My Students’ Essay…..

A teacher from Primary School asks her students to write a essay about what they would like God to do for them… At the end of the day, while marking the essays,she read one that made her very emotional.

Her husband, who had just walked in, saw her crying and asked her:- ‘What happened?’

She answered- ‘Read this. It is one of my students’ essay.’

‘Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special :
Make me into a television. I want to take its place and live like the TV in my house.
Have my own special place, And have my family around ME.
To be taken seriously when I talk….
I want to be the center of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions.
I want to receive the same special care that the TV receives even when it is not working.
Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired.
And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me…
And… I want my brothers to fight to be with me…
I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me.
And last but not least, ensure that I can make them all happy and entertain them…
Lord I don’t ask you for much… I just want to live like a TV.’

GOD MAKE ME A TV !

At that moment the husband said :- ‘My God, poor kid. What horrible parents!’

The wife looked up at him and said:- ‘That essay is our son’s !!!

Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher..

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,

bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honorable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!

Abraham Lincoln

Message for My friend...

I know there are times in life that you feel as though you can't do anything right. You never seem to be able to please anyone and everyone around you seems to always be going against you. You may feel stupid, unworthy, and even unloved.

These feelings may lead you to hate yourself or those around you. Hate leads to nothing but pain. Pain only causes more pain and nothing good comes of it. Remember you have a choice in life. You do not have to choose pain. There are better things in life to choose from.
First, let me thank you for being here. I appreciate everything you do even when it you
have made a mistake. I know your learning, and learning is always good.
You do not have to try and please me. I will always be there for you, in good times and in
bad. Remember, do not try to please everyone, this is a losing battle.

You have a big heart and this is why things bother you. Your heart is what makes you so
special; never lose your heart to another. Keep a bit of it for yourself.
Know that I will always love you even when you hate me. I know you are passionate, and
that is something I respect. Just don't hate me for too long.

You are not stupid. If you make a mistake it is ok. I know you will learn from it.
Stupidity only comes when you refuse to learn. I have faith in you. I know you will
learn.
You are worthy of everything life has to offer. Take advantage of this, because life is
there for the taking.
Most important of all, remember I love you. Because my dear you and I
are one, just look in the mirror...

Happiness is a journey, not a destination...

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.


The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting....

* until your car or home is paid off
* until you get a new car or home
* until your kids leave the house
* until you go back to school
* until you finish school
* until you lose 10 lbs.
* until you gain 10 lbs.
* until you get married
* until you have kids
* until you retire
* until summer
* until spring
* until winter
* until fall
* until you die

There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So...work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

Nothing happens by chance...

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there...to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be but then you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. and sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and to open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count.

Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create your own life and then go out and live it.

I prayed for you today

I asked God to bless you
as I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
as you go along your way...

His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
and when we give Him our cares
you know He will see us through.

So when the road you're traveling on
seems difficult at best,
just remember I'm here praying
and God will do the rest.

Thousand Miles begins with A Single Step....

Historically I had always been a man of no specifically set goals. I was never sure exactly why or how I developed & maintained this aversion to process oriented accomplishment. Whatever the problem was — whether I just couldn’t find the time, didn’t place enough value in achievement, or maybe just didn’t want to be bothered — I had the problem.

Setting goals was not something I regularly purposed to avoid, but rather I had always been a “fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” type of guy who just didn’t find it commonly necessary to assimilate goals into my life.

I may have grown tired of this character flaw at different times, but never had the proper set of circumstances materialize to spur me into actually implementing change. I suppose I always found goal setting to be overwhelming, rendering me frustrated and unable to formulate a personal achievement plan. Looking back now, I can see how the truth of that last statement may have embodied my goal paralysis.

What finally woke me up…

In January of 2009 the stars finally aligned so to speak when I found a desperately simple piece of advice that would finally remove the scales from my eyes allowing me to understand the incredible value process oriented achievement could bring, and just how I could implement a goal setting strategy that worked for me into my life. This lucid quote brought it all together for me:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao Tzu

Glancing over the quote after typing it I suppose the key could lie in the way the quote combines the wonder and excitement of travel & discovery with accomplishing established tasks in life. Whatever brought me clarity — whether it was the element of adventure, the lack of desired achievement, or the hope of future accomplishment – I have that clarity.

How setting goals has helped me achieve…

Since first reading that quote early this year, I have established life achievement goals and worked to break those down into smaller, more achievable and tangible short-term goals. I have also been able to successfully implement goals into every aspect of my life, including my personal finance. The understanding gained also goes beyond goal setting and helps me better work toward achieving anything I set my mind to because I am no longer overwhelmed with the entire process. I have been able to set up a working, living, family budget. I have been able to increase my ability to read and finish books. I have been able to lose nearly 40 pounds. I have been able to grow more and more self-reliant. I have been able to change my eating habits to include predominately healthy, local, organic foods. I am closer with my wife and I am closer with my God.

There are other examples of implementation but I think you understand the power this simple quote has allowed me to find within myself.

What about you?

Are you naturally a goal-oriented person or did you need a similar eye opening piece of information to help you finally adopt a goal centered, and purpose driven life?