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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 6:59:41 GMT 8
5 Minutes More
While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
"He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue sweater." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son.
"What do you say we go, Todd?" Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please, just five more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content.
Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son, "Time to go now?" Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes Dad, Just five more minutes."
The man smiled and said, "Okay."
"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Todd.
"He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is . . . I get five more minutes to watch him play."
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:00:51 GMT 8
90/10 Principle
Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will 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. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example. 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. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. 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 her 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 ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, 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 your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it? B) Did your daughter cause it? C) Did the policeman cause it? D) Did you cause it?
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. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need,to be more careful 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 arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.
If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't 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.
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, nd do not worry about it.
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.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? 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. 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.
The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems 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? If so, do not be discouraged
You can be different! Understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It will change your life
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:03:38 GMT 8
Truth or Consequences: What's Your Choice?
Mac was an investigative reporter, a straight shooter who didn't mince words. He obtained the facts, and reported his findings with revealing honesty. He valued truth and justice. Now the threatening voice on his phone left him afraid for his life.
Mac had uncovered a scandal that had caused the death of six people in a large hospital. The perps had wasted no time in finding out about it. In fact Mac now realized they had been wise to his investigation from the start. He finally had the facts - enough to bring an end to this menacing, dangerous group of people.
"This is incredible!" said Charlien, Mac's editor. "Get the story on my desk a soon as you can!"
Mac was still shaken from the life-threatening call he'd received during the night. He told Charlien about the threat, adding, "It's too much pressure. I don't know if I can go through with this."
Charlien looked squarely into Mac's eyes, and leaned in close. Her voice grew noticeably sharp.
"Who's pressuring you, Mac? Those thugs can't make your choice for you." she said. "The power to stop this can be yours, Mac. But you have to choose it, or else the thugs get to. So what's your choice?"
Mac said nothing, and stared at Charlien.
Her voice grew softer. "It's your choice, Mac." Charlien repeated. "As I see it, you could be saving many lives. Listen, you are the most brilliant investigative reporter I've ever worked with. You have the truth, and you hold all the cards right now. And something else: Every choice you make will have a consequence. So what's your choice?"
Mac perspired and glanced nervously out the window.
Charlien continued. "The piles we end up sitting in someday, Mac, are made of all the individual choices we've made. They will either be soft, comfortable piles of contentment and reward, or they will be thorny, painful piles of regret. But either way, we're going to sit in one of them. Now, you can make this choice based on fear, or you choose based on what you value. So what's your choice?"
"The truth." replied Mac. "Only the truth. The story will be on your desk this afternoon."
Mac won many awards over the next ten years. He was honored for his work by public service organizations all over the country. His choice to honor his own values not only moved his career forward, it saved many lives.
He never forgot what Charlien told him: In the end, it all comes down to choices that either limit or enhance growth - choices based on fear or on values. Each choice, large or small, will have it's consequences.
Today Mac is retired, and his choices are still anchored to his value for truth. He lives with gratitude and satisfaction in knowing that his work has saved lives and provided inspiration to many other people
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:04:51 GMT 8
One Hundred Goals? YES! One Hundred Goals!
Was this speaker stark raving mad? One hundred goals? He thought I could come up with 100 goals for my life?
The speaker, Mark Victor Hansen, compiled the hugely successful Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books with Co-Author Jack Canfield. He challenged the assembled throng at the Women's Business Conference to brainstorm 100 life goals.
Further, he encouraged us to work with a partner with whom we would swap lists. Together we would encourage each other to develop our list. We would hold each other accountable. We would help each other eventually reach these 100 life goals.
Seeing that he was where he was, and I was where I was, I decided to take his advice! How many best sellers does Mark Victor Hansen have anyway? Exactly my point! He was a best selling writer, highly paid motivational speaker, darn good dresser too! And me? I was an employee of local government who read a lot of inspiring books. The kids in my Sunday School class were motivated by my speaking. That was certainly worth something.
My wardrobe? Usually bought on sale, or at the end of the season on clearance.
If Mark Victor Hansen got where he was by writing 100 goals? Then I figured it would not hurt to try! My co-worker and I buddied up to walk together through the process.
The next day I sat at my keyboard. At first I thought I would have difficulty in thinking up goals. Soon, though, I was on a roll. My goals were as diverse as "Have lunch with a friend one time weekly" to "Host a radio talk show" to "travel to Europe".
