11.16.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:22 am by Administrator
This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, “Smile.”
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So I thought this would be a piece of cake. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch… an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling”.. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
He said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it – the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Thank you.”
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.”
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, “That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.”
We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.
We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in “my project” and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, “Can I share this?”
I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to
LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS – NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head.
To handle others, use your heart.
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 1:13 am by Administrator
“He who steals my purse steals trash! It is something, it is nothing. It was mine, now is his and has been slave to thousands. But he who steals from me my good name, robs me of that which enriches him not…but makes me poor indeed!”
The very profound words of William Shakespeare says it all, your name is everything you’ve got. Forget the overrated riches and popularity, these are just superfluities of life that cloud our mind with a blurry vision of the big picture. If ever there were a guideline that governed the way people lived and related to one another, it should be the thought of those words that will eventually be said over your dead body in the name of an eulogy. What do we want to be remembered as? Who would we influence the most during our limited time here? How many lives will we touch positively?
Gone are the days where virtues were cherished and admired. In this fast-paced environment and technology driven society we call ours today, they is just laughed at. Meekness, fortitude, prudence, faith, patience and justice (to mention a few), are virtues that are often taken for weakness nowadays. The old adage, “once bitten, twice shy” has forced many to consciously shape their behavior to reflect a more stern and hardened individual, so as to gain immediate respect from all that they come across. Really guys…how smart is that? That we strategically kill our natural inclination and display of Christ-like character in order to instill fear, respect or seek adoration of mere mortals, is simply ludicrous.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with gracefulness. There is nothing wrong with a perpetual display of patience and kindness. There should be nothing wrong with being exactly who you are and ignoring the negativity that surrounds you. There should be nothing wrong with tactfully surrounding yourself with knowledge and truth in order to shape your character into ‘Mr. perfect’ or ‘Ms. perfect’. They say perfection is a myth. However, I truly believe that the mere strife to attain it, is perfection itself. It is very possible to have a million friends and none at the same time, and for many, that is indeed our story.
True relationships are characterized by a true display of affection or emotions. This entire script focused on the essence of our being and reason for our differences…our character. However, if every reader took precious time to indulge in introspective analysis of self, you would realize that the terms of ALL your relationships were instated by who you are. Would it not be wise then, to build better relationships by starting from within? Every journey begins with a step and charity certainly begins at home.
Don’t stop using your mind folks…and while you’re at it, let us hear some of your thoughts. I leave you with a fascinating quote gotten from the e-mail signature of a good friend.
“Guard your thoughts because they become your words. Guard your words because they become your actions. Guard your actions because they become your character. Guard your character because it determines your destiny!”
Now that’s a good place to begin…
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11.10.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:58 pm by Administrator
Every person sits in their capacity as a unique individual for one reason only…their story. People are indeed a product of their environment. The broad spectrum of experiences interwoven, creates a personality and character that is peculiar and difficult to understand, even to he/she to whom it belongs. If I sometimes find it difficult interpreting who I am, then how (and why) do I expect anyone else to. The beauty of relationships, whether sweet or sour, is the mirror-like experiences that allow individuals delve into constant introspective analysis of self, while unpacking the mysteries of the other. The result is a symbiotic relationship that enriches both parties with new knowledge and experiences, more valuable content for their story.
With this virtual playground, we will seek to explore one another and our numerous relationships by communicating issues, thoughts and feelings. Whether this is a break-time activity or end-of-day stress reliever for you, everyone has something VALUABLE to share. Let’s face it, we all have a lot to learn, about life, about relationships and most importantly about ourselves.
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