Saturday, May 19, 2007

Only angles can fly

In the late 1800s, a well-known bishop was traveling the United States, speaking to religious and academic leaders.

At one of his stops, he was invited to have dinner with some prominent leaders. During the dinner he was asked, "What do you think the future holds for us?"

After a moment's pause, he replied, "The future is bleak, and in my opinion, we have discovered all there is to discover, created all there is to create, and invented all there is to invent." One of the leaders commented, "I think someday, man shall learn to fly like the birds."

To this, the bishop replied, "You are mad, flight is only reserved for the angels." With that statement he stormed out of the room.

That bishop's last name was Wright. And years later, his two sons Orville and Wilbur, made the dream of flying real on the windswept salt marshes of Kitty Hawk!

We live in a world full of riches. We have to be open to the idea of change. Never under rate yourself and others. Others will ridicule and laugh at your ideas but you will have the last laugh at the end.

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One day

Yet another presentation that'll hold your attention all the way, as you learn the importance of waking up to your priorities in life ...the ones you've been postponing for that 'one day'

Hope you'll like it as much I did.

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The Frog story

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition.

The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began. But honestly, no one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. Screams started piercing the morale of the team right from the start.

"Oh, way too difficult!"

"They will never make it to the top."

"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

And sure enough, the tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one.

Except for one frog, who in a fresh tempo was climbing higher and higher.

The crowd continued to yell "it is too difficult. No one will make it..." And more and more tiny frogs got tired and gave up ...but that one frog continued higher and higher and higher--this one just wouldn’t give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who after a big effort was the only one who reached the top!

Other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it. So a contestant finally asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to reach the goal? And it turned out...

...that the winner was deaf!

Never listen to other people’s tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you--the ones you have in your heart.

Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions. Be deaf when people tell you that you cannot fulfill your dreams. Always think: I can do this.

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The Will To Win

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it

If only desire of it
Makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it,
Makes you hold all other things tawdry
and cheap for it

If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,

If gladly you'll sweat for it,
Fret for it, Plan for it,
Lose all your terror of God or man for it,

If you'll simply go after that thing that you want.
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,

If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness nor pain
Of body or brain
Can turn you away from the thing that you want,

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You'll get it!

Author: Berton Braley

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Friday, May 18, 2007

The Turtles

A turtle family decided to go on a picnic. Turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outing. Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place.

During the second year of their journey they found a place ideal for them at last!

For about six months they cleaned the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements. Then they discovered they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed.

After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.

Three years passed and the little turtle had not returned. Five years... six years... then on the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and begun to unwrap a sandwich.

At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "See! I knew you wouldn't wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt!"


Moral of the story: Some of us waste our time waiting for people to live up to our expectations. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don't do anything ourselves. Remember, no one can speak for you, no one can live for you & no one can think for you. Your life is in your hands, do not waste it. Time wasted is life wasted.

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To my child

I happened to stumble upon this loving piece of composition. I hope you'll feel touched too.

Just for this morning,
I am going to smile
when I see your face and laugh
when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you
choose what you want to wear,
and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry
and pick you up and take you
to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave
the dishes in the sink,
and let you teach me how to put
that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone
and keep the computer off, and sit with you
in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell
once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream
and whine for the ice cream truck,
and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry
about what you are going to be when you grow up, or
second guess every decision I have made
where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you
help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you
trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us
to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can
have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you
in my arms and tell you a story about how you were
born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you
splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you
stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you
for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger
through your hair as you pray, I will simply be
grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers
who are searching for their missing children, the
mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's
graves instead of their bedrooms. The mothers
and fathers who are in hospital rooms
watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming
inside that little body

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold
you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then,
that I will thank God for you, and ask him for

Nothing, except one more day.

Author unknown

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The devil inside us

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said , "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

But to his surprise, grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you".

The lesson lies here: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, debt, fear, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.)... whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets too.

Always remember: God is at the window!

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Tasting the raindrops

Looking in your eyes
I feel myself falling in love with you
You said I love you
And I said it too

We went to our very own special spot
For no real reason at all
We sat and talked and looked at one another
And then the rain began to fall

We could have left just as quick as we came
But no, you wanted to stay in the rain.
You asked me a question I'll never forget
Have you ever tasted the raindrops?

I looked at you funny and you gave me a sigh
The cutest look, as I wondered, why?
Why, did you ask me to taste the rain?
Well, what did have to loose or gain?

