Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Or how accepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed, it's not about sex.
It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have. Or what kind of car you drive. Or where you are sent to school. It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, Or what kind of music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown. Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."
But, life is about whom you love and whom you hurt. It's about whom you make happy or unhappy purposefully. It's about keeping or betraying trust.
It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon. It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening. About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments are spread to. It's about whom you've ignored with full control and intention. It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge. It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.
But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Secret Of Life
One day, God and a sage are walking across a vast desert.The Sage turns to God and asks,"O Greatest Lord, what is the secret of this life and the appearances of this world?" God smiles and makes no reply. They continue on.
"Child," God finally says. "The sun is hot today, and I am thirsty. Ahead you will find a village.Go there and fetch me a cup of water."
Sage sets off. Arriving at the village, he approaches the first house he sees and knocks at the door.A beautiful young woman answers.The moment Sage looks into her eyes he forgets God's command,and the reason for his mission.
The woman ushers Sage into the house, where he is warmly welcomed by her family. It is as if everyone in this gentle household has been expecting him. Sage is asked to eat with the family, and then to stay the night. He gladly accepts, enjoying the family's warm hospitality, and secretly marveling at the young woman's loveliness.
A week goes by, then two. Sage decides to stay on, and he soon begins to share in the household chores. After the appropriate amount of time passes he asks for the woman's hand in marriage. The family has been expecting nothing less, it turns out. Everyone is overjoyed.
Sage and his young wife settle down in her family's house, where she soon bears him three children, two sons and a daughter.
Years pass. When his wife's mother and father pass away, Sage takes over as head of the household. He opens a small shop in the village and it prospers. Before long he is an honoured citizen of the community and a prominent member of the town council. Giving himself up to the age-old joys and sorrows of village life, Sage lives contentedly for many years.
Then one evening during the monsoon season a violent storm breaks over head, and the river rises so high from the sudden rains that the village begins to flood. Sage gathers his family and leads them through the dark night toward higher ground. But the winds blow so violently and the rain pelts down with such force that one of Sage's sons is washed away.
Sage reaches for the boy, and in so doing lets go of his second son. A moment later a gales wind tears his daughter from his arms. Then his beloved wife is washed away into the roaring darkness.
Sage wails helplessly and claws at the sky. But his cries are drowned by a towering wave that rises from the depths of the terrible night and washes him headlong into the river.
All goes black. Many hours pass; perhaps days. Slowly, painfully, Sage comes to his senses, only to discover that he has been washed onto a sandbank far down the river. It is daytime now, and the storm has passed. But there is no sign of his family anywhere, nor, for that matter, of any living creature.
For a long time Sage remains lying on the sand Almost mad with sorrow and abandonment. Bits of wreckage float past him in the river. The smell of death is on the wind. Everything has been taken from him now; All things life-giving and precious have disappeared into the swirling waters. There is little to do, it seems, but weep.
Then, suddenly, Sage hears a voice behind him that makes the blood stop in his veins. "Child," the voice asks, "where is my cup of water?" Sage turns and sees God standing at his side. The river vanishes, and once again he and God are alone in the empty desert. "Where is my water?" God asks again. "I have been waiting for you to bring it now for several minutes."
Sage throws himself at his Lord's feet and begs for forgiveness."I forgot!" Sage cries again and again."I forgot what you asked of me, Great Lord! Forgive me!"
God smiles and says, "Now do you understand the secret behind your life, and the appearances of this world?"
"Child," God finally says. "The sun is hot today, and I am thirsty. Ahead you will find a village.Go there and fetch me a cup of water."
Sage sets off. Arriving at the village, he approaches the first house he sees and knocks at the door.A beautiful young woman answers.The moment Sage looks into her eyes he forgets God's command,and the reason for his mission.
The woman ushers Sage into the house, where he is warmly welcomed by her family. It is as if everyone in this gentle household has been expecting him. Sage is asked to eat with the family, and then to stay the night. He gladly accepts, enjoying the family's warm hospitality, and secretly marveling at the young woman's loveliness.
A week goes by, then two. Sage decides to stay on, and he soon begins to share in the household chores. After the appropriate amount of time passes he asks for the woman's hand in marriage. The family has been expecting nothing less, it turns out. Everyone is overjoyed.
Sage and his young wife settle down in her family's house, where she soon bears him three children, two sons and a daughter.
Years pass. When his wife's mother and father pass away, Sage takes over as head of the household. He opens a small shop in the village and it prospers. Before long he is an honoured citizen of the community and a prominent member of the town council. Giving himself up to the age-old joys and sorrows of village life, Sage lives contentedly for many years.
