his great
> >nose, and Scurry would race ahead. They got lost, as you might expect,
> >went off in the wrong direction and often bumped into walls.
> >
> >However, the two littlepeople, Hem and Haw used a different method that
> >relied on their ability to think and learn from their past experiences,
> >although, they would sometimes get confused by their beliefs and emotions.
> >
> >Eventually in their own way, they all discovered what they were looking for
> >- they each found their own kind of cheese one day at the end of one of the
> >corridors in Cheese Station C.
> >
> >Every morning after that, the mice and the littlepeople dressed in their
> >running gear and headed over to Cheese Station C. It wasn't long before
> >they each established their own routine.
> >
> >Sniff and Scurry continued to wake early every day and race through the
> >maze, always following the same route.
> >
> >When they arrived at their destination, the mice took off their running
> >shoes, tied them together and hung them around their necks - so they could
> >get to them quickly whenever they needed them again. Then they enjoyed the
> >cheese.
> >
> >In the beginning Hem and Haw also raced toward Cheese Station C every
> >morning to enjoy the tasty new morsels that awaited them.
> >
> >But after a while, a different routine set in for the littlepeople.
> >
> >Hem and Haw awoke each day a little later, dressed a little slower, and
> >walked to Cheese Station C. After all, they knew where the Cheese was now
> >and how to get there.
> >
> >They had no idea where the Cheese came from, or who put it there. They
> >just assumed it would be there.
> >
> >As soon as Hem and Haw arrived at Cheese Station C each morning, they
> >settled in and made themselves at home. They hung up their jogging suits,
> >put away their running shoes and put on their slippers. They were becoming
> >very comfortable now that they had found the Cheese.
> >
> >"This is great," Hem said. "There's enough Cheese here to last us
> >forever." The littlepeople felt happy and successful, and thought they
> >were now secure.
> >
> >It wasn't long before Hem and Haw regarded the Cheese they found at the
> >Cheese Station C as their cheese. It was such a large store of Cheese that
> >they eventually moved their homes to be closer to it, and built a social
> >life around it.
> >
> >To make themselves feel more at home, Hem and Haw decorated the walls with
> >sayings and even drew pictures of Cheese around them which made them smile.
> > One read: Having Cheese Makes You Happy.
> >
> >Sometimes Hem and Haw would take their friends by to see their pile of
> >Cheese at Cheese Station C, and point to it with pride, saying, "Pretty
> >nice Cheese, huh?" Sometimes they shared it with their friends and
> >sometimes they didn't.
> >
> >"We deserve this Cheese," Hem said. "We certainly had to work long and
> >hard enough to find it." He picked up a nice fresh piece and ate it.
> >
> >Afterwards, Hem fell asleep, as he often did.
> >
> >Every night the littlepeople would waddle home, full of Cheese, and every
> >morning they would confidently return for more.
> >
> >They went on for quite some time.
> >
> >After a while Hem's and Haw's confidence grew into arrogance. Soon they
> >became so comfortable they didn't even notice what was happening.
> >
> >As time went on, Sniff and Scurry continued their routine. They arrived
> >early each morning and sniffed and scratched and scurried around Cheese
> >Station C, inspecting the area to see if there had been any changes from
> >the day before. Then they would sit down to nibble on the cheese.
> >
> >One morning they arrived at Cheese Station C and discovered there was no
> >cheese.
> >
> >They weren't surprised. Since Sniff and Scurry had noticed the supply of
> >cheese had been getting smaller every day, they were prepared for the
> >inevitable and knew instinctively what to do.
> >
> >They looked at each other, removed the running shoes they had tied together
> >and hung conveniently around their necks, put them on their feet and laced
> >them up.
> >
> >The mice did not overanalyze things. And they were not burdened with many
> >complex beliefs.
> >
> >To the mice, the problem and the answer were both simple. The situation at
> >Cheese Station C had changed. So, Sniff and Scurry decided to change.
> >
> >They both looked out into the maze. Then Sniff lifted his nose, sniffed
> >and nodded to Scurry, who took off running through the maze while Sniff
> >followed as fast as he could.
