(Thanks to Cynthia Brown)
Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from its death throes? He's now 82 years old and has a new book, and here are some excerpts.
Lee Iacocca Says:
'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder.
We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car.
But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course.'
Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America , not the damned 'Titanic'. I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the bums out!'
You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore.
I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have.
The Biggest 'C' is Crisis! (Iacocca elaborates on nine Cs of leadership, crisis being the first.)
When you look around, you've got to ask:' Where have all the Leaders gone?' Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense?
I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point. Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo?
Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again.
Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.
Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies?
How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it?
Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.
I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity.
'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to 'Action' for people who, like me, believe in America . It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work.
Let's tell 'em all we've had 'enough.'
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
BILL OF NO RIGHTS
You do not have the right to a new car, big-screen color TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.
You do not have the right to never be offended. The country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all of your relatives independently wealthy.
You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in place where you still won't have the right to a big-screen color TV.
You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities in education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness -- which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiot laws created by those around you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
You do not have the right to never be offended. The country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.
You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all of your relatives independently wealthy.
You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.
You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in place where you still won't have the right to a big-screen color TV.
You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities in education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.
You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness -- which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiot laws created by those around you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.
THE FORREST GUMP GUIDE TO BEING A SUCCESS
From OnMakingMoney.com
And cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doin it so much, I cut that grass for free.
The whole point of making lots of money is to buy your freedom. If that means cutting grass, then by all means, cut the grass. Many wealthy people chase money for so long that they forget about everything else. It’s a mistake. Never become so obsessed that you lose touch with the little things in life that you enjoy.
Jenny taught me how to climb. And I taught her how to dangle.
No one gets rich alone. If someone shows you how to “climb” the ladder of success, then don’t forget about them when they’re “dangling” from it, about fall off. Help them dangle more gracefully, or reciprocate any other chance you get. It’s not about keeping score, exactly, but creating an attitude of generosity in both yourself and others. That’s how you get to the top.
Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows.
Brag. Shamelessly. Of course, I’m not talking about writing a press release about how you got an A on your term paper, but if you’ve done something genuinely remarkable, then you owe it to people to tell them about it. Do it with a little style, and they’ll love you for it. Forrest spends the entire movie bragging, and people skip their bus to find out what happens next.
My Momma always said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Instead of worrying about which job you should take, which project you should work on, or which company you should start, just line them all up, choose the one you think you’ll like, and take a bite. You’ll probably enjoy them all, but it’s only by “tasting” the opportunities in life that you’ll truly live.
That’s all I have to say about that.
When you’ve said all you have to say… shut up.
And cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doin it so much, I cut that grass for free.
The whole point of making lots of money is to buy your freedom. If that means cutting grass, then by all means, cut the grass. Many wealthy people chase money for so long that they forget about everything else. It’s a mistake. Never become so obsessed that you lose touch with the little things in life that you enjoy.
Jenny taught me how to climb. And I taught her how to dangle.
No one gets rich alone. If someone shows you how to “climb” the ladder of success, then don’t forget about them when they’re “dangling” from it, about fall off. Help them dangle more gracefully, or reciprocate any other chance you get. It’s not about keeping score, exactly, but creating an attitude of generosity in both yourself and others. That’s how you get to the top.
Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows.
Brag. Shamelessly. Of course, I’m not talking about writing a press release about how you got an A on your term paper, but if you’ve done something genuinely remarkable, then you owe it to people to tell them about it. Do it with a little style, and they’ll love you for it. Forrest spends the entire movie bragging, and people skip their bus to find out what happens next.
My Momma always said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Instead of worrying about which job you should take, which project you should work on, or which company you should start, just line them all up, choose the one you think you’ll like, and take a bite. You’ll probably enjoy them all, but it’s only by “tasting” the opportunities in life that you’ll truly live.
That’s all I have to say about that.
When you’ve said all you have to say… shut up.
Friday, June 27, 2008
THREE REASONS TO DOWNSIZE YOUR LIFE
When it comes to being happy, less really is more! When researchers studied stress levels worldwide, they found that people in the most affluent countries were the most stressed out. So, here are three reasons to downsize your life. These are from the book Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic:
[1] When you scale back, people, not things, become your priority. Happiness levels in the U.S. have been declining since 1957. Experts believe one of the main causes is the absence of time spent with family and friends. So, once you commit to living with less, you'll focus on what you can do together as a family instead of what each of you wants to buy.
[2] You'll be smarter. British researchers found that people who were constantly distracted by the things they owned actually scored lower on IQ tests than they did when they lived without their fancy gadgets.
[3] You'll chill out. In a University of Virginia study, the more people pampered themselves with material objects, the less satisfied they were overall. Overindulgers got more upset by small annoyances. So, a trip to the mall for some "retail therapy" might give you a temporary boost, but in the long run - it lowers your quality of life.
[1] When you scale back, people, not things, become your priority. Happiness levels in the U.S. have been declining since 1957. Experts believe one of the main causes is the absence of time spent with family and friends. So, once you commit to living with less, you'll focus on what you can do together as a family instead of what each of you wants to buy.
[2] You'll be smarter. British researchers found that people who were constantly distracted by the things they owned actually scored lower on IQ tests than they did when they lived without their fancy gadgets.
[3] You'll chill out. In a University of Virginia study, the more people pampered themselves with material objects, the less satisfied they were overall. Overindulgers got more upset by small annoyances. So, a trip to the mall for some "retail therapy" might give you a temporary boost, but in the long run - it lowers your quality of life.
Little Red Riding Hood
A Politically Correct Fairy Tale
by Jim Garner
There once was a young person named Red Riding Hood who lived with her mother on the edge of a large wood. One day her mother asked her to take a basket of fresh fruit and mineral water to her grandmother's house -- not because this was womyn's work, mind you, but because the deed was generous and helped engender a feeling of community. Furthermore, her grandmother was not sick, but rather was in full physical and mental health and was fully capable of taking care of herself as a mature adult.
So Red Riding Hood set off with her basket of food through the woods. Many people she knew believed that the forest was a foreboding and dangerous place and never set foot in it. Red Riding Hood, however, was so confident in her own budding sexuality that such obvious Freudian imagery did not hinder her.
On her way to Grandma's house, Red Riding Hood was accosted by a Wolf, who asked her what was in her basket. She replied, "Some healthful snacks for my grandmother, who is certainly capable of taking care of herself as a mature adult." The Wolf said, "You know, my dear, it isn't safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone."
Red Riding Hood said, "I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid worldview. Now, if you'll excuse, me I must be on my way."
Red Riding Hood walked on along the main path. But, because his status outside society had freed him from slavish adherence to linear, Western-style thought, the Wolf knew of a quicker route to Grandma's house. He burst into the house and ate Grandma, an entirely valid course of action for a carnivore such as himself. Then, unhampered by rigid, traditionalist notions of what was masculine or feminine, he put on grandma's nightclothes and crawled into bed.
Red Riding Hood entered the cottage and said, "Grandma, I have brought you some fat-free, sodium-free snacks to salute you in your role of a wise and nurturing matriarch."
From the bed, the Wolf said softly, "Come closer, child, so that I might see you."
Red Riding Hood said, "Oh, I forgot you are as optically challenged as a bat. Grandma, what big eyes you have!"
"They have seen much, and forgiven much, my dear."
"Grandma, what a big nose you have -- only relatively, of course, and certainly attractive in its own way."
"It has smelled much, and forgiven much, my dear."
"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"
The Wolf said, "I am happy with who I am and what I am," and leaped out of bed. He grabbed Red Riding Hood in his claws, intent on devouring her. Red Riding Hood screamed, not out of alarm at the Wolf's apparent tendency toward cross-dressing, but because of his willful invasion of her personal space.
Her screams were heard by a passing woodchopper-person (or log-fuel technician, as he preferred to be called). When he burst into the cottage, he saw the melee and tried to intervene. But as he raised his ax, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf both stopped.
"And what do you think you're doing?" asked Red Riding Hood. The woodchopper-person blinked and tried to answer, but no words came to him. "Bursting in here like a Neanderthal, trusting your weapon to do your thinking for you!" she said. "Sexist! Speciesist! How dare you assume that womyn and wolves can't solve their own problems without a man's help!"
When she heard Red Riding Hood's speech, Grandma jumped out of the Wolf's mouth, took the woodchopper-person's axe, and cut his head off. After this ordeal, Red Riding Hood, Grandma, and the Wolf felt a certain commonality of purpose. They decided to set up an alternative household based on mutual respect and cooperation, and they lived together in the woods happily ever after.
by Jim Garner
There once was a young person named Red Riding Hood who lived with her mother on the edge of a large wood. One day her mother asked her to take a basket of fresh fruit and mineral water to her grandmother's house -- not because this was womyn's work, mind you, but because the deed was generous and helped engender a feeling of community. Furthermore, her grandmother was not sick, but rather was in full physical and mental health and was fully capable of taking care of herself as a mature adult.
So Red Riding Hood set off with her basket of food through the woods. Many people she knew believed that the forest was a foreboding and dangerous place and never set foot in it. Red Riding Hood, however, was so confident in her own budding sexuality that such obvious Freudian imagery did not hinder her.
On her way to Grandma's house, Red Riding Hood was accosted by a Wolf, who asked her what was in her basket. She replied, "Some healthful snacks for my grandmother, who is certainly capable of taking care of herself as a mature adult." The Wolf said, "You know, my dear, it isn't safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone."
Red Riding Hood said, "I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid worldview. Now, if you'll excuse, me I must be on my way."
Red Riding Hood walked on along the main path. But, because his status outside society had freed him from slavish adherence to linear, Western-style thought, the Wolf knew of a quicker route to Grandma's house. He burst into the house and ate Grandma, an entirely valid course of action for a carnivore such as himself. Then, unhampered by rigid, traditionalist notions of what was masculine or feminine, he put on grandma's nightclothes and crawled into bed.
Red Riding Hood entered the cottage and said, "Grandma, I have brought you some fat-free, sodium-free snacks to salute you in your role of a wise and nurturing matriarch."
From the bed, the Wolf said softly, "Come closer, child, so that I might see you."
Red Riding Hood said, "Oh, I forgot you are as optically challenged as a bat. Grandma, what big eyes you have!"
"They have seen much, and forgiven much, my dear."
