"Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Enthusiasm and success go hand in hand, but enthusiasm comes first. Enthusiasm inspires confidence, raises morale, builds loyalty! and is priceless. Enthusiasm is contagious. You can feel enthusiasm by the way a person talks, walks or shakes hands. Enthusiasm is a habit that one can acquire and practice.
Many decades ago, Charles Schwab, who was earning a salary of a million dollars a year, was asked if he was being paid such a high salary because of his exceptional ability to produce steel. Charles Schwab replied, "I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among the men the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement."
Live while you are alive. Don't die before you are dead.
Enthusiasm and desire are what change mediocrity to excellence.
Water turns into steam with a difference of only one degree in temperature and steam can move some of the biggest engines in the world.
That is what enthusiasm helps us to do in our lives.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Different Things Motivate Different People
There was a young boy who used to come for regular practice but always played in the reserves and never made it to the soccer eleven. While he was practicing, his father used to sit at the far end, waiting for him.
The matches had started and for four days, he didn't show up for practice or the quarter or semifinals. All of a sudden he showed up for the finals, went to the coach and said, "Coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the finals. But today, please let me play."
The coach said, "Son, I'm sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals, the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance."
The boy pleaded, "Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play."
The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "OK, son, go, play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don't let me down."
The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the best player and the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.
When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "Son, how could I have been so wrong in my life. I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?"
The boy replied, "Coach, my father is watching me today."
The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. There was no one there. He said, "Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today."
The boy replied, "Coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above."
The matches had started and for four days, he didn't show up for practice or the quarter or semifinals. All of a sudden he showed up for the finals, went to the coach and said, "Coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the finals. But today, please let me play."
The coach said, "Son, I'm sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals, the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance."
The boy pleaded, "Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play."
The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "OK, son, go, play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don't let me down."
The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the best player and the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.
When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "Son, how could I have been so wrong in my life. I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?"
The boy replied, "Coach, my father is watching me today."
The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. There was no one there. He said, "Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today."
The boy replied, "Coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above."
The Ice Princess
A Victorian cottage, a bottle of wine, a roaring fire - all the elements for romance. Yet how could Kate feel anything but contempt for her husband after seeing him locked in a passionate embrace with a woman young enough to be his daughter?
It was a winding road that led to the tiny Victorian cottage, tucked into a hill. Katy watched Vance with gilded eyes, scanning the handsome face, the bold 'Stewart' nose, finally resting on the inset dimple locked into his rugged right cheek.
"Maryland is gorgeous this time of year, eh Kate?" he queried, glazing his lips with a charming smile as he addressed her. "Almost perfect, wouldn't you say?"
Kate reverted her attention to the lovely drive, trying to focus on anything other than her unrequited lover. How could he just sit there so cool? So collected? Five years she'd given him. It deeply grieved her to know that he had casually tossed those wonderful years away for that-that rag muffin of a girl. Rather, Lani Darling, as she'd overheard Vance refer to her.
Three months ago, she would have trusted him with her life. Of course, all that had been washed away. The first encounter occurred when she had paid a surprise visit to Lance's office, hoping they could enjoy a romantic lunch together. There was an Italian 'hole-in-the-wall' that she'd went to with a friend one day, and the establishment served the best rosemary bread she'd ever tasted.
There, on the side of his desk, had rested Lani Darling in a red, low-cut dress supporting a silk scarf that Kate wanted to strangle the woman with. She had been whispering to Vance, and Kate could never erase the disturbed reaction on his face if she lived to be a thousand!
Oh, but Vance was slick. He had nonchalantly soothed over the moment, passing Lani off as a business acquaintance. Like an idiot, Kate had swallowed his ludicrous story, hook, line and sinker.
One month later, upon visiting that out-of-the way Italian restaurant, she caught them huddled together in a dark corner, their hands locked beside a wax-coated bottle, only the light of the flickering candle illuminating Vance's face as Kate slowly made her way to the table.
Awkwardly, he had attempted to explain the cozy situation, failing miserably. Lani had discretely vanished. Two weeks later, Vance had her eating out of his hand again, Kate feeling ridiculous and childish for ever believing he could cheat on her.