Then one evening during the monsoon season a violent storm breaks over head, and the river rises so high from the sudden rains that the village begins to flood. Sage gathers his family and leads them through the dark night toward higher ground. But the winds blow so violently and the rain pelts down with such force that one of Sage's sons is washed away.
Sage reaches for the boy, and in so doing lets go of his second son. A moment later a gales wind tears his daughter from his arms. Then his beloved wife is washed away into the roaring darkness.
Sage wails helplessly and claws at the sky. But his cries are drowned by a towering wave that rises from the depths of the terrible night and washes him headlong into the river.
All goes black. Many hours pass; perhaps days. Slowly, painfully, Sage comes to his senses, only to discover that he has been washed onto a sandbank far down the river. It is daytime now, and the storm has passed. But there is no sign of his family anywhere, nor, for that matter, of any living creature.
For a long time Sage remains lying on the sand Almost mad with sorrow and abandonment. Bits of wreckage float past him in the river. The smell of death is on the wind. Everything has been taken from him now; All things life-giving and precious have disappeared into the swirling waters. There is little to do, it seems, but weep.
Then, suddenly, Sage hears a voice behind him that makes the blood stop in his veins. "Child," the voice asks, "where is my cup of water?" Sage turns and sees God standing at his side. The river vanishes, and once again he and God are alone in the empty desert. "Where is my water?" God asks again. "I have been waiting for you to bring it now for several minutes."
Sage throws himself at his Lord's feet and begs for forgiveness."I forgot!" Sage cries again and again."I forgot what you asked of me, Great Lord! Forgive me!"
God smiles and says, "Now do you understand the secret behind your life, and the appearances of this world?"
Saturday, November 24, 2007
A Child Of The King
During the days of the French Revolution that saw King Louis XVI and his queen beheaded, history records an amazing event. After the public execution, the frenzied mob called for the dauphin: "Bring out the prince," they cried. "He's next." The lad was terrified. The prince was only six years old, but he was in line to become the next king, so he, too, had to be eliminated.
According to the storytellers, the young prince stood on the platform trembling in his black velvet coat and patent
leather shoes.Long golden curls tumbled down over his shoulders. The mob cried, "Down with royalty! Eliminate all
royalty! Off with his head! Kill the prince!"
Suddenly from out of the crowd came another cry: "Don't kill him. You'll only send his soul to heaven. That's too good for royalty. I say, turn him over to Meg, the old witch. She'll teach him to steal, to lie, he'll roam the streets as a tramp, and when he dies, his soul will go to hell. That's what royalty deserves!"
So the story goes, that's the advice the mob took. They turned the lad over to old Meg. This vile woman of the back alleys began to teach him bad words. But history tells us that every time this wicked woman prompted the prince to be pro- fane, he would stubbornly stamp his little feet, clench his fist and declare, "I will not say it. I will not say those words. I WAS BORN TO BE A KING, AND I WON'T TALK THAT WAY!"
Who are You? Are you a child of the king? Are you living that way?
According to the storytellers, the young prince stood on the platform trembling in his black velvet coat and patent
leather shoes.Long golden curls tumbled down over his shoulders. The mob cried, "Down with royalty! Eliminate all
royalty! Off with his head! Kill the prince!"
Suddenly from out of the crowd came another cry: "Don't kill him. You'll only send his soul to heaven. That's too good for royalty. I say, turn him over to Meg, the old witch. She'll teach him to steal, to lie, he'll roam the streets as a tramp, and when he dies, his soul will go to hell. That's what royalty deserves!"
So the story goes, that's the advice the mob took. They turned the lad over to old Meg. This vile woman of the back alleys began to teach him bad words. But history tells us that every time this wicked woman prompted the prince to be pro- fane, he would stubbornly stamp his little feet, clench his fist and declare, "I will not say it. I will not say those words. I WAS BORN TO BE A KING, AND I WON'T TALK THAT WAY!"
Who are You? Are you a child of the king? Are you living that way?
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Ripple Effect
The Master was walking through the fields one day when a young man, a troubled look upon his face, approached him. "On such a beautiful day, it must be difficult to stay so serious," the Master said. "Is it? I hadn't noticed," the young man said, turning to look around and notice his surroundings.
His eyes scanned the landscape, but nothing seemed to register; his mind elsewhere. Watching intently, the Master continued to walk. "Join me if you like." The Master walked to the edge of a still pond, framed by sycamore trees, their leaves golden orange and about to fall. "Please sit down," the Master invited, patting the ground next to him.
Looking carefully before sitting, the young man brushed the ground to clear a space for himself. "Now, find a small stone, please," the Master instructed. "What?" "A stone. Please find a small stone and throw it in the pond."
