tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256026222024-03-23T18:58:49.213+01:00whAt liFe iS aBoUt...widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-76591055825371349592007-04-28T22:11:00.000+02:002007-04-28T22:18:15.153+02:00A Chinese Proverb<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:georgia;">If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. Where there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Author & Source: Unknown</span></span></div> </div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-17825630879733859842007-02-14T15:09:00.000+01:002007-02-14T15:13:34.442+01:00Happiness<div style="text-align: justify;">Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service where they had been on vacation.<br /><br />Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.<br /><br />The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his life would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.<br /><br />The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the scene.<br /><br />One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.<br /><br />Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.<br /><br />As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.<br /><br />It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span> </div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-68216299889771943272007-01-02T20:50:00.000+01:002007-01-02T20:55:21.970+01:00Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost A Cent<div style="text-align: justify;">THE GIFT OF LISTENING...<br />But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF AFFECTION... <br />Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...<br />Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."<br /><br />THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...<br />It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...<br />A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...<br />Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...<br />There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.<br /><br />THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...<br />The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown</span></span><br /></div><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-63106145399139641872006-12-18T21:31:00.000+01:002006-12-18T21:54:07.658+01:00Time Bank<div style="text-align: justify;">Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.<br /><br />It carries over no balance from day to day.<br />Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.<br /><br />What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!!!!<br /><br />Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.<br />Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.<br />Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.<br /><br />It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.<br />Each day it opens a new account for you.<br />Each night it burns the remains of the day.<br /><br />If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.<br /><br />There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".<br /><br />You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!<br /><br />The clock is running. Make the most of today.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.<br /><br />To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.<br /><br />Treasure every moment that you have! And reassure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.<br /><br />Remember that time waits for no one.<br />Yesterday is history.<br />Tomorrow is mystery.<br />Today is a gift.<br />That's why it's called the present!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown</span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-22862250396300449072006-11-29T20:25:00.000+01:002006-11-29T20:27:27.171+01:00Big Rocks<div style="text-align: justify;">One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.<br /><br />As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz," and he pulled out a one gallon wide mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"<br /><br />Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes." The time management expert replied,"Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some of the gravel in and shook the jar causing the pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the class once more if the jar was full.<br /><br />By this time the class was on to him and said "Probably not."<br /><br />"Good" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand and started dumping it into the jar. The sand went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked if the jar was full.<br /><br />"NO!" the class shouted. Once again he said "Good" and grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it into the jar until the jar was filled to the brim.<br /><br />Then he looked around the room and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"<br /><br />One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is that no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more in."<br /><br />"NO," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth is that this illustration teaches us that if you don't put the 'big rocks' in first, you'll never get them in at all."<br /><br />What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Time with our loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others. Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first, or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the BIG ROCKS in my life?<br /><br />Then, put those in your jar first."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></span></div></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-79965054239117273722006-11-23T20:30:00.000+01:002006-11-23T20:31:38.128+01:00Work To Live, Not Live To Work<div style="text-align: justify;">It's 5:00 o'clock in the morning; the alarm sets off. You get out of bed. You take a bath. You have your breakfast. You leave the house. You're ready to face another working day. Or are you?