Trusting The Unknown
http://jjulrich.xanga.com/weblog/
"We are very near to greatness: one step and we are safe:
can we not take the leap?"
Ralph W. Emerson
After ten years of working for a prestigious Wall Street bank and slamming into a glass ceiling, I vehemently said "Enough!" If I was going to have an inspiring, compelling life and go beyond a clock-punching, nine-to-five job, I knew I had to make the decision to create it and shift gears.
I began looking. I'd never let my deafness shortchange my dreams. I wasn't about to start now. I scanned through The New York Times in search of new opportunities. My eyes were drawn to an advertisement in the back. A financial giant was looking to hire more stockbrokers. I thought, I can do that! With great excitement, I called a few people and made an appointment to see a New York City branch vice president.
On the day of my appointment, I was terribly sick with a cold and 101° fever that threatened to keep me in bed. Yet, I knew I couldn't let this golden opportunity slip away, so I showed up for the interview and spoke with vice president for over three hours. I thought he was surely going to hire me on the spot. Instead, he instructed me to meet with twelve of his top stockbrokers for further interviews. I was floored!
But., then maybe that's a good sign, I thought, trying to rationalize his decision.
During the next five months, every one of the twelve professionals discouraged me from becoming a stockbroker.
"You're better off in a safe 9-to-5 bank job," they proclaimed. "Eighty percent of newcomers fail within their first year," they added. "You have no investment experience."
"You won't make it."
The more attacked my dream, the more my stomach tightened. I could hardly breath. I realized then that I would have to "fake it to make it."
My final interview was scheduled on a cold, blustery January day on Fifth Avenue. Five minutes into the meeting, it was obvious the vice president didn't know what to do with me.
I handed him a 25-page marketing report on how I would build my business. I hoped this would convince him that I was indeed the man for the job. But, it didn't. Noticeably uncomfortable, he nervously played with a paper clip and pretended to read my report. Apparently, he wasn't confident that I could perform the job. I felt a tremendous opportunity was about to slip through my fingers.
So I looked at him straight in the eye and captured his attention.
"Sir," I said confidently. "If you don't hire me, you'll never know just how much I could've done for this firm." When I heard my own brazen words, I panicked. My God, I thought, what have I done? Can I really back that up?
I nervously waited. The seconds seemed like minutes and the minutes, like hours.
He finally spoke.
"Okay, you've got the job!" he announced.
I stood up and was about to leave when he added, "On one condition."
My heart sank.
"First," he said, "you must first resign from the Bank of New York effective two weeks from today and enroll in our three-month training program. Then, you have to take the Series 7 stockbroker exam. And, you must pass it on the FIRST try." He drove home his final point, "If you fail even by one point - you're out!"
My mouth went dry. Inward, I shook uncontrollably. I choked at the prospect of taking a huge leap of faith into the unknown. I stood to lose everything!
Then, captivated by this ultimate risk taking opportunity and by a courage that I knew would forever change my future, I swallowed hard and spoke confidently, "I'll take it." Little did I know the impact of that split-second decision.
As instructed, I cut my lifeline to the Bank and leapt into unproven waters.
After three months of training, it was time for me to take the three-hour exam. The test site was on Madison Avenue, a short distance from where I would be working, if I passed the test. I took the elevator to the seventh floor and signed in. From the reception area, I could see the test room through the glass partition. It was full of computers, all deliberately spaced in several rows. The room was sparsely furnished with the barest of essentials of scrap paper, several sharpened pencils and uncomfortable-looking chairs.
The exam proctors led me to my assigned computer. One of the most important tests of my life was about to begin. They gave me a signal to go ahead. I was extremely nervous but as the test progressed, I felt increasingly confident. Three hours passed by surprisingly fast.
It was time for the final score - the computer would calculate it and flash it on the screen. I sat there sweating and staring at the computer that held the key to my future. I was positive someone could hear my heart beating. The screen blinked on and off with the message, "Your scores are being tabulated by the computer, please wait."
The wait seemed like hours. The scores were finally displayed.
I had passed! I let out an audible sigh of relief.
Since that day, I've never looked back. I exceeded not only my own expectations but also those of the manager who took a chance and hired me on that fateful day. Before being promoted himself, he was around long enough to witness my personal sales soar 1,700%, hand me several sales awards and see me on CNN.
That was four years ago. I am now a inspirational speaker and author.
All because I took a chance, instead of hiding safely behind my deafness.
My experiences confirmed the truth of Thoreau's words when he said, "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he had imagined, he will meet success unexpected in common hours."
That's what the power of making a split second decision did for me, a deaf stockbroker-turned motivational speaker/author!
