The Positive Thinking Thread,Post your Quotes,Good Deeds,Life Stories etc

Thanks crowy I've been coming here for a while, but dont post very often. AD is such a huge and informative site, and I can always find the answers to any questions I might have.

Beyond that, I often spend hours here, just reading posts and learning new things constantly. Unfortunately I'm not tech savy enough to be able to help out with answers myself.

Again, just a brilliant thread with so much wisdom.

 

Sacrifice

As I walked up the sidewalk toward the university, I noticed a lone bike rider struggling up the steep grade. Suddenly, the chain slipped and the rider lost momentum and began to roll backwards. She caught herself in time to avoid a spill and I watched her climb off and slump down next to the bike. As I got closer, I could tell that she was crying. “Tough break,” I thought as I glanced at my watch and noticed that I only had five minutes until my first class. I quickly picked up my pace and started up that same hill.

As I walked, I remembered the time as a kid when I was trying to fix my first flat tire on my bike. Even though he was in a suit and leaving for work, my neighbor saw me and came over to help me fix the tire.

After a few more steps, I turned and walked back toward the woman who was now struggling to wipe away her tears. “Can I help?” I asked as I approached. “Know anything about stupid bikes?” she replied. I looked the situation over and was quickly able to return the chain to its proper position. “Looks like this was tangled in the sprocket,” I said holding up the greasy remains of a weed. A slight smile cracked through her tear-streaked face. “Thanks for helping me,” she said as her smile began to grow. “No problem,” I replied as I turned and started back up the hill.

Even with grease on my hands, the uphill walk seemed easier with the joy of actually helping to make someone’s day a little brighter. It was worth being a few minutes late.


[bold]Being able to give is one of the most important things you can do in life. Learn to be very giving in a marriage and you will make it a lifetime !![/bold]

 

There Are No Vans

I remember one Thanksgiving when our family had no money and no food, and someone came knocking on our door. A man was standing there with a huge box of food, a giant turkey and even some pans to cook it in. I couldn't believe it. My dad demanded, "Who are you? Where are you from?"

The stranger announced, "I'm here because a friend of yours knows you're in need and that you wouldn't accept direct help, so I've brought this for you. Have a great Thanksgiving."

My father said, "No, no, we can't accept this." The stranger replied "You don't have a choice," closed the door and left.

Obviously that experience had a profound impact on my life. I promised myself that someday I would do well enough financially so that I could do the same thing for other people. By the time I was eighteen I had created my Thanksgiving ritual. I like to do things spontaneously, so I would go out shopping and buy enough food for one or two families. Then I would dress like a delivery boy, go to the poorest neighborhood and just knock on a door. I always included a note that explained my Thanksgiving experience as a kid. The note concluded, "All that I ask in return is that you take good enough care of yourself so that someday you can do the same thing for someone else." I have received more from this annual ritual than I have from any amount of money I've ever earned.

Several years ago I was in New York City with my new wife during Thanksgiving. She was sad because we were not with our family. Normally she would be home decorating the house for Christmas, but we were stuck here in a hotel room.

I said, "Honey, look, why don't we decorate some lives today instead of some old trees?" When I told her what I always do on Thanksgiving, she got excited. I said, "Let's go someplace where we can really appreciate who we are, what we are capable of and what we can really give. Let's go to Harlem!" She and several of my business partners who were with us weren't really enthusiastic about the idea. I urged them: "C'mon, let's go to Harlem and feed some people in need. We won't be the people who are giving it because that would be insulting. We'll just be the delivery people. We'll go buy enough food for six or seven families for thirty days. We've got enough. Let's just go do it! That's what Thanksgiving really is: Giving good thanks, not eating turkey. C'mon. Let's go do it!"

Because I had to do a radio interview first, I asked my partners to get us started by getting a van. When I returned from the interview, they said, "We just can't do it. There are no vans in all of New York. The rent-a-car places are all out of vans. They're just not available."

I said, "Look, the bottom line is that if we want something, we can make it happen! All we have to do is take action. There are plenty of vans here in New York City. We just don't have one. Let's go get one."
They insisted, "We've called everywhere. There aren't any."

I said, "Look down at the street. Look down there. Do you see all those vans?" They said, "Yeah, we see them."

"Let's go get one," I said. First I tried walking out in front of vans as they were driving down the street. I learned something about New York drivers that day: They don't stop; they speed up.