I watched you with a careful eye
And did the same as you
You were looking up at the cloudy sky
But my eyes were stuck on you like glue

I lifted my head to look at the sky
And closed my eyes really tight
Just as I thought I'd caught a raindrop
You suddenly held me tight

I opened my eyes with slight alarm
As you kissed me soft and sweet
I remember that kiss like it was yesterday
I still feel those raindrops on my cheek

I tasted the raindrops like I never had before
It was worth every second of bliss
Every time I think of that moment
I think of my raindrop kiss

We sat close together on that one special rock
And we held each other tight
Then almost as suddenly as it came
The sun came out from beneath the rain

The most beautiful colors I've ever seen
Came out on the western sky
The sun was setting and the moment was perfect
More than any money could buy

As the sun slowly set and the sky lit up
You began carving our names in our special rock
I told you I would never forget this moment
In my heart this memory is locked

As our names were finished and permanently engraved
We watched the sun finish its day
We slowly got up to leave this place
Which was a year ago this May

I haven't been to that spot in a year
Where did all the time go?
I will visit this place alone this time
And I will finally have to let go

This memory will be in my heart forever
But you will not remain in my mind
I don't know if that love, will be seen again
For that love I cannot find

I will go to this spot as we promised we would
But you will not be there this time
Why is it that you can't keep your promise?
I know that I'm keeping mine

Never again will I taste the raindrops
The way I did with you
And when I go to this spot again
I will say goodbye to you.


Author Unknown

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The other woman

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I had started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife's idea!

"I know that you love her," she said one day, taking me by surprise. "But I love you," I protested. To which she reassuringly said "I know sweetheart. But you also love her."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us". She thought about it for a moment then said "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. my mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu to her. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entry, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used t o have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time for you to relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary - but catching up on recent events of each others lives. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you". I was so happy to agree.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said:

"My dear son, I paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant to me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying in time the words "I LOVE YOU" and giving our loved ones the time that they deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than God and your family and friends. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off 'till some other time'.
Someone once said that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

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Let me be your voice

From the very beginning, girl's family objected strongly on her dating this guy, saying that it has got to do with family background, & that the girl will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.

Due to family's pressure, the couple quarreled very often. Though the girl loved the guy deeply, she always asked him: "How deep is your love for me?" As the guy is not good with his words, this often caused the girl to be very upset. With that & the family's pressure, the girl often vents her anger on him. As for him, he only endured it in silence.

After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl:

"I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?" The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he left, they got engaged. The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls. Though it was hard, but both never thought of giving up.

One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. when she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realized that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. she had lost her voice...

The doctor said that the impact on her brain had caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from her, she broke down. Upon reaching home, everything seemed to be the same, except for the ringing tone of the phone which pierced into her heart every time it rang. She did not wish to let the guy know & not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she did not wish to wait any longer.

With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions & millions of reply, countless of phone calls,.. all the girl could do, besides crying, was crying more. The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.

With a new environment, the girl learns sign language & started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend came & told her that he's back. She asked her friend not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him. A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing a invitation card for the guy's wedding. The girl was shattered. When she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead. When she was about to ask her friend what's going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her.

He used sign language to tell her "I've spent a year to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You." With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger. The girl broke into endless tears as she hugged him, for life.

Treat every relationship as if it's the last one, then you'll know how to give. Treat every moment as is it's the last day, then you'll know how to treasure.

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Gift of love

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she's settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.

It had been a year since Susan became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosiss she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. 'How could this have happened to me?' she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth, her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. All she had to cling to was her husband Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength she needed to become independent again.

Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly.

Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."

Mark's heart broke but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each day he would ride the bus with her until she got the hang of it.

And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office.

Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better.

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? "Why do you envy me?"

The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, "What do you mean?" The driver said, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was blessed, so blessed, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.

You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her.

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

She doesn't know me anymore

I was a nurse at a local hospital. And that day I remember still, it was a busy morning time, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80's, presented to have sutures (stitches) removed from his thumb.

He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning somewhere else, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me "No, I need to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with my wife" with a smile.

"Oh, I am sorry. How's her
health now?" I inquired out of growing compassion for him.

"Well, she had been there for a while and is was a victim of Alzheimer Disease".

I went silent.

Little later, a
s I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. "I don't think so dear. She no longer knows who I am. She has not recognized me in five years now".

I was shaken. "And Sir, you are still going there every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?", I apparently couldn't make sense out of it!

He smiled, patted my hand and said, "Well dear, she doesn't know me... but I still know who she is", and I saw him hurriedly making his way of out of the door stretching the last bit from his old muscles.

