I am thankful for...

I AM THANKFUL FOR...

Author Unknown

The partner who hogs the covers every night,
Because he is not out with someone else.

The child who is not cleaning his room, but
is watching TV, because that means he is at
Homeand not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay,
Because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,
Because it means that I have been
Surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,
Because it means I am in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
Windows that need cleaning,
And gutters that need fixing,
Because it means I have a home.

For the parking spot I find at thefar
End of the parking lot, because it means
I amcapable of walking and that I have
Been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating/cooling bill,
Because it means I am warm/refreshed.

For the lady behind me in church that
Sings off key, because it means that
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and Ironing,
Because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at
The end of the day, because it means
I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the
Early morning hours, because it
Means I amalive.

And finally...

For too much e-Mail,
Because it means I have friends who
Are thinking of me.

Would you die for me?

WOULD YOU DIE FOR ME?

A young man called Ramaswami died an untimely death. His parents, wife and nine year old son were crying bitterly, sitting next to his dead body. They all happened to be disciples of a holy man whom they called 'Maharaj Ji'.

When Maharaj Ji learnt that Ramaswami had died, he came to visit the family.He entered the house and found the family wailing inconsolably. Seeing Maharaj Ji, the wife started crying even louder. She sobbed saying, "Maharaj Ji, he has died too early, he was so young.Oh! I would do anything to make him alive again. What will happen to our son? I am so helpless and miserable." Maharaj Ji tried to pacify the crying lady and the old parents, but the loss was too much for them to come to terms with so easily. Eventually, Maharaj Ji said, "All right, get me a glass of water." Maharaj Ji sat near the dead body and put the glass next to it. He said, "Now, who ever wants that Ramaswami should become alive again may drink this water. Ramaswami shall come back to life, but the person who drinks the water shall die!"

Silence!

"Come,did you not say that Ramaswami was the sole breadwinner of the family? Who would die instead of him? It is a case of fair exchange, isn't it?"

The wife looked at the old mother and the old mother looked at the wife. The old father looked at Ramaswami's son. But no one came forward. Then Maharaj Ji said to the old father,"Babuji, wouldn't you give your life for your son?" The old man said,"Well, I have my responsibility towards my wife. If I die who will look after her? I cannot offer my life to you."

MaharajJi looked questioningly at the old woman and said, "Amma?" She said,"My daughter is due to deliver her first baby. She will be coming to stay for a month. If I die who will look after her and the newborn. Why don't you ask Ramaswami's wife?"

MaharajJi smiled and looked at the young widow. She widened her tear filled eyes and said,"Maharaj Ji, I need to live for my son. If I die, who will look after him? He needs me. Please don't ask me to do this."

MaharajJi asked the son, "Well little boy, would you like to give your life for your father?" Before the boy could say anything, his mother pulled him to her breast and said, "Maharaj Ji, are you insane? My son is only nine. He has not yet lived his life. How could you even think of such a thing?"

MaharajJi said, "Well it seems, that all of you are very much needed for the things you need to do in this world. It seems Ramaswamiwas the only one that could be spared. That is why God chose to take him away. So shall we proceed with his last rites? It's getting late."

Having said that, Maharaj Ji got up and left.

God's plan is impeccable. Sometimes man is unable to understand God's design. The time of entry and exit for each one of us, is in God's hands. It is His prerogative alone to pluck the flower He wishes to. It is no body's prerogative to question His will.

In the words of Baba,"We tend a plant only when the leaves are green;when they become dry and the plant becomes a life-less stick, we stop loving it. Love lasts as long as life exists."

Be Thankful...

If you have a bad day at work, be thankful. Appreciate that you have a job. Some people don't. When you pay your bills, be thankful. You can pay them. If you see a gray hair, be thankful. Think of the cancer patient in chemotherapy who only wishes for any hair. When you find yourself waiting in line or the recipient of poor service, be thankful. Think about the people who have no food to eat at all. When you realize how much work it is to take care of a house, be thankful you have a house. Think about those who only wish they had a house to take care of. When you feel like complaining because you have to walk a long distance from your car, be thankful. Think of what it would be like not to be able to walk! If you get irritated by other people's anger, apathy, ignorance, bitterness, or insecurities, be thankful. Things could be worse. You could be one of them! When you think everything in your world is terrible, and you want to give up, think of the people who have been told they only have a certain amount of time to live. They don't want to give up. Live life to its fullest. Appreciate life. Please send this message on to everyone you know. Aseem Kaistha It's your attitude and not your aptitude that determines your altitude.

Just My Understanding...

"When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no argument, just understanding." -- Thich Nhat Hahn

A New Inspirational Movie

Nine Promises That Bring Happiness...