Searching around him, the young man grabbed a pebble and threw it as far as he could. "Tell me what you see," the Master instructed. Straining his eyes to not miss a single detail, the man looked at the water's surface. "I see ripples." "Where did the ripples come from?" "From the pebble I threw in the pond, Master." "Please reach your hand into the water and stop the ripples," the Master asked.
Not understanding, the young man stuck his hand in the water as a ripple neared, only to cause more ripples. The young man was now completely baffled. Where was this going? Had he made a mistake in seeking out the Master? After all he was not a student, perhaps he could not be helped? Puzzled, the young man waited.
"Were you able to stop the ripples with your hands?" the Master asked. "No, of course not." "Could you have stopped the ripples, then?" "No, Master. I told you I only caused more ripples." "What if you had stopped the pebble from entering the water to begin with?"
The Master smiled such a beautiful smile; the young man could not be upset. "Next time you are unhappy with your life, catch the stone before it hits the water. Do not spend time trying to undo what you have done. Rather, change what you are going to do before you do it."
The Master looked kindly upon the young man. "But Master, how will I know what I am going to do before I do it?" "Take the responsibility for living your own life. If you're working with a doctor to treat an illness, then ask the doctor to help you understand what caused the illness. Do not just treat the ripples. Keep asking questions."
The young man stopped, his mind reeling. "But I came to you to ask you for answers. Are you saying that I know the answers?" "You may not know the answers right now, but if you ask the right questions, then you shall discover the answers." "But what are the right questions, Master?"
"There are no wrong questions, only unasked ones. We must ask, for without asking, we cannot receive answers. But it is your responsibility to ask. No one else can do that for you."
His eyes scanned the landscape, but nothing seemed to register; his mind elsewhere. Watching intently, the Master continued to walk. "Join me if you like." The Master walked to the edge of a still pond, framed by sycamore trees, their leaves golden orange and about to fall. "Please sit down," the Master invited, patting the ground next to him.
Looking carefully before sitting, the young man brushed the ground to clear a space for himself. "Now, find a small stone, please," the Master instructed. "What?" "A stone. Please find a small stone and throw it in the pond."
Searching around him, the young man grabbed a pebble and threw it as far as he could. "Tell me what you see," the Master instructed. Straining his eyes to not miss a single detail, the man looked at the water's surface. "I see ripples." "Where did the ripples come from?" "From the pebble I threw in the pond, Master." "Please reach your hand into the water and stop the ripples," the Master asked.
Not understanding, the young man stuck his hand in the water as a ripple neared, only to cause more ripples. The young man was now completely baffled. Where was this going? Had he made a mistake in seeking out the Master? After all he was not a student, perhaps he could not be helped? Puzzled, the young man waited.
"Were you able to stop the ripples with your hands?" the Master asked. "No, of course not." "Could you have stopped the ripples, then?" "No, Master. I told you I only caused more ripples." "What if you had stopped the pebble from entering the water to begin with?"
The Master smiled such a beautiful smile; the young man could not be upset. "Next time you are unhappy with your life, catch the stone before it hits the water. Do not spend time trying to undo what you have done. Rather, change what you are going to do before you do it."
The Master looked kindly upon the young man. "But Master, how will I know what I am going to do before I do it?" "Take the responsibility for living your own life. If you're working with a doctor to treat an illness, then ask the doctor to help you understand what caused the illness. Do not just treat the ripples. Keep asking questions."
The young man stopped, his mind reeling. "But I came to you to ask you for answers. Are you saying that I know the answers?" "You may not know the answers right now, but if you ask the right questions, then you shall discover the answers." "But what are the right questions, Master?"
"There are no wrong questions, only unasked ones. We must ask, for without asking, we cannot receive answers. But it is your responsibility to ask. No one else can do that for you."
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Candy Store
Once, in the middle of a personal development workshop, one of the participants stood up and began distributing diamond rings to each of the one hundred people in the room.He was a wealthy jeweler, he said, and he had made these expensive rings as gifts to open people's eyes to the abundance of life.
On his fifth birthday, the man explained, his uncle had taken him to a candy store and told him that he could take whatever he wanted, and as much as he wanted.The entire store was open to him. He had looked at the jars and trays, and he hadn't known where to begin. Eventually, he filled a bag with all his favorite candies. He didn't take everything, but that feeling of being able to have whatever he wanted, stuck.
Experience abundance with your candy store…
Since then, he said, he had only been able to notice the abundance of life. He saw the world as full of opportunities, wealth and beauty - all you have to do is, take your pick and fill your bag.
The sad truth is that most of us grow up with the opposite feeling - we develop a poverty mentality. We are conditioned to believe that there simply isn't enough. We have to compete and fight and struggle, to get what we need and want. If we reach out our hand, someone else will be rifling through our pockets. The result of that mentality is that we remain hungry.
Get a taste of abundance to have a great life!
