tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51083435410373068822024-03-14T04:23:58.616+08:00Vitamins for d SoulWhere the only objective is to inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.comBlogger823125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-83011871034996143742018-08-27T06:14:00.002+08:002018-08-27T06:14:34.818+08:00The Wise Man<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People have been coming to the wise man, complaining about the same problems every time. One day he told them a joke and everyone roared in laughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a couple of minutes, he told them the same joke and only a few of them smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When he told the same joke for the third time no one laughed anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700;">The wise man smiled and said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.025em;">“You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. So why are you always crying about the same problem?”</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700;">Moral of the story</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: 700;">: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Worrying won’t solve your problems, it’ll just waste your time and energy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-8195418959945890802018-08-20T17:09:00.001+08:002018-08-20T17:09:06.703+08:00Thinking Out of the Box (Creative Thinking)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a small Italian town, hundreds of years ago, a small business owner owed a large sum of money to a loan-shark. The loan-shark was a very old, unattractive looking guy that just so happened to fancy the business owner’s daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He decided to offer the businessman a deal that would completely wipe out the debt he owed him. However, the catch was that we would only wipe out the debt if he could marry the businessman’s daughter. Needless to say, this proposal was met with a look of disgust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The loan-shark said that he would place two pebbles into a bag, one white and one black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The daughter would then have to reach into the bag and pick out a pebble. If it was black, the debt would be wiped, but the loan-shark would then marry her. If it was white, the debt would also be wiped, but the daughter wouldn’t have to marry the loan-shark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the businessman’s garden, the loan-shark bent over and picked up two pebbles. Whilst he was picking them up, the daughter noticed that he’d picked up two black pebbles and placed them both into the bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He then asked the daughter to reach into the bag and pick one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The daughter naturally had three choices as to what she could have done:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Refuse to pick a pebble from the bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take both pebbles out of the bag and expose the loan-shark for cheating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pick a pebble from the bag fully well knowing it was black and sacrifice herself for her father’s freedom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She drew out a pebble from the bag, and before looking at it ‘accidentally’ dropped it into the midst of the other pebbles. She said to the loan-shark, “Oh, how clumsy of me. Never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pebble left in the bag is obviously black, and seeing as the loan-shark didn’t want to be exposed, he had to play along as if the pebble the daughter dropped was white, and clear her father’s debt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Moral of the story:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It’s always possible to overcome a tough situation throughout of the box thinking, and not give in to the only options you think you have to pick from.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-288325683631622682018-08-08T10:26:00.000+08:002018-08-08T10:26:58.435+08:00Gam zeh ya’avor<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Story Of King
Solomon’s Ring</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This is a popular
Jewish wisdom folktale as told by David Franko from Turkey. It contains a very
important lesson that relates to the Buddhist concept of “impermanence.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“One day Solomon
decided to humble Benaiah Ben Yehoyada, his most trusted minister. He said to
him, “Benaiah, there is a certain ring that I want you to bring to me. I wish
to wear it for Sukkot which gives you six months to find it.”</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“If it exists
anywhere on earth, your majesty,” replied Benaiah, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“I will find it
and bring it to you, but what makes the ring so special?” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“It has magic
powers,” answered the king. “<i>If a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if
a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy.</i>” Solomon knew that no such ring
existed in the world, but he wished to give his minister a little taste of
humility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Spring passed and
then summer, and still Benaiah had no idea where he could find the ring. On the
night before Sukkot, he decided to take a walk in one of the poorest quarters
of Jerusalem. He passed by a merchant who had begun to set out the day’s wares
on a shabby carpet. “Have you by any chance heard of a magic ring that makes
the happy wearer forget his joy and the broken-hearted wearer forget his
sorrows?” asked Benaiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He watched the
grandfather take a plain gold ring from his carpet and engrave something on it.
When Benaiah read the words on the ring, his face broke out in a wide smile.