> >
> >They were quickly off in search of New Cheese.
> >
> >Later that same day, Hem and Haw arrived at Cheese Station C. They had not
> >been paying attention to the small changes that had been taking place each
> >day, so they took it for granted their Cheese would be there.
> >
> >They were unprepared for what they found.
> >
> >"What! No Cheese?" Hem yelled. He continued yelling, "No Cheese? No
> >Cheese?" as though if he shouted loud enough someone would put it back.
> >
> >"Who moved my Cheese?" he hollered.
> >
> >Finally, he put his hands on his hips, his face turned red, and he screamed
> >at the top of his voice, "It's not fair!"
> >
> >Haw just shook his head in disbelief. He, too, had counted on finding
> >Cheese at Cheese Station C. He stood there for a long time, frozen with
> >shock. He was just not ready for this.
> >
> >Hem was yelling something, but Haw didn't want to hear it. He didn't want
> >to deal with what was facing him, so he just tuned everything out.
> >
> >The littlepeople's behavoir was not very attractive or productive but it
> >was understandable.
> >Finding Cheese wasn't easy, and it meant a great deal more to the
> >littlepeople than just having enough of it to eat every day.
> >
> >Finding Cheese was the littlepeoples' way of getting what they though they
> >needed to be happy. They had their own ideas of what Cheese meant to them,
> >depending on their taste.
> >
> >For some, finding Cheese was having material things. For others it was
> >enjoying good health, or developing a spiritual sense of well-being.
> >
> >For Haw, Cheese just meant feeling safe, having a loving family someday and
> >living in a cozy cottage on Cheddar Lane.
> >
> >To Hem, Cheese was becoming A Big Cheese in charge of others and owning a
> >big house atop Camembert Hill.
> >
> >Because Cheese was important to them, the two littlepeople spent a long
> >time trying to decide what to do. All they could think of was to keep
> >looking around Cheeseless Station C to see if the Cheese was really gone.
> >
> >While Sniff and Scurry had quickly moved on, Hem and Haw continued to hem
> >and haw.
> >
> >They ranted and raved at the injustice of it all. Haw started to get
> >depressed. What would happen if the Cheese wasn't there tomorrow? He had
> >made future plans based on this Cheese.
> >
> >The littlepeople couldn't believe it. How could this have happened? No
> >one had warned them. It wasn't right. It was not the way things were
> >supposed to be.
> >
> >Hem and Haw went home that night hungry and discouraged. But before they
> >left, Haw wrote on the wall : The More Important Your Cheese Is To You The
> >More You Want To Hold On To It.
> >
> >The next day Hem and Haw left their homes, and returned to Cheese Station C
> >again, where they still expected, somehow, to find their Cheese.
> >
> >The situation hadn't changed, the Cheese was no longer there. The
> >littlepeople didn't know what to do. Hem and Haw just stood there,
> >immobilized like two statues.
> >
> >Haw shut his eyes as tight as he could and put his hands over his ears. He
> >just wanted to block everything out. He didn't want to know the Cheese
> >supply had gradually been getting smaller. He believed it had been moved
> >all of a sudden.
> >
> >Hem analyzed the situation over and over and eventually his complicated
> >brain with its huge belief system took hold, "Why did they do this to me?"
> >he demanded. "What's really going on here?"
> >
> >Finally, Haw opened his eyes, looked around and said, "By the way, where
> >are Sniff and Scurry? Do you think they know something we don't?"
> >
> >Hem scoffed, "What would they know?"
> >Hem continued, "They're just simple mice. They just respond to what
> >happens. We're littlepeople. We're special. We should be able to figure
> >this out. And, besides, we deserve better.
> >
> >"This should not happen to us, and if it does, we should at least get some
> >benefits."
> >
> >"Why should we get benefits?" Haw asked.
> >
> >"Because we're entitled," Hem claimed.
> >
> >"Entitled to what?" Haw wanted to know.
> >
> >"We're entitled to our Cheese."
> >
> >"Why?" Haw asked.