I approached my co-worker to share my list with her. I also wanted to do my part as her buddy. I knew I needed to encourage her to write her own 100 goals. She read through my list, saying "Great! Oh, and you wrote ‘Learn French twice!' ". With that, she went back to the tasks on her desk.
"Ummmmm.....how is your list coming, buddy?" I tried to sound as positive as I could on this one. Never sound accusatory towards your buddy, I thought
She looked out her window and replied, "My 100 goals are to get up tomorrow and the next 100 days!" She laughed at her humor. Me? I didn't understand.
Then again, her dream in 5 years is to still be working in local government. Perfectly respectable. Nothing at all wrong with that goal.
It is just not something that I could be particularly passionate about. Not something that I would be especially inspired by.
So where does that leave you, today?
Can you think of your 100 goals? Where would you like to be in 5 years? If you had a magic wand and your life could look like anything, what would I see when looking at you? What would it feel like to live that ideal life? What would others think of your life? Would you inspire people? Annoy people? Learn from people?
In other words, what do you really want to do with your life?
Start slow if you think you can not possibly think of 100 goals. Take out a piece of paper or open a new document on your word processor. Go for ten goals at first. No set order of preference, just let your mind go. Let the ideas and thoughts flow.
You may find you need to write more than ten goals as your ideas start moving less like a trickle and more like a deluge. If you run into a roadblock? Stop working. Walk away. Save the goals you have written. Promise yourself that you will come back later.
And then do exactly that! Come back later. Challenge yourself to finish your list of 100 goals.
Finally, find someone with whom to share your goals. A buddy to encourage you as you grow. Do you have anyone who would encourage this kind of challenge? If not, I invite you to join our discussion list entitled LivePassionately2day.
We have set up Goal Buddies in addition to discussing Goals and Goal Setting on a regular basis.
As for me, I am on my way to reaching more and more of my 100 goals. I no longer work in Local Government. I spend my hours caring for my precious babies (one goal was to have another baby, who is now 2!). I am also writing, speaking and am a webmaster. You can find me at a place called 5Passions. It is all about Living a Passion Filled Life.
I have not yet made reservations for a European Trip, nor have I hosted a Talk Radio program, but listen to your local station. You just never can be sure when that goal will also become a reality!
100 Goals. A method for uncovering what you really want. 100 Goals. A way to find out what is stored in your heart. 100 Goals. The beginning of your future. 100 Goals!
By Julie Jordan Scott
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:05:51 GMT 8
A Window To Look Through
She watches through her window, her little girl at play. Memories flood back to her childhood, of her yesterdays
As she tucks her gift into bed, and kisses her precious face She says a prayer of protection, "Lord keep my child safe."
And as days turn months into years, she sees her little girl grow She begins to realize that a time will come, the time when she must let go
Suddenly she hears a gentle voice-- saying, "No greater love is this, Than what you've done for your little girl, go seal it with a kiss."
"Honey I want to kiss your face, but I know I can't by phone While looking through your bedroom window, I began to feel alone."
"So many days through this very window, I'd watch you laugh and play And I can almost see you tucked in bed, on those nights we'd talk and pray."
"Mom," her daughter uttered, "There's something I want to say... You may not know how many times, I saw you watch me play."
"That window that you're looking through, is the same one God looked in He saw you by my bed each night, when you'd tenderly tuck me in."
"So mom please don't feel all alone, you know I'll always be there... Just like God is with you now, no matter the time, or place or where."
Her mother paused and then replied, "Sweetheart I know you're right... You're grown, married and have a child, that you now tuck in at night."
"Mom, I better go now, I have some things I better do." Her mom replied, "I know it dear, you've got a window to look through."
* Dedicated to mothers and daughters and the unique and special love they have and will continue to share.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:51:08 GMT 8
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with R86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every “evening” deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!!!!
Each of us has such a “bank” It’s name is TIME Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose It carries over no balance It allows no overdraft Each day it opens a new account for you Each night it burns the remains of the day If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours
There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow.” You must live in the present on today’s deposits Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health,happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today
To realize the value of ONE YEAR…. ask a student who failed a grade To realize the value of ONE MONTH….. ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby To realize the value of ONE WEEK…… ask the editor of a weekly newspaper To realize the value of ONE HOUR…… ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE….. ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND…. ask a person who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND….. ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called …. the Present!!
