The Crying Mother

There was once an old lady who always cried.

Her elder daughter was married to an umbrella merchant and her younger daughter was the wife of a noodle vendor.

On sunny days, she would worry about the elder daughter, "Oh no! The weather is so nice and sunny. Who is going to buy any umbrella? What will happen if the shop has to be closed?" These worries made her really sad. And she just could not help it but cry for a long time.

On rainy days, she would cry for the younger daughter, "Oh no! You cannot dry noodles without the sun. Now there will be no noodles to sell. What will happen if the shop has to be closed?" And she just could not help it but cry for a long time.

As a result, the old lady lived in sorrow everyday. Whether sunny or rainy, she grieved for one of her daughters. Her neighbors could not console her and jokingly called her "the crying Mother."

One day, she met a wise man. He was very curious as to why she was always crying.

She explained the problem to him. The wise man smiled kindly and said, "Madam! You need not worry. I will show you a way to happiness, and you will need to cry no more."

The crying lady was very excited. She immediately asked the wise man to show her what to do.

The wise man said, "It is very simple. You just need to change your perspective. On sunny days, do not think of your elder daughter for not being able to sell umbrellas but think of your younger daughter for being able to dry her noodles. With such good and strong sunlight, she must be able to make plenty of noodles and her business must be very good. On rainy days, think about the umbrella store of the elder daughter. With such heavy rain, everyone must be buying umbrellas. She will sell a lot of umbrellas and her store will prosper."

The old lady saw the light and laugh heartily. She followed the wise man’s instruction. After sometime, she did not cry anymore; instead, she begin to smile everyday. From that day on she was known as "the smiling Mother."

Lesson:
Focusing on the positive, admirable, and honorable things in life is a happier and a better way to live.

Over-emphasizing the negative aspects of life will always defeat us and make us mourn and cry.

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There Is A Reason For Everything

It has been raining continually for the past few weeks now. Some of the surrounding areas have been flooded on and off. Is this the year of the ox or the year of the buffalo? Anyway, it is commonplace on the island of Borneo to have abundant rainfall to welcome the start of the year of the ox.

Everytime when there is a flood or a landslide, many people tend to grumble and curse. Some grumble because they have to reschedule their daily tasks and activities. Some mourn over the loss of their properties. Some are seen worn out moving their belongings up and down/ in and out of the house. Some are stranded for days with little children in their vehicles when there is no through road or the charge for assistance is exorbitant...

Sometimes I wonder why we must grumble because we have to reschedule everything we do. Is it human nature that we must always do things our own ways? Maybe some adjustments or a total change in our working schedules can do wonder. Maybe some creative thinking and logical reasoning can make our lives more fruitful and hopeful. After all, life is a passing through and treating works as routine will only reduce our impact and our efficiency in life. Be optimistic, there is always a reason for everything. Someday we will know.

Sometimes I wonder why we must grumble because we happen to lose all we have. Remember Job in the Bible; he lost everything including his children, yet he continued to praise and thank God. Life must goes on whatever happens. Start a new beginning and continue to live a meaningful life. Be optimistic, there is always a reason for everything. Someday we will know.

Sometimes I wonder why we must grumble because problems arise and we just cannot do anything. We are stranded with little comfort or joy. But it is during these difficult times that we discover our dependence upon God the Almighty. And it is during these difficult times that we discover our love for one another. Be optimistic, there is always a reason for everything. Someday we will know.

The rain continues... so is my optimism about life...

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They Are Really Cool

I have friends who are really cool. Nothing seem to affect them.

They are good workers. They accomplish their tasks under whatever circumstances. They quietly do all that is given without grumbling. They never retaliate against the bosses even if the directives seem unreasonable. They entertain all requests related to their field with a ready smile and kind words. They will refer their clients to other departments on all other requests. They are silent workers but high achievers. They are efficient and effective in all that they do. Sometime I wonder why they can be so meticulous in all that they do.

They are good colleagues. They are patient and they always strive to keep their composure. They share only what they really know but will readily submit to things they don't know. They will refer you to the right people on areas they have little expertise. They give only constructive advices that can help others and not blurt out everything they know. Their speech is always sharp and precise. Their concern always warms your hearts. They are always wise and respectable and you just love to sit near them every time you meet them. They are so friendly and helpful. You virtually want to share with them all that you know, all that you feel, and all that you do. But mind you, they don't put up with any nonsense and they will hurried away as soon as possible.

