Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
A moving story in Christmas
For many of us, one Christmas stands out from all the others, the one when the meaning of the day shone clearest. My own "truest" Christmas began on a rainy spring day in the bleakest year of my life.
Recently divorced, I was in my 20s, had no job and was on my way downtown to go the rounds of the employment offices. I had no umbrella, for my old one had fallen apart, and I could not afford another one.
I sat down in the streetcar--and there against the seat was a beautiful silk umbrella with a silver handle inlaid with gold and necks of bright enamel. I had never seen anything so lovely.
I examined the handle and saw a name engraved among the golden scrolls. The usual procedure would have been to turn in the umbrella to the conductor, but on impulse I decided to take it with me and find the owner myself.
I got off the streetcar in a downpour and thankfully opened the umbrella to protect myself. Then I searched a telephone book for the name on the umbrella and found it. I called and a lady answered.
Yes, she said in surprise, that was her umbrella, which her parents, now dead, had given her for a birthday present. But, she added, it had been stolen from her locker at school (she was a teacher) more than a year before.
She was so excited that I forgot I was looking for a job and went directly to her small house. She took the umbrella, and her eyes filled with tears.
The teacher wanted to give me a reward, but--though twenty dollars was all I had in the world--her happiness at retrieving this special possession was such that to have accepted money would have spoiled something. We talked for a while, and I must have given her my address. I don't remember.
The next six months were wretched. I was able to obtain only temporary employment here and there, for a small salary. But I put aside twenty-five or fifty cents when I could afford it for my lithe girl's Christmas presents.
My last job ended the day before Christmas, my thirty-dollar rent was soon due, and 1 had fifteen dollars to my name--which Peggy and I would need for food.
She was home from convent boarding school and was excitedly looking forward to her gifs next day, which I had already Purchased. I had bough her a small tree, and we were going to decorate it that night.
The air was full of the sound of Christmas merriment as I walked from the streetcar to my small apartment. Bells rang and children shouted in the bitter dusk of the evening, and windows were lighted and everyone was running and laughing. But there should be no Christmas for me, I knew, no gifts, no remembrance whatsoever.
As l struggled through the snowdrifts, l had just about reached the lowest Point in my life. Unless a miracle happened, I would be homeless in January, foodless, jobless. I had prayed steadily for weeks, and there had been no answer but this coldness and darkness, this harsh air, this abandonment.
God and men had completely forgotten me. I felt so helpless and so lonely. What was to become of us?
I looked in my mail box. There were only bills in it, a sheaf of them, and two white envelopes which I was sure contained more bills. I went up three dusty flights of stairs and I cried, shivering in my thin coat.
But I made myself smile so I could greet my little daughter with a Pretense of happiness. She opened the door for me and threw herself in my arms, screaming joyously and demanding that we decorate the tree immediately.
Peggy had proudly set our kitchen table for our evening meal and put pans out and three cans of food which would be our dinner. For some reason, when I looked at those pans and cans, I felt brokenhearted. We would have only hamburgers for our Christmas dinner tomorrow.
I stood in the cold little kitchen, misery overwhelmed me. For the first time in my life, I doubted the existence and his mercy, and the coldness in my heart was colder than ice.
The doorbell rang and Peggy ran fleetly to answer it, calling that it must be Santa Claus. Then I heard a man talking heartily to her and went to the door. He was a delivery man, and his arms were full of parcels. "This is a mistake," I said, but he read the name on the parcels and there were for me.
When he had gone I could only stare at the boxes. Peggy and I sat on the floor and opened them. A huge doll, three times the size of the one I had bought for her. Gloves. Candy. A beautiful leather purse. Incredible! I looked for the name of the sender. It was the teacher, the address was simply "California", where she had moved.
Our dinner the nigh was the most delicious I had ever eaten. I forgot I had no money for the rent and only fifteen dollars in my purse and no job. My child and I ate and laughed together in happiness.
Then we decorated the little tree and marveled at it. I put Peggy to bed and set up her gifts around the tree and a sweet peace flooded me like a benediction. I had some hope again. I could even examine the sheaf of bills without cringing.
Recently divorced, I was in my 20s, had no job and was on my way downtown to go the rounds of the employment offices. I had no umbrella, for my old one had fallen apart, and I could not afford another one.