That night the entire city welcomed in the holiday of Sukkot with great
festivity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Well, my friend,”
said Solomon, “have you found what I sent you after?” All the ministers laughed
and Solomon himself smiled. To everyone’s surprise, Benaiah held up a small
gold ring and declared, “Here it is, your majesty!” As soon as Solomon read the
inscription, the smile vanished from his face. The jeweler had written three
Hebrew letters on the gold band: gimel, zayin, yud, which began the words “<span style="color: blue;">Gam
zeh ya’avor</span>” — “<span style="color: blue;">This too shall pass.</span>” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At that moment Solomon realized that all
his wisdom and fabulous wealth and tremendous power were but fleeting things,
for one day he would be nothing but dust.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Lesson of
Impermanence </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The lesson of King
Solomon’s story is impermanence; <span style="color: blue;"><i>nothing remains forever, everything is
passing, rising and decaying, appearing and vanishing in this whirlwind of
space-time</i></span>. King Solomon, after being presented with the ring, realizes <i>this
lesson is true for all of life’s conditions</i> – not just the fluctuating, and
sometimes unpredictable arousal of mental feelings such as happiness and
sadness – but also the impermanence of physical beings as well, including our
own possessions and body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Impermanence has a
dualistic nature depending on the mind that becomes aware of it. As the story
of the ring suggests: “If a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if a sad
man looks at it, he becomes happy.” For those who think of life as a burden and
associate many negative feelings towards life, they may see nothing but
happiness in death. But for those who are living a life of luxury and wealth,
they will see nothing but sadness in death.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-30663682906730571872018-08-02T16:44:00.000+08:002018-08-02T16:44:32.335+08:00What does Love mean?<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A group of
professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds..</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"What does love mean?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The answers they
got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. Touching words
from the mouth of babes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">See what you
think:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"When my
grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails
anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands
got arthritis too. That's love." -- Rebecca - age 8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"When someone
loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your
name is safe in their mouth." -- Billy - age 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and
smell each other." -- Karl - age 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making
them give you any of theirs." -- Chrissy - age 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is what
makes you smile when you're tired." -- Terri - age 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him,
to make sure the taste is OK." -- Danny - age 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be
together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross
when they kiss." -- Emily - age 8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is
what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and
listen." -- Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"If you want
to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." --
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." -- Noelle -
age 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is like
a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they
know each other so well." -- Tommy - age 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"During my
piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people
watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing
that. I wasn't scared anymore." -- Cindy - age 8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"My mommy
loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at
night." -- Clare - age 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." -- Elaine-age 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert
Redford." -- Chris - age 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." -- Mary
Ann - age 4</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"I know my
older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go
out and buy new ones." -- Lauren - age 4</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"When you
love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of
you." (what an image) -- Karen - age 7</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Love is when
Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." -- Mark
- age 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"You really
shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should
say it a lot. People forget." -- Jessica - age 8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And here's the
final answer to "What does Love mean?"</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Author and
lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The
purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four
year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had
recently lost his wife.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Upon seeing the
man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his
lap, and just sat there.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When his Mother
asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I
just helped him cry."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Too often we
underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an
honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a life around." -- Leo Buscaglia</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-36182885144425618262018-07-13T17:18:00.002+08:002018-07-13T17:18:28.632+08:00Have You Lost the Dead Part Yet?<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I am discovering
that many people want, above all else, to live life fully. Or at least to get
more out of life. But sometimes the past gets in the way. Unhealed hurts and
unnecessary guilt too often suck the life out of people.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Here is a great
visual. A schoolteacher tells about when he entered his room a few minutes
early and noticed a mealworm laboriously crawling along the floor... It had
somehow been injured. The back part of the worm was dead and dried up, but
still attached to the front, living part by just a thin thread.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As the teacher
studied the strange sight of a poor worm pulling its dead half across the
floor, a little girl ran in and noticed it there. Picking it up, she said, “Oh,
Oscar, when are you going to lose that dead part so you can really live?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">She could be
asking that question to any of us. <i>For you, too, may be dragging around
something that you should have left behind long ago. </i>Maybe anger over a past
incident. Or some long-ago hurt of betrayal. Maybe you’re dragging around
feelings of guilt brought about by poor decisions you’ve lived with for so long
you hardly know how to feel without them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What an important
question for all of us - when are we going to lose that dead part so we can
really live? When are we going to let the past BE the past? All the memories of
the past that steal our peace today should not be allowed in the present. If
you’ve been dragging around something that is dead, it’s time to choose
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Let the little
boy’s question be your question: <span style="color: blue;"><i>“When are you going to lose the dead part so
you can really live?” Answering that question today may be the most important
thing you have done in a long time.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-856908825212533782018-07-06T08:13:00.000+08:002018-07-06T08:13:46.552+08:00Nestle, not Wrestle!<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Last year I
watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on television. Oprah
told him that in her childhood home, she use to watch him preach on a little
black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">She went on to the
tell viewers that, in his lifetime, Billy has preached to twenty-million people
around the world, not to mention the countless numbers who have heard him
whenever his crusades are broadcast. When she asked if he got nervous before
facing a crowd, Billy replied humbly, "No, I don't get nervous before
crowds, but I did today before I was going to meet with you."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Oprah's show is
broadcast to twenty-million people every day. She is comfortable with famous
stars and celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr. Billy Graham.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When the interview
ended, she told the audience, "You don't often see this on my show, but
we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in prayer. The camera
panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads and closed their eyes just
like in one of his crusades.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Oprah sang the
first line from the song that is his hallmark "Just as I am, without a
plea," misreading the line and singing off'-key, but her voice was full of
emotion and almost cracked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When Billy stood
up after the show, instead of hugging her guest, Oprah's usual custom, she went
over and just nestled against him. Billy wrapped his arm around her and pulled
her under his shoulder. She stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of sheer
contentment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I once read the
book "Nestle, Don't Wrestle" by Corrie Ten Boom. The power of
nestling was evident on the TV screen that day. Billy Graham was not the least
bit condemning, distant, or hesitant to embrace a public personality who may
not fit the evangelistic mold. His grace and courage are sometimes stunning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In an interview
with Hugh Downs, on the 20/20 program, the subject turned to homosexuality.