Then we tried waiting by the light. We'd go over and knock on the window and the driver would roll it down, looking at us kind of leery, and I'd say, "Hi. Since today is Thanksgiving, we'd like to know if you would be willing to drive us to Harlem so we can feed some people." Every time the driver would look away quickly, furiously roll up the window and pull away without saying anything.

Eventually we got better at asking. We'd knock on the window, they'd roll it down and we'd say, "Today is Thanksgiving. We'd like to help some underprivileged people, and we're curious if you'd be willing to drive us to an underprivileged area that we have in mind here in New York City." That seemed slightly more effective but still didn't work. Then we started offering people $100 to drive us. That got us even closer, but when we told them to take us to Harlem, they said no and drove off.

We had talked to about two dozen people who all said no. My partners were ready to give up on the project, but I said, "It's the law of averages: Somebody is going to say yes." Sure enough, the perfect van drove up. It was perfect because it was extra big and would accommodate all of us. We went up, knocked on the window and we asked the driver, "Could you take us to a disadvantaged area? We'll pay you a hundred dollars."

The driver said, "You don't have to pay me. I'd be happy to take you. In fact, I'll take you to some of the most difficult spots in the whole city." Then he reached over on the seat and grabbed his hat. As he put it on, I noticed that it said, "Salvation Army." The man's name was Captain John Rondon and he was the head of the Salvation Army in the South Bronx.

We climbed into the van in absolute ecstasy. He said, "I'll take you places you never even thought of going. But tell me something. Why do you people want to do this?" I told him my story and that I wanted to show gratitude for all that I had by giving something back.

Captain Rondon took us into parts of the South Bronx that make Harlem look like Beverly Hills. When we arrived, we went into a store where we bought a lot of food and some baskets. We packed enough for seven families for thirty days. Then we went out to start feeding people. We went to buildings where there were half a dozen people living in one room: "squatters" with no electricity and no heat in the dead of winter surrounded by rats, cockroaches and the smell of urine. It was both an astonishing realization that people lived this way and a truly fulfilling experience to make even a small difference.

You see, you can make anything happen if you commit to it and take action. Miracles like this happen every day-even in a city where "there are no vans."

Anthony Robbins

 

Puppies For Sale


A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale.” Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign. “How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.

The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”

The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said. “Can I please look at them?”

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerable behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”

The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. “That’s the little puppy that I want to buy.”

The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.

The store owner countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to jump and play with you like the other puppies.”

To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!”

By Dan Clark

 

The snow cleared up and the sign is written,
In winter's twilight the world looks red
The light given to rest and the night still smitten.
The ice reflecting the murderous bet
of men who strive,
To end each other's life.

The snow falls again from the clear broken sky,
The world turning white and the scars fading away.
Now only memory survives, memory of that great Lie,
The Lie which destroyed all that was made.
But that too fades,
Leaving only the shades.

The water lies broken in pieces of transparency,
And even the shades disappear into nothingness.
The world seeming still and so full of vacancy,
Not even a hint of the past and lingering sadness.
It is all unreal,
Behind an icy seal.


TO THE QUEEN OF DAY'S WANE
BY COREN FROZENZEPHYR

Thou hazy-hairé'd queen of the waning day
Now, whilst the sun rests on the mountains still,
Let leap thy claret flame, let longing spread,
And thus doff thy crown! Range autumnal eyes,
And smile benedictions on the waning day.
Aye, the curts’ying grain hears thy whispered love.
Golden fields are washed in thy rose-tinged wine
Oh sunset’s queen, bride of the star-sparked night.
Ring melancholy chimes in scattered isles,
And let thy west wind caress eastern lakes!

Withdraw now, let the mellow silence fall
Ingather thy amber skirts, flee into the night!


FLOWER DREAMS
BY RAYNE AVALOTUS

And now, you see, the flowers sway their heads
Up to the azure sky. Perhaps they long
To meet the clouds, to fly up from their beds
And soar with birds, and sing such light-filled song!
Admire we sweet allia’s purple hue,
And white the flower of whose vine so creeps;
The cerubell’s most brilliant blue,
And Yellow, hanging horn that lightly sleeps.
Yet even though their petals echo grace,
Perhaps they’d leave their quiet charms behind
So they might rise into a brighter place
And gain a beauty of another kind.
Unknown are longings of the heart’s soft core
For something in the soul, for something more.