--- Copyright © 1999 ---- Stephen J. Hopson --- Revised Edition
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My Life
http://ping.fm/PlFPZ
This is how I want to live it. It may not be how I live, but it is the way I want to live. I want to live my life in such a way that it will be remembered. I want to leave an impression on everyone I come in contact with.
I want to live as Thoreau said, "to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and spartan like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to it's lowest terms."
I want to be open and honest with everyone, to be remembered by my actions. I want to lead my life in such a way that I can be respected. I want to live my life so I can be an example for others. I want to aspire for greatness but never be famous. I want to live sure of myself. If I doubt myself, others will too. I want to live my life in such a way so that in the future I won't regret my past.
I want to believe in myself. I want to capture the strength I have deep inside. I want to believe in tomorrow and what it might bring. I want to be able to trust and in turn be trusted.
I want to begin every day thinking this is the beginning of a new day. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I am using a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever leaving in its place, something I traded for it.
I want to be a friend to everyone. I want to always have a dream. I want to be remembered for the good I did in my life. People won't remember what I said, people won't remember what I did, but they will always remember how I made them feel.
"I shall pass through this world, but once. Any good therefore that I can show, to any human being, let me do it now for I shall never pass this way again."
--- Copyright © 1999 Nathanael Stakland --- Iowa
http://ping.fm/PlFPZ
This is how I want to live it. It may not be how I live, but it is the way I want to live. I want to live my life in such a way that it will be remembered. I want to leave an impression on everyone I come in contact with.
I want to live as Thoreau said, "to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and spartan like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to it's lowest terms."
I want to be open and honest with everyone, to be remembered by my actions. I want to lead my life in such a way that I can be respected. I want to live my life so I can be an example for others. I want to aspire for greatness but never be famous. I want to live sure of myself. If I doubt myself, others will too. I want to live my life in such a way so that in the future I won't regret my past.
I want to believe in myself. I want to capture the strength I have deep inside. I want to believe in tomorrow and what it might bring. I want to be able to trust and in turn be trusted.
I want to begin every day thinking this is the beginning of a new day. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I am using a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever leaving in its place, something I traded for it.
I want to be a friend to everyone. I want to always have a dream. I want to be remembered for the good I did in my life. People won't remember what I said, people won't remember what I did, but they will always remember how I made them feel.
"I shall pass through this world, but once. Any good therefore that I can show, to any human being, let me do it now for I shall never pass this way again."
--- Copyright © 1999 Nathanael Stakland --- Iowa
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Bus Passenger
http://ping.fm/0V0KZ
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger.
But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.
At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."
Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase.
Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend.
Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?
Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Sharon Pires --- India
http://ping.fm/0V0KZ
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger.
But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.
At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."
Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase.
Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend.
Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?
Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Sharon Pires --- India
Friday, June 25, 2010
Winning Isn't Everything
http://ping.fm/xKKhM
You don't have to be crowned a champion to be one. You don't have to win first place to be a winner. Sometimes winning is coming in fourth, exhausted and encouraged because the last time you came in fifth. Winning isn't everything; it's being the best that you can be. Don't wish to be anything but yourself and try to be that perfectly.
There was a boy named Kim Peck, he was severely handicapped and suffered from brain damage. Kim was running the 50 yard dash in the '68 Special Olympics. He was running in the finals against two other people, they were in wheelchairs, stricken with cerebral palsy. The gun sounded, Kim was 20 yards ahead and 10 yards from the finish line when he looked back to see how the others were doing.
The boy had turned his wheelchair around and was pushing backwards with his feet. The girl had turned her wheelchair around and was stuck against the wall. Kim stopped, went back and pushed the girl across the finish line.
The boy going backwards won the race. The girl came in second. Kim came in last. Or did he? In my eyes Kim is the greatest kind of winner.
When you help someone else win, you often find yourself in the winner's circle too.
--- Copyright © 1999 Kelly Marshall --- Texas
http://ping.fm/xKKhM
You don't have to be crowned a champion to be one. You don't have to win first place to be a winner. Sometimes winning is coming in fourth, exhausted and encouraged because the last time you came in fifth. Winning isn't everything; it's being the best that you can be. Don't wish to be anything but yourself and try to be that perfectly.
There was a boy named Kim Peck, he was severely handicapped and suffered from brain damage. Kim was running the 50 yard dash in the '68 Special Olympics. He was running in the finals against two other people, they were in wheelchairs, stricken with cerebral palsy. The gun sounded, Kim was 20 yards ahead and 10 yards from the finish line when he looked back to see how the others were doing.
The boy had turned his wheelchair around and was pushing backwards with his feet. The girl had turned her wheelchair around and was stuck against the wall. Kim stopped, went back and pushed the girl across the finish line.
