THE GIFT OF INSULTS

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior’s challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. “How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?”

“If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it,” the master replied, “to whom does the gift belong?”

CHOSEN TO CLAP & CHEER

Whenever I’m disappointed with my role in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he’d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.

“Guess what, Mom,” he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me:

“I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER AGAIN

If I had to live my life over again
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"... more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

A STATE OF MIND

If you think you are beaten, you are:
If you think you dare not, you won't
If you like to win, but don't think you can
It's almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in a state of mind.

For many a game is lost,
Ere even a play is run,
And many a coward fails
Ere even his work begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you'll fall behind;
Think that you CAN and you WILL;
It's all in a state of mind.

If you think you are out-classed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the fellow who thinks he can.

THE LESSONS OF LIFE

• I've learned - That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
• I've learned - that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
• I've learned - that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
• I've learned - that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
• I've learned - that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
• I've learned - that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
• I've learned - that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
• I've learned - that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
• I've learned - that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
• I've learned - that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
• I've learned - that learning to forgive takes practice.
• I've learned - that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
• I've learned - that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
• I've learned - that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
• I've learned - that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many years you've lived.
• I've learned - that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed you.
• I've learned - that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
• I've learned - that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
• I've learned - that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
• l've learned - that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
• I've learned - that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
• I've learned - that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
• I've learned - that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.
• I've learned - that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
• I've learned - that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
• I've learned - that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
• I've learned - that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
• I've learned - that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
• I've learned - that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.

A LESSON IN LIFE

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview; the director did the last interview, made the last decision. The director discovered from the CV, that the youth's academic result was excellent. The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarship in school?" and the youth answered "no". The director asked, " Is it your father who paid for your school fees?" the youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it is my mother who paid for my school fees." The director asked, "Where did your mother work?" the youth answered, "My mother worked as a cleaner." The director requested the youth to show him his hands. The youth showed a pair of hand that were smooth and perfect. 

The director asked, "Did you ever help your mother wash the clothes?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books, furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me." The director said, "I have a request, when you go home today, look at your mother's hand, and then come and see me tomorrow morning." The youth felt that as the chance of landing the job is high, when he went back, he happily wanted to see his mother's hand. His mother felt strange, happy but mixed with fear, she showed her hands to the kid. The youth looked at his mother's hand slowly, his tears rolled down he cheeks. He never noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and that there are so many bruises in her hand. 

This is the first time the youth realized and experienced that it was this pair of hand that washed clothes everyday to earn him the school fees, the bruises in the mother's hand is the price that the mother paid for his graduation and academic excellence and probably his future. After looking at him Mum's hands, the youth quietly cleaned all remaining clothes for his mother. That night, mother and son talked for a very long time. 

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office. The director noticed the tear in the youth's eye, asked: "Can you tell what have you done and learned yesterday?" The youth answered, " I looked at my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes."' The director asked, "Please tell me your feelings." 

The youth replied:
Number 1 - I now appreciate the fact that without my mother, I would not be successful today.
Number 2 -, I now know how to work together with my mother; I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.
Number 3 - I know the importance and value of family relationships. 

The director said, "This is what I am asking, I want to recruit a person that can appreciate the help of others, a person that understands the challenges of others to get thing done, and a person that would not put money as his only goal in life to be a Manager. You are hired." 

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates, every employees worked diligently and in a team, the company's result improved tremendously. 

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, develops an "entitlement mentality" and always put himself first. He is ignorant of others effort. When he starts work, he assumes every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a Manager, he never understands the challenges facing his employee, he never expresses words of appreciation, and always blames others. 

You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash the dishes together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way and give them an appreciation that everything in life does not come easy. 

The most important thing we all need to learn is how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty, and learn the ability to work with others to get things done.