Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
Remember when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your TRUST in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
NEVER QUIT
QUITTING IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM
Luck happens when Oppurtunity meets Preparation
During the shooting of a movie, a scene came up where the hero had to jump from the top of a building into a pool of water and beat a gang of villains. As the scene was being shot, the hero ran up to the edge of the building and suddenly stopped. Perplexed, the director paused filming and asked the hero why he stopped. The hero replied that it was nothing and asked to redo the shot.
The sequence repeated 4 more times. By now, the director understood that the hero was never gonna make the jump which was utterly crucial to the movie. He then inquired if anyone was prepared to do the jump. A lean guy from the gang of people supposed to be beaten up by the hero volunteered. He successfully made the jump and the movie was shot without any further hiccups.
The movie was a Chinese movie. The hero who hesitated to jump was the original martial arts star Bruce Lee. The guy made the jump was Jackie Chan, currently Asia's highest paid star.
The sequence repeated 4 more times. By now, the director understood that the hero was never gonna make the jump which was utterly crucial to the movie. He then inquired if anyone was prepared to do the jump. A lean guy from the gang of people supposed to be beaten up by the hero volunteered. He successfully made the jump and the movie was shot without any further hiccups.
The movie was a Chinese movie. The hero who hesitated to jump was the original martial arts star Bruce Lee. The guy made the jump was Jackie Chan, currently Asia's highest paid star.
Helping others is helping yourself
One night at 11:30, an older African-American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her—generally unheard of in the deep South during those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry! She wrote down his address, thanked him and rode away.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant combination console color TV and stereo record player were delivered to his home. A special note was attached. The note read:
Dear Mr. James:
Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant combination console color TV and stereo record player were delivered to his home. A special note was attached. The note read:
Dear Mr. James:
Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
It is more blessed to give....
Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a boy was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. "Is this your car, Mister?" he asked.
Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish ..." He hesitated.
Of course Paul knew that the boy was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels. "I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."
Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?" The boy said, "Oh yes, I'd love that."
After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?"
Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked.
He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.
"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it ... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.
That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when he said: "It is more blessed to give..."
Paul nodded. "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." The boy was astounded. "You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you nothing? Boy, I wish ..." He hesitated.
Of course Paul knew that the boy was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels. "I wish," the boy went on, "that I could be a brother like that."
Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, "Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?" The boy said, "Oh yes, I'd love that."
After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, "Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?"
Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. "Will you stop where those two steps are?" the boy asked.
He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car.
"There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm gonna give you one just like it ... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about."
Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.
That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when he said: "It is more blessed to give..."
What goes around, comes around!
Many years ago two boys were working their way through Stanford University. Their funds got desperately low, and the idea came to them to engage Ignacy Paderewski for a piano recital. They would use the funds to help pay their board and tuition. The great pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000.
The guarantee was a lot of money in those days, but the boys agreed and proceeded to promote the concert. They worked hard, only to find that they had grossed only $1,600. After the concert the two boys told the great artist the bad news. They gave him the entire $1,600, along with a promissory note for $400, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him. It looked like the end of their college careers.
"No, boys," replied Paderewski, "that won't do." Then, tearing the note in two, he returned the money to them as well. "Now," he told them, "take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest."
The years rolled by. World War I came and went. Paderewski, now premier of Poland, was striving to feed thousands of starving people in his native land. The only person in the world who could help him was Herbert Hoover, who was in charge of the US Food and Relief Bureau. Hoover responded and soon thousands of tons of food were sent to Poland.
After the starving people were fed, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Hoover for the relief sent him. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski ," was Hoover's reply. "Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college, and I was in trouble."
No wonder Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”
The guarantee was a lot of money in those days, but the boys agreed and proceeded to promote the concert. They worked hard, only to find that they had grossed only $1,600. After the concert the two boys told the great artist the bad news. They gave him the entire $1,600, along with a promissory note for $400, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him. It looked like the end of their college careers.
"No, boys," replied Paderewski, "that won't do." Then, tearing the note in two, he returned the money to them as well. "Now," he told them, "take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest."
The years rolled by. World War I came and went. Paderewski, now premier of Poland, was striving to feed thousands of starving people in his native land. The only person in the world who could help him was Herbert Hoover, who was in charge of the US Food and Relief Bureau. Hoover responded and soon thousands of tons of food were sent to Poland.
After the starving people were fed, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Hoover for the relief sent him. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski ," was Hoover's reply. "Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college, and I was in trouble."