They are good friends. They have high regard for you and your family. They will readily greet and help you. But they will not meddle in your family affairs without your requests. Even so, they are always considerate and seek to bring close your relationships. Good friends are hard to find. But once you find them they are your true friends for a long time.

I try to understand the secret of their cool. Then I realize that these people fear God and desire to do all His biddings.

I believe I can also be that cool...too

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Life is a drag without inspiration

Some of us are talented. We are gifted in art, music, literature etc. We are successful in our works and we contribute much for the well-being of the world we live in.



Some of us are less talented and we yearn for more inspiration. Inspiration can help us produce exciting new ideas and make us want to create something new, better or different.

Some have resorted to dreams for a rich source of inspiration. Others have relied on music. A visit to the theater can also inspires us. And sometimes certain people in our social groups also spur us on to create and do something.

We all need inspiration to face our daily activities. When we are inspired, a sudden brilliant and timely idea triggers in our mind. We feel better and want to be successful. We have the desire, confidence and enthusiasm to do something well in our life.

Inspiration can also affect others. The role we play in the society can give others confidence and loyalty toward us. We can influence others to work better, produce better results and improve their lifestyles.

Life is a drag without inspiration. Are you inspired today?

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Shake It Off And Step Up

A farmer's mule tripped and fell into the well. It began to bray. The farmer tried but was unable to bring it up. Finally, he called his neighbors together to help haul dirt into the well to bury the mule.

The mule was puzzled, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling the dirt onto its back, It began to shake off the dirt and step up.

"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up."

Even though it took painful blows of the dirt and had to fight panic, it just kept on shaking it off and stepping up!

It wasn't long before the mule got out from the well.

What could have buried it alive actually blessed it... all because of the manner it handled its adversity.

Be positive men when the going gets tough.

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Living In Peace And Harmony

Living in peace and harmony has become a luxury today. Many of us just refuse to live together.

Many of our spouses no longer respect, love and be loyal to one another. They readily divorce each other and split the family, leaving the children to suffer.

Many of our children no longer respect, honor and treasure their parents anymore. Many of our old men are neglected, ill-treated and thrown into old folks home.

Many of our parents no longer have the welfare of their children in their hearts. They don't even speak to one another anymore.

Many have fewer friends and neighbors as time goes by. We can't tolerate others when they don't see things our way. We become self-centered and self-pleasing. We only want friends of common interests.

Today, we have more and more conflicts and wars. Today, we have more and more misunderstandings and arguments. Today, we no longer love, respect and trust one another.

And we can't even live with the nature. We have to destroy our surroundings in order to develop our world. And we pollute them all.

And now we have economic crisis. We have unemployment and social unrest. We have conflicts and wars. We have natural disasters around the world.

O, what have we done, "civilized" people in a "developed" world?

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Echo

A son and his father are walking on the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"

He receives the answer, "Who are you?"

And then he screams to the mountain, "I hate you!"

The voice answers, "I hate you!"

Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"

He receives the answer, "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks, "Daddy, what is going on?"

The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."

The man screams, "You are a champion!"

The voice answers, "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains, "People call this echo, but really this is life.
It gives you back everything you say or do.

Lessons

• Our life is a reflection of our actions.
• If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
• If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.

Life will give you back everything you have given to it.

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Sometimes, it really hurts...

Sometimes, those angry words hurt me deeply and leave me restless. But then I remain unscathed. I would hold no grudges against anyone, and I would try every means to live in harmony with my surroundings.

Sometimes, those scrutinizing eyes make me feel completely naked and cause me nightmares. But then I am ever prepared and ready. I would return with a smile, not wanting to draw and attract their attentions. Those judgemental people only satisfy their egos for a moment. And when their egos are bruised, they always bring harms to themselves.

Sometimes, those jealous looks melt my brain, and make me insane. But then I remain generous and loving to all. I would return with a friendly look, not wanting to make more enemies. After all, hatred and jealousy can really harm most relationships. Who wish to have fewer friends, colleagues or relatives as time goes by?

But now, I already get use to all these. In the presence of my "enemies", I learn to stay aloof and remain polite. They will do me no harm because I cause them no harm. Let their angers return to them, let their own ill will cause them harm, and let those jealousy stirs up hatred in them. Nothing is to disrupt or rob me of my joy, my peace, and my love for others.

May God gives me patient, strength and wisdom to love my neighbors as myself.

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River Of Life

I love to sit on the river bank and stare down at the water. To me, the never-ending river brings me peace, joy, and love. The river also teach me patience and hope.

