Inspirational Stories
Life support call centre - How to install Love
Tech Support: Yes, ... how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me though the process?
Tech Support: Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running ?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system.
It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs.
Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem.
However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment - those programs prevent Love from being properly installed.
Can you turn those off ?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness.
Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program.
You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already.
It says, "Error - Program not run on external components."
What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry.
It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart.
In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files:
Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory.
The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming.
Also, you need to delete Verbose Self- Criticism from all directories.
Also empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files.
Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart.
Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes.
For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time.
So Love is installed and running.
One more thing before we hang up...
Love is Freeware.
Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet.
They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
Customer: Thank you, Life Support. Now it’s my call...
(Author Unknown)
Tech Support: Yes, ... how can I help you?
Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me though the process?
Tech Support: Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?
Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?
Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?
Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?
Tech Support: What programs are running ?
Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.
Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system.
It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs.
Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem.
However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment - those programs prevent Love from being properly installed.
Can you turn those off ?
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?
Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness.
Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.
Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program.
You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.
Customer: Oops! I have an error message already.
It says, "Error - Program not run on external components."
What should I do?
Tech Support: Don't worry.
It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart.
In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.
Customer: So, what should I do?
Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files:
Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.
Customer: Okay, done.
Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory.
The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming.
Also, you need to delete Verbose Self- Criticism from all directories.
Also empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.
Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files.
Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart.
Is this normal?
Tech Support: Sometimes.
For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time.
So Love is installed and running.
One more thing before we hang up...
Love is Freeware.
Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet.
They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.
Customer: Thank you, Life Support. Now it’s my call...
(Author Unknown)
Ugly
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in, knew who Ugly was. Ugly
was the resident tomcat.
Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole.
He was also missing his ear on the same side,
his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time,
and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type,
except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.
Every time someone saw Ugly, there was the same reaction...
"That’s one UGLY cat!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down,
squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction.
If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit.
If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically
and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love.
If ever someone picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling
on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies.
They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled.
From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid.
By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape,
a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front.
As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping
and could feel him struggling. "I must be hurting him terribly", I thought.
Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear.
I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head,
then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.
Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection - perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen.
Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way.
Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
He died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards,
thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have
true pureness of spirit - to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could,
and for that I will always be thankful.
He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside,
and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
It was time to give my all to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me...
I will always try to be like Ugly.
Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole.
He was also missing his ear on the same side,
his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time,
and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type,
except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.
Every time someone saw Ugly, there was the same reaction...
"That’s one UGLY cat!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down,
squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction.
If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit.
If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically
and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love.
If ever someone picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling
on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies.
They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled.
From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid.
By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape,
a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front.
As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping
and could feel him struggling. "I must be hurting him terribly", I thought.
Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear.
I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head,
then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring.
Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection - perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen.
Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way.
Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
He died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards,
thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have
true pureness of spirit - to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could,
and for that I will always be thankful.
He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside,
and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
It was time to give my all to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me...
I will always try to be like Ugly.
The Park Bench
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath
the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by
life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging
me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of
breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me
with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, "Look what I
found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with it's petals all worn, not enough rain, or to little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You're welcome, he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand, about to change the life of an unsuspecting old man...
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with it's petals all worn, not enough rain, or to little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You're welcome, he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand, about to change the life of an unsuspecting old man...
YOUR 100%
A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles and the girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he would give her all his marbles, in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.
The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. She gave him all her sweets, just as she had promised.
That night, the girl slept peacefully but the boy couldn't sleep, as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him, the way he had hidden his best marble.
Moral of the story:
If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his or her hundred percent.
This is applicable for any relationship, whether love or friendship.
Give your hundred percent in everything and sleep peacefully...
Unknown Author
A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles and the girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he would give her all his marbles, in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.
The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. She gave him all her sweets, just as she had promised.
That night, the girl slept peacefully but the boy couldn't sleep, as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him, the way he had hidden his best marble.
Moral of the story:
If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his or her hundred percent.
This is applicable for any relationship, whether love or friendship.
Give your hundred percent in everything and sleep peacefully...
Unknown Author
YOUR SIDE OF THE WORLD
So here we are, we're standing face to face
And yet we seem to be a million miles apart.
This world can feel like such a lonely place
It all depends on what you see from where you are.
So please, please tell me what you can
'Cause I want to understand...
