tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88085247808646523072024-03-05T03:01:39.057-08:00dream big and make it happendreaming big and making things happen...walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-59451436175541761632011-06-17T02:58:00.000-07:002011-10-14T05:42:41.313-07:00Inspiring Story about Father and Son<span style="font-size: large;">A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">him that was all he wanted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">morning of his graduation his father called him into his private</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a beautiful wrapped gift box.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Many years passed and the young man was very successful in</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">business.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">needed to come home immediately and take care things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">regret filled his heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He began to search his father's important papers and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">taped behind the Bible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and the words...PAID IN FULL.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How many times we failed to listen to our fathers? Sometimes we don't understand them but they only want what's best for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">packaged as we expected?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retire Young and Rich!</span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-80834759788101052012011-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:002011-06-17T03:23:33.789-07:00The Colors Of Friendship<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The most beautiful. The favorite.<br />
<br />
Green said:<br />
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."<br />
<br />
Blue interrupted:<br />
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."<br />
<br />
Yellow chuckled:<br />
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."<br />
<br />
Orange started next to blow her trumpet:<br />
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."<br />
<br />
Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:<br />
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."<br />
<br />
Purple rose up to his full height:<br />
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."<br />
<br />
Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."<br />
<br />
And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening, thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.<br />
<br />
In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:<br />
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."<br />
<br />
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined<br />
hands.<br />
<br />
The rain continued:<br />
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, to let us remember to appreciate one another.<br />
<br />
By: Adrian Iron Thunder</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us at <b>http://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retire Young and Rich!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">from:</span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95CrwWhP5JvpI9wL70P96Elg", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-41651190844037872932011-01-06T06:35:00.000-08:002011-06-17T03:26:50.684-07:00Steps To Happiness<span style="font-size: large;">Everybody Knows:<br />
You can't be all things to all people.<br />
You can't do all things at once.<br />
You can't do all things equally well.<br />
You can't do all things better than everyone else.<br />
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.<br />
<br />
So:<br />
You have to find out who you are, and be that.<br />
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.<br />
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.<br />
You have to learn not to compete with others,<br />
Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.<br />
<br />
Then:<br />
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.<br />
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.<br />
You will have learned to live with your limitations.<br />
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.<br />
And you'll be a most vital mortal.<br />
<br />
Dare To Believe:<br />
That you are a wonderful, unique person.<br />
That you are a once-in-all-history event.<br />
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.<br />
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.<br />
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.<br />
<br />
Author: Unknown </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us at <b>http://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retire Young and Rich!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">from:</span></span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e950WHukW4d-DILqvX40fBTOQ", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-62730818796006289622011-01-05T06:34:00.000-08:002011-06-17T03:28:38.446-07:00What Will Matter<span style="font-size: large;">Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.<br />
<br />
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else. <br />
<br />
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.<br />
<br />
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to do lists will expire.<br />
<br />
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.<br />
<br />
It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. <br />
<br />
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.<br />
<br />
So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?<br />
<br />
What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.<br />
<br />
What will matter is not your success but your significance.<br />
<br />
What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.<br />
<br />
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.<br />
<br />
What will matter is not your competence but your character.<br />
<br />
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.<br />
<br />
What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you.<br />
<br />
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.<br />
<br />
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.<br />
<br />
Choose to live a life that matters.<br />
<br />
Author: Michael Josephson </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us at <b>http://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retire Young and Rich!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">from:</span></span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e957OsFYjmlJWQD0y3xExz80w", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-63966653749103103852011-01-04T06:32:00.000-08:002011-06-17T03:30:09.156-07:00The Messiah In Disguise<span style="font-size: large;">High in the mountains was a monastery that had once been known throughout the world. Its monks were pious, its students were enthusiastic. The chants from the monastery’s chapel deeply touched the hearts of people who came there to pray and meditate.<br />
<br />
But, something had changed. Fewer and fewer young men came to study there; fewer and fewer people came for spiritual nourishment. The monks who remained became disheartened and sad.<br />
<br />
Deeply worried, the abbot of the monastery went off in search of an answer. Why had his monastery fallen on such hard times?<br />
<br />
The abbot came to a guru, and he asked the master, “Is it because of some sin of ours that the monastery is no longer full of vitality?”<br />
<br />