> >
> >"Because, we didn't cause this problem." Hem said. "Somebody else did this
> >and we should get something out of it."
> >
> >Haw suggested, "Maybe we should stop analyzing the situation so much and
> >just get along and find some new Cheese."
> >
> >"Oh no," Hem argued. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this."
> >
> >While Hem and Haw were still trying to decide what to do, Sniff and Scurry
> >were already well on their way. They went farther into the maze, up and
> >down corridors, looking for cheese in every Cheese Station they could find.
> >
> >They didn't think of anything else but finding New Cheese.
> >
> >They didn't find any for sometime until they finally went into an area of
> >the maze where they had never been before: Cheese Station N
> >
> >They squealed with delight. They found what they had been looking for: a
> >great supply of New Cheese.
> >
> >They could hardly believe their eyes. It was the biggest store of cheese
> >the mice had ever seen.
> >
> >In the meantime, Hem and Haw were still back in Cheese Station C evaluation
> >their situation. They were now suffering from the effects of having no
> >Cheese. They were becoming frustrated and angry and were blaming each
> >other for the situation they were in.
> >
> >Now and then Haw thought about his mice buddies, Sniff and Scurry, and
> >wondered if they had found any cheese yet. He believed they might be
> >having a hard time, as running through the maze usually involved some
> >uncertainty. But he also knew that it was likely to only last for a while.
> >
> >Sometimes, Haw would imagine Sniff and Scurry finding New Cheese and
> >enjoying it. He thought about how good it would be for him to be out on an
> >adventure in the maze, and to find fresh New Cheese. He could almost taste
> >it.
> >
> >The more clearly Haw saw the image of himself finding and enjoying the New
> >Cheese, the more he saw himself leaving Cheese Station C.
> >
> >"Let's go!" he exclaimed, all of a sudden.
> >
> >"No," Hem quickly responded. "I like it here. It's comfortable. It's
> >what I know. Besides it's dangerous out there."
> >
> >"No it isn't," Haw argued. "We've run through many parts of the maze
> >before, and we can do it again."
> >
> >"I'm getting too old for that," Hem said. "And I'm afraid I'm not
> >interested in getting lost and making a fool of myself. Are you?"
> >
> >With that, Haw's fear of failing returned and his hope of finding New
> >Cheese faded.
> >
> >So every day, the littlepeople continued to do what they had done before.
> >They went to Cheese Station C, found no Cheese, and returned home, carrying
> >their worried and frustrations with them.
> >
> >They tried to deny what was happening, but found it harder to get to sleep,
> >had less energy the next day, and were becoming irritable.
> >
> >Their homes were not the nurturing places they once were. The littlepeople
> >had difficulty sleeping and were having nightmares about not finding any
> >Cheese.
> >
> >But Hem and Haw still returned to Cheese Station C and waited there every
> >day.
> >
> >Hem said, "You know, if we just work harder we'll find that nothing has
> >really changed that much. The Cheese is probably nearby. Maybe they just
> >hid it behind the wall."
> >
> >The next day, Hem and Haw returned with tools. Hem held the chisel while
> >Haw banged on the hammer until they made a hole in the wall of Cheese
> >Station C. They peered inside but found no Cheese.
> >
> >They were disappointed but believed they could solve the problem. So they
> >started earlier, stayed longer, and worked harder. But after a while, all
> >they had was a large hole in the wall.
> >
> >Haw was beginning to realize the difference between activity and
> >productivity.
> >
> >"Maybe," Hem said, "we should just sit here and see what happens. Sooner
> >or later they have to put the Cheese back."
> >
> >Haw wanted to believe that. So each day he went home to rest and returned
> >reluctantly with Hem to Cheese Station C. But Cheese never reappeared.
> >
> >By now the littlepeople were growing weak from hunger and stress. Haw was
> >getting tired of just waiting for their situation to improve. He began to
> >see that the longer they stayed in their Cheeseless situation, the worse
> >off they would be.
> >
> >Haw knew they were losing their edge.
