A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $500 note. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $500 note?"
Hands started going up. He said "I am going to give This note to one of you, but first let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the note up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still, the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $500. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special, don't forget it! Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams."
"VALUE HAS A VALUE ONLY IF IT'S VALUE IS VALUED BY YOU"
Monday, July 27, 2009
Eagles
Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world. By the time they reach 40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch preys. The life span of an eagle is up to 70 years old.
But, in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40. At 40, it's beak is too long and curvy that it reaches it's chest. It's wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await it's death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in it's nest and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock it's beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed.
When the new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all it's old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all it's feathers, one by one. Five months later, when it's feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.
In life, we have to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again, is to let go old ways, old habits and old lives.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
But, in order to live this long, it must make the toughest decision at 40. At 40, it's beak is too long and curvy that it reaches it's chest. It's wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await it's death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in it's nest and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock it's beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed.
When the new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all it's old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all it's feathers, one by one. Five months later, when it's feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.
In life, we have to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again, is to let go old ways, old habits and old lives.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
Rich and Poor People
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Did you see how the poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw the we have one dog and they had four."
"We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end."
"We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night."
"Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon."
"We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight."
"We have servants who serves us, but they serve others."
"We buy our food, but they grow theirs."
"We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Did you see how the poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw the we have one dog and they had four."
"We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end."
"We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night."
"Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon."
"We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight."
"We have servants who serves us, but they serve others."
"We buy our food, but they grow theirs."
"We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Advice from Bill Gates
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this!
To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice:
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world don't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath you dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So, before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try de-lousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11. Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this!
To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice:
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world don't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath you dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So, before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try de-lousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11. Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Kindnes pays!
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one dime left, he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry, so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
You don't owe me anything," she replied "Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness." He said....."Then I thank you from my heart"
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly (gynecology) was called in for consultation.
When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown, he went in to see her. He recognised her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day, he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.
She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side as she read those words......
"Paid in full with one glass of milk" (Signed) Dr. Howard Atmond Kelly.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry, so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
You don't owe me anything," she replied "Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness." He said....."Then I thank you from my heart"
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly (gynecology) was called in for consultation.
When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown, he went in to see her. He recognised her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day, he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.
She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side as she read those words......
"Paid in full with one glass of milk" (Signed) Dr. Howard Atmond Kelly.
One day at a time
The most useless thing to do ......... Worry
The greatest joy ..................... Giving
The greatest loss .................... Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work ............. Helping others
The ugliest personality trait ........ Selfishness
The most endangered species .......... Dedicated leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm" ....... Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome ..... Fear
Most effective sleeping pill ......... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease ... Excuses
The most powerful force in life ...... Love
The most dangerous pariah ............ A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer . The brain!
The worst thing to be without ........ Hope
The deadliest weapon ................. The tongue
The two most power-filled words ...... I can
The greatest asset ................... Faith
The most worthless emotion ........... Self-pity
The most prized possession ........... Integrity
The most beautiful attire ............ A SMILE
The most powerful channel of communication ..Prayer
The most contagious spirit ............ Enthusiasm
The greatest joy ..................... Giving
The greatest loss .................... Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work ............. Helping others
The ugliest personality trait ........ Selfishness
The most endangered species .......... Dedicated leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm" ....... Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome ..... Fear
Most effective sleeping pill ......... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease ... Excuses
The most powerful force in life ...... Love
The most dangerous pariah ............ A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer . The brain!
The worst thing to be without ........ Hope
The deadliest weapon ................. The tongue
The two most power-filled words ...... I can
The greatest asset ................... Faith
The most worthless emotion ........... Self-pity
The most prized possession ........... Integrity
The most beautiful attire ............ A SMILE
The most powerful channel of communication ..Prayer
The most contagious spirit ............ Enthusiasm
LOVE
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 Old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognise them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No" she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening, when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in"
"We do not go into a House together" they replied
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained. "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home"
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking towards the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!!
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No" she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening, when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in"
"We do not go into a House together" they replied
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained. "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home"
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking towards the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!!
Management
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be in Information Technology." said the balloonist.
"I am" replied the woman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is, I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am" replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well'" said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people, beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be in Information Technology." said the balloonist.
"I am" replied the woman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact is, I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am" replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well'" said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people, beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
Taxi Driver
I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knick knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she asked. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly towards the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she replied. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way" I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry, I'am on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left" she continued, "The doctor says, I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitious and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing" I said.
"You have to make a living" she answered.
"There are other passengers" I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy" she said. "Thank you".
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passenger that shift, I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knick knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she asked. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly towards the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she replied. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way" I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry, I'am on my way to a hospice".
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left" she continued, "The doctor says, I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitious and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing" I said.
"You have to make a living" she answered.
"There are other passengers" I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy" she said. "Thank you".
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passenger that shift, I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tea cups
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.
During their visit, the conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests tea, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of tea and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the tea.
When all the alumni had a cup of tea in hand, the professor said "Notice that all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it's normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the tea. In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really want was tea, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups.... and then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the tea; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the tea."
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly...... and enjoy your tea.
During their visit, the conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests tea, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of tea and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the tea.
When all the alumni had a cup of tea in hand, the professor said "Notice that all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it's normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the tea. In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really want was tea, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups.... and then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the tea; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the tea."
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly...... and enjoy your tea.
Good and Evil
A woman baked chappatis for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby. She kept the extra chappati on the window-sill, for whosoever would take it away. Everyday, a hunchback came and took away the chappati. Instead of expressing gratitude, he muttered the following words as he went his way. "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" This went on, day after day. Everyday, the hunchback came, picked up the chappati and uttered the same words.
The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude" she said to herself. "Everday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?"
One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunchback" she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the chappati she prepared for him! As she was about to put it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she asked. Immediately she threw the chappati into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window-sill. As usual the hunchback came, picked up the chappati and muttered the words; "The evil you do, remains with you; the good you do, comes back to you!" The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war ragging in the mind of the woman.
Everyday, as the woman placed the chappati on the window-sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him. She prayed for her safe return.
That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole chappati. As he gave it to me, he said "This is what I eat everyday, today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!"
As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned chappati that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words. "The evil you do, remains with you: the good you do, comes back to you!"
The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude" she said to herself. "Everday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?"
One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunchback" she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the chappati she prepared for him! As she was about to put it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she asked. Immediately she threw the chappati into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window-sill. As usual the hunchback came, picked up the chappati and muttered the words; "The evil you do, remains with you; the good you do, comes back to you!" The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war ragging in the mind of the woman.
Everyday, as the woman placed the chappati on the window-sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him. She prayed for her safe return.
That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole chappati. As he gave it to me, he said "This is what I eat everyday, today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!"
As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned chappati that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words. "The evil you do, remains with you: the good you do, comes back to you!"
The Donkey
One day, a farmer's donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kind of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kind of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
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