On his fifth birthday, the man explained, his uncle had taken him to a candy store and told him that he could take whatever he wanted, and as much as he wanted.The entire store was open to him. He had looked at the jars and trays, and he hadn't known where to begin. Eventually, he filled a bag with all his favorite candies. He didn't take everything, but that feeling of being able to have whatever he wanted, stuck.
Experience abundance with your candy store…
Since then, he said, he had only been able to notice the abundance of life. He saw the world as full of opportunities, wealth and beauty - all you have to do is, take your pick and fill your bag.
The sad truth is that most of us grow up with the opposite feeling - we develop a poverty mentality. We are conditioned to believe that there simply isn't enough. We have to compete and fight and struggle, to get what we need and want. If we reach out our hand, someone else will be rifling through our pockets. The result of that mentality is that we remain hungry.
Get a taste of abundance to have a great life!
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Strength
A little boy was playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox.
The boy dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very large.)
When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox.
The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, and shoved; but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers.. Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father.
Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?
Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"
"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.
Do you have "rocks" in your life that need to be removed? Are you discovering that you don't have what it takes to lift them? There is One who is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need.
Isn't it funny how we try so hard to do things ourselves. Sadly, many peoples are trying to do everything themselves and only turning to God as a last resort.
God wants to be your first resort. Let Him help you with your trials, tribulations and temperament. He loves you so much . . . all He wants you to do is ask Him to help.
When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!!!
The boy dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very large.)
When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox.
The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, and shoved; but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers.. Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father.
Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?
Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"
"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.
Do you have "rocks" in your life that need to be removed? Are you discovering that you don't have what it takes to lift them? There is One who is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need.
Isn't it funny how we try so hard to do things ourselves. Sadly, many peoples are trying to do everything themselves and only turning to God as a last resort.
God wants to be your first resort. Let Him help you with your trials, tribulations and temperament. He loves you so much . . . all He wants you to do is ask Him to help.
When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something!!!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The Buzzard, Bat & Bubblebee
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up.
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but Faith looks up!!
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up.
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but Faith looks up!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Teacup
There was a couple who took a trip to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Don't do that. I don't like it! Let me alone.' But he only smiled, and gently said; 'Not yet!'" "Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick,' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet.'
"He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then… Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. Help! Get me out of here! I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'."
"When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! Ah, this is much better, I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!' I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'."
"Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited ------- and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next? An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.'" "And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!'
Quietly he spoke: 'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."
God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.
So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this....
Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest teacup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Don't do that. I don't like it! Let me alone.' But he only smiled, and gently said; 'Not yet!'" "Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick,' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet.'
"He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then… Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. Help! Get me out of here! I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'."
"When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! Ah, this is much better, I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!' I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'."
"Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited ------- and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next? An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.'" "And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!'
Quietly he spoke: 'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."
God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.
So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this....
Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest teacup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Three Kernels of Corn
Three young men were once given three kernels of corn apiece by a wise old sage, who admonished them to go out into the world, and use the corn to bring themselves good fortune.
The first young man put his three kernels of corn into a bowl of hot broth and ate them. The second thought, I can do better than that, and he planted his three kernels of corn. Within a few months, he had three stalks of corn. He took the ears of corn from the stalks, boiled them, and had enough corn for three meals.
The third man said to himself, I can do better than that! He also planted his three kernels of corn, but when his three stalks of corn produced, he stripped one of the stalks and replanted all of the seeds in it, gave the second stalk of corn to a sweet maiden, and ate the third. His one full stalk's worth of replanted corn kernels gave him 200 stalks of corn! And the kernels of these he continued to replant, setting aside only a bare minimum to eat. He eventually planted a hundred acres of corn. With his fortune, he not only won the hand of the sweet maiden but purchased the land owned by the sweet maiden's father. And he never hungered again.
The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed- Proverb
The first young man put his three kernels of corn into a bowl of hot broth and ate them. The second thought, I can do better than that, and he planted his three kernels of corn. Within a few months, he had three stalks of corn. He took the ears of corn from the stalks, boiled them, and had enough corn for three meals.
The third man said to himself, I can do better than that! He also planted his three kernels of corn, but when his three stalks of corn produced, he stripped one of the stalks and replanted all of the seeds in it, gave the second stalk of corn to a sweet maiden, and ate the third. His one full stalk's worth of replanted corn kernels gave him 200 stalks of corn! And the kernels of these he continued to replant, setting aside only a bare minimum to eat. He eventually planted a hundred acres of corn. With his fortune, he not only won the hand of the sweet maiden but purchased the land owned by the sweet maiden's father. And he never hungered again.
The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed- Proverb
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Three Questions
There was once a king who decided that if he knew who the most important people to be with were, and what the most important thing to do was, and when the best time to do each thing was, that he would certainly be the finest king ever to rule the land. Although he had asked his advisers, none had been able to give him a good answer to these questions.
