Has someone or a certain circumstance ever affected you in such a negative way, that you decided to alter the “REAL YOU” to match the actions of your adversary? Well, today’s short story is a great illustration and reminder that we should always stay true ourselves, maintain our core principles, and remain the people that we really are.
A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take it out of the fire. When he did, the snake bit him causing excruciating pain.the man dropped the snake, and it fell back into the fire.
So, the man grabbed a metal pole, took the snake out of the fire, and saved its life.
Someone who was watching approached the man and said, “That snake bit you. Why are you still trying to save it?” the man replied, “The nature of the snake is to bite, but that’s not going to change my nature, which is to help.”
Do not change your nature simply because someone tries to hurt you or does you wrong. Do not lose your good heart and take care to control your emotions so when the time comes, you can let your kindness shine!
We will all experience death someday. Many people wonder what it will be like “on the other side.” While it is true that nobody knows for sure, I recently came across the following little story that I think will give you a glimpse of what you may expect.
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what’s on the other side,” Very quietly, the doctor sais, “I don’t know…”
“You don’t know? You’re a Christian Man, and don’t know what’s on the other side?”
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness and love.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing…I know my Master is there and that is enough.”
What kind of person are you? Are you compassionate, sympathetic, and kind towards others? Or are you someone who is unsympathetic, callous, and impervious in your relationships with individuals?
The following poem was written by Sheri Eckert and serves as a great reminder that we should all “Be That One” kind of person who looks to inspire, encourage, and assist others in their journey of life.
Be That One
Be that one.
That One who forgives when a deep offense has been committed.
That One who loves when no one else does.
That One who shares kindness to those who are mean.
Be That One who looks past the insult, instead seeing the pain that motivated it.
That One who shines the light upon those who sit in utter darkness.
Because the impact of being That One runs far and wide.It brings healing to the wounded, joy to the sad, and hope to those in despair.
Be That One.
“How beautiful a day can be when KINDNESS touches it” 🙂
One of the things that I enjoy, is finding stories, anecdotes, and other little nuggets of wisdom and knowledge to share with others. A friend of mine sent me the following Six VERY short stories that demonstrate short examples of simple truths. I hope that you find them as enjoyable and helpful as I did!
Enjoy!
{1} Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That’s FAITH.
{2} When you throw babies in the air,they laugh because they know you will catch them. That’s TRUST.
{3} Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up. That’s HOPE
{4} We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That’s CONFIDENCE
{5} We see the world suffering,but still we get married and have children. That’s LOVE.
{6} On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence’I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.’ That’s ATTITUDE.
Have a happy day & live your life like the 6 stories.
When I was a child, I thought nap time was punishment. Now it’s like a mini-vacation.
“GOOD FRIENDS ARE THE RARE JEWELS OF LIFE..DIFFICULT TO FIND AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE!
I recently came across the following story that I found interesting and inspirational. Unfortunately, I do not who wrote this analogy, I think that this is something that will inspire people whose desires and goals in their lives are to become leaders in their everyday lives.
Enjoy!
In the Jungle:
1. The Elephant is the biggest
2. The Giraffe is the tallest
3. The Fox is the wisest
4. The Cheetah is the fastest
Yet, the Lion is the King of the Jungle even without any of these qualities.
Why?
Because:
1. The Lion is courageous, bold, walks with confidence, is daring and never afraid.
2. The Lion believes it is unstoppable.
3. The Lion is a risk taker.
4. The Lion believes any food is for him.
5. The lion believes any opportunity is worth trying.
So…
1. You don’t need to be the biggest.
2. You don’t have to be the tallest.
3. You don’t have to be the wisest.
4. You don’t have to be the fastest.
All you need is “courage.”
All you need is the “will to try.”
All you need is the “Faith” to believe it is “Possible.”
All you need is to believe in yourself and believe that you can do it.
The Lion never walks alone! It is the only big cat that lives, hunts, and eats in groups. This quality demonstrates that we all need each other to succeed…whether it be in a family, neighborhood, workplace, Church/Mosque/Synagogue, and the nation at large!
Never Walk Along!
Stay in the Lion’s Mood!
That’s the mood for winners…regardless how old you are!
If you’ve ever felt despair, suffered tragedy or generally gone through the harshness of life, this is a wonderful story that will lift your spirits…
The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak…
The First Candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.”
Then Peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
The Second Candle said, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.”
Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
Sadly, The Third Candle Speaks, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.
People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” Waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly…A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning. The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end!”
Then the Fourth Candle speaks gently to the little child, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”
With Shining Eyes, the child took the Candle Of Hope and lit the other three candles.
Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are…Peace, Faith and Love can Shine Brightly in our lives.
I hope people can learn how to walk backwards – starting today.
Photo Credit: Quang-Nguyen-Vinh via Pexels
A long time ago, a man got drunk and passed out naked. One of his sons found him and began telling others about his embarrassing position.
Maybe his son felt overlooked by his two brothers, maybe he was sternly corrected by his father, maybe he just like being the center of attention – and this sure got people’s attention.
His two brothers listened and were mortified. They looked at their brother and without saying a word, went to their passed-out father.
As they entered the room, they did not want to see their father disgraced, so they walked in backward.
They actually walked backward.