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear. They share a word of praise, and they always want to open their heart to us.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 7:52:08 GMT 8
Coffee with a Friend
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the 2 cups of coffee...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else-the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the Small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set Your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
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Post by BrusKO on Jun 9, 2006 7:56:26 GMT 8
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 8:01:30 GMT 8
hehehehe.... Im not doing much kc eh .. more to come..
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 8:02:04 GMT 8
You Are
You are strong... when you take your grief and teach it to smile.
You are brave... when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same.
You are happy... when you see a flower and are thankful for the blessing.
You are loving... when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others.
You are wise... when you know the limits of your wisdom.
You are true... when you admit there are times you fool yourself.
You are alive... when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake.
You are growing... when you know what you are but not what you will become.
You are free... when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others.
You are honorable... when you find your honor is to honor others.
You are generous... when you can take as sweetly as you can give.
You are humble... when you do not know how humble you are.
You are thoughtful... when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are.
You are merciful... when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself.
You are beautiful... when you don't need a mirror to tell you.
You are rich... when you never need more than what you have.
You are you... when you are at peace with who you are not.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 8:02:36 GMT 8
The Game of Life
At 24, I had never flown in an airplane, but I had married, graduated from college and had a 2 year old son. As I was driving up Main Street in our college town, I noticed a travel agency and wondered what they did in there. Having lived my life in small towns under 2,000 populations, I had never been in a travel agency. So I stopped in and decided to play a pretending game.
"May I help you?" asked the girl behind the desk.
It was time for the game to begin. "Yes, I believe I'd like to go to Mexico City."
She brought out several brochures and price lists and opened them across the desk. I was shocked to find out that you could fly to Mexico City for less than $200. Why, I had imagined that it would cost thousands and thousands. What fun!! I gathered up the brochures and could hardly wait to show them to my husband. I spread them out across our dinner table just as the travel agent had done.
"Forget it, Karen," my husband responded. " I don't want to go to Mexico."
Dejected, I threw all the brochures away. The next day we were driving down town and I saw the travel agency again.
"Honey, stop the car! I want you to see how much fun it is to play the travel agency game and it doesn't cost anything."
He pulled the car to the curb and I eagerly lead the way inside the store. My own pretend travel agent greeted me with a smile and seemed ready to play the game again. I asked my husband where he'd like to go.
"Well, I guess I'd like to go to Hawaii. We have several college friends there."
"Great!" I said. "Looks like we'll need some information on Hawaii today."
An hour later, we exited the agency with two tickets for Hawaii, leaving in two days with transfers to every Island, and a return trip in two weeks. We rushed around taking our son to his grandparents, packing bags, and borrowing money from our credit union for expenses.
It was the best money lesson we ever learned. We paid the credit union back out of our check at $50/month. When the trip was paid for, we never stopped saving the money. Soon there was enough for a new freezer, twin beds for the kids, and so on. Every time we got a raise, we added more to the amount being taken from our check and put into the credit union.
Many trips, freezers, and beds later, we know that saving regularly puts a couple in the position of not having to rely on credit cards and loans. What started out as a game became the game of life for us.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 8:03:35 GMT 8
The Perfume . . .
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of the school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers she looked at her students and said she loved them all the same. However that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in the seat was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy, and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each student past records and she put Teddy's off until the last. However when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "Teddy's mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps are not taken."
His fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped beautifully in bright ribbons and paper, except for Teddy's, whose present was clumsy and wrapped in heavy brown paper, the he would have got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.
Some of the children started to laugh when she found the rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle of perfume that was only one quarter full. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed on after school that day just long to say, " Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at long time
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in class. And, despite her lie that she loved all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "pets".
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he had ever had in his life.
Six years went by before she got another letter from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in is whole life.
Four years after that she received another note saying that while things had been tough at times, he still stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate with the highest honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and most favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and most favourite teacher he ever had in his whole life. But now the name was little longer ... the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end here. There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said the he met this girl who was going to marry.
He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson would agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what, she wore that bracelet - the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she also remembered to wear the perfume that Teddy's mother wore on the last Christmas they spent together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach till I met you."
