dear prog

7/28/2019 dear prog

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YES DEAR 2008

The Cab Ride

by Kent Nerburn

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life for someone

who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a ministry. Because I

drove the night shift, my cab became a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered people whose

lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and weep.

But none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night.

I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I

was being sent to pick up some partiers,or someone who had just had a fight with a lover,or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a groundfloor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice,

wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who

depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my

assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.

"Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being draggedacross the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80s stood

before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like

somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartmentlooked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the

corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then

returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my

passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", shesaid. When we got in the cab, she gave me and address, then asked, "Could you drive

through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind,"she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left,"she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."

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I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I

asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she

had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she

and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of afurniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit

staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go

now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small

convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out

to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every

move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seatedin a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her

purse."Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other

passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She heldonto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It

was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the

rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or

one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or hadhonked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done

anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve

around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrappedin what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT

YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADETHEM FEEL.

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR

2008

Just A Few DropsAuthor Unknown

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month.

The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were longgone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before

it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous

process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut

everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon... we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle

I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his

brothers when I saw my six-year old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't

walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I couldonly see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort...trying to be as still as

possible.

Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the

house. I went back to making sandwiches, thinking that whatever task he had been doing

was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour. He would walk

carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I

crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be

seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checkingup on him).

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spillthe water he held in them...maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I

sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face but

he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him,I saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right

up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers

was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy

knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering fromdehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped

in my beautiful boy's hand.

When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a

7/28/2019 dear prog


tree. I followed him back to the house, to a spigot that we had shut off the water to. Billy

opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the

drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. Andit came clear to me. The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week

before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The

reason he didn't ask me to help him.

It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began

the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm notwasting," was all he said.

As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him

tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job.

I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known

working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit

the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and more. Ilooked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.

Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't

really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that...I'm not

going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like theactions of one little boy saved another.

I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it.... To honor the memory of my

beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon.... but not before showing me thetrue face of God, in a little sunburned body.

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Let The Light Shine

Author Unknown

He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road. Work, in this small

Midwestern community, was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac, but he never quit

looking. Ever since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter raging on,the chill had finally hit home.

It was a lonely road. Not many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving.Most of his friends had already left. They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill, but

he stayed on. After all, this was where he buried his mother and father. He was born here

and knew the country.

He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his

headlights not working, that came in handy. It was starting to get dark and light snow

flurries were coming down. He'd better get a move on.

You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in

the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help her for the

last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how shefelt. It was that chill that only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you ma'am.

Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Joe."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Joe crawled

under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.

Soon he was able to change the tire, but he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he wastightening the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told

him that she was from St. Louis and was only passing through. She couldn't thank himenough for coming to her aid.

Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed him. Any

amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things

that could have happened had he not stopped.

Joe never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. There was someone

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in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had

lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told

her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who neededhelp, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added "...think of

me".

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day,

but he felt good as he headed home, disappearing into the twilight. A few miles down the

road the lady saw a cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before shemade the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two

old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the

telephone of an out of work actor-it didn't ring much.

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet

smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed

that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches

change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be sogiving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe.

After the lady had finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a

hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the

waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed somethingwritten on a napkin. There were tears in her eyes, when she read what the lady wrote. It

said, "You don't owe me a thing, I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, the

way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here's what you do...Don't let the

of love end with you."

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress

made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could she

have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it

was going to be hard.

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him

a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be all right. I love you Joe."

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7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

An Inspirational Story, Motivational Story -

A Quick Story, by Elizabeth Silance Ballard

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. Andas she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children alie. She looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that wasimpossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named TeddyStoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with theother children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddycould be unpleasant. It got tot he point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight inmarking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of

his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past recordsand she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his workneatly and has good manners…he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, buthe is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best

but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some stepsaren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest inschool. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt evenworse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped in beautiful ribbons and brightpaper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that hegot from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of thestones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.

But she stifled the children's' laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting iton, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today yousmelled just like my Mom, used to." After the children, left she cried for at least an hour,. On thatvery day, she quite teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teachchildren.

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Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed tocome alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she wouldlove all the children the same, Teddy became on of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under he door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best

teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.He then wrote that he had finished high school, second in his class, and she was still the bestteacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times,he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had inhis whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after hegot his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was stillthe best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was little longer. The letter wassigned, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'dmet this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of yearsand he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit I the place at the weeding that wasusually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what?She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she waswearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmastogether.

They hugged each other and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs.Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for makING me feel important and showingme that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong.You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until Imet you."

The Truth about Change

You will fail. Not once, not twice, but many, many times. This is how the game works. Believing

that you will be able to achieve a lofty goal or dream without a hitch is like believe you can playperfect golf without a single step on a course. It's not negative, it's reality. And a true success

uses this as an advantage. When something doesn't go according to plan an adjustment is madeand the process resumes. A short-term setback will never bring an end to their ambition.

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YES DEAR 2008

1. Let Go of the PastBefore you can create a better future, you must let go of the pains in your past. Failing once doesnot mean you will fail forever. Learn from your history, but don't let it stand as an obstaclebetween you and your dreams.

2. Remember SuccessJust as important as learning from and overcoming past failure is recalling past success. Itdoesn't matter who you are, you have succeeded at something at sometime in your past. Don'tgloss over these moments. Use them to remind you that you can in fact achieve your goals.

3. Realize the PossibilitiesIt's possible. The dreams you hold in your heart but push to the back of your mind are within your reach. Accept the fact that you can create a better life. This will serve as the springboard of belief you need to succeed.

4. Dream the Big DreamIn order for dreams and desires to inspire you to action and achievement, they need to be big. If you don't get excited about what you have planned for the future, you will never find theinspiration you need to change your life. Powerful dreams can move the soul, and when youdream the big dream, you will be driven to make the compelling picture a tangible reality.

5. Thinking Your Way to ChangeNo matter how bad you want it to happen, change will never result from thinking alone - you musttake action. The world is swimming in dreamers, but only those who act on their desires achievetruly remarkable results.

6. A Daily Habit to Begin TodaySet aside at least 30 minutes each night to review your day and plan for the next. It's a simple

way to add an element of control to your life. Also, beginning this habit today will helptremendously when you begin to work toward your exciting and inspiring goals and dreams.

7. Mix It UpThe wrong routine can spell certain doom for your goals and dreams. To make sure this doesn'thappen to you, add at least one new step to your daily routine to help break up the pattern. Onenew activity will set the stage for many more in the future, making it possible for you to break freeof any negative routines.

8. A Team SportDon't go at this alone. Achieving a goal or dream requiresa team effort. There will be times when you feel likegiving up, when you feel like it's too much to take. One of

the surest ways to overcome these small setbacks is tohave the support and guidance of your goal partner.

9. Get Excited About What's to ComeYou are on your way to getting everything you have ever wanted! Now is the time to get excited and inspired aboutwhat your future holds. Imagine living your ideal life - nowmake it happen!

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YES DEAR 2008

10. Raise Your StandardsIt's time to raise your standards. It's time to expect more out of yourself than anyone else. Acceptnothing less than your absolute best in all that you do and you'll have no problem creating your ideal life. After all, you'd expect nothing less than living the life of your dreams.

11. Take OwnershipBefore positive changes can take place, you must take responsibility for your position in life. Youare in control of your future and are the only one who can guarantee a better life. If you play therole of a victim, giving up control and ownership of your life, you will never enjoy the amazingopportunities that life offers to us all.

12. Write in a Journal A million thoughts may rush through your mind each day, but if you do nothing to capture them,they often disappear as quickly as they came. Take time to write in a journal each week. This willnot only help you overcome obstacles you are facing in your life but also help you discover whatyou really want.