But everything changed last week. Kate made a decision to postpone her business trip and surprise Vance at home. He'd been so wonderful to her lately, especially by planning the romantic trip to a lovely Victorian cottage in Maryland.
Kate hurried home that day, pausing at the market to gather some fruit, cheese and wine. Vance and her were going to have the most romantic weekend!
She remembered everything. That's how it always is in the end. One takes in every sight, every sound, every movement...
She had turned her key in lock of the quaint manor which she and Vance called home, then she had quietly entered, the pungent smell of roses mingling with the air. Laughter, from the den. Then silence as Kate had made her way towards her worst fears. The kiss, Vance, Lani.
She had turned, unnoticed, slipped out the door, then had vanished into the fog of the early evening, a million thoughts circling in her head.
"Kate? Katy!"
Kate heard herself ease out a painful groan, then looked at Vance as he drew her back to the present.
"Darling, you're crying," Vance observed, his brow tensed in confusion.
Vance felt utterly helpless. She was doing this again, this new crying saga that had seemed to become her familiar stage these days. Hell, what was wrong with her? Hormones? She was too young to be experiencing 'the change'. Wasn't PMS either. Well, whatever it was he wished to God that the Kate he knew and loved would soon resurface.
Surely she wasn't still obsessing over Lani? Jealously wasn't a 'Kate trait'. Besides, Lani was young enough to be his kid sister.
He reached over to clasp her hand, shocked when she suddenly pulled away.
Grimacing, he eased out, "My dear Kate, you're becoming the perfect ice maiden. It seems that every time I touch you..."
"Look, we're almost there," she jerked out, whisking away her tears and pointing to the lovely cottage in the distance. She needed to focus on something other than Vance right now. Besides, he couldn't possibly care why she was crying.
How romantic... A line of blue clouds surrounded the cottage, the elegant windowpanes mirroring the rays of the evening sun. A beautiful herb garden rested beside the house, the towering lavender waving in the cool breeze spun by the north wind.
Vance and Kate spent the next couple of hours settling into the cottage, both feeling acutely miserable. The owner of the cottage had set out a beautiful basket of fresh fruit. In the refrigerator a meal of chicken a la orange, baked potatoes, and julienne beans had been prepared for their evening meal. Homemade bread rested on a wooden board to accompany the romantic meal. However, at this point, neither Vance nor Kate felt like eating.
Vance had started a warm, cozy fire in the small den, asking Kate to join him. At his request, they settled in front of the fire and she tensed as he eased out thoughtfully, "There's a reason I brought you here, Kate. This seemed like the perfect spot and as we can both see, the brochure did not lie."
My God, he was going to do it! He was going to tell her about his rendezvous with that Lani slut. Suddenly, she could see, hear, smell, feel everything about her so intensely for this was the end - the flickering fire, the wood as it drifted up through the chimney shaft - her heart wildly quaking as it suddenly felt close to shattering…
She inwardly reeled as Vance continued his stabbing words, rising to collect something as he spoke to her. "Kate, this may not be the moment to do this, because I feel there's something askew in our relationship. Perhaps, it's a phase. Perhaps you don't love me anymore."
How could she not love him? He was like "Sara Lee" - nobody didn't like Vance Stewart!
"Nonetheless, my surprise can't wait a moment longer," he continued, collecting a rather large sealed package as he spoke that Kate hadn't noticed until now.
He drug the object over to their 'sitting' place, the fire being their only light.
"For you, my darling," he eased out with a twisted smile.
Kate shook her head, mystification meshing with her confusion.
"Well, open it, darling! Hurry, or I'll have to do it for you!" Vance laughed, encouraging her as he beckoned her.
Kate's hands shook. She was confused. What could this be? Vance was going to end their marriage, right?
Carefully, she eased away the packing, an exquisite full-length painting surfacing into view. Gracing a glance over the face of the portrait, Kate reeled. My God! It was her - Kate!