“Yes,” replied the master, “it is the sin of ignorance.”<br />
<br />
“The sin of ignorance?” questioned the abbot. “Of what are we ignorant?”<br />
<br />
The guru looked at the abbot for a long, long time, and then he said, “One of you is the messiah in disguise. But, you are all ignorant of this.” Then, the guru closed his eyes, and he was silent.<br />
<br />
“The messiah?” thought the abbot. “The messiah is one of us? Who could it be? Could it be Brother Cook? Could it be Brother Treasurer? Could it be Brother Bell-Ringer? Could it be Brother Vegetable Grower?<br />
<br />
“Which one? Which one? Every one of us has faults, failings, human defects. Isn’t the messiah supposed to be perfect? But, then, perhaps these faults and failings are part of his disguise. Which one? Which one?”<br />
<br />
When the abbot returned to the monastery, he gathered all the monks together and told them what the guru had said.<br />
<br />
“One of us? The messiah? Impossible!”<br />
<br />
But, the master had spoken, and the master was never wrong.<br />
<br />
“One of us? The messiah? Incredible! But, it must be so. Which one? Which one? That brother over there? That one? That one?”<br />
<br />
Whichever one of the monks was the messiah, he was, surely, in disguise.<br />
<br />
Not knowing who amongst them was the messiah, all the monks began treating each other with new respect. “You never know,” they thought, “he might be the one, so I had better deal with him kindly.”<br />
<br />
It was not long before the monastery was filled with new found joy. Soon, new students came to learn, and people came from far and wide to be inspired by the chants of the kind, smiling monks.<br />
<br />
For once again, the monastery was filled with the spirit of love. <br />
<br />
Author: Unknown </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us at <b>http://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Retire Young and Rich!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95BfM-ZPV01ggPX4fP8C440g", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-11932048999087087892011-01-03T06:31:00.000-08:002011-01-03T06:31:00.372-08:00Stop Waiting<span style="font-size: large;">We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.<br />
<br />
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. <br />
<br />
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."<br />
<br />
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have.<br />
<br />
Stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Author: Unknown </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95na0VLd-2zu4h_c7zu7wrkg", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-60290317934813029202011-01-02T06:26:00.000-08:002011-07-10T22:04:07.721-07:00Twenty Dollars<h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><br />
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. "Who would like this $20 bill?"<br />
<br />
Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this." <br />
<br />
He proceeded to crumple the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.<br />
<br />
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the<br />
ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"<br />
<br />
Still the hands went into the air.<br />
<br />
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No<br />
matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.<br />
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. <br />
<br />
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still<br />
priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by ...WHO WE ARE.<br />
<br />
You are special - don't ever forget it."<br />
<br />
<br />
Author Unknown </h2><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h2><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us at<b>http://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</b></span></h2><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Retire Young and Rich!</span></span></b><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><br />
</h2><div>This message is sent to me by:</div><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Geneva Viera</span><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate</span><br style="font-weight: normal;" /><a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95wSIJAr8cOZMjmqAP1GMi4Q", event);" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a></span></h2>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-75070478820105366892011-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:002011-01-01T06:22:00.299-08:00Cupcakes and Rootbeer Story<span style="font-size: large;">There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with cupcakes, several cans of root beer and started on his journey. <br />
<br />
When he had gone about three blocks, he saw an elderly woman. She was sitting on a park bench watching the pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed the lady looked hungry so he offered her a cupcake. She gratefully accepted and smiled at him.<br />
<br />
Her smile was so wonderful that he wanted to see it again, so he offered a root beer as well. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!<br />
<br />
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling without saying a word.<br />
<br />
As it began to grow dark, the boy realized how tired he was and wanted to go home. He got up to leave but before he had gone no more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman, giving her a big hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.<br />
<br />
When the boy arrived home his Mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked, "What has made you so happy today?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." Before his mother could respond he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile in the whole world!"<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face. He asked, "Mother, what has made you so happy today?" She replied, "I ate cupcakes in the park with God." And before her son could reply, she added, "You know, he is much younger than I expected."<br />
<br />
Author: Julie A. Manhan </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95CYPQYcbRnbjJ8FxrPV6n3w", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-24267064221407155772010-12-31T06:18:00.000-08:002010-12-31T06:18:00.268-08:00CHRISTMAS TEARS (Christmas Story)<span style="font-size: large;">It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles.<br />
<br />
Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them anything.<br />
<br />
Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait.<br />
<br />
In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands.<br />
<br />
The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key but happily.<br />
<br />
When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure.<br />
<br />
The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said.<br />
<br />
The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back," he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow."<br />
<br />
With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes," she cried.<br />
<br />
"Well, we'll go home and work some more. Don't cry. We'll come back," he said.<br />
<br />
Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas.<br />
<br />
Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank you lady."<br />
<br />
"What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked.<br />
<br />
The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus."<br />
<br />
The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?"<br />
<br />
My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I answered, "I am sure she will."<br />
<br />
Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving."<br />
<br />
Author Unknown</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95ILrzbG0s-MMrIybmo_dJxA", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-39577125616924347612010-12-30T06:12:00.000-08:002010-12-30T06:12:00.333-08:00CHRISTMAS GEESE<span style="font-size: large;">There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and the metaphysical meaning of Jesus The Christ, despite her husband's disparaging comments.<br />
<br />
One snowy Christmas Eve, the wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused.<br />
<br />
"That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth through a man called Jesus who became the Christ? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home.<br />
<br />
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump.<br />
<br />
Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese.<br />
<br />
Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.<br />
<br />
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm.<br />
<br />
So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them.<br />
<br />
The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on.<br />
<br />
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe.<br />
<br />
"Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human.<br />
<br />
"If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud.<br />
<br />
Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese.<br />
<br />
He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn and one by one the other geese followed it to safety.<br />
<br />
He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!"<br />
<br />
Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to lower Himself to be like us? That's ridiculous!"<br />
<br />
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese--blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and enlighten us.<br />
<br />
That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and he pondered this wonderful thought.<br />
<br />
Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Jesus who became the Christ had come, so that we could become the sons and daughters of the Living Christ.<br />
<br />
Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"<br />
<br />
Author Unknown</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95XTl2EbqrpGOwmXRrd6UlPA", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-27907551452612456842010-12-29T06:07:00.000-08:002010-12-29T06:07:00.697-08:00THREE TREES (CHRISTMAS STORY)<span style="font-size: large;">Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."<br />
<br />
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."<br />
<br />
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."<br />
<br />
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,"and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.<br />
<br />
At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.<br />
<br />
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.<br />
<br />
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay.<br />
<br />
This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.<br />
<br />
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.<br />
<br />
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.<br />
<br />
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.<br />
<br />
Author Unknown<br />
<br />
When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.</span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-62994157506044341272010-12-28T06:07:00.000-08:002010-12-28T06:07:10.414-08:00TWO BABES IN A MANGER<span style="font-size: large;">In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.<br />
<br />
Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.<br />
<br />
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately--until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.<br />
<br />
Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift."<br />
<br />
So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." "So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him---for always."<br />
<br />
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him-FOR ALWAYS.<br />
<br />
Author Unknown<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas everyone!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from:</span><br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"06e95unp0XtYtxNdj5TZlnKnQFQ", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ca2020.net</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-17010984570859927762010-12-23T09:04:00.000-08:002010-12-23T09:04:00.782-08:00The Precious Gift<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, when God had finished making the world, he wanted to leave behind a piece of His own divinity, a spark of His essence, a promise to man of what he could become, with effort. He looked for a place to hide this precious gift because, He explained, what man could find too easily would never be valued by him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Then you must hide this gift on the highest mountain peak on earth," said one of his counselors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God shook His head, "No, for man is an adventuresome creature and he will soon enough learn to climb the highest mountain peaks."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Hide it then, O Great One, in the depths of the earth."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I think not," said God. "for man will one day discover that he can dig into the deepest parts of the earth."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"In the middle of the ocean then, Master?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God shook His head. "I've given man a brain, you see, and one day he'll learn to build ships and cross the mightiest oceans."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Where then, Master?" cried His counselors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God smiled, "I'll hide it where every man and woman will be able to find it if they look sincerely and deeply enough. I'll hide it in their heart."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author Unknown</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
a message recieved from:<br />
<br />
Geneva Viera<br />
<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/">http://www.ca2020.net/</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-7359811738565059772010-12-16T09:06:00.000-08:002010-12-16T09:06:00.365-08:00The Regretful Carpenter (From FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD)<span style="font-size: large;">The regretful carpenter</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May 23, 2010, 11:45am</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An elderly carpenter told his employer-contractor of his plan to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and kids. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. To the carpenter’s astonishment, he handed the front-door key to the him.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own, he would have done it all so differently.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house that we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The above story written by an anonymous author has a timely lesson for our newly-elected leaders as well as for each of us. For politicians, the house may symbolize your positions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As you begin a new term, you have to build your houses, always remembering the welfare of your constituents and not your own interest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">May you not regret at the end of your term that you did not build your house wisely.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">For everyone, the house may symbolize the life God has given us. Are you taking care of it as you should? How you build your marriage, family, and life will spell your future – and yes, your eternal life. So, build your house wisely.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A note from Paul Abug<br />