Hugh looked directly at Billy and said, "If you had a homosexual child,
would you love him?" Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity
and gentleness, "Why, I would love that one even more."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The title of
Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all. His life goes
before him speaking as eloquently as that charming southern drawl for which he
is known.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If, when I am
eighty years old, my autobiography were to be titled "Just As I Am,"
I wonder how I would live now? Do I have the courage to be me? I'll never be a
Billy Graham, the elegant man who draws people to the Lord through a simple
one-point message, but I hope to <span style="color: blue;"><i>be a person who is real and compassionate and
who might draw people to nestle within God's embrace</i></span>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Do you make it a
point to speak to a visitor or person who shows up alone at church, buy a
hamburger for a homeless man, call your mother on Sunday afternoons, pick
daisies with a little girl, or take a fatherless boy to a baseball game?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Did anyone ever
tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for what's beautiful in
someone else?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Billy complimented
Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he said, "Salvation given
to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "and the way you have made people
all over this country aware of the power of being grateful."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When asked his
secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the same person, he said,
"Ruth and I are happily incompatible."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How unexpected. <i>We
would all live more comfortably with everybody around us if we would find the
strength in being grateful and happily incompatible</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Let's take the
things that set us apart, that make us different, that cause us to disagree,
and make them an occasion to compliment each other and be thankful for each
other. Let us be big enough to be smaller than our neighbor, spouse, friends,
and strangers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Every day, may we
"Nestle, not Wrestle!"</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-44199385712724145862018-06-29T14:47:00.000+08:002018-06-29T14:47:27.894+08:00Miracle of a Brother's Song<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Like any good
mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she
could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They
found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after
night, Michael sang to his s sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of
love with his little sister before he even met her.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The pregnancy
progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the the Creek United
Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon
it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications
arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a
C-section be required?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Finally, after a
long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious
condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant
to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville,
Tennessee.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The days inched
by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there
is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted
a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their
house for t heir new baby they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.
Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"I want to
sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a
funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing
to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to
take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right
then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit
and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head
nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, " Get that kid out of here
now. No children are allowed."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The mother rose up
strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right
into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. He is not leaving until he
sings to his sister" she stated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Then Karen towed
Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle
to live. After a moment, he began tossing. In the pure-hearted voice of a
3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make
me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond.
The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Keep on
singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You
never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.
"As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing
became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"The other
night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms".
Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep
over her. "Keep singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face
of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only
sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away.." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The next, day..
the very next day.. the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day
Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just
called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">NEVER GIVE UP ON
THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">LOVE IS SO
INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Life is good. Have
Wonderful Day!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-62739558874330124992018-06-22T14:09:00.000+08:002018-06-22T14:09:01.899+08:00Paying Attention<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A funny story
circulated recently about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the fictional
detective Sherlock Holmes. Doyle evidently told of a time when he hailed a taxi
in Paris. Before he could utter a word, the driver turned to him and asked,
“Where can I take you, Mr. Doyle?”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Doyle was
flabbergasted. He asked the driver if he had ever seen him before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“No, sir,” the
driver responded, “I have never seen you before.” Then he explained: “This
morning’s paper had a story about you being on vacation in Marseilles. This is
the taxi stand where people who return from Marseilles always arrive. Your skin
color tells me you have been on vacation. The ink spot on your right index
finger suggests to me that you are a writer. Your clothing is very English, and
not French. Adding up all those pieces of information, I deduced that you are
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“This is truly
amazing!” the writer exclaimed. “You are a real-life counterpart to my
fictional creation, Sherlock Holmes!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“There is one
other thing,” the driver said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“What is that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Your name is on
the front of your suitcase.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps the driver
was no master detective, but he was observant. He paid attention, and paying
attention is an important part of living fully -- if we pay attention to the
right things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Speaker Alan Loy
McGinnis tells of a New York City sculptor named Louise. She lived in one of
the most dilapidated neighborhoods of the city. But, by paying attention to her
surroundings, she found endless beauty and inspiration. She marveled at the elegance
in the varying patterns of the sun and the moon reflected on tenement windows.
