Here is a bubbly good song. How do I know that? It's the Winner of the Webby Award for Viral Video!
How did I discovered it? Michael Marlatt shared it on his swell slideshow about Web 2.0 on SlideShare.
It's a 144 slides plus videos presentation. Way to go Michael. I wish I can be so long winded entertaining.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Do you get what you want?
From My InBox:
We never get what we want,
we never want what we get,
we never have what we like,
we never like what we have,
still we Live & Love.
This is Life..........
We never get what we want,
we never want what we get,
we never have what we like,
we never like what we have,
still we Live & Love.
This is Life..........
THE WIT AND THE WISDOM OF HOMER J. SIMPSON
From My InBox:
"Now son you don't want to drink beer. That's for Daddys and kids with fake IDs."
"Marge it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen."
"You couldn't fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life if you had an electrified fooling machine."
"Marge don't discourage the boy! Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel."
"If you really want something in life you have to work for it. Now quiet they're about to announce the lottery numbers."
"To alcohol! The cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems!"
"I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to speed around a city keeping its speed over 50and if its speed changed it would explode! I think it was called'The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down.'"
"I want to share something with you - three sentences that will get you through life:
Number one'Cover for me.'
Number two'Ohgood idea boss.'
Number three'It was like that when I got here.'"
"Marge you're as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda."
"Step aside everyone! Sensitive love letters are my specialty. 'Dear BabyWelcome to Dumpsville. Population: you.'"
"Don't let Krusty's death get you down boy. People die all the time. Just like that. Why you could wake up dead tomorrow. Wellgood night."
"Son when you participate in sporting events it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get."
"Lisa if the Bible has taught us nothing else - and it hasn't - it's that girls should stick to girls' sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing and such and such."
"Lisa if you don't like your job you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way."
"Stealing! How could you? Haven't you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain whats-his-name?
We live in a society of laws. Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well I didn't hear anybody laughin' did you?"
"Television - teacher mother secret lover!"
"Maybe just once someone will call me 'sir' without adding 'you're making a scene.'"
"Now son you don't want to drink beer. That's for Daddys and kids with fake IDs."
"Marge it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen."
"You couldn't fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life if you had an electrified fooling machine."
"Marge don't discourage the boy! Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel."
"If you really want something in life you have to work for it. Now quiet they're about to announce the lottery numbers."
"To alcohol! The cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems!"
"I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to speed around a city keeping its speed over 50and if its speed changed it would explode! I think it was called'The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down.'"
"I want to share something with you - three sentences that will get you through life:
Number one'Cover for me.'
Number two'Ohgood idea boss.'
Number three'It was like that when I got here.'"
"Marge you're as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda."
"Step aside everyone! Sensitive love letters are my specialty. 'Dear BabyWelcome to Dumpsville. Population: you.'"
"Don't let Krusty's death get you down boy. People die all the time. Just like that. Why you could wake up dead tomorrow. Wellgood night."
"Son when you participate in sporting events it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get."
"Lisa if the Bible has taught us nothing else - and it hasn't - it's that girls should stick to girls' sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing and such and such."
"Lisa if you don't like your job you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way."
"Stealing! How could you? Haven't you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain whats-his-name?
We live in a society of laws. Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well I didn't hear anybody laughin' did you?"
"Television - teacher mother secret lover!"
"Maybe just once someone will call me 'sir' without adding 'you're making a scene.'"
Monday, January 19, 2009
THE GREATEST THINGS
From My InBox:
The late Earl Nightingale, teacher, mentor and colleague, wrote down some definitions called, "The Greatest Things."
During our careers, we've reviewed them often to help us remember just what's important and what isn't.
Here they are - The Greatest Things:
‧ The best day, today.
‧ The greatest puzzle, life.
‧ The best policy, honesty.
‧ The greatest thought, God.
‧ The greatest mystery, death.
‧ The best work, work you like.
‧ The greatest mistake, giving up.
‧ The most ridiculous asset, pride.
‧ The greatest need, common sense.
‧ The most dangerous person, a liar.
‧ The best advice, use good manners.
‧ The wisest short-cut, develop mentors.
‧ The greatest fault, to be aware of none.
‧ The greatest truth, we reap what we sow.
‧ The most expensive indulgence, self-pity.
‧ The greatest deceiver, one who deceives self.
‧ The best habit, making good on all commitments.
‧ The best teacher, one who brings out the best in you.
‧ The saddest feeling, feeling envious of another's success.
‧ The greatest thing in the world, love - love of family, home, friends, associates, company and country.
And here are some definitions taken from the backs of business cards and meeting notes we've accumulated along the way.
‧ The greatest handicap, egotism.
‧ The greatest victory, victory over self.
‧ The most certain thing in business, change.
‧ The greatest job, being needed and appreciated.
‧ The greatest gamble, substituting hope for facts.
‧ The strongest competitive edge, a high level of energy.
‧ The most effective habit, sound time management.
‧ The greatest guarantee of success, honest intelligent effort.
‧ The best action, keeping the mind clear and judgment good.
‧ The greatest selling strategy, speaking as one who has authority.
‧ The greatest waste, the vast reservoir of talents and abilities most of us possess but never quite get around to using.
Make 2009 great in every way!
The late Earl Nightingale, teacher, mentor and colleague, wrote down some definitions called, "The Greatest Things."
During our careers, we've reviewed them often to help us remember just what's important and what isn't.
Here they are - The Greatest Things:
‧ The best day, today.
‧ The greatest puzzle, life.
‧ The best policy, honesty.
‧ The greatest thought, God.
‧ The greatest mystery, death.
‧ The best work, work you like.
‧ The greatest mistake, giving up.
‧ The most ridiculous asset, pride.
‧ The greatest need, common sense.
‧ The most dangerous person, a liar.
‧ The best advice, use good manners.
‧ The wisest short-cut, develop mentors.
‧ The greatest fault, to be aware of none.
‧ The greatest truth, we reap what we sow.
‧ The most expensive indulgence, self-pity.
‧ The greatest deceiver, one who deceives self.