How does it look from your side?
How does it look from where you are?
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
So tell me the colour of your sky above
Paint me a picture of the things that make you smile.
Show me your fears and what you're dreaming of
Take me to where my heart can see across the miles.
And please, please tell me what you can
'Cause I want to understand...
How does it look from your side?
How does it look from where you are?
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
Don't be surprised to find I'm not too far away
'Cause what we are both in search of, is one and the same.
So please, please tell me what you see
'Cause I really want to be the one who understands...
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
(Song by Steven Curtis Chapman)
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BL2BWQ-ZH0
So here we are, we're standing face to face
And yet we seem to be a million miles apart.
This world can feel like such a lonely place
It all depends on what you see from where you are.
So please, please tell me what you can
'Cause I want to understand...
How does it look from your side?
How does it look from where you are?
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
So tell me the colour of your sky above
Paint me a picture of the things that make you smile.
Show me your fears and what you're dreaming of
Take me to where my heart can see across the miles.
And please, please tell me what you can
'Cause I want to understand...
How does it look from your side?
How does it look from where you are?
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
Don't be surprised to find I'm not too far away
'Cause what we are both in search of, is one and the same.
So please, please tell me what you see
'Cause I really want to be the one who understands...
How does it look from your side?
From your side of the world...
(Song by Steven Curtis Chapman)
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BL2BWQ-ZH0
FLYING
(by Roger Dean Kiser, Sr)
Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in a orphanage.
The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird. It was very difficult for him to understand why he could not fly. There were birds at the zoo that were much bigger than he, and they could fly.
"Why can't I?" he thought. "Is there something wrong with me?" he wondered.
There was another little boy who was crippled. He had always wished that he could walk and run like other little boys and girls.
"Why can't I be like them?" he thought.
One day the little orphan boy who had wanted to fly like a bird ran away from the orphanage.
He came upon a park where he saw the little boy who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox.
He ran over to the little boy and asked him if he had ever wanted to fly like a bird.
"No," said the little boy who could not walk or run. "But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like other boys and girls."
"That is very sad." said the little boy who wanted to fly.
"Do you think we could be friends?" he said to the little boy in the sandbox.
"Sure." said the little boy.
The two little boys played for hours.
They made sand castles and made really funny sounds with their mouths.
Sounds which made them laugh real hard.
Then the little boy's father came with a wheelchair to pick up his son.
The little boy who had always wanted to fly ran over to the boy's father and whispered something into his ear.
"That would be OK," said the man.
The little boy who had always wanted to fly like a bird ran over to his new friend and said,
"You are my only friend and I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls.
But I can't.
But there IS something that I can do for you."
The little orphan boy turned around and told his new friend to slide up onto his back.
He then began to run across the grass.
Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back.
Faster and harder he ran across the park.
Harder and harder he made his legs travel.
Soon the wind just whistled across the two little boys' faces.
The little boy's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little crippled son flapping his arms up and down in the wind,
all the while yelling at the top of his voice,
"I'M FLYING, DADDY. I'M FLYING!"
(by Roger Dean Kiser, Sr)
Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in a orphanage.
The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird. It was very difficult for him to understand why he could not fly. There were birds at the zoo that were much bigger than he, and they could fly.
"Why can't I?" he thought. "Is there something wrong with me?" he wondered.
There was another little boy who was crippled. He had always wished that he could walk and run like other little boys and girls.
"Why can't I be like them?" he thought.
One day the little orphan boy who had wanted to fly like a bird ran away from the orphanage.
He came upon a park where he saw the little boy who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox.
He ran over to the little boy and asked him if he had ever wanted to fly like a bird.
"No," said the little boy who could not walk or run. "But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like other boys and girls."
"That is very sad." said the little boy who wanted to fly.
"Do you think we could be friends?" he said to the little boy in the sandbox.
"Sure." said the little boy.
The two little boys played for hours.
They made sand castles and made really funny sounds with their mouths.
Sounds which made them laugh real hard.
Then the little boy's father came with a wheelchair to pick up his son.
The little boy who had always wanted to fly ran over to the boy's father and whispered something into his ear.
"That would be OK," said the man.
The little boy who had always wanted to fly like a bird ran over to his new friend and said,
"You are my only friend and I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls.
But I can't.
But there IS something that I can do for you."