link : http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=108078914477walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-84638635840110630712010-12-11T09:17:00.000-08:002010-12-11T09:17:00.258-08:00All The Way Shay!<span style="font-size: large;">At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: ‘When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The audience was stilled by the query.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The father continued. ‘I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then he told the following story:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys were playing baseball. Shay asked, ‘Do you think they’ll let me play?’ Shay’s father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, ‘We’re losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt . His father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father’s joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay’s life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman’s head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, ‘Shay, run to first! Run to first!’ Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone yelled, ‘Run to second, run to second!’ Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman’s head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All were screaming, ‘Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay!’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, ‘Run to third, Shay, run to third!’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, ‘Shay, run home! Run home!’ Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.<br />
<br />
‘That day’, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, ‘the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world’.<br />
<br />
Young Shay would never forget what it felt like to be a hero that day. <br />
<br />
Neither would the other boys.<br />
<br />
Author Unknown </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">A message from:</span></span><br />
<br />
Geneva Viera<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),
"d488bTlyZ959YbTk7Z3KkfYnt5A", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ca2020.net/</a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-8393578833475760762010-12-05T06:58:00.000-08:002010-12-05T06:58:00.270-08:00Installing LOVE<span style="font-size: large;">Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install it now. What do I do first?<br />
<br />
Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART, ma'am?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Yes, I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: What programs are running, ma'am?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Let's see... I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running now.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off, ma'am?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until it's erased the programs you don't want.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Okay, now LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Yes, I do. Is it completely installed?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTs in order to get the upgrades.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: What does the message say?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: It says "ERROR 412-PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS." What does that mean?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Don't worry, ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTs but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: So what should I do?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Yes, I have it.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Excellent. You're getting good at this. Now, click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. Ah, one more thing.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: Yes?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Customer: I will! Thanks for your help!</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Link: http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=106929149477 </span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-17930104934999888312010-12-03T09:11:00.000-08:002010-12-03T09:11:00.602-08:00If A Dog Were Your Teacher<span style="font-size: large;">If a dog were your teacher</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These are some of the lessons you might learn...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When loved ones come home, always run to greet them</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to be pure ecstasy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When it's in your best interest</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">practice obedience</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let others know when they've invaded your territory</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Take naps and stretch before rising</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Run romp and play daily</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thrive on attention and let people touch you</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No matter how often you're scolded</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">don't buy into the guilt thing and pout</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">run right back and make friends</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Delight in the simple joy of a long walk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Eat with gusto and enthusiasm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stop when you have had enough</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Be loyal</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Never pretend to be something you're not</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If what you want lies buried</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">dig until you find it</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When someone is having a bad day</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">be silent .....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...sit close by.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...and nuzzle them gently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author Unknown</span><br />
<br />
<br />
a message received from:<br />
<br />
Geneva Viera<br />
<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/">http://www.ca2020.net/</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-2771920334086865782010-12-01T06:49:00.000-08:002011-07-10T22:11:36.408-07:0090/10 Principle<span style="font-size: large;">Discover the 90/10 Principle.<br />
It will change your life.<br />
<br />
----------------------------</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
What is this principle?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
What does this mean?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You determine the other 90%.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
can control how you react.<br />
<br />
Let's use an example.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