13. Whom Do You Admire?Make a list of at least three people that you admire. With your list in hand describe what it is thatyou most respect about each individual. Often pinpointing what we admire in others offers insightinto what we wish to become ourselves.

14. The MomentRemember a time when everything seemed to be going just right? When nothing could get youdown? When you thought to yourself, 'This moment, right now, is what life is all about.' We allhave moments in life when we feel we are at our best, but most people don't utilize them. Use thespecial moments in your life to bring to light goals and desires that are sure to fulfill your needs.Learning from and building on these times will help you create magic moments on a daily basisfor the rest of your life.

15. A Friendly Brainstorming SessionGather a group of your closest friends, the ones who know you better than anyone else, and usetheir knowledge about you and your life to help you brainstorm goal and dream ideas. They willlikely offer ideas you never considered yourself.

16.What don't you want?Sometimes the easiest way to uncover what you want is toknow exactly what you don't want. It all depends on your particular personality. Some find it very difficult to createspecific goals, but these same people have no troubleexplaining in detail what they hate. Sometimes working inthe opposite direction of what you hate can be the key to

discovering your goals and dreams.17. Keep a Notebook in Goal-Creating AreasWatching television offers hundreds of ideas that you can use to help you create your ownpersonal goals. The same is true of your sleep. Because of this it's vital that you keep a notebookhandy while watching television and on your nightstand to jot down any goal ideas that come toyou.

YES DEAR 2008

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Do You Know What You Want?In order for these tips and ideas to help you live a better life, you have to know what you want. Sothe question is, do you? If not, it's time to put a few simple exercises to work and discover theanswer.

1. Impossible to Fail

People are more than capable of creating compelling dreams, but the fear of failure often cloudsthe path. To avoid this pitfall, imagine that it is impossible to fail. What dreams and desires wouldyou pursue if you were guaranteed success?

2. Your Ideal LifeThink ahead. Imagine living your ideal life in five years. Then ten and twenty years. What wouldyou be doing? With whom would you be doing it? What would your life look like on a daily basis?Use the picture of a future life to create goals and desires in the present.

3. Get SpecificIn order for you to create lasting change in your life, you have to be super specific about what youwant. Vague ideas just won't cut it. The more specific you make your desires, the easier it will beto act on them. Cloudy hopes create obstacles. You have to know exactly what you want, down to

the smallest detail.

4. Write it DownWhen you get an idea for a goal you'd like to achieve write it down immediately. The simple act of writing your goals down on a sheet of paper will bring them one step closer to reality. Sayingsomething is one thing, but when you actually see the words written down it becomes a living,breathing thing.

5. Small Steps to Great SuccessWhile the nature of your dreams needs to inspire, you must also recognize the fact that it takesonly small steps to create amazing changes. The dream will lead the way, but it won't come inone giant leap. Small steps, carried out each day, will bring you to the destinations you seek.

6. Who Are You Living For?Many times people will accept the status quo because they are afraid of what other people wouldthink of them if they strived for more. Fitting in becomes more important than moving ahead.Decide here and now that creating the life you want to live is far more important than blending inand living for the approval of others.

7. Search for Success StoriesThe stories of individuals overcoming all odds and achieving their dreams surround you. Seek outand make these stories a part of your life. You are not alone in your search for happiness.Knowing that others have succeeded in the past can be enough to motivate you to succeed in thefuture.

8. The Overnight Success MythSuccess takes time. People who believe in the overnight success expect amazing results theminute they start working toward their goal. It's not going to happen. Don't let this get you down -it's a positive. When you know the truth about success you won't become upset when immediateresults can't be seen.

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YES DEAR

2008

9. Measure Your Progress

As you begin putting the pieces of your desire in place, besure to measure your progress along the way. Doing sowill help to keep you motivated to achieve the goal as yousee real improvement taking place. You will also be ableto recognize troubling areas that need more attention or successful methods that could be spread to othersaspects of the goal.

10. Educate Yourself The more you know, the more you'll grow. Information isthe greatest resource you have as you work toward creating a better life. Facts help to increaseyour confidence, break down fear, and inspire you to action. Learn all there is to know about whatyou want and you will never be without the drive and energy you need to make it happen.

11. Make Autobiographies Part of Your LibraryLearning about the lives of the people who achieved the goals you want to achieve is one of themost inspiring techniques available. Find out who had the same aspirations and learn all you canabout their inspiring story.

12. Essentials of ChangeIt doesn't matter what you want, someone at sometime throughout history has desired andachieved the same thing. Not only does this prove that your dreams are possible but also that youhave what it takes to make them happen. People have done so much with so little, proving thatthe essential requirements of creating change are within you.

13. Become Aware of Your Thoughts

The wrong thoughts played enough times in your mind can sap the strength of anyone'sconfidence. Become aware of the things you say to yourself. Every time you come to a negativephrase stop yourself, refute the belief with logic, and replace it with a strong and empoweringthought.

14. Say and SeeFor those with phobias simply mentioning their particular fear puts them in a frightened state of mind. They may even exhibit physical signs of fear. The same is true of goals and dreams. Many

times the second you say your goal images of failure and fear pop intoyour head. To fix the problem, consciously say your goal and imaginesuccess again and again until it becomes ingrained in your mind.

15. What's In It for Me? As you begin taking steps toward the things you desire, you will meetwith many obstacles along the way that have the potential to knock youoff course forever. To ensure this doesn't happen to you, answer thequestion: What's in it for me? Knowing exactly why you are reaching for more will serve as a constant source of energy and excitement to keepyou going strong in the face of short-term setbacks.

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YES DEAR 2008

Achieving Goals in Life

1. Ask Yourself a QuestionWhat's the worst thing that will happen if you give up on your goal? This and other thoughts likethem are useful tools. Fear of what could happen if you don't succeed shouldn't be the mainreason you work toward your goal, but it is an excellent tool to help you get started.

2. What's Holding You Back?Take time to really think about what's holding you back from working toward and achieving your goal. Too often people get a 'feeling' and quit on their dreams. You can't fight or solve a vaguefeeling, but you can solve a specific problem. That's why it's critical for you to zero in on exactlywhat's holding you back from success.

3. Share the ExcitementDon't keep your plans for a better future to yourself - share the excitement with those who will notsee it as bragging or your ego taking over. This will make the dream more tangible, and includeothers in the picture who will ask about your progress and keep you heading in the right direction.

4. If Not Now, When?This is a simple method to adding a powerful boost to your goal-achieving project. People aregifted at the art of rationalization and procrastination. To put a stop to them ask yourself, 'If notnow, when?' If you're honest, and I know you will be, you'll realize that now is as good a time asany to begin moving toward a better life.

5. Your Excuses Have No UsesExcuses are scapegoats. They cover up the truth so we don't have to face it. You and I both knowthis isn't the way to a happy and successful life. You have to put a stop to excuses once and for all. Every time you catch yourself using an excuse to cover up the truth about why you aren'tworking toward your goal (e.g. I don't have the time), write it down along with at least three solidreasons why your excuse is completely wrong. And never use it again.

6. Place Reminders in the Home and OfficePlace powerful reminders around your home or office about the goals and desires you areworking to achieve. With the hectic pace of life in today's society it's easy to forget about the trulyimportant things. Placing pictures in your home of the ideal body you are dreaming about or thehome you wish to build are effective tools to keep you going strong.

7. Know When to Keep QuietJust as important as sharing your goal with those who will offer guidance and support is notsharing your goal with those who will resent your improvement and take a jab at you with everychance they get. Naysayers are killers of the spirit. When it comes to these individuals, keep your goal to yourself.