Her gaze flew to Vance, his deep wonderful laugh filling the room. "I do hope you like it, darling? Lani has indeed performed a masterpiece, don't you agree?"
Lani? Kate's eyes filled with tears, the situating dawning on her. My, all this time Vance had been meeting with Lani to secure this painting of her! This wonderful painting!
Vance was immediately beside her, taking her sobbing form into his arms. "Darling," he sighed, uncertain as to what to do. "Please, tell me what's wrong? I just want things to be like they were before. I feel as if I can't do anything to help. I-I feel so lost, so helpless without you."
He had to strain his ears as she jerked out between sobs, "Oh, darling, I thought you were... you-you were having an affair with her."
Vance tensed his brows together, his face lined with confusion. "Her? My God, surely not Lani?"
Then he eased out a mocking laugh and continued, "Kate! She's young enough to be my kid sister."
Kate sniffed, then corrected, "She's young enough to be your daughter, darling. However, I must admit that I assumed you were cheating. I-I thought I caught you kissing her-"
Vance instantly cut her off. "That's because you did, darling."
"What?"
"You did. Oh, don't look so shocked, you conniving little Kate thing. And you're wondering what gave you away, eh?"
She nodded rather innocently and he continued, "I didn't see you, but I did take in an intense whiff of your perfume that evening. Actually, until this moment, I thought I had imagined that. But you were there, weren't you? In the wings, nosing around."
He paused, taking time to wipe away one stray tear. "Kate, I understand everything so clearly now. This would have been a lot simpler if you'd just come to me. Nonetheless, when I saw what a wonderful masterpiece that Lani had created, yes - I grabbed her and kissed her cheek! You must have saw, right?"
"Yes, I've been so...so naughty, darling. Oh, how could I? I-I love you so much, words just aren't enough."
"Ssshhh," Vance told her, placing an index finger over her warm lips. "I love you too, darling. I must admit, you had me worried. I thought my fair maiden had turned into an ice princess."
"Yes, darling, I did. But see these tears? You've melted all the coldness away."
The warm fire crackled beside them but it could not match the warmth they felt for one another.
It was a winding road that led to the tiny Victorian cottage, tucked into a hill. Katy watched Vance with gilded eyes, scanning the handsome face, the bold 'Stewart' nose, finally resting on the inset dimple locked into his rugged right cheek.
"Maryland is gorgeous this time of year, eh Kate?" he queried, glazing his lips with a charming smile as he addressed her. "Almost perfect, wouldn't you say?"
Kate reverted her attention to the lovely drive, trying to focus on anything other than her unrequited lover. How could he just sit there so cool? So collected? Five years she'd given him. It deeply grieved her to know that he had casually tossed those wonderful years away for that-that rag muffin of a girl. Rather, Lani Darling, as she'd overheard Vance refer to her.
Three months ago, she would have trusted him with her life. Of course, all that had been washed away. The first encounter occurred when she had paid a surprise visit to Lance's office, hoping they could enjoy a romantic lunch together. There was an Italian 'hole-in-the-wall' that she'd went to with a friend one day, and the establishment served the best rosemary bread she'd ever tasted.
There, on the side of his desk, had rested Lani Darling in a red, low-cut dress supporting a silk scarf that Kate wanted to strangle the woman with. She had been whispering to Vance, and Kate could never erase the disturbed reaction on his face if she lived to be a thousand!
Oh, but Vance was slick. He had nonchalantly soothed over the moment, passing Lani off as a business acquaintance. Like an idiot, Kate had swallowed his ludicrous story, hook, line and sinker.
One month later, upon visiting that out-of-the way Italian restaurant, she caught them huddled together in a dark corner, their hands locked beside a wax-coated bottle, only the light of the flickering candle illuminating Vance's face as Kate slowly made her way to the table.
Awkwardly, he had attempted to explain the cozy situation, failing miserably. Lani had discretely vanished. Two weeks later, Vance had her eating out of his hand again, Kate feeling ridiculous and childish for ever believing he could cheat on her.