The boy going backwards won the race. The girl came in second. Kim came in last. Or did he? In my eyes Kim is the greatest kind of winner.
When you help someone else win, you often find yourself in the winner's circle too.
--- Copyright © 1999 Kelly Marshall --- Texas
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Story of Life
http://ping.fm/Iz3px
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, worker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
*Most importantly!!!, if you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.
That's the story of life...
Thank you all for touching my life and making if fuller.
--- Copyright © 1999 Tamara Robinson --- Canada
http://ping.fm/Iz3px
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, worker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
*Most importantly!!!, if you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.
That's the story of life...
Thank you all for touching my life and making if fuller.
--- Copyright © 1999 Tamara Robinson --- Canada
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Living and Giving
http://ping.fm/TCX3X
Whatever you give away today, or think or say or do will multiply about tenfold and then return to you.
It may not come immediately, nor from the obvious source but the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion will surely bounce right back to you in some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person, a word of praise or two, soon, tens of other people will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain. Kind ones bring us happiness; petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror. If hate you send, hate you'll get back, but loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day and duty crowds your mind, that kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind. Let that thought and this one direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep are the things we give away.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
http://ping.fm/TCX3X
Whatever you give away today, or think or say or do will multiply about tenfold and then return to you.
It may not come immediately, nor from the obvious source but the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion will surely bounce right back to you in some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person, a word of praise or two, soon, tens of other people will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain. Kind ones bring us happiness; petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror. If hate you send, hate you'll get back, but loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day and duty crowds your mind, that kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind. Let that thought and this one direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep are the things we give away.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Mirror
http://ping.fm/uTw9H
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others,are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others,
Are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
A mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror,
And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Serene Yang --- Malaysia
http://ping.fm/uTw9H
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others,are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others,
Are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
A mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror,
And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Serene Yang --- Malaysia
Monday, June 21, 2010
Dare To Be
http://ping.fm/GbXrU
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
--- Copyright © 2000 Steve Maraboli --- New York
http://ping.fm/GbXrU
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
--- Copyright © 2000 Steve Maraboli --- New York
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
YOU ARE UNIQUE!
http://ping.fm/wlRDW
Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is to be you! Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!
No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.
No, one's hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one's finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.
The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don't sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you - NO ONE!
No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE! Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren't meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.
You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.
If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.
Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you!
YOU ARE UNIQUE!
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Rafael Rodriguez
http://ping.fm/wlRDW
Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is to be you! Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!
No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.
No, one's hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one's finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.
The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don't sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you - NO ONE!
No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE! Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren't meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.
You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.
If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.
Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you!
YOU ARE UNIQUE!
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Rafael Rodriguez
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
http://ping.fm/2iwWa
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
For without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past
Nor in the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
You live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances; that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is 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.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast
That you forget not only where you have been,
But also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
http://ping.fm/2iwWa
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
For without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past
Nor in the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
You live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances; that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is 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.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast
That you forget not only where you have been,
But also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
Monday, June 14, 2010
YOU'RE WONDERFUL
http://ping.fm/hcsvE
A famous singer had been contracted to sing at a Paris opera house and ticket sales were booming. In fact, the night of the concert, the house was packed; every ticket had been sold.
The feeling of anticipation and excitement was in the air as the house manager took the stage and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your enthusiastic support. I am afraid that due to illness, the man whom you've all come to hear will not be performing tonight. However, we have found a suitable substitute we hope will provide you with comparable entertainment."
The crowd groaned in disappointment and failed to hear the announcer mention the stand-in's name. The environment turned from excitement to frustration.
The stand-in performer gave the performance everything he had. When he had finished, there was nothing but an uncomfortable silence. . . No one applauded.
Suddenly, from the balcony, a little boy stood up and shouted, "Daddy, I think you're wonderful!"
The crowd broke into thunderous applause.
Make someone's day. Tell them you think they're wonderful!
--- Author Unknown
http://ping.fm/hcsvE
A famous singer had been contracted to sing at a Paris opera house and ticket sales were booming. In fact, the night of the concert, the house was packed; every ticket had been sold.
The feeling of anticipation and excitement was in the air as the house manager took the stage and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your enthusiastic support. I am afraid that due to illness, the man whom you've all come to hear will not be performing tonight. However, we have found a suitable substitute we hope will provide you with comparable entertainment."
The crowd groaned in disappointment and failed to hear the announcer mention the stand-in's name. The environment turned from excitement to frustration.
The stand-in performer gave the performance everything he had. When he had finished, there was nothing but an uncomfortable silence. . . No one applauded.
Suddenly, from the balcony, a little boy stood up and shouted, "Daddy, I think you're wonderful!"