‧ The best habit, making good on all commitments.
‧ The best teacher, one who brings out the best in you.
‧ The saddest feeling, feeling envious of another's success.
‧ The greatest thing in the world, love - love of family, home, friends, associates, company and country.
And here are some definitions taken from the backs of business cards and meeting notes we've accumulated along the way.
‧ The greatest handicap, egotism.
‧ The greatest victory, victory over self.
‧ The most certain thing in business, change.
‧ The greatest job, being needed and appreciated.
‧ The greatest gamble, substituting hope for facts.
‧ The strongest competitive edge, a high level of energy.
‧ The most effective habit, sound time management.
‧ The greatest guarantee of success, honest intelligent effort.
‧ The best action, keeping the mind clear and judgment good.
‧ The greatest selling strategy, speaking as one who has authority.
‧ The greatest waste, the vast reservoir of talents and abilities most of us possess but never quite get around to using.
Make 2009 great in every way!
The Secret
From My InBox:
One day, one friend asked another,
'How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down.'
With her eyes smiling, she said,
'I know the Secret!'
'What secret is that?'
To which she replied,
'I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others.'
'The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy.'
The questioner's first thought was,
'That's too simple!'
But upon reflecting over her own life
she recalled how she thought a bigger house
would make her happy, but it didn't!
She thought a better paying job
would make her happy, but it hadn't.
When did she realize her greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.
Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?
YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!
Just Pass It On!
One day, one friend asked another,
'How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down.'
With her eyes smiling, she said,
'I know the Secret!'
'What secret is that?'
To which she replied,
'I'll tell you all about it,
but you have to promise to
share the Secret with others.'
'The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
in my life that will make me truly happy.
I must depend on God to make
me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
according to HIS riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy.'
The questioner's first thought was,
'That's too simple!'
But upon reflecting over her own life
she recalled how she thought a bigger house
would make her happy, but it didn't!
She thought a better paying job
would make her happy, but it hadn't.
When did she realize her greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
a simple gift from God.
Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?
YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!
But it's not really a secret...
We just have to believe it and do it...
Really trust God!
Just Pass It On!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
English Signs Around the World
From My InBox:
In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
Cocktail lounge,Norway
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
Doctors office, Rome:
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
Dry cleaners, Bangkok:
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi:
TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.
In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.
In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.
Hotel, Yugoslavia:
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
Hotel, Japan:
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET
COMPOSERS,
ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF
DIFFERENT SEX,
FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED
WITH
EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Hotel, Zurich:
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE
BEDROOM,
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
A laundry in Rome:
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME
At the door of a Bangkok Restaurant:
PLEASE WAIT FOR THE WAITRESS AND SHE WILL SIT ON YOU.
In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A MAN.
Cocktail lounge,Norway
LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR.
Doctors office, Rome:
SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.
Dry cleaners, Bangkok:
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi:
TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.
On a poster at Kencom:
ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.
In a City restaurant:
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS.
In a cemetery:
PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.
In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.
Hotel, Yugoslavia:
THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
Hotel, Japan:
YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET
COMPOSERS,
ARTISTS AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY.
A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE OF
DIFFERENT SEX,
FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED
WITH
EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Hotel, Zurich:
BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE
BEDROOM,
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
A laundry in Rome:
LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME
At the door of a Bangkok Restaurant:
PLEASE WAIT FOR THE WAITRESS AND SHE WILL SIT ON YOU.
WASH DAY
This is fresh like just washed laundry to me. As time pass, it does not
matter whether emails you received are fresh or old one, forwarded many times over. You just have to read them cos you forgot what you have read before. And it is wonderful when they still reads good.
=================================================================================
From My InBox:
Monday WashDay
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
set a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
******************************************************
If this message has inspired you in any way or you feel that it can brighten someone else's day, please forward it.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
****************************************************************************************
matter whether emails you received are fresh or old one, forwarded many times over. You just have to read them cos you forgot what you have read before. And it is wonderful when they still reads good.
=================================================================================
From My InBox:
Monday WashDay
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
set a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
******************************************************
If this message has inspired you in any way or you feel that it can brighten someone else's day, please forward it.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
****************************************************************************************
What Web 2.0 about?
If you have no idea what Web 2.0 is about, check out this slideshow by Dr Rob Merchant posted on SlideShare. He explained it so clearly and gave lots of sites one can sign up to enjoy the benefits of participation.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Have a Great Day message
From My InBox:
"Smooth roads never make good drivers. Smooth seas never make good sailors. Clear skies never make good pilots. A problem free life never makes a strong and good person. Have a tough but winning day ahead! Be strong enough to accept the challenges of life. Do not ask life, 'why me?' instead say, 'Try me'."
Have a Great Day !!!!!!!!
"Smooth roads never make good drivers. Smooth seas never make good sailors. Clear skies never make good pilots. A problem free life never makes a strong and good person. Have a tough but winning day ahead! Be strong enough to accept the challenges of life. Do not ask life, 'why me?' instead say, 'Try me'."
Have a Great Day !!!!!!!!
Take this step
From My InBox:
Let me ask you something.....
If you were just one step away from reaching your goal of flooding your life with wealth and happiness, would you take that step?
How do you know right now that you are not?
What a shame it would be to stop making the effort, when just a little bit more would make it all worthwhile?
What a shame it would be to have taken ALL those steps, only to miss the very last one.
The next step you take may very well be the one that makes all the others count. You owe it to yourself, and the efforts you've made, to take this step.
At some point success is just one step away. Keep going and you'll be there.
There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.
But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success.
Let me ask you something.....
If you were just one step away from reaching your goal of flooding your life with wealth and happiness, would you take that step?
How do you know right now that you are not?
What a shame it would be to stop making the effort, when just a little bit more would make it all worthwhile?
What a shame it would be to have taken ALL those steps, only to miss the very last one.
The next step you take may very well be the one that makes all the others count. You owe it to yourself, and the efforts you've made, to take this step.
At some point success is just one step away. Keep going and you'll be there.
There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.