"Grandma, what a big nose you have -- only relatively, of course, and certainly attractive in its own way."
"It has smelled much, and forgiven much, my dear."
"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"
The Wolf said, "I am happy with who I am and what I am," and leaped out of bed. He grabbed Red Riding Hood in his claws, intent on devouring her. Red Riding Hood screamed, not out of alarm at the Wolf's apparent tendency toward cross-dressing, but because of his willful invasion of her personal space.
Her screams were heard by a passing woodchopper-person (or log-fuel technician, as he preferred to be called). When he burst into the cottage, he saw the melee and tried to intervene. But as he raised his ax, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf both stopped.
"And what do you think you're doing?" asked Red Riding Hood. The woodchopper-person blinked and tried to answer, but no words came to him. "Bursting in here like a Neanderthal, trusting your weapon to do your thinking for you!" she said. "Sexist! Speciesist! How dare you assume that womyn and wolves can't solve their own problems without a man's help!"
When she heard Red Riding Hood's speech, Grandma jumped out of the Wolf's mouth, took the woodchopper-person's axe, and cut his head off. After this ordeal, Red Riding Hood, Grandma, and the Wolf felt a certain commonality of purpose. They decided to set up an alternative household based on mutual respect and cooperation, and they lived together in the woods happily ever after.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
By a veterinarian. .....
(submitted by Teresa Bailey)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten year old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
(submitted by Teresa Bailey)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten year old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
When Was The Last Time?
When was the last time you told your parents how grateful you are just for being their children?
When was the last time you told your parents how sorry you are for the troubles you have caused in the past?
When was the last time you looked at your parents and said in your heart, "Thank God for these people"?
When was the last time you bought a present for your parents outside their birthday?
When was the last time you prayed for your parents?
When was the last time you made your parents proud of your achievements?
When was the last time you cancelled your date just because you want to be alone with your parents?
When was the last time you said to your parents, "Ok guys, relax now, today is my turn to clean the house"?
When was the last time you've proudly told your friends about how great your parents are?
When was the last time you thought about all these things?
Remember, your parents did all this for you, long before you could say a word. They did it, not because they had to, but because they loved you and they will keep doing it again and again, always and forever.
For them, loving you is like breathing, how can they stop?
By John Panigllia
When was the last time you told your parents how sorry you are for the troubles you have caused in the past?
When was the last time you looked at your parents and said in your heart, "Thank God for these people"?
When was the last time you bought a present for your parents outside their birthday?
When was the last time you prayed for your parents?
When was the last time you made your parents proud of your achievements?
When was the last time you cancelled your date just because you want to be alone with your parents?
When was the last time you said to your parents, "Ok guys, relax now, today is my turn to clean the house"?
When was the last time you've proudly told your friends about how great your parents are?
When was the last time you thought about all these things?
Remember, your parents did all this for you, long before you could say a word. They did it, not because they had to, but because they loved you and they will keep doing it again and again, always and forever.
For them, loving you is like breathing, how can they stop?
By John Panigllia
TIM RUSSERT
By Cindy Adams New York Post
I once asked Tim Russert how he handles tough questions with what looks to be a friend or, at least, appears to be special access from DC's hotshots. He answered: "They're not friends. They're VIPs I'm interviewing. I do research and prepare my questions. Sometimes they don't answer. Sometimes they won't even come on, like the week I wanted Rumsfeld. He wouldn't do it. But the public knows when they're avoiding issues. And it's my job to confront that. I don't socialize with these people. I work hard. I get up early to do the 'Today' show. I write a book. I raise my kid. I don't party."
I once asked Tim Russert how he handles tough questions with what looks to be a friend or, at least, appears to be special access from DC's hotshots. He answered: "They're not friends. They're VIPs I'm interviewing. I do research and prepare my questions. Sometimes they don't answer. Sometimes they won't even come on, like the week I wanted Rumsfeld. He wouldn't do it. But the public knows when they're avoiding issues. And it's my job to confront that. I don't socialize with these people. I work hard. I get up early to do the 'Today' show. I write a book. I raise my kid. I don't party."
TODAY
Mend a quarrel. Search out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in a word or deed.
Keep a promise. Find the time. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate, be kind, be gentle. Laugh a little more.
Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Worship your God. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still again. Speak it still once again.
-- Fran Anderson
Keep a promise. Find the time. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate, be kind, be gentle. Laugh a little more.
Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Worship your God. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still again. Speak it still once again.
-- Fran Anderson
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
THE WIFE AND BUD LIGHT
A husband and wife are shopping at the supermarket when he picks up a case of Bud Light and sticks it into the cart.
What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife
They're on sale, only $10 for 12 cans', he says.
Put them back. We can't afford it,' says the wife and they carry on shopping.
A few aisles later the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and sticks it into the cart.
What do you think you're doing?' asks the man.
It's my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,' she says.
The man replies... 'SO DOES 12 CANS OF BUD LIGHT AND IT'S HALF THE PRICE!'
What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife
They're on sale, only $10 for 12 cans', he says.
Put them back. We can't afford it,' says the wife and they carry on shopping.
A few aisles later the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and sticks it into the cart.
What do you think you're doing?' asks the man.
It's my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,' she says.
The man replies... 'SO DOES 12 CANS OF BUD LIGHT AND IT'S HALF THE PRICE!'
Thursday, June 12, 2008
TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY TODAY
When you wake up, whiff some lemon. It’ll give your brain a swifter wake-up call than coffee. It also reduces stress.
If you’re starting to feel a brain drain around noon – just get outside. The sun gives off blue light which activates areas of the brain responsible for maintaining alertness. It also boosts levels of the happiness hormone serotonin.
So what can you do to fend off that afternoon slump at 3 o’clock? Look at something bright red. Within moments, a flood of arousing brain chemicals will increase your clarity and concentration so you can get your focus back. In a recent U of Texas study, employees who were surround by bright red objects outperformed those who were surrounded by blue or white.
On the way home from work at around 6 PM, if you want to keep your energy up, sing along with the radio. Belting out a tune helps you effortlessly take in more oxygen, and that in turn stimulates the flow of energizing nutrients to your brain.
If you don’t want to wind up glued to the couch at 8 PM when there’s plenty of time left to spend with friends and family -- eat some dark chocolate. It’s a natural stimulant and helps to fuel the nervous system and improve blood flow to the brain.
If you’re starting to feel a brain drain around noon – just get outside. The sun gives off blue light which activates areas of the brain responsible for maintaining alertness. It also boosts levels of the happiness hormone serotonin.
So what can you do to fend off that afternoon slump at 3 o’clock? Look at something bright red. Within moments, a flood of arousing brain chemicals will increase your clarity and concentration so you can get your focus back. In a recent U of Texas study, employees who were surround by bright red objects outperformed those who were surrounded by blue or white.
On the way home from work at around 6 PM, if you want to keep your energy up, sing along with the radio. Belting out a tune helps you effortlessly take in more oxygen, and that in turn stimulates the flow of energizing nutrients to your brain.
If you don’t want to wind up glued to the couch at 8 PM when there’s plenty of time left to spend with friends and family -- eat some dark chocolate. It’s a natural stimulant and helps to fuel the nervous system and improve blood flow to the brain.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
THE POWER OF FAILURE
A few days ago, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling gave a commencement speech at Harvard University, where she talked about failure -- and how powerful it can be:
The fact that you are graduating from Harvard suggests that you are not very well-acquainted with failure....
I think it fair to say that by any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.
Now, I am not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairy tale resolution. I had no idea how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality.
So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way.
The fact that you are graduating from Harvard suggests that you are not very well-acquainted with failure....
I think it fair to say that by any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.
Now, I am not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairy tale resolution. I had no idea how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality.
So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way.
Words to Live By..
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?
Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.
Monday, June 9, 2008
WALKING ECONOMY
This guy is walking with his friend. He says to this friend, "I'm a walking economy."
The friend replies "How so?"
"My hair line is in recession, my stomach is a victim of inflation, and both of these together are putting me into a deep depression!"
The friend replies "How so?"
"My hair line is in recession, my stomach is a victim of inflation, and both of these together are putting me into a deep depression!"
Friday, June 6, 2008
Animals Are Parents Too
Author: Chris
I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. It is a memory that periodically comes and goes, but it is one of the most precious memories that me and my wife share. I am thankful that we can remember it together. It's a reminder that things are not what they seem and that angels come in many packages.
We live in College Station, Texas and we were on our way home from Houston, Texas around the Weston Lakes area one Saturday or Sunday morning. And when I say morning, I'm talking 1:00 to 2:00 in the morning. We were on our way home and decided to stop at a local gas station to get coffee and something to snack on since it was a good hour and a half before we got home.
When we were done, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a man standing outside in front of the building. You could tell that he was a homeless man. His clothes were tattered and worn and it looked like he had gone in and gotten him some coffee or something warm to drink since it was cold this time of the year. He must have not had enough money to get something to eat. That is not something I remember too well, because that is not what "moved" me.
The next thing I remember is a dog that walked up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that she was part wolf and probably part German shepherd. I could tell she was a she, because you could tell that she had been feeding puppies. She was terribly in need of something to eat and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not make it.
Me and my wife sat there and looked at her. We noticed that people walked by and didn't even pet her, like most people do when they walk by an animal in front of a store. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved better. But we still did not do anything. But someone did. The homeless man, who I thought did not buy himself anything to eat, went back into the store. And what he did brought tears to me and my wife. He had gone into the store and with what money he may have had, bought a can of dog food and fed that dog.
I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. And animals as well as us are God's creations too.
I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. It is a memory that periodically comes and goes, but it is one of the most precious memories that me and my wife share. I am thankful that we can remember it together. It's a reminder that things are not what they seem and that angels come in many packages.
We live in College Station, Texas and we were on our way home from Houston, Texas around the Weston Lakes area one Saturday or Sunday morning. And when I say morning, I'm talking 1:00 to 2:00 in the morning. We were on our way home and decided to stop at a local gas station to get coffee and something to snack on since it was a good hour and a half before we got home.
When we were done, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a man standing outside in front of the building. You could tell that he was a homeless man. His clothes were tattered and worn and it looked like he had gone in and gotten him some coffee or something warm to drink since it was cold this time of the year. He must have not had enough money to get something to eat. That is not something I remember too well, because that is not what "moved" me.