No wonder Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”
What makes a kite fly?
A boy was flying a kite with his father and asked him what kept the kite up. Dad replied, "The string." The boy said, "Dad, it is the string that is holding the kite down." The father asked his son to watch as he broke the string. It came down.
Its same in our lives as well. Sometimes the very things that we think are holding us down are the things that are helping us fly. That is what discipline is all about.
Its same in our lives as well. Sometimes the very things that we think are holding us down are the things that are helping us fly. That is what discipline is all about.
WIN or PERISH
A general was about to lead his troops against an enemy that outnumbered his army 50-to-1. He and his soldiers landed on the shores of the enemy's country, unloded their equipment and ordered that the ships be burnt.
Once the ships were burnt, he said, "You see the boats going up in smoke? That means we cannot leave the shores unless we win. Our choices are WIN or PERISH." They won.
Are U willing to burn your ships and narrow your choices to WIN or PERISH in the pursuit of your DREAMS and GOALS????
Once the ships were burnt, he said, "You see the boats going up in smoke? That means we cannot leave the shores unless we win. Our choices are WIN or PERISH." They won.
Are U willing to burn your ships and narrow your choices to WIN or PERISH in the pursuit of your DREAMS and GOALS????
The real wonders of the world.....
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:
1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.
The girl's list read:
1. To See
2. To Hear
3. To Touch
4. To Taste
5. To Feel
6. To Laugh
7. And to Love
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!
Remember the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.
The girl's list read:
1. To See
2. To Hear
3. To Touch
4. To Taste
5. To Feel
6. To Laugh
7. And to Love
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!
Remember the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
My favourite HERO...
This girl was born into a poor home in Tennessee. At age four, she had double pneumonia with scarlet fever, a deadly combination which left her paralyzed with polio. She had to wear a brace and the doctor said she would never put her foot on the earth. But her mother encouraged her by telling that with God-given ability, persistence and faith she could do anything she wanted. The girl said, "I want to be the fastest woman on the track on this earth." At the age of nine, against the advice of the doctors, she removed the brace and took the first step the doctors had said she never would. At the age of 13, she entered her first race and came way, way last. And then she entered her second, and third and fourth and came way, way last until a day came when she came in first.
At the age of 15 she went to Tennessee State University where she told her coach, "I want to be the fastest woman on the track on this earth." He said, "With your spirit nobody can stop you and besides, I will help you."
The day came when she was at the Olympics and at the Olympics you are matched with the best of the best. She was matched against a woman named Jutta Heine who had never been beaten. The first event was the 100-meter race. She beat Jutta Heine and won her first gold medal. The second event was the 200-meter race and she beat Jutta a second time and won her second gold medal. The third event was the 400-meter relay and she was racing against Jutta one more time. In the relay, the fastest person always runs the last lap and they both anchored their teams. The first three people ran and changed the baton easily. When her turn came, she dropped the baton. But she saw Jutta shoot up at the other end; she picked the baton, ran like a machine, beat Jutta a third time and won her third gold medal.
Thus, Wilma Rudolph created history: That a paralytic woman became the fastest woman on this earth at the 1960 Olympics.
At the age of 15 she went to Tennessee State University where she told her coach, "I want to be the fastest woman on the track on this earth." He said, "With your spirit nobody can stop you and besides, I will help you."
The day came when she was at the Olympics and at the Olympics you are matched with the best of the best. She was matched against a woman named Jutta Heine who had never been beaten. The first event was the 100-meter race. She beat Jutta Heine and won her first gold medal. The second event was the 200-meter race and she beat Jutta a second time and won her second gold medal. The third event was the 400-meter relay and she was racing against Jutta one more time. In the relay, the fastest person always runs the last lap and they both anchored their teams. The first three people ran and changed the baton easily. When her turn came, she dropped the baton. But she saw Jutta shoot up at the other end; she picked the baton, ran like a machine, beat Jutta a third time and won her third gold medal.
Thus, Wilma Rudolph created history: That a paralytic woman became the fastest woman on this earth at the 1960 Olympics.
Who's the fastest?
Two crows were flying home after a long day when suddenly a rocket whizzed past them. One crow asked, "What kind of a bird was that? It is able to fly at such pace in spite of flying throughout out the day." The second crow replied, "I don't care what bird it is but I would fly at the same speed too if I had my tail on FIRE."
