I Am The New Year

I am the New Year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next change at the art of living.

I am you opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the past twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieved is  mine to grant it when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you ever dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have...

these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am the opportunity to renew your alliance to Him to said, 

"behold, I make all things new."

I am the New Year.

From Truth Book

God with Us

Is during this time of the year that people will wonder and inquire about the baby born in the manger. This little baby became the King of the cross. Christmas proclaim the truth of Easter to come.

In Matthew 1:23, God called himself, "Immanuel"- which means, God with us! Not just God made us: not just God thinks about us: but God with us. God -where we are! 

God knows what it is like to be human. He is been here. He breathed our air and walked this earth. God..with...us!

Bethlehem was just the beginning. Jesus has promised a repeat performance. Bethlehem. Act 2. No silent night this time, however. The skies will open, trumpets will blast, and a new kingdom will begin. He will empty the tombs and melt the winter of dead. Dead you die! Life, you reign!

The manger dares us to believe the best is yet to be. I love Christmas because it reminds us how God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God!

From the book Because Bethlehem

by Max Lucado

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and learned that I would have to be responsive when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned sometimes things hurts, but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking".

Each of us (parent, grandparent,aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influence the life  of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

Author Unknown

Benefits of Struggling

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily.

But it has a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened!

In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready to flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

And we could never fly.

Author Unknown

Something Shared

https://youtu.be/UQdKOr-sqb0

A Special Place

There is a special place in life, that needs my humble skill, a certain job I'm meant to do, which no one else can fulfill.

The time will be demanding and the pay is not too good and yet I wouldn't change it for a moment - even if I could.

There is a special place in life, a goal I must attain, a dream that I must follow, because I won't be back.

There is a mark that I must leave, however small it seems to be, a legacy of love for those who follow after me.

There is a special place in life, that only I may share, a little path that bears my name, awaiting me somewhere.

There is a hand that I must hold, a word that I must say, a smile that I must give for there are tears to blow away.

There a special place in life that I was meant to fill, a sunny spot where flowers grow upon a windy hill.

There's always tomorrow and the best is yet to be, and somewhere in this world, I know there is a place for me.

Author Unknown

Reflection of You

There is a story about a father and his young son who were walking through the mountains. Suddenly, the son fell, hurting his leg on a rock. He screamed, "Aahhh!".

To his surprise, he heard a voice repeating, "Aaahh!".

This made him even more curious. So, he yelled, "Who are you". Back came the same answer, "Who are you?"

Feeling a bit perturbed by this response, he yelled out, "Coward!" Back came the same reply, "Coward!"

He looked at his father and asked: "What's going on?" His father smiled and said: "Son, pay attention."

Looking across the valley, his father yelled to the mountain, "I admire you!" The voice answered: "I admire you!"

Again the man cried out: "You are a champion!" The voice replied, " You are a champion!"

The boy was amazed, but he was very confused. So, his father explained...

"You are only hearing an echo, the sound of our voices bouncing back from the mountains. However, this is really how life works. It returns to you what you think, say and do!

Our lives are a reflection of our thoughts and actions. If you want more love in your world, create more love in your heart. if you want to be treated with kindness, treat others with kindness. If you want more competence on your team, become more competent.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will give to you, everything you give it to it, only it will give you more in return. Your life is not ever a coincidence. Each moment is a reflection of you!"

The son listened and grew in understanding, and through the following years, he witnessed the true of these words in his life!

Author Unknown

Watch The Sky by Ryan Farish

https://youtu.be/lxwAxcKzVK0

How To Improve Your Vision

Did you know that the English word "thanks" come from the same root word of "think"?

 

And they not only share a similar background, they are related in another way. It seems the more we think, the more we thank. One woman illustrated the how thinking and thanking are related in a visit to the eye doctor.

 

She complained to her ophthalmologist that, as she grew older, her eyesight was getting worse. He examined her eyes and could not be encouraging about the future of her eyesight. But to his surprise, she did not seem to be upset.

 

She told him all she was grateful for...her deceased husband; her children and their families; her friends; the many years she has enjoyed upon this earth; her vast library of memories. She had done a great deal of thinking about these things.

 

"My eyesight is getting worse,' she summarized, 'but I'm not going to fret over that.'

 

Her doctor later made this observation: 'Her eyesight is poor, but her vision is better than most people.' She clearly saw what many never see - all the good in life. And she was content.