I WALK IN THE NIGHT
BY RAYNE AVALOTUS

I walk in the night, through the snow,
Past where the frozen birch trees show
Branches bare and gray and cold
To assuage the pangs within my soul.

The autumn has stolen the verd’rous trees
And the children make not their flower’d wreaths.
Into the earth, the bitter winter seeps
And as she does, the fair Jeyriall sleeps.

I walk in the night, through the snow,
Down the path where north winds blow,
Under such dark and endless skies
With stars as cold as Queprur’s eyes.

The houses come and the houses go;
I walk through an icy world of snow,
Under a full and pale-faced moon
Whilst breezes whistle a haunting tune.

I walk in the night, through the snow
To where the crystal grasses grow.
I stand in the enchanted, chilly air
And send to Avá a silent pray'r.


HALCYON NORTH
BY RAYNE AVALOTUS

How sweet the moonlight dabs the quiet ground
From far above in vast and ashen sky.
The limber branches sway, then slowly sigh
In chilly breezes winding softly round
The birch’s slender form. The northern lights surround
The solid firs that reach their arms up high.
Yet, in the cold dwell creatures light and shy,
And in the gloom they fill the woods with sound.
Blue glitras hide like myths in forests dark,
While gentle gynnia coo soft and low.
Nue’mon flutter as if to remark
Though icy be this land, still life can grow;
Whilst nightbirds sing of places we’ll embark
Reminding us that death broods in the snow.


A WIZARD'S WALK
by Lucirina Telor Vevan
A Wizard's Walk

View picture in full size Lyrics illustration by Eratinalinfalah.


There is a path that leads to a tavern,
where you get all the pleasures of life.
Where ale flows freely into mugs and goblets
and friendly words greet as you go by.

Oh it is down by the foot of the mountain,
where the cold water runs so clear.
Where the cerubell dances softly
in a breeze of cool night air.

The way there goes over stone and rock,
and under shadows of silver clad trees.
Golden streaks from the shining injèrá
filtering softly through thousands of leaves.

The injóh's song will kindly lead me,
while a fairy tells of the warming sun.
And time will pass fast as I wander,
soon encountering a door will let me in.

A hand lifts to slowly push it open,
so I can enter with tired steps.
A chair and rest I find after the walk
and a ear that will listen to my tale.

THE WINTER'S BREEZE
by Valannía Incendarious

When winter's breeze goes dashing
It does some magical things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes
It lends the glistening snow wings
When winter's breeze goes dashing.

It curls the hearths tail of smoke
And shares a small whispered joke.
With pines delighting in prattle
Lifting their cones to a rattle
When winters breeze goes dashing.

JEYRIALL'S FLOWERS
by Rayne Avalotus

The fire glows underneath the heath
Where flowers weaved into wreaths,
Show colors of a faded hue
Like weary red and tired blue.

Though autumn has so swiftly come
And distant is the whitened sun
The spring lives on in bitter cold
Returns to new what once was old.

For youthful seeds of agéd past
In season shall renew at last
That beauty from so long ago
When gone is chill and melted snow

And though the winter’s to arrive
We keep our hopes fresh and alive
With fires as warm as finch’s wing
And floral mem’ries of the Spring.

THE SONG OF ROSES
by Lucirina Telor Vevan

(This song is made out of several parts, all of them collected
by the wandering bard, Lucirina, as she travelled across the lands.
Each verse is from a different culture and describes a different rose
in its own way. For order the verses will go from the lightest
to the darkest flower.)

New fallen snow of winter,
sea foam and clouds,
white doves in flight.
Those are your petals
my dearest rose.
Your crystal heart hiddden
within linings of white silk.
A whisper of Avá reached you,
kissed your lips,
and blessed you with silver.

Yellow flames, fire,
floating on the wild winds.
You shed your golden petals
like a rain of sparks.
Foiros’ own flower,
golden rose, you burn,
you lift your fiery head
toward the sun that loves you,
you grow wild and free,
and you continue glowing.

So sweet the kiss from a child,
so sweet the love of a mother.
Pink dawn, pink eve,
pink rose growing on the moor.
So sweet the smell of you,
so tender the hand that gives you.
Loving smile of Lier'tyan touched you,
brought you forth from nothing.
You, sweetest of roses,
you, child among flowers.