Similarly, many of us wonder how some people are able to succeed in spite of all their difficulties. Well! They have FIRE within them.
Similarly, many of us wonder how some people are able to succeed in spite of all their difficulties. Well! They have FIRE within them.
Best source of motivation!!!!
In 1957 a ten-year-old boy in California set a goal. At the time Jim Brown was the greatest running back ever to play pro football and this tall, skinny boy wanted his autograph. In order to accomplish his goal, the young boy had to overcome some obstacles.
He grew up in the ghetto, where he never got enough to eat. Malnutrition took its toll, and a disease called rickets forced him to wear steel splints to support his skinny, bowed-out legs. He had no money to buy a ticket to get into the game, so he waited patiently near the locker room until the game ended and Jim Brown left the field. He politely asked Brown for his autograph. As Brown signed, the boy explained, "Mr. Brown, I have your picture on my wall. I know you hold all the records. You're my idol."
Brown smiled and began to leave, but the young boy wasn't finished. He proclaimed, "Mr. Brown, one day I'm going to break every record you hold!" Brown was impressed and asked, "What is your name, son?"
The boy replied, "Orenthal James. My friends call me O. J."
O. J. Simpson went on to break all but three of the rushing records held by Jim Brown before injuries shortened his football career.
Goal setting is the strongest force for human motivation. Everything begins with setting a GOAL and then achieveing it at all costs.
He grew up in the ghetto, where he never got enough to eat. Malnutrition took its toll, and a disease called rickets forced him to wear steel splints to support his skinny, bowed-out legs. He had no money to buy a ticket to get into the game, so he waited patiently near the locker room until the game ended and Jim Brown left the field. He politely asked Brown for his autograph. As Brown signed, the boy explained, "Mr. Brown, I have your picture on my wall. I know you hold all the records. You're my idol."
Brown smiled and began to leave, but the young boy wasn't finished. He proclaimed, "Mr. Brown, one day I'm going to break every record you hold!" Brown was impressed and asked, "What is your name, son?"
The boy replied, "Orenthal James. My friends call me O. J."
O. J. Simpson went on to break all but three of the rushing records held by Jim Brown before injuries shortened his football career.
Goal setting is the strongest force for human motivation. Everything begins with setting a GOAL and then achieveing it at all costs.
How to AIM????
In ancient India, a group of young princes were sent to their family gurukul (school) for their studies. Their first class was that of weapons i.e., which weapon was the best suited for each prince. The teacher asked each student to pick up a bow and arrow and asked them to aim for the eye of bird situated on the top most branch of a nearby tree.
He then asked each student to describe what they saw. First student replied, “I see the bird and the tree.” The teacher then turned to the second student who replied, “I see the bird, the tree and the sky.” The teacher then enquired the student who replied, “I see the bird’s eye.” The teacher then questioned him, “Don’t you see the tree?” to which the student replied, “No sir.” The teacher asked him further, “Don’t you see the sky or your brothers or me?” The boy replied, “No.”
The teacher then asked the boy to release the arrow which the boy did and guess what, he hit the bird’s eye. The boy was none other than the legendary Indian marksman Arjun from Mahabharata.
To hit our targets, we need to aim for nothing but the target. For he who sees only the target will find/hit it unlike others whose vision is blurred by other things thereby making the target smaller.
Similarly, to reach our goals, our eyes should only be on the goal and not on other things.
He then asked each student to describe what they saw. First student replied, “I see the bird and the tree.” The teacher then turned to the second student who replied, “I see the bird, the tree and the sky.” The teacher then enquired the student who replied, “I see the bird’s eye.” The teacher then questioned him, “Don’t you see the tree?” to which the student replied, “No sir.” The teacher asked him further, “Don’t you see the sky or your brothers or me?” The boy replied, “No.”
The teacher then asked the boy to release the arrow which the boy did and guess what, he hit the bird’s eye. The boy was none other than the legendary Indian marksman Arjun from Mahabharata.
To hit our targets, we need to aim for nothing but the target. For he who sees only the target will find/hit it unlike others whose vision is blurred by other things thereby making the target smaller.
Similarly, to reach our goals, our eyes should only be on the goal and not on other things.
Is it really wings that make a bird fly????
An eagle's egg fell from its nest into the nest of a prairie chicken. The egg hatched and the little eagle grew up thinking it was a prairie chicken. The eagle did what the prairie chickens did. It scratched in the dirt for seeds. It clucked and cackled. It never flew more than a few feet because that is what the prairie chickens did.
