Live in Today

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.

Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.

We cannot undo a single act we performed;we cannot erase a single word we said.Yesterday is gone forever.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born.

This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, Live but one day at a time.

- Author 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 .

- Unknown

Life Span

On the first day, God created the dog and said: 'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?' So God agreed..

On the second day, God created the monkey and said: 'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?' And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said: 'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty? ' And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said: 'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'

But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?' 'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

- Author Unknown

Angel with a Red Hat

I was so scared but I would not admit it, as I sat in the coffee shop across from the Mayo Clinic. Tomorrow I would be a patient there, undergoing spinal surgery. The risk was high, but my faith was strong. Just weeks before, I sat through my father's funeral.

My guiding light had been sent back to heaven - "O heavenly Father, in my time of trial, send me an angel."

As I looked up, preparing to leave, I saw an elderly lady walking very slowly to the register. I stood behind her, admiring her flair for fashion - a bright paisley dress of red and purple, a scarf, a brooch and a brilliant scarlet hat.

"Excuse me, madam. I just must say what a beautiful woman you are. You've made my day."

She clasped my hand and spoke these words:

"My sweet child, bless you, for you see, I have an artificial arm and a plate in the other, and my leg is not my own. It takes me quite some time to get dressed. I try to do my best, but as years go by, people don't seem to think it matters. You've made me feel so special today. May the Lord watch over and bless you, for you must be one of his little angels."

When she walked away from me that day, I uttered not a word, for she had touched my soul in such a way that she could only have been the angel.

- By Tami Fox

Inspirational Short Story - The Perspective of Life

It's all about perspective. Is the glass half empty of half full? Read about a rich city man and his son and their trip to the farm. An inspirational short story with an important moral at the end.

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad".

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah" said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole
horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

- Author Unknown

The Teacher

Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkept and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant.

It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise. His first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh." "He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."

By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem, but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy Stoddard.

Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular attention to one they all called "Teddy."

As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days where there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.

A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.

He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher, but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like...well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.

THE MORAL:

You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture thru life.

- Author Unknown

Beautiful Thoughts

LOVE AND BEAUTY

Love magic begins by first learning to love and believe in yourself and your inner strength and beauty.

Did you know that when you are feeling happy, your eyes can shine as brightly as deep sparkling pools of light? All kids feel a bit unsure about their looks sometimes and if ever you do feel that way, you can help by casting this magic spell on any day of the week. Before you begin, remember that whatever the shape or size of your body or the color of your hair and eyes, you are truly a wonderful and special child of the Universe. Then, find some time for yourself when you can be alone for a while and take a warm shower or bath and get dressed in a robe or some comfortable clothes. Stand in front of your bathroom mirror and look at your face, concentrating especially on your eyes. Keep looking into your own eyes and softly say these words to yourself, ‘beautiful magic lives inside me’. Next, look into the mirror and give yourself a big smile, and let yourself have a giggle or a laugh if you feel like it. Then put your hands softly up to touch your face and say the words, ‘I feel the touch of nature’s love.’ Then, hold your hands together in front of you and keep looking into your eyes as you seal the spell’s power by saying, ‘I will honor myself and my beautiful mind, spirit and body.’


LUCK AND SUCCESS

Ask the fairies to bring you good fortune by sprinkling a little silver glitter around your room whenever you need some extra luck and success.

If you’ve got an important competition or race coming up you can cast this spell the day before the event, to help give you that winning edge. Gather together a teaspoon of some dried rosemary and mint. (These are very easy to find even in your kitchen or local store) and even though we find these herbs in most kitchen cupboards, they have been used since ancient times to help cast spells and enchantments. Pour the rosemary and mint into a white bowl and stir with a spoon while you think about your competition. Imagine that you see yourself winning a prize and at the same time feel relaxed and happy as you say these words. ‘By moon and herb I mix my charm and so shall it be from this time on’. Finish the spell by placing the bowl near your window and leaving it there for one week.


FRIENDSHIP AND POPULARITY

Everyone wants to be well-liked and popular, but sometimes it’s not so easy for a sensitive kid to make new friends - especially when you’ve started taking a new class at school, or you might be a little shy, or maybe you just don’t get along with some of the kids in your neighborhood. To help your popularity and to feel more confident. Cast this spell on any afternoon. You will need,

Two pieces of blue (or you can use your favorite colour) and one piece of white cotton or wool thread about 10 inches in length Tie the thread together in a knot at one end and then plait or braid the three pieces together all the way to the other end. While you do this, try not to worry about any kids or problems that are bothering you, just try to think happy and positive thoughts while you say, ‘As I tie this magic yarn, one by one my friends will come.’ When you’ve finished braiding, tie up the other end in a firm not and then hold the magic braid in your right hand as you feel very confident and say, ‘So shall it be.’ Then, you can keep the braid in your pocket or schoolbag to help attract good feelings around you or you can tie it around your wrist and wear it as a cute magic bracelet.


SCHOOL AND STUDY

I bet you are very creative and you probably love being outdoors enjoying yourself with friends and nature. But then, do you find it hard to settle down and concentrate on your schoolwork - or keep your mind on your studies? Well, this easy spell can help you focus and stretch your mind power - and will definitely make studying much more fun. You will need

a wooden pencil
a piece of clean white paper
a bin or garbage bag
A desk or table and chair
Your school books
A well lit room

You can cast your spell anytime you like but the best time would be just before a study session or whenever you do your homework. Begin by placing the pencil and paper on the table or desk near your school-books and sit in a comfortable position nearby. Pick up the pencil and hold it in both hands while you take deep breaths for a few seconds to help calm your body and mind. Imagine that there is a warm light around you which is filling you with energy and power and even the pencil in your hands feels warm and tingly. Then look at the piece of paper in front of you and copy down this magic puzzle.

ABRACADABRA
ABRACADABR
ABRACADAB
ABRACADA
ABRACAD
ABRACA
ABRAC
ABRA
ABR
AB
A

Look at the puzzle for a few moments and say ‘Abracadabra’ three times, then roll the paper up in a ball, throw it in the bin, and start your study session.


FAMILY AND PETS

Home and family are important to all kids and if you are also intuitive and a bit psychic, birds and all animals feel safe and happy when you are around. To keep attracting lovely energy and protective magic around your family and pets, you will need to gather

one egg,
a small seashell
juice of one orange in a cup
A small table or a chair

Then, on a Sunday morning or afternoon, place everything onto the table or chair in your bedroom and walk clockwise around the table three times as you repeat this incantation. ‘I cast this circle in the name of good.’ Then pick up the egg and hold it gently in your hands as you think loving thoughts about your family and pets, knowing that they are all safe and well. Keep doing this until you start to feel very calm and then break the egg into the cup of orange juice. Next, put the seashell into the cup as well and then stir everything together with the spoon, while you say, ‘With the color of the sun and seagull’s wing, animals and trees hear us sing, protect our home from everything.’ Then go outside to your front or back yard and pour the magic mixture onto a garden or near a tree.


- Aakash