November 12, 2008
"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
October 31, 2008
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, they make them." - George Bernard Shaw
October 30, 2008
“Success is not to be measured by the position someone has reached in life, but the obstacles he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington
October 29, 2008
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
- Michael Jordan
October 28, 2008
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.
- Aristotle
October 27, 2008
"Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right."
-- Henry Ford
October 26, 2008
If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now.
- Marie Osmond
October 25, 2008
The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life, are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it is possible.
-- Richard Devos
October 24, 2008
Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.
- Napoleon Hill
October 23, 2008
Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.
-- Henry Ford
October 22, 2008
"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
October 21, 2008
There Is a Quietness
I hope that you will listen, but not with the memory of what you already know; and this is very difficult to do. You listen to something, and your mind immediately reacts with its knowledge, its conclusions, its opinions, its past memories. It listens, inquiring for a future understanding. Just observe yourself, how you are listening, and you will see that this is what is taking place. Either you are listening with a conclusion, with knowledge, with certain memories, experiences, or you want an answer, and you are impatient. You want to know what it is all about, what life is all about, the extraordinary complexity of life. You are not actually listening at all. You can only listen when the mind is quiet, when the mind doesn't react immediately, when there is an interval between your reaction and what is being said. Then in that interval there is a quietness, there is a silence in which alone there is a comprehension, which is not intellectual understanding.
If there is a gap between what is said and your own reaction to what is said, in that interval, whether you prolong it indefinitely, for a long period or for a few seconds—in that interval, if you observe, there comes clarity. It is the interval that is the new brain. The immediate reaction is the old brain, and the old brain functions in its own traditional, accepted, reactionary, animalistic sense. When there is an abeyance of that, when the reaction is suspended, when there is an interval, then you will find that the new brain acts, and it is only the new brain that can understand, not the old brain.
--JKrishnamurti
October 19, 2008
I’m changing the world, one person at a time.
-- Kim Masoner
October 18, 2008
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
--Author Unknown
October 17, 2008
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.
--William Butler Yeats
October 16, 2008
The unknown is not measurable by the known. Time cannot measure the timeless, the eternal, that immensity which has no beginning and no end. But our minds are bound to the yardstick of yesterday, today and tomorrow, and with that yardstick we try to inquire into the unknown, to measure that which is not measurable. And when we try to measure something which is not measurable, we only get caught in words.
— Krishnamurti, New Delhi 1970
October 15, 2008
A friend gathers your scattered pieces and gives them back to you in the right order.
--Author Unknown
October 13, 2008
Some of the most beautiful things in life
cannot be seen or touched --
they are felt with the heart.
-- Hellen Keller
October 12, 2008
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
-- Author Unknown
October 11, 2008
I was at my doctors office - in the waiting room was a special young boy whom I met and made me realize I have no worries at all and I was truly inspired and hope you are too. Daniel is 3 years old has no arms and is missing one leg. He is extremely bright and happy young man as he's sitting in the waiting room, waiting to see the doctor, reading books and playing a game with his foot which he uses as a hand since he has none, but this did not deter him from turning the pages of the books, nor did it deter him from playing the game in the waiting room. He was amazing - and he didn't seem to be bothered with his huge disability.
I was inspired to say the least.
-- Kim Masoner
October 10, 2008
I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings.
-– Margaret Mead
October 9, 2008
Choices
Choose Not to Lose - Whether we choose to focus on our problems or our possibilities is a key leadership issue. When we are faced with obstacles and failure, those who can overcome adversity and learn from their experiences, turning them into opportunities, are the ones who will be truly successful.
Perceived Reality - Most so-called "facts" are open to interpretation and are highly dependent upon what's being read into them. We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are. Too often, we let our problems trap us deep inside our own "reality rut". As long as we're stuck there, we can't see out of the rut to the possibilities beyond.
Choosing Our Outlook - An optimist expects the best possible outcome and dwells on the most hopeful aspects of a situation. Pessimists stress the negative and take the gloomiest possible view. And while we may have been given a tendency toward optimism or pessimism at birth or from our upbringing, we decide what we want to be from today forward.