Oh lovely red rose,
you are the blood
running from a lover's vein.
You are the soft caress,
the tender touch,
the loving gaze.
In your petals lies hidden
the passion of a thousand words.
You are a vow
Of eternal love.

Eternal sands in motion
surround your home, oh brown rose.
In the silence of the desert
you open your petals
to eyes unseeing.
In solitude you bloom,
in sun you wait.
Your soft and gentle scent
parfumes your lover,
the evening breeze.

What hand reached out
and tore down a piece of the sky?
Blue as the eternal heavens,
you wonder about yourself.
Are you but a figment of a mage's dream?
Are you a mirage?
A cerubell in a rose's dress?
Blue rose, answers I do not carry,
only a comfort in your anguish.
You are still a part of Arkon's creation.

Who called you forth,
oh crimson rose?
Your appearance speaks of blood,
you bring the stink of death.
A threat, a coming revenge.
Heart of a lady
that cannot love.
Echiilianni caresses your petals
And fills them with poison,
taking away your beauty.

Your color is cold,
your name means death
your embrace welcomes
those whose heart is broken.
The caress you give
is filled with venom,
wild rose, rose of fear.
In many past battles
you welcomed invaders
with kisses filled of blight.

A mirage maybe,
The ravings of a madman,
A mystery, a myth, a dream.
You stand among the burning dunes,
waiting to be found.
Misery to those who find you,
death to those who crave you.
Queprur treasures your midnight petals,
cradeling them in her hands,
tainting them with madness and despair.

RETURNING HOME
by Artimidor Federkiel
(translated by Arancaytar & Bard Judith)

For where the Euwens proudly stand,
There I shall rest as well.
Though all the years shall pass like naught,
Should Soul upon that dwell?

When darkness reigns, grow Euwens high;
Murk withers not this tree
Likewise I shall, when death is nigh,
Embrace it fearlessly.

If Joy and Fortune, Luck and Bliss,
Shall mark the path I see,
Or Mourning, Fear, and Loneliness,
It matters not to me.

Only there where Euwens spring
At Home am I; my song I sing,
Lightly saying, 'Mè nón' (*),
In sweet and cloudsoft Darkengrove,
the ineffable Thaelon.

(*) Freely translated: "Let it be"

NATURE'S SONG
by Amuwen

There is poetry in nature
Music floating on the breeze
A bird sings out a melody
The beat moves through the trees

Dove's wings flapping in the air
A rustle in the leaves
Flowers nodding gentle heads
Luring in malise

An echo rings out through the fields
The glitra's peaceful tune
Golden grasses whispering
Sand shifting on a dune

All these things together
Compose nature's perfect song
A harmony like no other
T'will play til days have gone


NIGHT
by Talia Sturmwind

Calmly steps the night ashore
and sets her foot where not before
an eye has seen her velvet garb,
nor listened to her soothing harp.

Rests dreaming on a mountain side
until she stretches out her wings so wide
to cover sea and land alike
with ease, so soft and hiding.

And lays her hands on eyes gone blind
there is no better remedy to find
to heal the wounds of Avá‘s glare
and many pray who never care.

***

The darkwinds took the sun away
and darkness fell, there was no ray
of light and warmth upon the earth
and great was suffering and dearth.

Foiros gave back her life and strength
to foll‘w her path in all its length
in front of Caelereth, day by day,
will never cease to go her way.

Though now she dives in darkness deep
- her path at dawn is strong and steep -
with might and pow‘r she rises high
all living breathes of relief a sigh.

***

This primal night was long and hard
and silent soon, no singing bard
brought life and warmth to any hearth
and frozen lay the dying earth.

But this was not the night we praise,
the night in favour our words we raise.
the one who soothes our daily pain
and ends all things we did in vain.

The night we love, she gives us rest
we may lie down, she does her best
to drive away all troubles of the day
for unloved chores she grants delay.

So let us not forget what we have seen,
nor wish the time so dark had never been.
Be thankful for the sun to have returned,
but also for the night we gladly earned.

For if the sun would not set down
to hide her glaring golden crown
- as it was true in times of yore -
would be the calming night no more.


OLD WILLOW
by Rayne Avalotus

Old willow, old willow, what hast thou seen
In all thy sweet earthly years?
How many glories and wonders?
How many smiles and tears?

Old willow, old willow, what hast thou heard
In the wind’s whistling whirl?
Maybe the clank of a dwarven hammer
Or the tune of an elven girl?