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and wished to myself, "that is the kind of love I want in my life".

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

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At times, love's just like a fairy tale

A girl and a boy were on a motorcycle, speeding through the night. They loved each other a lot. She knew he was skilled rider, but today he was a more speedy than usual. She started to get little nervous..

Girl: Slow down a little.. I'm scared!

Boy: No, it's so fun.

Girl: please..it's so scary


Boy: Ok then say that you love me


Girl: Fine.. I love you. Can you slow down now?


Boy: Give me a big hug


The girl gave him a big hug
.

Girl: Now can you slow down?


Boy: Can you take off my helmet and put it on? It's uncomfortable
and it's bothering me while I ride.

The next day, there was a story in the newspaper. A motorcycle had crashed into a building because its brakes were broken. There were two people on the motorcycle, of which one died, and the other had survived... The guy knew that the brakes were broken. He didn't want to let the girl know, because he knew that the girl would have gotten scared. Instead, he was told the last time that she loved him,got a hug from her, put his helmet on her so that she can live, and die himself...

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.

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I have realized

Simple words, but just too precious to ignore.

I have realized that tears convey more,
than what words can ever say

I have realized that the lonlier you feel,
lonlier the world makes you feel

I have realized that words hurt people more,
than the wounds they have suffered in life

I have realized that no matter how many times I pray,
I will only get what I rightfully deserve

I have realized that even if I deserve the award,
I got to be humble in order to get it

I have realized that when I am ecstatic about something,
there are almost never enough people to share it with

I have realized that a face is not as important,
as it is made to believe

I have realized that its not always a coward who gives up fight,
sometimes smart people too.

I have realized that kids are never at fault,
they just mirror our faults.

I have realized that every relationship has an expiry date,
its upto us to make most out of it.

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Rock Solid Leadership

'Rock-solid Leadership'.. let this beautiful presentation tell you what it is all about. Plug your earphones, click on the link below, then sit back and enjoy..

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Nails in the fence

Once upon a time there was a boy with a very difficult character. He just couldn't seem to control his anger and outburst.

One day his father gave him a bag full of nails and said "Son, I want you to drive one nail into the garden fence every time you lose your patience or have an argument with someone". He nodded to him in respect, though not grasping what his father actually meant from that.

The very first day, true to his nature, the boy drove 37 nails in the garden fence!

But in the following weeks, the boy learned to control himself and the number of nails driven into the fence started to lower in count. Gradually, the boy discovered that it is easier to learn to control himself than to hammer nails in the fence. At last the day came when the boy did not drive any nails into the garden fence. Tracing the lesson from words of his wise father, he went up to him and said "Father I made it finally! Today I did not need to hammer any nails. You've brought a change to my life with this lesson indeed!".

"No my son, the lesson ain't over yet", the calm words from this man of wisdom took him in surprise. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Now, I want you to take one nail out from the fence for every day you further succeed in controlling your temper and not losing your patience". He agreed in excitement this time, and though it did take time, it did not take as much as before. Once again, the boy was proud to disclose before his father that he has taken all nails out of the fence.

"Now, tell me father, what did you mean by this", he was curious to see the big picture this time.

"Sure boy, first lets walk over to have a look at the fence my dear", and then, pointing to the fence the father told him "My son, sure you have behaved well. But can you also see look how many holes you have left in the good old fence by now? And you know it will never be the same, will it? Well, similarly dear, when you have an argument with someone and abuse them, you leave them with wounds like these ones in the fence. You can stab a man and then take the knife out, but you will always leave a wound. It does not matter how many times you say sorry, the scars will stay. A wound caused by words hurts just as bad as a physical wound." The father concluded with these words, as the boy stood there--speechless.

Those who love you are rare jewels, they make you smile and support you. They are ready to listen to you whenever you need it, they support you and they open their heart to you. Never fail to show them how much you love them.

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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I won't need it after I die

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it." Silence broke in the pause that he took.

"Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."

Sally ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. She walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke, her hand could gather a folded letter crumbled beneath the pillow was a folded letter. It said

"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. If you want to adopt a kid so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. If you get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like my old toys as we boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. But if he is a boy he can have my room and old stuff to play with, you see i wont need it after I die. Don't be sad thinking about me. Someday I hope to see you again."

It reminded her..

It was his idea to donate his dead body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. Sally said no at first, but he said, "Mom, Maybe my body would help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom. You see I won't need it after I die."

This is love. Selfless, unconditional.. and pure.