The crowd broke into thunderous applause.
Make someone's day. Tell them you think they're wonderful!
--- Author Unknown
Friday, June 11, 2010
Teddy Bear's Call
http://ping.fm/xJ45J
I was on the outskirts of a little Southern town, trying to reach my destination before the sun went down. The old CB was blaring away on channel 1-9, when there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. He said, "Breaker 1-9, is anyone there? Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear."
I keyed the mike and said, "You got it, Teddy Bear."
The little boy's voice came back on the air, appreciate the break. "Who we got on the other end?"
I told him my handle and then he began.
"Now I'm not supposed to bother you boys out there. Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and cannot walk."
I came back and told him to fire up that mike, I'd talk to him as long as he'd like.
"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said, "but I guess it's mine and Mom's now cause my daddy's dead. Dad had a wreck about a month ago. He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. Mom has to work now to make ends meet. I'm not much help with my crippled feet. She says not to worry that she'll make it all right. But I hear her crying sometimes late at night.
"You know, there's one thing I want more than anything else to see. Ah I know you guys are too busy to bother with me. But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home. But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone."
Not one breaker came in on that CB as that little crippled boy talked to me. I tried hard to swallow the lump, it just would not stay down as I thought about my boy in at home in hometown.
He continued, "Dad was going to take Mom and me with him later on this year. I remember him saying, 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear.' But I know I will never get to ride in an 18-wheeler again. But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. Teddy Bear's going to back out now and leave you alone cause it's almost time for Mom to come home. But you give me a shout when you're passing through and I'll be happy to come back to you."
Well I came back and said, "Before you 10-10, what's your home 20, little CB friend?"
He gave me his home address and I didn't hesitate one second because this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime and headed for Jackson Street 229.
As I rounded the corner, I got one heck of a shock, 18-wheelers lined up for three city blocks. I guess every trucker from miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call, and that little boy was having a ball.
For as fast as one driver would carry him in, another would carry him to his truck and they'd take off again. Well you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear. And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair.
Buddy, if I never live to see happiness again, I want you to know I saw it that day in the face of that little man. We took up a collection before his mom came home. Each driver said goodbye and then they were gone. He shook my hand with a mile-long grin and said, "So long trucker, I'll catch you again."
I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes. I turned on my radio and got another surprise.
"Breaker 1-9," came a voice on the air, "just one word of thanks from Mom Teddy Bear. We wish each and every one a special prayer for you cause you just made my little boy's dream come true. I'll sign off now before I start to cry. May God ride with you; 10-4 and goodbye."
--- Author Unknown
http://ping.fm/xJ45J
I was on the outskirts of a little Southern town, trying to reach my destination before the sun went down. The old CB was blaring away on channel 1-9, when there came a little boy's voice on the radio line. He said, "Breaker 1-9, is anyone there? Come on back, truckers, and talk to Teddy Bear."
I keyed the mike and said, "You got it, Teddy Bear."
The little boy's voice came back on the air, appreciate the break. "Who we got on the other end?"
I told him my handle and then he began.
"Now I'm not supposed to bother you boys out there. Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air. But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk cause that's about all I can do. I'm crippled and cannot walk."
I came back and told him to fire up that mike, I'd talk to him as long as he'd like.
"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said, "but I guess it's mine and Mom's now cause my daddy's dead. Dad had a wreck about a month ago. He was trying to get home in a blinding snow. Mom has to work now to make ends meet. I'm not much help with my crippled feet. She says not to worry that she'll make it all right. But I hear her crying sometimes late at night.
"You know, there's one thing I want more than anything else to see. Ah I know you guys are too busy to bother with me. But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home. But I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone."
Not one breaker came in on that CB as that little crippled boy talked to me. I tried hard to swallow the lump, it just would not stay down as I thought about my boy in at home in hometown.
He continued, "Dad was going to take Mom and me with him later on this year. I remember him saying, 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear.' But I know I will never get to ride in an 18-wheeler again. But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends. Teddy Bear's going to back out now and leave you alone cause it's almost time for Mom to come home. But you give me a shout when you're passing through and I'll be happy to come back to you."
Well I came back and said, "Before you 10-10, what's your home 20, little CB friend?"
He gave me his home address and I didn't hesitate one second because this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait. I turned that truck around on a dime and headed for Jackson Street 229.
As I rounded the corner, I got one heck of a shock, 18-wheelers lined up for three city blocks. I guess every trucker from miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call, and that little boy was having a ball.
For as fast as one driver would carry him in, another would carry him to his truck and they'd take off again. Well you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear. And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair.
Buddy, if I never live to see happiness again, I want you to know I saw it that day in the face of that little man. We took up a collection before his mom came home. Each driver said goodbye and then they were gone. He shook my hand with a mile-long grin and said, "So long trucker, I'll catch you again."