In an object as ordinary as a chair she could see something extraordinary. “The
chair isn’t so hot,” she once pointed out, “but look at its shadow.” By paying
attention, she was able to see what others might miss.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Paying attention
to the moments and to ordinary things of life, as much as possible, is a way to
happiness. Like Brené Brown says, “I don't have to chase extraordinary moments
to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and
practicing gratitude.” What do you think you might actually see and appreciate
if you were to look carefully? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I think I might see things or people in a new
way. Too often I look straight through them and take them for granted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I think that, if I were to pay closer attention,
I may better notice the abundance in my life instead of wishing for what I
don’t have. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If I look carefully, I think I just might see
how beautiful and exquisite my life really is instead of thinking someone else
has it better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I don’t have to
chase extraordinary moments to find happiness. I may only have to pay attention
to the right things and happiness will find me. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span><br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-3359246371975729402018-05-18T16:20:00.000+08:002018-05-18T16:20:03.233+08:00May You Be Known By Your Love<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Henry Drummond has said,
“<i><span style="color: blue;">The moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done
things in the spirit of love.</span></i>”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is a story
(possibly apocryphal, but powerful nevertheless) about a man who acted in the
spirit of love and about what he consequently learned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many years ago an old
man stood on a Virginia riverbank. He was waiting to cross the river and, since
it was bitterly cold and there were no bridges, he was hoping to get a ride
across on horseback. After a lengthy wait he spotted a group of horsemen approaching.
He let the first one pass, then the second, third, fourth and fifth. One rider
remained. As he drew abreast, the old man looked him in the eye and said, “Sir,
would you give me a ride across the river?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rider immediately
replied, “Certainly.” Once across the river, the old man slid to the ground.
“Sir,” the rider said before leaving. “I could not help but notice that you
permitted all the other men to pass without asking for a ride. Then, when I
drew abreast, you immediately asked me to carry you across. I am curious as to
why you didn’t ask them and you did ask me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The old man quietly
responded, “I looked into their eyes and could see no love and knew in my own
heart it would be useless to ask for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes,
I saw compassion, love and the willingness to help. I knew you would be glad to
give me a ride across the river.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rider was touched.
“I’m grateful for what you are saying,” he said. “I appreciate it very much.”
With that, Thomas Jefferson turned and rode off to the White House.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is often said that
our eyes are the windows to our souls. If that is true, what is it that our
eyes show about us? Or let me ask it a different way: if you had been the last
rider, would the old man have asked you for a ride?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A good question. <span style="color: blue;"><i>For it
is said that others will know us by our love.</i></span> Some will see it in the things we
do and some in the things we say. And a few perceptive souls, like the old man
in the story, may catch a glimmer of a loving and generous spirit in the
expression of kind eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May you be easily
recognized by your love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-2019000426520283712018-05-04T08:28:00.001+08:002018-05-04T08:28:46.645+08:00Home Is Where The Heart Is<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Home is where the
heart is, where love should be all the time,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Respect and
kindness, and peace and joy, that you can say are mine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It's where in
times of illness, concern comes from the heart,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And little acts of
goodness, will always be a part.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Home is where
there's hope and joy, and laughter does abound.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">No matter when, or
where, or how, that's where it's always found.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Don't ever let the
blues come in, just pray them out the door,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Just try your
best, and keep right on, you'll be a winner sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Home is filled
with gladness, sadness is never there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There are miles
and miles of praises, you hear them everywhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So keep looking up
and be cheerful, as cheerful as you can be,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">That's the key to
never-ending love, in a home for all to see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Home is where the
"River of Love" flows like a mighty stream,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It's banks are
full to overflowing, like a never-ending dream.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, times may
come and times may go, but let me tell you this,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The home where God
is worshiped, is the home that He will bless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So hang in there,
dear friend of mine, it's worth it all the time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From early morn
till eventide, with God always by your side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sure man you
picked a winner, with me you must agree,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Just take time
out, they will get better, pray and wait and see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-85049023328748134212018-04-27T16:27:00.001+08:002018-04-27T16:27:10.562+08:00Find Happiness<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once a group of 50 people were attending a
seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He
started giving each attendee one balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her
name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in
another room.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Now these delegates were let into that room and
asked to find the balloon which had their name written within 5 minutes.
Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other,
pushing around others and there was utter chaos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their
own balloon. Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it
to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their
own balloon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The speaker then began, “<i><span style="color: blue;">This is happening in our
lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing
where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them
their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of
human life.. the pursuit of happiness.</span></i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-79213611338976731092018-04-17T11:30:00.002+08:002018-04-17T11:30:28.105+08:00Don't Worry<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Years ago, I was
enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully
served the church. His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this
country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening,
yet thought-provoking, experiences of his life.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He had been on a
long flight from one place to another. The first warning of the approaching
problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten your seat belts.
Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the
beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure
your seat belt is fastened."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As he looked
around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were
becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so
sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is
still ahead of us."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Then the storm
broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the
engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great
plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the
airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it
were about to crash.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The pastor
confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said,
"As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers
were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many
were wondering if they would make it through the storm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Then, I suddenly
saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked
her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything
within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes,
then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and
fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible
storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening
severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child
was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe
his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It was not
surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and
all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to
the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the
storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The child replied,
"Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There are many
kinds of storms that buffet us:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">• Physical,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">• Mental,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">• Financial,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">• Domestic, and..</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Many other storms
can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable
movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is
much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are
being tossed about a darkened sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Let us remember..
Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home.. so, Don't Worry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-14127128543585899282018-04-12T16:21:00.001+08:002018-04-12T16:21:33.257+08:00So You Made A Mistake?<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The obituary
editor of a city newspaper was not one who would admit his mistakes easily. One
day, he got a phone call from an irate subscriber who complained that her name
just appeared in the obituary column. “Really?” was the calm reply. “Where are
you calling from?”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Of course, there
is no shame in making mistakes. They are an important and necessary part of
learning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A young man came
in for an interview with his manager. “Tell me,” the young man asked her, “how
did you become so successful?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Two words,” she
said. “Right decisions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He asked, “How did
you make right decisions?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“One word –
experience.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“And how did you
get experience?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Two words,” she
said. “Wrong decisions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In order to profit
from our mistakes, we have to get out and make some. And so long as we keep
making different ones each time, we’re learning and growing.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Entertainer Conan
O’Brien spoke to the graduating class of 2000 about some wisdom he gleaned in
life. He told them that he wished the best for them. But then he said something
interesting. He told them that he also wished that they experience plenty of
the bad as well as the good. “Fall down,” he said. “Make a mess. Break
something occasionally. Know that your mistakes are your own unique way of
getting to where you need to be. And remember that the story is never over.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Are you feeling
badly about a mistake you recently made? Then decide what you will do
differently next time, make amends if necessary, and move on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Are you afraid of
taking a necessary risk for fear of making a mistake? Remember, even poor
choices are opportunities to learn. How else are you going to learn to make
better ones?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So make those
mistakes. Make them boldly. In the end, they will make you better. And if you
make enough, can you become the best ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-60560063003910093872018-03-29T17:00:00.001+08:002018-03-29T17:00:41.539+08:00Great Moments Unaware<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Twenty years ago,
I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life for someone who
wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a ministry.</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because I drove
the night shift, my cab became a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in,
sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered
people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and weep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But none touched
me more than a woman I picked up late one August night. I was responding to a
call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I was being
sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just had a fight with a
lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial
part of town.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When I arrived at
2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor
window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice,
wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who
depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation
smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone
who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and
knocked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Just a
minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being
dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a
veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">By her side was a
small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for
years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the
walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a
cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Would you
carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab,
then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward
the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"It's
nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she
said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When we got in the
cab, she gave me and address, then asked, "Could you drive through
downtown?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"It's not the
shortest way," I answered quickly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Oh, I don't
mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I looked in the
rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"I don't have
any family left," she continued. "The doctor says Don't have very
long."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I quietly reached
over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?"
I asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the next two
hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once
worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and
her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of
a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing
as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or
corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As the first hint
of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,"I'm tired. Let's go
now."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We drove in
silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small
convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies
came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent,
watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I opened the trunk
and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a
wheelchair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"How much do
I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Nothing,"
I said</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"You have to
make a living," she answered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"There are
other passengers," I responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Almost without
thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held tightly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"You gave an
old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I squeezed her
hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was
the sound of the closing of a life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I didn't pick up
any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the
rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry
driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to
take the run, or had honked once, then driven away ?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On a quick review,
I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're
conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great
moments often catch us unaware -- beautifully wrapped in what others may consider
a small one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">PEOPLE MAY NOT
REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID,... BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS
REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
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<![endif]--><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-83259268804857437592018-03-23T07:43:00.001+08:002018-03-23T07:43:26.158+08:00Feel Good About Who You Are<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">An elderly Chinese
woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried
across her neck.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">One of the pots
had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full
portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the
cracked pot arrived only half full.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For a full two
years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots
of water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was
ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of
what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter
failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of
myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back
to your house."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The old woman
smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path,
but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known
about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every
day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been
able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being
just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><i>Each of us has our
own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives
together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person
for what they are and look for the good in them</i>.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, to all of my
crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your
side of the path!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-43135908319325776782018-03-15T16:32:00.001+08:002018-03-15T16:32:17.787+08:00Happiness is a Journey<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We convince
ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then
another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be
more content when they are.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After that, we're
frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when
they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete
when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we
are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The truth is
there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life
will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and
decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that
you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time with... and remember that time waits for no
one.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, stop
waiting..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until your car or
home is paid off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you get a
new car or home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until your kids
leave the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you go back
to school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you finish
school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you lose 10
lbs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you gain 10
lbs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you get
married.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you get a
divorce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you have
kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you retire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Until you die.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There is no better
time than right now to be happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;">Happiness is a
journey, not a destination.</span> <i>So, work like you don't need the money, love like
you've never been hurt and dance like no one's watching.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-73661649974600299692018-03-08T12:55:00.001+08:002018-03-08T12:55:17.880+08:00I am Thankful<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the wife,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Who says it's hot dogs tonight,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because she is home with me and not out with someone else.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the husband who is,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On the sofa being a couch potato,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because he is home with me and not out at the bar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the teenager,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Who is complaining about doing dishes,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means she is at home and not on the street.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the taxes I pay,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I am employed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the mess to clean after a party,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For clothes that fit a little too snug,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I have enough to eat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For my shadow that watches me work,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I am out in the sunshine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For all the complaining I hear about the government,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means we have freedom of speech.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I am capable of walking</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And I have been blessed with transportation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For my huge heating bill, because it means I am very warm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I can hear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the pile of laundry and ironing,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means I have clothes to wear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> it means</span> I have been capable of working hard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Because it means <span style="color: blue;"><i>I am ALIVE</i></span>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-53161330844183778762018-03-02T08:41:00.003+08:002018-03-02T08:41:46.370+08:00Burned Biscuits<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When I was a kid,
my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I remember one
night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On that evening so
long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits
in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad
did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at
school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching
him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When I got up from
the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for
burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love
burned biscuits."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Later that night,
I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits
burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day
at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never
hurt anyone!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Life is full of
imperfect things.. and imperfect people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I'm not the best
at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone
else. But what I've learned over the years is that <i>learning to accept each
others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences </i>- is one of
the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting
relationship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">And that's my
prayer for you today. <i>That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the
ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end,
He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt
biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We could extend
this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any
relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!</span><span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Being happy
doesn't mean everything is perfect.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It means you've
decided to see beyond the imperfections.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Don't put
the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So, please pass me
a biscuit. And, yes, the burnt one will do just fine!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-35876757522247644012018-02-22T16:37:00.001+08:002018-02-22T16:38:42.912+08:00Yes, I am Changing<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am changing.
Days slip into weeks, weeks turn into months and months transform into years. Calendars are
changing, and so am I.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. In certain things age has mellowed me down, in others, I have become
more aggressive. Sometimes I find myself acting very wise and sometimes I just
go crazy. Certain issues will have me speaking vociferously whereas at others I
just shrug and remain silent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my
friends, now I have started loving myself too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I just realized that I am not “Atlas” and the world does not rest on
my shoulders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I pay the cab driver and walk away without waiting for the change. The extra
money might bring a smile on his face. After all, he is toiling much harder for
a living than me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong.