The next thing I remember is a dog that walked up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that she was part wolf and probably part German shepherd. I could tell she was a she, because you could tell that she had been feeding puppies. She was terribly in need of something to eat and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not make it.
Me and my wife sat there and looked at her. We noticed that people walked by and didn't even pet her, like most people do when they walk by an animal in front of a store. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved better. But we still did not do anything. But someone did. The homeless man, who I thought did not buy himself anything to eat, went back into the store. And what he did brought tears to me and my wife. He had gone into the store and with what money he may have had, bought a can of dog food and fed that dog.
I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. And animals as well as us are God's creations too.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
FAILURE IS AN OPTION!
Never give up. Here's proof that failure can knock you down, but it doesn't have to keep you there...
Number of times Henry Ford lost everything before designing the Model T: 2
Fuel remaining when man first landed on the Moon: 15 seconds' worth
Kurt Warner's position before becoming an Super Bowl winning quarterback: Supermarket clerk, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Attempts by Michael Jordan to make his high school team: 2
Number of times Henry Ford lost everything before designing the Model T: 2
Fuel remaining when man first landed on the Moon: 15 seconds' worth
Kurt Warner's position before becoming an Super Bowl winning quarterback: Supermarket clerk, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Attempts by Michael Jordan to make his high school team: 2
Rescued
A little girl whose parents had died, lived with her grandmother and slept in an upstairs bedroom.
One night there was a fire in the house and the grandmother perished while trying to rescue the child. The fire spread quickly, and the first floor was engulfed in flames.
Neighbors called the fire department, then stood helplessly by, unable to enter the house as flames blocked all the entrances. The little girl appeared at an upstairs window, crying for help, just as word spread among the crowd that firefighters would be delayed a few minutes because they were all at another fire.
Suddenly, a man appeared with a ladder, put it up against the side of the house & disappeared inside. When he reappeared, he had the little girl in his arms. He delivered the child to the waiting arms below, then disappeared into the night.
An investigation revealed the child had no living relatives. Weeks later a meeting was held in the town hall to determine who would take the child into their home and bring her up.
A teacher said she would raise the child. She pointed out she could ensure a good education. A farmer offered an upbringing on his farm. He pointed out that living on a farm was healthy and satisfying. Others spoke, giving their reasons why it was to the child's advantage to live with them.
Finally, the town's richest resident arose and said, "I can give this child all the advantages that you have mentioned here, plus money and everything money can buy." Through all this, the child remained silent, eyes cast down.
"Does anyone else want to speak?" asked the meeting chairman.
A man came forward from the back of the hall. His gait was slow and he seemed in pain. When he got to the front of the room, he stood directly before the little girl and held out his arms. The crowd gasped. His hands and arms were terribly scarred.
The child cried out, "This is the man who rescued me!" With a leap, she threw her arms around the man's neck, holding on for dear life, just as she had that fateful night. She buried her face on his shoulder and sobbed for a few moments. Then she looked up and smiled at him.
"This meeting is adjourned," said the chairman.
Author Unknown
One night there was a fire in the house and the grandmother perished while trying to rescue the child. The fire spread quickly, and the first floor was engulfed in flames.
Neighbors called the fire department, then stood helplessly by, unable to enter the house as flames blocked all the entrances. The little girl appeared at an upstairs window, crying for help, just as word spread among the crowd that firefighters would be delayed a few minutes because they were all at another fire.
Suddenly, a man appeared with a ladder, put it up against the side of the house & disappeared inside. When he reappeared, he had the little girl in his arms. He delivered the child to the waiting arms below, then disappeared into the night.
An investigation revealed the child had no living relatives. Weeks later a meeting was held in the town hall to determine who would take the child into their home and bring her up.
A teacher said she would raise the child. She pointed out she could ensure a good education. A farmer offered an upbringing on his farm. He pointed out that living on a farm was healthy and satisfying. Others spoke, giving their reasons why it was to the child's advantage to live with them.
Finally, the town's richest resident arose and said, "I can give this child all the advantages that you have mentioned here, plus money and everything money can buy." Through all this, the child remained silent, eyes cast down.
"Does anyone else want to speak?" asked the meeting chairman.
A man came forward from the back of the hall. His gait was slow and he seemed in pain. When he got to the front of the room, he stood directly before the little girl and held out his arms. The crowd gasped. His hands and arms were terribly scarred.
The child cried out, "This is the man who rescued me!" With a leap, she threw her arms around the man's neck, holding on for dear life, just as she had that fateful night. She buried her face on his shoulder and sobbed for a few moments. Then she looked up and smiled at him.
"This meeting is adjourned," said the chairman.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
THE PARROT AND THE LADY
A lady was walking down the street and she saw a parrot on a perch in front of a pet store. The parrot said to her, "Hey lady, you are really ugly." Well, the lady was furious. She stormed past the store and went off to her job. On the way home, she saw the same parrot, and it said to her, "Hey lady, you are really ugly." She was incredibly ticked now. The next day, on the way to work, the same parrot again said to her, "Hey lady, you are really ugly." The lady was so ticked that she went into the store and told the manager that she would sue the store and have the bird put to sleep. The store manager assured her that he would make sure the bird would not say she was ugly again. When the lady walked past the store that day after work, the parrot called to her, "Hey lady." She paused and said,"Yes?" And the bird said, "You know."
THE HUSBAND STORE
A store that sells husbands has just opened in Ottawa where a woman may go to choose a husband from among many men. The store is comprised of 6 floors, and the men increase in positive attributes as the shopper ascends the flights.
There is, however, a catch. As you open the door to any floor you may choose a man from that floor, but if you go up a floor, you cannot go back down except to exit the building.
So a woman goes to the shopping center to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men have jobs.
The woman reads the sign and says to herself, "Well, that's better than my last boyfriend, but I wonder what's further up?"
So up she goes.
The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love, kids.
The woman remarks to herself, "That's great, but I wonder what's further up?" And up she goes again.
The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids and are extremely good looking.
"Hmmm, better" she says. "But I wonder what's upstairs?"
Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking and help with the housework.
"Wow!" exclaims the woman, "very tempting. BUT, there must be more further up!" And again she heads up another flight.
The fifth floor sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a strong romantic streak. "Oh, mercy me! But just think. What must be awaiting me further on?"
So up to the sixth floor she goes.
The sixth floor sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 3,456,789,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping Husband Mart and have a nice day
There is, however, a catch. As you open the door to any floor you may choose a man from that floor, but if you go up a floor, you cannot go back down except to exit the building.
So a woman goes to the shopping center to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These men have jobs.
The woman reads the sign and says to herself, "Well, that's better than my last boyfriend, but I wonder what's further up?"
So up she goes.
The second floor sign reads:
Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love, kids.
The woman remarks to herself, "That's great, but I wonder what's further up?" And up she goes again.
The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids and are extremely good looking.
"Hmmm, better" she says. "But I wonder what's upstairs?"
Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking and help with the housework.
"Wow!" exclaims the woman, "very tempting. BUT, there must be more further up!" And again she heads up another flight.
The fifth floor sign reads:
Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a strong romantic streak. "Oh, mercy me! But just think. What must be awaiting me further on?"
So up to the sixth floor she goes.
The sixth floor sign reads:
Floor 6 - You are visitor 3,456,789,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping Husband Mart and have a nice day
Friday, May 30, 2008
BE HAPPY... OH SHUT UP!
Why are some people naturally happy? How can you acquire the ability to be happy? LHJ.com says that "Our habits do affect our happiness, and neuroscientists have recently discovered why. Habitual thoughts and behaviors create specific neural pathways in the wiring in our brains, the way water flowing downhill creates a groove in the earth. So how can we retrain our brain to be happy?
Notice the happy things in your life, no matter how small. When you decide to look for the positive, your RAS (reticular activating system, a group of cells at the base of the brain stem that's responsible for turning on your memory system and allowing it to bring anything important to your attention) makes sure that's what you see.
Choose the happier thought. The next time you're faced with a challenging situation that gives rise to negative thoughts and bad feelings, find an equally true thought about the situation that makes you feel better -- and lean into it.
Tend to your relationships. Scores of studies have demonstrated that having good social relationships is one of the strongest predictors of happiness.
Find passion and purpose. Bringing a sense of passion to mundane activities will boost your happiness, but so will taking the time to find your true passions. Think about what activities most absorb you and analyze what it is about those activities that makes you happy.
Notice the happy things in your life, no matter how small. When you decide to look for the positive, your RAS (reticular activating system, a group of cells at the base of the brain stem that's responsible for turning on your memory system and allowing it to bring anything important to your attention) makes sure that's what you see.
Choose the happier thought. The next time you're faced with a challenging situation that gives rise to negative thoughts and bad feelings, find an equally true thought about the situation that makes you feel better -- and lean into it.
Tend to your relationships. Scores of studies have demonstrated that having good social relationships is one of the strongest predictors of happiness.
Find passion and purpose. Bringing a sense of passion to mundane activities will boost your happiness, but so will taking the time to find your true passions. Think about what activities most absorb you and analyze what it is about those activities that makes you happy.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
LITTLE LEAGUE GAME
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League base ball game that was being played in a park near my home.
As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was
'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered with a smile. 'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.
' 'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face...
'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet.'
As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was
'We're behind 14 to nothing,' he answered with a smile. 'Really,' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.
' 'Discouraged?', the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face...
'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet.'
THE TAXI AND THE GARBAGE TRUCK
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space
right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed
the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around
and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did
you just do that?
This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the
hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I
now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full
of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place t o dump it
and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally Just smile, wave, wish them
well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people
at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is
that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over
their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so.....love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.' Life is ten percent
what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space
right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed
the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around
and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did
you just do that?
This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the
hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I
now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full
of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place t o dump it
and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally Just smile, wave, wish them
well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people
at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is
that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over
their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so.....love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.' Life is ten percent
what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.
THE COWBOY AND THE BLONDES
An old, blind cowboy wanders into an all-girl biker bar by mistake.
He finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee. After sitting there for a while, he yells to the waiter, "Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?"
The bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things:
1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2. The bouncer is a blonde woman.
3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 1 75-pound blonde gal with a black belt in karate.
4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.
"Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"
The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters, "No...not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."
He finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee. After sitting there for a while, he yells to the waiter, "Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?"
The bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things:
1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2. The bouncer is a blonde woman.