> >
> >Finally, one day Haw began laughing at himself. "Haw, haw, look at me. I
> >keep doing the same things over and over again and wonder why things don't
> >get better. If this wasn't so ridiculous, it would be even funnier."
> >
> >Haw did not like the idea of having to run through the maze again, because
> >he knew he would get lost and have no idea where he would find any Cheese.
> >But he had to laugh at his folly when he saw what his fear was doing to
> >him.
> >
> >He asked Hem, "Where did we put our jogging suits and running shoes?" It
> >took a long time to find them because they had put everything away when
> >they found their Cheese at Cheese Station C, thinking they wouldn't be
> >needing them anymore.
> >
> >As Hem saw his friend getting into his running gear, he said, "You're not
> >really going out into the maze again, are you? Why don't you just wait
> >here with me until they put the Cheese back?"
> >
> >"Because, you just don't get it," Haw said. "I didn't want to see it
> >either, but how I realize they're never going to put the Old Cheese back.
> >That was yesterday's Cheese. It's time to find New Cheese."
> >
> >Hem argued, "But what if there is no Cheese out there? Or even if there
> >is, what if you don't find it?"
> >
> >"I don't know," Haw said. He had asked himself those same questions too
> >many times and started to feel the fears again that kept him where he was.
> >
> >Then he though about finding New Cheese and all the good things that came
> >with it and gathered his courage.
> >
> >"Sometimes," Haw said, "things change and they are never the same again.
> >This looks like one of those times, Hem. That's life! Life moves on. And
> >so should we."
> >
> >Haw looked at his emaciated companion and tried to talk sense to him, but
> >Hem's fear had turned into anger and he wouldn't listen.
> >
> >Haw didn't mean to be rude to his friend, but he had to laugh at how silly
> >they both looked.
> >
> >As Haw prepared to leave, he started to feel more alive, knowing that he
> >was finally able to laugh at himself, let go and move on.
> >
> >He announced, "It's maze time!"
> >
> >Hem didn't laugh and he didn't respond.
> >
> >Haw picked up a small, sharp rock and wrote a serious thought on the wall
> >for Hem to think about. As was his custom, Haw even drew a picture of
> >cheese around it, hoping it would help Hem to smile, lighten up, and go
> >after the New Cheese. But Hem didn't want to see it.
> >
> >It read: If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct.
> >
> >Then, Haw stuck his head out and peered anxiously into the maze. He
> >thought about how he'd gotten himself into this cheeseless situation.
> >
> >He had believed that there may not be any Cheese in the maze, or he may not
> >find it. Such fearful beliefs were immobilizing and killing him.
> >
> >Haw smiled. He knew Hem was wondering, "Who moved my Cheese?" but Haw was
> >wondering, "Why didn't I get up and move with the Cheese sooner?"
> >
> >As he started out into the maze, Haw looked back to where he had come from
> >and felt its comfort. He could feel himself being drawn back into familiar
> >territory - even though he hadn't found Cheese there for some time.
> >
> >Haw became more anxious and wondered if he really wanted to go out into the
> >maze. He wrote a saying on the wall ahead of him and stared at it for some
> >time: What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?
> >
> >He thought about it.
> >
> >He knew sometimes some fear can be good. When you are afraid things are
> >going to get worse, if you don't do something, it can prompt you into an
> >action. But it is not good when you are afraid that it keeps you from
> >doing anything.
> >
> >He looked to his right, to the part of the maze where he had never been,
> >and felt the fear.
> >
> >Then, he took a deep breath, turned right into the maze, and jogged slowly,
> >into the unknown.
> >
> >As he tried to find his way, Haw worried, at first, that he might have
> >waited too long in Cheese Station C. He hadn't had any Cheese for so long
> >that he was now weak. It took him longer and it was more painful than
> >usual to get through the maze. He decided that if he ever got the chance
> >again, he would adapt to change sooner. It would make things easier.
> >
> >Then, Haw smiled a weak smile as he thought, "Better late than never."
> >
> >During the next several days, Haw found a little Cheese here and there, but
> >nothing that lasted very long. He had hoped to find enough Cheese to take
> >some back to Hem and encourage him to come out into the maze.