Choosing To Let Go of Deadly Emotions - Another milestone in our growth is when we accept responsibility for our emotions. It's less painful to believe that anger, jealousy, or bitterness are somebody else's fault or beyond our control. But that makes us prisoners of our emotions. We stew in our deadly emotions. For our own health and happiness, we must exercise our choice to let go. No matter how long we nurse a grudge, it won't get better. We need to truly forgive and forget. Forgiveness is not for the other guy, it is for ourselves.
Choosing Our Thoughts - In his 19th century Journals, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Life consists of what a man is thinking of all day." If we continue to think like we've always thought, we'll continue to get what we've always got. Our daily thought choices translate into our daily actions. Our actions accumulate to form our habits. Our habits form our character. Our character attracts our circumstances. Our circumstances determine our future… Taking responsibility for our choices starts with choosing our thoughts.
Leaders realize that life accumulates; the choices we make - good and bad - are like deposits in a bank account. Over the years we can build up a wealth of success and happiness or a deficit of despair and discouragement. It's up to us. As with any active bank account, few of these choice accumulations are permanent. However, the longer we allow poor choices to accumulate, the more time and effort will be needed to shift that balance. Now is the time for action. There's still time. If not now, when?
October 8, 2008
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.
--Author unknown
October 7, 2008
Broken Windows was the brainchild of the criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. Wilson and Kelling argued that crime is the inevitable result of disorder. If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge. Soon, more windows will be broken, and the sense of anarchy will spread from the building to the street on which it faces, sending a signal that anything goes.
Without going back into "The Tipping Point", one of my favorite books to reference, some time in the early/mid 90's Mayor Rudy Giuliani cleaned up the streets with the "Broken Glass Theory" in mind. The theory is that in a clean and well-maintained environment, people would be less likely to commit crime.
An example I have always used is when coming to a person's home... If the home is a mess, visitors are less likely to respect the place, clean up after themselves, etc. On the other hand, when entering a super clean, well-maintained home, visitors are much more likely to be considerate. They will take their shoes off sometimes without being asked, they might take their dishes to the sink and trash to the garbage, etc.
Well, in general, in life it is important to surround yourself with positive influences, including a clean and organized living space.
October 6, 2008
Until you make peace with who you are ... you'll never be content with
what you have.
-- Doris Mortman
October 5, 2008
Tough Love -- Remembering My Mom, Jane Wyman
By Michael Reagan – Ronald Reagan’s adopted son
September 13, 2007
We buried my mother, Jane Wyman, today and as I stood at her grave the words
of Abraham Lincoln came back to me: "All I am or ever hope to be I owe to my
angel mother."
Everybody talks about my dad Ronald Reagan, and what he did for America, and
many people think that because he set such a great example for his fellow
citizens in so many ways, he was also responsible for making me who I am
today.
While that may be true in some ways, if anybody really wants to know who and
what I am, you have to go back to my mother. All that's decent and
praiseworthy that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to her.
When my parents broke up, like many children of that day and age whose
parents were divorced, I lived with my mother. It was Jane Wyman, a single
mom, who was in charge of raising me. I spent weekends with my dad, but it
was my mother who raised me.
I could have been one of those spoiled Beverly Hills brats, but thankfully I
had a mother who wouldn't allow it. As my sister Maureen and I learned,
there would be no brats in her house.
Back in the 1950s, spoiled Beverly Hills brats could go to their parents and
extort money from them because they felt guilt because they couldn't spend
time with their kids. They would get their parents to assuage their guilt by
buying them things, such as the brand new 10-speed Schwinn bicycles that
were then the rage.
All my friends were getting their parents to buy one -- it was the newest
bike of the day and every kid, including me, wanted one. I had even picked
out the brand new blue 10-speed Schwinn bike I wanted.
I went to my mom and told her I would love her forever if she'd just buy it
for me. "How badly do you want it?" she asked.
When I said, "More than anything else," she said, "Do you want it badly
enough to get a job?" I protested that I was only 10 years old and couldn't
get a job, but she said that with a bike I could get a paper route. She
said, "I will lend you the money and you can pay me back."
