View Full Version : Reflections...
The Hollyberry Lady
06-10-2011, 06:49 PM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflection3.jpg
I have a lot of books with some great daily positive affirmations and quotes that are like food for the spirit. They allow you to start your day with something meaningful to think about and reflect on.
I am very much enjoying Greg's new meditation thread but I didn't want to impose on it and interfere with the wonderful things he's sharing with us all there. :)
Anyone else can feel free to share their own positive affirmations, wise quotes, proverbs, prayers, poems, & sayings here as well, but for now I'll begin the thread with some I like...
~ "The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, "Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread, that would be kindness. But if they put jelly on it, that would be loving kindness" :D
~ "A good deed is never lost: Those who sow courtesy reap friendship, and those who plant kindness gather love"
~ "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant"
~ "The best way to cheer yourself up, is to cheer someone else up" :)
~ "Silence is one of the hardest arguements to refute"
~ "While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself"
~ "Beware lest your footprints on the sand of time leave only the marks of a heel"
~ "Any fool can start arguments...the honorable thing is to stay out of them" ;)
~ "Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"
~ "A day is Eternity's seed, and we are its Gardeners"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/Reflection.jpg
Those were just a few but there's a new one for each day...
: )
cherokee_greg
06-10-2011, 08:40 PM
Im lovin it thanks so cool
Jananas Bananas
06-10-2011, 08:55 PM
I love it too!
Hopes are planted in friendship's garden where dreams blossom into priceless treasures.
~JaNan
The Hollyberry Lady
06-10-2011, 09:44 PM
So happy you guys are enjoying it! Me too. :D
For the discouraged...
Don't Quit
When things go wrong
as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging
seems all uphill,
When funds are low
and the debts are high,
And you want to smile
but have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit...
By all means pray, and don't you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
God's hidden gift in the clouds of doubt.
You never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So trust in God
when you're hardest hit...
It's when things go wrong,
that you must not quit!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-11-2011, 09:00 AM
"We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is the oxygen to the soul"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflections4.jpg
Short story:
Jan taught 3rd grade and she once had a student...a bright-eyed boy who would stand at her desk, watch her, talk to her, all the while wrapping his finger around a piece of her hair into a little curl. He thought Jan was a shining star in the night. Over and over, however, he did poorly in his work assignments & daily quizzes. :(
One day Jan stopped, looked at him, & said, "Rodney, you are very smart. You could be doing so well in school. In fact you are one of my finest students..." before she could continue to tell him that he should be doing much better in school...he looked up at her with sober, large eyes:
"I did not know that"!!!
From that moment on, Rodney began to change. His papers were neater, cleaner, his spelling improved. He was one of her top students, all because she affirmed him. She told him something no one had ever told him before and it changed his life! :D
Nobody ever became ill or died from receiving too much genuine praise and encouragement. But who can count the wounded hearts, weary souls, and troubled minds that have resulted from their lack!
Give people more praise and encouragment. :waving:
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-11-2011, 07:25 PM
When Mother Theresa received the Nobel Prize, she was asked, "What can we do to promote world peace"?
She replied, "Go home and love your family".
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflection2.jpg
Short story:
In Words to Love By..., Mother Theresa writes, "Once a lady came to me in great sorrow and told me that her daugter had lost a husband and a child. All the daughter's hatreds had turned on the mother. The daughter wouldn't even see the mother or speak to her. :(
"So I said, "Now you think a bit about the little things your daughter liked as a child...maybe flowers or a special food. Try to give her some of those things without looking for a return".
"And she started doing some of these things, like putting the daughters favorite flower on the table, or leaving a beautiful piece of cloth for her. And she did not look for a return from her daughter.
Several days later the daughter said "Mom, I'm sorry. I love you and I want you in my life".
"It was very beautiful. By being reminded of the joy of childhood, the daughter reconnected with her family life. She must have had a happy childhood to go back to the joy and happiness of her mother's love".
Oh I liked that story's ending. :D
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-11-2011, 08:23 PM
GRANDMA'S HANDS
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.. She
didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the
longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her,
I asked. She raised her head, looked at me and smiled 'Yes, I'm fine,
thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice.
I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK, I
explained.
Have you ever looked at your hands, she asked. I mean really looked
at your hands?
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over,
palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have
served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled
shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach
out and grab and embrace life.
They caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor..
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother
taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my
boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my
wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone
special.
They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my
parents and spouse.
They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and
shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, washed and cleansed the rest
of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and
raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real
well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in
prayer.
These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly, it will be these hands that God will reach out and
take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His
side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.
I will never look at my hands the same way again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands
are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I
think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by
the hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Impossible things are simply those which so far have never been done. -
Elbert Hubbard
The Hollyberry Lady
06-11-2011, 08:30 PM
Oh JaNan, that is just too beautiful! I'm in tears! Thank you for sharing that very special story.
: )
cherokee_greg
06-12-2011, 10:09 AM
GONE ~~
>
>I wake in the morning to sounds of the Mother and to the warmth of
>the sun and leave my house where my fathers lodge once stood,
>Go to the car and drive down the paved road which my fathers traveled
>on horse back across the prairie,
>
>I cross the park and go past the tennis courts and baseball fields
>where my fathers once had winter camp and I climb the mountain, To
>the top to touch the sky,
>
>I light my pipe and blow smoke to the four winds and sit within the
>circle scratched in dirt.
>
>I look out upon the land below and see the houses turn to teepees and
>the cars to buffalo, the planes to eagles.
>
>I look upon the lake and see warriors in canoes instead of rushing
>speed boats. And then everything turns slowly back to the way it was.
>
>I see that the Mother still lives below us, and I wonder, have we not
>forgotten the land ?
>
>Do we not shun away from what the people have done to it? The mother
>still lives and we still belong to her.
>
>Many have forgotten the past and call it dead, but these things still
>live within my heart and my spirit. And the children, have we taught
>them to keep this in their hearts.
>
>Our people are not gone they are merely lost, they cannot find their
>path forward because they do not know where they have come from.
>
>I will cry no more for what has been lost, but will raise my peace
>pipe to the air and thank the Great Spirit for my vision. The way is
>forward.
>
>To teach the children all the wonderful things they have to be proud
>of.
>
>This nation, this United States would have no past, if it were not
>for my fathers, no stories of greatness, and no stories of sadness.
>
>These stories must be told and taught, but not with sadness, told
>with pride.
>
>I raise my fists to the air and thank the Great Spirit for bringing
>me to the People, for my victories and my defeats.