 

When we take time to think, and make time to thank, we see more clearly. It sound like a good way to improve your vision.

 

by Steve Goodier

 

Have a great thanksgiving day and THINK in all the blessings that you have.

 

 

 

An Inspiration - Solo Piano Original from Joseph Akins

https://youtu.be/xAbTJgLi3GM

The Weeds in Our Lives

Isn't amazing how you never have to water your weeds or nurture them and they still give you an unwanted crop?

I can remember as a young boy growing up in Santa Cruz, California my grandfather showed me how to dig up this pesky weed called Bermuda grass. I was terrible stuff and it would really spread if you didn't get it out by the roots.

That was then. But more recently when my wife and I bought our first home about 8 years ago; guess what I had to deal with? If you said weeds, you are correct. There was this certain patch of weeds that was similar to the Bermuda grass. In other words, just as invasive.

After getting the inside of our home settled, it was time to work on the outside. On my hands and knees I vigorously attacked the weeds with a small hand trowel getting each one out by the roots. Spring after, spring that was my ritual.

Just this Spring I realized that one particular weed was no longer prevalent but another one was in full force. So again, I got down on my hands and knees an got to work ridding them from my yard. When I was finished, my yard was better off.

What hidden message is this true story purveying? Sometimes in our life can be so similar. Yes, we all have weeds in our life. These weeds can be challenges, setbacks, negative beliefs, or naysayers, and the list can go on and on.

The solution is when dealing with these weeds of life is to get to the root of it and remove them one by one and eventually you will conquer this round. And when another crop of weeds shows up, deal with them directly before they spread, because now that you know what to do with them by getting the root of it, it will give you more courage and wisdom the next time a problem crops up.

You could say we all need weeds in our life to challenge us to grow. Once you know how to handle the weeds in your yard to make it beautiful - so too will your life be.

By Tony Masiello

Today I Went To Vote

Today I went to to vote.

 

I decided to vote for peace and not for war.

 

I decided to vote not for ideologies but for unity.

 

I voted against the abuse to children, elderly people, animals and the nature.

 

I voted against the abortion and against the lack of ethics and respect to human beings.

 

I voted for a better world and for the youth that one day will take care of us and the future of this nation.

 

I went to to vote today...not for a party but for the humanity.

 

Not for a person but for the creator of this world in whom I put my trust and the future of this nation.

Nightnoise ~ Night in that land

https://youtu.be/UkT3QPBh4hw

Testing For Gossip

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?".

"Hold a minute", Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

Triple Filter?

"That's right", Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it and...".

"All right", said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?'

" No, on the contrary."

So, Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you are not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: The filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really"

"Well", concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?

Author Unknown

Doll - Helen Jane Long

https://youtu.be/kB5mf2wutQk

In the Midst of the Storm

We all have opportunities to get upset and live stressed out. The storms of life comes to every person. No matter how good a person you are, you're going to have some "rain" in your life. When this storms come, a lot of people use their faith to try to control circumstances. But I've found it's better to use faith to control myself in the midst of my circumstances. I know that if I can just remain stable in the storms of life and stay in peace, that's what allows God to act on my behalf.

 

God never said that we wouldn't have difficulties, but He did promise we could have peace in the midst of the storms. When you face adversities, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply stay calm. When you are at peace, you are displaying your faith in God. By your actions, you are saying, "God I know You're still on the throne. I know you are bigger than this problem." So keep peace in the midst of the storms today. Trust that He is working behind the scenes. Keep you heart open to Him because soon He will deliver!

 

By Joel Osteen

ANUHEA'S SONG Sonny Lim

https://youtu.be/uRyYTbRna4Y

Recipe of How To Live a Life

In exactly the same way that birds have to find courage to let go of a branch in order to actually fly, we must also let go of our emotional branches if we are to experience the exhilaration of soaring to our highest potential in life.

The branches we hold on to are our innermost attachments: our beliefs, our bad habits and those memories which keep us stuck. And then there are the outer attachments: they are people, possessions, positions and privileges - to name but a few. We must be aware that as long as we hold onto them, we will actually live in fear (of letting go and loss) and we will never feel the freedom that we all deserve.

Once you become aware of those birds and the initial courage they display when they let go of their branches just prior to flying, you will be capable of experiencing life in a totally different way.

