Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 5/31/12

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once told of a childhood incident
that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a
profound influence on the rest of his life. It happened when he
was nine years old. It was winter. Young Frank was walking across
a snow-covered field with his uncle. As the two of them reached
the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out
his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow's
flight, and then young Frank's tracks meandering all over the
field.

"Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the
cattle to the woods and back again," his uncle said. "And see how
my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson
in that."

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this
experience had greatly contributed to his life's philosophy. "I
determined right then," he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, "not
to miss most things in life, as my uncle had."

He determined to be alive and present. To be fully aware and
squeeze as much life out of each moment as possible.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the past. Let us
learn from the past, but not live there.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the future. Let us
plan for the future, but not live there.

We will miss little if we live in the present. And we'll have
more fun along the way!

 -- Steve Goodier

Inspiration on 5/30/12

James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well (New York: McGraw-Hill
Book Co., Inc., 1994), illustrates how it benefits to everyone when we
mutually help each other. He relates a story of a farmer who grew
award-winning corn. Each year he entered his best corn in the regional
fair where it won a blue ribbon. 

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him to learn about how he
grew blue-ribbon corn year after year. The reporter discovered
something interesting. He learned that the farmer actually shared his
best seed corn with his neighbors. 

“How can you afford to share your best seeds with your neighbors
when they are entering corn in competition against yours each year?”
the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up
pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If
my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily
degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must
help my neighbors grow good corn.”

It’s a simple and important principle. His corn cannot improve
unless his neighbor’s corn also improves. He cannot succeed simply
by watching out for Number One. He succeeds best by helping his
neighbors succeed. That’s mutualism. 

And I am aware that it goes for me, too. Do I want to succeed?
Then I must help others to succeed. 

Do I want to live in peace and harmony? Then I need to help my
neighbors also live in peace, and the very peace they experience
will add to my own. 

Do I want to live meaningfully and well? Then I should help to
enrich the lives of others, for my own happiness and well-being
is bound up in the lives I touch.  

In other words, if I want to grow good corn, I need to help my
neighbors grow good corn. Call it mutualism. Call it a principle
of success. Call it a law of life. I only know that none of us
truly wins until we all win. 

 -- Steve Goodier

Inspiration On 5/29/12

I heard of two artists who were asked to illustrate peace. Each
was assigned the task of depicting a peaceful scene on canvas.

The first artist drew a beautiful picture of a countryside on a
warm, spring day. A soft sun illumines green grass and bathes a
picturesque farm-house and grazing cattle in its warmth. A farmer
walks contentedly behind strong plow horses pre-paring his field
for spring planting. The picture is one of beauty and quiet
tranquility.

The other artist took a different approach. He drew a majestic,
rugged cliff. Gnarled trees, twisted by years of violent winds,
jut from the craggy mountainside. Dark clouds hang low and fierce
while jagged streaks of lightening slash across an angry sky. The
picture is one of violence, chaos and rage.

But as one looks closely, something else becomes visible. There
in one of the crevices of the rocky mountain, tucked back just
out of reach of the wind and rain -- a nest with two small birds.
Apparently unconcerned about the impending storm, they appear
calm, cozy and peaceful as they patiently wait for the turbulence
to pass.

And isn't that the way it so often is? We may want to be
surrounded by peace, but storms rage. Problems and pressures
without threaten to steal peace of mind within.

The answer is imperturbability: inner peace that doesn't leave
when circumstances change. It's a peace that is greater than the
problems of life, built on assurance that the tempest will
finally pass, that we will survive the storm, that we may grow
stronger because of it and, in the meantime, we will not endure
it alone.

Imperturbability -- it's the result of a peace that passes
understanding. For serenity is not freedom from the storm, but
peace amid the storm.

 -- Steve Goodier

Inspiration On 5/28/12

As the flowers rest on the decorated graves and the sunlight shines
on the beautiful sailboats, Uncle Sam whispers in my ear about how
we should care for the soldiers and remember the ones that have died.
Swimming pools open, BBQs fry. Today is the day to think of what
they have done for us. There are blurs of red, white and blue marching
down the street and flags are lowered at half-mast.

But we should always remember and never forget what set us free,
from this very day on. 

 

 -- © 2001 Ali M, 3rd Grader
    Academy Elementary School, Madison CT

Inspiration On 5/25/12

One of my Sunday School teachers had each of us bring a clear
plastic bag and a sack of potatoes.

For every person we'd refuse to forgive in our life experience,
we were told to choose a potato, write the person's name and
date on it, and put it in the plastic bag.

Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.

We were told to carry this bag with us EVERYWHERE for the
next week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat
when driving and next to our desk at work.

The hassle of lugging these potatoes around clearly showed what
a heavy spiritual weight each of us carries.

It was a continual reminder of how much attention we have to pay
to the weight at all times . . . especially when we'd leave it in
embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of our potatoes deteriorated quickly to a
nasty slime.

This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for holding on to pain
and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to
others, yet this example clearly shows the gift is to each of us as
well!

So, the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask
yourself . . . "Isn't my bag heavy enough already?"

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you.  Matthew 6:14

  -- by Somari

Inspiration On 5/24/12

A variety of sayings describe the way we handle trouble
when it comes our way. We 'take it on the chin'. We 'stand
our ground'. We ' walk through the fire'.

Every battle, however, is not worth fighting. Our chins get
sore. We get tired of digging in our heels and weary from
walking on hot coals. Sometimes its best just to duck down
and get out of trouble's way.