<br /><br />When I was a kid, I would ask my mom why she and my father had to work. She would always tell me that they had to, so we could have the money to buy food, to pay for the bills, to pay for our schooling (we come from a middle income family). Both my parents worked but I'm really grateful to God; that in spite of that, we were never lacking in love, time, nor care from our parents.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, my brothers and I grew up to be responsible individuals because our parents really took care of us. Although they were at the office 5 days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm, they still found time to look after us, and teach us our lessons in the evening.<br /><br />They made sure that we did our homework. They didn't pressure us to aspire for honors, but we were motivated enough to study hard so we'd get good grades. It was our way of repaying our parents who never complained about working. I guess fate has been really good to my brothers and me because, modesty aside, all of us managed to land in the top of our respective classes.<br /><br />My parents taught me that one has to work in order for him to live a good life. They stressed, however, that this should not be taken as having to live just to work! They said that work should only be a part of life and it should not occupy one's whole existence.<br /><br />And they lived this philosophy. At the end of the work day, they would leave all their work-related problems in the office so that at home they could be devoted to us 100%, no less.<br /><br />I must say that agree with them. To this day, I still hear their message that work should be just a part of life and not life itself. I pity those people who have their way in this game called life. They have forgotten how to really live because they work too hard.<br /><br />There' nothing wrong with striving at work, but people must watch out for signs that they have begun to work themselves to death. Remember that anything in excess is bad. Maybe, they want to achieve something badly, that's why they work so hard. But I believe that success in the workplace doesn't always bring happiness.<br /><br />To be successful means that you have to sacrifice some things and sometimes, you end up sacrificing your family, your friends, your life; you achieve your professional goals, but you lose yourself. Then you wonder if the loss is worth the gain.<br /><br />Everybody's wish, in this world, is happiness and there are many ways to be happy. But when we work too hard or worry too much, we often forget that the simple things in life are those that make us happy…. a call from a friend, a smile from a stranger, the sight of a lovely flower, a surprise gift, a filling meal, a pat on the back, etc. It doesn't require much to get these gifts. These gifts are for free, but they provide immeasurable happiness.<br /><br />Work to live and not live to work. Find time for yourself, for your family, for your friends. Keep in mind that your priority is your loved ones, and not your work. Everybody deserves to be happy and I hope that everyone grows old without any regret in life.<br /><br />I hope each of us will have a smile on our faces when we reminisce the old times, I hope that everyone finds living exciting, wonderful. It is my wish that we would all find the time to do the things that really matter most.<br /><br />Let us work hard, not purely for our professional goals, but for a better life.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></span></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-35012059405944482002006-11-20T22:59:00.000+01:002006-11-20T23:02:47.793+01:00What do Angels Look Like?<div style="text-align: justify;">Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.<br />Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world when you smile.<br />Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.<br />Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.<br />Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you believe.<br />Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your way.<br />Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one to touch.<br /><br />Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types and colors.<br />Some with freckles, some with dimples, some with wrinkles, some without.<br /><br />They come disguised as friends, enemies, nurses, teachers, students, lovers, and fools.<br />They don't take life too seriously.<br />They travel light.<br />They leave no forwarding address.<br />They ask nothing in return.<br />They wear sneakers and gossamer wings.<br />They get a deal on dry cleaning.<br /><br />They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, but, they are everywhere you look when you choose to see.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Author & Source: Unknown</span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-89534257924367071342006-11-17T16:18:00.000+01:002006-11-17T16:20:29.084+01:00Perceptions<div style="text-align: justify;">There were two brothers in a small village in the Eastern Cape. The twin brothers grew up knowing nothing else but poverty. Their father was an alcoholic and their mother a domestic worker. They grew up with very little.<br /><br />On their way home one day, their parents were involved in a bus accident and died instantly. The brothers' condition became even worse. At age 17 they separated. Years and years later a family member decided to find them for a family reunion.<br /><br />One of the brothers was a wealthy engineer owning a construction company. He had a wife and three beautiful kids. The other was an alcoholic with no sense of direction for his life.<br /><br />The family member asked the engineer, "How did your life turn out like this?"<br />"What did you expect with a childhood like mine?" he answered.<br /><br />She moved on to the other brother with the same question.<br />"What did you expect with a childhood like mine?" was his answer.