But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Count your Blessings
If you like what you read here, subscribe to Mac Anderson's stories, quotes, and short inspirational movies about making a difference posted on Simple Truth.
=====================================================================
From My InBox:
An excerpt from
Charging the Human Battery
By Mac Anderson
"The hardest arithmetic to master is
that which enables us to count our blessings."
-Eric Hoffer
According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.
Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: "Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?"
The teacher replied, "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of living-kindness and nothing could be sweeter."
Self-motivation without gratitude is impossible. Our energy is "sapped" when our entire focus is on what's wrong instead of what is right with our lives. One of our greatest challenges is to live and love in spite of pain and disappointment...to find gratitude in the midst of it all.
Reflect for a moment on this beautiful quote from Melody Beattie:
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
=====================================================================
From My InBox:
An excerpt from
Charging the Human Battery
By Mac Anderson
"The hardest arithmetic to master is
that which enables us to count our blessings."
-Eric Hoffer
According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.
Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: "Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?"
The teacher replied, "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of living-kindness and nothing could be sweeter."
Self-motivation without gratitude is impossible. Our energy is "sapped" when our entire focus is on what's wrong instead of what is right with our lives. One of our greatest challenges is to live and love in spite of pain and disappointment...to find gratitude in the midst of it all.
Reflect for a moment on this beautiful quote from Melody Beattie:
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
Choices
From My InBox:
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!
You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'
He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood
I choose to be in a good mood.'
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or.... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.
'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied... 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'
'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked
He continued, '..the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the20faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'
'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John . 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'.'
Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything .
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
You have two choices now:
01. Delete this
02. Forward it to the people you care about.
You know the choice I made. All the best for you and your family and friends
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!
You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'
He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood
I choose to be in a good mood.'
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or.... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.
'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied... 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'
'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked
He continued, '..the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the20faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'
'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John . 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'.'
Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything .
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
You have two choices now:
01. Delete this
02. Forward it to the people you care about.
You know the choice I made. All the best for you and your family and friends
Thursday, January 15, 2009
How To Be A Translator?
If you are good with languages take a look at what you can do with your talent professionally. Vivace3 shares on slideShare.
The know how won't help if you don't learn how succeed in the things you aim to do.
The know how won't help if you don't learn how succeed in the things you aim to do.
May dreams come true
Check out this story posted by Jatsoc on SlideShare.
Like this story? I discovered from Hoax Slayer that it is just someone's dream.
As I have said before, never believe everything you read in your emails or on the web. But don't let the truth stops you from dreaming like this though.
Like this story? I discovered from Hoax Slayer that it is just someone's dream.
As I have said before, never believe everything you read in your emails or on the web. But don't let the truth stops you from dreaming like this though.
Free images from TinyPic
Just discovered TinyPic, a site where you can easily link or copy codes to post images and videos on your websites or blogs. Just click on its link to categories or do a search to find images you want.
It's free because the images are posted by those who are willing to share their work on the site. So, if you are good at taking photos, be proud to share them on this site. You may find them on one of my blogs.
Get free images whenever you can and reduce usage of batteries:)
It's free because the images are posted by those who are willing to share their work on the site. So, if you are good at taking photos, be proud to share them on this site. You may find them on one of my blogs.
Get free images whenever you can and reduce usage of batteries:)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Thought for my day
From My InBox:
Happiness is not something you find, It's something you create.
LIFE IS NO WHERE - can be read as - LIFE IS NOW HERE.
Happiness is not something you find, It's something you create.
LIFE IS NO WHERE - can be read as - LIFE IS NOW HERE.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A blogging venture?
Parents are very unlikely to encourage their children to take up anything that won't benefit them. If you are a parent trying to stop your children from blogging because it will take them away from study time, then read this.
If you get the gist of this and your children are still keen to blog, blogging can turn out to be an extra income, family bonding venture. Profitable or not, one thing is for sure; there will be an improvement in the language they write in.
If you get the gist of this and your children are still keen to blog, blogging can turn out to be an extra income, family bonding venture. Profitable or not, one thing is for sure; there will be an improvement in the language they write in.
I've been pondering....
From My InBox:
I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart. Now what?
~~~
Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
~~~
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
~~~
If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.
~~~
What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
~~~
They told me I was gullible and I believed them.
~~~
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows
up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.
~~~
Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.
~~~
One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
~~~
My weight is perfect for my height -- which varies.
~~~
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
~~~
The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
~~~
How can there be self-help "groups"?
~~~
If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
~~~
Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a
man who can't get his pants off.
~~~
Is it me -- or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?
I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart. Now what?
~~~
Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
~~~
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
~~~
If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.
~~~
What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
~~~
They told me I was gullible and I believed them.
~~~
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows
up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway.
~~~
Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone.
~~~
One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.
~~~
My weight is perfect for my height -- which varies.
~~~
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
~~~
The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
~~~
How can there be self-help "groups"?
~~~
If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
~~~
Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, and I'll show you a
man who can't get his pants off.
~~~
Is it me -- or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?
Management Lesson
From My InBox:
A lesson as simple it can be...
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: "Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
A lesson as simple it can be...
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.
This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.
By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"
The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."
Management Lesson: "Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."
It's easy to blog
Children in my neighbourhood are interested to learn how to blog and I did not get a chance to teach them during the school holiday. So, here is a step by step video instructions by Google posted on YouTube.
Good luck, Whitney and Megan with your blogs. If you are stuck and I am not around to guide you, you can check out the link to Blogger Help.
Happy blogging and remember to share your thoughts with me.
Good luck, Whitney and Megan with your blogs. If you are stuck and I am not around to guide you, you can check out the link to Blogger Help.
Happy blogging and remember to share your thoughts with me.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Start a Crisis Communication
It's 2009 and I have received an email requesting to identify a 2004 Tsunami victim. I did a search and discovered on Hoax Slayer that the little girl is Sophia Michl from Germany but her parents, Mr. Norbert and Mrs. Edeltraud Michl, are still missing.
What can one do in such a situation? Take a leaf off Julian Matthews and start a Crisis Communication on the web.
