Here are some truths about Life I was reminded about over the weekend...
Life is a mixture of happiness & sadness, pain & pleasure, success & failure and mountain-top experiences and valley-deep experiences.
Why must it be so? Can't life be ever easy?
All sunshine and no rain makes a dry desert. We live in a broken-down world with imperfect people therefore we will never mature without the rain in our lives.
The truths about the dark valleys in our lives:
1) Valleys are inevitable
We will have trials and tribulations in our lives.
2) Valleys are unpredictable
They are unexpected and always seems to come at the most inconvenient times.
So what can we rejoice in?
1) Valleys are impartial
No one is immune to it because everyone has problems. Like the sun that rises on the good and evil, the rain shall fall on the just and the unjust... (Matt 5:45)
2) Valleys are temporary
It doesn't last forever. It is only a tunnel - with a beginning and an end. With perserverence, it can outlast tribulations and persercutions. We will definately get out of the situation.
3) Valleys are purposeful
Our faith is being built up through trials and tribulations, like gold going through fire. Every problem we face serves to mould our character.
What should our response be when we are going through the dark valley experiences of our lives?
1) Do not be afraid
Everything worthwhile is life has risks involved.
2) Do not be discouraged
Disappointment and discouragement is a choice. Thinking negatively or discouraging thoughts allow ourselves to be depressed.
3) Draw yourself into God's presence
God is with us in troubled times and he will lead us through. The valley-deep experiences of our lives draws us face to face with God - the ultimate will become the intimate.
4) Rely on God's protection & guidance
God's rod and staff will protect and comfort us - the basic tools shepards use to protect their flock. His rod is to defend and protect us. His staff will guide and draw us closer to him, to ensure we do not stray.
Remember : We will always become stronger people when we have emerged from our experiences.
Footprints in the Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path ofhis life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
written by Mary Stevenson
Sunday, July 30
Thursday, July 27
Be thou my vision...
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Things are not always looking good in my life. I have my fair share of struggles and despite my calm demeanor, I can actually get depressed. But I always believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sunshine after the rain... I am thankful for friends and family who have been quietly supporting me... I am not always the easiest person to live with...
Here's something for all my friends and loved ones...
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.
It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Things are not always looking good in my life. I have my fair share of struggles and despite my calm demeanor, I can actually get depressed. But I always believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sunshine after the rain... I am thankful for friends and family who have been quietly supporting me... I am not always the easiest person to live with...
Here's something for all my friends and loved ones...
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.
It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
Monday, July 24
People come into your life for a reason
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.Send this to every friend that you have online,including the person who sent it to you.
GOD BLESS YOU !
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a god-send and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.Send this to every friend that you have online,including the person who sent it to you.
GOD BLESS YOU !
Sunday, July 23
How to handle disappointments in life
5 steps to handling disappointments in life:
1) Don't curse it!
Don't take revenge or strike back. God gave us an armour to protect ourselves, not to attack others. Vengence belongs to God, not Man.
2) Don't rehearse it!
Do not brood over our disappointments. Resentment and Bitterness is a killer of all things in our lives. It will paralyse us if we allow them to fester.
3) Don't nurse it!
Do not take offences personally. Nursing grudges is giving a foothold to the Devil. We cannot change our situation but if we take the offences personally, we will become cynical people. Therefore, do not hold pity parties!
4) Disperse our disappointments!
Pray and cry out to God to disperse our disappointments. The cross is a dumping ground for us to dump our sins and hurts.
5) Let God reverse it!
God is a master at revering hurts. The solution is there all the time. All we need to do is to pray and commit our problems to God for Him to show us the solution.
Trust me... coming from a personal experience, it works!
1) Don't curse it!
Don't take revenge or strike back. God gave us an armour to protect ourselves, not to attack others. Vengence belongs to God, not Man.
2) Don't rehearse it!
Do not brood over our disappointments. Resentment and Bitterness is a killer of all things in our lives. It will paralyse us if we allow them to fester.
3) Don't nurse it!
Do not take offences personally. Nursing grudges is giving a foothold to the Devil. We cannot change our situation but if we take the offences personally, we will become cynical people. Therefore, do not hold pity parties!