This can be your new recipe of how to live a life where you learn to let go of one branch at a time, and learn to have new experiences, one at a time. The birds have found that by letting go of one branch, they are then able to spend the rest of their lives trying many other branches, one branch at a time, and they can enjoy the view from each new vantage point. What a way to live!

Are you actually flying and soaring in your life, or are you stuck on one branch, resenting others as they fly past? You can do it, go on, just try letting go!

Remember this - not letting go of old "stuff" is the same as driving through life with a flat tire on our cars; not stopping to change it; hoping that it will fix itself; pretending that the ride is smooth: knowing that it isn't; until one day it gets so loud and bumpy that we are forced to stop and take a look, and actually get help.

Author Unknown

2002 - When I See You Again (in 432 Hz tuning)

https://youtu.be/C2Wklc7TRb8

Life Is Meant To Be Lived

Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raises the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector.

 

He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?"

 

Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment." I have no right to keep that to myself", he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it".

 

William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give. For you and I are exquisite violins - our music is meant to be heard".

 

I want to live my life that way - to take into the world and live it fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up than die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would.

 

I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity. Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in investing our lives in others. Saying yes when asked for a hand. Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour with a lonely relative.

 

In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my availability. My life meant to be lived.

 

By Steve Goodier

 

 

 

Saddle Road by Kevin Teves

https://youtu.be/zX1zH4XMDV4

The Story of the Pencil

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked: "Are you writing a story about we've done? Is it a story about me?

 

His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:

"I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I am using. I hope  you will be like this pencil when you grow up".

 

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn't seem very special. " But it's just like any other pencil I've ever seen!".

 

"That depends on how you look a things. It have five qualities which, if you manage to hang on them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world".

 

"First quality: you are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and he always guides us according to His will"

 

"Second quality: now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he's much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person".

 

"Third quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessary a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice."

 

"Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you".

 

"Finally, the pencil fifth quality: it always leaves a mark. In just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action".

 

by Paulo Coelho

 

 

Fear Vs Respect

A long time ago a very cruel king named Virat Singh was ruling the city of Vijay Nagar. All citizens were fearful because of his cruelty.

Virat has a dog named Jack, which he used to love more than anything. One fateful morning Jack died. King Virat organized the last rituals for the dog. The entire city came to the cremation ground.

Virat was very happy to see that people love him so much and he felt he is the most popular king in the world. After a few days Virat died, but no one came to his funeral.

Respect is something you have to earn: you cannot force others to respect you. There is a thin line between fear and respect, every one of us should understand it and do the necessary "corrections" in our personalities.

By: Manoj Sharma, India

Debussy: Clair de Lune, London Symphony Orchestra, Stanley Black, HD

https://youtu.be/78Mt5b6ysj4

How Poor You Are?

One day a rich dad bring his son on a trip. He wanted to show his son how poor someone can be. They spent time on the farm of a poor family. On the way home the dad asked: "Did you see how poor they are? What did you learn?

 

His son said:

 

"We have one dog, they have four. We have a pool, they have a river.

We have lanterns at night, they have the starts. We buy food, they grow theirs.

We have walls to protect us, they have friends. We have encyclopedias, they a have a Bible. Thanks Dad to show me how poor we are"

 

It's not about money that make you rich, it's about simplicity of having God in our lives.

 

 

Angel Kisses

https://youtu.be/P8hqLLfoDGA

A Friendship Story

Tom and John were two friends. One day they were passing through a dense forest.

John said, "Friend, I am afraid there are wild beasts in this forest. What we will do if a wild beast attacks us?"

"Don't be afraid Tom" said John. "I shall stand by your side if any danger comes. We shall fight together and save ourselves". Thus talking they went on their journey.

But suddenly they saw a bear coming towards them. Tom at once got up the nearest tree. He did not think what his friend will do.

John did not know how to climb a tree. He has not way to escape. He was helpless.

But soon he took a plan. He fell flat in the ground like a dead man.

The bear came up to John. It smell his nose, ears and eyes. It took him to be dead and went away.

Them Tom came down from the tree. He said to John, "What did the bear whisper in you ear?"

John said, "The bear told me not to trust a friend who leaves his friend in 
danger"

Soar Like an Eagle

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.

When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life comes upon us, like the eagle, we can rise above them and ride the wind of storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives.

What is your greatest challenge right now? Jot It down. And then lift you higher.