One day he saw an eagle flying gracefully and majestically in the open sky. He asked the prairie chickens: "What is that beautiful bird?" The chickens replied, "That is an eagle. He is an outstanding bird, but you cannot fly like him because you are just a prairie chicken." So the eagle never gave it a second thought, believing that to be the truth. He lived the life of and died a prairie chicken, not because he could not fly but because he believed that he could not fly.
IT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE BORN WITH THAT MAKES YOU ATTAIN GREAT HEIGHTS, BUT WHAT YOU DO WITH YOURSELF THAT MAKES YOU ATTAIN GREAT HEIGHTS.
One day he saw an eagle flying gracefully and majestically in the open sky. He asked the prairie chickens: "What is that beautiful bird?" The chickens replied, "That is an eagle. He is an outstanding bird, but you cannot fly like him because you are just a prairie chicken." So the eagle never gave it a second thought, believing that to be the truth. He lived the life of and died a prairie chicken, not because he could not fly but because he believed that he could not fly.
IT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE BORN WITH THAT MAKES YOU ATTAIN GREAT HEIGHTS, BUT WHAT YOU DO WITH YOURSELF THAT MAKES YOU ATTAIN GREAT HEIGHTS.
FAILURE & OBSTACLES are the raw materials for SUCESS
Failure is the highway to success. "If you want to succeed, double your failure rate."
Obstacles are the challenges that should be overcome to succeed. "The greater the obstacle, the bigger the success."
A man had failed in business at the age of 21 ; was defeated in a legislative race at age 22; failed again in business at age 24; overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26; had a nervous breakdown at age 27; lost a congressional race at age 34; lost a senatorial race at age 45; failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47; lost a senatorial race at age 49; This was Abraham Lincoln who was elected president of the United States at age 52.
A 65-year old man, with a beat-up car and a $100 check from Social Security, realized he had to do something. He remembered his mother's recipe and went out selling. He had to knock on more than a thousand doors before he got his first order. He was Colonel Sanders of KFC.
A young cartoonist faced many rejections from newspaper editors, who said he had no talent. One day a minister at a church hired him to draw some cartoons. The boy was working out of a small mouse infested shed near the church. After seeing a small mouse, he was inspired. The boy was Walt Disney and that was the start of Mickey Mouse.
One day a partially deaf four year old kid came home with a note in his pocket from his teacher, "Your Tommy is too stupid to learn, get him out of the school." His mother read the note and answered, "My Tommy is not stupid to learn, I will teach him myself." And that Tommy grew up to be the great Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison had only three months of formal schooling and he was partially deaf.
Obstacles are the challenges that should be overcome to succeed. "The greater the obstacle, the bigger the success."
A man had failed in business at the age of 21 ; was defeated in a legislative race at age 22; failed again in business at age 24; overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26; had a nervous breakdown at age 27; lost a congressional race at age 34; lost a senatorial race at age 45; failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47; lost a senatorial race at age 49; This was Abraham Lincoln who was elected president of the United States at age 52.
A 65-year old man, with a beat-up car and a $100 check from Social Security, realized he had to do something. He remembered his mother's recipe and went out selling. He had to knock on more than a thousand doors before he got his first order. He was Colonel Sanders of KFC.
A young cartoonist faced many rejections from newspaper editors, who said he had no talent. One day a minister at a church hired him to draw some cartoons. The boy was working out of a small mouse infested shed near the church. After seeing a small mouse, he was inspired. The boy was Walt Disney and that was the start of Mickey Mouse.
One day a partially deaf four year old kid came home with a note in his pocket from his teacher, "Your Tommy is too stupid to learn, get him out of the school." His mother read the note and answered, "My Tommy is not stupid to learn, I will teach him myself." And that Tommy grew up to be the great Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison had only three months of formal schooling and he was partially deaf.
The GREATEST source of Energy......
There was a young boy who used to come for regular practice but always played in the reserves and never made it to the soccer eleven. While he was practicing, his father used to sit at the far end, waiting for him.
The matches had started and for four days, he didn't show up for practice or the quarter or semifinals. All of a sudden he showed up for the finals, went to the coach and said, "Coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the finals. But today, please let me play." The coach said, "Son, I'm sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals, the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance." The boy pleaded, "Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play." The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "OK, son, go, play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don't let me down."
The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the best player and the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.