The search for missing persons from 2004 Tsunami can be read off Julian's blog at Trinetizen.
There is hope only when the search continues...
========================================================================
From My InBox:
> This little girl is at the PHUKET HOSPITAL- She does not remember her own
> name or anything about herself. She has lost her parents, please forward
> this EMAIL to all your contacts - someone might recognise her. She was a
> victim of the tidal wave disaster in Phuket , Thailand and nobody knows who
> she is so we are hoping if we distribute this EMAIL around the world someone
> God willing will know her.
> Please don't just delete this - your contribution could be the one that
> solves this little girl's problem .
> Even if you are one of the people who believes that it is always someone
> else's obligation to help the misfortunate, please know that forwarding this
> will cost you nothing. Let's help!! Forward this to everyone you can.
What can one do in such a situation? Take a leaf off Julian Matthews and start a Crisis Communication on the web.
The search for missing persons from 2004 Tsunami can be read off Julian's blog at Trinetizen.
There is hope only when the search continues...
========================================================================
From My InBox:
> This little girl is at the PHUKET HOSPITAL- She does not remember her own
> name or anything about herself. She has lost her parents, please forward
> this EMAIL to all your contacts - someone might recognise her. She was a
> victim of the tidal wave disaster in Phuket , Thailand and nobody knows who
> she is so we are hoping if we distribute this EMAIL around the world someone
> God willing will know her.
> Please don't just delete this - your contribution could be the one that
> solves this little girl's problem .
> Even if you are one of the people who believes that it is always someone
> else's obligation to help the misfortunate, please know that forwarding this
> will cost you nothing. Let's help!! Forward this to everyone you can.
WA Post Competition
From My InBox:
THESE ARE ENTRIES TO A WASHINGTON POST COMPETITION ASKING FOR A
TWO-LINE RHYME WITH THE MOST ROMANTIC FIRST LINE, AND THE LEAST
ROMANTIC SECOND LINE:
1. My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you has screwed up my life.
2. I see your face when I am dreaming.
That's why I always wake up screaming.
3. Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes everything you are not.
4. Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you 'cause I was pissed.
5. I thought that I could love no other
-- that is until I met your brother.
6. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's
empty and so is your head.
7. I want to feel your sweet embrace;
But don't take that paper bag off your face.
8. I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I'm good at telling lies!
9. My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way?
10. My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe 'Go to hell.'
11. What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.
WHO SAID POETRY IS BORING
THESE ARE ENTRIES TO A WASHINGTON POST COMPETITION ASKING FOR A
TWO-LINE RHYME WITH THE MOST ROMANTIC FIRST LINE, AND THE LEAST
ROMANTIC SECOND LINE:
1. My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
Marrying you has screwed up my life.
2. I see your face when I am dreaming.
That's why I always wake up screaming.
3. Kind, intelligent, loving and hot;
This describes everything you are not.
4. Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss,
But I only slept with you 'cause I was pissed.
5. I thought that I could love no other
-- that is until I met your brother.
6. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's
empty and so is your head.
7. I want to feel your sweet embrace;
But don't take that paper bag off your face.
8. I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I'm good at telling lies!
9. My love, you take my breath away.
What have you stepped in to smell this way?
10. My feelings for you no words can tell,
Except for maybe 'Go to hell.'
11. What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime.
WHO SAID POETRY IS BORING
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Words
From My InBox:
"A day without laughter is a day wasted!"
~ Charlie Chapin ~
I dialed a number and got the following recording:
"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."
~~~~~
At pilots training back in the Air Corps they taught us,
"Always try to keep the number of landings you make
equal to the number of take offs you make."
~~~~~
Little Tommy had been to a birthday party at a friend's house. Knowing his sweet tooth, Tommy's mother looked straight into his eyes and said,
"I hope you didn't ask for a second piece of cake.."
"No, but I asked Mrs. Smith for the recipe so you could make some like it, and she gave me two more pieces without asking."
~~~~~
Aspire to inspire before you expire.
~~~~~
My wife and I had words,
but I didn't get to use mine.
~~~~~
As my five year old son and I were headed to McDonald's one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for those who might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son,
"We should pray."
>From the back seat I heard his earnest request:
"Please, God, don't let those cars block the entrance to McDonald's."
~~~~~
Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.
~~~~~
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
and take without forgetting.
~~~~~
The irony of life is that, by ! the time you're old enough to know your way around,
you're not going anywhere.
~~~~~
God made man before woman so as to give him time to think
of an answer for her first question.
~~~~~
I was always taught to respect my elders,
but it keeps getting harder to find one.
~~~~~
Every morning is the dawn of a new error.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted!"
~ Charlie Chapin ~
I dialed a number and got the following recording:
"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."
~~~~~
At pilots training back in the Air Corps they taught us,
"Always try to keep the number of landings you make
equal to the number of take offs you make."
~~~~~
Little Tommy had been to a birthday party at a friend's house. Knowing his sweet tooth, Tommy's mother looked straight into his eyes and said,
"I hope you didn't ask for a second piece of cake.."
"No, but I asked Mrs. Smith for the recipe so you could make some like it, and she gave me two more pieces without asking."
~~~~~
Aspire to inspire before you expire.
~~~~~
My wife and I had words,
but I didn't get to use mine.
~~~~~
As my five year old son and I were headed to McDonald's one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for those who might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son,
"We should pray."
>From the back seat I heard his earnest request:
"Please, God, don't let those cars block the entrance to McDonald's."
~~~~~
Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses.
~~~~~
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
and take without forgetting.
~~~~~
The irony of life is that, by ! the time you're old enough to know your way around,
you're not going anywhere.
~~~~~
God made man before woman so as to give him time to think
of an answer for her first question.
~~~~~
I was always taught to respect my elders,
but it keeps getting harder to find one.
~~~~~
Every morning is the dawn of a new error.
PREACHING
From My InBox:
Some pastors preach "longhorn sermons," a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.
Source Unknown.
One pastor never prepared during the week, and on Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while the church was singing the hymns desperately praying, "Lord, give your message, Lord give me your message." One Sunday, while desperately praying for God's message, he heard the Lord say, "Ralph, here's my message. You're lazy!"