I hit that interstate with tears in my eyes. I turned on my radio and got another surprise.
"Breaker 1-9," came a voice on the air, "just one word of thanks from Mom Teddy Bear. We wish each and every one a special prayer for you cause you just made my little boy's dream come true. I'll sign off now before I start to cry. May God ride with you; 10-4 and goodbye."
--- Author Unknown
Thursday, June 10, 2010
CARL'S GARDEN
http://ping.fm/vHDzJ
Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?" The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile.
As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.
Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.
Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. "Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.
Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"
"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately", came the calm reply.
Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.
A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.
The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.
"Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.
"What's this?" Carl asked.
"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."
"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.
Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."
The following spring another flyer went up. It read "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.
The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."
"Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"
"Carl," he replied.
--- Author Unknown
http://ping.fm/vHDzJ
Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?" The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile.
As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.
Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.
Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. "Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.
Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"
"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately", came the calm reply.
Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.
A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.
The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.
"Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.
"What's this?" Carl asked.
"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."
"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.
Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."
The following spring another flyer went up. It read "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.
The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."
"Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"
"Carl," he replied.
--- Author Unknown
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Show Someone You Care
http://ping.fm/lnJeT
I was sitting at the bar of a local restaurant having lunch and taking a break from the daily grind, sitting there thinking about how tough I had it lately and how I was sick of what I was doing. I own a landscape company and never felt I made a difference in people's lives.
As I sat there feeling sorry for myself, a pretty girl who looked about 25 walked in and sat down in a booth waiting for her friend. It didn't take long before I saw she was trying to stay hidden in a way from other people's gazes and my heart sank. You could see her hair was falling out and, at such a young age, she was receiving chemo.
I sat there watching her trying to remain composed and she was having a tough time of it. I ached for her, imagining what it must be like to go through this and yet I know some of her pain.
You see I buried my wife, the love of my life just a few short years ago and watched her slowly fade away. I needed to get a message of hope to this girl but how? What could I do?
Then it hit me! I called over her waitress and explained that I wanted to buy the girl and her friend's lunch but I also told her you can't tell her it was me, it had to remain anonymous. In doing so, I handed her a note to give to the girl when she told her that her tab was paid.
The note read as follows:
"Someone today thought you were beautiful, someone today thought your smile glowed with excitement, someone today thought your eyes lit up the world, someone today cared and wanted you to know this. Enjoy the rest of your day, pretty young lady".
About 15 minutes later the young girl asked for her check and I watched as she was told it was paid for. She asked why? Who? What for? The waitress simply handed her the note and informed her that the gentleman who did it left, as to keep me anonymous.
I watched as she slowly read the note. Her eyes teared up, for only a moment, and then came the smile! A huge, beautiful, hopeful smile! She lit up the room and then sat up straight, not caring who saw her. Her friend also beamed, not for what was done but because her friend was feeling beautiful again.
It's not how we look or what we have, it's not our houses or how many cars we have, nor is it how much money we can earn. No, it isn't. You see it's all about how much we care and what we do, even if it's making someone feel pretty only for a moment.
Yes, lunch cost only a few dollars but you see the wonderful part, the magic was free.
Make a difference today in just one life; it's free.
--- Copyright © 2007 Bill Renda
http://ping.fm/lnJeT
I was sitting at the bar of a local restaurant having lunch and taking a break from the daily grind, sitting there thinking about how tough I had it lately and how I was sick of what I was doing. I own a landscape company and never felt I made a difference in people's lives.
As I sat there feeling sorry for myself, a pretty girl who looked about 25 walked in and sat down in a booth waiting for her friend. It didn't take long before I saw she was trying to stay hidden in a way from other people's gazes and my heart sank. You could see her hair was falling out and, at such a young age, she was receiving chemo.
I sat there watching her trying to remain composed and she was having a tough time of it. I ached for her, imagining what it must be like to go through this and yet I know some of her pain.
You see I buried my wife, the love of my life just a few short years ago and watched her slowly fade away. I needed to get a message of hope to this girl but how? What could I do?
Then it hit me! I called over her waitress and explained that I wanted to buy the girl and her friend's lunch but I also told her you can't tell her it was me, it had to remain anonymous. In doing so, I handed her a note to give to the girl when she told her that her tab was paid.
The note read as follows:
"Someone today thought you were beautiful, someone today thought your smile glowed with excitement, someone today thought your eyes lit up the world, someone today cared and wanted you to know this. Enjoy the rest of your day, pretty young lady".
About 15 minutes later the young girl asked for her check and I watched as she was told it was paid for. She asked why? Who? What for? The waitress simply handed her the note and informed her that the gentleman who did it left, as to keep me anonymous.