4) Disperse our disappointments!
Pray and cry out to God to disperse our disappointments. The cross is a dumping ground for us to dump our sins and hurts.
5) Let God reverse it!
God is a master at revering hurts. The solution is there all the time. All we need to do is to pray and commit our problems to God for Him to show us the solution.
Trust me... coming from a personal experience, it works!
3 Facts of Life
3 facts about life:
1) Great successes in life are often followed by failures.
After every mountain-top victory, there will be a valley-deep experience. Be readi to handle disappointments.
2) Great services in life are often followed by forgetfulness.
People have short memories. They will quickly forget the good things you have done for them.
3) Great shortages are often followed by fullness.
If we coop up in our own failures, we cannot see the solution just around the corner. When we keep on moving forward and do not give up, we will experience our successes.
1) Great successes in life are often followed by failures.
After every mountain-top victory, there will be a valley-deep experience. Be readi to handle disappointments.
2) Great services in life are often followed by forgetfulness.
People have short memories. They will quickly forget the good things you have done for them.
3) Great shortages are often followed by fullness.
If we coop up in our own failures, we cannot see the solution just around the corner. When we keep on moving forward and do not give up, we will experience our successes.
Saturday, July 22
my career in retrospect
This week has passed super fast for me and i'm starting to feel like a really busy bumble bee... running around from place to place in school. Breakfast and lunch are taken in so many sections that by the time i finish my final portion of lunch, it's almost 4 plus 5... nearly time for dinner...
Despite all that busy-ness, I am grateful to God for the many windows of opportunities placed in my life... Last year, at around this time, I was extremely frustrated in school. I felt I had lost a sense of direction on where I'm heading and what I'm doing... career-wise. I was tired of being over-worked and under-paid. It didn't help that the bulk of my never-ending work load was coming from covering someone else's work load. In fact, I was so frustrated that I indicated to be direct boss, my EL HOD, that I wanted to have more flexibility in my career...
Then I received a calling from God to rise up to a leadership position. My boss was promoted to become my Vice-Principal and so her position was vacant. I was approached by her as well as the big boss, my Principal, to take it up... initially, i thought they were kidding me...
I asked God to renew my purpose at work and lead me where he wants be to go... but somehow, he gave me big shoes to fill... For a 3 year old teacher, there are times I feel stretched like a rubber band, closed to snapping a few times...
Although this 7 months have been really tough, straddling my old portfolio, my new portfolio, additional meetings as well as my studies, I am grateful for this opportunity. I never knew I was capable of working at a much higher level in my work place...
There's a saying: "Women are like tea, they get stronger in hot water". That pretty sums up my life so far.
When God closes a door on you, he opens 3 others for you. He doesn't just opens windows of opportunities, he will also send angels in the form of people around you in you life to help you out... Without his providence in the form of support from family, friends as well as colleagues, I wouldn't have lasted through this period...
Despite all that busy-ness, I am grateful to God for the many windows of opportunities placed in my life... Last year, at around this time, I was extremely frustrated in school. I felt I had lost a sense of direction on where I'm heading and what I'm doing... career-wise. I was tired of being over-worked and under-paid. It didn't help that the bulk of my never-ending work load was coming from covering someone else's work load. In fact, I was so frustrated that I indicated to be direct boss, my EL HOD, that I wanted to have more flexibility in my career...
Then I received a calling from God to rise up to a leadership position. My boss was promoted to become my Vice-Principal and so her position was vacant. I was approached by her as well as the big boss, my Principal, to take it up... initially, i thought they were kidding me...
I asked God to renew my purpose at work and lead me where he wants be to go... but somehow, he gave me big shoes to fill... For a 3 year old teacher, there are times I feel stretched like a rubber band, closed to snapping a few times...
Although this 7 months have been really tough, straddling my old portfolio, my new portfolio, additional meetings as well as my studies, I am grateful for this opportunity. I never knew I was capable of working at a much higher level in my work place...
There's a saying: "Women are like tea, they get stronger in hot water". That pretty sums up my life so far.
When God closes a door on you, he opens 3 others for you. He doesn't just opens windows of opportunities, he will also send angels in the form of people around you in you life to help you out... Without his providence in the form of support from family, friends as well as colleagues, I wouldn't have lasted through this period...