>
>I toss tobacco to the four winds and journey back down the paved
>roads with the four winds blowing through my windows...and truly I
>am "Home".
>
>The lands are not gone, the buffalo are not gone, the people are not
>gone.
>
>They live in my heart and my spirit, they will only be gone when we
>have forgotten them and have not passed those things on to our young.
>
The Hollyberry Lady
06-12-2011, 11:37 AM
"Watch out for temptation...the more you see of it the better it looks"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflection34.jpg
Short Story:
As a teen, Megan arrived home from school just in time to watch an hour of 'soap operas' before doing her homework. She enjoyed the escape of the T.V world and wasn't really aware that the programs were creating an inordinate amount of sexual curiosity in her. Over months and even years of watching her two 'soaps', Megan's perspective on life took a shift. She began to think, Relationships don't need to be pure - in fact, the impure ones seem more exciting. Fidelity doesn't matter, as long as a person is 'happy'.
As a college student, Megan found it easy to participate in 'one-night stands'. Then, after a short marriage ended in catastrophe, as a direct result of her infidelity, she sought help from a counselor to understand why she had engaged in extramarital affairs. Megan had been a model teenager at home, church, and school as far as her 'public' behavior was concerned.
Finally the counselor discovered the source of the temptation that drove Megan to participate in her supposed 'hidden' life.
What we see on T.V. inevitably becomes a part of our memory bank, becoming 'background information' for 'justified' behavior. If what you see isnt what you want to do, then change what you see!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-13-2011, 12:21 AM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflections30.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-13-2011, 12:22 AM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/Famous-quotes.png
"The best mind-altering drug is truth"
"If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem"
"The best things in life are not things"
"Never expect anything.
This way, you’ll never be disappointed"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/trust-youesrlf-quotes-picture.jpg
"It's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
"A friend is someone who has the same enemies you have"
"Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It's a slow death to be gloomy all the time"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/love.jpg
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now"
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/smile.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-14-2011, 11:46 AM
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care...about them"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/reflection36.jpg
Short Story:
On a bitter cold Virginia evening, an old man waited on a path by a river, hoping for someone on a horse to carry him across. His beard was glazed with frost and his body grew numb before he finally heard the thunder of horses' hooves. Anxiously he watched as several horsemen appeared. He let the first pass by without making an effort to get his attention, then another and another. Finally, only one rider remained. As he drew near, the old man caught his eye and asked, "Sir, would you mind giving me a ride to the other side"?
The rider helped the man onto his horse and, sensing he was half-frozen, decided to take him all the way home, which was several miles out of the way. As they rode, the horseman asked, "Why didn't you ask one of the other men to help you? I was the last one. What if I had refused"?
The old man answered, "I've been around awhile, son, and I know people pretty well. When I looked into their eyes and saw they had no concern for my condition, I knew it was useless to ask. When I looked into your eyes, I saw kindness and compassion".
At the door of the old man's house the rider resolved, "May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others". And with that, Thomas Jefferson turned and directed his horse back to the White House.
: )
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 03:20 PM
What Do You Value Most?
========================
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.
College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.
He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him, he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown.
Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and
time.
The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture...
Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said.
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox.
"Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package.
The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.
The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.
"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.
Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.
Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett.
It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter.
His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.
Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time."
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.
"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."
~Author Unknown~
The Hollyberry Lady
06-14-2011, 03:35 PM
Gosh Greg, that was so moving! Such a lesson to be learned in that story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It's a real good one. ;)
I'm enjoying this thread. :D
: )
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 03:56 PM
Dirt Roads
What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved.
There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride.
That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.
Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.
And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.
Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk.
For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap.
Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...at the end of a Dirt Road!
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 03:59 PM
Words of wisdom: I've learned that ......
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.
I've learned that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place. (Amen to that!)
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that I'm getting more and more like my grandma, and I'm kinda happy about it.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that you should never tell a child her dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if she believed it
I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that if you don't want to forget something, stick it in your underwear drawer.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned that the clothes I like best are the ones with the most holes in them.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.
I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves, get farther in life.
I've learned that many things can be powered by the mind, the trick is self-control.
I've learned that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar, you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.
I've learned that although the word "love" can have many different meaning, it loses value when overly used.
I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.
Author Unk.
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 04:04 PM
Live Life Over
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"... more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.
----------------------------
In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. "Be courageous and bold. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did."
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 04:09 PM
THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a
pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in
it, and 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 master's house,
the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only
one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for
which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of
what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a
bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.
In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.
So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.
Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.
Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."
cherokee_greg
06-14-2011, 04:27 PM
Information Please
When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember well the polished old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother used to talk to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person - her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. "Information Please" could supply anybody's number and the correct time. My first personal experience with this genie-in the-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there didn't seem to be any reason in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway.
The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the foot stool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information Please," I said into the mouthpiece just above my head. A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
"Information"
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone. The tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me." I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open your icebox?" she asked. I said I could. "Then chip off a little piece of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk, that I had
caught in the park just he day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary died. I called "Information Please" and told her the sad story. She listened, then said the usual things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was unconsoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in." Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone. "Information Please."
"Information," said the now familiar voice.
"How do you spell fix?" I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was 9 years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much.
"Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home, and I somehow never thought of trying the tall, shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall.
As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about half an hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information, Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well, "Information."
I hadn't planned this but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed. "So it's really still you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time."
"I wonder", she said, "if you know how much your calls meant to me. I never had any children, and I used to look forward to your calls." I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do," she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered "Information."
I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" She said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, she said. Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute. Did you say your name was Paul?"
"Yes."
"Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you." The note said, "Tell him I still say there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
* Anonymous
The Hollyberry Lady
06-14-2011, 06:42 PM
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/sunset-reflections_8723.jpg
Short Story:
There was a wealthy noblewoman who had grown tired of life. She had everything one could wish for except happiness and contentment. She said, "I am weary of life. I will go to the river and there end my life".
As she walked along, she felt a little hand tugging at her skirts. Looking down, she saw a frail, hungry-looking little boy who pleaded, "There are six of us. We are dying for want of food"!!!
The noblewoma thought, why should I not relieve this wretched family? I have the means, and it seems I will have no use for riches when I am gone.
Following the little boy, she entered a scene of misery and sickness, and need. She opened her purse and emptied its contents. The family members were beside themselves with joy and gratitude. Even more taken with their need, the noblewoman said, "I'll be back tomorrow, and I will share with you more of the good things which God has given to me in abundance"!!!