You could have a Teddy standing in front of you and yet not realize it
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 8:04:03 GMT 8
No Problems
Don't worry if you have problems! Which is easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one, I know. But the only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in little neighbourhoods. Most cities and villages have at least one. We call them cemeteries. If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you! Let me explain.
Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. "I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colourful," a traveller observed. "Why is this?"
The guide gave an interesting answer: "The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms -- surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces."
Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism." That's how it is with people.
Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.
So, you have problems -- no problem! Just tell yourself, "There I grow again; stronger and powerful!"
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Post by BrusKO on Jun 9, 2006 8:07:28 GMT 8
hehehehe.... Im not doing much kc eh .. more to come.. Eto tanong: have you read all of these? ;D
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 9:26:46 GMT 8
Good question! mmmm.... read it for me, then explain it for me here in the thread... bwahahaha!
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 10:21:22 GMT 8
Is life an adventure or misadventure?
Is life an adventure or a isadventure? The question is an important one because the view we take colors everything we experience. Our attitude or perspective either works for or against us. So, now and then we need to pause and examine which way our life is heading. After all, if we don't change our direction, we will end up where we are heading.
If we believe life is a misadventure or struggle, we live with resentment, distrust, and fear. We also feel that life is unfair, painful, and a form of punishment. Yet, our view of life is a choice we make. If we don't like what we see, we can change channels just the way we do on a TV set. Are you getting tired of seeing nothing but violence and suffering? Well, then, change channels! For a delightful change, take a look at all the good that is taking place in the world.
Remember that you can always choose what you decide to focus on. When we shift our focus from the negative to the positive, we begin to see the world in a new way. This change of perspective causes us to act differently. And by acting differently, life itself becomes different for us.
The secret of life is realizing that it is a great adventure. Missing this simple point can have disastrous effects. For example, imagine you and a stranger are strapped into a roller coaster. The stranger was plucked out of a primitive society and knows nothing about modern life. At the end of the ride, how will his experience differ from yours? In his eyes, the ride was a devilish form of torture. During the entire trip he was bewildered and in fear. And you? You enjoyed every thrilling moment!
Can you see how the failure to understand the nature of a roller coaster prevented the primitive native from enjoying the ride? It is no different with life. Those who have yet to learn that life is an adventure mistakenly believe they are victims of circumstances, condemned to a life of suffering.
Yet, once we understand the nature of life, everything changes. Can a roller coaster ride be exciting without steep falls and sharp twists and turns?
Neither can life be exhilarating unless there are challenges to face, hurdles to surmount, and problems to solve. Adventurers understand that, so they don't fight and struggle with events, but choose to go with the flow.True, the flow may be as turbulent as white-water rafting, but isn't that part of the adventure?
Life invites us to become adventurers. It invites us to stop whining and start shinning, to stop being a victim and start being a victor. It invites us to journey on a quest to discover, uncover, and recover our potential. It invites us to become the hero in our life story by living courageously. It invites us to lead potent lives in which we make a difference by contributing and adding to life.
Life is not a war to wage, but a gift to cherish. We will realize this as soon as we change our focus from what we lack to what we have. Our feeling of gratitude and sense of appreciation releases energy, which will then help us to continue tirelessly in our adventure.
Adventurers don't repress or hide their emotions. Like rainbows, they burst into color as they feel and express a full range of feelings. Fear, anger, disgust, joy, pity, loneliness, surprise, elation, enthusiasm, passion, embarrassment, pain, sorrow, happiness, awe, calmness, and confusion are just a few of the emotions they experience. Unlike the numbness of the living dead, adventurers are alive with vibrant feelings. They feel life, soak it in, sense it, taste it, and fully express it.
Another characteristic of adventurers is their willingness to embrace change and uncertainty. And why shouldn't they? For change and uncertainty are just other words for surprise. No wonder adventurers believe life is a celebration; after all, they spend their entire lives in a surprise party. They love dueling with the unexpected because it keeps them on their toes.Our lives don't have to be boring, they can be as exciting as that of any swashbuckler. All we have to do is accept life's offer; it's asking us to jump in and join in the fun. "The Big Question is," according to Joseph Campbell (1904 ~ 1987), "whether you are going to be able to say a hearty YES to your adventure."
