A thought for the Day

[Disney Doll]

The Cab Ride

20 years ago, I drove a cab for a living. I was answering a call. When I arrived at 230 AM, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice,wait a minute,then drive away.But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger,I always went to the door.This passenger may be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.So I walked to the door and knocked."Just a minute", answered a frail,elderly voice.I could hear something being dragged across the floor.After a long pause, the door opened.Asmall woman in her 80's stood before me.She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it,like someone out of a 1940s movie.By her side was a small nylon suitcase.The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.All the furniture was covered with sheets.There were no clocks on the walls,no knick knacks or utensils on the counters.In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware."Would you carry my bag out to the car?"she said.I took the suitcase to the cab,then returned to assist the woman.She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.She kept thanking me for my kindness."It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked,"Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said,"I'm in no hurry.I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and turned off the meter."What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next 2 hours, we drove through the city.She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,"I'm tired.Let's go now."We drove in slience to the address she had given me.It was a low builing, like a small convalescent home,with a driveway that passed under a portico.2 orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.They were solicitous and intently watching her every move.They must have been expecting her.I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.The woman was already seated in a wheelchair."How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching for her purse."Nothing," I said."You have to make a living," she responded."There are other passengers," I replied.Almost without thinking,I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly."You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said,"Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light.Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up anymore passengers that shift.I drove aimlessly,lost in thought.For the rest of the day,I could hardly talk.What fi that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who impatient to end his shift?What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once,then driven away?On a quick review,I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in what others might consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

 

[EROS]

"Everybody hates death, fears death, but only those, THE BELIEVERS who know the life after death and the reward after death, would be the ones who will be seeking death".

-- Mohamed Atta

 

[stevets]

Eros,
Why do you quote Atta? Is he a hero of yours?

 

[EROS]

Originally posted by stevets

Why do you quote Atta? Is he a hero of yours?

Of course not. I'm just trying to point out that his writings are replete with references to GOD. Judeo-Christians would call his views crazed, but many Islamic fundamentalists, including the murderous suicide-bombers in Israel, BELIEVE that they are serving GOD

 

[helenabear]

Arrogant people are fearful people. The more arrogant, the more fearful. In truth, arrogant people are fragile.
--Dr. Theodore Rubin

 

[EROS]

"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank."

-- Woody Allen........

 

[stevets]

Originally posted by EROS


Of course not. I'm just trying to point out that his writings are replete with references to GOD. Judeo-Christians would call his views crazed, but many Islamic fundamentalists, including the murderous suicide-bombers in Israel, BELIEVE that they are serving GOD

True, because they serve an evil philosophy: Islam.

 

[EROS]

STEVETS, the problem IS NOT Islam...........the vast majority of Muslims worldwide are full of much more love than hatred. The problem is in the Interpretation of the Koran.

I would also add that over the centuries, we have seen outright persecution and murder in the name of...........CHRISTIANITY too

 

[stevets]

Originally posted by EROS
STEVETS, the problem IS NOT Islam...........the vast majority of Muslims worldwide are full of much more love than hatred. The problem is in the Interpretation of the Koran.

I would also add that over the centuries, we have seen outright persecution and murder in the name of...........CHRISTIANITY too

Many Christian people have slaughtered in the name of Christianity because the people were evil, not the religion (in fact Christianity is a religion of love. LOVE is at it's core. A cursory examination of the New Testament will show you that)

Muslims also have slaughtered, and still slaughter. Not necessarily because they are evil but because their religion is evil (Love is absent from Islam...killing infidels is central to Islam). These terrorists think that they are doing good, but they have been misguided by an evil religion.

 

[Disney Doll]

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and before he gave his sermon for the evening,briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the church that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of this dearest childhood friends, and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church, and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

"A father, his son, and a friend were sailing off the Pacific coast, when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the 3 were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with 2 teenagers who were,for the first time since the service had begun,looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued,"Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life...to which boy would he throw the other end of the line? He had only seconds to make the decision.The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not.The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of the waves. As the father yelled out 'I love you son' he threw the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of the night.His body was never recovered."

By this time, the 2 teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously awaiting the older minister's next words. "The father," he continued,"knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus, so he sacrificed his son to save his son's friend.How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us. Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I urge you to accept his offer to rescue you and take hold of the lifeline He is throwing out to you in this service."

With that, the older man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one repsonded to the appeal. Within minutes after the service ended, the 2 teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," one of them politely stated,"but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his own son's life in the hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the older man said, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the teenagers and said,"It sure isn't very realistic, is it?"But I am standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of wat it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see, I was that father, and your pastor is my son's friend."

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wow, DD, those are both great stories, enjoyed them much, and so very true. And Elaine, could not agree more with Dr. Rubin. Thanks, both, for sharing.