I sat down in the streetcar--and there against the seat was a beautiful silk umbrella with a silver handle inlaid with gold and necks of bright enamel. I had never seen anything so lovely.
I examined the handle and saw a name engraved among the golden scrolls. The usual procedure would have been to turn in the umbrella to the conductor, but on impulse I decided to take it with me and find the owner myself.
I got off the streetcar in a downpour and thankfully opened the umbrella to protect myself. Then I searched a telephone book for the name on the umbrella and found it. I called and a lady answered.
Yes, she said in surprise, that was her umbrella, which her parents, now dead, had given her for a birthday present. But, she added, it had been stolen from her locker at school (she was a teacher) more than a year before.
She was so excited that I forgot I was looking for a job and went directly to her small house. She took the umbrella, and her eyes filled with tears.
The teacher wanted to give me a reward, but--though twenty dollars was all I had in the world--her happiness at retrieving this special possession was such that to have accepted money would have spoiled something. We talked for a while, and I must have given her my address. I don't remember.
The next six months were wretched. I was able to obtain only temporary employment here and there, for a small salary. But I put aside twenty-five or fifty cents when I could afford it for my lithe girl's Christmas presents.
My last job ended the day before Christmas, my thirty-dollar rent was soon due, and 1 had fifteen dollars to my name--which Peggy and I would need for food.
She was home from convent boarding school and was excitedly looking forward to her gifs next day, which I had already Purchased. I had bough her a small tree, and we were going to decorate it that night.
The air was full of the sound of Christmas merriment as I walked from the streetcar to my small apartment. Bells rang and children shouted in the bitter dusk of the evening, and windows were lighted and everyone was running and laughing. But there should be no Christmas for me, I knew, no gifts, no remembrance whatsoever.
As l struggled through the snowdrifts, l had just about reached the lowest Point in my life. Unless a miracle happened, I would be homeless in January, foodless, jobless. I had prayed steadily for weeks, and there had been no answer but this coldness and darkness, this harsh air, this abandonment.
God and men had completely forgotten me. I felt so helpless and so lonely. What was to become of us?
I looked in my mail box. There were only bills in it, a sheaf of them, and two white envelopes which I was sure contained more bills. I went up three dusty flights of stairs and I cried, shivering in my thin coat.
But I made myself smile so I could greet my little daughter with a Pretense of happiness. She opened the door for me and threw herself in my arms, screaming joyously and demanding that we decorate the tree immediately.
Peggy had proudly set our kitchen table for our evening meal and put pans out and three cans of food which would be our dinner. For some reason, when I looked at those pans and cans, I felt brokenhearted. We would have only hamburgers for our Christmas dinner tomorrow.
I stood in the cold little kitchen, misery overwhelmed me. For the first time in my life, I doubted the existence and his mercy, and the coldness in my heart was colder than ice.
The doorbell rang and Peggy ran fleetly to answer it, calling that it must be Santa Claus. Then I heard a man talking heartily to her and went to the door. He was a delivery man, and his arms were full of parcels. "This is a mistake," I said, but he read the name on the parcels and there were for me.
When he had gone I could only stare at the boxes. Peggy and I sat on the floor and opened them. A huge doll, three times the size of the one I had bought for her. Gloves. Candy. A beautiful leather purse. Incredible! I looked for the name of the sender. It was the teacher, the address was simply "California", where she had moved.
Our dinner the nigh was the most delicious I had ever eaten. I forgot I had no money for the rent and only fifteen dollars in my purse and no job. My child and I ate and laughed together in happiness.
Then we decorated the little tree and marveled at it. I put Peggy to bed and set up her gifts around the tree and a sweet peace flooded me like a benediction. I had some hope again. I could even examine the sheaf of bills without cringing.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Love is in the air
The Single's Day is just around the corner. In China, Valentine’s Day is overrated and has a reputation for being exclusively for couples. But what about the single gal or guy? In that day single people often feel lonely and even worthless. There must be a way they can celebrate their day even without a partner. That's why the Single's Day came about. We should look at it as nothing more than an excuse to treat ourselves to one or a few indulgences.
I came up with some suggestions on how “single” men and women could spend the day alone, but not necessarily lonely. Instead of passing The Single's Day off as a completely invaluable waste of space on the calendar, try one, several or all of the following esteem-boosters to lift your single spirit this time around.