But everything changed last week. Kate made a decision to postpone her business trip and surprise Vance at home. He'd been so wonderful to her lately, especially by planning the romantic trip to a lovely Victorian cottage in Maryland.
Kate hurried home that day, pausing at the market to gather some fruit, cheese and wine. Vance and her were going to have the most romantic weekend!
She remembered everything. That's how it always is in the end. One takes in every sight, every sound, every movement...
She had turned her key in lock of the quaint manor which she and Vance called home, then she had quietly entered, the pungent smell of roses mingling with the air. Laughter, from the den. Then silence as Kate had made her way towards her worst fears. The kiss, Vance, Lani.
She had turned, unnoticed, slipped out the door, then had vanished into the fog of the early evening, a million thoughts circling in her head.
"Kate? Katy!"
Kate heard herself ease out a painful groan, then looked at Vance as he drew her back to the present.
"Darling, you're crying," Vance observed, his brow tensed in confusion.
Vance felt utterly helpless. She was doing this again, this new crying saga that had seemed to become her familiar stage these days. Hell, what was wrong with her? Hormones? She was too young to be experiencing 'the change'. Wasn't PMS either. Well, whatever it was he wished to God that the Kate he knew and loved would soon resurface.
Surely she wasn't still obsessing over Lani? Jealously wasn't a 'Kate trait'. Besides, Lani was young enough to be his kid sister.
He reached over to clasp her hand, shocked when she suddenly pulled away.
Grimacing, he eased out, "My dear Kate, you're becoming the perfect ice maiden. It seems that every time I touch you..."
"Look, we're almost there," she jerked out, whisking away her tears and pointing to the lovely cottage in the distance. She needed to focus on something other than Vance right now. Besides, he couldn't possibly care why she was crying.
How romantic... A line of blue clouds surrounded the cottage, the elegant windowpanes mirroring the rays of the evening sun. A beautiful herb garden rested beside the house, the towering lavender waving in the cool breeze spun by the north wind.
Vance and Kate spent the next couple of hours settling into the cottage, both feeling acutely miserable. The owner of the cottage had set out a beautiful basket of fresh fruit. In the refrigerator a meal of chicken a la orange, baked potatoes, and julienne beans had been prepared for their evening meal. Homemade bread rested on a wooden board to accompany the romantic meal. However, at this point, neither Vance nor Kate felt like eating.
Vance had started a warm, cozy fire in the small den, asking Kate to join him. At his request, they settled in front of the fire and she tensed as he eased out thoughtfully, "There's a reason I brought you here, Kate. This seemed like the perfect spot and as we can both see, the brochure did not lie."
My God, he was going to do it! He was going to tell her about his rendezvous with that Lani slut. Suddenly, she could see, hear, smell, feel everything about her so intensely for this was the end - the flickering fire, the wood as it drifted up through the chimney shaft - her heart wildly quaking as it suddenly felt close to shattering…
She inwardly reeled as Vance continued his stabbing words, rising to collect something as he spoke to her. "Kate, this may not be the moment to do this, because I feel there's something askew in our relationship. Perhaps, it's a phase. Perhaps you don't love me anymore."
How could she not love him? He was like "Sara Lee" - nobody didn't like Vance Stewart!
"Nonetheless, my surprise can't wait a moment longer," he continued, collecting a rather large sealed package as he spoke that Kate hadn't noticed until now.
He drug the object over to their 'sitting' place, the fire being their only light.
"For you, my darling," he eased out with a twisted smile.
Kate shook her head, mystification meshing with her confusion.
"Well, open it, darling! Hurry, or I'll have to do it for you!" Vance laughed, encouraging her as he beckoned her.
Kate's hands shook. She was confused. What could this be? Vance was going to end their marriage, right?
Carefully, she eased away the packing, an exquisite full-length painting surfacing into view. Gracing a glance over the face of the portrait, Kate reeled. My God! It was her - Kate!
Her gaze flew to Vance, his deep wonderful laugh filling the room. "I do hope you like it, darling? Lani has indeed performed a masterpiece, don't you agree?"