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YES DEAR 2008

8. If It Works Once, Use It Again!Have you ever watched a movie that really moved you? Read a book that inspired a change inyour life? Listened to an audio tape that motivated you to take action? If you're like most people,I'm sure you've experienced one or more of these. But do you revisit them on a regular basis?People will find a tool that inspires them only to leave it behind. If something motivates you, use itagain and again.

9. Organize Your Space A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. Taking a few hours to clean up your common workareas will go a long way in helping you maintain clarity and focus while working toward your goals.

10. Everyone Needs a Day Off Sometimes the best way to stay motivated to achieve your goal is to give it a rest. When thingsdon't seem to be going your way or you simply feel exhausted, put your goal out of mind until the

next day. Take a walk, a ride, or just sit and relax. This short break will allow you to return to theproject with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

11. Create a Specific StrategyWhen you know exactly what you want, you have to know exactly how you are going to get it.Just as a vague idea of what you want will never lead to success, a hazy notion of how you willachieve your dreams will bring about the same fate. Super specific strategies will result insuccess. Anything less will make improvement difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy.

12. Use a TimelineYour dreams need a timeline. This includes not only a deadline but also a time to begin. Withouta definite timeline, potentially rewarding and fulfilling goals may silently slip away until they

become only distant memories. When will you begin working toward your dreams? When will youachieve them?

13. Starting in the Right DirectionYou may not realize it, but you've already taken a massive step toward success. Simply readingthese words demonstrates your desire to enhance the quality of your life. Now that you've takenthe first step, keep it going day after day, month after month, year after year.

14. Enjoy the RideWhile you're working your tail off to create a better life for you and your family it's important toenjoy the experience and not just focus on the outcome. It's like taking a road trip throughbeautiful country with your eyes closed thinking only about the destination. You'll miss out half the

joy of success if you forget about the experience of it all.

15.How Long Will You Wait?It's decision time. You can continue hoping things change or,with our help, you can make them happen today.

Everyone wants to change and improve, but few understandhow the process actually works. When you know the secretsto controlling motivation, like a light switch you can turn it on

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and off at will.

YES DEAR 2008The Secret to Self-ConfidenceDo you want to change something about your life but don't feel confident enough to make ithappen? Discover a proven method for transforming your confidence and never let this obstaclestand in your way again.

Tools of the TradeTo accomplish the task above, charts and checklists are the way to go. Charts are the perfect tool

to measure incremental goals such as a savings or investment plan. If your desire is moresequential in nature, simply list the steps in a checklist along with their deadline to keep you right

on track from start to finish.

Intelligent Action Action is key to change - but not just any action. Eating unhealthy foods is action, but it is

definitely not the kind of moves you should be making if your goal is to get in shape. The secret isto take intelligent action. Learn how to make the right moves and you'll be on your way to

enjoying an amazing quality of life.

Windows of OpportunityWhat you see today will not necessarily mirror the picture of tomorrow. In other words - thingschange. You can never know for sure how long the opportunity to act will offer itself. It could

vanish tomorrow or in twenty years. The point is: Today is the certainty in your world. Make thebest of it.

Use Your Time WiselyThe one thing we all desire more of but lose every

day is time. Because of this, you need to take stepsto ensure your time is being used wisely. Discover where your time goes each day and how you can

better utilize each minute and hour.

Get Active An inspired mind is of little use if you lack the

physical vitality to execute your plans. Get active and get moving. Whether this means a dailyexercise program or simply riding your bike to work, think of as many ways as possible to be

active in your daily life.

Maintain a Healthy DietJust as important as an active lifestyle is a healthy diet. You can't expect to have the energy and

drive necessary to live an extraordinary life if you continue to fill your body with unhealthy foods.What you put in your body has an enormous impact on your motivation to improve.

Get Enough RestYour body cannot perform at its peak levels if you don't give it the time it requires for rest and

repair. Four hours of sleep each night will eventually catch up with you. Get the rest you need andyou'll have no problem working with passion toward your desires.

Collect Your Favorite Quotations

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The written word can be just as powerful as movies. When you come across a quotation thatmotivates you to achieve your goals, don't let it go! Write them down, save them on your

computer, or do whatever works for you to keep them close at hand.

YES DEAR 2008

Learn from Your MistakesWhen things don't work out exactly as you had planned (this will happen) don't waste the

opportunity to learn something. A short-term failure is a good thing - it teaches you how 'not' to dosomething, which will bring you closer and closer to the solution you seek.

Constant CuriosityBe curious. The world can be a truly amazing place when you take the time to look around and

learn about it. Read, converse, observe, listen, and discover the miracles that surround you.Constant curiosity is the habit that is sure to get you excited about your world, your life, and your

future.

Spend Time with ChildrenSpending time with kids is a great way to let go of your worries and reconnect with your more

innocent past. As adults, we have learned to hide our true emotions and keep a reserved attitude.Children have a great lesson to teach us - have fun and enjoy life. Maintain your youthful ways as

you continue to grow older.

Focus on OthersThere is no better way to improve your life than to help

others do the same. To give is to get, and when it comesto spreading happiness and joy to others, it has never

been more true. As your focus turns from yourself to those

in need you will find that your own problems seem lessimportant and may even disappear altogether.

Volunteer Your Time An effective method to help others is volunteering. Your

time is the most precious resource you have, and giving it to someone else is a truly rewardingexperience. Contact your local churches, community center, or public schools for volunteer

opportunities.

The Ups and DownsYou will not always be motivated to succeed. We all have our ups and downs, and expectinganything different will create frustration and anger. We all get upset, encounter setbacks, and

have bad days, but here's the secret: you can visit, but just don't live there.

Your ContributionWhat are you going to contribute to the world after you have gone? Living an extraordinary life

requires thinking beyond yourself and giving back to the world in some way. What will your gift tothe world be?

Be Grateful for What You HaveTake time out of each day to be grateful for the things you have in your life. Simply being aliveand well is an amazing gift - anything more is just icing on the cake. Appreciate what you have

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and you will discover a renewed passion to achieve the desires you have yet to experience.

YES DEAR 2008

Eyes Wide Open-Life as it should be.

As I walk along the cliff just outside my childhood home, I see the open space is filled with the

gentle ocean spray. The smell of the sea permeated the air. The warmth of the sun caressedmy skin. Under the weeping willow was an old park bench, stained with the ageless wisdom of those who came before me. I sat watching the serf crashing into the cliff's below. I listened asthe clandestine chorus of the seagulls confer with each otheras they fished for their evening meal. My eyes are wide open, yet my heart is closed. I feel mymind taking me to another place in another time. I am falling into my own mind. A helplesstraveler waiting for the unknown destination. I inhale the salty air and I am instantlyrejuvenated. I am awaiting the awakening of my soul.

As I take my sunglasses off, I am blinded by the sun’s bright burst. Floating rays erupt anddance as I focus on the tranquility of nature around me. I want to capture the pleasure in themoment. Feel the beauty within. Experience the familiarity of life. I have walked through lifeon the outside looking in. Not quite apart, yet not separate. I have come to deal with therealities of life. Nature in its simplicity, I hope, will teach me. I close my eyes and drift off intothe imaginary world I have created for one. Slowly, I begin to feel the heat of the sun on myarms. I’m dawn to the breeze that is tenderly moving my hair. The caress feels like a loversgently embrace. My head tingles with anticipation. I sense the change as the blood rushesdown. My heart pounds with the force of nature. Each beat a plea for release. The unexpectedpressure building up, ready to explode with a renewed purpose. Humanity is nature. Nature onthe edge of living life to it's the fullest. My breath quickens, and with each breath, the intenseemotions of life are entering my body. For a moment, I feel fear as they are touching my soul.

I wait patiently for the fulfillment the energy surging through my body will bring. Like theircrescendo, emotions surface, crashing into my tranquil mind. Pictures of a time long gone,invade my mind. The passion rages through me. Life and love. Birth and death. Joy andsorrow. The kaleidoscope of human forms create a collage of my moments. Heat invades me.