I asked her why she was doing this -- none of my friends had to work to get
a bike. Their parents simply gave them their bikes and everything else they
wanted.
She said, "If I give you everything you want, and I can afford to do that,
you'll grow up to be a 40-year-old child. I build men, not boys. I want you
to grow up to be a 40-year-old man."
I bought the bike with the money she lent me, and every Sunday I'd ride my
bike to Good Shepherd church, sell papers there, and then pay my mother back
out of my earnings.
That's called "tough love," and over the years nothing changed. When I got
my national radio show back in 1992, I was driving 262 miles a day between
San Diego and Los Angeles to do my show, and I wasn't making any money.
I began to feel sorry for myself, even crying in the car one day. I didn't
know what to do, so I called my mom, probably looking for a handout.
I asked her what I could do, that I was driving 262 miles a day and not
making any money, my kids were in school, Colleen was at work trying to take
care of the family, and my mom said, "I can tell you what to do." And I
asked "what?" and she said, "Who said you don't have to pay your dues? You
need to pay your dues like everybody else. Shut up and keep driving." And
she hung up
That was 16 years ago. I kept driving. And it all worked out.
Who I am today politically is because of Ronald Reagan. But if you really
want to learn what made me the man I am, you have to look to Jane Wyman. She
made award winning films -- she also made a man.
Thank you, Mom.
-- Michael Reagan
October 4, 2008
Be nice and give a warm smile to everyone you meet. You don't know what they are going through, and they may need that smile, and treasure it.
--Christine Huppert
October 3, 2008
Love and the Cabbie
I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi.
When we got out, my friend said to the driver, "Thank you for the
ride. You did a superb job of driving."
The taxi driver was stunned for a second, then he said, "Are you a
wise guy or something?"
"No, my dear man, and I'm not putting you on. I admire the way you
keep cool in heavy traffic."
"What was that all about?" I asked.
"I am trying to bring love back to New York," he said. "I believe
it's the only thing that can save the city."
"How can one man save New York?"
"It's not one man. I believe I have made the taxi driver's day.
Suppose he has 20 fares. He's going to be nice to those 20 fares
because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder
to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own
families. Eventually, the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000
people. Now, that isn't bad, is it?"
"But, you're depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill onto
others."
"I'm not depending on it," my friend said. "I'm aware that the
system isn't foolproof, so I might deal with 10 different people
today. If, out of 10, I can make three people happy, then eventually
I can influence the attitudes of 3,000 more."
"It sounds good on paper," I admitted, "but I'm not sure it works in
practice."
"Nothing is lost if it doesn't. It didn't take any of my time to
tell that man he was doing a good job. He neither received a larger
tip nor a smaller tip. If it fell on deaf ears, so what. Tomorrow,
there will be another taxi driver whom I can make happy."
"You're some kind of a nut," I said.
"That shows you how cynical you have become. I have made a study of
this. The thing that seems to be lacking, besides money of course,
for our postal employees, is that no one tells people who work for
the post office what a good job they're doing."
"But they're not doing a good job."
"They're not doing a good job because they feel no one cares if they
do or not. Why shouldn't someone say a kind word to them?"
We were walking past a structure in the process of being built and
passed five workmen eating their lunch. My friend stopped. "That's
a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and
dangerous work."
The five men eyed my friend suspiciously.
"When will it be finished?"
"June," a man grunted.
"Ah, that really is impressive. You must all be very proud."
We walked away. I said to him, "I haven't seen anyone like you
since 'The Man from La Mancha'."
"When those men digest my words, they will feel better for it.
Somehow the city will benefit from their happiness."
"But you can't do this all alone!" I protested. "You're just one
man!"
"The most important thing is not to get discouraged. Making people
in the city become kind again is not an easy job, but if I can
enlist other people in my campaign..."
"You just winked at a very plain-looking woman," I said.
"Yes, I know," he replied. "And if she's a schoolteacher, her class
will be in for a fantastic day!"
-- Art Buchwald
October 2, 2008
Be the change you want to see in the world. –- Mahatma Ghandi
October 1, 2008
ALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS
* A--Accept *
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even
if you
have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.