Author Unknown

A Dream of Breathing

https://youtu.be/Ortbptrk-Gw

The Other Side

A sick man turned to his Doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies in the other side"

 

Very quickly, the doctor said: "I don't know".

You don't know? You are a Christian man and don't know where is on the other side?

 

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

 

Turning to the patient the doctor said:"Did you noticed my dog?" He's never been in this room before. He didn't know was is inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

 

I know little on what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...

I know that my Master is there and that is enough.

 

 

 

The Water is Wide

https://youtu.be/8mTilh2lucU

Making Priorities

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there", she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

"He's a fine looking boy" the man said. That's my daughter on the bike in the white dress".

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. "What do you said we go, Melissa? Melissa  pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes. The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood called and called again to his daughter. "Time to go now?"

Again Melissa pleaded. "Five minutes Dad. Just five minutes." The man smiled and said, "OK"

"My, you certainly are a patient father", the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said. "Her brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here". I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks that she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is that I get five more minutes to watch her play.

Life is all about of making priorities and family is the one and only priority on top of all others, so spend all the time you can with loved ones.

By James / USA

The Rose Palm

A grandmother and her young granddaughter are walking down a busy city street. They pass by a homeless man. He is sitting against the cold granite wall of a high rise building. The man doesn't have a sign, or a cup for begging; He is busily making roses from palm leaves. There are three roses beside him.

The grandmother stops and asks if she could buy one of the beautiful handmade roses. The homeless man smiles and says, "For you kind lady, it is free". The grandmother takes out her purse and gives the homeless man five dollars.

As they walk away, the young girl ask her grandmother. "Why did you give him money? He will probably just buy beer and cigarettes".

The grandmother replies, "Dear one, it may be his nature to take the money and buy beer or cigarettes, but it is my nature to help a man in need"

Give without expectations or without conditions. Give because it is your nature, not because you want or expect something in return.

by Laura Barrette Shannon

Remembering the Light

https://youtu.be/xPixMUWCGUM

Beauty Tips

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips

 

 

1. For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

 

2. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

 

3. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

 

4. For a beautiful hair, let a child run his/her finger through it once a day.

 

5. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

 

People, even more that things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arms. One for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

 

 

 

The Master's Hand

Wishing to encourage her young son's on the piano, a mother took the small boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE".

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little  Star". At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit, keep playing".

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligatio. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in you ear, "Don't quit, keep playing". Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are playing the concerto of your life.

 

Author Unknown

 

 

 

George Winston - Rainsong [fortune's lullaby]

https://youtu.be/P7PlELpZm2s

The Law of Giving and Receiving

by Fred Bauer

When I was a kid living up in Ohio, I made extra money picking strawberries for a man who had a small farm on the edge of the town. He sold his produce from a little roadside stand.

Because I was paid by the quart, I figured the faster  I picked, the more I will make. But the farmer informed me that there was another requirement.

"Don't just fill your boxed to the edge. Fill them till they run over and won't hold anymore" he said.

"I've always operated on the principle  that if I charge a fair price and give my customers a little extra, they will come back again" and they did.

What I learned is that we reap what we sow...in every facet of our lives. Give the  minimum, expect to receive the minimum. Give lavishly, extravagantly, and be rewarded in kind. No that that should be our motivation. But the law that says you can't out give the Lord is immutable. Jesus confirmed it when he preached, "Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back".  (Luke 6:38)

It applies to strawberries - and the fruit of the spirit as well.

Chris August - I Believe - (with lyrics)

https://youtu.be/orGTO9fH85g

The Last Flower

The twelfth World War, as the whole world knows, brought the collapse of the civilization. Towns, cities and capitals disappeared from the earth. Men, woman and children were located below the species more negligible. Books, paintings and music disappeared and people only sit, inactive, in circles.

Years and years passed. The boys and girls grew looking stupidly missed: the love had fled from the earth. One day, a girl who had never seen a flower, met with the last flower that was born in the world. And ran to tell the people that the last flower was dying. Only a boy paid attention to her, a boy that she found by chance.

The boy and the girl were commissioned of taking care of the flower. And the flower began to revive. One day a bee came to visit the flower. Then came a hummingbird.

They were soon two flowers; then four and then many, many. The forest and jungles became green again. The girl began to worry about his figure and the boy discovered that he likes to caress her. So the love had returned to the world.