My mind is quiet. The simple pleasures are encircling the peaceful moments of my life. Theyhave brought forth what I search for. My eyes are wide open. I no longer feel a disconnectedpresence searching for the calm within the storm. That storm of emotional upheaval that hastorn me apart for so long. The pieces of my disconnected obsessions have always forces me toscrutinize my existence. I watched as the timeless passionate quest for happiness wasachieved in those around me. Some how it seemed elusive only to me. I sought monetarygain. Feeling, that if that one quest was achieved then happiness shall follow. Only the shallowfind happiness in wealth. I desire the taste of true freedom. Freedom from an emotional voidwhich leaves me with a superficial existence.

My eyes are wide open as I am reborn. As I am renewed with the freedom to feel the warmsun embrace my body. I am awakened as the energy surging through my soul, holds me. Ican recognize the value of happiness being measured by the people I have met. The friends Ihave gained. The family I have in my fold and the God that I am now at peace with. My eyesare wide open. I will hold on to the quiet moments. Embrace the diversity of life with eachserge of energy. I will benefit from the simple pleasure within me. I will take pleasure in thesimplicity of existence and welcome all that life has to offer. For my eyes are wide open andthe simple pleasure is You.

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YES DEAR 2008

I Am the Story I Tell Myself I Am

A single note rises, then falls like a raindrop at my feet, shattering into a thousand tinyrainbows. I think there must be an angel caged in the cell next to mine. If I could play theinstrument of my voice as miraculously, would I be closer to God? It seems my destiny is tobe an ordinary raven, even here, where birds are forbidden to fly.

The jangling of keys and slamming of gates break my reverie. A prison guard bellows, “Getout here, crack head!”

I rise, as do the over forty other women who have shared this cell with me over the past threedays. None of us is certain to whom she refers. It is not me, not this time.

I sink back to the floor that has become so cold I could ice skate on it. I seek out the largestwoman (the fat ones give off the most body heat), and huddle close to her. In here we haveno prejudice or pride. Out there we took each other’s money and drugs, in here we give eachother warmth and comfort.

A harsh voice shouts, “Barr!” It is my turn. I enter the shower room and strip quickly. Iimmediately squat and cough while bouncing up and down. I want to please the guards. Ihave been here before and I know the rules well. I am shoved into an icy shower and sprayedwith horrid smelling lotion to “de-louse” me. I wonder why they bother when they don’t washour clothes. I am pushed soaking wet into another freezing cell. I dry off as best as I can with

my filthy pants.

Just as sleep comes to steal me from this misery, another voice intrudes, this one much kinderthan I am used to.

“Ladies, my name is Mr. Smith. A few years ago I was in a worse position than you, and lookat me now. I have a fine job, fine clothes and I’m fine looking too. If you want what I’ve got,you’ve got to do what I did to get it. I pledge my support to anyone willing to make a change.”

I step out of my cell not even flinching when the gate clangs shut behind me. As we arewalking to the dormitory where I will be housed I hear shouting and stomping. I am amazedwhen we arrive and I see that it is military marching and cadence.

“My God, Mr. Smith,” I exclaim, “you didn’t tell me I was joining the army!”

“There’s a lot more to it than this, Mary,” he says.

A woman detaches herself from a marching group and comes towards me. “Hi, I’m Lori, theunit captain. In this program it’s mandatory that we attend school. We have five minutes toline up so let’s go.”

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We march down the bleak hallways to school shouting an army cadence. I suppress an urge togiggle, especially since the women in general population are watching us with interest. Unlikethe adolescent population housed in jail, adults do not get to go to school. It took a lot of workto allow our special program into the computer class. Most of the women in general populationspend their days bored and frustrated, sometimes fighting, and getting high. Yes, there aredrugs in jail.

YES DEAR 2008

After two hours we march back to our dorm where a social worker greets us. She is the onlysocial worker for over two thousand women so we are fortunate to have her tonight. Shesuggests that we go into residential treatment when we leave, but I can’t see myself doingthat after being locked up for a year. We meet with her in a group to discuss our issues, whichrun the gamut from being abused, to being illiterate. This is one time when I am glad thereare only one hundred beds available for treatment; I may get a chance to ask her a question.

A lady I don’t know starts the group. “I’m lucky they let me back in here,” she says throughtears. “They told me not to go home, but I missed my kids so much. When I got there they

just wanted to go out with friends, and my daughter hid her purse from me when she thoughtI wasn’t looking. I didn’t want her to see me crying so I went to a friend’s house. Just likewhen I got busted, she was getting high. I was upset so I got high right along with her. Thistime I am going to take the cotton out of my ears and stick it in my mouth.”

God works in mysterious ways. Though our stories are not the same I feel the same way. Ihave not seen my children or their father for two years. I do not want to make the samemistakes as this woman. I was no longer afraid to die, I was afraid of living my life the way Iwas. I decided to go to residential treatment when I was released and tried to convince mypeers to do the same.

The day of my release has come and I am sent off with hugs. I await the volunteer who willdrive me from jail to the program and I laugh aloud when I see that it is Mr. Smith. There is acertain symmetry to arriving at yet another program with Mr. Smith, and I pray I will be assuccessful in this one.

A single note rises then falls like a raindrop at my feet, shattering into a thousand tinyrainbows. I step up to the cell and say, “Honey, you sing like an angel. A few years ago I wasin a worse position than you, and look at me now. Would you like to hear more?” The angellooks at me and smiles.

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YES DEAR 2008

The Story of Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to

know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand

touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at mewith a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you ahug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant

squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of

children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this

challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class

together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" asshe shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose

became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress

up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was

living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she

began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed, she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'msorry I'm so jittery. I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I

know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began:

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"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There

are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success."

"You have to laugh and find humor every day."

"You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen

years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn

twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never doanything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or

ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for

things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of

us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One

week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand collegestudents attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example

that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

We send these words in loving memory of Rose.

Remember:--Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional!

Choose to Think About What You WantWith everything you have to think about each day, the things you desire won't always get the time

they deserve. You have to choose to think about what you want to change in your life, or your dreams will very likely be left behind.

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YES DEAR 2008

The Big Rocks and the Jar: A Lesson in MakingPriorities

A high school science teacher wanted to demonstrate a concept to his students. Hetakes a large-mouth jar and places several large rocks in it. He then asks the class, "Is it

full?

"Unanimously, the class reply, "Yes!"

The teacher then takes a bucket of gravel and pours it into the jar. The small rocks settleinto the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asks the class, "Is it full?"

This time there are some students holding back, but most reply, "Yes!"

The teacher then produces a large can of sand and proceeds to pour it into the jar. The

sand fills up the spaces between the gravel.

For the third time, the teacher asks, "Is it full?

"Now most of the students are wary of answering, but again, many reply, "Yes!"

Then the teacher brings out a pitcher of water and pours it into the jar. The water

saturates the sand. At this point the teacher asks the class, "What is the point of this

demonstration?"

One bright young student raises his hand and then responds, "No matter how full one'sschedule is in life, he can always squeeze in more things!"

"No," replies the teacher, "The point is that unless you first place the big rocks into the

jar, you are never going to get them in. The big rocks are the important things in your life...your family, your friends, your personal growth. If you fill your life with small things,

as demonstrated by the gravel, the sand, and the water...you will never have the time for

the important things.

So, what are the "Big Rocks" in your life? Spending time with your children, your parents or your spouse? Taking the seminar or class to get the information and

perspective you need to succeed? Making the time to set goals, plan or evaluate your

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progress? When you are hassled because there is no time, remember the story about the

Big Rocks and the Jar!