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What, you don't have email?!

I came across this interesting piece of read which has a wonderful message to imbibe. Don't look for its authenticity please, just enjoy the lesson..

Once upon a time, a jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.

"You are employed." He said." Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start."

The man replied "But I don't have a computer, neither an email."

I'm sorry", said the HR manager, "If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job."

The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10Kg tomato crate. He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the Operation three times, and returned home with $60. The man realized that he can survive by this Way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late. It so happened that his smart work saw his money doubling every other day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. And then, 5 years later , the man got recognized one of the biggest food retailers in the US.

Then one day, he started to think about his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance.

So he called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email". The broker answered curiously, "You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!"

The man thought for a while and replied, "Yes. I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!"

Moral of the story: Don't let people define what's success for you. Each of us has a unique gift of God, called talent. Use it. Believe in it. And soon you'd find yourself leading a path other's haven't even dreamed of yet.

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Echo of life

A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: " aahhhhhhhhhh.."

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain "aahhhhhhhhhh.."

Curious, he yells: " Who are you?" He receives the answer: " Who are you?"

Angered at the response, he screams: " Coward!" He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: " My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: " I admire you!" The voice answers: " I admire you!"

Again the man screams: "You are a champion!" The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains: " People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

Your life is not a coincidence, its merely a reflection of you.

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Shay

Shay and his father walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

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A Carrot, an Egg, and the Coffee Bean

Read this, and you may never look at a cup of coffee the same way again!
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. " I do not know how I am going to make it. I want to give up mom. I am tired of fighting and struggling, it seems as one problem was solved, a new one arises".

With something on her mind, the mother took her daughter to the kitchen. She watched as her mom filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.

In the first she placed carrots. In the second she placed eggs. And in the last pot she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word, as the daughter watched perplexed!

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners, then asked "Tell me what you see, my child"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee", she replied.

"Yes, but not as they were before", her words were pointing to something she tried hard to figure by herself, but couldn't.

Now the mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. They were soft. Now she took the egg and broke it, and apparently it was hard-boiled from inside. Finally, the mother pointed towards the rich and fresh aroma coming out of coffee. The daughter couldn't help but ask "What does it mean, mother?"

She finally spoke looking in her eyes "My dear, each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. However, the ground coffee beans were unique--after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water with its smell as taste!"

"Now tell me, which of these are you? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?", the wise lady asked her daughter with a suggestive smile.

And let me ask you this too, "Who are YOU?"

Are you the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose you strength?

Or are you the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Do you have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you become hardened and stiff? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside you are bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity?

Remember:
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 go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

May we all be the coffee bean.

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The Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up. Shake it off and take a step up!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have
4. Give more
5. Expect less

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Sunday, May 6, 2007

Line of fire

Vivek Pradhan wasn't a happy man. Even the plush comfort of the First Class air-conditioned compartment of the Shatabdi express couldn't cool his frayed nerves. He was the Project Manager and still not entitled to air travel. It was not the prestige he sought, he had tried to reason with the admin guy, it was the savings in time. A PM had so many things to do! He opened his case and took out the laptop, determined to put the time to some good use.

"Are you from the software industry sir," the man beside him was staring appreciatively at the laptop. Vivek glanced briefly and mumbled in affirmation, handling the laptop now with exaggerated care and importance as if it were an expensive car.

"You people have brought so much advancement to the country sir. Today everything is getting computerized."

"Thanks," smiled Vivek, turning around to give the man a look.

He always found it difficult to resist appreciation. The man was young and stocky like a sportsman. He looked simple and strangely out of place in that little lap of luxury like a small town boy in a prep school. He probably was a Railway sportsman making the most of his free traveling pass.

"You people always amaze me," the man continued, "You sit in an office and write something on a computer and it does so many big things outside."

Vivek smiled deprecatingly. Naivety demanded reasoning Not anger. "It is not as simple as that my friend. It is not just A question of writing a few lines. There is a lot of process that Goes behind it."

For a moment he was tempted to explain the entire Software Development Lifecycle but restrained himself to a single statement. "It is complex, very complex."

"It has to be. No wonder you people are so highly paid," came the reply. This was not turning out as Vivek had thought. A hint of belligerence came into his so far affable, persuasive tone.

"Everyone just sees the money. No one sees the amount of hard work we have to put in." "Hard work!" "Indians have such a narrow concept of hard work. Just because we sit in an air-conditioned office doesn't mean our brows don't sweat. You exercise the muscle; we exercise the mind and believe me that is no less taxing."

