Category: Creativity

“Perhaps I Never Will”

Creativity, Encouragement, Inspirational, Inspiring, Life, Poem, Poetry
attractive blur book christmas
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I have always enjoyed discovering heartwarming, inspirational, and motivational stories and anecdotes for my blog. Every once in a while, I like to “change gears” and read poems and quotes written by others. I have always been fascinated by how every individual writes poetry in their own special way.

I recently came across a few poems on a friend of mine’s blog, “Timeless Classics“, in which the poetry and prose are written by Ana Daksina herself. If you like different kinds of poetry, then I recommend you check out her site…I think you’ll love it.

Today, I would like to share one of her poems with you named, “Perhaps I Never Will.”

“Perhaps I Never Will”

We came back to the farm that day
Where dogs had in our absence been
Describe to you the scene we found
I could not e’en begin

The custom in deep country is
If you let your dog get away
For someone else’s chickens
Ducks and geese prepare to pay

Nor will you seeing be
That dog ever again
The farmer has the given right
To shoot it there and then

Walking our farm I understood
They willing were to take one out
For feathered wildlife full of blood
Was strewn that ground all round about

Not even eaten — just destroyed
In malice and in sport
I might myself unto a rifle
Given chance had had resort

That cataclysm did provide
As cataclysms sometimes do
A most amazing story
Which I will tell to you:

Of all the carcasses that lay
About the farmstead strewn —
An aftermath of genocide
Upon a sunny afternoon —

A single goose survived
But did so with a broken wing
Being a goose there’d be no way
To put it in a sling

At that time but a callow girl
Sixteen years of age
And city bred, this in my life
Turned an untouched page

The closest I had ever been
To one of Nature’s creatures when
My sister’d got a hamster
Around the age of ten

The other people on that farm
To save the bird did not agree
They walked away and left
Its healing or its death to me

I sat down there beside it
Stroked its head and murmured low
That if it wished to live
That mangled wing would have to go

And that I really hated
What I’d have to put it through
And asked the goose what it prefer
That I prepare to do

Looking back, I should have been
In that moment more amazed
That when I lifted it to move
It didn’t get all crazed

But quietly lay in my arms
And let me take it to
The bathroom and into the tub
To see what I could do

Anyone skilled in medicine
Would hate me for the blundering
Ineptitude with which I cut
From that poor goose its wing

But strange to say, the bird itself
Not only didn’t hate me, it
Didn’t even slightly twitch
As I ministered to it

But settled down as though to help
A partner in a team of two
Me operating surgic’lly
The goose quietly pulling through

And pull through ‘gainst all odds
And expectation’s what it did
I always will be happy that I
Did as my good conscience bid

But sometimes stop to wonder:
How did that goose stay so, so still?
I still don’t understand it
Perhaps I never will

**If you enjoyed this poem and would like to read others, I would ask you to please visit Ana’s page, “Timeless Classics.”

A Man and a Fork

Compassion, Courage, Creativity, Death, Declaration of Independence, Empathy, Happiness, Heartwarming, Heartwarming Story, Inspirational, Inspirational Story, Inspiring, Life, Life and Death, Motivational, Positive Thinking, Story About Life, Thought Provoking, Thoughtfulness
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Photo Credit: Waferboard via CC Flickr

There was a young man who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as he was getting his things ‘in order,’ he contacted his Priest and had him come to his house to discuss certain aspects of his final wishes.

 He told him which songs he wanted sung at the service,what scriptures he would like read, and what outfit he wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Priest was preparing to leave when the young man suddenly remembered something very important to him.

 

‘There’s one more thing,’ he said excitedly..

 

‘What’s that?’ came the Priest’s reply.

 

‘This is very important,’ the young man continued.

‘I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’

 

The Priest stood looking at the young man, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young man asked.

 

‘Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Priest.

 

The young man explained. ‘My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say,

‘Keep your fork.

 

‘ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming …. like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.

 

Something wonderful, and with substance!’

 

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’

 

Then I want you to tell them:

‘Keep your fork … the best is yet to come.’

The Priest’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young man good-bye. He knew this would be one of  the last times he would see him before his death.

But he  also knew that the young man had a better grasp of heaven than he did. He had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice his age, with twice as much experience and knowledge.

 

He KNEW that something better was coming.

 

At the funeral people were walking by the young man’s casket and they saw the suit he was wearing and the fork placed in his right hand. Over and over, the Priest heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’ And over and over he smiled.

 

During his message, the Priest told the people of the conversation he had with the young man shortly before he died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to him.

 

He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

 

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your  fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

 

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed.

They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.

 

Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND… and  I’ll bet this will be an Email they do remember, every time they pick up a fork!