Old willow, old willow, what hast thou tasted
In this sweet emerald air?
Canst thou taste the warm light of sun
Or a human boy’s silent despair?

Old willow, old willow, what hast thou felt?
Art thou happy in this home?
Dost thou feel joy in so rich a place
Or hast thou never felt more alone?

Old willow, old willow, canst thou see?
What she dreams, so shalt it be!



PRAISE OF QUALLIAN
by Elviondel

Elven homage to the forest Quallian

In ever-lighted trees of nature,
There I'll find my home.
Alone and peaceful is my forest,
Where lovely songbirds roam.
No humans passing, dwarves a'thrashing,
Brownies playing, nor orcs be slaying,
In my forest home.
O Quallian, light of life,
Free of conflict, free of strife.
My elven kinfolk be forgotten
By the ruined of the rotten.
Bother not my lands, peace brought and
Saved my forest home.
O Quallian, love of life,
Land of freedom, free of strife.
In ever-lighted trees of nature,
Always be my home.



RAHAZ-DATH HAIKUS
by Talia Sturmwind

sun glare
bright brazen valleys
death is coming

***

sun burning down
motionless eyes, covered
death is waiting

***

golden dunes, gliding
singing sands bringing death
precious water

***

merciless sun
endlessly spanning sky
sand dragons flying

***

full moon shining
frost hits the barren ground
a dune mouse

***

south drifting stars
desert winds resting silently
love in her eyes

 

Memories
Back To Nature
When fall the evening shadows,
long and deep, across the hill;
When all the air is fragrance,
and all the breezes still;

When the summer sun seems pausing
above the mountain's brow,
As if he left reluctantly
a scene so lovely now;

Then I linger on the pathway,
and I fondly gaze, and long,
As if reading some old story
those deep purple clouds among;

Then Memory approaches,
holding up her magic glass,
Pointing to familiar figures,
which across the surface pass.

And often do I question,
As I view that phantom train,
Whether most with joy or sadness
I behold them thus again.

They are there, those scenes of beauty,
Where life's brightest hours have fled,
And I haste, with dear companions,
The old paths again to tread;

But, suddenly dissolving,
All the loviness is flown,
And I find a thorny wilderness,
Where I must walk alone.

Thou art there, so loved and honored,
as in each former hour,
When we read thine eyes deep meaning,
When we heard thy words of power;

When Our souls, as willing captives,
Have sought to follow thine,
Tracing the eternal footsteps
Of Might and love divine.

But o'er that cherished image
Falls a veil of clouds and gloom,
And beside a bier I tremble,
Or I weep above a tomb.

And ever will the question come,
O Memory! again,
Whether in thy magic mirror
There is most of bliss or pain?

Would I not wish the brightness
Were for ever hid from view,
If but those hours of darkness
Could be all forgotten too?

Then, weary and desponding,
My spirit seeks to rise
Away from earthly conflicts,
From mortal smiles or sighs.

I do not think the blessed ones
With Jesus have forgot
The changing joys and sorrows which
Have marked their earthly lot;

But now, on Memory's record
Theit eyes can calmly dwell;
They can see, what here they trusted
God hath done all things well;

And vain regrets and longings
Are as old things passed away;
No shadows dim the sunshine
Of that bright eternal day!

 

Live Your Dreams

My dad has always been a runner. Every morning at 4 A.M., he would quietly leave the house for his morning jog. It was his time to think, plan for the day, and figure out how he could save the world… all before breakfast.

I always admired my dad and wanted to be like him, but there was no way I could run as far as he did. Each morning as we would run together, he encouraged me and would take my mind off the distance by teaching me about setting goals and living my dreams.

We ran a lot of small races together over the years. Each time without fail, my dad would finish well ahead of me, yet he would always return to the last mile marker so we could cross the finish line together.

It was finally time to run our first half marathon. I had always dreamt of running a big race, but even with my dad’s confidence in me, I was nervous and unsure. When I received the news that he had to travel out of town on the race day, I was devastated. I had never run that far by myself and felt very discouraged. My dad reminded me, “Living your dreams can only begin by placing one foot in front of the other. You can do this. I believe in you.” It just wasn’t the same.