Author Unknown

YES DEAR 2008

The Tired Bee: A Story about Connection

I was 12 and I watched my father carefully as he rowed on the tranquil lake. It was

late summer, August, the buzzing wings of dragonflies snapped past us. I pulled back androcked the small canoe. Dad turned and looked at me and reassured me with a wink. I

still wasn't too sure I wanted to be doing this.

Our family had been spending summers on Bear Mountain, a small park and recreational

community close to the Pennsylvania border, for as long as I could remember. We allcame together, about 40 of us, each summer to swim, play, bask in the sun and reconnect

as a family.

I was one of the younger kids and usually excluded from my older cousins' activities.

Consequently I either babysat the younger ones or hung out with my dad.

On this particular summer afternoon, we'd gotten a canoe and decided to explore a little

bit of the park itself. We let the gentle rhythm of the lake pull us into a narrow river

which wound around the camping grounds. Tall evergreens, pines all of sort, dotted the banks on either side and the trip was cozy and peaceful. The cloudy skies overhead

provided slight relief from the August heat. I stopped rowing, sat back and closed myeyes while I heard Dad rowing quietly.

Suddenly I heard a buzzing, close to my ear. A frantic, desperate humming coming fromthe right side of my head. I bolted up straight and stared at Dad.

He pointed toward me with his chin. "Don't move and he'll not bother you." He kept

rowing.

I thought to myself, "What is he talking about?" I looked around me and then saw it. A

bee. A bee on my shoulder. Actually to be accurate, a yellow jacket. These are large and

very aggressive bees, marked by bright black and yellow bands on their bodies. I lived interror of bees, wasps and hornets. It was more than fear, it was a pathological terror that I

could not explain, nor my parents, teachers or doctors cure me of. I sat there, turned intoa living statue. My eyes must have looked like saucers. I hissed at Dad to do something.

He just rowed and shook his head. "He's tired. It's a hot day and all living creatures need

rest. He's most probably been flying up the lake and needs to give himself a break. This is

a pretty big park. Once he's rested enough, he'll keep on going."

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Was I hearing correctly? Did my ears betray me, or was my father telling me to just let a

large yellow jacket sit on my shoulder? I grimaced and he simply looked away and kept

rowing. The terror gripped me like a cold hand over my heart and I swiveled my headslowly toward the right and squinted a peek. There he sat, in all his living yellow and

black glory. Wings folded neatly against his body. As I watched him I was fascinated by

how perfectly formed he seemed. Somehow, my curiosity overpowered my fear and Irelaxed. No sooner had I done that than he began fluttering, tested his wings and flew off.

I was able to track his flight for a few moments and sure enough, he crossed the water

and headed into the woods. I sat back and looked at Dad.

"I told you." Was all he said. We rowed away.

More than 30 years have passed since that day. My father is no longer alive, but thememory of that moment, that moment of connection, has taken root in my heart. In the

ensuing years I thought long and hard about that tired little bee. I realized that for the first

time in my life I felt connected to something larger than myself, and he was part of thereason. I came to believe he was sent to teach me not to fear, that we are all one, all part

of the same design the Creator provided. I realized that nature is an aspect of the Creation

and that we are all the Creator's children...small or big, human or insect. No man is an

island.

Oh, yes, my morbid fear of bees and wasps? It lessened. Until one day not long ago I

learned that I was born with no immunity to insect venom. My doctor's words felt like a

bucket of cold water splashed over my head: the sting of a bee, wasp or hornet would killme. The saliva or venom of smaller insects like fire ants and mosquitoes may cause

seizures, as I found out later when bitten by a fire ant: full cardiac arrest. And of the bees,

wasps and hornets? Never been stung, not once. They tend to buzz past me and I alwaysget a sense that they are in quite a hurry.

Lore holds that the bee symbolizes service and their movement from one plant to another

symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things. This is a lesson that I will always

carry in my heart.

Copyright © 2000 by Connie Calabrese

Fear is Part of the Puzzle

If you're waiting for a guaranteed success, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life. Fear is part of the process of success - there's no way around it. You might think that the people you look up to

are free of fear as they work toward their dreams you are mistaken. Everyone feels fear whenthey take a step outside of their comfort zone, the question is whether or not you keep going.

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YES DEAR 2008

Two Frogs: An Inspirational Short Story aboutPerseverance

Two young frogs fell into a bucket of milk. Both tried to jump to freedom, but the sides of

the bucket were steep and no foundation was to be had on the surface of the liquid.

Seeing little chance of escape, the first frog soon despaired and stopped jumping. After a

short while he sunk to the bottom of the bucket and drowned.

The second frog also saw no likelihood of success, but he never stopped trying. Eventhough each jump seemed to reach the same inadequate height, he kept on struggling.

Eventually, his persistent efforts churned some milk into butter. From the now hardened

surface of the milk, he managed to leap out of the bucket.

The moral of this little inspiring story:

Those who don't give up and persevere may be in for a pleasant surprise!

Author Unknown

A Part of Your IdentityWhen success becomes a part of your identity, a part of who you are, you'll find getting motivated

to do more with your life is an easy task. People stick to what they believe they are. In other words, a quitter will quit before he succeeds; a winner will get exactly what he wants in the end.Don't just think like a winner - become one inside and out until the thought of quitting conflicts so

strongly with who you are that you are driven to succeed.

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YES DEAR 2008

A Carpenter's Gift: An Inspirational Story aboutPerseverance

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It

was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and

trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grewinto a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed

by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with acarpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said.

"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm.

That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow

between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek betweenus. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of

lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't

need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the

materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. Thefarmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the

creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

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"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking

each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No,wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

Author Unknown

What Company do You Keep?

Most often people mirror their environments. The friends and family members you associate withplay a major role in your life - both positive and negative. Ask yourself if the people in your life arehelping you become the person you want to be or are standing in the way of progress. If changes

need to be made, follow through.

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YES DEAR 2008

The Bus Ride: Random Small Act of Kindness Makes a BigDifference

My Master initiated me for meditation a few years back. I always listen to our

Master on topics of Meditation and those related to natural and simple living. When Iattended an advanced course on meditation our Master told us to use our knowledge in

practical day to day life. As usual, I started observing myself and I realized that

Meditation has given me an awareness that I was only awake. The Master many timesemphasized the need of Giving and Effortless Living. A small real life incident taught me

another law of nature.

A few days ago I was at a bus stop in town during the evening. The bus came on time andI took the window seat. The bus route was by the seashore and I was enjoying the breezewhile watching the sea waves. After a few minutes the bus made it's next stop. A young

boy and a girl entered the bus. They were standing left standing when the bus took off. I

glanced at them curiously and realized that all the window seats were occupied. Theycould sit but not together. Suddenly a different wave passed through my body and my

inner mind gave me the instruction to get up. I got up and offered them my seat. The

young lady smiled affectionately and said thank you very much. I occupied the other seat

and we parted our ways. I don't remember whether I got off the bus before them or not.

Months passed by. Suddenly one day while I was standing at the same bus stop waiting

sometime for the bus to arrive I heard a voice.

"Excuse me Uncle," I glanced in the direction of the voice. It was a beautiful young

charming lady.

Puzzled, I said, "I do not recognize you."

She said, "But I do you. Do you remember you gave us your window seat?"

Puzzled, I said, "Maybe, but what is so great in that?

She said, "Uncle you simply acted like a God for me. Had you not given your seat on thatday, perhaps I would have not sat with my friend. By sitting together it helped us bridge a

misunderstanding that has been between us forever. Do you know we are getting marriednext month?"

"Good! God Bless both of you," I replied.

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The young lady again said thank you and went onto her journey. I realized the importance

of Giving that day. I also realized that small things can create great happenings in life.

This was a great lesson for me.