"Patience and time do more than strength or passion."
-Jean de la Fontaine

When was the last time that someone was impatient while you were
attempting to complete something? How did you feel during that
encounter? Often when we sense someone else's impatience, we
become anxious and our tasks take even longer. But what about your
own impatience? How do you handle that? Our impatience can
certainly be a barrier to connecting with other people. When we display
our impatience, people often feel as if they don't matter. When working
with a family business not long ago, I found myself repeating my
comments over and over to the eighty-four-year-old founder of the
business. As I summarized and then re-summarized, he finally turned to
me, undoubtedly sensing my impatience, and said, "I'm not 'getting it,'
am I?" A man with a keen mind, he nonetheless had difficulties
understanding the feelings that his children could express openly. At
that moment, I broke into laughter and realized how foolish my attempt
was to insist that he understand as fully the language of feelings as his
much younger business partners. My impatience suddenly melted away
and we were able to move on with our discussions.

Just for today, I will take a deep breath every time I feel impatient. I
will ask myself what is stopping me from being present.

--Igniting the Spirit at Work

 

[EROS]

"You should pray, you should fast. You should ask GOD for guidance, you should ask GOD for help.... Continue to pray throughout this night

-- Mohamed Atta

 

[helenabear]

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one."
--John Lennon

 

[Dan Murphy]

Lennon really put some great thoughts into that song, Elaine, one of my favorites.

The way you feel

Have you ever wondered why some things fill you with joy and other things don't? What are feelings anyway?
The things you feel are connected to an important, essential part of you. No, you cannot live by feelings alone. You're also able to reason and that ability will take you a long way. Pay attention to those feelings, though. Listen to what they have to say. They're not meant to control you. They're there to guide you toward the best that you can be.

When you're feeling anger or frustration or fear, there's something wrong somewhere that needs to be addressed. When you're feeling joy and exhilaration, you're headed toward something great.

Temper your feelings with your thoughts, and expand your thoughts with your feelings. The two work best when they work side by side. In your thoughts is the wisdom of your mind. In your feelings you'll find the wisdom of your heart. Pay heed to both, and move steadily toward your own special greatness.

-- Ralph Marston

 

[EROS]

"Purify your heart and clean it from all earthly matters. The time of fun and waste has gone. The time of judgment has arrived. Hence we need to utilize those few hours to ask GOD for forgiveness. You have to be convinced that those few hours that are left you in your life are very few. From there you will begin to live the happy life, the infinite paradise. Be optimistic."


-- Mohamed Atta

 

[helenabear]

Dan, you really do find some wonderful thoughts to live by

"One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means."
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

[Disney Doll]

I Wish for You

Comfort on difficult days
Smiles when sadness intrudes
Rainbows to follow the clouds
Laughter to kiss your lips
Sunsets to warm your heart
Gentle hugs when spirits sag
Friendships to brighten your being
Beauty for your eyes to see
Confidence for when you doubt
Faith so that you can believe
Courage to know yourself
Patience to accept the truth
And love to complete your life.

I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way
His love is always with you
His promises are true
When certain things
Don't go your way
You know He'll see you through.
So when the road you travel
Seems difficult at best
Put your faith in God
And He will do the rest.

 

[EROS]

"Keep a very open mind, keep a very open heart of what you are to face. You will be entering paradise. You will be entering the happiest life, everlasting life."

-- Mohamed Atta

 

[Disney Doll]

Angels in the Alley

Diane, a young Christian university student, was home for the summer. She had gone to visit some friends one evening, and the time passed quickly as each ahd shared their various experiences of the past year. She ended up staying longer than she had planned. Evening came, and Diane had to walk home alone. But she wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away. As she walked along under 2 tall elm trees, Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley, she noticed a man standing at the end, as though he were waiting for her. She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection. Instantly, a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her. She felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the paper that a young woman had been attacked in the same alley, just 20 minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhlemed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety, and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story. The police asked if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed & immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed. The officer thanked Diane for her bravey, and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man why he had not attacked her. When the policemen asked him, he replied,"Because she wasn't alone, she had 2 men walking on either side of her."

Never underestimate the power of prayer.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Creating value

When you attempt to get ahead at the expense of others, you'll be resisted every step of the way. Yet when you seek to get ahead by creating value for others, the world will happily push you forward.
Rise above the crowd and then genuinely seek ways to bring the crowd along. It's a much more effective strategy than looking for ways to push everyone else down. There's only so much you can possibly take away from others, yet there is no limit to what you can create for yourself and the world around you.

Those who win big can't do it by creating losers. In fact, those who win big do it by creating other winners. Those who win big do it not by fighting over what's already there, but by creating something that has never existed before.

Losers look for ways to get away with stealing value from others. Winners know that the way to true abundance is to create as much value as possible for as many other people as possible. You can do it too, right now. It happens every day, and the whole world moves forward as a result.

-- Ralph Marston