The Starfish

An old man was walking along the beach, when he came upon a part of the sand where thousands of starfish had washed ashore. A little further down the beach he saw a young woman, who was picking up the starfish one at a time and tossing them back into the ocean. "Oh you silly girl," he exclaimed. "You can't possibly save all of these starfish. There's too many." The woman smiled and said, "I know. But I can save this one, " and she tossed another into the ocean, "and this one", toss, "and this one..."

--Unknown

~One~

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.

One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to "You"

~Author Unknown

Life is an Echo

A son and his father were walking in the mountains. Suddenly,his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"

The voice answers: "You are a champion!" The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything,in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it."

--Unknown

Dare To

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.

Dare to be the best you can.
At all times, Dare to be!

--Author Unknown

Secret of Success

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank president.

"Two words"

"And, Sir,what are they?"

"Right decisions."

"And how do you make right decisions?"

"One word."

"And,sir,What is that?"

"Experience."

"And how do you get Experience ?"

"Two words"

"And, Sir,what are they?"

"Wrong decisions"

-- by: Author Unknown

Five Short Chapters on Change

Chapter 1.
I walk down a street and there's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. It takes forever to get out. It's my fault.

Chapter 2.
I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It still takes a long time to get out. It's not my fault.

Chapter 3.
I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It's becoming a habit. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4.
I walk down the same street and see the deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5.
I walk down a different street.

--Unknown

Life Is

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

--by Mother Theresa

The Test

The most destructive habit..............................Worry

The greatest Joy.............................................Giving

The greatest loss.............................................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work................................Helping others

The ugliest personality trait.............................Selfishness

The most endangered species.........................Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource.........................Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm".........................Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome.................Fear

The most effective sleeping pill.......................Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease...................Excuses

The most powerful force in life.......................Love

The most dangerous pariah............................A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer............The brain

The worst thing to be without........................ Hope

The deadliest weapon....................................The tongue

The two most power-filled words..................."I Can"

The greatest asset...........................................Faith

The most worthless emotion...........................Self-pity

The most beautiful attire.................................Smile!

The most prized possession............................Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication..Prayer

The most contagious spirit..............................Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life........................Time

by Author Unknown

You Will Never Be Sorry

. . . for thinking before acting.

. . . for hearing before judging.

. . . for forgiving your enemies.

. . . for being candid and frank.

. . . for helping a fallen brother.

. . . for being honest in business.

. . . for thinking before speaking.

. . . for being loyal to your church.

. . . for standing by your principles.

. . . for closing your ears to gossip.

. . . for bridling a slanderous tongue.

. . . for harboring only pure thoughts.

. . . for sympathizing with the afflicted.

. . . for being courteous and kind to all.

--Unknown

I Shall

I am capable. I am worthwhile.
I am beautiful. I am lovable.
I shall accept both my strengths
and my weaknesses for they are me.

I shall never again believe the "lie"
that if I make a mistake,
I am a mistake.
My mistakes are the learning tools
that I shall encounter on my life journey.

When I learn from my mistakes,
I give them meaning
When I give my mistakes meaning,
I can begin to forgive myself,
I can begin to heal.

I shall not use my mistakes as excuses
to give up on me.....
My mistakes are not me.

I shall seek the wisdom to nurture
my heart, mind, body, and soul
so that I may feel more centered

providing an energy reserve that allows
me to climb the mountains in my own life

providing an energy reserve that allows
me to love and support others
who are climbing a different mountain

providing an energy reserve that allows
time for friends, play
and the celebration of life.

I shall allow myself to feel capable
so that I may seek excellence.

I shall allow myself to feel sadness
so that joy may return.

I shall allow myself to feel joy
so that I may be revitalized.

I shall allow myself to feel afraid
so that I may find courage.

I shall allow myself to feel alone
so that I may know me.

I shall allow myself to feel beautiful
so that I may feel free.

I shall allow myself to feel lovable
so that the loving may seek me.

I shall allow myself to feel pain
so that I may heal.

I shall allow myself to feel worthy
so that I may fulfill my purpose.

When I am centered,
I see the perfection in the world,
myself and others.

When I find the world to be imperfect,
I will take responsibility
for painting it that way.

I will look into the heart of a rose,
or the eyes of a newborn baby
and again know perfection.

I take responsibility
for creating my own life story
through the choices I have made;
to blame others is to give away
my personal power.

Who will I allow to write
the next chapter of my life?

I shall seek the courage to believe
in a God or Higher Power
who will laugh with me in the sunlight
or cry with me in the darkness.

I shall make a small difference on this planet
through the work I do.
When I leave I will have done my share.

I shall live, love, laugh,
and learn on my journey.