Lani? Kate's eyes filled with tears, the situating dawning on her. My, all this time Vance had been meeting with Lani to secure this painting of her! This wonderful painting!
Vance was immediately beside her, taking her sobbing form into his arms. "Darling," he sighed, uncertain as to what to do. "Please, tell me what's wrong? I just want things to be like they were before. I feel as if I can't do anything to help. I-I feel so lost, so helpless without you."
He had to strain his ears as she jerked out between sobs, "Oh, darling, I thought you were... you-you were having an affair with her."
Vance tensed his brows together, his face lined with confusion. "Her? My God, surely not Lani?"
Then he eased out a mocking laugh and continued, "Kate! She's young enough to be my kid sister."
Kate sniffed, then corrected, "She's young enough to be your daughter, darling. However, I must admit that I assumed you were cheating. I-I thought I caught you kissing her-"
Vance instantly cut her off. "That's because you did, darling."
"What?"
"You did. Oh, don't look so shocked, you conniving little Kate thing. And you're wondering what gave you away, eh?"
She nodded rather innocently and he continued, "I didn't see you, but I did take in an intense whiff of your perfume that evening. Actually, until this moment, I thought I had imagined that. But you were there, weren't you? In the wings, nosing around."
He paused, taking time to wipe away one stray tear. "Kate, I understand everything so clearly now. This would have been a lot simpler if you'd just come to me. Nonetheless, when I saw what a wonderful masterpiece that Lani had created, yes - I grabbed her and kissed her cheek! You must have saw, right?"
"Yes, I've been so...so naughty, darling. Oh, how could I? I-I love you so much, words just aren't enough."
"Ssshhh," Vance told her, placing an index finger over her warm lips. "I love you too, darling. I must admit, you had me worried. I thought my fair maiden had turned into an ice princess."
"Yes, darling, I did. But see these tears? You've melted all the coldness away."
The warm fire crackled beside them but it could not match the warmth they felt for one another.
Freedom : Parrot
A man, a great man, a fighter for freedom was traveling in the mountains. He stayed in a caravanserai for the night. He was amazed that in the caravanserai there was a beautiful parrot in a golden cage, continually repeating "Freedom! Freedom!" And it was such a place that when the parrot repeated the word "Freedom!" it would go on echoing in the valleys, in the mountains.
The man thought: "I have seen many parrots, and I have thought they must want to be free from those cages... but I have never seen such a parrot whose whole day, from the morning to the evening when he goes to sleep, is spent in calling out for freedom." He had an idea. In the middle of the night, when the owner was fast asleep, he got up and opened the door of the cage. He whispered to the parrot, "Now get out."
But he was very surprised that the parrot was clinging to the bars of the cage. He said to him again and again, "Have you forgotten about freedom? Just get out! The door is open and the owner is fast asleep; nobody will ever know. You just fly into the sky; the whole sky is yours."
But the parrot was clinging so deeply, so hard, that the man said, "What is the matter? Are you mad?" He tried to take the parrot out with his own hands, but the parrot started pecking at him, and at the same time he was shouting "Freedom! Freedom!" The valleys in the night echoed and re-echoed, but the man was also stubborn; he was a freedom fighter.
He pulled the parrot out and threw him into the sky; and he was very satisfied, although his hand was hurt. The parrot had attacked him as forcefully as he could, but the man was immensely satisfied that he had made a soul free. He went to sleep.
In the morning, as the man was waking up, he heart the parrot shouting, "Freedom! Freedom!" He thought perhaps the parrot must be sitting on a tree or on a rock. But when he came out, the parrot was sitting in the cage. The door was open.
The man thought: "I have seen many parrots, and I have thought they must want to be free from those cages... but I have never seen such a parrot whose whole day, from the morning to the evening when he goes to sleep, is spent in calling out for freedom." He had an idea. In the middle of the night, when the owner was fast asleep, he got up and opened the door of the cage. He whispered to the parrot, "Now get out."
But he was very surprised that the parrot was clinging to the bars of the cage. He said to him again and again, "Have you forgotten about freedom? Just get out! The door is open and the owner is fast asleep; nobody will ever know. You just fly into the sky; the whole sky is yours."
