True Friend

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.
The two survivors who have been a good friends, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.
He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”
“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers be answered “

God' plan

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. "Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God's plan reflected in my son?" The audience was stilled by the query. 

The father continued. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child." Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shay's father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and I'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning." In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that this was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled "Run to second, run to second!" By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. 

Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay! Run home." Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a "grand slam" and winning the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face," the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world."

What he valued most

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
 It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls,
 career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across
 the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy
 life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to
 spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing
 could stop him.

 Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The
 funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old
 newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.


 "Jack, did you hear me?"
 "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of
 him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.


 "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were
 doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of
 the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.


 "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.


 "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make
 sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.


 "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this
 business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me
 things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral,"
 Jack said.


 As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his
 hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no
 children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.


 The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to
 see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing
 over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house
 was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture,
 every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.


 "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.


 "The box is gone," he said.


 "What box? " Mom asked.


 "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I
 must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell
 me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.


 It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered
 it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had
 taken it.


 "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better
 get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."


 It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from
 work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required
 on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within
 the next three days," the note read.


 Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and
 looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was
 difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.


 "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.


 Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There 
 inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read
 the note inside.


 "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack
 Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped
 to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack
 carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold
 pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing,
 he unlatched the cover.


 Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time!
 Harold Belser."


 "The thing he valued most...was...my time."


 Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and
 cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his
 assistant asked.

 "I need some time to spend with my son," he said.


 "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"

Look Problems From Others Perspective - Short Story

The train has started moving. Itis packed with people of all ages, mostly with   the working men and womenand young college guys and gals. Near the window, seated a old man withhis 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed withjoy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside..

 "See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful"

Thisbehavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel strange abouthim.

 Every one started murmuring something or other about this son."This guy seems to be a crack.." newly married Anupwhispered to his wife.Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell onthe travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son ,filled with joy "see dad, how beautiful the rain is .."

Anup's wife got irritated withthe rain drops spoiling her new suit.

Anup,"cant you see its raining, you old man, if Your son is not feelingwell get him soon to a mental asylum..and don't disturb publichenceforth"

The old man hesitated first andthen in a low tone replied "we are on the way back from hospital, myson got discharged today morning , he was a blind by birth, last week onlyhe got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.. Pleaseforgive us for the inconvenience caused..."

 Thethings we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. Butwhen we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understandthe problem better before taking a harsh action.

I Believe

I believe- 
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.


I believe- 
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 believe-
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. 
Same goes for true love.


I believe- 
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.


I believe- 
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe- 
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them 


I believe- 
That you can keep going long after you can't.


I believe- 
That we are responsible for what  we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe- 
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.


I believe-
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 believe- 
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, 
regardless of the consequences.

I believe- 
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.


I believe- 
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time! 


I believe- 
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe- 
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 believe- 
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.


I believe- 
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 birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe- 
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.


I believe- 
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.


I believe- 
That our background and circumstances may have influenced 
who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe- 
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 believe- 
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.


I believe- 
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe- 
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.


I believe- 
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 believe- 
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe- 
That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.

Child's Definition of Love

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.  See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.  So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.  That's love." Rebecca - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time.  Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.  My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen," Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6

"There are two kinds of love.  Our love.  God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared.  I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.  He was the only one doing that.  I wasn't scared anymore," Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody.  You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine -age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
                                                                                                                                                    

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.  But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.  People forget," Jessica - age 8

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.  The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.  The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Attitude....

Someone once approached Blaise Pascal, the famous French Philosopher and said, "If I had your brains, I would be a better person". Pascal replied, "Be a better person and you will have my brains".


The Calgary Tower stands at 190.8 meters. The total weight of the tower is 10,884 tons, of which 6,349 tons is below ground (approx. 60%). This shows that some of the greatest buildings have the strongest foundations. Just like a great building stands on a strong foundation, so does success. And the foundation of success is attitude.