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There is no limit to the good and valuable things you can accomplish to fulfill your own purpose and to lovingly serve the needs of others. Doing your authentic best, right now, in this moment, is more than enough to change the world for the better.
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The man of understanding knows what it is to agree, despite differences. Even when he does not agree, he respects the other person. He never indulges in backbiting. He does not compare himself or his partner with others. He forgets his ego. He practices what he preaches.
There is a touching incident in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. One day, a mother came to him, saying – “My child suffers from a kidney disease. The doctors have asked him to refrain from eating salt, but he does not listen. He is devoted to you and will gladly do your bidding.”
Mahatma Gandhi said to her- “Bring your son to me after a week!”
After seven days, the mother and son met Mahatma Gandhi, who requested the little boy not to take salt. The boy immediately agreed.
The mother was puzzled. She asked the Mahatma, why he did not give the advice a week earlier Mahatmaji said to her- “When you came to me last week, I used to take salt with my food. I said to myself that before I could advise another to refrain from eating salt, I must do it myself. This whole week I have refrained from eating salt and so feel qualified to give the advice.”
It is very easy to give advice to others. It is very easy to tell your partner to do this or that. But if you do not practice what you preach, no one will pay attention.
Laugh at your mistakes; but learn from them.
Joke over your troubles; but gather strength from them.
Have fun with your difficulties; but overcome them.
The only real failure is failing to learn from failure.
There is a story of a young reporter who was commissioned to interview an old and successful businessman.
`Sir,’ he asked politely, `what has been the secret of your success?’
The older man leaned back on his leather swivel chair, behind his shining mahogany desk, and replied, `Two words, son, two words: right decisions.’
The reporter wrote it down. Then he asked another question. `And how do you learn how to make right decisions, sir?’ he asked.
The successful business man leaned back further and replied, `One word, son, one word: experience.’
The reporter wrote this down, too, and then asked, `Well, sir, how do you acquire experience?’
The older man leaned forward over his desk and whispered conspiratorially, `Two words, son, two words: wrong decisions!’
The only real failure is failing to learn from failure.
As good as life is, you can make it even richer and more fulfilling. Expect to move forward today and you’ll find a way, no matter what, to make real progress.
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If you want to live richly, live intentionally. Choose what you wish to create, and then experience the immense satisfaction of making it so.
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A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son.
He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.
As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss Life’s gifts because they are not packaged as we expected?
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.
As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy.
“Mister”, he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”
“Well”, said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
“I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look.”
“Sure”, said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, Here, Dolly! he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up…
“I want that one”, the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself To a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”
The world is full of people who need someone who understands. Are you there for them?