When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "Son, how could I have been so wrong in my life. I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?" The boy replied, "Coach, my father is watching me today." The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. There was no one there. He said, "Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today." The boy replied, "Coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above."
SELF-MOTIVATION is the greatest source of energy in the human universe.
The matches had started and for four days, he didn't show up for practice or the quarter or semifinals. All of a sudden he showed up for the finals, went to the coach and said, "Coach, you have always kept me in the reserves and never let me play in the finals. But today, please let me play." The coach said, "Son, I'm sorry, I can't let you. There are better players than you and besides, it is the finals, the reputation of the school is at stake and I cannot take a chance." The boy pleaded, "Coach, I promise I will not let you down. I beg of you, please let me play." The coach had never seen the boy plead like this before. He said, "OK, son, go, play. But remember, I am going against my better judgment and the reputation of the school is at stake. Don't let me down."
The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the best player and the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.
When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said, "Son, how could I have been so wrong in my life. I have never seen you play like this before. What happened? How did you play so well?" The boy replied, "Coach, my father is watching me today." The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy's father used to sit. There was no one there. He said, "Son, your father used to sit there when you came for practice, but I don't see anyone there today." The boy replied, "Coach, there is something I never told you. My father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day he is watching me from above."
SELF-MOTIVATION is the greatest source of energy in the human universe.
The Power Of Determination
The little country schoolhouse was heated by an old-fashioned, potbellied coal stove. A little boy had the job of coming to school early each day to start the fire and warm the room before his teacher and his classmates arrived.
One morning they arrived to find the schoolhouse engulfed in flames. They dragged the unconscious little boy out of the flaming building more dead than alive. He had major burns over the lower half of his body and was taken to the nearby county hospital.
From his bed the dreadfully burned, semi-conscious little boy faintly heard the doctor talking to his mother. The doctor told his mother that her son would surely die—which was for the best, really—for the terrible fire had devastated the lower half of his body.
But the brave boy didn't want to die. He made up his mind that he would survive. Somehow, to the amazement of the physician, he did survive. When the mortal danger was past, he again heard the doctor and his mother speaking quietly. The mother was told that since the fire had destroyed so much flesh in the lower part of his body, it would almost be better if he had died, since he was doomed to be a lifetime cripple with no use at all of his lower limbs.
Once more the brave boy made up his mind. He would not be a cripple. He would walk. But unfortunately from the waist down, he had no motor ability. His thin legs just dangled there, all but lifeless. Ultimately he was released from the hospital. Every day his mother would massage his little legs, but there was no feeling, no control, nothing. Yet his determination that he would walk was as strong as ever. When he wasn't in bed, he was confined to a wheelchair.
One sunny day his mother wheeled him out into the yard to get some fresh air. This day, instead of sitting there, he threw himself from the chair. He pulled himself across the grass, dragging his legs behind him.
He worked his way to the white picket fence bordering their lot. With great effort, he raised himself up on the fence. Then, stake by stake, he began dragging himself along the fence, resolved that he would walk. He started to do this every day until he wore a smooth path all around the yard beside the fence. There was nothing he wanted more than to develop life in those legs.
Ultimately through his daily massages, his iron persistence and his resolute determination, he did develop the ability to stand up, then to walk haltingly, then to walk by himself—and then—to run. He began to walk to school, then to run to school, to run for the sheer joy of running. Later in college he made the track team.
Still later in Madison Square Garden this young man who was not expected to survive, who would surely never walk, who could never hope to run—this determined young man, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the world's fastest mile!
One morning they arrived to find the schoolhouse engulfed in flames. They dragged the unconscious little boy out of the flaming building more dead than alive. He had major burns over the lower half of his body and was taken to the nearby county hospital.
From his bed the dreadfully burned, semi-conscious little boy faintly heard the doctor talking to his mother. The doctor told his mother that her son would surely die—which was for the best, really—for the terrible fire had devastated the lower half of his body.
But the brave boy didn't want to die. He made up his mind that he would survive. Somehow, to the amazement of the physician, he did survive. When the mortal danger was past, he again heard the doctor and his mother speaking quietly. The mother was told that since the fire had destroyed so much flesh in the lower part of his body, it would almost be better if he had died, since he was doomed to be a lifetime cripple with no use at all of his lower limbs.