The little orphan boy turned around and told his new friend to slide up onto his back.
He then began to run across the grass.
Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back.
Faster and harder he ran across the park.
Harder and harder he made his legs travel.
Soon the wind just whistled across the two little boys' faces.
The little boy's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little crippled son flapping his arms up and down in the wind,
all the while yelling at the top of his voice,
"I'M FLYING, DADDY. I'M FLYING!"
How poor we are...
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country
with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden
and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on
and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us,
they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
(Author unknown)
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country
with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden
and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on
and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us,
they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
(Author unknown)
Life is like a cup of coffee...
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together
to visit their old university professor.
Conversations soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups.
Porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain-looking, some expensive, some exquisite.
He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.
After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups have been taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
Whilst it is normal to only want the best for yourselves, it is also the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.
In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases, even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted, was the coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups -
and then you began eyeing each other's cups, to see who had the best one.
Now consider this:
Life is the coffee.
The Jobs, money and position in society, are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain life.
The type of cup we have, does not define or change the quality of life we live.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Savour the coffee, not the cups!"
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.
Live simply.
Speak kindly.
Care deeply.
Love generously.
And see what it means to feel alive...
Conversations soon turned into complaints about stress in work and in life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups.
Porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain-looking, some expensive, some exquisite.
He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.
After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"If you noticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups have been taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
Whilst it is normal to only want the best for yourselves, it is also the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.
In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases, even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted, was the coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups -
and then you began eyeing each other's cups, to see who had the best one.
Now consider this:
Life is the coffee.
The Jobs, money and position in society, are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain life.
The type of cup we have, does not define or change the quality of life we live.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Savour the coffee, not the cups!"
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.
Live simply.
Speak kindly.
Care deeply.
Love generously.
And see what it means to feel alive...
Dancing in the rain.
This wonderful, inspirational story has always been one of my favourites
- I hope it inspires and uplifts you as well. May you have a wonderful
day, whatever the weather...
It was a busy morning, about 8:30am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided that, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it was well-healed, so I talked to one of the doctors and got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment at 9:00am. He said no, he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health and he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was - she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him:
"You still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said: "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back the tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought: "That is the kind of love I want in my life."
* True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and may never be...
and still loving that person with everything you are.
* The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything - they just make the best of everything they have
and they never lose sight of where their heart wants to be.
After reading this story, I couldn't help but think that
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but learning to dance in the rain..."
May you hear the music in the storm - and may you have the courage to dance,
even if it rains...
It was a busy morning, about 8:30am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided that, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it was well-healed, so I talked to one of the doctors and got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment at 9:00am. He said no, he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health and he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was - she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him:
"You still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?"
He smiled as he patted my hand and said: "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back the tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought: "That is the kind of love I want in my life."
* True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and may never be...
and still loving that person with everything you are.
* The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything - they just make the best of everything they have
and they never lose sight of where their heart wants to be.
After reading this story, I couldn't help but think that
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but learning to dance in the rain..."
May you hear the music in the storm - and may you have the courage to dance,
even if it rains...
The power of our words...
I've been thinking lately, about the power of our words - the ability we have to make a heart soar or crash to the ground.
Are we aware of the power we hold, and the ability we have to make an enormous difference in another person's life - good OR bad?
Here is a story that beautifully illustrates this power - definitely some food for thought...
THE TWO FROGS
A group of frogs were travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop - that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said: "Did you not hear us?"
The frog explained to them that he was deaf.
He thought they were encouraging him the entire time!
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down, can be what it takes to kill them.
So...
* Be careful of what you say.
* Speak life to those who cross your path.
* Consider the power of your words.
It is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way.
* Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times;
SPECIAL IS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO ENCOURAGE ANOTHER.
Are we aware of the power we hold, and the ability we have to make an enormous difference in another person's life - good OR bad?
Here is a story that beautifully illustrates this power - definitely some food for thought...
THE TWO FROGS
A group of frogs were travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop - that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said: "Did you not hear us?"
The frog explained to them that he was deaf.
He thought they were encouraging him the entire time!
This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down, can be what it takes to kill them.
So...
* Be careful of what you say.
* Speak life to those who cross your path.
* Consider the power of your words.
It is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way.
* Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times;
SPECIAL IS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO ENCOURAGE ANOTHER.