No matter how we stir up the water, the river never ceases to calm down and continues its flow. Nothing seems to disrupt its journey. Even if we build a dam to contain it, it seeks to calm down and remain unperturbed, and continue to flow if an outlet is found.

The river continues to be a fountain of love. All things thrive well when they come near the river. No matter how arid is the place and how scorching is the heat, the river remains a blessing to all.

Oh, how I desire to have the peace, the joy, the love, and the patience like the river.

Let us also be a people of hope, doing things constructive and beneficial to ourselves and others.

May the Lord God continues to be gracious and merciful to us all in this New Year 2009.

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A Hiding Place

Everyone needs a hiding place. Some of us need a quiet room to meditate and pray to God. Others need a corner to be alone to examine progress and to solve problems in life. Some desire to have companies to laugh and jeer, and to forget or reduce stress. Still others want a place to stare at something to calm down after having a sudden or intense quarrel. Some just go to sleep. Many get drunk and smoke too much. Others prefer to have peace marveling at God's creation.

We cannot deny the fact that we all need to find somewhere or someone to share our problems, loneliness, disturbances, distress, love, joy, peace or whatsoever. Whatever we do, let us not do any harm to ourselves and others.

My resolution for the New Year 2009 is to calm down and to do things constructive and beneficial to all, that I may worship and enjoy God to the fullest. Amen.

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Couples Quarrel

A man and his wife had been arguing all night, and as bedtime approached neither was speaking to the other.

It was not unusual for the pair to continue this war of silence for two or three days. However, on this occasion the man was concerned; he needed to be awake at 5:30am the next morning to catch an important flight, and being a very heavy sleeper he normally relied on his wife to wake him.

Cleverly, so he thought, while his wife was in the bathroom, he wrote on a piece of paper: "Please wake me at 4:30am – I have an important flight to catch." He put the note on his wife's pillow, then turned over and went to sleep.

The man awoke the next morning and looked at the clock. It was 8:00am. Enraged that he had missed his flight, he was about to go in search of his errant wife to give her a piece of his mind, when he spotted a hand-written note on his bedside cabinet.

The note said: "It's 5:30am – get up."

Lessons :

• Don’t get involved in any conflict conversation, and you will avoid a quarrel.
  
• Any grudge against your partner must be voiced calmly and at the proper time.
• Never quarrel with offensive words.
• Find out the real causes of any quarrel, and not everlasting scandals caused by minor things.
• Some kind words may avoid further quarrels.
• Make it a rule not to quarrel in the presence of other people.
• Don't make a request when the recipient is very angry!

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

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Turn A Deaf Ear To Destructive Advice

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit.

When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.

He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?"

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

Lessons:

• There is power of life and death in the tongue.
  
• An encouraging word to those who are down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
  
• Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
  
• When you are in difficult conditions, listen careful to encouraging words but always turn a deaf ear to destructive words.

May God help us to face the current worldwide economic slowdown.

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You Determine Your Future

Once upon a time, there was a general who was leading his army into battle against an enemy ten times the size of his own. Along the way to the battlefield, the troops stopped by a small temple to pray for victory.

The general held up a coin and told his troops, "I am going to implore the gods to help us crush our enemy. If this coin lands with the heads on top, we will win. If it is tails, we will lose. Our fate is in the hands of the gods. Let's pray wholeheartedly."

After a short prayer, the general tossed the coin. It landed with the heads on top. The troops were overjoyed and went into the battle with high spirits. Just as predicted, the smaller army won the battle. The soldiers were exalted, "It's good to have the gods on our side! No one can change what they have determined."

The general smile to himself – both sides of the coin were heads.

Lessons :

• Positive attitude helps us cope more easily our daily life. It brings optimism into our life, and makes us easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.
  
• Positive attitude brings constructive changes into our life, and makes us happier, brighter and more successful.
  
• Positive attitude makes us see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen.
  

Make it your new year's resolution to have a more positive outlook in life.

May God bless you...

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Dumb Child

A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."

The barber puts a fifty sen coin in one hand and two ten sen coins in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, "Which do you want, son?"

The boy takes the two ten sen coins and leaves.

"What did I tell you?" said the barber. "That kid never learns!"

Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store.

"Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take two ten sen coins instead of one fifty sen coin?"

The boy licked his cone and replied, "Because the day I take the fifty sen coin, the game is over."

Moral lesson : When you think the other person is dumb, you are making a fool of yourself.

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