Their sons grow healthy and strong. They learn to laugh and run. Putting stone on stone, the boy discovered that he could make a refuge. Very quickly all the people started making houses. Towns, cities and capitals appeared on earth. The music returned to spread throughout the world.

The musicians, tailors, shoemakers, painters, poets and soldiers arise again. The people choose to live here or there.

But then those who lived in the valleys complained for not having chosen the mountains. Those who had chosen the mountains grieved because they don't live on the valleys. The dissatisfaction increased and the world was on war again.

This time the destruction was so complete that nothing survived in the world. Only stay a man, a woman and a flower.


by James Thurber

Brian Crain - Dream of Flying

https://youtu.be/GcTRU9SMpVU

The Obstacle In Our Path

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 king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but non 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.

 

 

 

White Horse - Brian Crain

White Horse - Brian Crain

The Chinese Mirror

A Chinese farmer went to the city to sell his rice harvest and his wife asked him to not forget to bring her a comb.

After selling their rice in the city, the farmer met with a few friends, and they drank and celebrated for a long time. Later, a little confused, at the moment of returning, he remembered that its wife had asked him for something, but: what was? He couldn't remember.

He enter to a store and bought the first thing that draw his attention: a mirror. When he returned to the village, he gave the gift to his wife and went back to the fields to work.

His wife looked at the mirror  and began to cry inconsolably. Her mother asked the reason for her tears. And the wife said: My husband brought another woman, young and beautiful.

Her mother looked at the mirror and said to her daughter: You don't have to worry is an old women. (Author unknown)

Ignorance is one of the disadvantages of the human being and can incapacitate  intellectually and emotionally. There is much to learn, there is much to see, and there is much to live. Knowledge opens doors to new opportunities, and new possibilities for your life. Don't limit yourself.

Ryan Stewart - Memories

https://youtu.be/yMIBFqY2yI8

Bad Habits

A wealthy man requested and old scholar to wean his song away from his bad habits. The scholar took the youth  for a stroll through a garden. Stopping suddenly he asked the boy to pull out a tiny plant growing there.

The youth held the plant between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out. The old man then asked him to pull out a sightly bigger plant. The youth pulled hard and the plant came out, roots and all. "Now put out that one" said the old man pointing to a bush. The boy had to use all his strength to put it out. 

"Now put that one" said the old man, indicating a guava tree. The boy grasped
the trunk and tried to put it out. But it would no budge. "It's impossible," said the boy, panting with the effort.

"So it is with bad habits" said the sage. "When they are young it is easy to pull them out but when they take hold they cannot be uprooted"

The session with the old man changed the boy's life.

Don't wait for Bad Habits to grow in you, drop them while you have control over it, else they will get control over you.

by Jay (United Kingdom)

An Inspiration - Solo Piano Original from Joseph Akins

The Fearless Lion

Last night while talking to my youngest daughter I asked her: What would be a good topic for my blog? She answered: Mom talk about fear. 

 

For several weeks my daughter has started to feel fear at bedtime. She said that she is afraid to be the last in falling asleep. The latest tragic events that have happened in the United States have created in her the fear of losing her family and the fear of been alone terrifies her.

I remember that when I was her age I had the same fear. Eventually I learned that fear was part of my imagination and later on I overcome it. 

 

I will like to share the following story written by Enrique Fuentes about the Fearless Lion. Tonight this is going to be my daughters bedtime story.

In a distant African Savannah, a lion was lost. He was more that twenty days away from his territory. Thirst and hunger were devouring him. Fortunately, he found a lake of fresh and crystal clear waters. He ran fast to drink from it, to satisfy its thirst and save his life.

 

When approaching, he saw his face reflected in these calm waters.

 -Oops! The lake belongs to another lion he thought. Terrorized he fled without drinking water.

 

Thirst was increasing and he knew that without drinking water he would die. The next morning he went back to the lake. Same as previous day he saw his face reflected, and again in panic, he back up without drinking.

 

So the days passed with the same result. Finally, in one of those day, he realized that it would be that last if he don't face his rival. He took the final decision to drink water from the lake no matter what happens. He put his head to drink and his rival, the dreaded lion, disappeared!

 

Many of our fears are imaginary. Only when you face them will disappear. Never leave your uncontrolled imagination usurps the place of the reality. Do not get lost in the creations and reflections of your own mind.  Your dreams and desires are behind your fears. What will you do to face your fears?