Source Unknown.
The Rev. Dr. Robert South, while preaching one day in 1689, looked up from his notes to observe that his entire congregation was fast asleep--including the King! Appropriately mortified by this discovery, he interrupted his sermon to call out, "Lord Lauderdale, rouse yourself. You snore so loudly that you will wake the King."
Source Unknown.
The world does not need sermons; it needs a message. You can go to seminary and learn how to preach sermons, but you will have to go to God to get messages.
Oswald J. Smith.
Samuel Clement (Mark Twain) attended a Sunday a.m. sermon. He met the pastor at the door afterward and told him that he had a book at home with every word he had preached that morning. The minister assured him that the sermon was an original. Clement still held his position. The pastor wanted to see this book so Clement said he would sent it over in the morning. When the preacher unwrapped it he found a dictionary and in the flyleaf was written this: "Words, just words, just words."
Source Unknown.
Long-winded speakers exhaust their listeners long before the exhaust their subjects. Recognizing this danger, one speaker began his talk this way: "I understand that it's my job to talk to you. Your job is to listen. If you quit before I do, I hope you'll let me know."
Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, p. 13.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as "the prince of preachers," felt he delivered his sermon so poorly one Sunday that he was ashamed of himself. As he walked away from his church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, he wondered how any good could come from that message. When he arrived home, he dropped to his knees and prayed, "Lord God, You can do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon."
In the months that followed, 41 people said that they had decided to trust Christ as Saviour because of that "weak" message. The following Sunday, to make up for his previous "failure," Spurgeon had prepared a "great" sermon -- but no one responded.
Spurgeon's experience underscores two important lessons for all who serve the Lord. First, we need the blessing of God on our efforts. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." And second, our weakness is an occasion for the working of God's power. The apostle Paul said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).
Our Daily Bread, May 18, 1992.
There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something." "Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher." "What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all." Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
G. Campbell Morgan, Preaching, p. 36.
A lot of preaching is motivated by love for preaching, not love of people.
Vance Havner.
A prepared messenger is more important than a prepared message.
Robert Munger.
Don't unsay with your life what you say with your tongue.
Richard Baxter.
Never rely on the cleverness of the exposition, but on the Holy Spirit.
E.M. Bounds.
All God's giants have been weak men and women who did great things for God because they reckoned on God's power and presence being with them.
Hudson Taylor.
In a recent issue of Glass Window, a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitable spent on something else?
For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued. . . finally ended by this letter: I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals--mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet . . . I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago.
John Schletewitz.
Mr. Wesley, at the age of 87, in a letter to Alexander Mather, uttered these thrilling words: "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen: such alone will shake the gates of hell, and set up the Kingdom on Heaven upon earth."
Resource, July/August, 1990.
A man went to see his doctor for advice about being cured of snoring. The doctor asked, "Does your snoring disturb your wife?"
The patient replied, "Does it disturb my wife? Why it disturbs the entire congregation."
Source Unknown.
Some pastors preach "longhorn sermons," a point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.
Source Unknown.
One pastor never prepared during the week, and on Sunday morning he'd sit on the platform while the church was singing the hymns desperately praying, "Lord, give your message, Lord give me your message." One Sunday, while desperately praying for God's message, he heard the Lord say, "Ralph, here's my message. You're lazy!"
Source Unknown.
The Rev. Dr. Robert South, while preaching one day in 1689, looked up from his notes to observe that his entire congregation was fast asleep--including the King! Appropriately mortified by this discovery, he interrupted his sermon to call out, "Lord Lauderdale, rouse yourself. You snore so loudly that you will wake the King."
Source Unknown.
The world does not need sermons; it needs a message. You can go to seminary and learn how to preach sermons, but you will have to go to God to get messages.
Oswald J. Smith.
Samuel Clement (Mark Twain) attended a Sunday a.m. sermon. He met the pastor at the door afterward and told him that he had a book at home with every word he had preached that morning. The minister assured him that the sermon was an original. Clement still held his position. The pastor wanted to see this book so Clement said he would sent it over in the morning. When the preacher unwrapped it he found a dictionary and in the flyleaf was written this: "Words, just words, just words."
Source Unknown.
Long-winded speakers exhaust their listeners long before the exhaust their subjects. Recognizing this danger, one speaker began his talk this way: "I understand that it's my job to talk to you. Your job is to listen. If you quit before I do, I hope you'll let me know."
Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, p. 13.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as "the prince of preachers," felt he delivered his sermon so poorly one Sunday that he was ashamed of himself. As he walked away from his church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, he wondered how any good could come from that message. When he arrived home, he dropped to his knees and prayed, "Lord God, You can do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon."
In the months that followed, 41 people said that they had decided to trust Christ as Saviour because of that "weak" message. The following Sunday, to make up for his previous "failure," Spurgeon had prepared a "great" sermon -- but no one responded.
Spurgeon's experience underscores two important lessons for all who serve the Lord. First, we need the blessing of God on our efforts. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." And second, our weakness is an occasion for the working of God's power. The apostle Paul said, "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).
Our Daily Bread, May 18, 1992.
There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something." "Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher." "What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all." Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction."
G. Campbell Morgan, Preaching, p. 36.
A lot of preaching is motivated by love for preaching, not love of people.
Vance Havner.
A prepared messenger is more important than a prepared message.
Robert Munger.
Don't unsay with your life what you say with your tongue.
Richard Baxter.
Never rely on the cleverness of the exposition, but on the Holy Spirit.
E.M. Bounds.
All God's giants have been weak men and women who did great things for God because they reckoned on God's power and presence being with them.
Hudson Taylor.
In a recent issue of Glass Window, a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for 30 years and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitable spent on something else?
For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued. . . finally ended by this letter: I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals--mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet . . . I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago.
John Schletewitz.
Mr. Wesley, at the age of 87, in a letter to Alexander Mather, uttered these thrilling words: "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen: such alone will shake the gates of hell, and set up the Kingdom on Heaven upon earth."
Resource, July/August, 1990.