<br /><br />This tells us that, "men are not disturbed by the things that happened but by their perception of the things that happened".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Author & Source: Unknown</span><br /></div> </div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-45778425799067853692006-11-14T20:44:00.000+01:002006-11-14T20:46:22.179+01:00DecidingOutside my window, a new day I see,<br />And only I can determine<br />What kind of day it will be.<br />It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,<br />Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.<br />My own state of mind is the determining key,<br />For I am only the person I let myself be.<br />I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,<br />Or be selfish and think just of myself.<br />I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,<br />Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.<br />I can be patient with those who may not understand<br />Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.<br />But I have faith in myself,<br />And believe what I say<br />And I personally intend to make the most of each day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown</span></span><br /><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-24929487267433435802006-11-11T00:25:00.000+01:002006-11-11T00:26:53.157+01:00Sioux Indian Story<div style="text-align: justify;">My grandfather took me to the fish pond on the farm when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone.Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person.<br /><br />"You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said.<br /><br />"Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."<br /><br />That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger. We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown</span></span><br /></div><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-60363178811093049572006-11-09T21:43:00.000+01:002006-11-09T21:45:11.190+01:00Coffee..?<div style="text-align: justify;">A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.<br /><br />When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:<br /><br />"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.<br /><br />"What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.<br /><br />Now consider this: Life is the coffee and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and do not change the quality of Life. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided. So, don't let the cups drive you ... enjoy the coffee instead."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-20441394233448936812006-10-27T14:44:00.000+02:002006-10-27T14:45:29.910+02:00We'll See<div style="text-align: justify;">Once upon a time, there was a farmer in the central region of China. He didn't have a lot of money and, instead of a tractor, he used an old horse to plow his field.<br /><br />One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen." The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.<br /><br />Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man." And the farmer said, "We'll see."<br /><br />A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"<br /><br />The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."<br /><br />Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone again said, "What a fortunate man."<br /><br />The farmer said, "We'll see."<br /><br />Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding on the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the poor boy."<br /><br />The farmer said, "We'll see."<br /><br />Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits. When they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.<br /><br />Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man."<br /><br />The farmer smiled again - and said "We'll see."<br /><br />Moral of the story: There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></span></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-64291872970962787552006-10-26T21:27:00.000+02:002006-10-27T14:46:25.919+02:00The Given Light<div style="text-align: justify;">Once upon a time a man had heard, that in a foreign place, far away, there was a holy flame burning. So he got up and left his home to find the holy flame and bring some of its light back home to his house. He thought: 'When I have this light, then I will have happiness and life and all the people I love will have it too.'<br /><br />He travelled far, far away and finally found the holy flame, with which he lit his light. On his way back he had only one worry: 'That his light could go out.'<br /><br />On his way home he met someone who was freezing and didn't have any fire and who begged him to give him some of his fire. The man with the light hesitated for a moment. Wasn't his light too precious, too holy to be given away for something ordinary like that? Despite these doubts, he decided to give some of his light to the one who was freezing in the darkness.<br /><br />The man continued his journey home and when he had almost reached his house a terrible thunderstorm started. He tried to protect his light from the rain and the storm, but at the end his light went out.<br /><br />To return the long way back to the place where the holy flame was burning was impossible, he wouldn't have had enough strength to go back this far - but he was strong enough to return to the human being whom he had helped on his way home.<br /><br />.........and with his light he could light his own again.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Blätter, die uns durch das Jahr begleiten; Barbara and Hans Hug<br /><br /></span></span></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-15165268584378733912006-09-30T23:47:00.000+02:002006-10-27T14:46:46.335+02:00The Seven Wonders of the World<div style="text-align: justify;">Junior high school students were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes:<br /><br />1. Egypt's Great Pyramids<br />2. The Taj Mahal in India<br />3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona<br />4. The Panama Canal<br />5. The Empire State Building<br />6. St. Peter's Basilica<br />7. China's Great Wall<br /><br />While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."