Friends give us the courage to lift the blinds on our hearts, to open up and show what we generally keep hidden from the rest of the world.
Friends gives us security in knowing our secrets will be protected and will not be broadcast from the rooftops.
Friends put a smile on our faces and a spring in our step.
Friends make each day a new beginning filled with wonder and joy.
Friends put laughter in our hearts after we have been overwhelmed by grief.
Friends give us the inspiration to reach for our dreams.
Friends bring us back to earth if we get a little too full by ourselves.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Before you...
Before you speak...listen
Before you write...think
Before you spend...earn
Before you criticise...wait
Before you pray...forgive
Before you quit...try
Before you write...think
Before you spend...earn
Before you criticise...wait
Before you pray...forgive
Before you quit...try
Thursday, August 21, 2008
One
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wonderful thoughts
Take time once in a while to just enjoy the moment...
Remember, your mother thinks you're cute, even if no one else does.
Always try to do what you are taught, it can sometimes lead to beautiful things...
Try to give a gentle lift to a friend in need...
Search for the best route to what you're hoping for...
No goal is too hard to attain when you persevere.
Sometimes it's better to watch from a distance and plan your next move carefully.
Remember, your mother thinks you're cute, even if no one else does.
Always try to do what you are taught, it can sometimes lead to beautiful things...
Try to give a gentle lift to a friend in need...
Search for the best route to what you're hoping for...
No goal is too hard to attain when you persevere.
Sometimes it's better to watch from a distance and plan your next move carefully.
ABCs of motivation
Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle.
Don't give up and don't give in.
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures: enjoy their riches.
Give more than you planned to.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you.
Just do it.
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and most.
Make it happen.
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
Practice makes perfect.
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your own destiny.
Understand yourself in order to understand others better.
Visualize it.
Want it more than anything.
Xcellerate your efforts.
You are unique of all God's creations, nothing can replace you.
Zero in on your target and go for it!
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle.
Don't give up and don't give in.
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
Family and friends are hidden treasures: enjoy their riches.
Give more than you planned to.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you.
Just do it.
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and most.
Make it happen.
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
Practice makes perfect.
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your own destiny.
Understand yourself in order to understand others better.
Visualize it.
Want it more than anything.
Xcellerate your efforts.
You are unique of all God's creations, nothing can replace you.
Zero in on your target and go for it!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
5 great lessons
First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached...It read: 'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.' Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. 'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. 'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied the little boy again counted his coins. 'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson - Giving when it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it, if it will save her.'
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away?' Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached...It read: 'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.' Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. 'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked. 'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. 'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied the little boy again counted his coins. 'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Fifth Important Lesson - Giving when it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it, if it will save her.'
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away?' Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cracked pot
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and evry day while we walk back, you water them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beatufiul flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw...
But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
To all my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers, on your side of the path.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and evry day while we walk back, you water them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beatufiul flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw...
But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.
To all my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers, on your side of the path.
三个故事+哲理
和尚与屠夫
从前有一个和尚跟一个屠夫是好朋友。和尚天天早上要起来念经，而屠夫天天要起来杀猪。 为了不耽误他们早上的工作，是他们约定早上互相叫对方起床。 多年以后，和尚与屠夫相继去世了。屠夫去上天堂了，而和尚却下地狱了。 为什么? 因为屠夫天天作善事，叫和尚起来念经，相反地，和尚天天叫屠夫起来杀生……
小哲理：你做的东西是不是都是你认为对的，却不一定是对的。
一道终身受用的测试题
你开着一辆车。 在一个暴风雨的晚上。 你经过一个车站。 有三个人正在焦急的等公共汽车。一个是快要临死的老人，他需要马上去医院。一个是医生，他曾救过你的命，你做梦都想报答他。 还有一个女人/男人，她/他是你做梦都想嫁/娶的人，也许错过就没有了。 但你的车只能在坐下一个人，你会如何选择？我不知道这是不是一个对你性格的测试, 因为每一个回答都有他自己的原因。 老人快要死了，你首先应该先救他。 你也想让那个医生上车，因为他救过你，这是个好机会报答他。 还有就是你的梦中情人。错过了这个机会。你可能永远不能遇到一个让你这么心动的人了。
在200个应征者中，只有一个人被雇佣了，他并没有解释他的理由，他只是说了以下的话：
'给医生车钥匙，让他带着老人去医院，而我则留下来陪我的梦中情人一起等公车!'
