My Most Important Lesson
When I was in high school, I took a sociology course. The teacher, Mrs. Naylor, was quite good and the students liked her. In particular, we enjoyed her class because we could discuss any and all aspects of human behavior with her. She led the lessons in an open forum, where nothing was too taboo or improper to bring up and explore.
One day, as we entered the classroom and sat down in our usual places, we found a substitute teacher there instead of our instructor. When we asked where Mrs. Naylor was, we were informed that her father had just passed away and that she would be away for a week.
After a week had passed, Mrs. Naylor returned. Seeing her in class for the first time since her father's funeral, I wanted to go up and give my condolences. But I was frozen; I simply couldn't do it. Instead, I hurriedly took a seat at one of the desks, waiting impatiently for class to start. Secretly, I hoped that maybe the other students would go up and give her their sympathies. Yet, as student after student filed into the classroom, the same thing occurred: everyone quietly took their seats, saying nothing... continue reading here.
My Bike
by Amy Black
It was my tenth birthday. The day before my father had promised me a ten speed bicycle. I had wanted a ten speed ever since I was tall enough for my feet to reach the pedals. So, when he told me he would give me one for my birthday, I was excited.
My mother, who had divorced him a year earlier, knew he had a tendency to lie. Since she loved me, she didn't want me to get my hopes up. She knew if he lied that I would get hurt. The thing was I knew that he lied a lot, but I still wanted to believe him.
The day finally arrived... Continue reading click here.
Thank God for Donna
by Karen Amato Schwartz
Not only was Donna my very first supervisor, she was also 35 years older than I-and my role model. Her zest for life was reflected in her part time career as a clown, her fashionable wardrobe, and a pet monkey. We were sisters under the skin because we both disliked her boss, and since this boss disliked us, we became allies.
Donna commended and defended my work performance with the documentation she made sure to retain, and often debated her boss’s opinions about me. I am forever grateful to Donna for setting my life along its path. For, in my third year, our company initiated an employee management aptitude test. Donna submitted my name because she recognized skills in me that even I didn’t know I had. She felt that I deserved an opportunity, even though it meant exposing herself to wrath and possible ridicule from her boss, should I fail. How could I ever repay her for that selflessness? The only way would be to not let her down, so I didn’t.
My resulting promotion into supervisory and management ...Continue reading here.
Scratch Resistant
by Tammy Ruggles"Slow down, Joey! You're going to get hurt!"
He didn't hear me, of course. What four-year-old does when he has a towel fastened around his neck pretending to be Batman?
I was busy cooking lunch in our on-campus family housing unit. Baked chicken, roasted potatoes, and sweet corn, one of the family's favorites, especially Joey's.
The day was like any other Saturday. I finally had time off to rest and spend time with my little boy. After lunch we usually went to feed the ducks at the lake, or a bike ride, or a walk down to the campus art museum and science display. He was fascinated with the paintings, statues, rocks, and bugs.
"I'm Batman, Mommy!" he cried happily as he and his friend Chris ran past me and flew outside to play.
"I know you are!" I yelled back as I stirred the corn. "Just slow down!"
We had just seen Batman the weekend before. This was Joey's very first feature-length movie in a theater. Ever since then, it was a Batman world for him. He liked the comics, the toys, the trading cards, anything Batman.
"If you save all of this stuff," I told him, "you could make a lot of money off of it one day."
"Really?" he asked as he looked up at me with his blue-gray eyes and innocent face. "Will I be rich?"
"I don't know about rich, but collectors pay a pretty penny for stuff like this."
I began to think about how I myself had been a Batman fan when I was little. It was the first thing I watched when I got home from school. I remember playing just like that when I was his age, except that my cape was a sheet of yellow tarp-like plastic that looked more like Robin's cape than Batman's.
The chicken, corn, and potatoes were done, so I turned the stove off and walked toward the door to call for Joey to come and eat, but they were already on their way. Two colorful streaks headed for the front door before I could even open my mouth.
Chris was in the lead. He pushed open my front door and let it swing back, and Joey, right behind him, put his arms out to catch it. But instead of catching it, his momentum propelled him through the glass....continue reading here.
The Smallest Gestures
I have a phobia about dentists. I don't remember exactly when it started because as a child I was I fine. Sitting in the dentist's chair didn't scare me at all. As an adult however even the thought of having to go for a routine check-up would create nausea and lack of sleep. A toothache was the last thing I needed!
The ache started gently enough, just a twinge. But then it quickly escalated into a pain that was hardly bearable. I tried heat pads to the side of my face. I tried over-the-counter medication and old wife's tales. I even used soluble painkillers as a mouthwash hoping that the tooth would sort itself out and I could forget about it. It didn't. Nothing works. Eventually I had to give in and make an appointment at the nearest dentist office.
The dentist knew about my phobia and was reassuring when I arrived for my examination. The only problem the dentist found was a tooth at the back that needed to be pulled. We made a time for the next day.
After another sleepless night, I arrived again at the dentist office where the offending tooth was removed. As I passed back through the reception area I saw my mom sitting there. She'd not mentioned that she was coming but she knew about my phobia and had come to make sure that I was ok.