<br /><br />The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:<br /><br />1. to touch...<br />2. to taste...<br />3. to see...<br />4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)<br />5. to feel...<br />6. to laugh...<br />7. and to love."<br /><br />The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.<br /><br />May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.<br /></div><br />Enjoy your gifts!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-14994808469400974562006-09-25T17:11:00.000+02:002006-10-27T14:47:07.878+02:00Horse-Sense<div style="text-align: justify;">Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.<br /><br />Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.<br /><br />Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.<br /><br />As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.<br /><br />Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.<br /><br />He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.<br /><br />Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></span></div></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-60713594052924657812006-09-22T14:18:00.000+02:002006-10-27T14:47:26.894+02:00The Eagle and the Wolf<div style="text-align: justify;">There is a great battle that rages inside me.<br /><br />One side is the soaring eagle. Everything the eagle stands for is good and true and beautiful, and it soars above the clouds. Even though it dips down into the valleys, it lays its eggs on the mountaintops.<br /><br />The other side of me is the howling wolf. And that raging, howling wolf represents the worst that's in me. He eats upon my downfalls and justifies himself by his presence in the pack.<br /><br />Who wins this great battle?<br /><br />The one I feed.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown<br /><br /></span></span></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-53707798225262250362006-09-20T23:34:00.000+02:002006-09-20T23:37:25.589+02:00The Perfect Girl<div style="text-align: justify;">A friend asked a gentleman how it is that he never married ?<br /><br />Replied the gentleman, "Well, I guess I just never met the right woman ... I guess I've been looking for the perfect girl."<br /><br />"Oh, come on now," said the friend, "Surely you have met at least one girl that you wanted to marry."<br /><br />"Yes, there was one girl .. once. I guess she was the one perfect girl .. the only perfect girl I really ever met. She was just the right everything .. I really mean that she was the perfect girl for me."<br /><br />"Well, why didn't you marry her," asked the friend.<br /><br />"She was looking for the perfect man," he said.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown</span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158691454257826172006-09-19T20:42:00.000+02:002006-09-19T20:44:14.270+02:00The Scary Storm<div style="text-align: justify;">A little girl walked daily to and from school. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trip to school.<br /><br />As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school, and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword would cut through the sky.<br /><br />Full of concern, the mother quickly got in her car and drove along the route to her child's school.<br /><br />As she did so, she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile. Another and another were to follow quickly, each with the little girl stopping, looking up and smiling.<br /><br />Finally, the mother called over to her child and asked, "what are you doing?" The child answered, "smiling, God just keeps taking pictures of me."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158448652415110552006-09-17T01:14:00.000+02:002006-09-17T01:17:32.426+02:00The Lesson of the Homeless Man<div style="text-align: justify;">It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked in the church.<br /><br />As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out.<br /><br />I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.<br /><br />We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.<br /><br />A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened.<br /><br />In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down.<br /><br />People gasped and whispered and made faces.<br /><br />He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit where he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank.<br /><br />There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man."<br /><br />No one said a word.<br /><br />The preacher took his Bible and laid it on his stand.<br /><br />"Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today. If you judge people, you have no time to love them."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158329651146281212006-09-15T16:13:00.000+02:002006-09-15T16:14:11.146+02:00Big Feet and Big Heart<div style="text-align: justify;">It was an unseasonably hot day. Everybody it seemed, was looking for some kind of relief, so an ice cream store was a natural place to stop.<br /><br />A little girl, clutching her money tightly, entered the store. Before she could say a word, the store clerk sharply told her to get outside and read the sign on the door, and stay out until she put on some shoes. She left slowly, and a big man followed her out of the store.<br /><br />He watched as she stood in front of the store and read the sign: 'No Bare Feet'. Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she turned and started to walked away. Just then the big man called to her. Sitting down on the curb, he took off his size-12 shoes, and set them in front of the girl saying, "Here, you won't be able to walk in these, but if you sort of slide along, you can get your ice cream cone."<br /><br />Then he lifted the little girl up and set her feet into the shoes. "Take your time," he said, "I get tired of moving them around, and it'll feel good to just sit here and eat my ice cream." The shining eyes of the little girl could not be missed as she shuffled up to the counter and ordered her ice cream cone.