One of Life's Lessons

There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

"You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a
physical one."

Inspiring Story - What goes around comes around

He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way,my name is Bryan."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St.Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk.

She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, "...and think of me".

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out-of-work actor it didn't ring much.

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on the napkin under which was four $100 bills. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: "You don't owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you".

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day.

That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be all right; I love you, Bryan."

There is an old saying "What goes around comes around".

Motivating Poem - Open My Eyes and Let Me See...!!!

Let me see.
Open my eyes and guide me carefully
Through the mazes of my heart
To the place where truth lies
And there is light . . .
Let me see.

I know it's there.
I've just been disconnected from the path
That will take me there.
And I'm tired of running circles
To nowhere.
I need to feel the care . . . and share.

My soul has always known what I forgot.
I'm going to the door now,
Please hear me knock.
Open up
The pupil seeks the master
To show her how.
Remind me how.

Then . . . I see so clearly what I blocked!
The light has always been there,
It was me that sent up clouds,
Obscured the view . . .
Now I see it all brand new!!!
Can you see it too?

All is well, sweet one
All is well!
I heard the voice tell me
All is well!

Keep your dreams alive!
Have no doubts inside!
And just believe!
Have faith, Believe!
It's just that easy.

Keep life fun.
You never get it wrong
and you never get it done.
All paths you take will lead you to the One
You can't get lost . . .
Even if you run!!!

So now the light
Shines in all the crevices of me.
I opened up the shades to see
The beauty that is me.
Allowing the beauty that is you . . . too.
For what is me is you
And there's the truth.

(Copyright 1998 Denise Jankas)

Story of Life

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a verylarge and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining space. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with anunanimous 'yes'.

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the space between the sand particles. The students laughed. Now, said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. " "The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favourite passions -things that if everything else were lost, and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Go out with friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the washing. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand........

Just Friends VS Best Friends

A Just Friend says..hi,..hello,..bye,...and walks away...
A Best friend always stop by your side & asks how r u doing ??

A Just Friend has never seen you cry.
A Best friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A Just Friend thinks the friendship is over, when you have an argument.
A Best friend knows that it's not a friendship, until after you've had a fight.

A Just Friend hates it when you call, after he has gone to bed.
A Best friend asks you.... why you took so long to call.

A Just Friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A Best friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A Just Friend jealous about your romantic history.
A Best friend wonders of your love story.....

A Just Friend expects you to be always there for any help.
A Best friend is always there, wherever you require any help.

A Just Friend doesn't have time in his/her busy schedule,
A Best friend always have time for you in his/her busy schedules....

A Just Friend phones you whenever he/she has some work,
A Best friend calls you often just to hear your voice.....

A Just Friend doesnt have anything to talk to you on phone,
A Best friend doesnt know...what all to finish...

EASY V/S DIFFICULT - Positive Thinking Words.

EASY

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others
Easy is to talk without thinking
Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.
Easy is to forgive others
Easy is to set rules.
Easy is to dream every night.
Easy is to show victory.
Easy is to admire a full moon.
Easy is to stumble with a stone.
Easy is to enjoy life every day.
Easy is to promise something to someone.
Easy is to say we love.
Easy is to criticize others.
Easy is to make mistakes.
Easy is to weep for a lost love.
Easy is to think about improving.
Easy is to think bad of others
Easy is to receive
Easy to read this
Easy is keep the friendship with words

DIFFICULT

Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes
Difficult is to refrain the tongue
Difficult is to heal the wound...
Difficult is to ask for forgiveness
Difficult is to follow them...
Difficult is to fight for a dream...
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...
Difficult to see the other side...
Difficult is to get up...
Difficult to give its real value...
Difficult is to fulfill that promise...
Difficult is to show it every day...
Difficult is to improve oneself...
Difficult is to learn from them...
Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.
Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...
Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...
Difficult is to give
Difficult to follow
Difficult is to keep it with meanings...!!!

Inspiring Story - Change Ourselves First.

The following words were written on the tomb of a priest buried at Westminster Abbey:

 

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.
 
As I grew older and wiser , I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.

 

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

 

And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If only I had changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world."

 

As a we embark on another new year in our lives, lets pause and reflect to see if we need to start the process of 'change' with ourselves. Try it and you will realize that its not such an easy task. If so, can we 'change' others if we are unable to change ourselves? On the other hand, if we can 'change' ourselves, you will realize how easy it is to accept people and situations as they are.......and make it a great week ahead...!!!