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Appreciation, Attitude, Children, Giving, Gratitude, Kids, Lesson in Life, Life, Love Stories, Reflection, Relationship, Sacrifice, Shel Silverstein, Touching Story, Unconditional Love

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

December 2, 2006

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein A perfect illustration of our parents’ unconditional love and giving to us. And yet we take their love and giving for granted often time. As parents, they simply wants us to be happy in our lives.
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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Once there was a tree …. and she loved a little boy. And everyday the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. And they would play hide-and-go-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree …. very much. And the tree was happy.

But time went by. And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said, “Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.”

“I am too big to climb and play” said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money?”

“I’m sorry,” said the tree, “but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time …. and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, “Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy.”

“I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy.

“I want a house to keep me warm,” he said.

“I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?”

” I have no house,” said the tree.

“The forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy.”

And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak.

“Come, Boy,” she whispered, “come and play.”

“I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?”

“Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away … and be happy.”

And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy … but not really.

And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you – My apples are gone.”

“My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy.

“My branches are gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on them.”

“I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.

“My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb.”

“I am too tired to climb” said the boy.

“I am sorry,” sighed the tree.

“I wish that I could give you something …. but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry ….”

“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.”

“Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.”

And the boy did. And the tree was happy.
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The Giving Tree is a children’s book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. First published in 1964 by Harper and Row, it has become one of Silverstein’s best known titles and has been translated into more than 30 languages.

Attitude, Happiness, Life

How to be Happy in your Daily Life

November 29, 2006

I received this in my email a few days back, which I think it is pretty interesting. Happiness to a large extent depends on ourselves; how we handle situation or things that are happening everyday. I remember something which goes, ” … it is not what happened but how we handle what happened that make the difference.” Wishing you happiness always and remember that happiness is a choice.

Daily life can be made happier. It is a matter of choice. It is our attitude that makes us feel happy or unhappy. It is true, we meet all kinds of situations during the day, and some of them may not be conductive to happiness. We can choose to keep thinking about the unhappy events, and we can choose to refuse to think about them, and instead, relish the happy moments.

All of us constantly go through various situations and circumstances, but we do not have to let them influence our reactions and feelings. If we let outer events influence our moods, we become their slaves. We lose our freedom. We let our happiness be determined by outer forces. On the other hand, we can free ourselves from outer influences. We can choose to be happy, and we can do a lot to add happiness to our lives.

What is happiness? It is a feeling of inner peace and satisfaction. It is usually experienced when there are no worries, fears or obsessing thoughts, and this usually happens, when we do something we love to do or when we get, win, gain or achieve something that we value. It seems to be the outcome of positive events, but it actually comes from the inside, triggered by outer events.

For most people happiness seems fleeting, because they let changing outer circumstances affect it. One of the best ways to keep it, is by gaining inner peace through daily meditation. As the mind becomes more peaceful, it becomes easier to choose the happiness habit.

Here are a few tips for increasing happiness in daily life:

1. Endeavor to change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don’t let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.

2. Think of solutions, not problems.

3. Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.

4. Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.

5. Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.

6. Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.

7. Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven’t. Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven’t been able to do all of those things.

Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself.

8. Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching you favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.

9. Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy.

10. Always expect happiness.

11. Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.

12. Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Remember, happiness is contagious.

13. Do your best to stay detached, when things do not proceed as intended and desired. Detachment will help you stay calm and control your moods and reactions. Detachment is not indifference. It is the acceptance of the good and the bad and staying balanced. Detachment has much to do with inner peace, and inner peace is conductive to happiness.

14. Smile more often.

Christian Bautista, Love, Love Songs, Since I Found You

Since I Found You by Christian Bautista

November 27, 2006

Perform by Christian Bautista

I think of you in everything that i do
To be with you what ever it takes I’ll do
Cause you my love, you all my heart desires
You’ve lighten up my life forever I’m alive

Since I found you my world seems so brand new
You’ve show me the love I never knew
Your presence is what my whole life through
Since I found you my life begin so new
Now who needs a dream when there is you
For all of my dreams came true
Since I found you

Your love shines bright
Through all the corners of my heart
Maybe you are my dearest heart
I give you all I have my heart, my soul, my life
My destiny is you
Forever true I’m so in love with you

My heart forever true
In love with you

Attitude, Cause and Effect, Discovery of Penicillin, Inspiration, Karma, Life, Penicillin, Reflection, Sir Alexander Fleming, Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Alexander Fleming’s Penicillin Saved Sir Winston Churchill?

November 26, 2006

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

“I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.”

“No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked.

“Yes,” the farmer replied proudly.

“I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.” And that he did.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

This is a nice story but this story is false and Sir Alexander Fleming said it himself that he did not save Sir Winston Churchill during World War II also. It is interesting to think that someone would have made up a story like that. The first time I read it, I thought it is for real. Until I verified it in the internet.

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Affection, Attitude, Family Relationship, Gratitude, Life, Love, Reflection, Relationship, Unconditional Acceptance, Unconditional Love

What is this?

November 25, 2006

A tribute to parents. Beautiful story with a gentle reminder. Remember the time when we would ask our parents the same question again and again? Remember how our parents had given unconditionally and patiently to us.

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son.

Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The Father asked his Son, “What is this?”

The Son replied “It is a crow”.

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, “What is this?”

The Son said “Father, I have just told you “It’s a crow”.

After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, “What is this?”

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son’s tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. “It’s a crow, a crow”

A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, “What is this?”

This time the Son shouted at his Father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child”.

While the little child asked him 23 times “What is this”, the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.

Lesson to learn from This Story:

If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.

From today say this aloud,

“I want to see my parents Happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.

They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today”.