But the parrot was clinging so deeply, so hard, that the man said, "What is the matter? Are you mad?" He tried to take the parrot out with his own hands, but the parrot started pecking at him, and at the same time he was shouting "Freedom! Freedom!" The valleys in the night echoed and re-echoed, but the man was also stubborn; he was a freedom fighter.
He pulled the parrot out and threw him into the sky; and he was very satisfied, although his hand was hurt. The parrot had attacked him as forcefully as he could, but the man was immensely satisfied that he had made a soul free. He went to sleep.
In the morning, as the man was waking up, he heart the parrot shouting, "Freedom! Freedom!" He thought perhaps the parrot must be sitting on a tree or on a rock. But when he came out, the parrot was sitting in the cage. The door was open.
Land of Truth
A certain man believed that the ordinary waking life, as people know it, could not possibly be complete. He sought the real Teacher of the Age. He read many books and joined many circles, and he heard the words and witnessed the deeds of one master after another. He carried out the commands and spiritual exercises which seemed to him to be most attractive.
He became elated with some of his experiences. At other times he was confused; and he had no idea at all of what his stage was, or where and when his search might end.
This man was reviewing his behavior one day when he suddenly found himself near the house of a certain sage of high repute. In the garden of that house, he encountered Khidr, the secret guide who shows the way to truth.
Khidr took hihm to a place where he saw people in great distress and woe, and he asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow real teachings, who were not true to our undertakings, who revered self-appointed teachers," they said.
Then the man was taken by Khidr to a place where everyone was attractive and full of joy. He asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow the real Signs of the Way," they said.
"But if you have ignored the Signs, how can you be happy?" asked the traveler.
"Because we chose happiness instead of Truth," said the people, "just as those who chose the self-appointed chose also misery."
"But is happiness not the ideal of man?" asked the man.
"The goal of man is Truth. Truth is more than happiness. The man who has Truth can have whatever mood he wishes, or none," they told him. "We have pretended that Truth is happiness, and happiness Truth, and people have believed us, therefore you, too, have until now imagined that happiness must be the same as Truth. But happiness makes you its prisoner, as does woe."
Then the man found himself back in the garden with Khidr beside him.
"I will grant you one desire," said Khidr.
"I wish to know why I have failed in my search and how I can succeed in it," said the man. "You have all but wasted your life," said Khidr, "because you have been a liar. Your lie has been in seeking personal gratification when you could have been seeking Truth."
"And yet I came to the point where I found you," said the man, " and that is something which happens to hardly anyone at all."
"And you met me," said Khidr, "because you had sufficient sincerity to desire Truth for its own sake, just for an instant. It was that sincerity, in that single instant, which made me answer your call."
Now the man felt an overwhelming desire to find Truth, even if he lost himself.
Khidr, however, was starting to walk away, and the man began to run after him.
"You may not follow me," said Khidr, "because I am returning to the ordinary world, the world of lies, for that is where I have to be, if I am to do my work."
And when the man looked around him again, he realized that he was no longer n the garden of the sage, but standing in the Land of Truth.
He became elated with some of his experiences. At other times he was confused; and he had no idea at all of what his stage was, or where and when his search might end.
This man was reviewing his behavior one day when he suddenly found himself near the house of a certain sage of high repute. In the garden of that house, he encountered Khidr, the secret guide who shows the way to truth.
Khidr took hihm to a place where he saw people in great distress and woe, and he asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow real teachings, who were not true to our undertakings, who revered self-appointed teachers," they said.
Then the man was taken by Khidr to a place where everyone was attractive and full of joy. He asked who they were. "We are those who did not follow the real Signs of the Way," they said.
"But if you have ignored the Signs, how can you be happy?" asked the traveler.
"Because we chose happiness instead of Truth," said the people, "just as those who chose the self-appointed chose also misery."
"But is happiness not the ideal of man?" asked the man.