*B--Break Away *
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to
accomplish with your life.
*C--Create *
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams,
sorrows,
and happiness with.
*D--Decide *
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good
things
will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.
*E--Explore *
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have
much to
give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about
yourself.
*F--Forgive *
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire
unhappiness and
grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
*G--Grow *
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or
stand in
your way.
*H--Hope *
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long
as you
remain dedicated to the task.
*I--Ignore *
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your
goals and
remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small
inkling of what the future holds.
*J--Journey*
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded.
Try to
learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
*K--Know *
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better.
The
warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
*L--Love *
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart,
there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart,
there's room
for endless happiness.
*M--Manage *
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less
stress and
worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
*N--Notice *
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer
your
assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
*O--Open *
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the
worst
of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
*P--Play *
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without
happiness.
*Q--Question *
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
*R--Relax *
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that
things
always have a way of working out in the end.
*S--Share *
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others.
Everything that
you invest in others will return to you many times over.
*T--Try *
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be
amazed
by what you can accomplish.
*U--Use *
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no
value.
Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
*V--Value *
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged
you,
and be there for them as well.
*W--Work *
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel
guilty
if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.
*X--X-Ray *
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the
goodness
and beauty within.
*Y--Yield *
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated,
you'll find
success at the end of the road.
*Z--Zoom *
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head.
September 30, 2008
Gratitude...
is one of the sweet shortcuts
to finding peace of mind and happiness inside.
No matter what's going on outside of us,
there's always something we could be grateful for.
- Barry Neil Kaufman
September 28, 2008
Courage
Courage is admitting that you're afraid and facing that fear directly.
It's being strong enough to ask for help and humble enough to accept it.
Courage is standing up for what you believe in without worrying about the opinions of others.
It's following your own heart, living your own life, and settling for nothing less than the best for yourself.
Courage is daring to take a first step, a big leap, or a different path.
It's attempting to do something that no one has done before, and all others thought impossible.
Courage is keeping heart in the face of disappointment, and looking at defeat not as an end but as a new beginning.
It's believing that things will ultimately get better even as they get worse.
Courage is being responsible for your own actions, and admitting your own mistakes without placing blame on others.
It's relying not on others for your success, but on your own skills and efforts.
Courage is refusing to quit even when you're intimidated by impossibility.
It's choosing a goal, sticking with it, and finding solutions to the problems.
Courage is thinking big, aiming high, and shooting far.
It's taking a dream and doing anything, risking everything, and stopping at nothing to make it a reality.
-- Caroline Kent
September 27, 2008
21 Things To Remember
1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.
3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.
5. Success stops when you do.
6. When your ship comes in.... Make sure you are willing to unload it.
7. You will never have it all together.
8. Life is a journey...not a destination. Enjoy the trip!
9. The biggest lie on the planet “When I get what I want I will be happy.”
10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
11. I've learned that ultimately, 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.
13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.
14. We often fear the thing we want the most.
15. He or she who laughs...... lasts.
16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.
17. Look for opportunities. ..not guarantees.
18. Life is what's coming....not what was.
19. Success is getting up one more time.
20. Now is the most interesting time of all.
21. When things go wrong.....don't go with them.
-- Author Unknown
September 26, 2008
There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore... and who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past; there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.
--Author Unknown
September 25, 2008
A Creed To Live By
Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Don't shut love out of your life by saying "it's impossible to find." The quickest way to receive love is to give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Don't dismiss your dreams. To be without dreams is to be without hope; To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you're going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
-- Nancye Sims
September 24, 2008
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
–- Margaret Mead
September 23, 2008
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love, for your dreams,
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched
the center of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own, without moving to hide it
or fade it or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own.
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy
fill you to the tips of your fingers
and toes without cautioning us
to be careful, be realistic,
remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty every day,
and if you can source your own life from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.”
It doesn't interest me to know where you live,
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what
or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company
your keeping the empty moments.