Once more the brave boy made up his mind. He would not be a cripple. He would walk. But unfortunately from the waist down, he had no motor ability. His thin legs just dangled there, all but lifeless. Ultimately he was released from the hospital. Every day his mother would massage his little legs, but there was no feeling, no control, nothing. Yet his determination that he would walk was as strong as ever. When he wasn't in bed, he was confined to a wheelchair.
One sunny day his mother wheeled him out into the yard to get some fresh air. This day, instead of sitting there, he threw himself from the chair. He pulled himself across the grass, dragging his legs behind him.
He worked his way to the white picket fence bordering their lot. With great effort, he raised himself up on the fence. Then, stake by stake, he began dragging himself along the fence, resolved that he would walk. He started to do this every day until he wore a smooth path all around the yard beside the fence. There was nothing he wanted more than to develop life in those legs.
Ultimately through his daily massages, his iron persistence and his resolute determination, he did develop the ability to stand up, then to walk haltingly, then to walk by himself—and then—to run. He began to walk to school, then to run to school, to run for the sheer joy of running. Later in college he made the track team.
Still later in Madison Square Garden this young man who was not expected to survive, who would surely never walk, who could never hope to run—this determined young man, Dr. Glenn Cunningham, ran the world's fastest mile!
The advantages of moving earth!!!!
An eleven-year-old girl was stricken with a debilitating disease involving her nervous system. She was unable to walk and her movement was restricted in other ways as well. According to the doctors, she'd spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. They said that her chances of being able to walk again were very very limited. The little girl though was undaunted. There, lying in her hospital bed, she would vow to anyone who'd listen that she was definitely going to be walking again someday.
She was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation hospital in the San Francisco Bay area. Dctors used whatever therapies they could. They were, however, charmed by her indomitable spirit. They taught her about imaging—about seeing herself walking – so that it would at least give her hope and something positive to do in the long waking hours in her bed. The girl would work as hard as possible in physical therapy, in whirlpools and in exercise sessions. But she worked just as hard lying there faithfully doing her imaging, visualizing herself moving, moving, moving!
One day, as she was straining with all her might to imagine her legs moving again, it seemed as though a miracle happened: The bed moved! It began to move around the room! She screamed out, "Look what I'm doing! Look! Look! I can do it! I moved, I moved!"
Coincidentally, at that very moment everyone else in the hospital was screaming, too, and running for cover. People were screaming, equipment was falling and glass was breaking. The movement caused due to the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. However, no one mentioned this to the little girl, who was convinced that she did it. And in a few years time, the girl started going to school, well actually she started walking to her school without crutches or any support. What else would you expect from a girl who managed to move the earth?
She was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation hospital in the San Francisco Bay area. Dctors used whatever therapies they could. They were, however, charmed by her indomitable spirit. They taught her about imaging—about seeing herself walking – so that it would at least give her hope and something positive to do in the long waking hours in her bed. The girl would work as hard as possible in physical therapy, in whirlpools and in exercise sessions. But she worked just as hard lying there faithfully doing her imaging, visualizing herself moving, moving, moving!
One day, as she was straining with all her might to imagine her legs moving again, it seemed as though a miracle happened: The bed moved! It began to move around the room! She screamed out, "Look what I'm doing! Look! Look! I can do it! I moved, I moved!"
Coincidentally, at that very moment everyone else in the hospital was screaming, too, and running for cover. People were screaming, equipment was falling and glass was breaking. The movement caused due to the 1989 San Francisco earthquake. However, no one mentioned this to the little girl, who was convinced that she did it. And in a few years time, the girl started going to school, well actually she started walking to her school without crutches or any support. What else would you expect from a girl who managed to move the earth?
There MUST be something....
Vijay arrived at Mumbai railway station to board his train to New Delhi. However, having arrived early, he found that there were still 15 mins left for the departure of the train. So he decided to check his weigh & fortune from the nearest weight machine.
He stepped on the machine and inserted a coin. The weight machine produced a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train leaves in 15 mins."
Seeing this, Vijay is stunned as to how come this machine knows so much about him. He thinks THERE MUST BE SOMETHING about this and checks around the machine and looks around to see if there are any extraordinary inputs. But he finds none and decides to try once again.
Again he gets a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train leaves in 10 mins."
Now Vijay is badly disturbed and thinks "THERE MUST REALLY BE SOMETHING". He takes to enquiring the people around the machine, porters and even goes and asks the station master about the extraordinary weigh machine. Nobody gives him any answer as they are busy with their own affairs.
He finally decides to give another try. Again, the machine produces a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train left 5 mins ago."