<br /><br />He was a big man, all right. Big belly, big shoes, but most of all, he had a big heart.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158223878176643862006-09-14T10:44:00.000+02:002006-09-14T10:51:18.190+02:00The Dark Candle<div style="text-align: justify;">A man had a little daughter -- an only and much-beloved child. He lived for her -- she was his life. So when she became ill and her illness resisted the efforts of the best obtainable physicians, he became like a man possessed, moving heaven and earth to bring about her restoration to health.<br /><br />His best efforts proved unavailing and the child died. The father was totally irreconcilable. He became a bitter recluse, shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise and bring him back to his normal self. But one night he had a dream.<br /><br />He was in Heaven, and was witnessing a grand pageant of all the little child angels. They were marching in an apparently endless line past the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic child carried a candle. He noticed that one child's candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his own little girl. Rushing to her, while the pageant faltered, he seized her in his arms, caressed her tenderly, and then asked: "How is it, darling that your candle alone is unlighted?" "Father, they often relight it, but your tears always put it out."<br /><br />Just then he awoke from his dream. The lesson was crystal clear, and its effects were immediate. From that hour on he was not a recluse, but mingled freely and cheerfully with his former friends and associates. No longer would his darling's candle be extinguished by his useless tears.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158133332674685472006-09-13T09:38:00.000+02:002006-09-13T09:42:12.686+02:00Samurai Lesson<div style="text-align: justify;">A huge, rough samurai once went to see a little monk, hoping to acquire the secrets of the universe.<br /><br />"Monk," he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience. "teach me about heaven and hell."<br /><br />The little monk looked up at the mighty warrior in silence. Then, after a moment, he said to the samurai with utter disdain, "Teach YOU about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about anything. You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. you're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight at once. I can't stand you!"<br /><br />The samurai was furious. He began to shake all over from the anger that raced through him. A red flush spread over his face; he was speechless with rage. Quickly, menacingly, he pulled out his sword and raised it above his head, preparing to slay the monk.<br /><br />"That's hell." said the little monk quietly.<br /><br />The samurai was overwhelmed. Stunned. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching about hell! He slowly lowered his sword, filled with gratitude, and for reasons he could not explain his heart became suddenly peaceful.<br /><br />"And that's heaven," said the monk softly.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1158053461388376572006-09-12T11:29:00.000+02:002006-09-12T11:31:01.400+02:00Dads Blessings<div style="text-align: justify;">A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.<br /><br />As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.<br /><br />Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.<br /><br />When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.<br /><br />How many times do we miss Spirit's blessings and answers to our prayers because they do not arrive exactly as we have expected?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1157916791557368632006-09-10T21:30:00.000+02:002006-09-10T21:33:11.570+02:00Puppies for Sale<div style="text-align: justify;">A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.<br /><br />Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."<br /><br />"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."<br /><br />The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"<br /><br />"Sure," said the farmer.<br /><br />And with that he let out a whistle,"Here,Dolly!" he called.<br />Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.<br /><br />As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....<br /><br />"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.<br /><br />The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."<br /><br />With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The world is full of people who need someone who understands.</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Author & Source: Unknown </span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25602622.post-1157792644298883692006-09-09T10:46:00.000+02:002006-09-09T11:04:04.310+02:00Roses of Life<div style="text-align: center;">I've dreamed many dreams that never came true.<br />I've seen them vanish at dawn.<br />But I've realized enough of my dreams, Thank God,<br />To make me want to dream on.<br /><br />I've prayed many prayers, when no answers came,<br />Though I waited patient and long,<br />But answers came to enough of my prayers<br />To make me keep praying on.<br /><br />I've trusted many a friend that failed<br />And left me to weep alone,<br />But I've found enough of my friends true blue<br />To make me keep trusting on.<br /><br />I've sown many seeds that fell by the way<br />For the birds to feed upon,<br />But I have held enough golden sheaves in my hands<br />To make me keep sowing on.<br /><br />I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain<br />And gone many days without song,<br />But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life<br />To make me want to live on.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Author & Source: Unknown </span></span><br /></div>widhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14897489482504082833noreply@blogger.com0