YES DEAR 2008

A Million Dollar Lessonby : Petey Parker

A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and

expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.

I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the

essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A

spotless cab pulled up.

The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I wascomfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he

mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He thenshowed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.

Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the

service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great

pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."

"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinkingmy best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could

feel proud of being the best I could be.

I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service

and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluate mypersonal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver.

One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply just meet theexpectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED

the customer's expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being 'great'better than just getting by on 'average'"

Did I tip him big time? You bet! Corporate America's loss is the traveling folk's

friend!

Lessons:

• Go an Extra Mile when providing any Service to others.

• The is no good or bad job. You can make any job good.

• Good service always brings good return.

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

DREAMS

A wonderful motivational story for any age…..

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to

know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle

hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that

that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I giveyou a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she

gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of

children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on

this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she toldme.

After class we walked to the student union building and share a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leaveclass together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time

machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily madefriends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention

bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'llnever forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium.

As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards onthe floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and

simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is

http://www.inspireme.net/2
































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killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what Iknow."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began: "We do not stop playing because

we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets tostaying young, being happy, and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find

humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are

nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing,you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a

year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. Thatdoesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the

opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather

for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the years end Rosefinished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful

woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

Lessons:

1. You are never too old to learn.

2. Laugh and find humor everyday .

3. Don't let change overwhelm you, let change help you find opportunities you

may have never seen!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

--Eleanor Roosevelt

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.

-- James Dean

Advice





























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Do you have a dream, a wish, then turn it into a goal today - break it down, take onestep, then another and accomplish your dream.

Catherine Pulsifer

YES DEAR 2008

Nothing to FearBy Author Unknown

There's nothing to fear --- you're as good as the best,

As strong as the mightiest, too.You can win in every battle or test;

For there's no one just like you.

There's only one you in the world today;So nobody else, you see,

Can do your work in as fine a way:

You're the only you there'll be !

So face the world, and all life is yours

To conquer and love and live:And you'll find the happiness that endures

In just the measure you give;There's nothing too good for you to possess,

Nor heights where you cannot go:Your power is more than belief or guess ---

It is something you have to know.

There is nothing to fear --- you can and you will.

For you are the invincible you.Set your foot on the highest hill ---

There's nothing you cannot do.

-- Author Unknown

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

How Do You Think

By Author Unknown

If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't!

If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,It's almost certain you won't.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you think you'll lose, you're lost;

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will;It's all in the state of mind!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you think you're outclassed, you are;

You've got to think high to rise.

You've got to be sure of yourself Before you 'll ever win the prize.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man;But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the person who thinks he can!

-- Author Unknown

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Count Your Blessings

Unknown Author

I've never made a fortune,and it's probably too late now.

But I don't worry about that much,I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,I'm reaping better than I sowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,and sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loving ones all around me,

and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,

and the mercies He's bestowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,


I remember times when things went wrong,My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke,and the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,

about the tough rows I have hoed.I'm drinking from my saucer,


If God gives me strength and courage,When the way grows steep and rough.

I'll not ask for other blessings,I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,

to help others bear their loads.Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,


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When I think of how many people

in this world have it worse than I do.I realize just how blessed most of us really are.

YES DEAR 2008

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

By Francie Baltazar-Schwartz

Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always hadsomething positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If Iwere any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around fromrestaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. Hewas a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling theemployee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don'tget it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Jerry, you have two choices today.You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be ina good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose tolearn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can

choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positiveside of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut way all the junk, every situation isa choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood.You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you livelife."

I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my ownbusiness. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurantbusiness: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armedrobbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off thecombination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly andrushed to the local trauma center.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital withfragments of the bullets still in his body.

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I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If Iwere any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery tookplace. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door,"Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to

live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. Butwhen they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of thedoctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.'

"I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I wasallergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breathe and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them. 'I amchoosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learnedfrom him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Lesson in Unconditional Love

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The lastclass I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that Iwish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile".The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reaction.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway.....so, I thought,this would be a piece of cake (literally).

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out toMcDonalds, one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us beganto back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell...and there standing behind me weretwo poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was"smiling"...his beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second manfumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentallydeficient and the blue eyed gentle man was his salvation. I held my tears......as I stood there withthem.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" becausethat was all they could afford (to sit in the restaurant and warm up they had to buysomething...they just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it...the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the littleman with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me...judgingmy every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two morebreakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had

chosen as a resting spot.

I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He lookedup at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you". I leaned over, began to pat his hand andsaid, "I did not do this for you...God is here working through me to give you hope". I started to cryas I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me andsaid, "That is why God gave you to me honey....to give me hope". We held hands for a momentand at that time we knew that only because of the Grace were we able to give .....

We are not church goers but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's

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sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project"and the instructor read it....then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly noddedas she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we ashuman beings (part of God) share this need to heal.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonalds, my husband, son, instructor, and everysoul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I Graduated withone of the biggest lessons I would ever learn....unconditional acceptance......after all....we arehere to learn!

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Positive Thinking Works Wonders

Positive Thought- A Strong Tool Of Success

Once upon a time there was bunch of tiny frogs that arranged a running competition. The goalwas to reach the top of very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see therace and cheer on the contestants.

The race began. Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach thetop of tower. You heard statements such as, "They will NEVER make it to the top. Or: Not achance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one, except for those, who in fresh tempo were climbing

higher and higher.

The crowd continued to yell, "Its too difficult!!! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up, but one continued higher and higher and higher. This onewouldn't give up!

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower, except for one tiny frog. After a bigeffort, he was the only one who reached the top! THEN all the other tiny frogs naturally wantedto know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal. Itturned out.... that the winner was deaf!!!!

Never listen to other people tendencies to be negative or pessimistic.... because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you- the ones you have in your heart!

--- Author Unknown ---Ravinder Singh --- IndiaJust do it! Do what you want!

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Kindness And What It Can Do For You!

The Lollipop Lesson

It's been a difficult year to say the least. My daughter, service dogs, and I lost our home due to abuse rightabout this time last year. We've depended upon the kindness of others to provide temporary shelter, foodand clothing; and are truly grateful.

For a while after the attack, I was numb. Post Traumatic Stress froze my emotions in an attempt at self-preservation. I tried to remain strong for my daughter, waiting until she was asleep to cry the tears of fear,loss, and panic that gripped my heart.

I tried desperately to rationalize the situation, but no matter how I looked at it, I came up empty. I keptthinking, "On the whole, I'm a good person. I give of my time, possessions and my heart to others. I treatpeople fairly and always try to do the right thing. I'm teaching my daughter the same morals and values thathad been instilled in me as a child..." and yet, though I was a good person, and my daughter was aninnocent; we sustained a brutal attack brought on by alcoholic rage of a once-loved and trusted familymember. I couldn't get my mind around the betrayal. I prayed a lot. I was disheartened that I didn't get anyresponse, and felt that God had betrayed me as well.

I became obsessed with my loss, and the injustice of the whole thing. At one point, I felt as though mydaughter might be better off without me, that I was holding her back from having a secure future. If shewere placed with a real family, then she would have a chance at a good life...one with a roof over her head.I was the one who was disabled and unable to provide adequately for her; I was excess baggage. She hadher whole future ahead, and I feared that having me in it ensured her a difficult and dismal one. I prayed for

guidance, I prayed for answers, I prayed for hope; but I didn't get the answer I'd expected.

I felt as though I failed my little girl in so many ways. She misses having friends, a place to play, a room of her own with pretty things, and the security of knowing what tomorrow will bring. The guilt felt like a wetcoat, gradually getting heavier, wearing me down and preventing me from moving forward.