If we're just neophyte wayfarers wanting to become heroic adventurers, how do we get from where we are to where we want to be? The best way to begin is with an inspiring dream. Pick a dream that is worthy of a hero. For as Renaissance man Robert Fritz wrote, "If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise." When we live life as an adventure, our destination isn't as important as the transformation we undergo, so don't worry about whether you become entirely successful or not.
Another thing you can do is open your eyes and see. See what? See what Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 ~ 1964) spoke about, "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." Every crossroad we come to is a choice between following the path of adventure or the road to misery. Which will it be? As long as we awaken from our slumber, and look for the right path, we will find it. When we open our hearts, minds, and eyes to what the world offers, we allow it to flood us with riches, so remain alert.
Also, to sustain our adventure, we need to make the right choices. For when we don't choose to befriend others, we choose to be lonely. When we don't choose to open our hearts to others, we choose to get nothing in return and turn our backs on opportunity. When we don't choose to elevate our thoughts, we contaminate our minds with stinking thinking. And if we don't choose to live in the present, we relinquish the only moment we are alive and have power.
You can add a great deal of pleasure to the adventure of life with some humor. For example, the renowned Radio Comic Fred A.
Allen (1894 ~ 1957) had this to say, "Life, in my estimation, is a biological misadventure that we terminate on the shoulders of six strange men whose only objective is to make a hole in one with you." Despite the value of humor, I'll end on a serious note by quoting from the wisdom of Helen Keller (1880 ~ 1968), "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 10:21:56 GMT 8
Eating the Cookie
by: Rachel Naomi Remen
Another of my patients, a successful businessman, tells me that before his cancer he would become depressed unless things went a certain way. Happiness was "having the cookie." If you had the cookie, things were good. If you didn't have the cookie, life wasn't worth a d@mn. Unfortunately, the cookie kept changing. Some of the time it was money, sometimes power, sometimes sex. At other times, it was the new car, the biggest contract, and the most prestigious address.
A year and a half after his diagnosis of prostate cancer he sits shaking his head ruefully. "It's like I stopped learning how to live after I was a kid. When I give my son a cookie, he is happy. If I take the cookie away or it breaks, he is unhappy.
But he is two and a half and I am forty-three. It's taken me this long to understand that the cookie will never make me happy for long. The minute you have the cookie it starts to crumble or you start to worry about it crumbling or about someone trying to take it away from you. You know, you have to give up a lot of things to take care of the cookie, to keep it from crumbling and be sure that no one takes it away from you. You may not even get a chance to eat it because you are so busy just trying not to lose it. Having the cookie is not what life is about."
My patient laughs and says cancer has changed him. For the first time he is happy. No matter if his business is doing well or not, no matter if he wins or loses at golf. "Two years ago, cancer asked me, 'Okay, what's important? What is really important?' Well, life is important. Life. Life any way you can have it. Life with the cookie. Life without the cookie. Happiness does not have anything to do with the cookie, it has to do with being alive. Before, who made the time?" He pauses thoughtfully. "d@mn, I guess life is the cookie."
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 9, 2006 10:22:27 GMT 8
A story for u.... Nice one to start the day...
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter said,"yes", but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He restored to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, the employer handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you". The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
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 realise we have to live in the house we have built.
We are the carpenters. Life is a do-it-yourself project someone has said. Our attitudes and the choice that we make today, build the house we will live in tomorrow. Build Wisely.
Remember: WORK LIKE WE DON'T NEED THE MONEY, LOVE LIKE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN HURT, DANCE LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING!!!! IF A JOB'S WORTH DOING, IT'S WORTH DOING WELL!! Life is short make it Sweet---------> Be Happy !!!
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Post by warlock^_^ on Jun 9, 2006 10:49:19 GMT 8
me likey... good one. We are the carpenters. Life is a do-it-yourself project someone has said. Our attitudes and the choice that we make today, build the house we will live in tomorrow. Build Wisely.
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Post by bikehunter on Jun 9, 2006 21:01:05 GMT 8
i almost cried
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Post by bikehunter on Jun 9, 2006 21:03:53 GMT 8
u post like ur bo sanchez
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:28:42 GMT 8
Don’t Break Your Heart
Don’t break your heart when the things go wrong smile at them and accept them as they come, as they come not to discourage you, but to make you strong so that nothing can let you down.
Don’t break your heart when someone's words hurt you, they dont have the power to do so, unless you give them the authority, make your self so strong that they leave you without hurting you.
