Food For Thought A special thanks to Eleanor, Sharon,
Katie, Linda and others for sharing
Food For Thought A special thanks to Eleanor, Sharon,
Katie, Linda and others for sharing
Thank you Eleanor for sending this to me The following list of "Lessons Learned" comes from columnist Derrick K. Baker: I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. 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 I don't know what I don't know. I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best other 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 you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. 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 can keep going long after than 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. 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 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 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 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 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 it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. 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 it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts. I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. 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 the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life. I've learned that many things can be powered by the mind but 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 credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I've learned that although the word "love" can have many different meanings, 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. FAILING
You've failed many times, You fell down the first time you tried to walk.
You almost drowned the first time
Did you hit the ball the first time
Heavy hitters,
R. H. Macy failed seven times
English novelist John Creasy got
Babe Ruth struck out
Don't worry about failure. Author Unknown
YOU You are a gift to Life and your life is a gift to you. Furnish your life with rich fabrics of feelings and thoughts, knowing that in even the darkest swatch of your life's tapestry, there is a golden thread of light........... Author Unknown
Dream you own dream and Follow you own star Follow you own star There wouldn't be a heaven full Of stars if we were all meant To wish in the same one. There will always be dreams Grander and humbler than your own, But there will never be a Dream Exactly Like your own For you are unique And More Wondrous than you know! Do you best. There are no short cuts On the way we dream, So give all that you have To all that you do, And above all things Believe in yourself. This is all yoour dream asks of you, But this is everything.............. Author Unknown
He was driving home one evening, on a two-line country road. Work in this small mid-western community, was almost as slow as his beat- up Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Ever since the Levis factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill. But he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here and knew the country. He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working, that came in handy. It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill that only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm. By the way, my name is Joe." Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Joe crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added "...and think of me". He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor, it didn't ring much. Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day wouldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe. After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on a napkin. There were tears in her eyes, when she read what the lady wrote. It said, "You don't owe me a thing, I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do. Don't let the chain of love end with you." Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could she have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's going to be all right, I love you Joe." Author Unknown
I am free from failure for "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil.4:13
I am free from want for "my God shall supply I am free from fear for "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2Tim1:7 I am free from doubt for "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3 I am free from weakness, "the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Ps.27:1 I am free from the power of Satan "because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1Jn.4:4 I am free from defeat "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2Cor.2:14 I am free from ignorance, "for Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God." 1Cor.1:30 I am free from sin "for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me from all sin." 1Jn.1:7 I am free from worry "for I am to cast my cares upon Him." 1Pet.5:7 I am free from bondage "for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2Cor.3:17 I am free from condemnation, "for there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth... and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range.") If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile... remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash... will you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash? Author Unknown
SAD, BUT TRUE... Are you feeling old? If not, consider this: The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1980. They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan era. They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged. Black Monday 1987 is as significant to them as the Great Depression. Their lifetime has always included AIDS. Atari predates them, as do vinyl albums. The expression "you sound like a broken record" means nothing to them. They may have heard of an 8-track, but chances are they probably have never actually seen or heard one. The digital Disc was introduced when they were 1 year old. As far as they know, stamps have always cost about 32 cents. They have always had an answering machine. Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels. They were born the year that Walkmen were introduced by Sony. They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans were cool. They never took a swim and thought about Jaws. They have no idea what "and my name, is Charlie. They work for me." means. They don't know that "8-6-7-5-3-0-9" is Jenny's phone number. They don't know who Mork was or where he was from. They never heard the term "Where's the beef?". Do you feel old now? Remember, the people who don't know these things will be in college this year. Author Unknown |
