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| Page Views: 1,508 | Deep thinking for ones soul !!!!!! by Alain_Smeets - last update: Nov 10, 2003 |
Life is precious Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The
cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.
"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.
"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once."
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.
The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left.
There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them.
I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left." "Bob"
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends.
Drive safely and carefully.
Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker. . 'You know, my mummy loves white rose' A few minutes later, the old lady came again and I left with my trolley. I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper article 2 days ago, which mentioned of a drunk man in a truck who hit a car where there was one young lady and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-assisting machine, because the young lady would not be able to get out of the coma. |
Was this the family of the little boy?Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young lady had passed away. I couldn't stop myself and went to buy a bunch of white roses and I went to the mortuary where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wish before burial.
She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place crying, feeling that my life had been changed forever. The love that this little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to that day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk man had taken all this away from him. . Father's gift A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.
Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible.
Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible, and began to turn the pages.
As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words ..... PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? If this touched your heart, please pass it on. . The Wooden Bowl I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. |
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on..... and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: 1) a rainy day, 2) lost luggage, 3) tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same as thing as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it surely elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone..... People love that human touch ... holding hands.... a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about. ....I DID !
.
The story of 3 old men
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in"
"We do not go into a House together," they replied.
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth ," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success , and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth . Let him come and fill our home with Wealth !"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success ?"
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with Love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success : "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?" |
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success , the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success !!!!!!"
MY WISH FOR YOU...
-Where there is pain, I wish you peace and mercy.
-Where there is self-doubting, I wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through it.
-Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength.
-Where there is fear, I wish you love, and courage. . THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM Two travelling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.
"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."
"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later...
Some people come into our lives and quickly go...
Some people
become friends
and stay awhile...
leaving beautiful
footprints on our
hearts...
and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend!!
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!
I think this life is special...live and savour every moment...This is not a dress rehearsal! . The right occasion? My friend opened the drawer of his wife's chest and took a packet wrapped with rice paper: "This, he said, this is not any packet, it is lingerie". He threw away the paper and he observed the beautiful silk and embroidery. "We bought it the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago. She never used it. She was keeping it for a special occasion. "Well I think this is the right occasion." He went close to the bed and he put it next to the other things he was going to bring to the funeral home. His wife had just died. Turning towards me he said: "Do not keep anything for a special occasion, every day that you live is a special occasion."
I am still thinking of his words, they have changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less. I sit on the terrace and admire the view, without noticing the weeds in the garden. I spend more time with my family and friends and less time working. |
I understand that life is a succession of experiences to be enjoyed, not survival. I do not keep anything anymore. I use my crystal glasses every day. I wear a new jacket to go to the supermarket, if I so decide or if I feel like it. I no longer keep my best perfume for special events. I use it anytime I want to.
The word someday has disappeared from my vocabulary. I am not sure what my friend's wife would have done if she had known that she would have not been here for that tomorrow that every one takes so much for granted. I think she might have called all her relatives and intimate friends. Maybe she would have called some old friends to make amends for an old dispute. I like to think she might have gone to eat some oriental food, which was her favourite.
It is these few things not done that would bother me if I knew these were my last hours.
Upset because I stopped seeing good friends that I meant to contact someday....
Upset because I did not write those letters I meant to write one day.......
Upset and sad because I did not tell my brothers and sons often enough how much I love them.
Now I try not to postpone, keep or not do anything that would add laughter and fun to our lives. And every day I tell myself that this day is special.......everyday, every hour, every minute is special.
If you have received this message and you are too busy to send it to other people, you tell yourself that you will do it sometime, remember that day is very far away ....and it may not be there for ever....
This TANTRA originated in India and has already been around the world ten times. It contains good messages for the soul. It is a Nepalese totem tantra of good luck. This tantra has been sent to you as a wish of good luck.
.
WENT TO A PARTY, MOM
I went to a party,
And remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I had a sprite instead
I felt proud of myself,
The way you said I would,
That I didn't drink and drive,
Though some friends said I should.
I made a healthy choice,
And your advice to me was right,
The party finally ended,
And the kids drove out of sight.
I got into my car,
Sure to get home in one piece,
I never knew what was coming, Mom
Something I expected least.
Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,
Mom, his voice seems far away.
My own blood's all around me,
As I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
This girl is going to die.
I'm sure the guy had no idea,
While he was flying high,
Because he chose to drink and drive,
Now I would have to die.
So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
Like a hundred stabbing knives.
Tell sister not to be afraid, Mom
Tell daddy to be brave,
And when I go to heaven,
Put Daddy's Girl on my grave.
Someone should have taught him,
That its wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom
I'm getting really scared.
These are my final moments,
And I'm so unprepared.
I wish that you could hold me Mom,
As I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say, " I love you, Mom!"
So I love you and good-bye.
.
I Wish You Enough
At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door she said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. |
Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed good-bye and she left.
He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing. Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.
I am ill and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral," he said.
"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"
He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone. He paused a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. When we said 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them. He continued and then, turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough 'Hellos' to get you through the final 'Good-bye'." He then began to sob and walked away.
My friends and loved ones, I wish you ENOUGH!!! They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire lifetime to forget them.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
.
Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles --
A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.
I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing along song on the radio.
Your keys right where you look.
I wish you a day of happiness and perfection --
little bite-size pieces of perfection that give
you the funny feeling that God is smiling on
you, holding you so gently because you are
someone special and rare.
I wish you a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them,
but then an entire life to forget them.
- Connie
.
Reflections on E-mail
How lightly and softly
They appear in my mailbox
Like the leaves of spring
newly born and rich with promise
Each note is neat and precise
As you introduce yourself
Gently and slowly
Removing all doubt from my mind
That you are filled with qualities
which keep thoughts of love alive
and vibrant in my mind.......
Angie, South Africa
.
A Friend
Accepts you as you are
Believes in "you"
Calls you just to say "HI"
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just "be" with you
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never Judges
Offers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
X-plain things you don't understand
Yells when you won't listen and
Zaps you back to reality
. |
Quotes I wish we were still as close in miles
as we will always be in spirit." (Imelda, my girlfriend)
"You don't love a woman
because she is beautiful, but she
is beautiful because you
love her."
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away
He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. Chinese Proverb
Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home. Chinese Proverb
Friendship bridges the gap between what things are and what they could be. Roger Holmes |
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 Comments for Alain_Smeets about World | | | | |
starship Tue May 26, 2009 17:42 UTC
Hello Alain, thank you for signing the postcard from the Kortrijk VT meet which Margaretvn sent me. It must have been very successful and everyone had fun! Sylvia | davesut Tue May 12, 2009 21:17 UTC
Hi Alain, great to meet you and your family in Kortrijk. | wandeljp Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:15 UTC
Voor 2009 wensen wij jullie frisse vooruitzichten, de pit om ze aan te pakken, de kracht om ze waar te maken, en veel tijd om er van te genieten ! Jean-Pierre, Rosa en Charlotte (misschien tot 9/5 in Kortrijk) | filipdebont Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:34 UTC
Alain, Prettige Feestdagen, en Beste Wensen voor een voorspoedig en gezond 2009 |
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