She left the scene of want and wretchedness rejoicing that the child had found her. For the first time in her life she understood the reason for her wealth. Never again did she think of ending her life, which was now filled with meaning and purpose.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-15-2011, 08:54 AM
Poem For An Estranged Friend
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/sad20.jpg
Now goes under, and I watch it go under, the sun
That will not rise again.
Today has seen the setting, in your eyes cold and senseless as the sea,
Of friendship better than bread, and of bright charity
That lifts a man a little above the beasts that run.
That this could be!
That I should live to see
Most vulgar Pride, that stale obstreperous clown,
So fitted out with purple robe and crown
To stand among his betters! Face to face
With outraged me in this once holy place,
Where Wisdom was a favoured guest and hunted
Truth was harboured out of danger,
He bulks enthroned, a lewd, an insupportable stranger!
I would have sworn, indeed I swore it:
The hills may shift, the waters may decline,
Winter may twist the stem from the twig that bore it,
But never your love from me, your hand from mine.
Now goes under the sun, and I watch it go under.
Farewell, sweet light, great wonder!
You, too, farewell,-but fare not well enough to dream
You have done wisely to invite the night before the darkness came.
: (
cherokee_greg
06-15-2011, 11:21 AM
Gosh Greg, that was so moving! Such a lesson to be learned in that story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It's a real good one. ;)
I'm enjoying this thread. :D
: )
Thanks. I really like that one too. I made a mistake and read it yesterday. I should not have. I cried like a baby. There is these two missionarries that have been coming over to see me. I really enjoy there company. When I first found out I had cancer I had all kinds of people coming over to see me. Now none of my freinds come any more. I really got attached to those missionarries. After 6 weeks they get transfeared. One is leaving today Im really going to miss him he became a good freind. I was sad to see him go like the story said the time was the most important thing. I really value the time there I go crying again I better stop I been like this the last three days. There is going to be a new one to replace the one that left and the other one is still going to come over. They love going out in my garden and looking and eating the stuff I have growing.
The Hollyberry Lady
06-15-2011, 01:04 PM
It's ok Greg...I'm a very sappy and emotional kind of person too, so I understand. ;)
I'm sorry you miss your friends...I sure know what that's like. Yes, friends can let us down sometimes, but oftentimes they're just uncomfortable and don't know what to say to someone with an illness, or to someone who's lost someone close through death. It can be awkward for a lot of people.
This is why it's so important and good that you are feeding your spiritual side so that you can be fulfilled even still, when friends fall short of our expectations...and they always will.
Yes, I think all the pieces you contributed here are very special and meaningful. I love thought-provoking stories like that...and stories that help us become better people, just having read them.
You're not the only one who was bawling over reading these...how can a person not shed a tear? They're just too sad and they make a person feel so many emotions.
This thread is really something I look forward to reading & posting in each day, along with your meditation thread as well, Greg. Thanks for all your wonderful contributions.
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-15-2011, 04:59 PM
How To Plant Your Garden
First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses.
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING ,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
~J
The Hollyberry Lady
06-16-2011, 12:46 AM
More of my personal favorites...
"When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, There is always the garden"
~ It is always good to know, if only in passing, charming human beings. It refreshes one like flowers and woods and clear brooks.
~ "Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth"
~ "Those who plant a seed beneath the sod and wait to see a sprout, believes in God and miracles"
~ "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in"
~ "Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/Reflections2x2.jpg
~ "As is the garden...so is the gardener"
~ "The earth laughs in flowers"
~ "One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on Earth"
~ "Arguing with a fool only proves there are two"
~ "It is absurd that someone should rule others, yet cannot rule themselves"
~ "The soul of conversation is sympathy"
~ "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-16-2011, 11:51 AM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/life.jpg
"Eleven Hints for Life"
1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return.
But what is more painful is to love someone and never
find the courage to let that person know how you feel.
2. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who
means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was
never meant to be and you just have to let go.
3. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a
porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away
feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
4. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose
it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been
missing until it arrives.
5. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an
hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it
takes a lifetime to forget someone.
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/life1.jpg
6. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth,
even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you
smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day
seem bright.
7. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go,
be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and
one chance to do all the things you want to do.
8. Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it
hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.
9. A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck
a life. A timely word may level stress. But a loving word may
heal and bless.
10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best
of everything they just make the most of everything that comes
along their way.
11. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with
a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone
around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die,
you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-16-2011, 08:48 PM
"Life is full of beauty.
Notice it.
Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.
Smell the rain, and feel the wind.
Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams”
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/life-is-good.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-18-2011, 11:28 AM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/wisdom.jpg
“There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest"
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-18-2011, 11:43 AM
I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry.. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories..
He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.
He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.
Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.
Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.
Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket... hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.
She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.'
I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.
'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.'
She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away
I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.
I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile I had ever seen! I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.
As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes.. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision
I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.
Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes.. He was still with me, and she was his angel.
Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.
Thank you, Lord, for my family.. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced..
Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.
Thank you, Lord, for life.
A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.
For friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier place!
YOU ARE MY FRIEND!
God bless you and yours.
~JaNan
The Hollyberry Lady
06-18-2011, 12:43 PM
Oh you guys are always trying to get me bawling! :ha:
That was a great post, JaNan. ;)
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-19-2011, 05:52 PM
“Much that is dreadful and inhuman in
history, much that one hardly likes to
believe, is mitigated by the reflection that
the one who commands and the one who
carries out are different people. The
former does not behold the sight and does
not experience the strong impression on
the imagination. The latter obeys a
superior and therefore feels no
responsibility for the acts”
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/hitler1.jpg
: (
The Hollyberry Lady
06-19-2011, 07:33 PM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/sadrealizations.jpg
: (
The Hollyberry Lady
06-20-2011, 11:24 PM
"I love the man that can smile in trouble,
that can gather strength from distress,
and grow brave by reflection"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/groupreflectionspic.jpg
: )
cherokee_greg
06-20-2011, 11:32 PM
Shay: God's Plan
At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child." Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shay's father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and I'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that this was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled "Run to second, run to second!" By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home." Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a "grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face," the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."
The Hollyberry Lady
06-21-2011, 12:17 AM
Such a lovely story, Greg! I love people who are kind like that and who do nice things for others less fortunate.
Meaningful Moments in Life
Life is a made up of a collection of moments. Some people say that one must learn from obstacles that everyone struggles with. Some people say that every challenge helps to achieve strength of character and self-growth. The most significant change in my life was my elder sister’s battle with cancer. Even though it was a very hurtful experience that has drastically affected both me and my family, it helped me know myself better as a person, realize that I can appreciate God’s gift of life and good health and understand what an inspiration my sister is to me and how much love she has given me over the years.