At last he decided to ask the advice of a wise hermit. The king dressed in the clothes of a commoner and set out for the forest. When he neared the hermit's hut, he ordered his knights to stay back at a distance, and he rode the last section of trail alone.
The king found the hermit digging in his garden. The old man greeted him but continued digging. The king told the hermit that he had come to find answers to his three questions. The hermit listened but gave no answer and continued working. The king observed that the hermit was frail and elderly and that the work was very difficult for him. The king offered to take over the digging, and the hermit allowed it.
The king dug for one hour. Then he repeated the question, but the hermit did not answer. He worked again for another hour, and then repeated his questions with the same results. This continued for a few more hours until the sun began to sink low in the sky. Finally the king got discouraged. "I came to you for answers wise man. If you have none, tell me and I will return home."
Just them someone came running up the path. They turned to see a man with his hands pressed to his stomach and blood flowing from between them. He dropped to the ground at the king's feet.
The king and the hermit knelt down and began tending to the man. The king washed and bandaged the man's wounds. The blood continued to flow so he kept having to change the bandages. The king also helped the hermit to get fresh water, and to help the man to drink.
Finally the man slept and did not wake until the next morning. The king too slept upon the ground, waking often to watch over the man. In the morning the man woke up and looked at the king.
"Forgive me," he said to the king.
"You have nothing to forgive me for," the king answered.
"Oh, but I do," he said. "You were my enemy, and I had sworn to take revenge on you for killing my brother and taking my land. I knew that you were coming here today and I decided to kill you on the trail. But when you did not return for many hours I left my hideout to find you. Your guards recognized me and wounded me. I escaped them but I would have bled to death if you had not cared for me. I meant to kill you but now you have saved my life. If I live I shall gladly serve you for the rest of my days."
The king was so happy to have been reconciled with an old enemy that he immediately forgave him and promised to return his land. Then the king called for his knights to carry the man back to his castle to be cared for by his own doctor.
After the wounded man had gone, the king asked the hermit once more if he would not give him the answer to his question.
"Your questions have already been answered." the hermit replied.
"But how?" the king answered, perplexed.
"How?" repeated the hermit.
"If you had not taken pity on my weakness yesterday and helped me instead of returning home, that man would have ambushed and killed you on the trail. Therefore, the most important time was when you were digging my garden beds; and I was the most important person; and the most important thing to do was to do good for me. Later, when the man came running to us, the most important thing to do was to care for him. If you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without making peace with you. Therefore the most important person was that man, and what you did was the most important thing, and the right time was the time when you were doing it."
"You see, the most important time is always the present moment. It is the only time that is important because it is the only time that we have control over. The past we can only look back on and wish that we had done differently. The future we can only imagine. The most important person is always the one you are with in the present moment, and the only important deed is the deed that does what is best for others."
At last he decided to ask the advice of a wise hermit. The king dressed in the clothes of a commoner and set out for the forest. When he neared the hermit's hut, he ordered his knights to stay back at a distance, and he rode the last section of trail alone.
The king found the hermit digging in his garden. The old man greeted him but continued digging. The king told the hermit that he had come to find answers to his three questions. The hermit listened but gave no answer and continued working. The king observed that the hermit was frail and elderly and that the work was very difficult for him. The king offered to take over the digging, and the hermit allowed it.
The king dug for one hour. Then he repeated the question, but the hermit did not answer. He worked again for another hour, and then repeated his questions with the same results. This continued for a few more hours until the sun began to sink low in the sky. Finally the king got discouraged. "I came to you for answers wise man. If you have none, tell me and I will return home."
Just them someone came running up the path. They turned to see a man with his hands pressed to his stomach and blood flowing from between them. He dropped to the ground at the king's feet.
The king and the hermit knelt down and began tending to the man. The king washed and bandaged the man's wounds. The blood continued to flow so he kept having to change the bandages. The king also helped the hermit to get fresh water, and to help the man to drink.
Finally the man slept and did not wake until the next morning. The king too slept upon the ground, waking often to watch over the man. In the morning the man woke up and looked at the king.
"Forgive me," he said to the king.
"You have nothing to forgive me for," the king answered.
"Oh, but I do," he said. "You were my enemy, and I had sworn to take revenge on you for killing my brother and taking my land. I knew that you were coming here today and I decided to kill you on the trail. But when you did not return for many hours I left my hideout to find you. Your guards recognized me and wounded me. I escaped them but I would have bled to death if you had not cared for me. I meant to kill you but now you have saved my life. If I live I shall gladly serve you for the rest of my days."