"The goal of man is Truth. Truth is more than happiness. The man who has Truth can have whatever mood he wishes, or none," they told him. "We have pretended that Truth is happiness, and happiness Truth, and people have believed us, therefore you, too, have until now imagined that happiness must be the same as Truth. But happiness makes you its prisoner, as does woe."
Then the man found himself back in the garden with Khidr beside him.
"I will grant you one desire," said Khidr.
"I wish to know why I have failed in my search and how I can succeed in it," said the man. "You have all but wasted your life," said Khidr, "because you have been a liar. Your lie has been in seeking personal gratification when you could have been seeking Truth."
"And yet I came to the point where I found you," said the man, " and that is something which happens to hardly anyone at all."
"And you met me," said Khidr, "because you had sufficient sincerity to desire Truth for its own sake, just for an instant. It was that sincerity, in that single instant, which made me answer your call."
Now the man felt an overwhelming desire to find Truth, even if he lost himself.
Khidr, however, was starting to walk away, and the man began to run after him.
"You may not follow me," said Khidr, "because I am returning to the ordinary world, the world of lies, for that is where I have to be, if I am to do my work."
And when the man looked around him again, he realized that he was no longer n the garden of the sage, but standing in the Land of Truth.
Shake it off and take a step behind.
They all grabbed shovels, and began to shovel dirt into the well. All the other farm animals were very upset about this, because the donkey was their friend. But they discovered there was nothing they could do to help him. At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off, and take a step up on the dirt as it piled up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well, and trotted off!
:: Moral of the Story ::
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. But each trouble can be a stepping stone. What happens to you isn't nearly as important as how you react to it. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not giving up!
Do not afraid of any bad situations or problems in your life... Do not Give Up... Just try to find out solution.
Shake it off, and take a step up!
Struggle everyone! :p
Maggie wasn't rich like a millionaire or poor in a manner of being homeless. She was living an average comfortable life. It was made even better when a beautiful baby girl came her way. She and her husband made sure their daughter had her needs met and they were still able to take a yearly vacation by the beach.
Maggie was a partner in her husband's business. They both had a different set of duties which kept everything in balance. One day a devastating blow came to her husband's business, and over a three year period the business dropped out of site. Her husband had to totally reinvent himself and was yearning to fulfill a dream with a new vocation. She was happy for him and supported him fully, but still the money was not coming in.
Maggie began to feel guilty that she wasn't contributing with any kind of income. It had been a long time since she had worked outside the home and had to work for someone else. Needless to say she was scared but still had faith that everything would be okay. She began job hunting and found filling out applications somewhat difficult, especially the part asking for job references. Keep in mind that she was self-employed with her husband for almost 20 years. It felt as though that didn’t count for anything as she was never called for an interview.At the time she was job hunting her mom became more ill than she had been and ended up in the hospital for a week. Once Maggie’s mom returned home she became her mom’s helper one day a week. She did the shopping, changed sheets, vacuumed and did other things that her mother was not able to do anymore. Of course her mom would pay her for her time and labor but she still felt she needed to find another source of income.One of the first applications she had filled out finally came through. She passed the interview with flying colors and was told she was "exactly" what they were looking for. Although it was only part time it was exactly what she wanted. It was important for her to be home when her daughter arrived home from school. She was told they would be in touch when the schedule was ready. Knowing she had the job made her feel contented and productive again.Within a few weeks though, she received an e-mail saying that the company had changed the job into a full time position and she was not qualified. Maggie was devastated. She felt betrayed and felt she had been lied to. That evening she was alone as her husband and daughter had gone out for the night. She welcomed the aloneness and wanted to drown her sorrows in a hot tub of bubbles.As she knew she would, she began to cry, softly at first just from the sheer pain of being rejected. Three long years of struggle had finally caught up with her. Then she became angry; angry at everything from the circumstances that got her there, to God himself. She cried harder and yelled, "What do you want me to do?" She really felt that God had abandoned her.
When she was able to cry no more, she became exhausted and gave up. It was at that moment that a silent idea came to her to offer other elderly people home care assistance.