Thursday, July 20
The Irony of Life between Men & Women
Just for laughs... tot it was rather hilarious yet kinda true... ;)
Men:
1. All men are extremely busy.
2. Although they are so busy, they still have time for women.
3. Although they have time for women, they don't really care for them.
4. Although they don't really care for them, they always have one around.
5. Although they always have one around them, they always try their luck with others.
6. Although they try their luck with others, they get really pissed off if the woman leaves them.
7. Although the woman leaves them they still don't learn from their mistakes and still try their luck with others!
Women:
1. The most important thing for a woman is financial security.
2. Although this is so important, they still go out and buy expensive clothes and stuff.
3. Although they always buy expensive clothes, they will still say that they never have something to wear!
4. Although they never have something to wear, they always dress beautifully.
5. Although they always dress beautifully, you hardly care.
6. Although you hardly care, they still expect you to compliment them.
7. Although they expect you to compliment them, when you do, they don't believe you!
Men:
1. All men are extremely busy.
2. Although they are so busy, they still have time for women.
3. Although they have time for women, they don't really care for them.
4. Although they don't really care for them, they always have one around.
5. Although they always have one around them, they always try their luck with others.
6. Although they try their luck with others, they get really pissed off if the woman leaves them.
7. Although the woman leaves them they still don't learn from their mistakes and still try their luck with others!
Women:
1. The most important thing for a woman is financial security.
2. Although this is so important, they still go out and buy expensive clothes and stuff.
3. Although they always buy expensive clothes, they will still say that they never have something to wear!
4. Although they never have something to wear, they always dress beautifully.
5. Although they always dress beautifully, you hardly care.
6. Although you hardly care, they still expect you to compliment them.
7. Although they expect you to compliment them, when you do, they don't believe you!
Tuesday, July 18
Values in life
The Greatest Handicap ------------- FEAR
The Best Day ---------------------- TODAY
Hardest Thing To Do --------------- TO BEGIN
Easiest Thing To Do---------------- FINDING FAULT
Most Useless Asset----------------- PRIDE
Most Useful Asset------------------ HUMILITY
The Greatest Mistake-------------- GIVING UP
The Greatest Stumbling Block------ EGOTISM
The Greatest Comfort-------------- WORK WELL DONE
Most Disagreeable Person---------- THE COMPLAINER
Worst Bankruptcy------------------ LOSS OF ENTHUSIASM
Greatest Need---------------------- COMMON SENSE
Meanest Feeling-------------------- REGRET AT ANOTHER'S SUCCESS
Best Gift---------------------------- FORGIVENESS
The Hardest and Most Painful to Accept---- DEFEAT
The Greatest Moment---------------------- DEATH
The Greatest Knowledge------------------- GOD
The Greatest Thing------------------------- LOVE
The Greatest Success in the World-SELF-FULFILLMENT & PEACE OF MIND
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing;
it was here first." -- Mark Twain
The Best Day ---------------------- TODAY
Hardest Thing To Do --------------- TO BEGIN
Easiest Thing To Do---------------- FINDING FAULT
Most Useless Asset----------------- PRIDE
Most Useful Asset------------------ HUMILITY
The Greatest Mistake-------------- GIVING UP
The Greatest Stumbling Block------ EGOTISM
The Greatest Comfort-------------- WORK WELL DONE
Most Disagreeable Person---------- THE COMPLAINER
Worst Bankruptcy------------------ LOSS OF ENTHUSIASM
Greatest Need---------------------- COMMON SENSE
Meanest Feeling-------------------- REGRET AT ANOTHER'S SUCCESS
Best Gift---------------------------- FORGIVENESS
The Hardest and Most Painful to Accept---- DEFEAT
The Greatest Moment---------------------- DEATH
The Greatest Knowledge------------------- GOD
The Greatest Thing------------------------- LOVE
The Greatest Success in the World-SELF-FULFILLMENT & PEACE OF MIND
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing;
it was here first." -- Mark Twain
Sunday, July 16
5 important lessons of life
1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious studentand had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pick up in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s.