Whenever my sister was home, everything was special and different. Since she was the one who maintained the family’s serenity, there was nothing to argue about when she was present. For instance, when I was a teenager, my dad always pushed me a step harder and tried to create his idea of a social life for me, which was noticeably slowly placing me in depression moods. My sister on the other hand always calmed me down about it, and tried to explain to me the meaning behind fatherhood, and that no matter what he says or does, it’s always for my best and I should cherish him for that. Down through the years and as time evolved, I remembered my sister’s words of wisdom and love as I watched my dad’s heart break every time he saw her in pain.
As I watched my sister fight her battle with patience and a big smile, I realized that even in her weakest moments, she was still our source of love and strength. She helped me understand that it’s in life’s toughest times that you are the strongest, and that by little faith, hope and patience, you will overcome it. She made me value family and strong bonds and brought me to appreciate the little moments and believe in miracles. Even though it was difficult at the beginning, I found out that I was capable of doing anything I wanted as long as I persisted in doing it. Ironically, it was my sister’s pain that made me a better person today. Needless to say, she also finally introduced me to my new hero, my father.
Now looking back at my childhood, and remembering how I thought my sister and I were different in many ways (she was compliant, I was a rebel), I know now that we were never different but that we completed each other. She was compliant, I was a rebel), I know now that we were never different but that we completed each other. She was my strength and I was her soul, I grasped her hand and she never let go. Now, after my sister’s recovery of her two-year battle, I’m striving to be the best among the best as she always hoped for me, maybe it’s my way of saying welcome back home and maybe it’s the thank you I never had the chance to say to her for un breaking my father’s heart!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-21-2011, 11:19 PM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/smilepics.jpg
The value of a smile is priceless, yet it is the cheapest, easiest, most rewarding and most sincere gift to anyone that crosses your path. A smile makes a person's day, anybody's day even a stranger's day. A smile is infectious. Start infecting people with your smile today.
A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to those who are sad, and hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought, begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will. You have to be willing to give a smile away before it can do anyone else any good.
So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile, let him have one of yours anyway. Nobody needs a smile as much as the person who has none to give.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-22-2011, 05:26 PM
The Pretty Lady
Once upon a time, a big monk and a little monk were travelling together.
They came to the bank of a river and found the bridge was damaged.
They had to wade across the river. There was a pretty lady who was
stuck at the damaged bridge and couldn't cross the river. The big
monk offered to carry the pretty lady across the river on his back.
The lady accepted.
The little monk was shocked by the move of the big monk."How can big
disciple brother carry a lady when we are supposed to avoid all intimacy
with females?" thought the little monk.
But he kept quiet. The big monk carried the lady across the river and the
small monk followed unhappily.
When they had crossed the river, the big monk let the lady down and they
parted ways with her.
All along the way for several miles, the little monk was very unhappy with
the act of the big monk. He was making up all kinds of accusations
about the big monk in his head. This got him madder and madder.
But he still kept quiet. And the big monk had no inclination to
explain his situation.
Finally, at a rest point many hours later, the little monk could not stand
it any further, he burst out angrily at the big monk. "How can you claim
yourself a devout monk, when you seize the first opportunity to touch a
female, especially when she is very pretty? All your teachings to me make
you a big hypocrite."
The big monk looked surprised and said, "I had put down the pretty lady at
the river bank many hours ago, how come you are still carrying her along?"
This very old Chinese zen story reflects the thinking of many people today.
We encounter many unpleasant things in our life, they irritate us and they
make us angry. Sometimes, they cause us a lot of hurt, sometimes they
cause us to be bitter or jealous. But like the little monk, we are not
willing to let them go away.
We keep on carrying the baggage of the "pretty lady" with us. We let them
keep on coming back to hurt us, make us angry, make us bitter and cause
us a lot of agony. Why? Simply because we are not willing to put down or let
go of the baggage of the "pretty lady".
We should let go of the pretty lady immediately after crossing the river,
immediately after the unpleasant event is over. This will immediately
remove all our agonies. There is no need to be further hurt by the
unpleasant event after it is over. It is just that simple.
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-22-2011, 10:16 PM
OK you and Greg got me that time - Meaningful Moments of Life and Shay: God's Plan. A Kleenex was not enough, I had to have a paper towel.
I would rather have one rose and a kind word
from a friend while I'm here
than a whole truck load when I'm gone..
Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only
God keeps You Going
Worry looks around, sorry looks back, Faith looks up.
~J
The Hollyberry Lady
06-24-2011, 11:10 PM
The Three Main Spiritual Needs of People:
If there was no sun, the earth would be cold and abandoned but with the sun, there is warmth, light and clarity. But if I was blind, I could not perceive this glory, I could not comprehend about color and depth, or about the difference between night and day.
Then, there is not only the sun or the light, not only my eyes but my capacity to appreciate. And all this would begin not only with the appreciation of the outer side as the starting point but the appreciation of my inner self.
If I don’t have confidence, I will not look at the horizon and will not be able to distinguish and much less to know the value of spring, the profound, poetic, mystic and completely real meaning of life.
If I don’t have self affection and self love, I will not be able to love.
How can I appreciate? This is the beginning.
Now, as the second step: The confidence, the security that is built, that is shared, must be developed to the point that we become very close.
I have to believe in the world because it surrounds me with its land, its people, its food, its strength, its peace. And as a vision of solidarity, my blood must be the blood of the people and I must answer to their presence, with happiness and concern. Because if I did not believe, I would not have neither history nor presence. I could never picture myself in the future of others. And it happens when I take refuge in their eyes, in their soul and my soul. Then, confidence is the second step.
The third, necessarily is Love. But the steps don’t have to be separated or one after the other since they are as a flower and its color and aroma that beautify the morning, which brings clarity and expansion and dissipates the shadows. The dew that brings moist to the fields as little diamonds of light in the prairies.
If I don’t love, if I don’t feel, then I don’t exist. I would become useless and will not be able to take, to give. If I can’t give, I can’t receive confidence, credibility, solidarity and Universal Love, which are the paths to meet God.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-27-2011, 12:04 AM
"Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings"
Short Story:
In some parts of Mexico, hot springs and cold springs are found side by side. Because of this natural phenomenon, local women have the convenience of boiling their clothes in the hot springs, then rinsing them in the ajacent cold springs. While watching this procedure a number of years ago, a tourist said to her guide, "I imagine that they would think old Mother Nature is pretty generous to supply such ample, clean hot and cold water here side by side for their free use".
The guide replied, "Well, actually, no. There is much grumbling because mother nature supplies no soap! And not only that, but the rumor has started to filter in that there are machines that do this work in other parts of the world".