每个人我认识的人都认为以上的回答是最好的，但没有一个人（包括我在内）一开始就想到。
小哲理：是否是因为我们从未想过要放弃我们手中已经拥有的优势（车钥匙）有时，如果我们能放弃一些我们的固执，狭隘，和一些优势的话，我们可能会得到更多。
皮鞋的来历
很久很久以前，人类都还赤着双脚走路。有一位国王到某个偏远的乡间旅行，因为路面崎岖不平，有很多碎石头，刺得他的脚又痛又麻。回到王宫后，他下了一道命令，要将国内的所有道路都铺上一层牛皮。他认为这样做，不只是为自己，还可造福他的人民，让大家走路时不再受刺痛之苦。但即使杀尽国内所有的牛，也筹措不到足够的皮革，而所花费的金钱、动用的人力，更不知凡几。虽然根本做不到，甚至还相当愚蠢，但因为是国王的命令，大家也只能摇头叹息。
一位聪明的仆人大胆向国王提出建言：「国王啊！为什么您要劳师动众，牺牲那么多头牛，花费那么多金钱呢？您何不只用两小片牛皮包住您的脚呢？」国王听了很惊讶，但也当下领悟，于是立刻收回成命，改采这个建议。据说，这就是「皮鞋」的由来。
小哲理：想改变世界，很难；要改变自己，则较为容易。与其改变全世界，不如先改变自己--「将自己的双脚包起来」。改变自己的某些观念和作法，以抵御外来的侵袭。当自己改变后，眼中的世界自然也就跟着改变了。如果你希望看到世界改变，那么第一个必须改变的就是自己。
「心若改变，态度就会改变；态度改变，习惯就改变；习惯改变，人生就会改变。」
从前有一个和尚跟一个屠夫是好朋友。和尚天天早上要起来念经，而屠夫天天要起来杀猪。 为了不耽误他们早上的工作，是他们约定早上互相叫对方起床。 多年以后，和尚与屠夫相继去世了。屠夫去上天堂了，而和尚却下地狱了。 为什么? 因为屠夫天天作善事，叫和尚起来念经，相反地，和尚天天叫屠夫起来杀生……
小哲理：你做的东西是不是都是你认为对的，却不一定是对的。
一道终身受用的测试题
你开着一辆车。 在一个暴风雨的晚上。 你经过一个车站。 有三个人正在焦急的等公共汽车。一个是快要临死的老人，他需要马上去医院。一个是医生，他曾救过你的命，你做梦都想报答他。 还有一个女人/男人，她/他是你做梦都想嫁/娶的人，也许错过就没有了。 但你的车只能在坐下一个人，你会如何选择？我不知道这是不是一个对你性格的测试, 因为每一个回答都有他自己的原因。 老人快要死了，你首先应该先救他。 你也想让那个医生上车，因为他救过你，这是个好机会报答他。 还有就是你的梦中情人。错过了这个机会。你可能永远不能遇到一个让你这么心动的人了。
在200个应征者中，只有一个人被雇佣了，他并没有解释他的理由，他只是说了以下的话：
'给医生车钥匙，让他带着老人去医院，而我则留下来陪我的梦中情人一起等公车!'
每个人我认识的人都认为以上的回答是最好的，但没有一个人（包括我在内）一开始就想到。
小哲理：是否是因为我们从未想过要放弃我们手中已经拥有的优势（车钥匙）有时，如果我们能放弃一些我们的固执，狭隘，和一些优势的话，我们可能会得到更多。
皮鞋的来历
很久很久以前，人类都还赤着双脚走路。有一位国王到某个偏远的乡间旅行，因为路面崎岖不平，有很多碎石头，刺得他的脚又痛又麻。回到王宫后，他下了一道命令，要将国内的所有道路都铺上一层牛皮。他认为这样做，不只是为自己，还可造福他的人民，让大家走路时不再受刺痛之苦。但即使杀尽国内所有的牛，也筹措不到足够的皮革，而所花费的金钱、动用的人力，更不知凡几。虽然根本做不到，甚至还相当愚蠢，但因为是国王的命令，大家也只能摇头叹息。
一位聪明的仆人大胆向国王提出建言：「国王啊！为什么您要劳师动众，牺牲那么多头牛，花费那么多金钱呢？您何不只用两小片牛皮包住您的脚呢？」国王听了很惊讶，但也当下领悟，于是立刻收回成命，改采这个建议。据说，这就是「皮鞋」的由来。
小哲理：想改变世界，很难；要改变自己，则较为容易。与其改变全世界，不如先改变自己--「将自己的双脚包起来」。改变自己的某些观念和作法，以抵御外来的侵袭。当自己改变后，眼中的世界自然也就跟着改变了。如果你希望看到世界改变，那么第一个必须改变的就是自己。
「心若改变，态度就会改变；态度改变，习惯就改变；习惯改变，人生就会改变。」
Monday, August 4, 2008
給自己生活的忠告：
§ 平時多吃些粗糧。
§ 給別人比他們自己期許的更多，
§ 用心去熟記你喜歡的詩歌，
§ 不要輕易相信你聽到的每件事，要小心證實。
§ 不要花光你的所有，留點備用。
§ 不要想睡多久就睡多久，光陰寶貴，適當就好。
§ 無論何時說 ' 我愛你 ' ，請真心實意。
§ 無論何時說 ' 對不起 ' ，請看著對方的眼睛。
§ 相信一見鍾情。
§ 永遠不要忽視別人的夢想。
§ 深情熱烈地愛，也許你會受傷，但這是使人生完整的唯一法。
§ 用一種明確的方法解決爭議，不要冒犯。
§ 永遠不要以貌取人。
§ 慢慢地說，但要迅速地想。
§ 深刻理解所有的規則，合理地更新它們。
§ 記住：最好的關係存在於對別人的愛勝於對別人的索求之上。
§ 回頭看看你發誓取得的目標，然後評判你到底有多成功。
§ 無論是烹調還是愛情，都用百分之百的負責態度對待，但是不要期求太多的回報。
§ 給別人比他們自己期許的更多，
§ 用心去熟記你喜歡的詩歌，
§ 不要輕易相信你聽到的每件事，要小心證實。
§ 不要花光你的所有，留點備用。
§ 不要想睡多久就睡多久，光陰寶貴，適當就好。
§ 無論何時說 ' 我愛你 ' ，請真心實意。
§ 無論何時說 ' 對不起 ' ，請看著對方的眼睛。
§ 相信一見鍾情。
§ 永遠不要忽視別人的夢想。
§ 深情熱烈地愛，也許你會受傷，但這是使人生完整的唯一法。
§ 用一種明確的方法解決爭議，不要冒犯。
§ 永遠不要以貌取人。
§ 慢慢地說，但要迅速地想。
§ 深刻理解所有的規則，合理地更新它們。
§ 記住：最好的關係存在於對別人的愛勝於對別人的索求之上。
§ 回頭看看你發誓取得的目標，然後評判你到底有多成功。
§ 無論是烹調還是愛情，都用百分之百的負責態度對待，但是不要期求太多的回報。
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