The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies...
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.
After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition!
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Most importantly..................
Work like you don't need the money,
love like you've never been hurt, and
dance like you do when nobody's watching!
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious studentand had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pick up in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s.
The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.. It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies...
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.
After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition!
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Most importantly..................
Work like you don't need the money,
love like you've never been hurt, and
dance like you do when nobody's watching!
Saturday, July 15
The Power of Non-violence
Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and founder of the M.K.Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, in his June 9 lecture at the University of Puerto Rico, shared the following story as an example of nonviolence in parenting:
"I was 16 years old and living with my parents at the institute my grandfather had founded 18 miles outside of Durban, South Africa, in the middle of the sugar plantations. We were deep in the country and had no neighbors, so my two sisters and I would always look forward to going to town to visit friends or go to the movies. One day, my father asked me to drive him to town for an all-day conference, and I jumped at the chance.
Since I was going to town, my mother gave me a list of groceries she needed and, since I had all day in town, my father ask me to take care of several pending chores, such as getting the car serviced. When I dropped my father off that morning, he said, 'I will meet you here at 5:00p.m., and we will go home together.'
After hurriedly completing my chores, I went straight to the nearest movie theatre. I got so engrossed in a John Wayne double-feature that I forgot the time. It was 5:30 before I remembered. By the time I ran to the garage and got the car and hurried to where my father was waiting for me, it was almost 6:00.
He anxiously asked me, 'Why were you late?' I was so ashamed of telling him I was watching a John Wayne western movie that I said, 'The car wasn't ready, so I had to wait,' not realizing that he had already called the garage.
When he caught me in the lie, he said: 'There's something wrong in the way I brought you up that didn't give you the confidence to tell me the truth. In order to figure out where I went wrong with you, I'm going to walk to walk home 18 miles and think about it.'
So, dressed in his suit and dress shoes, he began to walk home in the dark on mostly unpaved, unlit roads. I couldn't leave him, so for five-and-a-half hours I drove behind him, watching my father go through this agony for a stupid lie that I uttered. I decided then and there that I was never going to lie again.
I often think about that episode and wonder, if he had punished me the way we punish our children, whether I would have learned a lesson at all. I don't think so. I would have suffered the punishment and gone on doing the same thing. But this single nonviolent action was so powerful that it is still as if it happened yesterday. That is the power of nonviolence."
"I was 16 years old and living with my parents at the institute my grandfather had founded 18 miles outside of Durban, South Africa, in the middle of the sugar plantations. We were deep in the country and had no neighbors, so my two sisters and I would always look forward to going to town to visit friends or go to the movies. One day, my father asked me to drive him to town for an all-day conference, and I jumped at the chance.
Since I was going to town, my mother gave me a list of groceries she needed and, since I had all day in town, my father ask me to take care of several pending chores, such as getting the car serviced. When I dropped my father off that morning, he said, 'I will meet you here at 5:00p.m., and we will go home together.'
After hurriedly completing my chores, I went straight to the nearest movie theatre. I got so engrossed in a John Wayne double-feature that I forgot the time. It was 5:30 before I remembered. By the time I ran to the garage and got the car and hurried to where my father was waiting for me, it was almost 6:00.
He anxiously asked me, 'Why were you late?' I was so ashamed of telling him I was watching a John Wayne western movie that I said, 'The car wasn't ready, so I had to wait,' not realizing that he had already called the garage.
When he caught me in the lie, he said: 'There's something wrong in the way I brought you up that didn't give you the confidence to tell me the truth. In order to figure out where I went wrong with you, I'm going to walk to walk home 18 miles and think about it.'
So, dressed in his suit and dress shoes, he began to walk home in the dark on mostly unpaved, unlit roads. I couldn't leave him, so for five-and-a-half hours I drove behind him, watching my father go through this agony for a stupid lie that I uttered. I decided then and there that I was never going to lie again.
I often think about that episode and wonder, if he had punished me the way we punish our children, whether I would have learned a lesson at all. I don't think so. I would have suffered the punishment and gone on doing the same thing. But this single nonviolent action was so powerful that it is still as if it happened yesterday. That is the power of nonviolence."
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