I watched as she slowly read the note. Her eyes teared up, for only a moment, and then came the smile! A huge, beautiful, hopeful smile! She lit up the room and then sat up straight, not caring who saw her. Her friend also beamed, not for what was done but because her friend was feeling beautiful again.
It's not how we look or what we have, it's not our houses or how many cars we have, nor is it how much money we can earn. No, it isn't. You see it's all about how much we care and what we do, even if it's making someone feel pretty only for a moment.
Yes, lunch cost only a few dollars but you see the wonderful part, the magic was free.
Make a difference today in just one life; it's free.
--- Copyright © 2007 Bill Renda
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Echo of Life
http://ping.fm/KfGAI
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.
Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
--- Author Unknown
http://ping.fm/KfGAI
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.
Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
--- Author Unknown
Monday, June 7, 2010
For more on this story of Kindness visit my blog at http://ping.fm/s2Dnb
Love Is Kind
Here is a true story I have to share with You about Kindness...
I was a kid then, a child of about 10 -12 yrs of age. As kids we loved to have candies and anything edible. One day I went to a shop with just a 5 Paise coin. Well you know, even at that time, it was simply nothing. To be honest, I was smart enough to know that. But still, I went to the shop with my younger brother Duff who was only a small child around 3-5 yrs of age.
What I want to share with you is about this kind lady, Mei Deng. She showed me what kindness is all about.
As we approached the shop, I gave the 5 paise coin to my younger brother (call me what you like, I deserve it...) and I instructed him to get something, while I was standing close by him.
Inside the shop, he asked the young person behind the counter for some candies or anything - fruits or nuts. She asked my brother Duff what he had and as he showed her the 5 Paise; he was scolded and sent away.
After being told that 5 Paise cannot buy you anything, I was there to hear that my, call it cunning or smart, plans failed.
Hey wait! The story doesn't end here.
There was a voice, the voice of kindness, from inside the shop. "Hey little boy come here," the voice said gently and this beautiful, kind and gentle Mei Deng called us back and gave us the nuts we loved.
Well believe me, to my amazement, she gave us so much. So much that as I write this to you, tears are swelling in my eyes.
It's not just about the nuts that I remembered now though, but oh, the "KINDNESS" this Lady had.
With 5 Paise I thought I could get nothing, but oh KINDNESS, you gave me everything.
Mei Deng passed away a long time back, but in my heart she lives. She had shown me what Kindness can do to make Me and You a better person; that by giving, you get.
--- Copyright © 2009 Tony Jana
Love Is Kind
Here is a true story I have to share with You about Kindness...
I was a kid then, a child of about 10 -12 yrs of age. As kids we loved to have candies and anything edible. One day I went to a shop with just a 5 Paise coin. Well you know, even at that time, it was simply nothing. To be honest, I was smart enough to know that. But still, I went to the shop with my younger brother Duff who was only a small child around 3-5 yrs of age.
What I want to share with you is about this kind lady, Mei Deng. She showed me what kindness is all about.
As we approached the shop, I gave the 5 paise coin to my younger brother (call me what you like, I deserve it...) and I instructed him to get something, while I was standing close by him.
Inside the shop, he asked the young person behind the counter for some candies or anything - fruits or nuts. She asked my brother Duff what he had and as he showed her the 5 Paise; he was scolded and sent away.
After being told that 5 Paise cannot buy you anything, I was there to hear that my, call it cunning or smart, plans failed.
Hey wait! The story doesn't end here.
There was a voice, the voice of kindness, from inside the shop. "Hey little boy come here," the voice said gently and this beautiful, kind and gentle Mei Deng called us back and gave us the nuts we loved.
Well believe me, to my amazement, she gave us so much. So much that as I write this to you, tears are swelling in my eyes.
It's not just about the nuts that I remembered now though, but oh, the "KINDNESS" this Lady had.
With 5 Paise I thought I could get nothing, but oh KINDNESS, you gave me everything.
Mei Deng passed away a long time back, but in my heart she lives. She had shown me what Kindness can do to make Me and You a better person; that by giving, you get.
--- Copyright © 2009 Tony Jana
Friday, June 4, 2010
Equipment
http://ping.fm/8RKHM
Figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You've got all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I Can."
Look them over, the wise and the great,
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world consider them brave and smart,
But you've got all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for the fight you choose,
You have arms and legs and a brain to use.
And the man who has risen great deeds to do,
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say: "I Can."
--- Edgar A. Guest --- Submitted by Lauren C. --- New Jersey
http://ping.fm/8RKHM
Figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You've got all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I Can."