-- Oriah Mountain Dreamer
September 22, 2008
Hi Everyone:
I'm so sorry - but my cable is out, so I'm typing this from the Seal Beach Library...and I do not have my inspirational quotes here so I cannot provide you one of my regular inspirational quotes, but I will provide you with a real life inspiration...
Last week I had given my acupuncturist, Dr. Mai in Long Beach 2 certificates of good citizenship from Ruby's Restaurant in Seal Beach for his 2 young daughters and asked him to have them clean up the street outside their home in Cerritos. He was more than happy to have them clean up their street and he told me that his girls first said they would need gloves (as they're very smart) so they got out their gardening gloves and cleaned up the street with lots of enthusiasm and, the older one said that this was a good thing for the environment (something she had learned in school). When they were done, the girls wanted to do it again at another time, as they felt it was beneficial to their community. Then, that night when the family had gathered around the dining room table for dinner, Dr. Mai presented his two girls their certificates and they were truly touched and felt they had done a good deed (and they certainly had).
-- Kim Masoner
September 21, 2008
Be Kind Anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
...be kind anyway.
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
...forgive them anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
...succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
...be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend hours building, someone could destroy overnight;
...build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
...be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow;
...do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
...give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
...it was never between you and them anyway.
-— Mother Teresa
September 20, 2008
I apologize as I posted this 1 day early - I'll be busy tomorrow with our beach and riverbed cleanup, and didn't want to fall behind in my daily postings....
The Story of Stone Soup
Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.
"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.
--Stone Soup For The Soul
September 19,2008
5 Great Lessons in Life – Give just to give, and do not expect to receive
1. Most Important Lesson
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until 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 - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 PM, 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 his 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. — He felt 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 and 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 cheeks. 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.
— Understanding and attitude, are everything.
September 18, 2008
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
-- Author Unknown
September 17, 2008
One hundred years from now,
It will not matter what kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
What my clothes looked like,
Or how much money I had in my checking account.
But the world may be a little better because I made a difference in the life of a child.
-- Author Unknown
September 16, 2008
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never, ever the same.
-- Author Unknown
September 15, 2008
Take Time
Take time to learn,
It is a sign of greatness.
Take time to think,
It is a source of power.
Take time to plan,
It is the first step to fulfillment.
Take time to work,
It is the price of success.
Take time to dream,
It is the fountain of achievement.
Take time to act,
It is an expression of belief in oneself.
Take time to give,
It is a symbol of maturity.
Take time to smile,
It is the window of the soul.
Take time to love,
It is a gift of a higher power.
-- Floyd Brown
September 14, 2008
The ABC’s Of Life
Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause
September 13, 2008
"The ABC's of Children"
Amazing, acknowledge them.
Believable, trust them.
Childlike, allow them.
Divine, honor them.
Energetic, nourish them.
Fallible, embrace them.
Gifts, treasure them.
Here Now, be with them.
Innocent, delight with them.
Joyful, appreciate them.
Kindhearted, learn from them.
Lovable, cherish them.
Magical, fly with them.
Noble, esteem them.
Open minded, respect them.
Precious, value them.
Questioners, encourage them.
Resourceful, support them.
Spontaneous, enjoy them.
Talented, believe in them.
Unique, affirm them.
Vulnerable, protect them.
Whole, recognize them.
Xtraspecial, celebrate them.
Yearning, notice them.
Zany, laugh with them.
September 12, 2008
Believe In Your Dreams
There may be days when you get up in the morning
And things aren't’ the way you had hoped they would be.
That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.
There are times when people disappoint you and let you down,
But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions,
To keep your life focused on believing in yourself and all that you are capable of.
There will be challenges in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you.
It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle, you will find a stronger sense of who you are, and you will see yourself developing into the person you have always wanted to be.
Life is a journey, filled with many choices; each of us will experience life in our own special way.
So when days are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the dreams that are meant to come true for you.
-- Deanna Beisser
September 11, 2008
At the close of life the question will be...
- not how much have you got, but how much have you given;
- not how much have you won, but how much have you done;
- not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed;
- how much have you loved and served, not how much were you honored.
-- Nathan C. Schaeffer