I was so happy to see her there. Even though the tooth was out, the pain gone and the dental trauma over with, the fact that she'd take the time to come to the dentist's office, especially when she does not drive, to be there when I came out was the best surprise ever.
A lot has happened since then, but 10 years later I can still remember the feeling that "everything's going to be ok" that came over me when I saw her sitting in that room.
Sometimes it is the smallest gestures that mean the most.
The Journey
Time, how we all wish we could have more time. Ultimately, this is the single most important commodity in life. Among all of the things we value most, time is the only thing that can never be regained or replaced once it has been spent. Life is a hard teacher. It shows us that we can have anything we want, but not everything we want.
Physically each of us can only put his or her body in one place at one time. There are only 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and each of us only have an allotted number of years to do what we want in life. These are real limits that we cannot change. These time limits are also compounded by the fact that we are forced to spend most of our time taking care of ourselves; like eating, sleeping, washing, and of course making money to take care of ourselves. When you think about it, you could ask how we have any time to spend on anything else. Since our time here is limited it is important that we use this time well. Life provides no dress rehearsals; each one of us gets only one chance at this life.
The best thing we can do for ourselves is to carefully choose how we spend our time, right from the beginning, and if we make mistakes, we should learn from them and rectify them if possible. Once we are sure of our choices, then we should commit to them, act on them, and never look back. We can have anything but not everything. We should not look back. This is the past and you cannot change the past. Looking back provides nothing of value, and only makes you second guess the future. I believe that we are doing the best we can with the knowledge we have.
It is important to remember that life is a succession of choices. Many of us avoid risks that are involved in moving toward what we want. We do this to be safe and stay comfortable. The fear of finding ourselves outside of our comfort zones only leads to more fear. We will find ourselves trapped in lives that we do now want and doing things we really do not want to do. If we should chose to fight the fear we have inside, we will end up doing something new, something different, and maybe something hard, but we will conquer that fear and move ahead. If we go outside of our comfort zones enough, we can gradually overcome the fear of attempting the unknown. Helen Keller wrote that "life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing." Think about that.
You fight your fears; you feel them and act on them. When this happens it is called courage. Some of the choices you have made and will make may be difficult. Remember to have faith in yourself that you will make the best decision you can at the time. Do not regret what you cannot change. Remember life is a journey, enjoy the scenery along the way. Love yourself, respect yourself, and believe in yourself for this will make the journey fun, exciting and worth the trip.
Have courage, be strong, and always look ahead. The future is waiting.
Home Remedies for the Soul
When I was young my mother would look for remedies to cure my hurts and sickness. Some of these remedies worked while others did not. Among all of the home remedies she tried, the ones that seemed to work best were the ones that made me feel loved, important and wanted. There was just something about feeling loved and knowing I was important that made all of my problems seem to go away. The best home remedy for the soul I have ever encountered is knowing how much my life mattered, knowing that I was important and someone cared.
Unfortunately as I grew older I felt my life did not matter. The pressures of life left me feeling that I was no good, not important, and not needed. Self-doubt filled me; thoughts of not being good enough consumed me. I longed for someone to prove to me that I was worth living. My soul ached for the remedies I knew as a child, and I thought I would never see them again.
Fortunately the human spirit has a resolve that can be found in the darkest despair. If you look hard enough within, you will meet the person who will show you the reason you are here. It will not come from a place you expect, but rather a quiet inner voice of someone familiar. If you listen, you will discover that it is not someone else who will remedy your soul, just you.
Once I discovered that feeling needed and wanted had to come from within first, I was able to move on with my life. I met someone who could understand me and made me feel wanted. I married and had children of my own. Looking inside myself I discovered that what I was looking for was already inside me. I did not have to look to others to find love or feelings of being needed. They were there inside of me all along. As I spend time trying to find remedies that would cure my own children's sickness. I find again that love and making them feel wanted seems to be the best medicine for any hurt.
Of all the things I have experience in life; I have learned that life is much easier when you know you matter, but first you have to matter to yourself. To find remedies for the soul you could try going to others, buy it in a bottle, but relying on other devices to make you feel good will not lead you to find true happiness. First you must look deep into yourself. There you will discover the best home remedy for the soul there is, you. Love yourself, take care of yourself, be persistent, and remember you are special there is no one else quite like you.
Infinite Possibilities
May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of the universe....
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is here for every one of us.--Unknown
The Crayola Bomb
Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with their imagination.
Robert Fulghum
If A Dog Were Your Teacher
If a dog were your teacher these are some of the lessons you might learn...
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest. practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps and stretch before rising. Run romp and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do. On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree. When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded don't buy into the guilt thing and pout run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day be silent ..... ...sit close by.
...and nuzzle them gently.
Author Unknown
THE OTHER SIDE
One day a young Buddhist on his journey home, came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier. Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young Buddhist yells over to the teacher, "Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river"? The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, "My son, you are on the other side".
