Lessons On Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.

-- Author Unknown --

Change Yourself & You Can Change the World

The following words are said to be written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London, England.

"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 a 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 I had only changed my self 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."

Do you have many things in the world that you would like to see done differently? Ever done anything about it yourself? ……Want to start today?

Just asking…..think about it and….of course……... as always…………..

Build The Bridges !!!

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbour, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. "

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a great job for you." The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

When there is conflict there are two ways to handle them - dig creeks or build bridges. The choice is ours. Lets make the right choices today.

Believe in Yourself !!!

Believe in yourself and you can achieve
Things you never thought possible
Believe in yourself and you can discover
Talents new, that lie away hidden

Believe in yourself and you can reach
New heights that you thought unscalable
Believe in yourself and you can solve
Problems that defy any solution

Believe in yourself and you can conquer
Any situation, however difficult
Believe in yourself and you can make
The most complicated things seem simple

Believe in yourself and you can
learnThe skills of gaining knowledge from experience
Believe in yourself and you can enjoy
The beauty in nature's abundance

Believe in yourself and you can perceive
New depths your senses can apprehend
Believe in yourself and you can perform
Way beyond your expectations

Believe in your goal and work towards it
With determination and dedication
Believe in yourself and output enhance
By contributing to a given situation

Believe in yourself and you'll feel blessed
As God's very own special creation

- Unknown -

Principles of Life

* Winning isn't everything. But wanting to win is.

* You would achieve more, if you don't mind who gets the credit.

* When everything else is lost, the future stillremains.

* Don't fight too much. Or the enemy would know your art of war.

* The only job you start at the top is when you dig a grave.

* If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything.

* If you do little things well, you'll do big ones better.

* Only thing that comes to you without effort is old age.

* You won't get a second chance to make the first impression.

* Only those who do nothing do not make mistakes.

* Never take a problem to your boss unless you have a solution.

* If you are not failing you're not taking enough risks.

* Don't try to get rid of bad temper by losing it.

* If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

* Those who don't make mistakes usually don't make anything

* There are two kinds of failures. Those who think and never do, and those who do and never think.

* Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.

* All progress has resulted from unpopular decisions.

* Change your thoughts and you change your world.

* Understanding proves intelligence, not the speed of the learning.

* There are two kinds of fools in this world. Those who give advise and those who don't take it.

* The best way to kill an idea is to take it to a meeting.

* Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.

* Friendship founded on business is always better than business founded on friendship.


- Jasmine

Just See The Opportunity !!!

The story was about a farmer who lived in Africa and through a visitor became tremendously excited about looking for diamonds. Diamonds were already discovered in abundance on the African continent and this farmer got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent, as the years slipped by, constantly searching for diamonds, wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and drowned.

Meanwhile, the new owner of his farm picked up an unusual looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and in viewing the rock practically went into terminal convulsions. He told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found. The new owner of the farm said, "Heck, the whole farm is covered with them" - and sure enough it was.

The farm turned out to be the Kimberly Diamond Mine...the richest the world has ever known. The original farmer was literally standing on "Acres of Diamonds" until he sold his farm.

Each of us is right in the middle of our own "Acre of Diamonds", if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on.

Opportunity is there all the time - we just have to see it…..

On The Way To a Lottery Ticket

Like many people in this world, I was down, way down. Questioning everything. The light at the end of my tunnel was dim. I was financially, emotionally and mentally strapped. Hope was fading for relief. It seemed no matter how many steps I took forward, I was going twice as many backwards. Tension and strain filled my home. In the midst of all the hardships I was enduring, I worked harder then ever on my faith. Yet, even with my children and husband, I felt alone and hopeless.

Because of my disability, I rarely leave my home. With the help of a very small disability check once a month and the Internet, I ran the house. Banking, bill paying, all household business was done on my computer. Money started to get tighter, bills started to pile. Once you get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. The electric, water, house payments, all were behind and close to being disconnected. The phone was first, which took the internet. I figured I could do without it, since we had cell phones as a way to connect to the outside world. They were close to being disconnected as well. I had to revert to the old ways of running a home. We started letting everyone know, that we owed. We were trying.

Getting out of the shower, one day, I made a call. It wasn't a phone call, though.

I got dressed, and was combing my hair. I looked in the mirror and broke down. Sobbing, uncontrollably. All alone in the bathroom I fell to the floor. Angry, confused, sad, I hollered out to God, "WHY!?!" I stopped myself, though. Looking up to the ceiling, I said: "God, I know that there is a reason for all things. I also know that things could be worse. I am sorry for feeling sorry for myself. So many people in this world have it so much worse off."

The anger and confusion left me. Sadness remained but what surrounded me was guilt. I had healthy children and a husband with a job. I had a house, some food and family that loved me near by. What was I complaining about?

Therefore, I changed my prayer. From why to what.

"Dear God, what do you want me to do? Guide me." So, for the next thirty some minutes I sat on that floor talking to my ceiling and sobbing. When I rose from the floor, I dried my tears and finished getting ready. I walked out and started my daily housework.

Then an unknown feeling came over me and my mind was flooded with words. I sat down on my couch and got a pen and paper. I closed my eyes and said, "God, I am letting you take over." I started to write. This is what came out: "I am hoping that no matter what road you are on, that you can find some hope and faith." I searched for my Bible, and started reading it. Everyday, I would pray and express my thanks for what I had received and for the strength to get through.

Some six weeks later, I was still struggling. I had a one-dollar bill in my wallet and my husband's checkbook, with which I went out to get some milk and bread. As many do, I often got our food with a check to hold us over until payday. Before I started to shop, though, I stopped at the customer service desk; I took my last dollar and bought one ticket for Wednesday’s power ball. I generally don't play lottery and this was my first ticket in over a year, but I came home and told my husband we were going to win. Then, of course, I forgot all about it.

Thursday morning when I got up, I went about my routine. When I sat down to drink a little of my coffee, this voice in my head said, "Check the power ball." I had forgotten about that! So I turned on my TV and with the satellite still connected, I checked the numbers on the menu. To my surprise, I had matched all but one. One number away from 61 million dollars!

I just about fainted.

First thing I did was call my hubby and we decided to recheck the numbers through the paper. My mother in law confirmed it. Sure enough, I had won, although I didn't know how much it was.

With tears in my eyes, I once again hollered out to God: "Thank you so much!"

It was enough money to catch up! The first thing I did was pay bills, catch up and then bought what I needed to publish this to all whom I could reach. I wasn't thinking that people will win money by reading this, but just that their faith will be restored and rejuvenated.

Do not pray for what you want; instead, ask for guidance about what you need. There is a difference.

Source : Tammymay