A man went to see his doctor for advice about being cured of snoring. The doctor asked, "Does your snoring disturb your wife?"
The patient replied, "Does it disturb my wife? Why it disturbs the entire congregation."
Source Unknown.
Beautiful story - Powerful.
From My InBox:
In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75
cents in my pocket.
Their father was gone.
The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.
Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.
Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would
scramble to hide under their beds.
He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.
Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food
either.
If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I
certainly knew nothing about it.
I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best
homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a
job.
The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town.
No luck.
The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to
convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had
to have a job.
Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an
old Root Beer Barrel drive-in t hat had been converted to a truck stop.
It was called the Big Wheel.
An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from
time to time at all those kids.
She needed someone on the grave yard shift, 11 at night until seven in the
morning.
She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.
I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people.
I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night.
She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep
This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.
That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked
God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home
with one dollar of my tip money - fully half of what I averaged every night.
As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage.
The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to
leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning
before I could go home.
One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four
tires in the back seat. New tires!
There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires.
Had angels taken up residence in Indiana? I wondered.
I made a deal with the local service station.
In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office.
I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do
the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.
Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids.
I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys.
Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver
on Christmas morning.
Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys
pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.
On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel.
There were the truckers, Les, Frank , and Jim , and a state trooper named Joe .
A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion andwere dropping
nickels in the pinball machine.
The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the
morning and then left to get home before the s un came up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning,
to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of
all shapes and sizes.
I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the
front facing the back seat.
Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box.
Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10!
I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans.
Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and
bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned
vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling
and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items.
And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.
As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most
amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.
And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious
morning.
Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out
at the Big Wheel truck stop....
THE POWER OF PRAYER. I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer:
1. 'Yes!'2. 'Not yet.' 3. 'I have something better in
mind.'
God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar.
You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to
bless you in a way that you cannot imagine.
My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless,and I
picked you.
Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed and a copy back
to me.
This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There
is no cost but a lot of rewards
Let's continue to pray for one another. Here is the prayer:....
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this
right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power.Amen.
In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75
cents in my pocket.
Their father was gone.
The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.
Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.
Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would
scramble to hide under their beds.
He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.
Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food
either.
If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I
certainly knew nothing about it.
I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best
homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a
job.
The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town.
No luck.
The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to
convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had
to have a job.
Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an
old Root Beer Barrel drive-in t hat had been converted to a truck stop.
It was called the Big Wheel.
An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from
time to time at all those kids.
She needed someone on the grave yard shift, 11 at night until seven in the
morning.
She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.
I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people.
I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night.
She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep
This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.
That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked
God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home
with one dollar of my tip money - fully half of what I averaged every night.
As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage.
The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to
leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning
before I could go home.
One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four
tires in the back seat. New tires!
There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires.
Had angels taken up residence in Indiana? I wondered.
I made a deal with the local service station.
In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office.
I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do
the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.
Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids.
I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys.
Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver
on Christmas morning.
Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys
pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.
On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel.
There were the truckers, Les, Frank , and Jim , and a state trooper named Joe .
A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion andwere dropping
nickels in the pinball machine.
The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the
morning and then left to get home before the s un came up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning,
to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of
all shapes and sizes.
I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the
front facing the back seat.
Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box.
Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10!
I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans.
Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and
bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned
vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling
and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items.
And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.
As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most
amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.
And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious
morning.
Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out
at the Big Wheel truck stop....
THE POWER OF PRAYER. I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer:
1. 'Yes!'2. 'Not yet.' 3. 'I have something better in
mind.'
God still sits on the throne, the devil is a liar.
You may be going through a tough time right now but God is getting ready to
bless you in a way that you cannot imagine.
My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless,and I
picked you.
Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed and a copy back
to me.
This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There
is no cost but a lot of rewards
Let's continue to pray for one another. Here is the prayer:....
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this
right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power.Amen.
Friday, January 9, 2009
NEED WASHING??
From My InBox:
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry.
Take the time to live!!!
Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry.
Take the time to live!!!
Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Bumper Stickers
I wish I have thought of these when submitting slogans at Threadless.
=====================================================================
From My InBox:
Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway
Body by Nautilus; brain by Mattel
Boldly going nowhere
CAUTION - Driver legally blonde!
Heart Attacks...God's Revenge for Eating His Animal Friends
He's not dead, He's electroencephalographically challenged
How many roads must a man travel down before he admits he is lost?
CATS: The other white meat
I'm an imbecile and I vote
Money Isn't Everything... But it Sure Keeps the Kids In Touch
If you lived in your car, you'd be home by now
Saw it... Wanted it... Had a fit... Got it!
WARNING! Driver only carries $20.00 in ammunition
If you can read this, I can slam on my brakes and sue you!
Your gene pool needs a little chlorine.
You're just jealous because the voices are talking to me not you!
You are depriving some poor village of its IDIOT
Forget world peace. Visualize using your turn signal.
Grow your own dope, plant a man
All Men Are Animals, Some Just Make Better Pets
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
WANTED: Meaningful overnight relationship.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
All men are idiots...I married their king.
The more you complain, the longer God makes you live.
IRS We've got what it takes to take what you've got.
Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.
Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.
Hang up and drive.
I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
Where there's a will...I want to be in it.
It's lonely at the top, but you eat better.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry....Then things get worse.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Be nice to your kids...They will pick out your nursing home.
Always remember you're unique...Just like everyone else..
=====================================================================
From My InBox:
Eat Well, Stay Fit, Die Anyway
Body by Nautilus; brain by Mattel
Boldly going nowhere
CAUTION - Driver legally blonde!
Heart Attacks...God's Revenge for Eating His Animal Friends
He's not dead, He's electroencephalographically challenged
How many roads must a man travel down before he admits he is lost?
CATS: The other white meat
I'm an imbecile and I vote
Money Isn't Everything... But it Sure Keeps the Kids In Touch
If you lived in your car, you'd be home by now
Saw it... Wanted it... Had a fit... Got it!
WARNING! Driver only carries $20.00 in ammunition
If you can read this, I can slam on my brakes and sue you!
