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ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#41

" (Author unknown)

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should hehave all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Moral of the story:

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.

Edited by ani11 - 18 years ago
ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#42
You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point, an awesome one. .....


Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are
no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not
the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

Edited by ani11 - 18 years ago
wite_rainbow thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#43
ani di for a change i cant help but be a lil nice to the ppl around me after reading the questions in your quiz!! 😳
paljay thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#44
Forgiveness
By Sherry-lynne Mitchell



Forgiveness is a conscious choice
It must begin first in your head
In an aware and planned way
Sometime change engenders dread

Sincerity involves the heart
Need to realize time to let go
Monsters live and thrive in the dark
Pain involved in having to grow

Prison caused by anger and hurt
Trust is not something that is free
Forgiveness is a conscious decision
Trust is destroyed for you and me

Will never be okay, never
Forgiving does not mean to say
What was done then, is now okay
Wasn't right when it was done

Forever it will not be right
Forgiveness does not change the past
Does not erase what was done then
The years are passing too fast

No consent for enabling
Time to move on with living
Thoughts are ever turning backward
Have been thinking of forgiving

When I have it all worked out
I shall write for you a letter
Leaving it for you to read
When I am gone, this is better
paljay thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#45

Originally posted by: ani11


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not
the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.



👏👏👏 Very nice Ani.
Sur_Sangam thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#46

Originally posted by: ani11

You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point, an awesome one. .....


Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are
no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not
the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

Ani,thats really inspiring👏
ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#47

Originally posted by: wite_rainbow

ani di for a change i cant help but be a lil nice to the ppl around me after reading the questions in your quiz!! 😳

Thanku,U are already nice and thanks for being nicer😃

ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#48

Originally posted by: paljay

Forgiveness
By Sherry-lynne Mitchell



Forgiveness is a conscious choice
It must begin first in your head
In an aware and planned way
Sometime change engenders dread

Sincerity involves the heart
Need to realize time to let go
Monsters live and thrive in the dark
Pain involved in having to grow

Prison caused by anger and hurt
Trust is not something that is free
Forgiveness is a conscious decision
Trust is destroyed for you and me

Will never be okay, never
Forgiving does not mean to say
What was done then, is now okay
Wasn't right when it was done

Forever it will not be right
Forgiveness does not change the past
Does not erase what was done then
The years are passing too fast

No consent for enabling
Time to move on with living
Thoughts are ever turning backward
Have been thinking of forgiving

When I have it all worked out
I shall write for you a letter
Leaving it for you to read
When I am gone, this is better

very nice Pallaviji👏

ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#49

Originally posted by: paljay



👏👏👏 Very nice Ani.

Thanks Pallaviji😃

ani11 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Sparkler Thumbnail Engager Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 18 years ago
#50

Originally posted by: egghatcher

King george VI said the following when he came to commemorate the gateway of india at apollo bunder opposite the Taj Hotel
Ask of my what I can do now
For I know not when I shall pass this way again

i ask all forum members what it is that they need from me
for I know not how long my asthitva will last 😆

Thanks.

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