Nine Promises That Bring Happiness We seek happiness in the wrong places and in the wrong form. The primary cause of unhappiness is simply wanting too much, overemphasizing the material things...Happiness begins where selfishness ends. Strategy to find happiness is to make and keep nine promises: PROMISE to talk about health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible. PROMISE to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value. PROMISE to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others. PROMISE to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. PROMISE to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. PROMISE to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future. PROMISE to wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person you meet a smile. PROMISE to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others. PROMISE to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you. Source: http://dilkhush-20truthstoremember.blogspot.com/

GOD KNOWS

GOD KNOWS When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried. When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears. If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you. When you're lonely and friends are too busy for a phone call... God is by your side. When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn... God has a solution. When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer. If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you. When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you. When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you. When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name. Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing... GOD KNOWS. --- Author Unknown --- Contributed by Charity --- Singapore

DEVELOP THE RIGHT (SELF) ATTITUDE

Keep Smiling DEVELOP THE RIGHT (SELF) ATTITUDE Here are 10 suggestions to help you develop and maintain a healthy self-image. Read them slowly. Meditate on them regularly. i. Hate your sin, but never hate yourself. ii. Be quick to repent. Iii. When God gives you light, walk in it. Iv. Stop saying negative things about yourself. God loves you and it's wrong to hate what He loves. He has great plans for you, so you're in conflict with Him when you speak negatively concerning your future. v. Never be afraid to admit that you've made a mistake and don't always assume that when things go wrong, it must be 'my fault'. Vi. Don't meditate excessively on what you've done, right or wrong; both of these activities keep your mind on you! Center your thoughts on HIM. Vii. Take good care of yourself physically. Make the best of what God gave you to work with, but don't be obsessed with your appearance. Viii. Never stop learning but don't allow your education to become a point of pride. God doesn't use you because of what's in your head: He uses you because of what's in your heart. ix. Realize that your talents are a gift, not something you have manufactured yourself; never look down on people who can't do what you do. x. Don't despise your weaknesses they keep you dependent on God. - Author Unknown Aseem Kaistha It's your attitude and not your aptitude that determines your altitude.

I Appreciate You

I Appreciate You I recently received an email from a friend. The email only contained three commonly used and familiar words, yet these three words from my friend had a different feel. This simple powerful phrase shook me. "I appreciate you" is what the email read. I gazed at this short sentence and read it over and over again. I could feel the transforming, uplifting power of these three words. I have been thanked countless times,which is always proper and in order when someone does something for you. It is simply showing gratitude or giving credit for something that you are responsible for. To appreciate means to recognize the significance, quality, or magnitude of. (Appreciate freedom) To be fully aware of or sensitive to; realize: (I appreciate your problems) To be thankful or show gratitude for: (I appreciate your help) To admire greatly; value To raise in value or price. My friend was not appreciating me for something I did or said to or for him personally or professionally. He was not appreciating a particular problem that I had or appreciating my help on a matter. I appreciate YOU is what the email read. That means I am appreciated, I am admired greatly, I am valued, and I am raised in value. He recognizes the significance, quality and magnitude of me, and who I am. He is thankful and shows gratitude for me. As I absorbed the power of these three words and allowed them to penetrate and saturate my inner being, I considered whom the email was from. One of the many life lessons is to always consider the message and the source of messages that enter into your life constantly. Did they have any idea how powerfully profound and life-changing this one short statement would be? Yet, they said to me, "I appreciate you." That also means YOU (The one reading this). Remember the definition of appreciate. You tend to invest in the things that you find value in. Our Heavenly Father also invests heavily in us. Feel the power of "I APPRECIATE YOU."

Crossing the water...

A farmer's daughter duty was to carry fresh milk to customers in various villages, one of whom was a priest. To reach his house, the milkmaid had to cross a good-sized stream. People crossed it by a sort of ferry raft, for a small fee. One day the priest, who performed worship daily with the offering to God of fresh milk, finding it arrived very late, scolded the poor woman. "What can I do?" she said, "I start out early from my house, but I have to wait a long time for the boatman to come." Then the priest said (pretending to be serious), "What! People have even walked across the ocean by repeating the name of God, and you can't cross this little river?" This milkmaid took him very seriously. From then on she brought the priest's milk punctually every morning. He became curious about it and asked her how it was that she was never late anymore. "I cross the river repeating the name of the Lord," she replied,"just as you told me to do, without waiting for the ferry." The priest didn't believe her, and asked, "Can you show me this, and how you cross the river on foot?" So they went together to the water and the milkmaid began to walk over it. Looking back, the woman saw that the priest had started to follow her and was floundering in the water. "Sir!" she cried, "You are uttering the name of God, yet all the while you are holding up your clothes from getting wet. That is not trusting God!" FROM: Vandana Chhatpar