Don’t break your heart when you feel you are alone, as god never leaves his children amidst despair, feel his presence in the absence of the whole world, and remember one thing-"be bold for what you stand for.
Don’t break your heart when you feel someone has already did it, as no one has the ability to do that, because heart is not some thing that is build by is, but it is made up of the everlasting love that keeps us together.
Don’t break your heart for the little moments of sorrow, as it is meant to be happy and to make others around you happy, it has no space for the unhappy moments but is limitless, to keep everybody in your heart until the last breath of the life.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:29:04 GMT 8
THE ANT PHILOSOPHY
1st PART PHILOSOPHY ANTS NEVER QUIT
If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over, they’ll climb under, they’ll climb around. They keep looking for another way. LESSON: To never quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.
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2nd PART PHILOSOPHY
ANTS THINK WINTER ALL SUMMER You can’t be so naïve as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering their winter food in the middle of summer. You’ve got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.
LESSON: It is important to be realistic. Think ahead.
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3rd PART PHILOSOPHY
ANTS THINK SUMMER ALL WINTER During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.”
At the first warm day, the ants are out.
If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day.
LESSON: Stay positive at all times.
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4th PART PHILOSOPHY
ALL-THAT-YOU-POSSIBLY-CAN How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can.
LESSON: Do all you can….and more!
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IN A NUT SHELL...
FOUR-PART PHILOSOPHY
Never Give Up Look Ahead Stay Positive Do All You Can
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:29:35 GMT 8
26 Quick Tips for Living an Inspired Life (© 1991 Carol James)
Here are 26 quick tips for living an inspired life.
Ask for what you want.
Be who you say you are.
Care about others.
Dare to live your dreams.
Ease through the day.
Find the best fit.
Give to another.
Hug a friend.
Inspire someone to greatness.
Jump over a boundary.
Kick a bad habit.
Leap across a fear.
Mention something uplifting.
Never say never.
Open your mind and heart.
Pursue your innermost passions.
Quit complaining.
Restore your smile.
Set your sights high.
Trust yourself.
Use all the day.
Value everything.
Wait until it feels right.
Xpress yourself.
Yank weeds from your mental garden.
Zoom into the now.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:30:01 GMT 8
All Is Not Lost!
A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time- out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.
"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.
He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
"Sometimes we feel that we have certain weaknesses and we blame god, the circumstances and our self for it but we never know that our weakness can become our strength one day. Each of us is special and important, so never think you have any weakness, never think of pride or pain, just live your life to its fullest and extract the best out of it!"
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:31:56 GMT 8
Can you improve your life in one minute
The answer is yes!
Most of us find it difficult to take time out to relax, to play, to just breathe. We're in such a hurry all the time...but I know we can all find at least one minute to vastly improve our lives!
Give some of these great suggestions a try and see how the quality of your life improves!
Want to make some positive gains in your life? A lot of folks would like to improve their lifestyle, but just can't find the time to take action. If you are already living a busy lifestyle, finding the time to make a positive change CAN pose a seemingly insurmountable problem.
Still ... the highest mountain is scaled only step at a time, and the biggest goal is only accomplished one step at a time. And actually -- it's impossible to take more than one step at a time anyway.
Why not try an approach of focusing on just what you can accomplish in one minute - just 60 seconds. That's enough time to at least re-focus on a goal, and plan one small action to move you in your desired direction.
You can actually do quite a bit in only one minute. Here are some ways to use the power of a single minute:
Exercise for One Minute No time to go to the gym? OK. Forget about the next 59 minutes, and just focus on the next one minute. Perhaps do a deep breathing exercise, or one minute of push-ups or sit-ups. Or invest in one of those easy-to-use $50 home gym systems, and just do a single exercise for 1 minute. After a while you may expand to two minutes ... and wow, you have just made a 200% jump.
Relax for One Minute Just relax into your chair and suck in a slow deep breath all the way down into your belly. Then open your mouth slightly, and release your breath as slowly as you can. Repeat this for just one minute to refresh your mind with increased oxygen.
Calm Your Mind For One Minute Your mind is a fabulous theater, and contains wonderful visions of your favorite places. Go visit one of those places for one minute. Just relax and clear your mind wherever you may be -- in a plane, waiting in a bank line, or at your desk. Now revisit your favorite place in your mental theatre for one minute. You'll come away feeling refreshed, and a lot calmer and clearer.