1. The recently single gal/guy. First and foremost, do not ever call your ex in case you get lonely. Exes belong to the past. Move on.
Yes, you must still be hurting and are going through the healing process. But remember this famous line from a song: "Ooh child, things are gonna be easier." In time you are indeed going to be OK. Don’t sulk. The Single's Day can be a day to spend with family.
You can even make it more creative by suggesting potluck and maybe plan some board games or videoke. During this time, family can offer you the most solid support you will need, so take advantage of it.
2. The still-single guy or gal. Some of you may be getting restless already because it’s been years and you’re still without a partner. Relax. Why don’t you call your other single pals and plan a night out? Have a nice dinner and go to a singles bar afterward. You’ll never know who you might meet. There is always a big chance you will meet someone interesting and single too. The Single's Day is also for people looking for love.
3. Otherwise, for the groom-to-be, you can plan a bachelor party or fraternity party.You plan every aspect including bachelor party ideas, games, party favors, drinks and food for your bachelor party or fraternity party (frat party). Since a lot goes into planning the bachelor party, it's will be tricky, fun but also stressful. Make it a very memorable one, why not enjoy it?
4. Buy yourself your favorite flowers. Who says you have to wait around for Prince/Princess Charming to add some spice and color to your dorm or apartment with your preferred plant life? Both guys and girls enjoy the occasional bouquet of Birds of Paradise or a lucky bamboo tree to boost Feng Shui.
5. The single mom/dad (formerly married or not). Take your kids out on a date. Why not? You can even plan an all-day activity. Go to the mall, take him to his favorite pizza place, watch a movie or treat him to play-all-you-can (with a reasonable budget) games at a carnival. It could be anything. Time spent with your kids is always worthwhile.
Do as you please. Ultimately, you know what can make you happy. That’s the most important thing.
Who says romance is dead? Believe it: Love is in the air! Choose what you like，trust your family and friends.
I came up with some suggestions on how “single” men and women could spend the day alone, but not necessarily lonely. Instead of passing The Single's Day off as a completely invaluable waste of space on the calendar, try one, several or all of the following esteem-boosters to lift your single spirit this time around.
1. The recently single gal/guy. First and foremost, do not ever call your ex in case you get lonely. Exes belong to the past. Move on.
Yes, you must still be hurting and are going through the healing process. But remember this famous line from a song: "Ooh child, things are gonna be easier." In time you are indeed going to be OK. Don’t sulk. The Single's Day can be a day to spend with family.
You can even make it more creative by suggesting potluck and maybe plan some board games or videoke. During this time, family can offer you the most solid support you will need, so take advantage of it.
2. The still-single guy or gal. Some of you may be getting restless already because it’s been years and you’re still without a partner. Relax. Why don’t you call your other single pals and plan a night out? Have a nice dinner and go to a singles bar afterward. You’ll never know who you might meet. There is always a big chance you will meet someone interesting and single too. The Single's Day is also for people looking for love.
3. Otherwise, for the groom-to-be, you can plan a bachelor party or fraternity party.You plan every aspect including bachelor party ideas, games, party favors, drinks and food for your bachelor party or fraternity party (frat party). Since a lot goes into planning the bachelor party, it's will be tricky, fun but also stressful. Make it a very memorable one, why not enjoy it?
4. Buy yourself your favorite flowers. Who says you have to wait around for Prince/Princess Charming to add some spice and color to your dorm or apartment with your preferred plant life? Both guys and girls enjoy the occasional bouquet of Birds of Paradise or a lucky bamboo tree to boost Feng Shui.
5. The single mom/dad (formerly married or not). Take your kids out on a date. Why not? You can even plan an all-day activity. Go to the mall, take him to his favorite pizza place, watch a movie or treat him to play-all-you-can (with a reasonable budget) games at a carnival. It could be anything. Time spent with your kids is always worthwhile.
Do as you please. Ultimately, you know what can make you happy. That’s the most important thing.
Who says romance is dead? Believe it: Love is in the air! Choose what you like，trust your family and friends.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Put the glass down
A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, ”How heavy do you think this glass of water is?”
The students’ answers ranged from 20g to 500g.
The students’ answers ranged from 20g to 500g.
“It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance. It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.
“If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier.
“What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again.”
We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.
So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow.Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, let it down for moment if you can.