Children are so resilient. I've learned so much from my little girl over the past year, and I look at her with anew wonder and admiration these days. Though she clearly remembers the horrors that no child shouldever have been witness to, she forgives as we are taught early on. For most, true forgiveness is lip service."I forgive you," is a benign phrase we are prone to say when we know we should, but we often lack theability to truly let go. Not my little girl. She still remembers the attack, still feels the loss; yet she hassomehow found it in her heart to completely forgive our attacker who hurt us so badly.

She never complains, although she has every right to. She went from having a beautifully decoratedbedroom of her own, to having only what the police could load into our van that cold, scary night; and a fewsubsequent, police-guarded truck loads that permitted us a few more boxes of belongings. The rest was leftbehind...along with the only home she ever knew, all her friends, and the innocence and security thatshould be a child's right; all that was cruelly snatched away from her.

Commercials she sees on TV with toys and trips to amusement parks, (things that she knows she can'thave), taunt her at every turn, yet she is the first to offer up one of her few remaining and cherished toys to

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another child who is sad or hurt. At bedtime, she thanks God for the blessings in her life and offers upprayers to others, never asking for anything for herself, because she feels as though she has all she needs.She doesn't complain when I'm sick and can't play with her, or that I can't afford to give her the extra thingsI know deep inside she would love to have...only issues an "I love you Mommy...you're the BEST Mommy!"whenever possible, seemingly oblivious to my disabilities and my shortcomings.

I dug through the change at the bottom of my purse and bought her a lollipop at the store today. She'd hadher eye on it the entire time we were in line to pay for our purchases. It was the kind of lollipop you'd see indays gone by that are twisted with different colors; a neat old-fashioned pop that cost $1.00.

She never asked for it, never whined or even gave me the "look" that pleaded silently...which is exactly whyI decided to get it for her. I really couldn't afford it, it's the end of the month and I only had $1.35 left to myname. I wouldn't have any more money coming until the first of the month, almost a week away, when myscant disability check arrives... but she'd been such a good girl, and I really thought she deserved a specialtreat. I foolishly worried that my last few cents should've been better spent.

When I reached into my purse and counted out enough for the pop, you would have thought I gave her thekey to the magic kingdom! "Thank you Mommy! You're the BEST Mommy!" She shrieked with sheer joy,thankfulness gushing from her lips and unabashed love and joyous tears shining in her eyes as she hugged

me with every ounce of strength her tiny body could muster.

All at once, the cloud of despair that had hung over me lifted and I shed the coat of guilt I'd been carryingfor so long. I knew without a doubt in that very instant, that I was the family that my little girl needed. I knewthat I wasn't baggage holding her back; I was the glue that was needed to keep us together. I knew that mydaughter needed me and loved me despite my shortcomings, and despite our situation. I knew without adoubt that my prayers had been answered and I had been blessed from above. With tears in my eyes, Irealized that the angel that stood happily devouring her unexpected treat at my feet had also blessed me;and I was never going to be the same.

I had been awakened from my nightmare. I was ready to continue my journey, willing to embrace whatever challenges may lie ahead; secure in the knowledge that I already had all I needed; the rest was a bonus.

I was in awe at this child of mine, and I was so thankful for the lesson she'd taught me.... while I'd wastedmy time feeling guilty and focusing on what we'd lost, my daughter had moved on and was focusing onwhat remained...something that was more important than anything else; through it all, we had each other.Though I only had 35 cents to my name, I felt richer than ever.

My daughter's youthful insight to an adult situation brought me to a place where there is no longer any roomleft for doubt or worry; leaving me with the ability to put all those useless feelings that had been clutteringup my mind behind me, ultimately freeing me up to enhance my life through opportunities I have sincecreated from my new perception.

Though she's only four, my daughter has the ability to be able to look past what she's lost to find true joyand satisfaction of having only the very basic necessities; and being truly grateful for them. She rejoices inthe simplest of kind gestures and goes out of her way to do the same for others. How many of us adultscan claim that? I've learned a lot from her; I hope you have, too.

In the spirit of giving, I wish for your life be blessed with the insight of my little girl, the shedding of your wetcoat, a new and positive perception of life...filled with an unlimited supply of lollipops.

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

How Do You Judge Life?

Lessons on LifeI think this is beautiful because it is true. Enjoy.

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distanceaway.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer and the youngestson in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had

seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked sobeautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life andfulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but

only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that theessence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only bemeasured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral lessons:

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better timesare sure to come some time later .

--- Author Unknown --- Submitted by Julie Feliciano --- Phillipines

7/28/2019 dear prog


YES DEAR 2008

Building Self-Esteem

Someone Who Believed In Me

I was said to be the worst student and my family thought it would be a miracle if I ever did my matriculation, and I believed it, but you can never be too sure in life. I was

repeating class VI and during the same time a new teacher, Miss Sadia, joined our school. She was our Social Studies teacher, a fresh graduate maybe, but her

intelligence was far beyond her physical age.

I was sitting in my classroom during our lunch break, as I was in the habit of stayingalone. Miss Sadia had also stayed back after the class as she wanted to check our copies. When she noticed that I was still there she called me over to her desk and

began to talk to me. It was just a normal conversation. After that day she gaveparticular attention to me and it made me feel special. My grades started to improve in

her subject and I also began to feel happier. It gave me the feeling that someonebelieved in me.

A few months later, she moved into a block away from my home. We would walkhome together once in a while, after school. She always had something special to say

and was sure of me more than I was of myself. Her constant support helped me,especially my studies as I always knew she would check my grades not just in her subject but overall. I came second in class and was promoted. But our relationshipcontinued; she was always there and had time to listen to me, because she cared.

After class VII she started to slowly drift away but did keep a constant check on me.

By the time I was in class IX we hardly spoke but till then I had changed for the better.I did my matriculation and left my school. I was out of touch with her as she was

hardly available over the phone. I studied and studied. I knew I could do it as she hadimplanted her trust and confidence deep inside me.

I completed my graduation and did my masters and one fine day our paths crossedagain. I met her at a wedding. Like a child I ran to her and hugged her with tears in

my eyes. I began to tell her that I had done my masters and how I had missed her inall these years.

After we exchanged small chit chats I could not help asking her, "Why did you stoptalking to me?"

She held my hand and said, "I wanted you to be independent, you are complete andyou need not give credit to anyone for your success and your failures. I wanted you totake control of your life. I wanted you to be a tree standing on your own roots, not

relying on others, and here you are," she leaned forward, still holding my hand in hersand kissed me on my forehead, saying, "I wanted you to move on and today I am

proud of you."

Later that evening when we were exchanging our goodbyes she whispered in my ear,"You are your inspiration, do not look for a shoulder".

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I could not say anything but smiled as I only knew that she was my inspiration, andwould always be.

YES DEAR 2008

Success Doesn't Happen Overnight

A Long Journey to Success

Life's many roads, lead us in many different directions on different paths,On these roads of travel we see new people, new things,

Everything appears to be perfect.

But, there shall come times when the road is long,The journey seems rough and the new people,

Places and things you once saw, are no longer around…You stand alone.

Even though the road may then seem lonely, you keep pushing on -Praying -

Believing that "Yes I can, Yes I will." And when no one else believes in you, you believe in yourself.

I know the road was hard, it was long -Because I traveled the same path.

So don't look back, just continue to push forward -

All that are in the way, move them out - shun the negativity.

Stay head strong, thank God for everything -Especially for this long harsh road.

Because it was simply A long journey to success.

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my mom up because the next morning around 7:00 a.m. she came banging on our door,yelling for us to get up. Mr. Chambless was standing in our neighbor's backyard shoutingout our names that we were late. We're lucky he came for us that day.

