Start With Yourself

Start With Yourself   When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But, it too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.  And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.  (The above words are said to be written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London, England.)

What Binds You?

Better not mind the thing that depresses you for it makes you weak.
There are lots of things you can give your mind into.
Don't get stuck with what ruins but with what binds.

The Perspective of Life

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son 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?"

"It was great, Dad".

"Did you see how 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 that 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 serve 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. Appreciate every single thing you have!

"The evil you do, remains with you. The good you do, comes back to you!"

A woman baked bread for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby. 

  

She kept the extra bread on the Window-sill, for whosoever would take it away. 

  

Every day, a hunch-back came and took away the bread. 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. Every day, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and uttered 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... 

  

"Everyday this hunch-back utters this jingle! What does he mean? 

  

"One day, out of desperation, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunch-back," she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the bread she prepared for him! As she was about to place it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she said. 

  

Immediately she threw the bread into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window-sill. 

  

As usual, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and muttered the words: 

  

"The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" 

  

The hunch-back proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman. Everyday, as the woman placed the bread 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 his 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 but a mile away, I was so hungry that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunch-back passed by. I begged of him for a small part of his food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole bread. "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 and red. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned bread 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!" 

  

Do good and don't ever stop doing good, even if it’s not appreciated.

Forgiveness = Love

In the Lord's prayer, LOVE is not mentioned.
Instead, FORGIVE is used.
Perhaps because to FORGIVE
is the highest expression of LOVE.

No Fear

Obstacles don't frighten a heart that has a firm faith 

because it knows too well that God's love 

does not abandon those who puts his trust in Him.

Getting Along With People

10 Suggestions for getting along better with people.

1. Guard your tongue.  Say less than you think.
2. Make promises sparingly. But keep them faithfully.
3. Never let an opportunity pass by to say a kind word.
4. Be interested in others, their pursuits, work, and family.
5. Be cheerful.  Don't dwell on minor aches and small disappointments.
6. Keep an open mind. Discuss but don't argue.
7. Discourage gossip.  It is destructive.  Never talk bad against anyone behind his back.
8. Be careful of other's feelings.
9. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Live in such a way that nobody will believe them.
10. Don't be anxious about getting credit.  Just do your best and be patient.