What happens when the next will be determined by how you react.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize them for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
ready for school. She misses the bus.<br />
<br />
Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late,</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 (traffic fine) away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in<br />
your relationship with your spouse and daughter.<br />
<br />
Why? Because of you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
A) Did the coffee cause it?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
B) Did your daughter cause it?<br />
C) Did the policeman cause it?<br />
D) Did you cause it?<br />
<br />
The answer is D. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need to be more careful</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You and your spouse kiss before you go to work. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.<br />
<br />
Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Why? Because of how you REACTED.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction. Here are some</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
ways to apply the 90/10 principle.<br />
<br />
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.<br />
<br />
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant?</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.<br />
<br />
Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
The 90-10 principle is incredible.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
and heartache. There never seem to be a success in life. Bad days follow bad days. Terrible things seem to be constantly happening. There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships. Worry consumes time. Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to the fullest. Friends are lost. Life is a bore and often seems cruel. Does this describe you?<br />
If so, do not be discouraged. You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle.<br />
<br />
It will change your life. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">If you wish to have more time for your family and to be able to take care of your parents when they get old, join us athttp://www.intensitynetwork.com/s/vianmendoza02</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Love Life. Live in Abundance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Retire Young and Rich!</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes (email by Marinela Dela Cruz)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Link: http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=108078914477</span></span><br />
<h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><br />
</h2>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-65961646891998691662010-11-30T06:44:00.000-08:002010-11-30T06:44:00.208-08:00A Carrot, An Egg and a Cup of Coffee<span style="font-size: large;">This was too good of a life lesson not to pass on!<br />
A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee...<br />
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.<br />
<br />
<br />
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
were so hard for her.<br />
She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.<br />
She was tired of fighting and struggling.<br />
It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.<br />
<br />
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
placed each on a high fire.<br />
Soon the pots came to boil.<br />
In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the<br />
last she placed ground coffee beans.<br />
She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.<br />
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.<br />
She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.<br />
She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.<br />
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.<br />
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"<br />
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.<br />
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.<br />
She did and noted that they were soft.<br />
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.<br />
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.<br />
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.<br />
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.<br />
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, Mum?"<br />
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same<br />
adversity . boiling water.<br />
Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.<br />
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became<br />
weak.<br />
The egg had been fragile.<br />
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting<br />
through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.<br />
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the<br />
boiling water, they had changed the water.<br />
Which are you?" she asked her daughter.<br />
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?<br />
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"<br />
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain<br />
and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?<br />
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?<br />
Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial<br />
hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?<br />
Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a<br />
stiff spirit and hardened heart?<br />
Or am I like the coffee bean?<br />
<br />
The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
the pain.<br />
When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are<br />
like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change<br />
the situation around you.<br />
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate<br />
yourself to another level?<br />
How do you handle adversity?<br />
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?<br />
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you<br />
strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope<br />
to make you happy.<br />
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they<br />
just make the most of everything that comes along their way.<br />
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go<br />
forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.<br />
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.<br />
Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling<br />
and everyone around you is crying.<br />
You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to<br />
you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes (Josephine Mary Aracil) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Link: http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=120481229477</span></span><br />
<h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><br />
</h2><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-56837504285050955832010-11-27T08:59:00.000-08:002010-11-27T08:59:00.276-08:00The Daffodil Principle<span style="font-size: large;">Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"How far will we have to drive?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand-lettered sign that said, "Daffodil Garden."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns-great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"But who has done this?" I asked Carolyn.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"It's just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first answer was a simple one."50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and very little brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There it was, The Daffodil Principle. For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun ~ one bulb at a time ~ to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top. Still, just planting one bulb at a time, year after year, had changed the world. This unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of ineffable (indescribable) magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years. Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start today," she said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author: Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time ~ often just one baby-step at a time ~ and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
