Showing posts with label Make a Difference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Make a Difference. Show all posts
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Obstacle In Our Path
Author Unknown
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the kirig’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.
Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.
The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Can one person make a difference?
YES!!!
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
– Ghandi
All you have to do is be the best version of yourself.
If you want to see love in the world...then love.
If you want to see service...then serve.
If you want there to be peace... then forgive all those who have wrong you.
If you want to see an end to hunger and poverty... then share your food and possessions.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Toothpaste Lesson
Whether they admit it or not, everybody is in search for the same thing. Everybody seeks acknowledgement, appreciation and... love.
I am for making a positive difference in the lives of others. If I spend my life without leaving people feeling warm and inspired, than my life has little value to those around me; rather my life becomes their cross. I do not want my presence to leave people feeling anxious, hurt, worthless, or angry.
You may be aware of the school rhyme:"sticks and stones break my bones, but words never hurt me." I think that this is incredibly false. Words can be crippling, sometimes even more so than physical abuse.
If your mom was anything like mine, she probably told you that, "if you don't have anything nice to say, then it is better not to say anything at all." I think that this is wise advise.
I was in Toastmasters (a speaking club) for a few years and learned about how effective words and even tones can be to move your audience to all sorts of emotions (esp. laughter). However, relationships have taught me that a grumbling, abrasive or discouraging tones can tear people apart. The good feelings and intentions of the other can disappear in a single instant. Unfortunately, these ugly responses and attitudes can also cripple the one speaking.
When I was young, my mom gave me a tube of toothpaste and told me to squeeze out all of the minty paste onto a paper plate. I did this with much enthusiasm. Then, she told me to put it all back in. Well, this wasn't as fun or as easy as squeezing it out. It also was very messy. The lesson? Once hurtful things come out, it is very difficult to repair the damage. Also, like the tube, the speaker becomes empty and lifeless...
Christ says that, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands." Mark 9:43
In my particular case, the bodily member that I need to lose is my tongue. I have hurt people with idle and angry words, slander, gossip, grumbling, unkind jokes, etc... While, I don't think Jesus wants me to literally chop off my tongue, I do think He wants me to completely kill the ugliness in my soul that produces these words, tones and attitudes.
I am for making a positive difference in the lives of others. If I spend my life without leaving people feeling warm and inspired, than my life has little value to those around me; rather my life becomes their cross. I do not want my presence to leave people feeling anxious, hurt, worthless, or angry.
You may be aware of the school rhyme:"sticks and stones break my bones, but words never hurt me." I think that this is incredibly false. Words can be crippling, sometimes even more so than physical abuse.
If your mom was anything like mine, she probably told you that, "if you don't have anything nice to say, then it is better not to say anything at all." I think that this is wise advise.
I was in Toastmasters (a speaking club) for a few years and learned about how effective words and even tones can be to move your audience to all sorts of emotions (esp. laughter). However, relationships have taught me that a grumbling, abrasive or discouraging tones can tear people apart. The good feelings and intentions of the other can disappear in a single instant. Unfortunately, these ugly responses and attitudes can also cripple the one speaking.
When I was young, my mom gave me a tube of toothpaste and told me to squeeze out all of the minty paste onto a paper plate. I did this with much enthusiasm. Then, she told me to put it all back in. Well, this wasn't as fun or as easy as squeezing it out. It also was very messy. The lesson? Once hurtful things come out, it is very difficult to repair the damage. Also, like the tube, the speaker becomes empty and lifeless...Christ says that, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands." Mark 9:43
In my particular case, the bodily member that I need to lose is my tongue. I have hurt people with idle and angry words, slander, gossip, grumbling, unkind jokes, etc... While, I don't think Jesus wants me to literally chop off my tongue, I do think He wants me to completely kill the ugliness in my soul that produces these words, tones and attitudes.
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