Your gene pool needs a little chlorine.
You're just jealous because the voices are talking to me not you!
You are depriving some poor village of its IDIOT
Forget world peace. Visualize using your turn signal.
Grow your own dope, plant a man
All Men Are Animals, Some Just Make Better Pets
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
WANTED: Meaningful overnight relationship.
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
All men are idiots...I married their king.
The more you complain, the longer God makes you live.
IRS We've got what it takes to take what you've got.
Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.
Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.
Hang up and drive.
I took an IQ test and the results were negative.
Where there's a will...I want to be in it.
It's lonely at the top, but you eat better.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry....Then things get worse.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Be nice to your kids...They will pick out your nursing home.
Always remember you're unique...Just like everyone else..
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Portrait of a Friend
Aspire to be a friend if not a parent like this.
========================================================================
Author Unknown
I can't give solutions to all of life's problems,
doubts, or fears. But I can listen to you,
and together we will search for answers.
I can't change your past with all its heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.
I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you
may grasp it and not fall.
Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are
not mine; yet I can share in your laughter.
Your decisions in life are not mine to make,
nor to judge; I can only support you,
encourage you, and help you when you ask.
I can't prevent you from falling away from
friendship, from your values, from me. I can
only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.
I can't give you boundaries which I have determined
for you, but I can give you the room to change,
room to grow, room to be yourself.
I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
but I can cry with you and help you pick up
the pieces and put them back in place.
I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
========================================================================
Author Unknown
I can't give solutions to all of life's problems,
doubts, or fears. But I can listen to you,
and together we will search for answers.
I can't change your past with all its heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.
I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you
may grasp it and not fall.
Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are
not mine; yet I can share in your laughter.
Your decisions in life are not mine to make,
nor to judge; I can only support you,
encourage you, and help you when you ask.
I can't prevent you from falling away from
friendship, from your values, from me. I can
only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.
I can't give you boundaries which I have determined
for you, but I can give you the room to change,
room to grow, room to be yourself.
I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
but I can cry with you and help you pick up
the pieces and put them back in place.
I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.
Thank you!!!!!!!
I think it is sweet to receive a message like this if you have been bombarding your friends with the tons of emails you have been receiving.
=====================================================================
My InBox:
=====================================================================
My InBox:
...........................................................................................................................................
Let me be the first to say ...
Thank you for all your cute and wonderful e-mails in 2008.
Hope to receive a lot more in 2009!!!
Have a fabulous day!
Thank you
Exercise!!!
From My InBox:
I was bound and determined to get back in shape,
So I thought I'd begin with an exercise tape.
I couldn't quite manage to do what they said,
As I huffed and I puffed till I thought I was dead!
They said I'd get used to the routine in time,
But I have to admit that I'm well past my prime.
The smiles on those models could not have been real,
For it took me three weeks for my body to heal.
Besides, they all needed some meat on their bones,
And I don't want to look like one of their clones.
So I've thrown in the trash that old exercise tape!
I'm already in shape – for round is a shape!
I was bound and determined to get back in shape,
So I thought I'd begin with an exercise tape.
I couldn't quite manage to do what they said,
As I huffed and I puffed till I thought I was dead!
They said I'd get used to the routine in time,
But I have to admit that I'm well past my prime.
The smiles on those models could not have been real,
For it took me three weeks for my body to heal.
Besides, they all needed some meat on their bones,
And I don't want to look like one of their clones.
So I've thrown in the trash that old exercise tape!
I'm already in shape – for round is a shape!
RED MARBLES
From my InBox:
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.
I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas.. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.
With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.
A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.
Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.
They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men.
One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking.
They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.
Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles.
With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.
Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '.
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green stoplights on your way to work.
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you'll never forget.
I just Did...
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.
I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas.. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.
With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.
A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.
Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.
They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men.
One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking.
They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.
Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles.
With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.
Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '.
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green stoplights on your way to work.
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you'll never forget.
I just Did...
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!
IT'S REALITY........
From My InBox:
Whenever you find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
_____
To Err is human, but to forgive is not a COMPANY policy.
_____
The road to success??.. Is always under construction.
_____
Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
_____
In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you have ability to repay back.
_____
All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive or fattening.
_____
Since Light travels faster than Sound, people appear brighter before you hear them speak.
_____
Everyone has a scheme of getting rich?.. Which never works.
_____
If at first you don't succeed?. Destroy all evidence that you ever tried.
_____
You can never determine which side of the bread to butter. If it falls down, it will always land on the buttered side.
_____
Anything dropped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccessible corner.
_____
42.7% of all statistics is made on the spot.
_____
As soon as you mention something?? If it is good, it is taken?. If it is bad, it happens.
_____
He who has the gold, makes the rules ---- Murphy's golden rule.
_____
If you come early, the bus is late. If you come late?? The bus is still late.
_____
Once you have bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate.
_____
When in a queue, the other line always moves faster and the person in front of you will always have the most complex of transactions.
_____
If you have paper, you don't have a pen. If you have a pen, you don't have paper. If you have both, no one calls.
_____
Especially for engg. Students : If you have bunked the class, the professor has taken attendance.
_____
You will pick up maximum wrong numbers when on roaming.
_____
The door bell or your mobile will always ring when you are in the bathroom.
_____
After a long wait for bus no.20, two 20 number buses will always pull in together and the bus which you get in will be crowded than the other.
_____
If your exam is tomorrow, there will be a power cut tonight.
_____
Irrespective of the direction of the wind, the smoke from the cigarette will always tend to go to the non-smoker
_____
Before borrowing money from a friend, decide whether you need more.
_____
There are three sides to every argument: your side, my side and the right side.
_____
An expert is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.
_____
Many things can be preserved in alcohol. Dignity is not one of them.
_____
Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
_____
When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.
_____
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
_____
Well done is better than well said .
_____
Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make them when nobody is looking.
_____
Where there is a WILL, there is a WAY, Where there is MONEY, there are many WAYS.
_____
Where there is MONEY, there are many FRIENDS and RELATIVES.
_____
Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.