Look them over, the wise and the great,
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world consider them brave and smart,
But you've got all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for the fight you choose,
You have arms and legs and a brain to use.
And the man who has risen great deeds to do,
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say: "I Can."
--- Edgar A. Guest --- Submitted by Lauren C. --- New Jersey
Thursday, June 3, 2010
http://ping.fm/LPTn0
Kindness And Compassion
Take some time to read this! Really touching! http://ping.fm/geSyo
I was walking around in a Big Bazar store while shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy who couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old.
The Cashier said, "I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll."
Then the little boy turned to me and asked: "Aunty, are you sure I don't have enough money?"
I counted his cash and replied, "You know that you don't have enough money to buy the doll, my dear."
The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.
Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him whom he wished to give this doll to.
"It's the doll that my Sister loved most and wanted so much. I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY. I have to give the doll to my Mommy so that she can give it to my Sister when she goes there."
His eyes were so sad while saying this.
"My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my Sister."
My heart nearly stopped.
The little boy looked up at me and said, "I told Daddy to tell Mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall."
Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing.
He then told me, "I want Mommy to take my picture with her so my Sister won't forget me. I love my Mommy and I wish she didn't have to leave me, but Daddy says that she has to go to be with my little Sister."
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly.
I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy, "Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?"
"OK" he said, "I hope I do have enough."
I added some of my money to his, without him seeing, and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money.
The little boy said, "Thank you God for giving me enough money!"
Then he looked at me and added, "I asked last night, before I went to sleep, for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that Mommy could give It to my Sister. He heard me!"
"I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my Mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My Mommy loves white roses."
I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started.
I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl.
The little girl died right away, and the young woman was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma.
Was this the family of the little boy?
Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial.
She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest.
I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever.
The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.
"The value of a man or woman resides in what he or she gives, not in what he or she is capable of receiving."
--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kartik Bodawala --- India
Kindness And Compassion
Take some time to read this! Really touching! http://ping.fm/geSyo
I was walking around in a Big Bazar store while shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy who couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old.
The Cashier said, "I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll."
Then the little boy turned to me and asked: "Aunty, are you sure I don't have enough money?"
I counted his cash and replied, "You know that you don't have enough money to buy the doll, my dear."
The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.
Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him whom he wished to give this doll to.
"It's the doll that my Sister loved most and wanted so much. I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY. I have to give the doll to my Mommy so that she can give it to my Sister when she goes there."
His eyes were so sad while saying this.
"My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my Sister."
My heart nearly stopped.
The little boy looked up at me and said, "I told Daddy to tell Mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall."
Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing.
He then told me, "I want Mommy to take my picture with her so my Sister won't forget me. I love my Mommy and I wish she didn't have to leave me, but Daddy says that she has to go to be with my little Sister."
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly.
I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy, "Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?"
"OK" he said, "I hope I do have enough."
I added some of my money to his, without him seeing, and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money.
The little boy said, "Thank you God for giving me enough money!"
Then he looked at me and added, "I asked last night, before I went to sleep, for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that Mommy could give It to my Sister. He heard me!"
"I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my Mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My Mommy loves white roses."
I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started.
I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl.
The little girl died right away, and the young woman was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma.
Was this the family of the little boy?
Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial.
She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest.
I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever.
The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.
"The value of a man or woman resides in what he or she gives, not in what he or she is capable of receiving."
--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kartik Bodawala --- India
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Please visit my blog - http://ping.fm/AcO6j - for the rest of:
Live Life, Live Now
If the possibility of dying in our sleep never stopped us from going to sleep every night, why should the thought of getting hurt stop us from falling in love?
Life is a never-ending gamble. In everything we do, we gamble our hearts and our very own existence, so why be afraid to take risks and live life?
We are innately vulnerable to both natural and man-made mishaps and catastrophe. We can get hit by a car anytime, get struck by lightning, catch a virus, break a bone, the roof can collapse whilst we are asleep, even a simple act of yawning can result to a very unfortunate case of locked jaw.
We do not have the faculty to protect our loved ones either. One way or another, someone close to us will go, get hurt or even leave us for good. We have no power over it nor can we avert such an event. We cannot fully insulate ourselves as well as our hearts either. Even the healthiest person can get sick.
One way or another, we will care for someone and that someone will deliberately or inadvertently cause us pain. So what's the point of going to extreme lengths to be wary and vigilant about life?
Lets live in this world like there's no tomorrow. Go places you've only dreamed of going, meet people, materialize your wildest dreams, conquer your fears, do what you want, anyway you desire, and don't let anybody tell you how to live your life. It's your life and we only live it once.
Follow your dreams, what is there to lose? Keep trying. Keep pushing. Never take no for an answer. It's your aspiration and no one has the right to say no to your dreams except you and you are the only one that can make it happen.