3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 1 75-pound blonde gal with a black belt in karate.
4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.
"Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"
The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters, "No...not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Buzzard, The Bat, and the Bumblebee
If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A Bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A Bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
FIVE LIES EVERY WOMAN TELLS
(from Askmen.com)
1. I'm not mad at you -- Oh, yes she is. In reality, she does care, very much so. What you should do: Save yourself some time and headaches later on by calling her on her real feelings and discussing why she's so angry.
2. I don't mind if you go to strip clubs with the boys -- If this one sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. What you should do: You're probably better off just not going.
3. I'm just not ready for a boyfriend right now -- The truth is, if the woman is single and at all interested in you, she will certainly make the time to date you. It's that simple. What you should do: Let it go. Don't bother letting her know that you see through it. Take the easy way out by pretending you believe her for your own personal dignity, and just walk away.
4. I don't mind picking up the tab tonight. You always pay anyway -- Although this lie doesn't apply to all women, most still do expect men to pay for things, especially if the man asked them out in the first place. They will secretly think that the guy is cheap if he wriggles out of the bill on a regular basis. What you should do: In the early, critical dating stages, don't risk looking cheap.
5. You're the best in bed -- Face it, women tell guys whatever they think they want to hear, just to make them feel good about themselves. What you should do: You shouldn't be asking her to rate her sexual experiences, period. That's just in poor taste.
1. I'm not mad at you -- Oh, yes she is. In reality, she does care, very much so. What you should do: Save yourself some time and headaches later on by calling her on her real feelings and discussing why she's so angry.
2. I don't mind if you go to strip clubs with the boys -- If this one sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. What you should do: You're probably better off just not going.
3. I'm just not ready for a boyfriend right now -- The truth is, if the woman is single and at all interested in you, she will certainly make the time to date you. It's that simple. What you should do: Let it go. Don't bother letting her know that you see through it. Take the easy way out by pretending you believe her for your own personal dignity, and just walk away.
4. I don't mind picking up the tab tonight. You always pay anyway -- Although this lie doesn't apply to all women, most still do expect men to pay for things, especially if the man asked them out in the first place. They will secretly think that the guy is cheap if he wriggles out of the bill on a regular basis. What you should do: In the early, critical dating stages, don't risk looking cheap.
5. You're the best in bed -- Face it, women tell guys whatever they think they want to hear, just to make them feel good about themselves. What you should do: You shouldn't be asking her to rate her sexual experiences, period. That's just in poor taste.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
HAVING KIDS
Jake is telling John that he and his wife are talking about having their first child. Jake says, "That's awesome, but the wife and I won't be having kids any time soon." John says, "What's up? She can't conceive?" Jake replies, "Nope, we took part in an effective form of birth control over the weekend. We went to a family reunion."
Growing Good Corn
Author: Unknown
James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1994) relates the story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it.
The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. "How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is in other dimensions. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.
James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1994) relates the story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it.
The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors. "How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is in other dimensions. Those who choose to be at peace must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.
Friday, May 16, 2008
A Place To Stand
Author: Dr. Charles Garfield
If you have ever gone through a toll booth, you know that your relationship to the person in the booth is not the most intimate you'll ever have. It is one of life's frequent non-encounters: You hand over some money; you might get change; you drive off. I have been through every one of the 17 toll booths on the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge on thousands of occasions, and never had an exchange worth remembering with anybody.
Late one morning in 1984, headed for lunch in San Francisco, I drove toward one of the booths. I heard loud music. It sounded like a party, or a Michael Jackson concert. I looked around. No other cars with their windows open. No sound trucks. I looked at the toll booth. Inside it, the man was dancing.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm having a party," he said.
"What about the rest of these people?" I looked over at other booths; nothing moving there.
"They're not invited."
I had a dozen other questions for him, but somebody in a big hurry to get somewhere started punching his horn behind me and I drove off. But I made a note to myself: Find this guy again. There's something in his eye that says there's magic in his toll booth.
Months later I did find him again, still with the loud music, still having a party.
Again I asked, "What are you doing?"
He said, "I remember you from the last time. I'm still dancing. I'm having the same party."
I said, "Look. What about the rest of the people."
He said. "Stop. What do those look like to you?" He pointed down the row of toll booths.
"They look like toll booths."
"Noooo imagination!"
I said, "Okay, I give up. What do they look like to you?"
He said, "Vertical coffins."
"What are you talking about?"
"I can prove it. At 8:30 every morning, live people get in. Then they die for eight hours. At 4:30, like Lazarus from the dead, they reemerge and go home. For eight hours, brain is on hold, dead on the job. Going through the motions."
I was amazed. This guy had developed a philosophy, a mythology about his job. I could not help asking the next question: "Why is it different for you? You're having a good time."
He looked at me. "I knew you were going to ask that," he said. "I'm going to be a dancer someday." He pointed to the administration building. "My bosses are in there, and they're paying for my training."
Sixteen people dead on the job, and the seventeenth, in precisely the same situation, figures out a way to live. That man was having a party where you and I would probably not last three days. The boredom! He and I did have lunch later, and he said, "I don't understand why anybody would think my job is boring. I have a corner office, glass on all sides. I can see the Golden Gate, San Francisco, the Berkeley hills; half the Western world vacations here and I just stroll in every day and practice dancing.
Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." I would
If you have ever gone through a toll booth, you know that your relationship to the person in the booth is not the most intimate you'll ever have. It is one of life's frequent non-encounters: You hand over some money; you might get change; you drive off. I have been through every one of the 17 toll booths on the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge on thousands of occasions, and never had an exchange worth remembering with anybody.
Late one morning in 1984, headed for lunch in San Francisco, I drove toward one of the booths. I heard loud music. It sounded like a party, or a Michael Jackson concert. I looked around. No other cars with their windows open. No sound trucks. I looked at the toll booth. Inside it, the man was dancing.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm having a party," he said.
"What about the rest of these people?" I looked over at other booths; nothing moving there.
"They're not invited."
I had a dozen other questions for him, but somebody in a big hurry to get somewhere started punching his horn behind me and I drove off. But I made a note to myself: Find this guy again. There's something in his eye that says there's magic in his toll booth.
Months later I did find him again, still with the loud music, still having a party.
Again I asked, "What are you doing?"
He said, "I remember you from the last time. I'm still dancing. I'm having the same party."
I said, "Look. What about the rest of the people."
He said. "Stop. What do those look like to you?" He pointed down the row of toll booths.
"They look like toll booths."
"Noooo imagination!"
I said, "Okay, I give up. What do they look like to you?"
He said, "Vertical coffins."
"What are you talking about?"
"I can prove it. At 8:30 every morning, live people get in. Then they die for eight hours. At 4:30, like Lazarus from the dead, they reemerge and go home. For eight hours, brain is on hold, dead on the job. Going through the motions."
I was amazed. This guy had developed a philosophy, a mythology about his job. I could not help asking the next question: "Why is it different for you? You're having a good time."
He looked at me. "I knew you were going to ask that," he said. "I'm going to be a dancer someday." He pointed to the administration building. "My bosses are in there, and they're paying for my training."
Sixteen people dead on the job, and the seventeenth, in precisely the same situation, figures out a way to live. That man was having a party where you and I would probably not last three days. The boredom! He and I did have lunch later, and he said, "I don't understand why anybody would think my job is boring. I have a corner office, glass on all sides. I can see the Golden Gate, San Francisco, the Berkeley hills; half the Western world vacations here and I just stroll in every day and practice dancing.
Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." I would
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Genealogy
A little girl asked her mother, 'How did the human race appear?' The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made.'
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?'
The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your father told you about his.'
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?'
The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family, and your father told you about his.'
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
FROM THE MOUTH OF A BOY
(thanks to Bob and Shelly Hoff for sending this Wake Up Call)
An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes' was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half of a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her.
'Are you God's wife?'
An eye witness account from New York City, on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes' was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half of a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.
She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes.
She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now'
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her.
'Are you God's wife?'
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
SOME THINGS YOU DIDN 'T KNOW YESTERDAY
• Consumers today encounter from 3,500 to 5,000 marketing messages per day, vs. 500 to 2,000 in the 1970s.
• About 157,000 American fathers -- less than 1 percent of all dads -- have elected to stay home and care for the kids full time.
• Fifty-five percent of men ages 18 to 24 have returned to the nest to live with their parents, as have 47 percent of women.
• One out of every three music CDs sold worldwide last year was pirated. Stolen recordings outsold legal ones in 31 countries.
• Eighty percent of college juniors and seniors claim they know how to take care of their money after they graduate. But 32 percent of them have missed a credit card payment and nearly a quarter have bounced a check.
• Sharks get the headlines, but Bambi is the real killer. Shark attacks killed 11 in the United States in 1990-2004, while car-deer collisions kill an average of 130 a year. Wasps and bees kill nearly 50 Americans each year.
• About 157,000 American fathers -- less than 1 percent of all dads -- have elected to stay home and care for the kids full time.
• Fifty-five percent of men ages 18 to 24 have returned to the nest to live with their parents, as have 47 percent of women.
• One out of every three music CDs sold worldwide last year was pirated. Stolen recordings outsold legal ones in 31 countries.
• Eighty percent of college juniors and seniors claim they know how to take care of their money after they graduate. But 32 percent of them have missed a credit card payment and nearly a quarter have bounced a check.
• Sharks get the headlines, but Bambi is the real killer. Shark attacks killed 11 in the United States in 1990-2004, while car-deer collisions kill an average of 130 a year. Wasps and bees kill nearly 50 Americans each year.
Monday, May 12, 2008
TOO MUCH GOING ON
(Thanks to Hank for sending this)
A friend recently sent me the following in an e-mail.
Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D.-
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.
This is how it manifests:
I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.
I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.
So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.
But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.
I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye -- they need water.
I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,
I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,
but first I'll water the flowers.
I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all damn day, and I'm really tired.
I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail...
A friend recently sent me the following in an e-mail.
Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D.-
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.
This is how it manifests:
I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.
As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.
I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.
So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.
But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.
I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye -- they need water.
I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,
I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,
but first I'll water the flowers.
I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all damn day, and I'm really tired.
I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail...
REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER
Submitted by Barbara Ritsch
. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'
My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'
My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'
My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'
My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'
My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'
My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'
. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'
My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'
My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'
My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'
My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'
My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'
My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'
EASY WAYS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
Do you ever find yourself saying "I’d be so much happier if only I could..." Well, time to stop wishing and start taking action! Here’s how to get what you want. From Woman’s World magazine.
To get your dream job -- Be Mr. Nice Guy. According to research from the University of Washington, making nice with a potential employer will win you more points than boasting about your qualifications. In this study, job interviewers gave the applicants who flattered them and said nice things about the company higher ratings than applicants flaunting their skills. Flattery made the interviewers think the job seekers shared their beliefs and attitudes -- making them a better fit.
To attract the man of your dreams -- Stand in the center of the room! Research shows that when the same woman stands in various places in a crowded room, she’s most likely to be approached in the center. Why? Because it projects the image that you’re popular -- which is something potential partners subconsciously look for.
To make more money -- Tell your boss you work out! It makes people think you’re smarter and better at your job! In a McMaster University study, exercisers were rated as more intelligent, hardworking and in control.
To start losing weight: Have a V8 -- or a bowl of vegetable soup -- about 20 minutes before your main course. Penn State University studies found that by doing that, you’ll cut the calories you consume during the entire meal by one-fourth.As the liquid is being digested, it activates your stomach’s stretch receptors, sending “I feel satisfied” signals to your brain.
To get your dream job -- Be Mr. Nice Guy. According to research from the University of Washington, making nice with a potential employer will win you more points than boasting about your qualifications. In this study, job interviewers gave the applicants who flattered them and said nice things about the company higher ratings than applicants flaunting their skills. Flattery made the interviewers think the job seekers shared their beliefs and attitudes -- making them a better fit.
To attract the man of your dreams -- Stand in the center of the room! Research shows that when the same woman stands in various places in a crowded room, she’s most likely to be approached in the center. Why? Because it projects the image that you’re popular -- which is something potential partners subconsciously look for.
To make more money -- Tell your boss you work out! It makes people think you’re smarter and better at your job! In a McMaster University study, exercisers were rated as more intelligent, hardworking and in control.
To start losing weight: Have a V8 -- or a bowl of vegetable soup -- about 20 minutes before your main course. Penn State University studies found that by doing that, you’ll cut the calories you consume during the entire meal by one-fourth.As the liquid is being digested, it activates your stomach’s stretch receptors, sending “I feel satisfied” signals to your brain.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
EASY WAYS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
Do you ever find yourself saying "I’d be so much happier if only I could..." Well, time to stop wishing and start taking action! Here’s how to get what you want. From Woman’s World magazine.
To get your dream job -- Be Mr. Nice Guy. According to research from the University of Washington, making nice with a potential employer will win you more points than boasting about your qualifications. In this study, job interviewers gave the applicants who flattered them and said nice things about the company higher ratings than applicants flaunting their skills. Flattery made the interviewers think the job seekers shared their beliefs and attitudes -- making them a better fit.
To attract the man of your dreams -- Stand in the center of the room! Research shows that when the same woman stands in various places in a crowded room, she’s most likely to be approached in the center. Why? Because it projects the image that you’re popular -- which is something potential partners subconsciously look for.
To make more money -- Tell your boss you work out! It makes people think you’re smarter and better at your job! In a McMaster University study, exercisers were rated as more intelligent, hardworking and in control.
To start losing weight: Have a V8 -- or a bowl of vegetable soup -- about 20 minutes before your main course. Penn State University studies found that by doing that, you’ll cut the calories you consume during the entire meal by one-fourth.As the liquid is being digested, it activates your stomach’s stretch receptors, sending “I feel satisfied” signals to your brain.
To get your dream job -- Be Mr. Nice Guy. According to research from the University of Washington, making nice with a potential employer will win you more points than boasting about your qualifications. In this study, job interviewers gave the applicants who flattered them and said nice things about the company higher ratings than applicants flaunting their skills. Flattery made the interviewers think the job seekers shared their beliefs and attitudes -- making them a better fit.
To attract the man of your dreams -- Stand in the center of the room! Research shows that when the same woman stands in various places in a crowded room, she’s most likely to be approached in the center. Why? Because it projects the image that you’re popular -- which is something potential partners subconsciously look for.
To make more money -- Tell your boss you work out! It makes people think you’re smarter and better at your job! In a McMaster University study, exercisers were rated as more intelligent, hardworking and in control.
To start losing weight: Have a V8 -- or a bowl of vegetable soup -- about 20 minutes before your main course. Penn State University studies found that by doing that, you’ll cut the calories you consume during the entire meal by one-fourth.As the liquid is being digested, it activates your stomach’s stretch receptors, sending “I feel satisfied” signals to your brain.
THREE THINGS WOMEN CAN LEARN FROM MEN
Sometimes male insight IS worth listening to. Three tips for the ladies:
[1] If your relationship is sinking -- abandon ship! You often want to fix a relationship long after its expiration date. Or you specifically pick a guy who you think is a “fixer-upper” and try to change him or fix him. Guys, on the other hand, will do a swift, unemotional cost-benefit analysis and hit the road if things aren’t going well. Just because you’re a great woman, and he’s a great man -- that doesn’t mean you’re each other’s great match. So, learn to cut someone loose and move on when the situation warrants it.
[2] You don’t need to talk everything to death. Those long, weighty relationship talks on Grey’s Anatomy are one reason the show is watched by 3 billion women and 3 men. The truth is all of the energy gets depleted from your relationship when you have the 73rd conversation about why you feel hurt when he doesn’t return your text messages right away. Save your energy for what really matters. If it’s not a “deal-breaker” don’t make it one.
[3] Sometimes it’s fine to be silent. Everyone dreads those conversational voids that can happen during the first few dates. You’re both looking around the room, desperate for a topic once the introductory chit chat has run out. You feel the urge to say something - ANYTHING! Words can often blur a connection that can be made with a single look. Plus, if you don’t stop talking long enough to listen, you’re never going to get the chance to know him. So smile - and learn to enjoy the occasional silence.
[1] If your relationship is sinking -- abandon ship! You often want to fix a relationship long after its expiration date. Or you specifically pick a guy who you think is a “fixer-upper” and try to change him or fix him. Guys, on the other hand, will do a swift, unemotional cost-benefit analysis and hit the road if things aren’t going well. Just because you’re a great woman, and he’s a great man -- that doesn’t mean you’re each other’s great match. So, learn to cut someone loose and move on when the situation warrants it.
[2] You don’t need to talk everything to death. Those long, weighty relationship talks on Grey’s Anatomy are one reason the show is watched by 3 billion women and 3 men. The truth is all of the energy gets depleted from your relationship when you have the 73rd conversation about why you feel hurt when he doesn’t return your text messages right away. Save your energy for what really matters. If it’s not a “deal-breaker” don’t make it one.
[3] Sometimes it’s fine to be silent. Everyone dreads those conversational voids that can happen during the first few dates. You’re both looking around the room, desperate for a topic once the introductory chit chat has run out. You feel the urge to say something - ANYTHING! Words can often blur a connection that can be made with a single look. Plus, if you don’t stop talking long enough to listen, you’re never going to get the chance to know him. So smile - and learn to enjoy the occasional silence.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Gifts for mother
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother. The first son said: "I built a big house for our mother" The second son said: "I sent Mom a Mercedes with a driver." The third son said: "You remember how our mother enjoys reading the Bible. Now she can't see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. The Elders at the church spent twelve years to teach him. Mama just has to name the chapter and the verse and the parrot recites it."
Soon thereafter, their mother sent out her letters of thanks. "William," she wrote, "the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house." "Arnold, she said, "I am too old to
travel. I stay most of the time at home so I rarely use the Mercedes. That driver is so rude, he is a pain!"........ But David," she said, "the chicken was delicious"
Soon thereafter, their mother sent out her letters of thanks. "William," she wrote, "the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house." "Arnold, she said, "I am too old to
travel. I stay most of the time at home so I rarely use the Mercedes. That driver is so rude, he is a pain!"........ But David," she said, "the chicken was delicious"
Monday, May 5, 2008
God's Kiss
Author: Lynda
My daughter (now 18) was born with a hemangioma tumor by her eye. At first it was small, and hardly noticeable. At five months, the size of a nickel. Everytime I took her out, people could not hold their comments to themselves. "Who hit her?", "Is that a bug bite?" I never could think of an appropriate response for these people. I was taught to be kind and understanding, and assumed that other people had been taught these attributes. One day I was at the mall, with my 3-year-old son, my daughter, and at this time pregnant with my third child. A woman approached me, I thought here we go again.
She said that God must not have wanted my daughter to leave Him, as he left her with a kiss. She went on to say that babies with these kisses were always surrounded by angels. I was stunned. What a kinder, more loving approach to someone with a problem. My daughter will graduate this year from High School. She is beautiful. Her early years were spent in and out of doctors. Finally the tumor was removed, because it blocked her vision. It is not noticeable except in the bright sun. She spent this year as the dance sterling scholar for our school. She danced for 4 years on our dance/drill team. She had received many scholarships. Her life is wonderful. The woman in the mall made me a better parent. Perhaps, this story will help make someone else a better parent, too.
My daughter (now 18) was born with a hemangioma tumor by her eye. At first it was small, and hardly noticeable. At five months, the size of a nickel. Everytime I took her out, people could not hold their comments to themselves. "Who hit her?", "Is that a bug bite?" I never could think of an appropriate response for these people. I was taught to be kind and understanding, and assumed that other people had been taught these attributes. One day I was at the mall, with my 3-year-old son, my daughter, and at this time pregnant with my third child. A woman approached me, I thought here we go again.
She said that God must not have wanted my daughter to leave Him, as he left her with a kiss. She went on to say that babies with these kisses were always surrounded by angels. I was stunned. What a kinder, more loving approach to someone with a problem. My daughter will graduate this year from High School. She is beautiful. Her early years were spent in and out of doctors. Finally the tumor was removed, because it blocked her vision. It is not noticeable except in the bright sun. She spent this year as the dance sterling scholar for our school. She danced for 4 years on our dance/drill team. She had received many scholarships. Her life is wonderful. The woman in the mall made me a better parent. Perhaps, this story will help make someone else a better parent, too.
Friday, May 2, 2008
DEAR DOCTOR:
Submitted by Karen Hoplight
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q
And.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q
And.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES
1. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.
2. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the shower.
3. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins.
Remember to use a timer.
4. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
5. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
6. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does...use the duct tape.
**Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. THEY'RE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS
2. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the shower.
3. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins.
Remember to use a timer.
4. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
5. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
6. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does...use the duct tape.
**Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. THEY'RE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS
Monday, April 28, 2008
FOOLISH EXCUSES YOU NEED TO STOP USING
Does it seem that somebody else is always responsible for your failures? Are you ever at fault? Well, guess what -- foolish excuses, pointing fingers and living in denial are temporary band-aids that will eventually come undone and cause you nothing but heartache. If you are one of the people living in denial, stop pretending to be above failure.
I 'm Way Too Busy; the Family Will Understand -- Your family needs you, and not just for your paycheck. Fast forward 20 years and think about this for a second -- do you really think that your children will ever say, "I'm glad mom/dad got that raise 10 years ago instead of watching me at football practice or helping me with my homework."
I Would be More Successful if My Job Weren't as Boring -- It's not your employer's fault, but there are some things you can do. If you like your employer but feel 'bored', then ask for new challenges.
My Team Is Holding Me Back -- Then why not do something about it? Why not help them become better at what they're doing so that all of you can reap the rewards later on?
My Boss Makes Bad Decisions -- Yes, but he/she has the right to make any decisions he sees fit since, in the end, it's his or her money or reputation on the line. If you want things to change, start being your own boss, nobody is stopping you.
I Don't Have Time to Stay in Shape -- But will you have time to spend in the hospital? If that is not the case then take at least a few minutes each day moving your body, strenuously. Investing time now prevents years of misery later in life!
Taking Risks Would Have Been Foolish -- Guess what: if you are serious about being successful, taking calculated risks every now and then is simply a must. Yes, there are foolish risks which should be avoided but, in the end, you simply have to take your share of calculated risks at a certain point.
I 'm Way Too Busy; the Family Will Understand -- Your family needs you, and not just for your paycheck. Fast forward 20 years and think about this for a second -- do you really think that your children will ever say, "I'm glad mom/dad got that raise 10 years ago instead of watching me at football practice or helping me with my homework."
I Would be More Successful if My Job Weren't as Boring -- It's not your employer's fault, but there are some things you can do. If you like your employer but feel 'bored', then ask for new challenges.
My Team Is Holding Me Back -- Then why not do something about it? Why not help them become better at what they're doing so that all of you can reap the rewards later on?
My Boss Makes Bad Decisions -- Yes, but he/she has the right to make any decisions he sees fit since, in the end, it's his or her money or reputation on the line. If you want things to change, start being your own boss, nobody is stopping you.
I Don't Have Time to Stay in Shape -- But will you have time to spend in the hospital? If that is not the case then take at least a few minutes each day moving your body, strenuously. Investing time now prevents years of misery later in life!
Taking Risks Would Have Been Foolish -- Guess what: if you are serious about being successful, taking calculated risks every now and then is simply a must. Yes, there are foolish risks which should be avoided but, in the end, you simply have to take your share of calculated risks at a certain point.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Homeward Bound at Last
(author unknown)
I’ve spent nearly four years in this barren place,
do people back home still remember my face?
How is my family doing back home?
Have they been left to grieve all alone?
So many times I thought, finally I’ve been found,
as I heard familiar voices approach from all around!
With rescue eminent, I would shout out my name,
I am Matt Maupin, do you remember my name!
Have you come to rescue me true to your word,
Have my cries for help finally been heard?
You kept the promise, “no man left behind.”
The faith I clung to wasn’t just blind!
Then as the voices slowly faded away,
I knew that rescue wouldn’t come this day!
Gradually each time as hope began to fade,
was the command to end search finally made?
Wait, again, I think I hear that familiar sound,
American soldiers’ foot steps and voices all around,
The sand and dirt around me begins to move away,
Yet I am afraid to believe I am found on this day!
Thank you God for looking over me I begin to cry,
as I feel myself lifted and I look toward the sky.
I reflect on my journey these four years past,
and offer prayer to God I’m “Homeward bound at last!”
I’ve spent nearly four years in this barren place,
do people back home still remember my face?
How is my family doing back home?
Have they been left to grieve all alone?
So many times I thought, finally I’ve been found,
as I heard familiar voices approach from all around!
With rescue eminent, I would shout out my name,
I am Matt Maupin, do you remember my name!
Have you come to rescue me true to your word,
Have my cries for help finally been heard?
You kept the promise, “no man left behind.”
The faith I clung to wasn’t just blind!
Then as the voices slowly faded away,
I knew that rescue wouldn’t come this day!
Gradually each time as hope began to fade,
was the command to end search finally made?
Wait, again, I think I hear that familiar sound,
American soldiers’ foot steps and voices all around,
The sand and dirt around me begins to move away,
Yet I am afraid to believe I am found on this day!
Thank you God for looking over me I begin to cry,
as I feel myself lifted and I look toward the sky.
I reflect on my journey these four years past,
and offer prayer to God I’m “Homeward bound at last!”
THE BOY AND A GLASS OF WATER
A small boy is sent to bed by his mother...
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??"
"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"
[Five minutes later]
"Mommm..."
"WHAT??!!"
“When you come in to spank me whould you bring a glass of water?”
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??"
"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"
[Five minutes later]
"Mommm..."
"WHAT??!!"
“When you come in to spank me whould you bring a glass of water?”
THE BOY AND A GLASS OF WATER
A small boy is sent to bed by his mother...
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??"
"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"
[Five minutes later]
"Mommm..."
"WHAT??!!"
“When you come in to spank me whould you bring a glass of water?”
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"What?"
"I'm thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?"
"No. You had your chance. Lights out."
[Five minutes later]
"Mom..."
"WHAT?"
"I'm THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water??"
"I told you NO! If you ask again I'll have to spank you!!"
[Five minutes later]
"Mommm..."
"WHAT??!!"
“When you come in to spank me whould you bring a glass of water?”
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SEVEN TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
By Pinyo
Successful people know what they want
And they set goals
Successful people don’t just think, they act
So you have set some goals for yourself — great! But if all you do is think about them, you will never accomplish anything. Thinkers think and doers do. But until the thinkers do and the doers think, progress will be just another word in the already overburdened vocabulary of the talkers who talk.
The key is to have the dare to dream and the courage to act.
Successful people have insatiable hunger for knowledge
My motto is never cease to learn, because if I did, I would cease to grow.
Successful people are curious and are not afraid to experiment
This trait goes hand-in-hand with knowledge. People like to say that “curiosity killed the cat”, but I don’t like that proverb much. I think it’s the opposite: lack of curiosity breeds mediocrity.
Successful people build their networks
Networking doesn’t mean sucking up to your boss, or choosing to hang out with important people. True networking is about building relationships at all levels inside and outside of your work environment —
Successful people are passionate about what they do
Do you think Tiger Woods hates golf? Does Gary Kasparov hate chess? Did Shakespeare hate writing? Of course, not! They are passionate about what they do, and have a lot of fun doing it. That’s why they’re so darn good and successful.
Successful people are persistent and patient
I had an interesting conversation with my mom the other day. We were talking about a successful political figure in Thailand. My mom said that he had failed so many times before he made it big — in a sense that having past failures is a bad thing. I disagreed and in my opinion:
People who never made it are as they are because they tried, failed, and never try again.
People who are mediocre are as they are because they found something that works and never try anything else.
People who are successful are as they are because despite their past failures, they kept trying until they found something that worked really well.
Not too many people succeed without effort, determination, and patience. Personally, I have never become good at something without trying a few times, and to get really good at something takes years of practice.
Successful people know what they want
And they set goals
Successful people don’t just think, they act
So you have set some goals for yourself — great! But if all you do is think about them, you will never accomplish anything. Thinkers think and doers do. But until the thinkers do and the doers think, progress will be just another word in the already overburdened vocabulary of the talkers who talk.
The key is to have the dare to dream and the courage to act.
Successful people have insatiable hunger for knowledge
My motto is never cease to learn, because if I did, I would cease to grow.
Successful people are curious and are not afraid to experiment
This trait goes hand-in-hand with knowledge. People like to say that “curiosity killed the cat”, but I don’t like that proverb much. I think it’s the opposite: lack of curiosity breeds mediocrity.
Successful people build their networks
Networking doesn’t mean sucking up to your boss, or choosing to hang out with important people. True networking is about building relationships at all levels inside and outside of your work environment —
Successful people are passionate about what they do
Do you think Tiger Woods hates golf? Does Gary Kasparov hate chess? Did Shakespeare hate writing? Of course, not! They are passionate about what they do, and have a lot of fun doing it. That’s why they’re so darn good and successful.
Successful people are persistent and patient
I had an interesting conversation with my mom the other day. We were talking about a successful political figure in Thailand. My mom said that he had failed so many times before he made it big — in a sense that having past failures is a bad thing. I disagreed and in my opinion:
People who never made it are as they are because they tried, failed, and never try again.
People who are mediocre are as they are because they found something that works and never try anything else.
People who are successful are as they are because despite their past failures, they kept trying until they found something that worked really well.
Not too many people succeed without effort, determination, and patience. Personally, I have never become good at something without trying a few times, and to get really good at something takes years of practice.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
RECYCLING FACTS
Just in time for Earth Day
Throwing away a single aluminum can, versus recycling it, is like pouring out six ounces of gasoline. Last year, Americans recycled enough aluminum cans to conserve the energy equivalent of more than15 million barrels of oil.
The EPA estimates that 75 percent of what Americans throw in the trash could actually be recycled. Currently, only 30 percent is.
The national recycling rate of 30 percent saves the equivalent of more than five billion gallons of gasoline, reducing dependence on foreign oil by 114 million barrels. This could be even higher.
Every Sunday 500,000 trees could be saved if everyone recycled their newspapers.
Running a refrigerator and freezer for one year can produce as much pollution as driving a car from Chicago to Las Vegas
Every minute, 37,000 empty soft drink bottles are thrown away in the United States
Throwing away a single aluminum can, versus recycling it, is like pouring out six ounces of gasoline. Last year, Americans recycled enough aluminum cans to conserve the energy equivalent of more than15 million barrels of oil.
The EPA estimates that 75 percent of what Americans throw in the trash could actually be recycled. Currently, only 30 percent is.