So often we compare our lives to others...what they have in contrast to what we don't have and what they are that we aren't. Such comparisons invariably leave us feeling left out, rejected, and cheated. If we aren't careful to put the brakes on such negative emotions, we can become unnecessarily bitter.
Count your blessings today! If you own one, start with...a washing machine.
: )
cherokee_greg
06-28-2011, 12:07 PM
A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
1. EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK .
2. YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.
3. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
4. IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.
5. TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.
The Hollyberry Lady
06-28-2011, 01:21 PM
Oh I love that one, Greg! :goteam:
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
06-29-2011, 03:50 PM
"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways"
Buddha
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-29-2011, 03:56 PM
MAGNOLIAS
I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away.
As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle.
So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died
a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!
To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich
dark wood inside the church.
After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers - would be remembered for years.
The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiance Tim walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a
rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black.
Funeral black. An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.
I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding.
Tim turned to me. 'Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements.'
I mumbled, 'Sure,' as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.
Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. 'Lord,' I prayed, 'please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me
flowers - in a hurry!' I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety
from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.
As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house...No dog in sight.. knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good. No shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, 'I'd be happy to!'
He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, 'Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today.'
No, Ma'am,' he said. 'You don't understand what's happening here.'
'What?' I asked.
'You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . .. .. He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. 'On Wednesday I buried her.' He looked away. 'On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.'
I nodded.
'This morning,' he continued, 'I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, 'Sir, I need you.'
I stood with my mouth open.
He asked, 'Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room...'
I assured him I was no angel.
He smiled. 'Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?'
'No.'
'I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that
and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!'
I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, 'Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding,
for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.'
But God found a way. Through dead flowers.
'Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.'
May God's blessings be upon you.
THIS IS SO TRUE, BEING NEEDED IS SO UPLIFTING TO EACH OF US.
The Hollyberry Lady
06-29-2011, 04:04 PM
Oh no, the waterworks have started again! :ha:
That was just so beautiful, JaNan!
: )
Jananas Bananas
06-29-2011, 04:09 PM
I know it gets me every time I reread it! So Sorry........but they are so touching, the tear jerkers are really my favorites.
The Hollyberry Lady
06-29-2011, 10:44 PM
Yes, I like them too, but they're just so sad! :(
I read that one to my mom and she bawled too. :ha:
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
07-05-2011, 04:39 PM
"you have Enemies?
Good. ;)
This means you stood for something!"
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
07-15-2011, 07:22 AM
"Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.
Watch your actions, they become a way of life.
Watch your way of life, it becomes destiny."
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
07-17-2011, 09:31 AM
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
: )
Jananas Bananas
07-17-2011, 11:32 AM
4 Lessons
1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During the 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 50's, 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.
2 - Second 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.
3 - Third 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.
4 - Fourth 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 & 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 cheek. 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.
Most importantly....Live with no regrets, Treat people the way you want to be treated, Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, and Dance like you do when nobody is watching.
~JaNan
These 'reflections' are entertaining, uplifting, and inspirational. Thanks for the time to gather, glean, and share them.
I've been wondering - are any of these original, or have they all been floating around here and there, resting for a time, and then floating away to alight on another forum in another thread for a time, and then moving on again...
I have reflections, too; but most of them are my own. That is not to say that these don't also have value; I generally see my own thoughts echoed in them, and in some ways these expressions color them in ways that bring out nuance and shading that I may have otherwise overlooked in my own musings. It also restores my faith to know that I'm not alone in most things, and to see that others are similarly inspired.
I'll take a risk here and post something original, but it will take some time to compose, and polish; :2738: and when sufficiently clear, coherent, and meaningful, I'll post it.
Critics are welcome - no need to be overly kind in commenting. This is not the first time I've done this, so there is no need for 'kid-gloves'. A true comment's value is worth far more than empty flattery - I desire that which has value. ;)
--------------------------------------
From time-to-time, I will get a question in my head, and I will ponder it a while, and toss it around to see what sort of answer I can find. Many times I am led to the answer; so I don't come up with it on my own, and really can't take much credit for it.
One day, I was pondering an age-old question, "Why does God permit so much suffering in the world?" especially in light of Him being touted as good, all knowing, and all loving. And, if we are all His spirit children, how can He permit this?
Well, as you may have surmised by my writing this - I did receive the answer, or at least an answer sufficient for me. To be totally understood, it must be delivered in two parts. So, first, I must tell you a story...
One day a father called to his son, and told him to get ready to go for a ride. The son asked his dad where they were going, and his father responded that he needed to take him for his doctor appointment. "A doctor appointment?!" thought the son in alarm. "Am I going to have to get a shot?" the boy asked his father in a rather panicked voice. "Well, I don't know. Maybe you need a booster, maybe not," said his dad.
As they rode to the dreaded appointment, although he didn't speak, the boy's head was full of a myriad of thoughts of the pain from past visits to 'the doctor.' The worst such visit was one shot where the nurse had had a small object hidden from view, and she was repeatedly poking the skin on his shoulder while she held his arm firmly. "This is a small woodpecker," she said. "That didn't really feel too bad," he was thinking. But, before he could even complete the thought, the nurse had said, "And this is a big woodpecker," as she stuck a syringe deeply into the shoulder muscle, and quickly depressed the plunger. That one hurt a lot, and the soreness lasted, it seemed, for days; as he remembered the very unpleasant experience. Re-living that one in his mind filled him with even more dread than before. "Why is my dad taking me there?" thought the boy. "Doesn't he love me?" "Does he want me to feel the pain?" These thoughts, and others, were his constant companions all during the ride to 'the doctor.'
Now, unbeknownst to him, he was not alone in being full of thoughts during the ride. His father, too, was thinking about the impending appointment. He absolutely hated to see his son in pain when, on those infrequent times, a shot was needed. He recalled those same visits he had when he was a boy. He had survived them then, and so would his son, but the memory of the pain and fear remained, even after all these years. He deeply loved his son, and would not ever willingly cause him pain if there was any way he could avoid it. He sometimes wondered if his father had had similar thoughts all those many years ago. He decided that, yes, he probably did, just as any loving father would have. He recollected that his father had explained that a little pain now was ok, since it would strengthen his body against the ravages of diseases that could weaken him, and possibly even completely overcome his body's ability to fight it off. "When that happens, you die," he had said. At the time, those explanations, even though they made perfect sense now, had little effect on him. Just like his son today, all he knew at that moment in time was the here-and-now, and the pain that he might have to go through. Looking so far in the future, and thinking about diseases that may or may not come, seemed little solace to what he was facing right then. Thinking back, the father realized that if he compared that brief moment of pain, real enough to be still remembered, with his entire life-time; it was so short as to almost be an eye-blink in the grand scheme of things; so brief that it could almost be forgotten.