> >
> >But Haw didn't feel confident enough yet. He had to admit, he found it
> >confusing in the maze. Things seemed to have changed since the last time
> >he was out here.
> >
> >Just when he thought he was getting ahead, he would get lost in the
> >corridors. It seemed his progress was two steps forward and one step
> >backwards. It was a challenge, but he had to admit that being back in the
> >maze, hunting for Cheese wasn't nearly as bad as he feared it might be.
> >
> >As time went on he began to wonder if it was realistic for him to expect to
> >find New Cheese. He wondered if he had bitten off more than he could chew.
> > Then he laughed, realizing that he had nothing to chew on at the moment.
> >
> >Whenever he started to get discouraged he reminded himself that what he was
> >doing, as uncomfortable as it was at the moment, was in reality much better
> >than staying in the Chesseless situation. He was taking control, rather
> >than simply letting things happen to him.
> >
> >Then he reminded himself, if Sniff and Scurry could move on, so could he!
> >
> >Later, as Haw looked back on things, he realized that the Cheese at Cheese
> >Station C had not just disappeared overnight, as he had once thought. The
> >amount of Cheese that had been there toward the end had been getting
> >smaller and what was left had grown old. It didn't taste as good.
> >
> >Mold may even have begun to grow on the Old Cheese, although he hadn't
> >noticed it. He had to admit however, that if he had wanted to, he probably
> >could have seen what was coming. But he didn't.
> >
> >Haw now realized that the change probably would not have taken him by
> >surprise if he had been watching what was happening all long and if he had
> >anticipated change. Maybe that's what Sniff and Scurry had been doing.
> >
> >He stopped for a rest and wrote on the wall of the maze : Smell The Cheese
> >Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old.
> >
> >Sometime later, after not finding Cheese for what seemed like a long time,
> >Haw finally came across a huge Cheese Station which looked promising. When
> >he went inside, however, he was most disappointed to discover that the
> >Cheese station was empty.
> >
> >"This empty feeling has happened to me too often," he thought. He felt
> >like giving up.
> >
> >Haw was losing his physical strength. He knew he was lost and was afraid
> >he would not survive. He thought about turning around and heading back to
> >Cheese Station C. At least, if he made it back, and Hem was still there,
> >Haw wouldn't be alone. Then he asked himself the same question, again:
> >"What would I do if I weren't afraid?"
> >
> >He was afraid more often than he liked to admit, even to himself. He
> >wasn't always sure what he was afraid of, but, in his weakened condition,
> >he knew now he was simply fearful of going on alone. Haw didn't know it,
> >but he was running behind because he was weighed down by fearful beliefs.
> >
> >Haw wondered if Hem had moved on, or if he was still paralyzed by his
> >fears. Then, Haw remembered the times when he had felt his best in the
> >maze. It was when he was moving along.
> >
> >He wrote on the wall, knowing it was as much a reminder to himself as it
> >was a marking for his buddy Hem, hopefully, to follow : Movement In A New
> >Direction Helps You Find New Cheese.
> >
> >Haw looked down the dark passageway and was aware of his fear. What lay
> >ahead? Was it empty? Or worse, were there dangers lurking? He began to
> >imagine all kinds of frightening things that could happen to him. He was
> >scaring himself to death.
> >
> >Then he laughed at himself. He realized his fears were making things
> >worse. So he did what he would do if he wasn't afraid. He moved in a new
> >direction.
> >
> >As he started running down the dark corridor he began to smile. Haw didn't
> >realize it yet, but he was discovering what nourished his soul. He was
> >letting go and trusting what lay ahead for him, even though he did not know
> >exactly what it was.
> >
> >To his surprise, Haw started to enjoy himself more and more. "Why do I
> >feel so good?" he wondered. "I don't have any Cheese and I don't know
> >where I am going."
> >
> >Before long, he knew why he felt good.
> >
> >He stopped to write again on the wall : When You Move Beyond Your Fear,
> >You Feel Free.
> >
> >Haw realized he had been held captive by his own fear. Moving in a new
> >direction had freed him.