Things to Remember
Your life was a gift to the world, take that gift and use it wisely. You are unique and one of a kind, no one else is quite like you. You can make your life be anything you want it to be. Remember to take one day at a time. Count your blessings, not your troubles. You will make it through whatever comes along. Within you are so many answers. Understand, have courage, be strong. Do not put limits on yourself. So many dreams are waiting to be realized. Decisions are too important to leave to chance. Reach for your peak, your goal and you prize. Nothing wastes more energy than worrying. The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets. Do not take things too seriously. Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets. Remember that a little love goes a long way. Remember that a lot of love … goes on forever. Remember that friendship is a wise investment. Life’s treasure are people together. Realize that it is never too late. Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Have hearth and hope and happiness. Take the time to wish upon a start. and most importantly do not forget …. not even for a second just how special you are!
Letter to my Brothers
by Tina McKeon
What prevented us from forming a closer bond? It was a question I had often pondered. Along my journey of self-discovery, I found the answer and so much more.
Growing up, the three of us never socialized together. Although we lived under the same roof, we seemed to travel in different circles. Yet, you two always managed to be inseparable. How I envied that. Being the only girl, I often felt very alone. At times, I wondered where or even if I fit into your lives. When you would pick on me, like older brothers do, I felt an odd sense of acknowledgment and acceptance. For me, those were the only moments that reinforced we were siblings.
I regret that we didn't communicate more. My childhood was plagued with emotional and mental turmoil. It was difficult spending so much time in the hospital. Were you aware of the daily ridicule I endured at school? It far outweighed any teasing you guys gave me. It was my polished demeanor to suffer in silence. Yet, would you have listened, if I vented my frustrations?. Maybe you could have protected me. Would you have fought to defend my honor?
There is a secret I must confess . For many years, I harbored jealousy toward you. While you had the great fortune of being born healthy, I spent most of my childhood in the hospital. Both of you excelled in sports, winning many trophies. My illness kept me from even tyring to participate. Your peers gravitated toward you. Your social calendars were always full. Being labeled a freak, no one wanted to be my friend. Only one boy was interested in dating me. Yet, that only lasted a month. Effortlessly, you got straight A's in school. On the other hand, I struggled with Special Education classes.
Most of my life, I carried negative baggage. A black cloud seemed to loom over my head. It distorted my perceptions. Also, it paralyzed my ability to rationally deal with life situations. There were times I hated your mere existence. To witness another one of your triumphs was too much to bear. Sadly, there were moments when I'd pray for just one failed attempt. But, of course, those prayers were never answered. Countless times I fantasized about being the only child.
Now, that I'm older and hopefully wiser, I've come to realize our estranged relationship wasn't the result of your behavior. My actions were the primary contributor to its demise For so long, I played the victim role. It blinded me and created a self-inflicted isolation. Insecure and afraid, I created a defensive wall. Though my intention was to shield myself from pain, it hindered me from living life and embracing those around me.
Please accept my sincere apology, as I make some heartfelt declarations. I'm so honored to call you my brothers. You are prime examples of fine, upstanding men. Kind-heartedness, respectful, and honest are just some of your many attributes. I adore the women you married, for they compliment you well. It is an added joy to witness the interaction with your children.
From this moment on, I chose to express my gratitude for having you in my life. Thank you for not abandoning me. I love you both!
The Marathon Man
Ray Fauteux
When I look back, it really wasn't a great time in my life. Thirty years ago my life consisted of working five days a week. The other two days of the week I would lay on the couch smoking cigarettes and drink beer. I was smoking around 35 cigarettes a day by the age of 29 thanks to habit I had picked up in high school. At the same time, I would usually put back 8 or so bottles of beer on any given Saturday or Sunday. I had no motivation and a life that was going nowhere fast.
That was until that one special day in the Summer of 1976. I was doing my usual beer-drinking, chain smoking, channel surfing routine and happened to land on the closing ceremonies of the Montreal Olympic Games. In those days, the marathon was the marquee event and was the final event that was scheduled to finish in Olympic Stadium, just prior to the closing ceremonies. I just happened to be on time to see the first runner enter the stadium that was packed with over 60,000 spectators. He was all alone as he made the final lap of the stadium toward the finish line.
It struck me how amazing it must have felt to finish such a long event and have the finish line in sight. To this day I can't say for sure what happened, but it really moved me and managed to ignite a spark somewhere deep inside. I thought how much I would love to experience the same thing this runner was. In the space of ten minutes I went from "I wish I could," to "I think I can," to "I'm going to do it!"
The very next day, I started my running career. It started very slowly, but at least it was a start. Too embarrassed to run outside, I began my running inside a gymnasium. The first day all I could manage was two laps before I started coughing and getting dizzy. It was at that moment that I knew the cigarettes would have to go. Within a week I quit a 12 year habit. In the 30 years since I have never smoked another cigarette.
I ran a little bit every single day. Within a month I was doing 5 miles inside the gym. My breathing began to get easier and easier with each passing day. I coughed up a lot of weird stuff for a while, but I think the running cleared my lungs of all the tar and nicotine very quickly...Click here to read more