I blame it all on Gonzalo Perez. He used to spend the night over at our house we alwaysgot in trouble because we were always laughing when it was time to go to bed. I mean

some serious laughing. In fact, I saw him not too long ago and he said that an older gentleman had commented to him how when we were growing up, God had given uslaughter to get past the hard times. With most of us coming from broken homes, I doremember living below the poverty level. Looking back, I thank God that the laughter waswhat taught us to overlook it.

Mr. Chambless pulled a miracle that morning because we all made it safely to Six Flagsthat day. We didn't have any money to spend but I do remember digging in to buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken that he bought for us to eat before we entered the park. We all hada blast.

We all made it back in one piece and then one day, Mr. Chambless asked me if I wanted tobe on TV with him. He said there was a lady by the name of Pat Attebery that wanted tointerview us about our trip.

He didn't have to ask me twice. I was a very nervous 10-year old as we sat down in front of the camera. We went though the interview and passed it with flying colors. We left the TVstation in his little convertible with the top down. We were driving pass the old Edison Jr.High school and it began to sprinkle. We got a red light and he started to pull the top up andstopped. He looked at me and I looked at him and he said, "Oh, what the heck", and he leftthe top down. For that one split second I felt like I was on top of the world.

The time that he took us swimming at the Abilene State Park was exciting for us all. Iremember there was this huge man that must've weighed at least 300 lbs. at the deep endof the pool. Little by little he began bullying and threatening a few of us. We had no fear of him because we had Mr. Chambless.

I remember somebody commenting, "let's tell Mr. Chambless, I bet he can beat him up!"Well, needless to say nobody beat anybody up that day. The man heard and saw our fearless leader and instantly left us alone. I don't think he wanted anything to do with our muscular, body-building director that day. When he stood and crossed his arms, he was our Buzz Light Year of today. He was our hero and we all felt invincible knowing he was our always our guardian angel.

We surprised him a number of years ago during one of the Boy's and Girl's Club ShiningStars Recognition Dinners. His son Tony Chambless and I tricked him into thinking thatTony was getting an award and Mr. Chambless had to be there for his son.

I made some phone calls and gathered up some of the "men" who grew up around thisman. I had the pleasure of calling his name. He was seated with all his family members

around him and quickly turned red as he stood up. I began to share the fun memories thathe allowed us to have as young men.

I handed him a very nice plaque recognizing him for his many accomplishments in being apart of our lives. He certainly was a little overwhelmed as his emotions began to get thebetter of him. I stood there and began to feel the same way I felt a number of years ago ashe and I sat in the rain.

They say that what goes around comes around. I believe that's the reason I love children. Icarry a little bit of Mr. Chambless with me today and I'm proud to say that I learned it from

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the best. To you Sir I say, thank you for the wonderful memories, I'll cherish them for therest of my life!

YES DEAR 2008

Believe In Yourself

Believe in yourself and you can achieveThings you never thought possible

Believe in yourself and you can discover Talents new, that lie away hidden

Believe in yourself and you can reachNew heights that you thought unscalable

Believe in yourself and you can solveProblems that defy any solution

Believe in yourself and you can conquer Any situation, however difficult

Believe in yourself and you can makeThe most complicated things seem simple

Believe in yourself and you can learnThe skills of gaining knowledge from experience

Believe in yourself and you can enjoyThe beauty in nature's abundance

Believe in yourself and you can perceiveNew depths your senses can apprehendBelieve in yourself and you can perform

Way beyond your expectations

Believe in your goal and work towards itWith determination and dedication

Believe in yourself and output enhanceBy contributing to a given situation

Believe in yourself and you'll feel blessed As God's very own special creation.

--- Copyright © 2006 Sharon Pires

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YES DEAR 2008

Be a Believer to be an Achiever Author: Harvey Mackay

The professor stood before his class of 30 senior molecular biology students, about

to pass out the final exam. 'I have been privileged to be your instructor thissemester, and I know how hard you have all worked to prepare for this test. I also

know most of you are off to medical school or grad school next fall,' he said to them.

'I am well aware of how much pressure you are under to keep your GPAs up, and

because I know you are all capable of understanding this material, I am prepared to

offer an automatic 'B' to anyone who would prefer not to take the final.'

The relief was audible as a number of students jumped up to thank the professor anddeparted from class. The professor looked at the handful of students who remained,

and offered again, 'Any other takers? This is your last opportunity.' One morestudent decided to go.

Seven students remained. The professor closed the door and took attendance. Thenhe handed out the final exam. There were two sentences typed on the paper:

'Congratulations, you have just received an 'A' in this class. Keep believing inyourself.'

I never had a professor who gave a test like that. It may seem like the easy way out

of grading a bunch of exams, but it's a test that any teacher in any discipline couldand should give. Students who don't have confidence in what they've learned are 'B'

students at best.

The same is true for students of real life. The 'A' students are those who believe inwhat they're doing because they've learned from both successes and failures.

They've absorbed life's lessons, whether from formal education or the school of hardknocks, and become better people.

Those are the people who you look for when you're hiring or promoting, and theones you keep if you're downsizing. Your organisation needs their brand of thinking.

Psychologists say that by the age of two, 50 percent of what we ever believe aboutourselves has been formed; by age six, 60 percent, and at eight years, 80 percent.

Wouldn't you love to have the energy and optimism of a little kid? There is nothing

you couldn't do or learn or be.

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But you're a big kid now, and you realise you have some limits. Don't let the biggestlimit be yourself. Take your cue from Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach

the summit of Mount Everest: 'It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.'

Believing in yourself comes from knowing what you are really capable of doing.

When it's your turn to step up to the plate, realise that you won't hit a homerun

every time. Baseball superstar Mickey Mantle struck out more than 1,700 times, butit didn't stop him from excelling at baseball. He believed in himself, and he knew hisfans believed in him.

Surround yourself with positive people - they know the importance of confidence and

will help you keep focused on what you can do instead of what you can't. Who you

surround yourself with is who you become.

Never stop learning! I would work this advice into every column if I could; it's that

important. Don't limit yourself only to work-related classes, either. Learn everythingabout every subject that you can. When you know what you're talking about, it

shows.

Be very careful not to confuse confidence with a big ego. If you want people to

believe in you, you also have to believe in them. Understand well that those aroundyou also have much to contribute, and they deserve your support. Without faith in

yourself and others, success is impossible.

At the end of a particularly frustrating practice one-day, a football coach dismissed

his players by yelling, 'Now all you idiots, go take a shower!' All but one player

headed toward the locker room. The coach glared at him and asked why he was stillthere.

'You told all the idiots to go, Sir,' the player replied, 'and there sure seems to be a lot

of them. But I am not an idiot.'

Confident? You bet. And smart enough to coach that team some day.

Moral: Believe in yourself, even when no one else does.

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YES DEAR 2008

The Secret of Happiness

Author: Steve Brunkhorst

The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant. With head tilted, and shoulders bent

forward, he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step.

His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn out shoes, and warm personalitymade him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd.

Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks,and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile.

He stopped, turned with his whole body, and winked at a little girl seated by the

door. She flashed a big grin right back at him. A young waitress named Marywatched him shuffle toward a table by the window.

Mary ran over to him, and said, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair."

Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair

away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she scooted the table up close to him,

and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.

In a soft, clear voice he said, "Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your kind

gestures."

"You're welcome, Sir." She replied. "And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment,

and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!"

After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and hot lemon tea, Mary

brought him the change from his ticket. He left it lay. She helped him up from hischair, and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him

to the front door.

Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!"

He turned with his whole body, winked a smile, and nodded a thank you. "You arevery kind." he said softly.

When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate she found abusiness card and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one hundred

dollar bill.

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The note on the napkin read...

"Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too. It shows by theway you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Your kind gestures

will shine through those who meet you."

The man she had waited on was the owner of the restaurant where she worked. Thiswas the first time that she, or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.

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YES DEAR 2008

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