> >
> >Now he felt the cool breeze that was blowing in this part of the maze and
> >it was refreshing. He took in some deep breaths and felt invigorated by
> >the movement. Once he had gotten past his fear, it turned out to be more
> >enjoyable than he once believed it could be.
> >
> >Haw hadn't felt this way for a long time. He had almost forgotten how much
> >fun it was.
> >
> >To make things even better, Haw started to paint a picture in his mind. He
> >saw himself in great realistic detail, sitting in the middle of a pile of
> >all his favorite cheeses - from Cheddar to Brie! He saw himself eating the
> >many cheeses he likes, and he enjoyed what he saw. Then he imagined how
> >much he would enjoy all the great tastes.
> >
> >The more clearly he saw the imagine of New Cheese, the more real it became,
> >and the more he could sense that he was going to find it.
> >
> >He wrote: Imagining Myself Enjoying New Cheese Even Before I Find It,
> >Leads Me To It..
> >
> >"Why didn't I do this before?" Haw asked himself.
> >
> >Then he raced through the maze the greater strength and agility. Before
> >long he spotted a Cheese Station and became excited as he noticed little
> >pieces of New Cheese near the entrance.
> >
> >They were types of Cheeses he had never seen before, but they looked great.
> > He tried them and found that they were delicious. He ate most of the New
> >Cheese bits that were available and put a few in his pocket to have later
> >and perhaps share with Hem. He began to regain his strength.
> >
> >He entered the Cheese Station with great excitement. But, to his dismay,
> >he found it was empty. Somehow had already been there and had left only
> >the few bits of New Cheese.
> >
> >He realized that if he had moved sooner, he would very likely have found a
> >good deal of New Cheese here.
> >
> >Haw decided to go back and see if Hem was ready to join him.
> >
> >As he retraced his stops, he stopped and wrote on the wall : The Quicker
> >You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Find New Cheese.
> >
> >After a while Haw made his way back to Cheese Station C and found Hem. He
> >offered Hem bits of New Cheese, but was turned down.
> >
> >Hem appreciated his friend's gesture but said, "I don't think I would like
> >New Cheese. It's not what I'm used to. I want my own Cheese back and I'm
> >not going to change until I get what I want."
> >
> >Haw just shook his head in disappointment and reluctantly went back out on
> >his own. As he returned to the farthest point he had reached in the maze,
> >he missed his friend, but realized he liked what he was discovering. Even
> >before he found what he hoped would be a great supply of New Cheese, if
> >ever, he knew that what made him happy wasn't just having Cheese.
> >
> >He was happy when he wasn't being run by his fear. He liked what he was
> >doing now.
> >
> >Knowing this, Haw didn't feel as weak as he did when he stayed in Cheese
> >Station C with no Cheese. Just realizing he was not letting his fear stop
> >him and knowing that he had taken a new direction nourished him and gave
> >him strength.
> >
> >Now he felt that it was just a question of time before he found what he
> >needed. In fact, he sensed he had already found what he was looking for.
> >
> >He smiled as he realized: It is Safer To Search In The Maze Than Remain In
> >A Cheeseless Situation.
> >
> >Haw realised again, as he had once before, that what you are afraid of is
> >never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind
> >is worse than the situation that actually exits.
> >
> >He's been so afraid of never finding New Cheese that he didn't even want to
> >start looking. But since starting his journey he had found enough Cheese
> >in the corridors to keep him going. Now he looked forward to finding more.
> > Just looking ahead was becoming exciting.
> >
> >His old thinking had been clouded by his worries and fears. He used to
> >think about not having enough Cheese, or not having it last as long as he
> >wanted. He used to think more about what could go wrong than what could go
> >right.
> >
> >But that had changed in the days since he had left Cheese Station C.
> >
> >He used to believe that Cheese should never be moved and that change wasn't
> >right.
> >
> >Now he realized it was natural for change to continually occur, whether you
> >expect it or not. Change could surprise you only if you didn't expect it
> >and weren't looking for it.
> >
> >When he realized he had changed his beliefs, he paused to write on the wall
> >: Old Beliefs Do Not Lead You To New Cheese.