Life isn't meant to be one big combat zone. Save your
energy for the good fights, the issues that deserve your
time and attention. Every challenge doesn't demand your
presence in the boxing ring. Every invitation to argue doesn't
have to be accepted. Every instigator doesn't have to ruffle
your feathers.

Decide what's important. Use your strength to defend it.

Let the rest go.

When the trouble that's headed your way is more of an
aggravation than a serious issue, duck. When the trouble
that's reaching out to draw you in is none of your business,
duck. When the trouble aimed in your direction is being
instigated by someone who knows how to push your buttons,
duck.

Serious troubles need serious attention.

Every trouble doesn't.

Stand up, stand tall and stand strong for the important issues.
Take in on the chin for the things you believe in. Walk through
the fires of battle for matters of human decency, love and
compassion.

The rest?

Just duck.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 5/23/12

In a book I own I have the most beautiful picture I have
ever seen. It is a simple black and white picture of Mother
Teresa. She is wearing her old worn out sari. Her face is
full of deep lines and wrinkles. Her teeth are bent and
slightly crooked. Still, shining out from her eyes, smile,
and soul is a joy so radiant and so complete that nothing
in this world could match its beauty.

The funny thing is that all of us have the same capacity
for love and joy that Mother Teresa had. We are all Children
of God. Some of us just choose to forget it or deny it. We
put our focus on other things and leave all of our
opportunities to choose love and joy untouched. We think
about our careers, worry about our bills, and fret about
our children's futures.

We forget that life is lived in the present moment, and
that every chance to choose love and joy that we let go by
is a precious jewel that is forever lost.

I know the main reason that Mother Teresa's joy, love,
and beauty was so great is because she made the most of
every opportunity to give, love, help, and share. She was
a living testament of the good we can do and the joy we
can attain in this life.

Most of us won't be able to do the good that Mother Teresa
did in her life. That doesn't mean, however, that we should
not try to do all the good we can in our own lives.

Do your best then to choose and share all the love and joy
you can in your life. Do your best to love, help, care for,
and give to others. It is not a sacrifice to do so. In fact,
nothing will give you greater happiness.

A life lived in love, goodness, and oneness with God is a
life full of joy. A soul that lives such a life is a soul
that grows ever more beautiful. May your life be joyous
then and may your soul's beauty shine on forever.

 -- Joseph J Mazzella

 

Inspiration On 5/21/12

10 Entirely Obvious Things that are Too Easy to Forget

Some things are entirely obvious... yet we still forget them in
the heat of the moment. Here are a few reminders:

1. The other person has a point of view, and so do you. - You
are both entitled, and you may both have good reason to believe
as you do.

2. Your internal horror at any embarrassing situation is far more
memorable to you than your plight is to others. - Most of the time,
they hardly notice it, let alone remember it, so relax.

3. The fact that someone else says that you have to do something
does not mean that you have to do it, provided you are prepared to
accept the alternatives. - The word NO, with its many more tactful
variants, can be extremely freeing.

4. Yes you DO have a choice! - Again, if you think you do not, it
probably means you are not willing to accept the alternatives. Try
asking yourself what those alternatives are. See how many you can
think of.

5. The behavior is not the person. - We can dislike the behavior
without needing to dislike the person. This is crucial for parents
to remember and to verbalize. It is also useful in other relationships.

6. The time and energy we put into complaining about the problem are
probably more than we would need to solve the problem. - So the solution
would be...

7. Full eye contact and a smile are the best beginning to most, though
not quite all, encounters.

8. When someone else tells you what someone else said, they are actually
telling you what they think they heard. - The words have been translated
both in their hearing, their speaking, and your hearing. The result may
not be what was originally intended, so check with the original source
before reacting.

9. Tomorrow IS another day.

10. There is a difference between wanting what YOU think is best for
someone, and wanting what THEY want for themselves. - Do not be
surprised if they fail to thank you for the former.

 -- Diana Robinson PhD

Inspiration ON 5/16/12

Some words are like buckets that carry lots of things.

Some words are like hornets that leave some nasty stings.

Some words are like music that make us want to sing.

Some words are like messengers that have good news to bring.

Some words are like hammers that beat upon your day.

Some words are like pillows that soften what you say.

So when you open up your mouth and have some words to share,
be sure they are the words to show that you really care!

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 5/15/12

Some years ago, near a seldom used trail in the Amargosa Desert
in California, there stood a rundown hut. Nearby was a well,
the only source of water for miles around. Attached to the pump
was a tin baking powder can with a message inside, written in
pencil on a sheet of brown wrapping paper.

This was the message . . .

This pump is all right as of June, 1932. I put a new sucker washer
into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out
and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried
a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough
water in it to prime this pump but not if you drink some first.
Pour in about 1/4 and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour
in the rest medium fast and pump for all your worth. You'll git
water. The well never has ran dry. Have faith.

When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you
found it for the next feller. SIGNED: Desert Pete

P.S. Don't go drinking the water first! Prime the pump with it and
you'll git all you can hold. And next time you pray, remember that
God is like the pump. He has to be primed. I've given my last dime
away a dozen times to prime the pump of my prayers, and I've fed
my last beans to a stranger while saying Amen. It never failed yet
to git me an answer.

You got to git your heart fixed to give before you can be give to.

 -- Bits & Pieces, April 2, 1992