Give your heart to someone. Don't be afraid to love and get hurt. You have survived it before; you will survive it again. Love with all your heart, do whatever it takes. If it doesn't work out, at least in the end you can say to yourself that you did your part. Like an old saying says, "Sing like no one's listening, dance like no one is watching and love like you have never been hurt before."
Live and love life! It can be a great one, if we want it to be.
--- Copyright © 2009 Katherine Whellams
Live Life, Live Now
If the possibility of dying in our sleep never stopped us from going to sleep every night, why should the thought of getting hurt stop us from falling in love?
Life is a never-ending gamble. In everything we do, we gamble our hearts and our very own existence, so why be afraid to take risks and live life?
We are innately vulnerable to both natural and man-made mishaps and catastrophe. We can get hit by a car anytime, get struck by lightning, catch a virus, break a bone, the roof can collapse whilst we are asleep, even a simple act of yawning can result to a very unfortunate case of locked jaw.
We do not have the faculty to protect our loved ones either. One way or another, someone close to us will go, get hurt or even leave us for good. We have no power over it nor can we avert such an event. We cannot fully insulate ourselves as well as our hearts either. Even the healthiest person can get sick.
One way or another, we will care for someone and that someone will deliberately or inadvertently cause us pain. So what's the point of going to extreme lengths to be wary and vigilant about life?
Lets live in this world like there's no tomorrow. Go places you've only dreamed of going, meet people, materialize your wildest dreams, conquer your fears, do what you want, anyway you desire, and don't let anybody tell you how to live your life. It's your life and we only live it once.
Follow your dreams, what is there to lose? Keep trying. Keep pushing. Never take no for an answer. It's your aspiration and no one has the right to say no to your dreams except you and you are the only one that can make it happen.
Give your heart to someone. Don't be afraid to love and get hurt. You have survived it before; you will survive it again. Love with all your heart, do whatever it takes. If it doesn't work out, at least in the end you can say to yourself that you did your part. Like an old saying says, "Sing like no one's listening, dance like no one is watching and love like you have never been hurt before."
Live and love life! It can be a great one, if we want it to be.
--- Copyright © 2009 Katherine Whellams
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
http://ping.fm/xFK8e
Welcome to today!
If you choose, you will find that today is an amazing day.
It is filled with countless blessings and opportunities.
You'll find plenty of reasons to smile and even more to laugh.
You will be given the chance to say "I love you", "I'm sorry", "Thank you", and anything else you want.
In all truth, today welcomes you with no rules.
The only requirement to see all it has to offer is that you live it.
Will you live today?
I don't mean exist, I mean LIVE!
Will you truly LIVE today?
So many people will awaken to this beautiful day and embrace all its blessings.
Why not you?
Today is a new day! It's your day.
Today, you awaken to a day in which you have the power to make and inspire change.
In fact, it is the ONLY day in which you have any power. You have no control over yesterday. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a day you haven't even met, it is beyond our reach. Tomorrow is waiting to reveal itself depending on the actions of just one day... TODAY!
What will you do with today?
Will you finally break free from the victim mentality and take control of your life?
You have been blessed with immeasurable power to make positive changes in your life.
Change things up today!
You will never convince me that we go through everything we go through just to end up where we were when we started. We are here to evolve... to refine and improve ourselves... to inspire and help others do the same.
Today is a new day!
It's yours to shape. Create a masterpiece!
--- Copyright © 2009 Steve Maraboli
Welcome to today!
If you choose, you will find that today is an amazing day.
It is filled with countless blessings and opportunities.
You'll find plenty of reasons to smile and even more to laugh.
You will be given the chance to say "I love you", "I'm sorry", "Thank you", and anything else you want.
In all truth, today welcomes you with no rules.
The only requirement to see all it has to offer is that you live it.
Will you live today?
I don't mean exist, I mean LIVE!
Will you truly LIVE today?
So many people will awaken to this beautiful day and embrace all its blessings.
Why not you?
Today is a new day! It's your day.
Today, you awaken to a day in which you have the power to make and inspire change.
In fact, it is the ONLY day in which you have any power. You have no control over yesterday. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is a day you haven't even met, it is beyond our reach. Tomorrow is waiting to reveal itself depending on the actions of just one day... TODAY!
What will you do with today?
Will you finally break free from the victim mentality and take control of your life?
You have been blessed with immeasurable power to make positive changes in your life.
Change things up today!
You will never convince me that we go through everything we go through just to end up where we were when we started. We are here to evolve... to refine and improve ourselves... to inspire and help others do the same.
Today is a new day!
It's yours to shape. Create a masterpiece!
--- Copyright © 2009 Steve Maraboli
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