> >
> >Haw hadn't found any Cheese yet but, as he ran through the maze, he thought
> >about what he had already learned.
> >
> >How now realized that his new beliefs were encouraging new behaviors. He
> >was behaving differently than when he kept returning to the same cheeseless
> >station.
> >
> >He knew when you change what you believe, you change what you do.
> >
> >You can believe that a change will harm you and resist it. Or you can
> >believe that finding New Cheese will help you to embrace the changed.
> >
> >It all depends on what you choose to believe.
> >
> >He wrote on the wall : When You See That You Can Find And Enjoy New
> >Cheese, You Change Course.
> >
> >Haw knew he would be in a better shape now if he had embraced the changed
> >much sooner and left Cheese Station C earlier. He would feel stronger in
> >body and spirit and he could have coped better with the challenge of
> >finding New Cheese. In fact, he probably would have found it by now if he
> >had expected change, rather than wasting time denying that the change had
> >already taken place.
> >
> >He gathered his will and decided to keep proceeding into the newer parts of
> >the maze. He found little bits of Cheese here and there and began to
> >regain his strength and confidence.
> >
> >As he thought back on where he had come from, Haw was glad he had written
> >on the wall in many places. He trusted it would serve as a marked trail
> >for Hem to follow through the maze, if he chose to leave Cheese Station C.
> >
> >He just hoped he was heading in the right direction. He thought about the
> >possibility that Hem would read The Handwriting On The Wall and find his
> >way.
> >
> >He wrote on the wall what he had been thinking about for some time :
> >Noticing Small Changes Early Helps You Adapt To The Bigger Changes That Are
> >To Come.
> >
> >By now, Haw had let go of the past and was adapting to the future.
> >
> >He continued on through the maze with greater strength and speed. And
> >before long, it happened.
> >
> >When it seemed like he had been in the maze forever, his journey - or at
> >least this part of his journey - ended quickly and happily.
> >
> >Haw found New Cheese at Cheese Station N!
> >
> >When he went inside, he was startled by what he saw. Piled high everywhere
> >was the greatest supply of Cheese he had ever seen. He didn't recognize
> >all that he saw, as some kinds of Cheese were new to him.
> >
> >Then he wondered for a moment whether it was real or just his imagination,
> >until he saw his old friends Sniff and Scurry.
> >
> >Sniff welcomed Haw with a nod of his head, and Scurry waved his paw. Their
> >fat little bellies showed that they had been here for some time.
> >
> >Haw quickly said his hellos and soon took bites of every one of his
> >favorite Cheeses. He pulled off his shoes and jogging suit and folded them
> >neatly nearby in case he needed them again. Then he jumped into the New
> >Cheese. When he had eaten his fill, he lifted a piece of fresh Cheese and
> >made a toast. "Hooray for Change!"
> >
> >As Haw enjoyed the New Cheese, he reflected on what he had learned.
> >
> >He realized that when he had been afraid to change he had been holding on
> >to the illusion of Old Cheese that was no longer there.
> >
> >So what was it made him change? Was it the fear of starving to death? Haw
> >thought, "Well, that helped."
> >
> >Then he laughed and realized that he had started to change as soon as he
> >had learned to laugh at himself and at what he had been doing wrong. He
> >realized the fastest way to change is to laugh at your own folly - then you
> >can let go and quickly move on.
> >
> >He knew he had learned something useful about moving on from his mice
> >buddies, Sniff and Scurry. They kept life simple. They didn't overanalyze
> >or overcomplicate things. When the situation changed and the Cheese had
> >been moved, they changed and moved with the Cheese. He would remember
> >that.
> >
> >Then Haw used his wonderful brain to do what littlepeople do better than
> >mice.
> >
> >He reflected on the mistakes he had made in the past and used them to plan
> >for his future. He knew that you could learn to deal with change:
> >
> >You could be more aware of the need to keep things simple, be flexible, and
> >move quickly.
> >
> >You did not need to overcomplicate matters or confuse yourself with fearful
> >beliefs.