He stepped on the machine and inserted a coin. The weight machine produced a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train leaves in 15 mins."
Seeing this, Vijay is stunned as to how come this machine knows so much about him. He thinks THERE MUST BE SOMETHING about this and checks around the machine and looks around to see if there are any extraordinary inputs. But he finds none and decides to try once again.
Again he gets a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train leaves in 10 mins."
Now Vijay is badly disturbed and thinks "THERE MUST REALLY BE SOMETHING". He takes to enquiring the people around the machine, porters and even goes and asks the station master about the extraordinary weigh machine. Nobody gives him any answer as they are busy with their own affairs.
He finally decides to give another try. Again, the machine produces a slip of paper which reads:
"Your name is Vijay.
You weigh 68 Kgs.
You are traveling from Mumbai to New Delhi by train.
Your train left 5 mins ago."
Types of FAITH
1. A man was climbing a mountain. When he was about to reach the top, he slipped and fell. Fortunately, he managed to grab a branch of a tree and hung on to it for dear life. While hanging, he uttered prayer after prayer to God for help. Finally, he heard a voice from above which said, “Son, I heard your prayers and am here to help you. But you will have to do whatever I say.” The man was ecstatic and shouted back, “God! I am willing to do anything you say. Please save me.” To this, the voice replied, “In that case, let go of the branch.”
The man looked below and shouted back, “Is there anyone else up there that can help me?”
Many people have this type of faith. When asked to do something tough they give up and look for alternatives. These people don't know that there is only one way to suceed - faith with hard work and perseverance - no other alternative.
2. A flood was threatening a small town and everyone was leaving for safety except one man who said, "God will save me. I have faith." As the water level rose a jeep came to rescue him, the man refused, saying "God will save me. I have faith." As the water level rose further, he went up to the second storey, and a boat came to help him. Again he refused to go, saying, "God will save me. I have faith." The water kept rising and the man climbed on to the roof. A helicopter came to rescue him, again he refused replying, "God will save me. I have faith." Finally he drowned.
When he reached his Maker he angrily questioned, "I had complete faith in you. Why did you ignore my prayers and let me drown?" The Lord replied, "Who do you think sent you the jeep, the boat, and the helicopter?"
Some people have this mentality where they expect supernatural things to take place and in the process waste opportunities.
3 & 4. A Japanese village was facing severe draught due to lack of rain for 4 years. Fortunately for them, a famous Zen monk arrived who had the reputation of making things happen by just saying a few words. That evening the village held a congregation honouring the monk. As the procession came to an end, the monk got up and uttered some words under his breath. Then he said, “Tomorrow at this same place, at this same time there will be rain.”
Next day everybody got ready for the congregation in the evening. As the evening arrived, everybody rushed to the place of meeting to take their seats. The seating arrangements were made in a particular order with the children and elderly sitting in the front. Among all the people, a little girl who was sitting in the first row alone brought an umbrella.
Most people belong to the third category where they believe (or whatever) but do not bring their umbrellas.
However, the last category is the one consisting of successful people who bring their umbrellas with them because they have 100% faith that they will SUCCEED come what may.
The man looked below and shouted back, “Is there anyone else up there that can help me?”
Many people have this type of faith. When asked to do something tough they give up and look for alternatives. These people don't know that there is only one way to suceed - faith with hard work and perseverance - no other alternative.
2. A flood was threatening a small town and everyone was leaving for safety except one man who said, "God will save me. I have faith." As the water level rose a jeep came to rescue him, the man refused, saying "God will save me. I have faith." As the water level rose further, he went up to the second storey, and a boat came to help him. Again he refused to go, saying, "God will save me. I have faith." The water kept rising and the man climbed on to the roof. A helicopter came to rescue him, again he refused replying, "God will save me. I have faith." Finally he drowned.
When he reached his Maker he angrily questioned, "I had complete faith in you. Why did you ignore my prayers and let me drown?" The Lord replied, "Who do you think sent you the jeep, the boat, and the helicopter?"
Some people have this mentality where they expect supernatural things to take place and in the process waste opportunities.
3 & 4. A Japanese village was facing severe draught due to lack of rain for 4 years. Fortunately for them, a famous Zen monk arrived who had the reputation of making things happen by just saying a few words. That evening the village held a congregation honouring the monk. As the procession came to an end, the monk got up and uttered some words under his breath. Then he said, “Tomorrow at this same place, at this same time there will be rain.”