They carried a blanket and covered their father as he laid there naked and drunk as a skunk.
(Try walking backwards right now where you’re at – unless you’re driving : )
They wouldn’t dare mention this to anybody. No matter how strict, how selfish or how sinful their father was, they were determined to cover his sin, to sober him up and to encourage him to learn from his mistake and start living a better life.
He did. His name was Noah, and he built a pretty famous boat.
There’s an old saying: Love covers a multitude of sins.
What do you do when find out someone posted something years and years ago that is completely offensive (btw why would you even be looking for offensive material from several years ago?)
Do you “out” somebody, post it, tell your friends, tell your neighbors?
That’s a “gotcha!” mentality; why not have a ‘grace’ mentality and walk backwards?
I encourage you try to give mercy and grace to people at their weakest moments. I’m grateful many have shown me that in my life and I’ve tried to show the same.
I truly believe we will reap what we sow. Some people call it karma, call it what you want, but it’s absolutely true.
Noah’s two sons were blessed and their families; the other son and his family were not blessed.
You can hurt people or help people, break people down or build people up, you can laugh at them or love them.
Now more than ever, choose love and walk backwards.
A member of the church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, ‘Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the firey sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.’
We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.
The Lord is my Shepherd —– that’s a Relationship!
I shall not want —– that’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures —-that’s Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters —–that’s Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul —– that’s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness –that’s Guidance!
For His name sake —– that’s Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death–that’sTesting!
I will fear no evil —– that’s Protection!
For Thou art with me —– that’s Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me —–that’s Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies——that’s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil —–that’s Consecration!
My cup runneth over —– that’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life—-that’s Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord —–that’s Security!
Forever —– that’s Eternity!
Face it, God loves you!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
I know some have seen the post about The Christmas Star appearing this year on December 21st. A friend couldn’t help but really take a deeper look at how amazing that this occurrence would be happening in the year 2020. The following information about this rare event is not only fascinating…it is also very uplifting and encouraging!
In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It was dark.
The Magi found him by way of the star, which was the “meeting” of 3 stars: Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. They followed the star until it rested on where he was and they began to worship him. In a time where is was dark, Light was brought in to our world. Jesus stepped in to the chaos and brought peace.
Fast forward to this year, 2020. It’s a time of violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It is dark. Winter Solstice, December 21st, being a time where the day is the shortest and night is the longest…it’s literally the “darkest day” and is the beginning of what most would say the cold, dark winter season.
But on the darkest day this year, Jupiter and Saturn meet, giving us the Christmas Star! How fitting…that in the moment of time during the Christmas season that we get to see this beautiful reminder…that even in the darkest of times…Light will, and has, stepped in. In our chaos He is there. In our darkest time, He is there. He brings Light, and makes all things new.
So as you look out on Dec 21st for the Christmas Star, may we be reminded of His power, and His Light that he brings for all mankind. He is perfect at stepping into chaos and bringing it into peace.
A father said to his son: You graduated with honors, here is a car that I acquired many years ago … it is several years old.
But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you.
The son went to the used car lot, returned to his father and said, “They offered me $ 1,000 because it looks very worn out.”
The father said, “Take him to the pawn shop.”
The son went to the pawn shop, returned to his father and said, “The pawn shop offered $ 100 because it was a very old car.”
The father asked his son to go to a car club and show them the car.
The son took the car to the club, returned and told his father: “Some people in the club offered $ 100,000 for it, since it is a Nissan Skyline R34, iconic car and sought after by many.
The father said to his son, “I wanted you to know that the right place values you the right way.” …
If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means that you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you, and never stay in a place where no one sees your value.
It is funny how a person’s outlook on life changes as they get older….
I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People get out of the way much faster now.
Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers. Now they drink like their fathers..
I didn’t make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row.
I decided to stop calling the bathroom the ‘John’ and renamed it the ‘Jim’. I feel so much better saying “I went to the Jim this morning”.
Old age is coming at a really bad time. When I was a child I thought “Nap Time” was a punishment. Now, as a grownup, it feels like a small vacation.
The biggest lie I tell myself is…”I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.”
I don’t have grey hair; I have “wisdom highlights” I’m just very wise.
Don’t ever ask me to bend down and touch my toes. If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators We haven’t met yet.
Of course I talk to myself; sometimes when I need expert advice.
At my age “Getting lucky” means walking into a room and remembering what I came in there for.
Actually I’m not complaining because I am a Senager. (Senior teenager)
I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. – I don’t have to go to school or work. – I have a driver’s license and my own car. – I get an allowance every month. – I have my own ipad (although I can’t recall where I kept it) – I don’t have a curfew.
Life is great.
I have more friends I should send this to, but right now I can’t remember their names. Now, I’m wondering…did I send this to you, or did you send it to me?
My father passed away a few years ago and there isn’t a day that goes past that I don’t think of him. I miss the times that we shared together fishing, traveling, camping, laughing, and doing the plethora of other things that I loved to do with him. He was more than a father to me, he was my buddy, my confidant, my best friend.
Today, I was going through my desk here at home and came across a poem that a friend of mine had shared with us. For some reason, I don’t remember reading it at the time, but after reading it today, it brought a sense of comfort to my heart.
It is for this reason that I felt as though I should share it with other people that may be going through a time of grief, loss, or nostalgia.