Using another talent for computers she printed off some flyers and cards and distributed them to her church, grocery stores and even placed a small ad in the newspaper. Within a week she had procured two new clients.
Now, even though she's not a CEO of a major company or a power player she feels happy and productive again. So, had God really abandoned her? Let's look at nature for the lessons and the answer.
Maggie was a partner in her husband's business. They both had a different set of duties which kept everything in balance. One day a devastating blow came to her husband's business, and over a three year period the business dropped out of site. Her husband had to totally reinvent himself and was yearning to fulfill a dream with a new vocation. She was happy for him and supported him fully, but still the money was not coming in.
Maggie began to feel guilty that she wasn't contributing with any kind of income. It had been a long time since she had worked outside the home and had to work for someone else. Needless to say she was scared but still had faith that everything would be okay. She began job hunting and found filling out applications somewhat difficult, especially the part asking for job references. Keep in mind that she was self-employed with her husband for almost 20 years. It felt as though that didn’t count for anything as she was never called for an interview.At the time she was job hunting her mom became more ill than she had been and ended up in the hospital for a week. Once Maggie’s mom returned home she became her mom’s helper one day a week. She did the shopping, changed sheets, vacuumed and did other things that her mother was not able to do anymore. Of course her mom would pay her for her time and labor but she still felt she needed to find another source of income.One of the first applications she had filled out finally came through. She passed the interview with flying colors and was told she was "exactly" what they were looking for. Although it was only part time it was exactly what she wanted. It was important for her to be home when her daughter arrived home from school. She was told they would be in touch when the schedule was ready. Knowing she had the job made her feel contented and productive again.Within a few weeks though, she received an e-mail saying that the company had changed the job into a full time position and she was not qualified. Maggie was devastated. She felt betrayed and felt she had been lied to. That evening she was alone as her husband and daughter had gone out for the night. She welcomed the aloneness and wanted to drown her sorrows in a hot tub of bubbles.As she knew she would, she began to cry, softly at first just from the sheer pain of being rejected. Three long years of struggle had finally caught up with her. Then she became angry; angry at everything from the circumstances that got her there, to God himself. She cried harder and yelled, "What do you want me to do?" She really felt that God had abandoned her.
When she was able to cry no more, she became exhausted and gave up. It was at that moment that a silent idea came to her to offer other elderly people home care assistance.
Using another talent for computers she printed off some flyers and cards and distributed them to her church, grocery stores and even placed a small ad in the newspaper. Within a week she had procured two new clients.
Now, even though she's not a CEO of a major company or a power player she feels happy and productive again. So, had God really abandoned her? Let's look at nature for the lessons and the answer.
:: Moral of the Story ::
Before a butterfly can emerge out of it's chrysalis it has to go through a lot of struggling. Yes, struggling. Each time it lunges out to escape, acids are being removed from its wings. If someone were to come along and break the chrysalis open for it then the butterfly would die from those acids. In essence the struggle is necessary for the butterfly to survive. Then in the stillness, when the struggle is over, the butterfly can come out and share its beauty with the world.
We as humans are not any different. There are times that we need to struggle, to rid ourselves of the acids that make up sadness, fear, and anger. It is only at this time when we are exhausted and still that we begin to hear the Universe whisper to us.
Before a butterfly can emerge out of it's chrysalis it has to go through a lot of struggling. Yes, struggling. Each time it lunges out to escape, acids are being removed from its wings. If someone were to come along and break the chrysalis open for it then the butterfly would die from those acids. In essence the struggle is necessary for the butterfly to survive. Then in the stillness, when the struggle is over, the butterfly can come out and share its beauty with the world.
We as humans are not any different. There are times that we need to struggle, to rid ourselves of the acids that make up sadness, fear, and anger. It is only at this time when we are exhausted and still that we begin to hear the Universe whisper to us.
Student and Professor Conversation :)
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new students to stand and .....
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
GOT THIS FROM A VERY REALISTIC PERSON. :)
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
He asks one of his new students to stand and .....
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
GOT THIS FROM A VERY REALISTIC PERSON. :)
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.
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