Change Your Outlook for One Minute You can even experiment going outside your normal self for a minute. Try acting the exact opposite of how you usually act for one minute. If you tend to be introverted, think like an extrovert. If you are an engineer, think like an artist. If you are a man, think like a woman.
Re-Frame a Problem for One Minute Choose a problem, then select a different frame of reference to consider it from. Try considering the problem through the eyes of someone you admire. Does the problem look different? Try looking at it with the mind Albert Einstein or Bill Gates or Martha Stewart. Now how does the problem look?
Be Happy for One Minute Maybe you are currently overwhelmed with problems and challenges beyond your control. Try finding something to give thanks for, and focus on being grateful. Forget any current or past tragedies or disasters, and allow yourself to be happy for one minute.
You really can achieve wonders in just one minute. And these single minutes can add up to a greatly improved quality of life. Give it a try!
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 8:32:23 GMT 8
A Scorpion Moment
There was this Hindu who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.
A man nearby told him to stop saving the scorpion that kept stinging him.
But the Hindu said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"
Don't give up loving. Don't give up your goodness. Even if people around you sting.
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 11:19:41 GMT 8
Paradox Of Our Times
Today we have bigger houses, but smaller families ! More conveniences, but less time !
We have more degrees, but less common sense ! More knowledge, but less judgment !
We have more experts, but more problems ! More medicine, but less wellness !
We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get to angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too often, and pray too seldom !
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values ! We talk too much, love too little and lie too often !
We‘ve learned how to make a living, but not life ! We’ve added years to life, not life to years !
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers ! Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints !
We spend more, but have less ! We buy more, but enjoy it less !
We've been all the way to the moon and back, But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor !
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space ! We've split the atom, but not our prejudice !
We write more, but learn less ! Plan more, but accomplish less !
We've learned to rush, but not to wait ! We have higher incomes, but lower morals !
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies, but have less communication ! We are long on quantity, but short on quality !
These are the times of fast foods, but slow digestion ! Tall men and short character ! Steep profits but shallow relationships !
More leisure and less fun ! More kinds of food, but less nutrition ! Two incomes, but more divorce ! Fancier houses, but broken homes !
That’s why I propose, that as of today, you do not keep anything for a special occasion, because every day that you live is a Special Occasion ! ! !
Search for knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to your needs !
Spend more time with your family and friends, eat your favorite foods, and visit the places you love !
Life is a chain of moment of enjoyment, not only about survival !
Use your crystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume, and use it every time you feel you want it !
Remove from your vocabulary phrases like “one of these days” and “someday”. Let’s write that letter we thought of writing “one of these days” !
Let’s tell our families and friends how much we love them. Do not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to your life !!
Every day, every hour, and every minute is special. And you don’t know, if it will be your last !
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 11:20:35 GMT 8
Water In the Cup
A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The Lecturer was happy to see them. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain looking and some looked rather expensive and exquisite.
The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves. When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the Lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups."
"Just like in life, if Life is Water, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold/maintain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change."
"If we only concentrate on the cup, we won't have time to enjoy the water in it."
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Post by goldenboy on Jun 13, 2006 11:20:56 GMT 8
This Will Make You Cry...
Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life it was on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she'd have friends over soon. There'd be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy It's just the way she wanted her life to be. On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, "I want to be popular and I'm going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!" To be known in this school you had to have a clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. "Well, I just won't tell them the entire truth. They won't know the difference; what's there to lose?" Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, "All right." Excited, she got ready for the big event But as she rushed around like she had no sense, She began to feel guilty about all the lies, But what's a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Jeff was half drunk by this time. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, And heard, call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble! Voices she heard...a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Jeff was all right, And if the people in the other car was alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. "You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad." These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that Jeff was dead. They said "Jenny, we've done all we can do. But it looks as if we'll lose you too." "But the people in the other car!? "Jenny cried. "We're sorry, Jenny, they also died." Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done I only wanted to have just one night of fun." "Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them." "Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied, And tha t it's my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?" The nurse just stood there-she never agreed. But took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later Jenny died. A man ked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best?" To bid that girl her one last request?" She looked at the man with eyes so sad. "Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad."
This story is sad and unpleasant but true,
So young people take heed, it could have been you.
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