He had the man where he wanted him and it was time to drive home the point. "Let me give you an example. Take this train. The entire railway reservation system is computerized. You can book a train ticket between any two stations from any of the hundreds of computerized booking centers across the country. Thousands of transactions accessing a single database at a given time; concurrency, data integrity, locking, data security. Do you understand the complexity in designing and coding such a system?"

The man was stuck with amazement, like a child at a planetarium. This was something big and beyond his imagination. "You design and code such things?"

"I used to," Vivek paused for effect, "But now I am the Project manager,"

"Oh!" sighed the man, as if the storm had passed over, "so your life is easy now." It was like being told the fire was better than the frying pan. The man had to be given a feel of the heat.

"Oh come on, does life ever get easy as you go up the ladder. Responsibility only brings more work. Design and coding! That is the easier part. Now I don't do it, but I am responsible for it and believe me, that is far more stressful. My job is to get the work done in time and with the highest quality. And to tell you about the pressures! There is the customer at one end always changing his requirements, the user wanting something else and your boss always expecting you to have finished it yesterday."

Vivek paused in his diatribe, his belligerence fading with self-realisation. What he had said was not merely the outburst of a wronged man, it was the truth. And one need not get Angry while defending the truth. "My friend," he concluded triumphantly, "you don't know what it is to be in the line of fire."

The man sat back in his chair, his eyes closed as if in realization.When he spoke after sometime, it was with a calm certainty that surprised Vivek..

"I know sir, I know what it is to be in the line of fire," He was staring blankly as if no passenger, no train existed, just a vast expanse of time. "There were 30 of us when we were ordered to capture Point 4875 in the cover of the night. The enemy was firing from the top. There was no knowing where the next bullet was going to come from and for whom. In the morning when we finally hoisted the tricolor at the top only 4 of us were alive."

"You are a..."

"I am Subedar Sushant from the 13 J&K Rifles on duty at Peak 4875 in Kargil. They tell me I have completed my term and can opt for a land assignment. But tell me sir, can one give up duty just because it makes life easier. On the dawn of that capture one of my colleagues lay injured in the snow, open to enemy fire while we were hiding behind a bunker. It was my job to go and fetch that soldier to safety. But my captain refused me permission and went ahead himself. He said that the first pledge he had taken as a Gentleman Cadet was to put the safety and welfare of the nation foremost followed by the safety and welfare of the men he commanded. His own personal safety came last, always and every time. He was killed as he shielded that soldier into the bunker. Every morning now as I stand guard I can see him taking all those bullets, which were actually meant for me. I know sir, I know what it is to be in the line of fire."

Vivek looked at him in disbelief not sure of his reply. Abruptly he switched off the laptop. It seemed trivial, even insulting to edit a word document in the presence of a man for whom valor and duty was a daily part of life; a valor and sense of duty which he had so far attributed only to epical heroes. The train slowed down as it pulled into the station and Subedar Sushant picked up his bags to alight.

"It was nice meeting you sir."

Vivek fumbled with the handshake. This was the hand that had climbed mountains, pressed the trigger and hoisted the tricolor. Suddenly as if by impulse he stood at attention, and his right hand went up in an impromptu salute.It was the least he felt he could do for the country.

The incident he narrates during the capture of Peak 4875 is a true life incident during the Kargil war. Major Batra Sacrificed his life while trying to save one of the men he commanded, as victory was within sight. For this and his various other acts of bravery he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra - the nation's highest military award.

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Make a difference

Another sparkling presentation that may leave you numb for a moment.. and help you realize why taking even a small step can make so much of difference in someone's life...

Watch it now at: http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com

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Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Stretch yourself

As a college student, George studied very hard and always late in the night... So late that he overslept one morning, arriving 20 minutes late for class.

He quickly copied the two math problems on the board, assuming they were the homework assignment. It took him several days to work through the two problems but finally he had a breakthrough and dropped the homework on the professor's desk the next day. Later, on a Sunday morning, George was awakened at 6 a.m. by his excited professor.

Since George was late for class, he hadn't heard the professor announce that the two unsolvable equations on the board were mathematical mind teasers that even Einstein hadn't been able to answer. But George Dantzig, working without any thoughts of limitation, had solved not one, but two problems that had stumped mathematicians for thousands of years! Simply put, George solved the problems because he didn't know he couldn't.

That boy was none other than George Dantzig--who is today known as the 'Father of Linear Programming.'

Stretch yourself to the maximum to know your limits.

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