The Monk

A young monk goes fishing with two other much older and experienced monks. While out in the boat, one of the older monks realizes he has forgotten his favorite hook. He gets out of the boat, walks across the water, and returns shortly with his favorite hook. The young monk is stunned at this sight.

A short while later, the other older monk needs to recover a fishing cork he has dropped into the lake. He gets out of the boat, walks across the water about 15 feet, picks up the cork, and returns to the boat.

The young monk is wide eyed at this and suspects that he, too, had such power. Time passes and the young monk makes up an excuse to go ashore and so steps out of the boat. He immediately plunges in and sinks in over his head in the very cold water. Finally, he comes bobbing and sputtering to the surface. While treading water and feeling humiliated, he asks the two monks, "How did you walk on the water's surface like that and why can't I? Am I lacking in discipline? Do I not have enough faith? How did you both do it?" 

One of the old monks replied, "It's easy if you know where the rocks are."

Moral of the Story: 

Sometimes what seems incredible is just knowledge and experience at whatever you do.


-- Author Unknown

Stress Management

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, “How heavy do you think this glass of water is?”

The students’ answers ranged from 20g to 500gm.

It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance.

It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier.

What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again. We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.

So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, let it down for a moment if you can. Pick it up again later when you have rested.

Rest and relax.
Life is short, enjoy it!
 
-- Author Unknown

To Remember is to Understand

To remember is to understand. It is not about gritting one’s teeth and forcing oneself to be more patient. It is actually easier than that.

Do you remember what it was like to be a child? No parent should ever forget. And to remember is to understand.

Do you remember what it was like to be a student? Every teacher should try to remember, and especially if they feel frustrated.

Do you remember what it is like to be a patient? Doctors and nurses show more empathy after they have also spent time in a hospital bed.

Do you remember what it was like to be lonely? To be first? To be last? To fail? To succeed? To be afraid? To remember is to understand.

And to understand is to be patient.

-- Steve Goodier (Life Support System)

I've Learned

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back although most do.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your live, but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes, after that, you'd better know something.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.

I've learned that it's not what happens to people, it's what they do about it.

I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you'll see them.

I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that there are people, who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. Show it anyway.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance-- same goes for true love.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others, sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

I've learned to love and be loved.

I've learned.


-- Omer Washington

What I Have Learned

I’ve learned that I like my teacher because she cries when she sings “silent night” ... Age 6

I’ve learned that you can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk ... Age 7

I’ve learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up ... Age 13

I’ve learned that although it’s hard to admit it, I ‘m secretly glad my parents are strict with me ... Age 15

I’ve learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice ... Age 24

I’ve learned that everyone has their own opinion; I think I am right but that doesn’t mean you are wrong ... Age27

I’ve learned that wherever I go, the world’s worst drivers have followed me there ... Age 29

I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it ... Age 39

I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don’t know how to show it ... Age 41

I’ve learned that you can make someone’s day by simply sending him or her a little card ... Age 43

I’ve learned that hotel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone ... Age 50

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights ... Age 52

I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life ... Age 58

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance ... Age 62

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you ... Age 64

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision ... Age 69

I’ve learned that when I have pains, I don’t have to be one ... Age 74

I’ve learned that everyday you should reach out and touch someone. People love those human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back ... Age 81

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn ... Age 87

-- Author Unknown

Experience

Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experiences and invest them in the future.

Don’t let the learning from your own experiences take too long. If you have been doing it wrong for the last ten years, I would suggest that’s long enough!

Life is not just the passing of time. Life is the collection of experiences and their intensity.

It’s easy to carry the past as a burden instead of a school. It’s easy to let it overwhelm you instead of educate you.

Be like a sponge when it comes to each new experience. If you want to be able to express it well, you must first be able to absorb it well.

-- Jim Rohn