> >
> >You could notice when the little changes began so that you would be better
> >prepared for the big change that might be coming.
> >
> >He knew he needed to adapt faster, for if you do not adapt in time, you
> >might as well not adapt at all.
> >
> >He had to admit that the bigger inhibitor to change lies within yourself,
> >and that nothing gets better until you change.
> >
> >Perhaps most important of all, he realized that there is always New Cheese
> >out there whether you recognize it at the time or not. And that you are
> >rewarded with it when you go past your fear and enjoy the adventure.
> >
> >He knew some fear should be respected, as it can keep you out of real
> >danger. But he realized most of his fears were irrational and had kept him
> >from changing when he needed to change.
> >
> >He didn't like it at the time, but he knew that the change had turned out
> >to be a blessing in disguise as it led him to find better Cheese.
> >
> >He had even found a better part of himself.
> >
> >As Haw recalled what he had learned, he thought about his friend Hem. He
> >wondered if Hem had read any of the sayings Haw had written on the wall at
> >Cheese Station C and throughout the maze.
> >
> >Had Hem ever decided to let go and move on? Had he ever entered the maze
> >and discovered what could make his life better.
> >
> > Haw thought about going back again to Cheese Station C to see if he could
> >find Hem - assuming that Haw could find his way back there. If he found
> >Hem, he thought he might be able to show him how to get out of his
> >predicament. But Haw realized that he had already tried to get his friend
> >to change.
> >
> >Hem had to find his own way, beyond his comforts and past his fears. No
> >one else could do it for him, or talk him into it. He somehow had to see
> >the advantage of changing himself.
> >
> >Haw knew he had left a trail for Hem and that he could find his way, if he
> >could just read The Handwriting On The Wall.
> >
> >He went over and wrote down a summary of what he had learned on the largest
> >wall of Cheese Station N. He drew a large piece of cheese around all the
> >insights he had become aware of, and smiled as he looked at what he had
> >learned:
> >
> >
> >
> >THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
> >
> >
> >
> >Change Happens
> >
> >They Keep Moving The Cheese
> >
> >
> >Anticipate Change
> >
> >Get Ready For The Cheese To Move
> >
> >
> >Monitor Change
> >
> >Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old
> >
> >
> >Adapt To Change Quickly
> >
> >The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese,
> >The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese
> >
> >
> >Change
> >
> >Move With The Cheese
> >
> >
> >Enjoy Change!
> >
> >Savor The Adventure And
> >Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese
> >
> >
> >Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again
> >
> >They Keep Moving The Cheese
> >
> >
> >Anticipate Change
> >
> >Get Ready For The Cheese To Move
> >
> >
> >Monitor Change
> >
> >Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old
> >
> >
> >Adapt To Change Quickly
> >
> >The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese,
> >The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese
> >
> >
> >Change
> >
> >Move With The Cheese
> >
> >
> >Enjoy Change!
> >
> >Savor The Adventure And
> >Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese
> >
> >
> >Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again
> >
> >They Keep Moving The Cheese
> >
> >
> >Haw realized how far he had come since he had been with Hem in Cheese
> >Station C, but knew it would be easy for him to slip back if he got too
> >comfortable. Each day he inspected Cheese Station N to see what the
> >condition of his Cheese was. He was going to do whatever he could to avoid
> >being surprised by unexpected change.
> >
> >While Haw still had a great supply of Cheese, he often went out into the
> >maze and explored New areas to stay in touch with what was happening around
> >him. He knew it was safer to be aware of his real choices than to isolate
> >himself in his comfort zone.
> >
> >Then, Haw heard what he thought was the sound of movement out in the maze.
> >As the noice grew louder, he realized that someone was coming.
> >
> >Could it be that Hem was arriving? Was he about to turn the corner?
> >
> >Haw said a little prayer and hoped - as he had many times before - that
> >maybe, at last, his friend was finally able to . . .
> >
> >Move With The Cheese And Enjoy It!
Posted by ken99
at 1:46 AM WST
Updated: Friday, 7 November 2003 1:50 AM WST