The king was so happy to have been reconciled with an old enemy that he immediately forgave him and promised to return his land. Then the king called for his knights to carry the man back to his castle to be cared for by his own doctor.
After the wounded man had gone, the king asked the hermit once more if he would not give him the answer to his question.
"Your questions have already been answered." the hermit replied.
"But how?" the king answered, perplexed.
"How?" repeated the hermit.
"If you had not taken pity on my weakness yesterday and helped me instead of returning home, that man would have ambushed and killed you on the trail. Therefore, the most important time was when you were digging my garden beds; and I was the most important person; and the most important thing to do was to do good for me. Later, when the man came running to us, the most important thing to do was to care for him. If you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without making peace with you. Therefore the most important person was that man, and what you did was the most important thing, and the right time was the time when you were doing it."
"You see, the most important time is always the present moment. It is the only time that is important because it is the only time that we have control over. The past we can only look back on and wish that we had done differently. The future we can only imagine. The most important person is always the one you are with in the present moment, and the only important deed is the deed that does what is best for others."
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
The Mango Lover
Once there was a man who liked to eat mangoes. One day he decided to get the sweetest mango—the one from the very top of the tree. (Mangoes that are exposed to the sun are the sweetest.) So the man climbed to the top. The branches thinned as he climbed, but he managed to pick a few red fruit.
When he began to climb down, however, the man slipped and fell. Fortunately, he was able to catch a branch as he was falling, but he remained helplessly suspended from the tree.
He called to the nearby villagers for help. Although the villagers brought their ladders, their ladders were too short. They could do little to help him.
After some time, a calm and thoughtful person arrived—a well-known sage who lived in a simple hut nearby. People were curious to see what he would do, as he was famous for solving even the most complicated problems.
The sage remained silent for a moment, and then, to everyone’s surprise, he picked up a stone and threw it at the hanging man. The mango lover began to shout:“Are you crazy?! Do you want me to break my neck?” But the sage did not respond. Instead, he took another stone and threw it at the man. The man became furious: “If I could get down there, I would whip you!”
That’s what everybody wanted—for him to come down. But how? Everyone grew tense about what would happen next. Some villagers wanted to chastize the sage, but they didn’t.
Then the sage picked up another stone and hurled it even more forcefully at the man. After that, the man hanging in the tree became enraged and determined to come down and take revenge. He used all his skill and strength to somehow reach safe branches and climb down. Everyone was amazed.
Upon safely reaching the ground the man exclaimed, “Where is that sage? Oh, what a wise man he is! He didn’t wait around for me to beat him!”
“But wait a minute,” a villager said. “The sage is the only one who could help you. He provoked you and pushed you to help yourself.”
The mango lover thought for a moment and admitted that, yes, all the villagers’ good intentions and compassion could not help him, but the sage had expertly induced him to make his best effort and to save himself. “I should be thankful, not angry.”
This is an instructive story about leadership. Although sometimes strong in his or her dealings, a real leader makes us take the initiative to give our best.
We have to give our best if we want extraordinary results. The best leader makes others into leaders themselves by pushing them to take responsibility for their lives.
When he began to climb down, however, the man slipped and fell. Fortunately, he was able to catch a branch as he was falling, but he remained helplessly suspended from the tree.
He called to the nearby villagers for help. Although the villagers brought their ladders, their ladders were too short. They could do little to help him.
After some time, a calm and thoughtful person arrived—a well-known sage who lived in a simple hut nearby. People were curious to see what he would do, as he was famous for solving even the most complicated problems.
The sage remained silent for a moment, and then, to everyone’s surprise, he picked up a stone and threw it at the hanging man. The mango lover began to shout:“Are you crazy?! Do you want me to break my neck?” But the sage did not respond. Instead, he took another stone and threw it at the man. The man became furious: “If I could get down there, I would whip you!”
That’s what everybody wanted—for him to come down. But how? Everyone grew tense about what would happen next. Some villagers wanted to chastize the sage, but they didn’t.
Then the sage picked up another stone and hurled it even more forcefully at the man. After that, the man hanging in the tree became enraged and determined to come down and take revenge. He used all his skill and strength to somehow reach safe branches and climb down. Everyone was amazed.
Upon safely reaching the ground the man exclaimed, “Where is that sage? Oh, what a wise man he is! He didn’t wait around for me to beat him!”
“But wait a minute,” a villager said. “The sage is the only one who could help you. He provoked you and pushed you to help yourself.”
The mango lover thought for a moment and admitted that, yes, all the villagers’ good intentions and compassion could not help him, but the sage had expertly induced him to make his best effort and to save himself. “I should be thankful, not angry.”
This is an instructive story about leadership. Although sometimes strong in his or her dealings, a real leader makes us take the initiative to give our best.