We will leave the story for the moment, and touch on it again briefly later.
Now, let me ask you what is God's greatest gift to man? Don't answer too quickly, but take time to ponder the question. There is more than one correct way to answer it, and not all faiths will yet have the answer.
His greatest gift is salvation and Eternal life through His Son, the Christ. Other non-Christian faiths may debate that, but there will be a day when we are all of one accord. That debate we will hold for another time.
Now, another question, what is His second-greatest gift to man? This one may seem tougher, but think on it some.
His second greatest gift is freedom-of-choice. He gave this to Adam and Eve in the garden - He also gave them a lesson in 'tough-love' as a result of their choices. We may choose to obey, or disobey His commandments and guidance. His hope and desire is that we would willingly choose to obey Him, and return to Him one day. But, just as an Earthly parent anxiously awaits their teenager's return after their first solo car drive; God realizes also that He must step back to allow us to choose freely, hoping that we will choose wisely, to thereby learn and grow stronger with each experience - good and bad. Experiencing these events is necessary for us to gain stronger spirits better able to control our physical and mental temptations as a complete human being empowered with free will. If you do have to go through a painful event, never ever think you are going through it alone. Our Father in Heaven is worried and anguished with us just as any loving parent would be, but He also knows that it is to better prepare us for future problems that will surely arise. Each incident is much like getting a shot from the doctor; it will cause some immediate pain while it is happening, but depending on how we handle it, each event is capable of giving us greater spiritual strength to enable us to better withstand a future occurrences of even greater magnitude.
Much of the suffering we see in the world today is due to our second gift from God – the gift of free will. It is the result of man's choosing to be cruel, rather than kind, to his fellow beings. Those causing the pain and suffering have chosen unwisely. Many of those who experience the pain and suffering do not view it with spiritual eyes, they only see the here and now, and question God and His wisdom for allowing this to go on. Their spiritual eyes are not open yet, and many never will open them in their Earthly lifetime. God is not insensitive to our suffering; He listens to and answers prayers for relief. On rare occasions, He intervenes on a grand scale when man causes suffering to the extent that it may confound God's plan, as He did on behalf of the Jews under Pharaoh. This was also due to righteous choices made by Abraham long before. Sometimes what appears to be suffering, may actually be for a future as-yet-unrevealed blessing, such as when Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. The difference, for most individuals, is how they bear the circumstances they find themselves in. Some of these events may also be intricately linked with other events. Sometimes a good choice may result in other good events that may be far removed from the original person, and sometimes a bad choice may result in widespread and long-term suffering that is not even known about by the person that began the chain reaction. Just as a single rain-drop may cause ripples in a pond that cause waves felt far from the point of impact, our deeds to our fellow men may also be far-reaching for both good and bad. We need to choose to do that which our Father-in-Heaven would wish for us to do to each other, and to pray in faith for those good events to be passed along to others as blessings. We need to let the scales fall away from our physical eyes, and see as He does, spiritually, and with a view for our Eternal lifetimes. We have to have a view far beyond only the here-and-now, and withstand temptations and evils as only temporary obstacles that will one day cease tormenting us. We must endure our existence, if only one-day-at-a-time, until our brief time of testing here is done, to reap an Eternal reward when we will have our eyes fully opened, and see with total remembrance and understanding of the Eternal plan, and to see His wisdom in its conception.
When you open your spiritual eyes to see as God does, just as the boy's father saw his son's entire lifetime ahead of him; you will see that there is indeed a plan, and an Eternal reward, and that it is not for naught. You will see that all pain and suffering is but a mere eye blink in His plan. Your spirit will then be transformed, and your heart will be freed from the heaviness of the burden of your suffering, sure in the knowledge of your Salvation at the last day, if you will but endure to the end. Understand though, I have not said, "You will be freed from suffering," but I have said, "The 'burden' of your suffering will be made light."
In a person's spiritual lifetime, when you consider how long 'Eternal life' really is, if that person had been born with an affliction of some sort, and if every day that they were alive on this Earth they were in pain, either physical, emotional, or both; and if those around saw how much this person struggled day to day just to get by with one more day of life; if that person's entire existence on this Earth was daily filled with pain and anguish; in the entire spiritual lifetime of that person’s soul, it would nevertheless seem as a brief moment. Please understand, the pain is real, I'm not trying to diminish that fact, and if you only see it as a man sees it, with physical eyes, and in the context of physical existence, it does seem cruel, overwhelming, and unbearable. However, if viewed with spiritual eyes, and a spiritual mind, it is but a fleeting moment in time. You must open your eyes and see it as God sees it.
To summarize - suffering seems harsh and cruel when viewed as man does, in the perspective of a man's lifetime; but when viewed through spiritual eyes as God sees, and through the prism of Eternal life, it is such a brief moment, and necessary to go through for our learning.
Once my mind was opened to this truth. I was amazed that I hadn't seen it before. It seemed as if I had always known it, but wasn’t yet aware that I knew it. Perhaps I just wasn't ready until just this moment. I related what I had learned to my daughter, thinking she would be as amazed with the new knowledge as I had been. She quickly brought me back down to Earth, though, by exclaiming, "But, dad, they teach us that in church all the time." I was aware of that, too, but it never fell into place as well as just now. I responded to her by asking, "Then why have so many of the Elders, and others I've asked about it, not been able to answer it for me?" To that, she did not have an answer. Maybe she has been more blessed, or now that I've assembled the picture, she sees it more clearly than before, and doesn't realize that if I had asked her prior to this experience, that she would not have known the answer, either.
Hugo Mossner
The Hollyberry Lady
08-30-2011, 02:37 AM
I thought your post was profound and enlightening, especially for those unfamiliar with Christianity and some of it's teachings. You're a very good writer Yug...with a gift for simplifying complicated issues. I enjoyed reading very much and thank you. ;)
I got a new book today. I'll share some soon...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_0975.jpg
: )
I wish I could speak more like I write. I used to stutter as a kid, but I pause and think more now on what I want to say. It keeps me from the stutter, but my daughter gets aggravated by the pauses. If anyone ever wants to use something I've written, they are welcome, but I'd prefer anonymous attribution, or my on-line handle, HM.