After all, the onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more
precious than perfection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I give compliments freely and generously. After all its a mood
enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I have learned not to bother about my creased shirt or mismatched skirt. After
all, personality speaks louder than appearances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I am learning not to let others make me feel incompetent. After all,
I am not only what they see in me. I might not be good at certain things but I
am excellent at others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I walk away from people who don’t value me. After all, they might not
know my worth, but I do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I remain cool when someone plays dirty politics to outrun me in the
rat race. After all, I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. After all, it’s
my emotions that make me human.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I now tell people if I like them. After all, there is nothing wrong
in liking someone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I demand whatever is due to me. After all, accepting injustice is
almost as bad as doing injustice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I have learned to live each day as if it were the last. After all, it
might be the last.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am
changing. I am doing what makes me happy. After all, I am responsible for my
happiness, and I owe it to me. My remote control is with me only. And I am
loving the new me!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Rashmi Trivedi</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-84841659513639793302018-02-14T10:31:00.002+08:002018-02-14T10:31:57.551+08:00Volunteer VictimsIt’s a great temptation to volunteer as a victim. Do you
know that we sign up for that job?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man who dined regularly in his favorite restaurant
complained about the bread. It wasn’t fair, he emphasized, that other
restaurants served lots of bread. But here he gets only one piece.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the next time he came in, they served him four pieces. He
still complained it wasn’t enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On his next visit his server brought him a dozen pieces of
bread. The man still complained.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For his next visit they put a large basket of bread on the
table. But still he complained. “The other restaurants give all the bread you
can eat.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They decided to be ready for him the next day. They had an
enormous loaf of bread prepared. It was six feet long and two feet wide. Four
people carried the loaf to his table. They plopped it down in front of him. It
took up half the table and hung over both sides. The chef stood back, pleased
with himself, to see how the customer would react.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He looked over the loaf and commented, “So, we’re back to
one piece again, are we?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like this man, we volunteer to be victims, but in more
subtle ways. We believe life is unfair, people are untrustworthy and we are
getting a bad shake. We think everyone should know just how terrible things are
and we feel obliged to tell them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One man says of a friend that he hates to ask her how she is
feeling because he knows ahead of time what she will say. “You get an organ
recital from her,” he says. She dwells on her health problems to the exclusion
of everything good in her life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is, life sometimes is unfair and we can be
victimized. But the greater truth is, people can decide whether they are
victims or are victors. They can feel helpless and miserable, or they can try
to feel strong. Happy people have learned that they cannot always control their
circumstances, but they can often control how they will respond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lewis Dunning said, “<span style="color: blue;"><i>What life means to us is determined not
so much by what life brings to us as by the attitude we bring to life; not so
much by what happens to us as by our reaction to what happens.</i></span>”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You were born to be a victor! You were meant to be happy!
Will you claim your birthright today?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-52181447148127200092018-02-08T16:35:00.002+08:002018-02-08T16:35:24.748+08:00Harsh WordsI ran into a stranger as he passed by,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said, "Please excuse me too;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn't watching for you."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were very polite, this stranger and I.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went on our way saying good-bye.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But at home a difference is told,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
how we treat our loved ones, young and old.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My son stood beside me very still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I turned, I nearly knocked him down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He walked away, his little heart broken.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I lay awake in bed,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God's still small voice came to me and said,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you
use,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the children you love, you seem to abuse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go and look on the kitchen floor,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You'll find some flowers there by the door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those are the flowers he brought for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and you never saw the tears that filled his little
eyes."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By this time, I felt very small,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and now my tears began to fall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
" Are these the flowers you picked for me?"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you
anyway."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I said, "Son, I love you too,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
---------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we
are working for would easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we
left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think
of it, we pour ourselves more into work or other matters, than into our own families.. an unwise
investment indeed, don't you think?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So, what's behind the story? What did the poem mean? <span style="color: blue;">What
are you going to do differently with YOUR FAMILY?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-51832323824956513302018-01-26T11:45:00.002+08:002018-01-26T11:45:55.914+08:00Filling Up Your LifeWe can live a long time without thinking about such things
as “meaning” and “purpose” in life. But happy and healthy living requires that
we visit these words from time to time<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have heard that Ralph Barton, a cartoonist of a former
generation, left this note pinned to his pillow before taking his life: “I have
had few difficulties, many friends, great successes; I have gone from wife to
wife, and from house to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am
fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever psychological problems may have afflicted him,
Ralph Barton suffered from an empty life. He tried to fill it up – with
relationships and things and busyness. He was no doubt successful in his work.
And probably well-liked. His problem was that he felt his life had no meaning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Educator Morrie Schwartz helps us put meaning into our
lives. In Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie, he chronicles the final
months of Morrie’s life as his former teacher slowly dies of Lou Gehrig’s
Disease (ALS). Morrie, an irrepressible lover of life, says this: “So many
people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half asleep even when
they are busy doing things they think are important. This is the product of
chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote
yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and
devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Do you want to be happy? Do you want a life that matters?