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Appreciation, Attitude, Communication Skill, Healthy Relationships, Love, Mutual Respect, Relationship, Romantic Tips

How to Have a Healthy Relationship

November 25, 2006

There are reliable tools that can be used to create a healthy relationship, many of which have not been taught in our culture. If you want to have a really healthy relationship, follow these simple guidelines.

Steps

Tell the unarguable truth. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone’s feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies create disconnection in a relationship, even if your partner never finds out about it. Withholding the truth also constitutes telling a lie. Here are some examples of telling the unarguable truth: “I felt scared when I saw you talking to her at the party,” “I feel angry,” “I felt sad when you walked out during our fight.”

Make and keep clear agreements. For example, if you say you’re going to meet your partner for lunch at noon, be on time, or call if you’re going to be late. If you agree to have a monogamous relationship, keep that agreement and/or tell the truth about any feelings you’re having about someone else BEFORE you act on them. Keeping agreements shows respect for yourself and your partner, as well as creating a sense of trust and safety.

Be responsible (Here’s a new definition: Responsible means that you have the ability to respond. It does not mean you are to blame.). There is tremendous power in claiming your creation. If you’ve been snippy to your partner, own up to it, and get curious about how you might do it differently next time. If you are unhappy in your relationship, get curious about how this situation is similar to others from your past, and how you might create a better relationship for yourself rather than try to change your partner.

Know that relationships are the playground of life. The most important learning takes place within relationships. Each one has important information for you to learn. For example, do you often feel ‘bossed’ around in your relationship, or do you feel powerless? When a relationship is not working, there is usually a familiar way that we feel while in it. We are attracted to the partner with whom we can learn the most, and sometimes the lesson is to let go of a relationship that no longer serves us. A truly healthy relationship will consist of both partners who are interested in learning and expanding a relationship so that it continues to improve.

Appreciate yourself and your partner. In the midst of an argument, it can be difficult to find something to appreciate. Start by generating appreciation in moments of non-stress, and that way when you need to be able to do it during a stressful conversation, it will be easier. One definition of appreciation is to be sensitively aware so you don’t have to be sugar-coating anything. Here are some examples of appreciation: “I can see that you feel really sad about this,” “I appreciate that you are willing to tell me how you feel,” “I’m appreciating myself for sticking with this issue until it’s resolved and we both feel good about the outcome.”

Make sure you don’t try to make your partner fufill every need in your life. One person cannot be everything to you. Everybody needs love, intimacy, affection, and affirmation, but your partner cannot alone give you all of that. You need to get some from your friends, from your family, etc. Don’t try to make your partner responsible for everything.

Don’t make the mistake of neglecting your friends to spend time with your partner. For one thing, you need your friends even during your relationship, and for another if/when the relationship ends, you don’t want to find that you’ve pushed all of your friends away when you need them the most.

Lastly, you can either choose to be right, or you can have a relationship. You can’t have both. Most people argue to be “Right” about something. They say “If you loved me, you would….” They argue to hear the other say “Okay, you’re right.” If you are generally more interested in being right, understand that you will not create a healthy relationship. Having a healthy relationship means that you have your experience, and your partner has his or her experience, and you learn to love and share and learn from those experiences.

Tips

Be willing to learn from every interaction, to have fun!

Portions of this article are based on the works of Drs. Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks.

All good relationships are based upon mutual respect. If you walk into any day with your partner and do not feel respect for that partner–and feel the same is true in kind of them towards you–then consider rebuilding the respect immediately.

Warnings

Keep your thoughts about the relationship realistic. Marriage should not be on your mind if you’ve been dating for a week, for example. Nor should you think that the relationship is going to solve all of your problems, or that you’ll never be lonely again, or anything like that. Relationships can be wonderful things, but be realistic about them

http://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Healthy-Relationship

Attitude, Gratitude, Happiness, Information, Life, Love, Reflection, Relationship, Unconditional Acceptance, Unconditional Love

Grateful, My Love

November 24, 2006

Something beautiful which I read the other day. Special thanks to Shonnie Lavender for giving me the permission to post this here.

I am grateful for your smile, my love. Whether you are delighted with something in me or simply joyful about life, your smile is sunshine that warms my heart and helps me feel at peace. Your smile rouses my smile and I feel the joy of that act changing my whole day.

I am grateful for your hands, my love. I feel comforted by your embrace and excited by your passionate touch. Your hands offer help, assurance, love – they are reminders that I have ample support in my life.

I am grateful for your voice, my love. You speak words of consolation when I ache, you tell truths when I forget who I am, you laugh and incite my laughter when I’m caught in the seriousness of life.

I am grateful for your eyes, my love. You see beauty, possibility and truth when I am blind to life’s light. You alert me to opportunities and obstacles so I can more easily navigate my way. You open a window to your soul where I can come look in.

I am grateful for your heart, my love. Beating with constancy and strength, the music of your love always accompanies me. You are tender and open, willingly receiving my love. You show me that vulnerability and power can peacefully reside in one place equally without loss.

I am grateful for your mind, my love. You share imagination, insights, and inquisitiveness, keeping us from stalling in complacency. Your ideas call mine to dance with you as we dream and envision, rejoice and remember, consecrate and connect.

I am grateful for you, my love. Grateful for all the ways you love me; grateful for how easily you allow me to love you; grateful for how you complement me and how you open yourself to the gifts that I offer; grateful for the exuberance, joy and pleasure you bring to the high times of our lives; grateful for your depth of feeling and your steadfast partnership when our lives travel the low paths; grateful for your precious presence, in memories past and this present moment. For you my love, I am much more than grateful. I am blessed by you. My love.

http://marriagevowworkbook.com/blog

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““Make love Happen““