Next day everybody got ready for the congregation in the evening. As the evening arrived, everybody rushed to the place of meeting to take their seats. The seating arrangements were made in a particular order with the children and elderly sitting in the front. Among all the people, a little girl who was sitting in the first row alone brought an umbrella.
Most people belong to the third category where they believe (or whatever) but do not bring their umbrellas.
However, the last category is the one consisting of successful people who bring their umbrellas with them because they have 100% faith that they will SUCCEED come what may.
Rain Dance
In a certain part of ancient India, there was a priest who was the most sought after person in his region. It was because it rained whenever he used to dance. One day he was invited to a distant village where there was no rain for a prolonged period of time. He came and started dancing. After the first day of dancing, there was no rain. The second day the priest danced harder and still there was no rain. There was no rain in the village even though the priest danced harder with every passing day. Finally on the 15th day, it started to rain.
As the priest prepared to leave, a young man approached him and asked, “What is the secret in your dancing that causes rain?” The priest replied, “It doesn’t rain because of my dancing, but I dance until it rains.”
As the priest prepared to leave, a young man approached him and asked, “What is the secret in your dancing that causes rain?” The priest replied, “It doesn’t rain because of my dancing, but I dance until it rains.”
Never try!! JUST DO.......
After attending a training program for two weeks, one of the many inmates in a prison stopped the trainer and said, "Sir, l want to talk to you. I'm going to be released from prison in a couple of weeks." The trainer asked him what he learned through the attitude development program. He thought for a while and then said that he felt good about himself. The trainer said, "Good doesn't tell me anything. Tell me specifically what behavior has changed?" He told the trainer that he read his Bible every day since the program started.
The trainer then asked him what reading the Bible did to him. He replied that he felt comfortable with himself and others which he hadn't felt before. The trainer said, "That is nice, but the bottom line is, what are you going to do when you leave jail?" He told that he was going to try to be a contributing member of society. Then the trainer asked him the same question again and he gave the same answer. For the third time the trainer asked him the same question WHAT are you going to do when you leave jail?" Obviously, the trainer was looking for a different answer. At this point, in an angry tone, he said, l am going to be a contributing member of society."
Did you notice any difference in the last answer???? The word 'try' was missing.....
Trying is doing without confidence.
Don’t try, just do.
The trainer then asked him what reading the Bible did to him. He replied that he felt comfortable with himself and others which he hadn't felt before. The trainer said, "That is nice, but the bottom line is, what are you going to do when you leave jail?" He told that he was going to try to be a contributing member of society. Then the trainer asked him the same question again and he gave the same answer. For the third time the trainer asked him the same question WHAT are you going to do when you leave jail?" Obviously, the trainer was looking for a different answer. At this point, in an angry tone, he said, l am going to be a contributing member of society."
Did you notice any difference in the last answer???? The word 'try' was missing.....
Trying is doing without confidence.
Don’t try, just do.
THE ADVANTAGES OF PLAYING SAFE
Once someone asked a farmer if he had planted wheat for the season. The farmer replied, "No. I was afraid it wouldn't rain." Then the man asked, "Did you plant corn?" The farmer said, "No. I was afraid of insects eating one corn. Then the man asked , " What did you plant ?” The farmer said, "Nothing. I played it safe."
Price of GREATNESS
After a great violinist finished a concert, someone came up to the stage and said, "I'd give my life to play the way YOU do." The violinist replied, "I DID!"
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
A young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air. Socrates asked, 'What did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air." Socrates said, "That is the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it." There is no other secret.
ARE YOU REALLY PROUD OF BEING A HUMAN???
Man, of all creatures, is physically the most ill equipped in this world. He cannot fly like a bird, can be killed by a tiny insect, cannot outrun a leopard, cannot swim like an alligator, cannot climb the tree like a monkey, doesn't have the eye of an eagle, nor does he have the claws and teeth of a wild cat. Physically, man is helpless and defenceless.
Nature's greatest gift to man is the ability to think. He CAN CREATE HIS OWN environment, whereas others adapt to their environment.
Please use the nature’s greatest gift to create something wonderful for yourself and not to adapt yourselves to something that is already there.
Nature's greatest gift to man is the ability to think. He CAN CREATE HIS OWN environment, whereas others adapt to their environment.
Please use the nature’s greatest gift to create something wonderful for yourself and not to adapt yourselves to something that is already there.