Then <span style="color: blue;">spend some extra time caring for those around yo</span>u. Get busy serving your
community. Become a lover of people. I guarantee, your life will never seem
empty again.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">-</span><span class="ygrps-yiv-449788498ygrps-yiv-2119534817">– <span style="color: orange;">Steve Goodier</span> (<a href="http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life Support System</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-89297129321646811712018-01-25T12:08:00.002+08:002018-01-25T12:08:35.636+08:00Being Joyful & Grateful Every MomentImagine or recollect from your past<br />
- you have spent a wonderful time with your loved ones<br />
- you have gone for a wonderful holiday<br />
- you have had a simple meal<br />
- you have had a good sleep<br />
- you have no problems having to detox out what is necessary
from your body (be it to poo, pee, sweat, etc.)<br />
- you have good health being able to exercise, walk, jog
& all<br />
- you have time to spend on what you would love doing (to
meditate, cook, read, help others, etc)<br />
- you are still able to do things on your own (eating,
bathing, etc)<br />
<br />
Would you have <i>stop for a moment</i> to acknowledge <b>being
joyful & grateful every time you experience</b> the above? And have you?<br />
<br />
How about from this moment onward, for every moment when
you encounter any experience where you could just implant and acknowledge that
you are joyful & grateful, how many of these moments would you have
gathered for the day?<br />
<br />
And if you do this continuously for the next 21 days, do you
think you would inculcate a habit of being joyful & grateful for every
moment you would experience?<br />
<br />
If you now have this habit, do you think you would have a
more meaningful life to live, being more joyful & grateful?<br />
<br />
Every other moment in everyday, you have this opportunity to
do so. You would also be acknowledging every joyful and grateful moment. At the
same time, you would also be in the <b>now</b>.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>I dare you to take this challenge as I did.</i><br />
<br />
<i>In fact, I dare you to also challenge any of your loved
ones to do the same.</i><br />
<br />
What a wonderful world of joy & being grateful all of us
would have created in every moment we have the opportunity to do so.<br />
<br />
Wishing everyone full of joyful & grateful moments!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: orange;">SH</span> <span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">🙏</span>🏻<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">🙏</span>🏻<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">🙏</span>🏻<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">💕</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
21-Jan-2018</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-28886286324839367042018-01-18T16:37:00.001+08:002018-01-18T16:37:49.750+08:00Sack Lunches<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I put my carry-on
in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I
have a good book to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I will
get a short nap,' I thought.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Just before
take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant
seats, totally surrounding me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided
to start a conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Where are
you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Great Lakes
Air Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll be there for two weeks
for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq," he answered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After flying for
about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for
five dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be several hours
before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the
time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As I reached for my
wallet, I overheard the soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"No, that seems like a lot of money for
just a sack lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably wouldn't be
worth five bucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll wait till we get
to Chicago."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">His friend agreed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I looked around at
the other soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None were buying
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked to the back of the plane
and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Take a lunch to all those
soldiers."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed my arms and
squeezed tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes wet with
tears, she thanked me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"My son was
a soldier in Iraq... it's almost like you are doing it for him."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Picking up ten
sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which
do you like best - beef or chicken?" "Chicken," I replied,
wondering why she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">She turned and went
to the front of plane, returning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
minute later with a dinner plate from first class. "This is your
thanks."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After we finished
eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man stopped me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"I saw what
you did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be part of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, take this."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed me twenty-five dollars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Soon after I
returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at
the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed
he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my
row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, "I want to shake your
hand."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Quickly unfastening
my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a booming voice he said, "I was a
soldier and I was a military pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once, someone bought me a lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an act of kindness I never forgot."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was embarrassed when applause was heard
from all of the passengers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Later I walked to
the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man who was seated about six rows in front
of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left another twenty-five dollars in my
palm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When we landed in
Chicago, I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waiting just inside the airplane door was a
man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away
without saying a word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another twenty-five
dollars!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Upon entering the
terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to them and handed them
seventy-five dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It will take
you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Bless You."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ten young men left
that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a
prayer for their safe return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
soldiers were giving their all for our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06708594932312202254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5108343541037306882.post-31779970208115656812018-01-11T16:21:00.000+08:002018-01-11T16:21:37.203+08:00The Ice Cream Prayer<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Last week I took my
children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As we bowed our
heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I
would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and
justice for all! Amen!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Along with the
laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's
what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking
God for ice cream! Why, I never!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hearing this, my
son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at
me?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As I held him and
assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at
him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He winked at my son
and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great
prayer."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Really?"
my son asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">"Cross my
heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose
remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice
cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Naturally, I bought
my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and
then did something I will remember the rest of my life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He picked up his
sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With a big smile he
told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul
sometimes, and my soul is good already."</span></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-- <span style="color: orange;">Author Unknown</span></span></div>
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