The national recycling rate of 30 percent saves the equivalent of more than five billion gallons of gasoline, reducing dependence on foreign oil by 114 million barrels. This could be even higher.
Every Sunday 500,000 trees could be saved if everyone recycled their newspapers.
Running a refrigerator and freezer for one year can produce as much pollution as driving a car from Chicago to Las Vegas
Every minute, 37,000 empty soft drink bottles are thrown away in the United States
Monday, April 21, 2008
THE SCAR
After an anger outburst, the scar remains with the victim. Especially if it is a woman, women generally remember what you have said for a long time. Be careful when dealing with your anger.
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO LEARN
If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
You should not confuse your career with your life.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Never lick a steak knife.
You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers
People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
You should not confuse your career with your life.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
Never lick a steak knife.
You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers
57 CENT CHURCH
Submitted by Suze Unger
A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.'
'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.
Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus
Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.
As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.
Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: 'This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.'
For two years she had saved for this offering of love
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion
He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.
But the story does not end there...
A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell.
This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.'
'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.
Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus
Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.
As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.
Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: 'This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.'
For two years she had saved for this offering of love
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion
He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.
But the story does not end there...
A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell.
This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
Monday, April 14, 2008
My dog Abbey
ABBEY
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4
year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she
missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when
Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought
we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with
you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have
her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to
swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know
that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith
and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then
Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she
said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to
heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post
office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I
told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch
addressed, "To Meredith , " in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.
Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the
inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened
envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and
this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I
recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in
your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies
in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am
sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have
something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you
write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked
her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4
year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she
missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when
Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought
we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with
you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have
her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to
swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know
that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith
and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then
Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she
said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to
heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post
office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I
told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch
addressed, "To Meredith , " in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.
Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the
inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened
envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and
this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I
recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in
your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies
in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am
sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have
something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you
write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked
her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God
Friday, April 11, 2008
Be Grateful
Author: Peter Gerhard
Source: Unknown
Translator: Unknown
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trails to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to bring you joy.
Always put yourself in another's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't get on well in life until you let go of past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
Source: Unknown
Translator: Unknown
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trails to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to bring you joy.
Always put yourself in another's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't get on well in life until you let go of past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
WHEN IT COMES TO ARGUING WITH WOMEN Thursday 4/10/08
Do not go in for the kill -- Allow her to leave the fight with dignity if you know you've won. Putting that finishing blow in the fight hurts in the long run.
Stay relevant -- Stick to the topic you're arguing about. Don't bring up unrelated issues. Women can beat you at the memory game, so keep past issues in the past, and stick to the disagreement.
Concentrate on the end-result -- Decide what you're arguing about, and what you hope to achieve by the end of it all. When you get there, end the argument.
Don't get personal -- Name calling and one-upmanship will not win you any Nobel peace prizes. Women take vulgarity directed at them to heart. Keep your cool.
Pick your fights -- When it's not worth it, keep it low-key, or just let it go. Every argument takes 20 minutes away from TV time.
Stay relevant -- Stick to the topic you're arguing about. Don't bring up unrelated issues. Women can beat you at the memory game, so keep past issues in the past, and stick to the disagreement.
Concentrate on the end-result -- Decide what you're arguing about, and what you hope to achieve by the end of it all. When you get there, end the argument.
Don't get personal -- Name calling and one-upmanship will not win you any Nobel peace prizes. Women take vulgarity directed at them to heart. Keep your cool.
Pick your fights -- When it's not worth it, keep it low-key, or just let it go. Every argument takes 20 minutes away from TV time.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
From a Firefighter to his wife.......The fireman’s hero
The fireman’s hero
Sits at home alone,
Waiting for her hero to come home.
Her hero is always gone,
With worry and prayer .
She holds an empty bed at night,
She sits alone by an empty seat.
As she claps and cheers,
For their kids at a school auditorium,
each and every year.
She bakes the cakes filled with candles,
As she watches them burn and blow out,
Alone.
As holidays come and go,
She has no hand to hold,
No arms to hold her tight.
Delivering for him miracles of life,
She sacrifices for him,
Teaching, feeding, grooming, and living.
For his miracles, alone.
Putting her dreams, career, and hopes aside,
As she lives a different life, she did not plan,
She stands strong by his side.
I am no hero,
Without my hero.
Sits at home alone,
Waiting for her hero to come home.
Her hero is always gone,
With worry and prayer .
She holds an empty bed at night,
She sits alone by an empty seat.
As she claps and cheers,
For their kids at a school auditorium,
each and every year.
She bakes the cakes filled with candles,
As she watches them burn and blow out,
Alone.
As holidays come and go,
She has no hand to hold,
No arms to hold her tight.
Delivering for him miracles of life,
She sacrifices for him,
Teaching, feeding, grooming, and living.
For his miracles, alone.
Putting her dreams, career, and hopes aside,
As she lives a different life, she did not plan,
She stands strong by his side.
I am no hero,
Without my hero.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
HE IS A FIREMAN
HE IS A FIREMAN the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet hands taller than most of us.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.
He lives it.
Author unknown
He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet hands taller than most of us.
He is a fireman.
He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.
A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.
He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.
He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.
He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.
He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.
When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.
He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.
He lives it.
Author unknown
Monday, April 7, 2008
I BELIEVE
I Believe ...
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 love each other.
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe .
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 Believe....
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe ...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe .....
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe.....
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe ...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe ....
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe ...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe ....
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe....
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe.....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe.......
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 Believe.....
That maturity has more to do with what types of
experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe.....
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe......
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe......
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe .....
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe ......
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe.......
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe......
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe......
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
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 love each other.
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe .
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 Believe....
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe ...
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe .....
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe.....
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe ...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe ....
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe ...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe ....
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe....
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe.....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe.......
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 Believe.....
That maturity has more to do with what types of
experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe.....
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe......
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe......
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe .....
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.
I Believe ......
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe.......
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe......
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe......
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
Friday, April 4, 2008
THE OPERATION
Surgeons from big cities are at a conference discussing who makes the best patients to operate on. The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered." The second says, "Yeah, but you should try electricians. Everything inside them is color coded." The third surgeon says, "I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order." The fourth surgeon shuts them all up when he says, "You're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There are no guts, no heart, no brains, and no spine. And the head the rear are interchangeable."
Thursday, April 3, 2008
BEING A BETTER PARENT
From Readers Digest
First: Provide order and stability. Kids need a routine so they feel calm and reassured. A predictable daily schedule, clear rules, and an organized house make both you and your children more relaxed and comfortable. So when crises do occur, kids know there’s a part of life that won’t change. A calm bedtime routine is a good start.
Next: Hold family meetings. That way everyone knows they’ll have a certain time when they can talk about something that’s bothering them, or share good news. It’s also a good time to plan for the week ahead and avoid last minute anxiety over whether they have a ride to a music lesson or new soccer shoes for practice.
Another path to a happy household: Create rituals. Setting aside special times of the day or week to come together as a family gives kids a sense of continuity. Some families observe religious rituals while others make up their own, like pizza and Scrabble on Friday nights. Rituals give children things to look forward to.
Also: Parents should encourage loving feelings in their children. Studies have shown that parents who spend time playing, joking with, and sharing their own thoughts with their kids have children who are more friendly, generous, and loving. So, take time to just hang out together, and insist that children treat others with kindness and respect - especially their siblings.
And one more way to encourage a happy family: Schedule parent-only time. When you’re upset about bills, or you get angry you’re your spouse, you create an atmosphere that kids might find upsetting. So, take a long walk without the kids and schedule regular dates to help soothe your worries and recreate the love that brought you together in the first place. When you’re happy, you’ll be a much better parent to your children.
First: Provide order and stability. Kids need a routine so they feel calm and reassured. A predictable daily schedule, clear rules, and an organized house make both you and your children more relaxed and comfortable. So when crises do occur, kids know there’s a part of life that won’t change. A calm bedtime routine is a good start.
Next: Hold family meetings. That way everyone knows they’ll have a certain time when they can talk about something that’s bothering them, or share good news. It’s also a good time to plan for the week ahead and avoid last minute anxiety over whether they have a ride to a music lesson or new soccer shoes for practice.
Another path to a happy household: Create rituals. Setting aside special times of the day or week to come together as a family gives kids a sense of continuity. Some families observe religious rituals while others make up their own, like pizza and Scrabble on Friday nights. Rituals give children things to look forward to.
Also: Parents should encourage loving feelings in their children. Studies have shown that parents who spend time playing, joking with, and sharing their own thoughts with their kids have children who are more friendly, generous, and loving. So, take time to just hang out together, and insist that children treat others with kindness and respect - especially their siblings.
And one more way to encourage a happy family: Schedule parent-only time. When you’re upset about bills, or you get angry you’re your spouse, you create an atmosphere that kids might find upsetting. So, take a long walk without the kids and schedule regular dates to help soothe your worries and recreate the love that brought you together in the first place. When you’re happy, you’ll be a much better parent to your children.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It Only Takes a Second
Author: Unknown
A few days ago I got a call from my old college mate whom I haven't seen for a very long time. The topic, which was about all the good old times that we had and about his recent graduation, changed to a touching story when he started talking about his father.
His father's declining health made him to stay at the hospital. Because of his illness, his father suffered from imsomnia and often talking to himself. My friend, who had not been able to sleep for a few days as he had to keep watch of his father's condition, became irritated and told his father to keep silence and try to get some sleep. His father said that he really wanted to sleep well because he was very tired and told my friend to leave him alone in the hospital if he did not want to keep him company.
After his father finished talking he fell unconscious and had to be rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My friend was very sorry for he had spoken ill words towards his father.
My friend, whom I knew as a tough person, cried like a baby on the other end of the telephone. He said that from that moment on he prayed every day asking God to let his father woke up from his coma. He promised himself that whatever words came out from his father's mouth after he regained his conscious would be gladly taken. His only hope was for God to give him a chance to rectify his past mistake, a mistake that he might not forget for the rest of his life...
Often we complain when we have to accompany or to watch over our parents for years, months, days, hours or even minutes. But do we realize that our parents keep us companied and watch over us for as long as we (or they) live? Since the day we were born to our adulthood, and even when death comes to greet us, they are always at our side. When it's time for them to return to God, their memory lingers for the rest of our life.