Life is short, enjoy it!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
A Truly Happy Person
This is a folk story passed down by the Jewish people. There was a very rich man who had plenty of property. One day, he suddenly fell seriously ill and couldn't recover. Since he was very rich, his family invited many famous doctors from places around the country to cure him, but none succeeded.
The man's health deteriorated and he seemed to have no hope of getting healed. Just when his family was in utter desperation, a spiritual practitioner who came from afar passed by and told them, "If you can find a very happy person, take his clothes and let your father wear them, then he'll be cured."
Upon hearing this, the rich man's family set off in all directions looking for a happy person. However, after searching high and low, they could not find a truly happy person. The so-called happy people they found weren't perfectly happy in every way so they couldn't be regarded as truly happy people. The family carried on searching until they finally gave up. Nevertheless, one of the rich man's sons was extremely filial. Unable to bear separation from his father, he was determined to see his father healed. Thus he left his hometown and went to faraway places, with his mind set on finding a truly happy person.
One day, the rich man's son became exhausted by his tedious journey. Dusk was falling so he tried to find a resting place and came upon a cave where he decided to spend the night. As he approached the mouth of the cave, he heard a resounding voice from within saying, "Oh! I'm such a happy man! I had such a wonderful day today. I'm happy every day! Everything is fine with me. I'm delighted and happy with everything! I'm the happiest person in the world! I'm a truly happy man!" These words were repeated over and over, accompanied by joyful laughter. Finally, the voice said, "Oh! I'm sleepy now. I'm going to sleep in happiness. Even if I were to die now, I would still be very happy!"
The rich man's son rejoiced to hear this and thought, "I've found the cure for my father's illness!" He then quickly slipped into the cave, hoping to find the person and take his clothes from him. But when he went inside, he found that the man was completely naked! He wasn't wearing anything! The son stood there stunned, not knowing what to do.
Seeing his disappointment and frustration, the happy man asked, "What's wrong?" And the rich man's son replied, "I failed to find something that I'm looking for." So the happy man asked, "What are you looking for?" The rich man's son replied, "My father is critically ill, and a spiritual practitioner told us that if we could find a truly happy person, we should take off his clothes and let my father wear them, then he'd be cured. That's why I'm here to take your clothes. I never dreamt that you wouldn't be wearing anything!" The happy man said, "Sigh! If I were wearing something, I wouldn't be so happy now!"
What he meant was that if he possessed any property, he would be burdened and wouldn't be so happy. Precisely because he had nothing, he was free of any pressure, not having to worry about losing anything, about his things being stolen or destroyed. He also didn't have to worry about what to do should he not have a certain thing the next day. Since he had nothing to compare with others, he didn't have to worry about other people having something better. Therefore, he was free of worries. He didn't have to worry about anything, such as people stealing his things or hurting him. That's why he was so happy.
It doesn't mean that we'll be happy if we don't have any property; it also doesn't mean that we'll have worries or be happy if we have a lot of wealth. Whether we're happy or unhappy can't be measured by our wealth. It mainly depends on our heart. If we have some wealth, but we don't cling to it and we use it in the right place, then we can say we possess no wealth and aren't attached to it. Suppose we have no wealth and can't earn money, but then we say that the grapes are sour because we have no grapes to eat then we're not truly happy people.
The man in this story most probably was a truly happy person. We can tell from the way he talked. In fact, true happiness at heart is not to be derived from wealth or poverty.
The man's health deteriorated and he seemed to have no hope of getting healed. Just when his family was in utter desperation, a spiritual practitioner who came from afar passed by and told them, "If you can find a very happy person, take his clothes and let your father wear them, then he'll be cured."
Upon hearing this, the rich man's family set off in all directions looking for a happy person. However, after searching high and low, they could not find a truly happy person. The so-called happy people they found weren't perfectly happy in every way so they couldn't be regarded as truly happy people. The family carried on searching until they finally gave up. Nevertheless, one of the rich man's sons was extremely filial. Unable to bear separation from his father, he was determined to see his father healed. Thus he left his hometown and went to faraway places, with his mind set on finding a truly happy person.