And just remember … keep your fork!

The BEST is yet to come!

The Story of a REAL Superman!

Adorable, Children, Courage, Creativity, Difficult Times, Encouragement, Encouraging, Heartwarming, Heartwarming Story, Heartwarming Tale, Inspirational, Inspirational Story, Inspiring, Life, Life Compassion, Life's Lessons, Love, Mindfulness, Mothers, Motivational, Parent and child relationship, Parent-Child Relationship, Relationships, Story About Life, Super Heroes, Thought Provoking
Scott Feldstein
Photo Credit: Scott Feldstein via CC Flickr

We all love super heroes. When most of us were growing up, we always had a role model, someone we looked up to, or a super hero that we wanted to be when we grew up. It was fun thinking (and sometimes still do) about the awesomeness of having the super power to fly, leap higher than the tallest building, run faster than lightning, become bulletproof, and a host of other things.

Sometimes, unbeknownst to us, there are sometimes REAL super heroes in our midst…and we have no idea who they are! Such is the case of today’s story of a person that was a super hero despite of the “evil” said by others.

I am sure that today’s short story will touch your heart in a special way and, maybe, bring a tear to your eye…but it is a story and a lesson that you may never forget…

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While sitting on a train one day, a young boy about 7 years old got on dressed as Superman. He had the biggest smile on his face…his eyes beaming…and joy just emanating from his soul. Suddenly, a heartless and callous man asked the boy, “Hey kid, you aren’t Superman! So why are you dressed up like him?”

The young boy just looked at him and said, “I may not look like Superman to you, but I’m going to see my mom who is very sick in the hospital and she smiles every time she sees me…so I’m her Superman…and that’s why I am dressed like this.”

Absolutely Precious!

Why Life Is Like a Camera…

Anxiety, Creativity, Dealing With Anxiety, Difficult Times, Encouragement, Encouraging, Happiness, Heartwarming, Inspirational, Inspiring, Life, Life's Lessons, Motivational, Perseverance, Positive Thinking, Thought Provoking, truths, Wisdom
Martin Pettitt
Photo Credit: Martin Pettitt via CC Flickr

There are many times in our lives when life seems good…everything is going well, we are healthy, making money, have plenty of food to eat, we have great families and friends, and the list goes on.

But sometimes, the tables get turned and we  can become sad or bitter or discouraged. It is during these “down” times that we can remember the simple lessons of a camera. They are as follows:

FOCUS on what’s important

CAPTURE the good times

DEVELOP from the negatives

And if things don’t work out….

TAKE ANOTHER SHOT!

The Five Fingers of Prayers

Bible, Blessings, Christianity, Creativity, Educational, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Inspirational, Inspiring, Interesting, Life, Motivational, Prayer, Thought Provoking, truths, Wisdom
Michael Goghlan
Photo Credit: Michael Goghlan via CC Flickr

I came across this little, fun way to pray many, many years ago that I always thought was a pretty good idea and a terrific way to remember not only who or what to pray for…but HOW to pray.

This is beautiful – and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives!

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1.Your thumb is nearest you.

So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

They are the easiest to remember.

To pray for our loved ones is,

as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.

Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.

This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.

They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.

Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.

It reminds us of our leaders.

Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.

These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.

They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.

Surprising to many is the fact that is our weakest finger,

as any piano teacher will testify.

It should remind us to pray for those who are weak,

trouble or in pain.

They need prayers day and night.

You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger

– the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves

in relation to God and others.

As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.”

Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups,

your own needs will be put into proper perspective

and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

The Influence of One

Children, Classroom, Coach Muller, Commitment, Creativity, Decisions in Life, Education, Educational, Encouragement, Encouraging, Heartwarming, Heartwarming Story, Inspirational, Inspiring, Life, Life Decisions, Motivational, Story About Life, Teachers, Wisdom
stevepb
Photo Credit: Stevepb via CC Flickr

Years ago a John Hopkin’s professor gave a group of graduate students this assignment: Go to the slums. Take 200 boys, between the ages of 12 and 16, and investigate their background and environment. Then predict their chances for the future. The students, after consulting social statistics, talking to the boys, and compiling much data, concluded that 90 percent of the boys would spend some time in jail.

Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the job of testing the prediction. They went back to the same area. Some of the boys – by then men – were still there, a few had died, some had moved away, but they got in touch with 180 of the original 200. They found that only four of the group had ever been sent to jail.

Why was it that these men, who had lived in a breeding place of crime, had such a surprisingly good record? The researchers were continually told: “Well, there was a teacher…” They pressed further, and found that in 75 percent of the cases it was the same woman.