a message recieved from:<br />
<br />
Geneva Viera <br />
<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/">http://www.ca2020.net/</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-86131557649535959412010-11-25T06:41:00.000-08:002010-11-25T06:41:00.269-08:00THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO<span style="font-size: large;">One day I decided to quit...<br />
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...<br />
I wanted to quit my life.<br />
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.<br />
<br />
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
His answer surprised me...</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
"Yes", I replied.<br />
<br />
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.<br />
<br />
But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.<br />
<br />
"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said.<br />
<br />
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
gave it what it needed to survive.<br />
<br />
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
struggling, you have actually been growing roots"<br />
<br />
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."<br />
<br />
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!"</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"How high should I rise?" I asked.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"As high as it can?" I questioned.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
I left the forest and bring back this story.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes</span> <span style="font-size: small;">(email by Amarie) Link: http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=128033139477</span></span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-49467954903957911672010-11-23T08:46:00.001-08:002010-11-23T08:51:12.173-08:00The Triple-Filter Test<span style="font-size: large;">In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Well, no," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and…"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"All right," said Socrates. "So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Umm, no, on the contrary…"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left—the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"No, not really."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Author Unknown </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"To gain respect, begin by respecting yourself. Live up to your word. Do not, under any circumstances, go against that in which you believe. Do not exploit others. And, most importantly, start to love, wishing good and success to everyone you meet."~Thomas D. Willhite~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
a message recived from<br />
<br />
Geneva Viera<br />
<br />
Financial Education & Personal Growth Advocate<br />
<a href="http://www.ca2020.net/">http://www.ca2020.net/</a>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-77616233413844864932010-11-15T06:30:00.000-08:002010-11-23T09:32:51.106-08:00BEAUTIFUL STORY<span style="font-size: large;">A great note for all to read it will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking<br />
<br />
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Days and weeks passed.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Epilogue:</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.<br />
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.<br />
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.<br />
<br />
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes(email by Beryl Almagro) Link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=145637014477</span></span><br />
<h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><br />
</h2>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-49265611601133124922010-11-09T06:20:00.000-08:002010-11-23T09:33:31.003-08:00LOVE and TIME<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness and all others including Love. One day, it was announce to all the feelings that the island was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean. So, all the feelings prepared their boats to leave. Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve the island paradise until the last possible moment. When the island was almost underwater, Love decided it was time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help.<br />
<br />
Just then, Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked, “Richness, can I come with you on your boat?” Richness answered, “I’m sorry but there are lots of silver and gold on my boat and there is no room for you anywhere.” Then Love decided to ask Vanity who was passing by in a beautiful vessel, “Vanity, please help me.” “I can’t help you.” Vanity said, “You are all wet and you will damage my beautiful boat.” Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, “Sadness let me go with you.” Sadness answered, “Love I’m sorry but I just need to be alone now.” Then Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, “Happiness, please take me with you.” But Happiness was so overjoyed that he did not hear Love calling him.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Love began to cry. Then she heard a voice say, “Come, love, I will take you with me.” It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the elder his name. They arrived on land. The elder went on his way. Love realized how much she owed the elder. Love then found Knowledge and asked, “Who was that who helped me?” “It was Time.” Knowledge answered. “But why did Time help me when no one else would?” Love asked Knowledge, so he smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">From Paul Abug Notes</span>. Link: <span style="font-size: small;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=145710469477</span></span>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8808524780864652307.post-52778653715762326282010-11-06T05:16:00.000-07:002010-11-23T09:34:11.774-08:00Buying Time<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Daddy, may I ask you a question?”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The father was furious. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Are you asleep son?” he asked.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10.00 you asked for.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The little boy sat straight up, beaming.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Oh, thank you daddy!” he yelled.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills.The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” the father grumbled.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> “Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?”</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">-Author Unknown</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </b></span></div></div>walakasingmagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03411057614166315139noreply@blogger.com1