The Hollyberry Lady
08-30-2011, 08:40 PM
"Our creations come through us freely, easily, and abundantly...only when we release our need for control and allow ourselves to become clear channels for something bigger than we are"
By the way Yug...I think it's very wise to pause & think before speaking. ;)
: )
cherokee_greg
09-26-2011, 09:07 PM
I HAD TO SHARE WITH YOU GUYS!
when i saw a cashier hand this little boy his money back, the boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old. The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll.'' The little boy turned to the old woman next to him, ''Granny, are you sure I don't have enough money?'' She replied, ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.'' Then she asked him to stay there for just 5 minutes while she went to look around. She left quickly. The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas. She was sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.' I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus would bring it to her after all, and not to worry. But he replied to me sadly. 'No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this, 'My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.'' My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said, 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of himself. He was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so she won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she didn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll!'' OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money. The little boy said, 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!' Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give it to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose.'' 'My mommy loves white roses.' A few minutes later, the old lady returned and I left with my basket. I finished my shopping in a totally different state of mind from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy? Two days after this encounter with the little boy I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever. The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine, and in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.
Heart Warming!! Who knows what effect it will have on the little guy (especially after the effect the drunk had on the family - kid needs a break after that).
The Hollyberry Lady
10-28-2011, 09:38 PM
"Over fertilized plants may be beautiful but are otherwise useless, like people whose energies are devoted so completely to their appearance that there is no other development"
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-03-2011, 10:28 PM
"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat"
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_2458-1.jpg
Love that quote!
: )
momoese
11-04-2011, 12:11 AM
"and then"
The Hollyberry Lady
11-04-2011, 11:21 AM
"And then" what?
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-05-2011, 11:47 AM
Good words are worth much, and cost little.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
It takes just as much energy to say a positive word as it does a negative one. In fact, it may take even less. Research has shown that when we speak positive words...even in difficult circumstances or troubling situations, our bodies relax. As we relax, blood flow increases, including the flow of blood to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain is much more likely to think creatively, make wise decisions, find reasonable solutions, and generate answers to questions.
Positive words ease relationships and create an atmosphere of peace that is conducive to rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and sleep...all of which are necessary for good health.
On the other hand, contrary to popular thought, negative woeds do not release tension...they keep the body in a state of tension, constricting muscles and blood vessels. Irrational, uncreative, unreasonable behavior is a secondary effect.
A continual flow of negative words causes relationships to suffer, which creates an atmosphere of disharmony ad makes for fitful sleep and frayed nerves...none of which are healthy!
One of the best things we can do for our overall health is to transform our speech habits.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-06-2011, 05:26 PM
If you were given a nickname descriptive of your character, would you be proud of it?
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...Proverbs 22:1
In 1955 the city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, were segregated by law. White and black people were not allowed to sit together. :(
On December 1st of that year, Mrs. Rosa Parks was riding home from her job at a tailor shop. As the section for whites filled up, the black people were ordered to move to the back to make room for the white passengers who were boarding. Three blacks in Mrs. Parks' row moved, but Mrs. Parks remained in her seat. Later she said "Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it. I knew someone had to take the first step. So I made up my mind not to move".
The bus driver asked if she was going to stand up. "No, I am not" she answered him. Mrs Parks was arrested and taken to jail. Four days later black people and white sympathizers organized a boycott of the city bus line that lasted until a year later, when the Supreme Court declared the segregated-bus ordinance unconstitutional. :)
Mrs. Parks is known today as the "mother of the modern-day civil rights movement". Her name inspires others to be courageous and do what is right, despite the circumstances.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-08-2011, 02:52 PM
Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.
For what is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14
Anita Septimus has worked as a social worker for HIV-infected children since 1985. In the first few months she worked with her tiny clients, three of them died. Despair began to overwhelm her. She made a commitment to stick with the job for three months, during which time she could not get a friend's words out of her thoughts....'you have not chosen a pretty profession'.
She had to admit, her friend was right. It took resolve to accept that fact and simply do what she could to help families make the most of what remained of their children's lives. She is stil there.
Over the last 10 years, her clinic has grown considerably. Today, Anita and her staff care for more than 300 families with AIDS children. They go into their homes, teach infection prevention, and help the parents plan for the future. The children are regularily taken on trips to the zoo, the circus, and summer camps.
One AIDS baby wasn't expected to see her first birthday, but she recently celebrated her 10th! Such 'long-term' clients give back to Anita what she terms as 'an indestractable sense of hope' - a precious gift!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-09-2011, 12:51 PM
The best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for he so giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
Medical researchers are coming to what may see to be a common sense conclusion: a missing ingredient to heath may be"vitamin Zzzzzzzz".
When participants in one study were cheated out of 4 hours of sleep for four consecutive nights, they had on average 30% drop in their immune systems, as measured by natural killer-cell activity. Such a drop can readily increase a person's susceptibility to colds and flu, and perhaps to other serious diseases. Says sleep researcher Michael Irwin M.D., "Many people just need a regular-length sleep to get those natural killer cells revved up again".
While a steady diet of sufficient sleep may not completely prevent disease, it can improve the body's defense system and help a person combat disease more efficiently and effectively.
Sleep is the cheapest health aid a person can "take". Sleep is God's own means of restoring health to the body, as well as providing rest to the mind. Many have reported a new outlook or a change of heart after a good night's sleep.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-09-2011, 09:44 PM
Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.
A merry heart doth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22
Norman Cousins was once asked by a group of physicians to meet with cancer patiens at a hospital. He told how he had lost a quarter in a payphone.
"Operator", he said, "I put in a quarter and didn't get my number". She said "Sir, if you give me your name and address, we'll mail the coin to you".
He recited a full and long litany of all the step and procedures and expense involved in returning his coin that way, and concluded, "Now, operator, why don't you just return my coin and make this much easier"?
She repeated her offer and then asked if he'd pushed the coin-return plunger. He hadn't, but when he did, the phone box spewed out close to four dollars in change!
The operator said "Sir, will you please put the coins back in the box"?. Cousins replied, "If you give me your name and address I will be glad to mail you the coins" :ha:
The veterans exploded with cheers as cousins told his story. Then one of the physicians asked, "How many of you came into this room in pain"?. More than half raised their hands. "How many of you in the last five minutes had less or no pain"? All nodded "yes".
Laughter...it's one of the best pain medications ever!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-11-2011, 04:01 PM
IT ISN'T ENOUGH
It isn't enough to say in our hearts
That we like a man for his ways,
It isn't enough that we fill our minds
With paeans of silent praise;
Nor is it enough that we honor a man
As our confidence upward mounts,
It's going right up to the man himself,
And telling him so that counts!