Imagine how broken-hearted our parents will be to a seemingly inocent word of "no" which comes out from our mouth when they try to embrace us in their tender loving care, but which we often consider as something that bind us and hold us from flying the blue sky. What other words will replace the word "crying" when there are no more tears to shed from their eyes as the tears are wasted to shower our days so that our life would grow and produce fruits and flowers to liven up the dark days of the rotating wheel of life.
We can make promises to ourselves that from now on there will be no more complaints come out from our mouths when we have to watch and accompany our parents. No more complaints come out from our mouths when we feel that our parents have treated us like little children. Have faith, out there there are so many unlucky ones who have neither fathers nor mothers, who long to have the things that we most complain about, but never have them.
Actually, it takes only a second to contemplate and light the lamp that will bring us to where peace is dwelling. Now it's all up to us whether we want to spare our short time for a great and meaningful life ahead of our lives.
A few days ago I got a call from my old college mate whom I haven't seen for a very long time. The topic, which was about all the good old times that we had and about his recent graduation, changed to a touching story when he started talking about his father.
His father's declining health made him to stay at the hospital. Because of his illness, his father suffered from imsomnia and often talking to himself. My friend, who had not been able to sleep for a few days as he had to keep watch of his father's condition, became irritated and told his father to keep silence and try to get some sleep. His father said that he really wanted to sleep well because he was very tired and told my friend to leave him alone in the hospital if he did not want to keep him company.
After his father finished talking he fell unconscious and had to be rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My friend was very sorry for he had spoken ill words towards his father.
My friend, whom I knew as a tough person, cried like a baby on the other end of the telephone. He said that from that moment on he prayed every day asking God to let his father woke up from his coma. He promised himself that whatever words came out from his father's mouth after he regained his conscious would be gladly taken. His only hope was for God to give him a chance to rectify his past mistake, a mistake that he might not forget for the rest of his life...
Often we complain when we have to accompany or to watch over our parents for years, months, days, hours or even minutes. But do we realize that our parents keep us companied and watch over us for as long as we (or they) live? Since the day we were born to our adulthood, and even when death comes to greet us, they are always at our side. When it's time for them to return to God, their memory lingers for the rest of our life.
Imagine how broken-hearted our parents will be to a seemingly inocent word of "no" which comes out from our mouth when they try to embrace us in their tender loving care, but which we often consider as something that bind us and hold us from flying the blue sky. What other words will replace the word "crying" when there are no more tears to shed from their eyes as the tears are wasted to shower our days so that our life would grow and produce fruits and flowers to liven up the dark days of the rotating wheel of life.
We can make promises to ourselves that from now on there will be no more complaints come out from our mouths when we have to watch and accompany our parents. No more complaints come out from our mouths when we feel that our parents have treated us like little children. Have faith, out there there are so many unlucky ones who have neither fathers nor mothers, who long to have the things that we most complain about, but never have them.
Actually, it takes only a second to contemplate and light the lamp that will bring us to where peace is dwelling. Now it's all up to us whether we want to spare our short time for a great and meaningful life ahead of our lives.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
GETTING OLDER
(from BoomerBaby.com) Now that I am older, here's what I have discovered:
· I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
· My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.
· I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
· Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded...
· All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.
· If all is not lost, where is it?
· It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
· Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.
· I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.
· Kids in the back seat cause accidents.
· Accidents in the back seat - cause kids.
· It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
· Only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
· If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
· When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?
· It's not hard to meet expenses... they're everywhere.
· The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
· These days I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter... I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm here after.
· I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
· My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran.
· I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
· Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded...
· All reports are in; life is now officially unfair.
· If all is not lost, where is it?
· It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
· Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.
· I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.
· Kids in the back seat cause accidents.
· Accidents in the back seat - cause kids.
· It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
· Only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom.
· If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
· When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to play chess?
· It's not hard to meet expenses... they're everywhere.
· The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
· These days I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter... I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm here after.
Friday, March 28, 2008
"The Wolves Within"
An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."
He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way."
"But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eye and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather solemnly said, "The one I feed."
He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way."
"But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eye and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather solemnly said, "The one I feed."
Thursday, March 27, 2008
THE RIGHT CHICKEN
The US Federal Aviation Administration has a unique device for testing the strength of windshields on airplanes. The device is a gun that launches a dead chicken at a plane's windshield at approximately the speed the plane flies. The theory is that if the windshield doesn't crack from the carcass impact, it'll survive a real collision with a bird during
flight. It seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windshield on a brand new, speedy locomotive they're developing. They borrowed FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired. The ballistic chicken shattered the windshield, broke the engineer's chair and embedded itself in the back wall of the engine's cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly. The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had one recommendation: Use a thawed chicken.
flight. It seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windshield on a brand new, speedy locomotive they're developing. They borrowed FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired. The ballistic chicken shattered the windshield, broke the engineer's chair and embedded itself in the back wall of the engine's cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly. The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had one recommendation: Use a thawed chicken.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
No Different
Author: Shel Silverstein
Small as a peanut,
Big as a giant,
We're all the same size
When we turn off the light.
Rich as a sultan,
Poor as a mite,
We're all worth the same
When we turn off the light.
Red, black or orange,
Yellow or white,
We all look the same
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for God to just reach out
And turn off the light!
Small as a peanut,
Big as a giant,
We're all the same size
When we turn off the light.
Rich as a sultan,
Poor as a mite,
We're all worth the same
When we turn off the light.
Red, black or orange,
Yellow or white,
We all look the same
When we turn off the light.
So maybe the way
To make everything right
Is for God to just reach out
And turn off the light!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
POSITIVE STORY
Sometimes people under estimate the power of positive thinking. You can use motivation and positive thinking to help achieve anything that you would like to achieve. Your goal could be losing weight, buying a house, get a new job, or anything you decide.
Here is an example of a positive thinking story. There was a guy named Joe who worked for a company and was trying to use that money to pay his bills and pay his way for post secondary education. Unfortunately one day something not too pleasant happened, he got fired from his job and he did not exactly know what the reason was.
However one day he found out that it was not that he was doing anything bad it is just that the company had to lay off a number of people and he happened to be one of them. After hearing this he was quite depressed however he was reading some positive thinking books which helped him change the way that he was feeling about his situation.
He realized that the job gave him good experience and something beneficial that he could add to his resume. He was motivated to find another job this time something that he knew would be permanent and maybe benefit him even more then the other one did. The best thing that happened to him was that within three weeks the job called him back to offer him a permanent position within the company.
This was definitely something positive. Sometimes you must realize that even though something bad happens in your life something positive is sure to follow if you stay positive. Remember that many people cruise through life not having a clue about what they want, and just simply react to what comes along, they either choose to accept it or reject it. It is up to you to choose what you want to do.
Here is an example of a positive thinking story. There was a guy named Joe who worked for a company and was trying to use that money to pay his bills and pay his way for post secondary education. Unfortunately one day something not too pleasant happened, he got fired from his job and he did not exactly know what the reason was.
However one day he found out that it was not that he was doing anything bad it is just that the company had to lay off a number of people and he happened to be one of them. After hearing this he was quite depressed however he was reading some positive thinking books which helped him change the way that he was feeling about his situation.
He realized that the job gave him good experience and something beneficial that he could add to his resume. He was motivated to find another job this time something that he knew would be permanent and maybe benefit him even more then the other one did. The best thing that happened to him was that within three weeks the job called him back to offer him a permanent position within the company.
This was definitely something positive. Sometimes you must realize that even though something bad happens in your life something positive is sure to follow if you stay positive. Remember that many people cruise through life not having a clue about what they want, and just simply react to what comes along, they either choose to accept it or reject it. It is up to you to choose what you want to do.
Monday, March 24, 2008
MARTHA STEWART VS REAL WORLD
Martha's Way
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
REAL WORLD WAY
Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix , keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you.
If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up."
If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!"
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
Celery? Never heard of it!
Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.
Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink!
If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.
Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
Leftover wine???????????
HELLO !!!!!!!
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
REAL WORLD WAY
Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway!
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix , keep it in the pantry for up to a year.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.
Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you.
If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up."
If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!"
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
Celery? Never heard of it!
Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.
Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink!
If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.
Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
Leftover wine???????????
HELLO !!!!!!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Pastor's Business Card
A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners.
At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came
to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the
back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card
had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.'
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of
laughter.
Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'
Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I
was naked.'
At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came
to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the
back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card
had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.'
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of
laughter.
Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'
Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I
was naked.'
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Making Dreams Come True
By Bettina R. Flores
From "Chiquita's Cocoon
As a child picking grapes, I say that although we worked hard, we never really got anywhere. Finishing one crop meant starting another. We were so busy working hard, bent and stooped over, it never occurred to us to stand up straight and look around for better opportunities. By settling for the first job we found, we eliminated any chance for better ones. Had we used our minds more and our backs less, we would have had many more opportunities available to us.
What a pity.
I was fortunate. I used my hot years under the grapevines to dream and picture. My self-conversations went like this: "I hate the heat and this dirty work. When I get older I'm going to work in an air-conditioned office and live in a big, cool house. I'm going to go to school and study so I won't have to work in the fields all my life. I'm going to marry a kind, generous man. He'll be an elegant dresser and have a briefcase."
Would you believe I married exactly such a man, who later became an attorney and turned out to be a clotheshorse? We get what we picture. Throughout my life, the many pictures I have held steady in my mind have materialized. They can and will for your, too.
From "Chiquita's Cocoon
As a child picking grapes, I say that although we worked hard, we never really got anywhere. Finishing one crop meant starting another. We were so busy working hard, bent and stooped over, it never occurred to us to stand up straight and look around for better opportunities. By settling for the first job we found, we eliminated any chance for better ones. Had we used our minds more and our backs less, we would have had many more opportunities available to us.
What a pity.
I was fortunate. I used my hot years under the grapevines to dream and picture. My self-conversations went like this: "I hate the heat and this dirty work. When I get older I'm going to work in an air-conditioned office and live in a big, cool house. I'm going to go to school and study so I won't have to work in the fields all my life. I'm going to marry a kind, generous man. He'll be an elegant dresser and have a briefcase."
Would you believe I married exactly such a man, who later became an attorney and turned out to be a clotheshorse? We get what we picture. Throughout my life, the many pictures I have held steady in my mind have materialized. They can and will for your, too.
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