The researchers went to this teacher, now living in a home for retired teachers. How had she exerted this remarkable influence over that group of children? Could she give them any reason why these boys should have remembered her? “No,” she said, “no I really couldn’t.” And then, thinking back over the years, she said amusingly, more to herself than to her questioners: “I loved those boys…”

Read more at http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/motivational-stories-9.html#ixzz3rhUCfhUD

The Talk of the Town

Creativity, Death, Encouragement, Entertainment, Heartwarming, Humor, Humorous, Life, Love
Photo Credit: Judy Baxter via CC Flickr
Photo Credit: Judy Baxter via CC Flickr

Every once in a while, I come across a story that reminds mes how important it is to keep the things that happen in our lives in proper perspective. Such is the case of today’s tale…

Funerals are a somber moment, aren’t they? It’s hard to imagine a situation where you would find them light and funny.

But then, maybe it’s something like that that you need to keep your perspective on the more important things in life. Read on and see what I mean.

Consumed by my loss, I didn’t notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend, my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer.

The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissue while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father’s death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life. When mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27 year old middle child with no entanglements to take care of her.

I felt it an honor. “What now?” I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife’s hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband’s shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.

All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication.

Now she was gone. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick steps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle, “I’m late,” he explained, though no explanation was necessary.

After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, “Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of Margaret?”

“Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her Mary”, I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn’t have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?

“No, that isn’t correct,” he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, “Her name is Mary, Mary Peters. That isn’t who this is? Isn’t this the Lutheran church?”

“No, the Lutheran church is across the street, I believe you’re at the wrong funeral, sir.” The solemnness of the occasion mixed with realization of the man’s mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.

I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing too, as he glanced around deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined my mother laughing. At the final Amen, we darted out a door and into the parking lot. “I do believe we’ll be the talk of the town,” he smiled.

He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt’s funeral, he asked me out for a cup of coffee. That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place.

A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time. In my time of sorrow, he gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, I now had love. This past June we celebrated our twenty second anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them “Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it’s truly a match made in Heaven.”

Grandma’s Secret Remedies

Creativity, Entertainment, Funny, Life
Photo Credit: Chris via CC Flickr
Photo Credit: Chris via CC Flickr

I always think that it was fun to find “homemade recipes” that fought off all kinds of sicknesses, ailments, injuries, and a host of other things. So, when I found this list of recipes that probably all of our grandparents grew up making, I thought that it would be fun to share with everyone. I am sure that there are hundreds more of these kinds of remedies. I hope you enjoy the ones I shared. If you have any, please don’t hesitate to share them as well.

Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately — without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional “pain relievers.”

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced nasal spray filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They’ll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly — even though the product was never been advertised for this use.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes… Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus… Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection… To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust… Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer… If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can’t find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover…just pour a drop of Elmer’s Glue all over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt’s tomato paste boil cure…cover the boil with Hunt’s tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters…To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine… a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises… Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog’s bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor… Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Eliminate ear mites… All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat’s ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat’s skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief….It’s not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

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Source: dobhran.com

The Great Debate: Complete or Finished?

Creativity, Entertaining, Funny, Giggle, Humorous, Life, Relationships, Thought Provoking, Wisdom
Photo Credit: Tim Regan via CC Flickr
Photo Credit: Tim Regan via CC Flickr

No dictionary has ever been able to define the difference between “complete” and “finished.” However, during a recent linguistic conference, held in London, England, Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese linguist, was asked to make that very distinction.

The question by a colleague in the erudite audience was this: “Some say there is no difference between ‘complete’ and ‘finished.’ Please explain the difference in a way that is easy to understand.”

Mr. Balgobin’s response: “When you marry the right woman, you are ‘complete.” If you marry the wrong woman, you are ‘finished.’ And, if the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are ‘completely finished.'”

His answer received a five minute standing ovation…

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Hope this little story brought a smile to your face. We all need a little joy in our lives to brighten our days!  🙂

Clever New Year Resolutions

Animals, Creativity, Encouraging, Interesting, Life, Thought Provoking

This is clever way to make your New Year resolutions with the help of a few cats.

Enjoy and Have A Great Day!

An Advent Celebration!

Creativity, Entertaining, Faith, Food, Happiness, Heartwarming, Holiday, Inspiring, Interesting, Life, Thought Provoking
Photo Credit: Christopher Bulle via CC Flickr
Photo Credit: Christopher Bulle via CC Flickr

I would like to take this time to personally invite you to visit my wife’s new blog pare created especially made for this time of year “Advent Celebrations.” Starting December 1 and all the way to Christmas Day, find new, daily holiday recipes, memories and passages from Scripture that will certainly put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

I hope you take the time each day to visit and enjoy…Advent Celebrations!