When I hit mile 11, I was ready to quit. I had barely enough energy to make it one more mile. I knew, unless something changed, that I would have to walk the rest of the way. It was just too hard. As I approached mile 12, I was struggling. In the distance, I thought I saw a familiar face. I rubbed my eyes and hoped I wasn’t hallucinating, but it looked like my dad! It was! He had changed his plans to drive 4 hours so he could meet me at the last mile… just like always.

I could barely hold back the tears as we crossed that finish line together. I learned how to live my dreams because, through his example, my dad showed me how.

 

My Friend by Sammy Lane Sharp



We all need someone
To talk to in our life,
A friend to whom we run
In times of stress or strife

A friend who's always there
Throughout the years,
A friend we know will care
And take away our fears.

A friend who's always near,
Waiting for our call,
To wipe away our tears,
And lift us when we fall.

A loving friend indeed,
On whom we can depend
To fulfill our every need -
Thank you, precious friend

 

good

true Friends are very important in life NOT fair weather Friends

 

Love comes in all sizes

Your Friends will support you....


And respect your creativity
for thinking outside the box....


They'll be there when you need a
shoulder to lean on....


Or a great big hug....



A true friend takes interest in
understanding what you're all about....


They see beyond the black and white
! to disco ver your true colors....


And accept you just the way you are...
Even when you just wake up in the morning


So make your own kind of music....


Follow your heart wherever it takes you....


And when someone reaches out to you,
Don't be afraid to love them back....


They may just be a friend for life....


Practice patience and tolerance.....

 

you know love can be painful thing. If you love someone and they don't love you back it's one of the most painful thing you'll ever feel in your life.

 

yeah but it makes you a tougher guy. you have to be mentally strong about it and move on (not dwelling on it to long). you will understand in about 20 years lol. we all go though it ,its part of life for everyone

 

"I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all."

 

@aabbcc
got any short good story?

 

Appreciate what you have

One day . . . a wealthy family man took his son on a trip to the country, so he could have his son see how poor country people live.

They stayed one day and one night in the home of a very humble farmer. At the end of the trip, and when they were back home, the father asked his son, "What did you think of the trip?"

The son replied, "Very nice dad."

Then the father asked his son, "Did you notice how poor they were?"

The son replied, "Yes."

The father continued asking, "What did you learn?"

The son responded, "I learned that we have one dog in our house, and they have four.

Also, we have a fountain in our garden, but they have a stream that has no end.

And we have imported lamps in our garden . . . where they have the stars!

And our garden goes to the edge of our property. But they have the entire horizon as their back yard!"

At the end of the son's reply the father was speechless.

His son then said, "Thank you dad for showing me how poor we really are."

Isn't it true that all depends on the lens you use to see life?

One can ask himself what would happen if we give thanks for what we have instead of always asking for more.

Learn to appreciate what you have. Wealth is all in one's point of view.
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Keep On Singing

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.

The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown,Tennessee. Then the labor pains come. Every five minutes every minute. But complications arise during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst."

Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby - now they plan a funeral.

Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says.

Week two in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed.

The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing.

In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray --- "

Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.

Keep on singing, Michael.

"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away---"

The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten's purr. Keep on singing, Michael.

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her. Keep on singing, Michael. Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away."

Funeral plans are scrapped. The next, day-the very next day-the little girl is well enough to go home!

Woman's Day magazine called it "the miracle of a brother's song." The medical staff just called it a miracle.

Karen called it a miracle of God's love!

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

 

that was a good read.

 

Oh gentle winds 'neath moonlit skies,
Do not you hear my heartfelt cries?

Below the branches, here about,
Do not you sense my fear and doubt?
Side glistening rivers, sparkling streams,
Do not you hear my woeful screams?

Upon the meadows, touched with dew,
Do not you see my hearts a'skew?
Beneath the thousand twinkling stars,
Do not you feel my jagged scars?

Seek not my mournful heart kind breeze,
For you'll not find it 'mongst these trees.

It's scattered 'cross the moonlit skies,
Accompanied by heartfelt sighs.
It's drifting o're the gentle rain,
A symbol of my silent pain.

It's buried 'neath the meadow fair,
Conjoined with all the sorrow there.
It's lost among the stars this night,
Too far to ease my quiet fright.

No gentle winds, seek not my heart,
For simply ... it has torn apart.
***********************************************************************

 

got more?

 

The Awakening
by Sonny Carroll



A time comes in your life when you finally get it...
When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you
stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice
inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen, is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can

 

very good