_____
Whenever you find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
_____
To Err is human, but to forgive is not a COMPANY policy.
_____
The road to success??.. Is always under construction.
_____
Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
_____
In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you have ability to repay back.
_____
All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive or fattening.
_____
Since Light travels faster than Sound, people appear brighter before you hear them speak.
_____
Everyone has a scheme of getting rich?.. Which never works.
_____
If at first you don't succeed?. Destroy all evidence that you ever tried.
_____
You can never determine which side of the bread to butter. If it falls down, it will always land on the buttered side.
_____
Anything dropped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccessible corner.
_____
42.7% of all statistics is made on the spot.
_____
As soon as you mention something?? If it is good, it is taken?. If it is bad, it happens.
_____
He who has the gold, makes the rules ---- Murphy's golden rule.
_____
If you come early, the bus is late. If you come late?? The bus is still late.
_____
Once you have bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate.
_____
When in a queue, the other line always moves faster and the person in front of you will always have the most complex of transactions.
_____
If you have paper, you don't have a pen. If you have a pen, you don't have paper. If you have both, no one calls.
_____
Especially for engg. Students : If you have bunked the class, the professor has taken attendance.
_____
You will pick up maximum wrong numbers when on roaming.
_____
The door bell or your mobile will always ring when you are in the bathroom.
_____
After a long wait for bus no.20, two 20 number buses will always pull in together and the bus which you get in will be crowded than the other.
_____
If your exam is tomorrow, there will be a power cut tonight.
_____
Irrespective of the direction of the wind, the smoke from the cigarette will always tend to go to the non-smoker
_____
Before borrowing money from a friend, decide whether you need more.
_____
There are three sides to every argument: your side, my side and the right side.
_____
An expert is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.
_____
Many things can be preserved in alcohol. Dignity is not one of them.
_____
Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
_____
When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.
_____
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
_____
Well done is better than well said .
_____
Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make them when nobody is looking.
_____
Where there is a WILL, there is a WAY, Where there is MONEY, there are many WAYS.
_____
Where there is MONEY, there are many FRIENDS and RELATIVES.
_____
Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.
_____
Renewal of Contract 2009....
Don't you wish you get to receive message like this after bombarding your friends with the tons of emails you have received? For those of you who have been doing this to me, thank you. This message is for you too.
===================================================================
From My InBox from Katerina:
..............................................................................................................................................
Dear Friend,
===================================================================
From My InBox from Katerina:
..............................................................................................................................................
Dear Friend,
Renewal of Contract 2009
After serious & cautious consideration ...
Your contract of friendship
Has been renewed for the new year
2009
It was a very hard decision to make !!!
So try to be friendlier and more caring next year.
I am giving you another chance so ...
Don't mess it up!
'cuz it's impossible to find a friend who is...
96% funny,
97% kind,
98% loving,
99% talented
and
100% sweet.
So don't lose me ...
OK
Wishing You Seasons Greetings and A Very Happy New Year 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
WHAT A BIRD!!!!
From My InBox:
This is the kind of story you need when it seems like the world is
spiraling out of control.
Not many people get a picture of this proud bird snuggled up next to them
Freedom and Jeff
Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer. She came in as
a baby in 1998 with two broken wings. Her left wing doesn't open all
the way even after surgery, it was broken in 4 place . She's my
baby.
When Freedom came in she could not stand and both wings were broken.
She was emaciated and covered in lice. We made the decision to give
her a chance at life, so I took her to the vets office. From then
on, I was always around her. We had her in a huge dog carrier with the
top off, and it was loaded up with shredded newspaper for her to lay
in.. I used to sit and talk to her, urging her to live, to fight; and
she would lay there looking at me with those big brown eyes. We also
had to tube feed her for weeks.
This went on for 4-6 weeks, and by then she still couldn't stand. It
got to the point where the decision was made to euthanize her if she
couldn't stand in a week. You know you don't want to cross that line
between torture and rehab, and it looked like death was winning. She
was going to be put down that Friday, and I was supposed to come in on
that Thursday afternoon. I didn't want to go to the center that
Thursday, because I couldn't bear the thought of her being euthanized;
but I went anyway, and when I walked in everyone was grinning from
ear to ear. I went immediately back to her cage; and there she was,
standing on her own, a big beautiful eagle. She was ready to live. I
was just about in tears by then. That was a very good day.
We knew she could never fly, so the director asked me to glove train
her. I got her used to the glove, and then to jesses, and we started
doing education programs for schools in western Washington . We
wound up in the newspapers, radio (believe it or not) and some TV.
Miracle Pets even did a show about us.
In the spring of 2000, I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma. I
had stage 3, which is not good (one major organ plus everywhere), so I
wound up doing 8 months of chemo. Lost the hair - the whole bit. I
missed a lot of work. When I felt good enough, I would go to Sarvey
and take Freedom out for walks. Freedom would also come to me in my
dreams and help me fight the cancer. This happened time and time
again.
Fast forward to November 2000, the day after Thanksgiving. I went in
for my last checkup. I was told that if the cancer was not all gone
after 8 rounds of chemo, then my last option was a stem cell
transplant. Anyway, they did the tests; and I had to come back Monday
for the results. I went in Monday, and I was told that all the cancer
was gone.
So the first thing I did was get up to Sarvey and take the big girl
out for a walk. It was misty and cold. I went to her flight and jessed
her up, and we went out front to the top of the hill. I hadn't said
a word to Freedom, but somehow she knew. She looked at me and wrapped
both her wings around me to where I could feel them pressing in on my
back (I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she touched my nose with
her beak and stared into my eyes, and we just stood there like that
for I don't know how long. That was a magic moment. We have been
soul mates ever since she came in. This is a very special bird.
On a side note: I have had people who were sick come up to us when
we are out, and Freedom has some kind of hold on them. I once had a
guy who was terminal come up to us and I let him hold her. His knees
just about buckled and he swore he could feel her power coarse through
his body. I have so many stories like that.
I never forget the honor I have of being so close to such a
magnificent spirit as Freedom.
Hope you enjoy this.
Jeff
________________________________
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