We have to give our best if we want extraordinary results. The best leader makes others into leaders themselves by pushing them to take responsibility for their lives.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
A Snake Charmer
A Snake charmer moved from village to village to entertain folks with his acrobatic team of a monkey, a snake and a goat. Once, while wading across a river, he balanced the snake basket on his head, sat the monkey on his shoulder and guided the goat with his hand. The water level was low but there flowed a strong current.
The charmer cautiously took his steps, with an eye on all three of his team. Midway, where the force was fierce enough to drag away the goat, he tightened his grip on it. The other two were safe above. Or were they? The monkey, by nature, was mischievous. It was restless and couldn't resist playing a game. It slowly opened the snake basket. The snake within the darkness of the basket sprung up with its head high and tongue hissing... sss sss sss. The sound and fury, frightened the monkey and it fell into the water.
The current began to drag the monkey away. A split-second effort to save the monkey threw the charmer off balance and he dropped the snake basket into the stream. To catch hold of the basket, he lost his grip on the goat. Within seconds, all three of his companions - the monkey, the snake and the goat were carried away by the current.
In real life, our mind is the monkey. It is restless and difficult to predict. Many times it causes trouble and leads us into serious trouble. Instead of helping us float across the ocean of life, it throws us into the ocean.
Therefore, it is wise that we control and master our mind.
The charmer cautiously took his steps, with an eye on all three of his team. Midway, where the force was fierce enough to drag away the goat, he tightened his grip on it. The other two were safe above. Or were they? The monkey, by nature, was mischievous. It was restless and couldn't resist playing a game. It slowly opened the snake basket. The snake within the darkness of the basket sprung up with its head high and tongue hissing... sss sss sss. The sound and fury, frightened the monkey and it fell into the water.
The current began to drag the monkey away. A split-second effort to save the monkey threw the charmer off balance and he dropped the snake basket into the stream. To catch hold of the basket, he lost his grip on the goat. Within seconds, all three of his companions - the monkey, the snake and the goat were carried away by the current.
In real life, our mind is the monkey. It is restless and difficult to predict. Many times it causes trouble and leads us into serious trouble. Instead of helping us float across the ocean of life, it throws us into the ocean.
Therefore, it is wise that we control and master our mind.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
The Walnut Tree
Long time ago, when people didn’t know many things about nature and that included how to eat walnuts, a walnut tree grew by the road. It might have been planted there by someone for the benefit of other travelers or it could have grown there by chance if you believe that anything in life can happen by chance.
One day a traveler passed by. He stopped by the old walnut tree to rest in its shade. Then he noticed the green fruits and tasted one of them only to spit it out in disgust with its bitterness.
Some time after he had gone another traveler passed by. He too sat under the tree and noticed the tooth marks on the fruit the first one had bitten.
“This fruit must not be very tasty,” he thought. “But everything in this world has a purpose. It must be the hard heart that is to be eaten.” And he bit the hard shell but nearly broke a tooth in the process. He too walked away hungry.
Next came a traveler with scholarly disposition. He studied the fruit carefully, first tasting the bitter skin, then scratching the hard shell until he came up with the idea to break the shell with a stone. That was rewarded with the tasty walnut. The scholar smiled contently: “Wisdom and patience conquer all,” he thought.
Soon a businessman leading a donkey laden with his goods arrived under the tree. The scholar happily shared with him his secret.
The businessman thanked him and after they had eaten loaded the donkey with walnuts for sale. He let the scholar ride the donkey as a reward for his discovery while he himself walked and rubbed his palms in anticipation of his future profit.
They traveled in silence but soon darkness fell over the road. They were worried because there wasn’t a town or village to be seen and they were afraid to spend the night in the dark forest.Suddenly the merchant saw a faint light in the distance.
“There, he said. “I see a light!”
“But how can that faint light help us,” said the scholar. “It is so small and lonely while the forest is big, dark and threatening.”
While they were arguing the light moved closer and they saw a man carrying a lantern. That man was a philosopher who lived in a hut by a lake nearby. He took the travelers to his place to spend the night. As they entered the dark room the small lantern pushed the scary shades in the corners. Now the room looked bright and cozy.The inventive travelers shared with him the secret of the walnut tree.
“Well done!” said the philosopher. “Tomorrow, I’ll go and pick up some of those wonderful fruits. Then I will travel all over the world and plant a walnut tree by all roads that I pass.”
“But, then who will buy the walnuts that I am trying to sell!” said the businessman, disappointed.
“Don’t worry,” answered the philosopher. “When more people taste the walnuts from the trees by the roads they will be more likely to buy them from you in the city marketplace.”
