Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy. ‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present. When we give, we do not merely give of ourselves and that which we give becomes part of another and touches the heart of the receiver.

As Bob Marley said, “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

Below was the story I read this morning:

We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we’re approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter:

‘Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended’ They pay for their order, take the two and leave.

I ask my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?”

My friend: “Wait for it and you will see.”

Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers – three for them and four ‘suspended’. While I still wonder what’s the deal with those ‘suspended’ coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks

‘Do you have a suspended coffee ?’

It’s simple – people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who cannot afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.

The New Year’s Eve was also subtly reflective as I observed the people around me and spending time with three little angels. 2012 has indeed been a year of excitements, love, broken hearts, and challenges! However, I believe that everything happened for a reason.

When I was penning a New Year greetings to send to my friends and associates in my Whatsapp’s contact list, a perfect message appeared in my mind – a speech by Claire Morgan, a character played by Hilary Swank in the movie New Year’s Eve, came to my mind; she has so perfectly and eloquently spoken my thoughts.

I wouldn’t start the new year without sharing this inspirational speech of Claire Morgan with you:

” … and as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. it’s suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop, and reflect on the year that has gone by, to remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken, the times we opened ourselves up to great adventures … or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt, because that’s what new year’s all about, getting another chance, a chance to forgive. to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if… and start embracing what will be. so when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long.“

Indeed, new year is a great time to reflect on the year that has gone by! Yet is it also a long wait to reflect on the year. In fact, we should break down the yearly reflection to monthly, or even weekly, or even (ideally) daily reflection; just as it was mentioned that we be nice to each other, kind to each other not just for new year day but all year long. In 2013, I want to go back to the basic of giving more, loving more, dreaming more, starting to embrace what I am, and counting my daily blessings. Most importantly – to live a Happy Life!

We were all born to live a life of greatness and there shouldn’t be any other way to live our lives except to unleash our full potential to become what we were created for. And a remind that time is all we have. As what Randy Pausch said, “Time is all you have and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” This is so very true isn’t it?

Indeed, as we come to the end of the day when we send the little ones to their beds, have we remember to also give them a goodnight kiss?

“Don’t worry, there is always tomorrow night to give them a goodnight kiss.“, said the devil.

The angel said, “Just do it now! We’re not always guaranteed of tomorrow.”

My thought was moved again to the recent incidence in the US and I asked myself, “Did the families have the chance to kiss their little ones the night before when they go to bed?” With deepest condolences, I wish to send love and blessings to all the children, families and all who were affected. My heart is with you.