If a man does a work that you really admire,
Don't leave a kind word unsaid,
In fear that to do so might make him vain
And cause him to 'lose his head'
But reach out your hand and tell him,
"Well done", and see how your gratitude swells;
It isn't the flowers we strew on the grave,
It's the word to the living that tells.
~ Anonymous.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
: )
Jananas Bananas
11-13-2011, 10:05 PM
Every person is a d@mn fool
for at least 5 minutes every day,
“WISDOM” consists in not,
exceeding the limit................
~JaNan
The Hollyberry Lady
11-14-2011, 11:59 AM
That is just too frigging hilarious, Janan!
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. But not in that order.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. :ha::ha::ha:
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-14-2011, 01:38 PM
"To argue with an IDIOT only proves there are two"!!! :ha::ha::ha:
: )
sunfish
11-14-2011, 02:34 PM
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"
The Hollyberry Lady
11-15-2011, 12:19 AM
"We are many and you are few,
we listen to the crap you spew.
Don’t think we aren’t up to speed,
on truth and lies as you deceive.
You spout out lines of twisted tales,
like politicians or car sales.
You change what we would like to hear,
while your treachery has no fear.
You are what’s wrong in every way,
no longer care ‘bout what you say.
You paint your picture so distorted,
you change the story not reported.
The words come out but do not say,
the truth behind what you portray.
You bend the facts for your own gain.
How is it that you feel no pain?
LIAR"!!!
: )
Jananas Bananas
12-11-2011, 11:23 PM
This is what Christmas is all about...I think I need to read this every year at Christmas. I can't count the times I've read this one.
Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.
It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.
After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..
Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the sideboards on.
After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?
Yeah," I said, "Why?"
"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to o ur loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his r ight shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in th woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."
We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.
We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"
Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.
"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say
something, but it wouldn't come out.
"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as mu ch as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.
My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.
I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."
In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.
Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.
Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again whe n we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.
At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.
Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."
Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that,but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."
I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.
For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
God bless you!
The Hollyberry Lady
12-11-2011, 11:48 PM
Some People
Some people want to die
some people want to live
some people want to take
some people want to give
Some people have family
some people have friends
some people love life
some people wait for it to end
Some people need the help
some people help the need
some people want to share
some people love the greed
Some people are weak
some people are strong
some people are right
some people are wrong
Some people are smart
some people are fools
some people are wise
some people need school
Some people have no mind
some people have no heart
some people keep us together
some people tear us apart
Great story, Janan. ;)
: )
"We are many and you are few,
we listen to the crap you spew.
Don’t think we aren’t up to speed,
on truth and lies as you deceive.
You spout out lines of twisted tales,
like politicians or car sales.
You change what we would like to hear,
while your treachery has no fear.
You are what’s wrong in every way,
no longer care ‘bout what you say.
You paint your picture so distorted,
you change the story not reported.
The words come out but do not say,
the truth behind what you portray.
You bend the facts for your own gain.
How is it that you feel no pain?
LIAR"!!!
: )
The whole time I was reading this, I was thinking of OWS. Tks.
The Hollyberry Lady
12-12-2011, 06:52 PM
You're welcome, Yug!
I was thinking about a couple of uneducated, substance-abusing, egotistical, and pathetic excuses for human beings when I read it! :D
I guess it means something different for everyone. :goteam:
: )
Jack Daw
12-12-2011, 07:39 PM
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"
Agreeeeeed. :ha::08:
The Hollyberry Lady
12-12-2011, 10:56 PM
One of my personal favorites...
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
- Anonymous
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
12-18-2011, 06:21 PM
"Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots"
Anonymous
: )
Jananas Bananas
12-19-2011, 09:05 PM
PONDERISMS...
*I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
*Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
*The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
*Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
*Life is sexually transmitted.
*Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
*Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
*Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
*Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFO's like they used to?
*Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
*All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
*In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
*How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
*Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink whatever comes out?"
*If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?
*If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
*Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt."
*If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
*Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?
*Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dogs face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks hid head out the window?
*Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
*If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is an empty desk the sign of?
*What is the speed of darkness?
*If you send someone 'Styrofoam', how do you pack it?
*If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
*If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?
*Do married people live longer than single people, or does it only seem longer?
*If someone with a spilt personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?
*Can you cry under water?
*What level of importance must a person have before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
*If money doesn't grow on trees, then why do banks have branches?
*Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
*How is it we put a man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on bigger suitcases?
*Why is it people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up every two hours?
*Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and them put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
*Why do doctors, when they ask you to strip, leave the room or close the cubicle curtain while you change? ... They're going to see you naked anyway.
The Hollyberry Lady
12-19-2011, 09:15 PM
"Most organisations have a serial bully. It never ceases to amaze me how one person's divisive dysfunctional behaviour can permeate the entire organisation like a cancer"
: (
The Hollyberry Lady
12-22-2011, 07:00 PM
"Haters are just confused Admirers"
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
12-24-2011, 01:55 AM
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys"
~ Charles Dickens.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
01-05-2012, 08:20 PM
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem"
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
01-07-2012, 09:48 PM
“No one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or scornful, than the man who is anxious about his virility”
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
01-07-2012, 11:16 PM
"One could write a book or sail the ocean with the amount of time one dedicates to one's enemies"
I think what they're trying to say is...Get a Life! :ha:
: )
Jananas Bananas
01-08-2012, 01:17 AM
I have kleptomania,
But when it gets bad,
I take something for it.
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
Except that one where you're naked in church.
Sometimes too much to drink isn't enough.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!
My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
In just two days from now,
Tomorrow will be yesterday.
A bartender is just a pharmacist
With a limited inventory
I may be schizophrenic,
But at least I have each other.
I am a Nobody.
Nobody is Perfect.
Therefore I am Perfect.
I'm not your type.
I'm not inflatable.
Dyslexic Have More Nuf.
In Memoriam
With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed a while back, Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey", died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE
Sometimes I even put it in the food.
When you work here,
You can name your own salary.
I named mine, "Fred".
Money isn't everything,
But it sure keeps the kids in touch.
Reality is only an illusion
That occurs due to a lack of alcohol.
I like cats too.
Let's exchange recipes.
Red meat is not bad for you
Fuzzy green meat is bad for you.
I am having an out-of-money experience.
As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway,
his car phone rang.
Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him,
"Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car
going the wrong way on 280 Interstate.
Please be careful!"
"It's not just one car," said Herman. "It's hundreds of
them!"
Corduroy pillows are making headlines!
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
The Hollyberry Lady
01-08-2012, 01:25 AM
Too funny, Janan. I'm still chuckling over some of those. :ha:
Love this one about Herman! What an idiot! :ha:
: )
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