One day, the rich man's son became exhausted by his tedious journey. Dusk was falling so he tried to find a resting place and came upon a cave where he decided to spend the night. As he approached the mouth of the cave, he heard a resounding voice from within saying, "Oh! I'm such a happy man! I had such a wonderful day today. I'm happy every day! Everything is fine with me. I'm delighted and happy with everything! I'm the happiest person in the world! I'm a truly happy man!" These words were repeated over and over, accompanied by joyful laughter. Finally, the voice said, "Oh! I'm sleepy now. I'm going to sleep in happiness. Even if I were to die now, I would still be very happy!"
The rich man's son rejoiced to hear this and thought, "I've found the cure for my father's illness!" He then quickly slipped into the cave, hoping to find the person and take his clothes from him. But when he went inside, he found that the man was completely naked! He wasn't wearing anything! The son stood there stunned, not knowing what to do.
Seeing his disappointment and frustration, the happy man asked, "What's wrong?" And the rich man's son replied, "I failed to find something that I'm looking for." So the happy man asked, "What are you looking for?" The rich man's son replied, "My father is critically ill, and a spiritual practitioner told us that if we could find a truly happy person, we should take off his clothes and let my father wear them, then he'd be cured. That's why I'm here to take your clothes. I never dreamt that you wouldn't be wearing anything!" The happy man said, "Sigh! If I were wearing something, I wouldn't be so happy now!"
What he meant was that if he possessed any property, he would be burdened and wouldn't be so happy. Precisely because he had nothing, he was free of any pressure, not having to worry about losing anything, about his things being stolen or destroyed. He also didn't have to worry about what to do should he not have a certain thing the next day. Since he had nothing to compare with others, he didn't have to worry about other people having something better. Therefore, he was free of worries. He didn't have to worry about anything, such as people stealing his things or hurting him. That's why he was so happy.
It doesn't mean that we'll be happy if we don't have any property; it also doesn't mean that we'll have worries or be happy if we have a lot of wealth. Whether we're happy or unhappy can't be measured by our wealth. It mainly depends on our heart. If we have some wealth, but we don't cling to it and we use it in the right place, then we can say we possess no wealth and aren't attached to it. Suppose we have no wealth and can't earn money, but then we say that the grapes are sour because we have no grapes to eat then we're not truly happy people.
The man in this story most probably was a truly happy person. We can tell from the way he talked. In fact, true happiness at heart is not to be derived from wealth or poverty.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Is packing important to you?
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" He then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realizing his father was very old, he thought perhaps he should go to see him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make the arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he was reading, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words… "PAID IN FULL".
How many times do we miss blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Sometimes we don't realize the good fortune we have or we could have because we expect "the packaging" to be different. What may appear as bad fortune may in fact be the door that is just waiting to be opened.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" He then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realizing his father was very old, he thought perhaps he should go to see him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make the arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he was reading, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words… "PAID IN FULL".
How many times do we miss blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Sometimes we don't realize the good fortune we have or we could have because we expect "the packaging" to be different. What may appear as bad fortune may in fact be the door that is just waiting to be opened.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Do we need“Never,never give up”
It is widely accepted that"Never give up",a strong and positive life attitude,is they key for individual success on the grounds that permanent persistence may boost our confidence,strengthen our will,and provide us a second chance for success when we are in hardship.However,others argue that sensible abandon is more precious than blind persistence because the wise one should choose the area most suitable for him or her.
According to me,we need to learn to give up timely.The most immediate reason to make such an attitude is that we should adjust our aim carefully in order to go ahead continuously.Sometimes,to give up those unrealistic targets is the essential for success.Besides,"Never give up"attitude exhausted us both mentally and physically.Only through learning to give up,can we lead a pleasent and relaxing life.Finally,the temporary comprise means a new start,a beginning bringing new hopes,expectations and opportunities for us.
Passive as giving up sounds like,it represents a more mature and realistic mentality.If those opposing this attitude can take into consideration of its benefits,then this may seem acceptable in our lives.
According to me,we need to learn to give up timely.The most immediate reason to make such an attitude is that we should adjust our aim carefully in order to go ahead continuously.Sometimes,to give up those unrealistic targets is the essential for success.Besides,"Never give up"attitude exhausted us both mentally and physically.Only through learning to give up,can we lead a pleasent and relaxing life.Finally,the temporary comprise means a new start,a beginning bringing new hopes,expectations and opportunities for us.
Passive as giving up sounds like,it represents a more mature and realistic mentality.If those opposing this attitude can take into consideration of its benefits,then this may seem acceptable in our lives.
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