“But what will be your reward for your labor?” asked the businessman.“ And how exactly do you plan to do it?” asked the scholar. “I mean how many walnuts will you start with and where you will plant them. Where you will start your journey will you go East, West, North or South?”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know,” answered the philosopher. “But as the light from my lantern is just enough for us to see the immediate road in front of us my initial intention and desire will carry me perhaps to the next step on my way towards my humble goal. And if I meet someone else with a lantern then together we will be able to see further.”
Thus they spent the night chatting leisurely until the sun rose over the dark forest and they went each on their way to find their own happiness.
One day a traveler passed by. He stopped by the old walnut tree to rest in its shade. Then he noticed the green fruits and tasted one of them only to spit it out in disgust with its bitterness.
Some time after he had gone another traveler passed by. He too sat under the tree and noticed the tooth marks on the fruit the first one had bitten.
“This fruit must not be very tasty,” he thought. “But everything in this world has a purpose. It must be the hard heart that is to be eaten.” And he bit the hard shell but nearly broke a tooth in the process. He too walked away hungry.
Next came a traveler with scholarly disposition. He studied the fruit carefully, first tasting the bitter skin, then scratching the hard shell until he came up with the idea to break the shell with a stone. That was rewarded with the tasty walnut. The scholar smiled contently: “Wisdom and patience conquer all,” he thought.
Soon a businessman leading a donkey laden with his goods arrived under the tree. The scholar happily shared with him his secret.
The businessman thanked him and after they had eaten loaded the donkey with walnuts for sale. He let the scholar ride the donkey as a reward for his discovery while he himself walked and rubbed his palms in anticipation of his future profit.
They traveled in silence but soon darkness fell over the road. They were worried because there wasn’t a town or village to be seen and they were afraid to spend the night in the dark forest.Suddenly the merchant saw a faint light in the distance.
“There, he said. “I see a light!”
“But how can that faint light help us,” said the scholar. “It is so small and lonely while the forest is big, dark and threatening.”
While they were arguing the light moved closer and they saw a man carrying a lantern. That man was a philosopher who lived in a hut by a lake nearby. He took the travelers to his place to spend the night. As they entered the dark room the small lantern pushed the scary shades in the corners. Now the room looked bright and cozy.The inventive travelers shared with him the secret of the walnut tree.
“Well done!” said the philosopher. “Tomorrow, I’ll go and pick up some of those wonderful fruits. Then I will travel all over the world and plant a walnut tree by all roads that I pass.”
“But, then who will buy the walnuts that I am trying to sell!” said the businessman, disappointed.
“Don’t worry,” answered the philosopher. “When more people taste the walnuts from the trees by the roads they will be more likely to buy them from you in the city marketplace.”
“But what will be your reward for your labor?” asked the businessman.“ And how exactly do you plan to do it?” asked the scholar. “I mean how many walnuts will you start with and where you will plant them. Where you will start your journey will you go East, West, North or South?”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know,” answered the philosopher. “But as the light from my lantern is just enough for us to see the immediate road in front of us my initial intention and desire will carry me perhaps to the next step on my way towards my humble goal. And if I meet someone else with a lantern then together we will be able to see further.”
Thus they spent the night chatting leisurely until the sun rose over the dark forest and they went each on their way to find their own happiness.
Friday, November 02, 2007
The Rose Bud
A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully.Before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom and also the thorns.
He thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others.
This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing their faults, recognize the nobility in their soul.
If we show them the rose, they will conquer the thorns.
He thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others.
This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing their faults, recognize the nobility in their soul.
If we show them the rose, they will conquer the thorns.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The Cookies
A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport. As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies. She sat down in an armchair in the VIP room of the airport to rest and read in peace.
Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing. She just thought, "What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!".
For each cookie he took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn't want to cause a scene. When only cookie remained, she thought, "Ah…what this abusive man do now?". Then the man taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half. Oh, that was too much!
She was too angry now. In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place. When she sat down in the seat, inside the plane, she looked into her purse to take her eyeglasses, and, to her suprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched, unopened!
She felt so ashamed!She realized that she was wrong. She has forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse. The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter. While she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself…nor to apologize.
There are 4 things that you cannot recover:
The stone…after the throw!
The word…after it's said!
The occasion…after the loss!
The time…after it's gone!
Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing. She just thought, "What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!".
For each cookie he took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn't want to cause a scene. When only cookie remained, she thought, "Ah…what this abusive man do now?". Then the man taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half. Oh, that was too much!
She was too angry now. In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place. When she sat down in the seat, inside the plane, she looked into her purse to take her eyeglasses, and, to her suprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched, unopened!
She felt so ashamed!She realized that she was wrong. She has forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse. The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter. While she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself…nor to apologize.
There are 4 things that you cannot recover:
The stone…after the throw!
The word…after it's said!
The occasion…after the loss!
The time…after it's gone!
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