Wisdom > Wisdom Tips
MEDITATION FOR BUSY PARENTS
"To believe in a child is to believe in the future.
Through their
aspirations they will save the world. With their
combined knowledge the
turbulent seas of hate and injustice will be calmed.
They will champion
the causes of life's underdogs, forging a society
without class
discrimination. They will supply humanity with music and
beauty as it
has never known." (author Henry James)
When we think of All Saints--that feast we Catholics
celebrated the
world over, over the weekend--we often think of people
from the past
instead of from the future. But the church, in its
wisdom, asks that we
take time out to treasure both.
What can we do, as parents and teachers of children, to
raise future
generations of saints, beginning with our own? Here are
some bits of
wisdom that, in keeping with the season, are gathered
from other wise
ones from the communion of saints:
* "Stop trying to perfect your child, but keep trying to
perfect
your relationship with him." (child pyschologist Barbara
Henker)
* "The best security blanket a child can have is parents
who
respect each other." (Jan Blaustone, 'The Joy of
Parenthood')
* "A little less worry over the child and a bit more
concern about
the world we make for the child to live in." (lawmaker
Adolph Meyer)
* "If you can give your child only one gift, let it be
enthusiasm."
(Bruce Barton, religious author, congressman,
advertising-agency
founder, and creator of Betty Crocker)
* "A baby is born with the need to be loved--and never
outgrows it.
Children are God's apostles, day by day sent forth to
preach of love and
hope and peace." (poet James Russell Lowell)
Meditation
Our lives are marked forever by those we meet; the friendships we make and
the love we experience, the reconciliations and the
quarrels, the works we have tried to do together,
for each other and for those less fortunate. All
this has given us something that will last.
Long after we've forgotten the marks of our exams, we'll remember the
friendships, the times of growth, the fun, the
laughter, the jokes.
We'll remember how we helped each other to grow as
people, in faith, in hope and in love.
May what we have done in this place, be given to
many others in our lives.
That man is a success
Who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the
love of children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by
an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or
failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others and gave the best he
had.
Desiderata : Max Ehrman
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible be on good terms with all persons. Speak you truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But do not let this blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disappointment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrending the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle to yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and stars. You have a right to be here. And whether it is clear to you or not, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations in the confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all it's sham and drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
Wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi
I am neither a man of letters nor of science, but I humbly claim to be a
man of prayer. It is prayer that has saved my life.
Without it I would have lost my reason long ago. If I
did not lose my peace of soul in the midst of my many
trials, it is because of the peace that came to me
through prayer. One can live several days without food,
but not without prayer. Prayer is the key to each
morning and the lock to each evening. It is a sacred
alliance between God and us. Let all try this
experience and they will find that daily prayer will add
something new to their lives, something that cannot be
found elsewhere."
Mahatma Gandhi
An Autobiography In Five Chapters
CHAPTER ONE
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost - I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever
to find a way out.
CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I cant believe I am in this same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I fall in...it's a habit
but my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down a different street.
~Anonymous
Character and Courage
A legend from India tells about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a
magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear
until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The
mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger. So,
once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when
the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician
refused to help. "I will make you into a mouse again, for though
you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse."
Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may
temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates
courage.
-Max Lucado
What is within you?
A monk who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day he met another traveler who was hungry, so the monk opened his bag to share his food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone in the monk's bag, admired it, and asked the monk to give it to him. The monk did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the jewel was worth enough to give him security for the rest of his life, but a few days later he came back, searching for the monk. When he found him he returned the stone and said, "I have been thinking. I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back to you in the hope that you can give me something much more precious. If you can, give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."
On Words
"Words are never just words.
And language is always more than just a means of communication.
We are, like it or nor, constantly judged by how we express
ourselves..."
Let it go
by T. D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you
this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.
I don't want you to try to talk another person into
staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about
you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean
hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you
let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody
that left. The bible said that, they came out from us
that it might be made manifest that they were not for
us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have
continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not
joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just
means that their part in the story is over. And you've
got to know when people's part in your story is over
so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've
got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when
it's over.
Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of
good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in
good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm
faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have
He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I
don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them
go!! If you are holding on to something that doesn't
belong to you and was never intended for your life, then
you need to ... LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .... LET
IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see
your worth...LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!! If you are
holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge ... LET
IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction
...LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets
your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel
better...LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take
you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken
relationship.... LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try
to help themselves; LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed ... LET IT
GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used
to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands
off of it,"
then you need to... LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD
is doing a new thing for 2005!!! LET IT GO!!!
Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then LET
IT GO!!!
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
BUILD ME SONS AND DAUGHTERS, O LORD!
Build me sons and daughter, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when
they are weak, and brave enough to face themselves when
they are afraid; who will be proud and unbending in
honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me sons and daughters whose wishes will not take the place of deeds;
who will know YOU and that to know themselves is the
foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead them, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the
stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let
them learn to stand up in the storm; here let them learn
compassion for those who fail.
Build me sons and daughters whose hearts will be clear, whose goals will
be high, who will master themselves before they seek to
master others, who will reach into the future, yet never
forget the past.
And, after all these things are theirs, give them, I pray, enough of a
sense of humor so that they may always be serious, yet
never take themselves too seriously.
Give them humility so that they may always remember the simplicity of true
greatness and the open mind of true strength.
We, their parents, will dare to whisper, We have not lived in vain.'
A Pure Heart
Wouldn't it be nice, to have a pure heart?
With prejudices absent, right from the start.
A heart that's devoid, of jealousy inside,
A heart where love and compassion abide.
A heart without angst, (indeed a bad trait,)
A heart that is trusting, a heart without hate
A heart that is open, and honest and true,
A heart that respects, the old and the new.
A heart not at war, but at peace and tranquil,
A heart with gratitude, a heart that is thankful.
A heart that's inclusive, for the short and the tall,
A heart that's charitable, with justice for all.
Now there's a resume, to have 'fore we die,
I know it's not easy, but shouldn't we try?
~Jerry
A Young Man Q & A
Did God create everything that exists? Does evil exist? Did God
create evil?
A University professor at a well known institution of higher
learning challenged his students with this question. "Did God create
everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir, he certainly did," the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything; then God created
evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principle that
our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil."
The student became quiet and did not respond to the professor's
hypothetical definition.. The professor, quite pleased with himself,
boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the
Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question,
professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never
been cold?"
The other students snickered at the young man's question. The young
man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the
laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of
heat. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or
transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or
transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of
heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that
temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to
describe how we feel if we have no heat."
The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does
not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light
we can study, but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism
to break white light into many colors and study the various
wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray
of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How
can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of
light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to
describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have
already said. We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of
man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and
violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing
else but evil.
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist, sir, or at least
it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It
is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to
describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the
result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in
his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or
the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name -- Albert Einstein
A true story.
Questions and Answers from Mother Teresa…
Most beautiful day ………….today
Biggest obstacle……………..fear
Easiest thing to do…………...sin
Root of all evil……………….egoism
Best pastime………………….work
Worst defeat………………….discouragement
Best professionals…………….children
First need……………………...to communicate
Greatest happiness……………..to serve others
Biggest mystery……………….death
Worst fault……………………..bad temper
Most dangerous person………...liar
Ugliest feeling………………….hatred
Most essential…………………..family
Best way………………………..the right way
Most comforting feeling……….inner peace
Best welcome…………………..a smile
Best medicine…………………. optimism
Most satisfying feeling………… a job well done
Greatest power ………………….faith
Most needed people……………..priests
Most wonderful thing on earth….love
Stress Management
A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an
audience, raised a glass of water and asked,
"how heavy is this glass of water? "
Answers called out ranging from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't
matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.
"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day,
you'll have to call an ambulance.
"In each case, it's the same weight,
but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. "
He continued,
"And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
as the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
we won't be able to carry on. "
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for
a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."
"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of
work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up
tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now,
let them down for a moment if you can. "
"Relax;
Pick them up later...after you've rested.
Life is short.
Enjoy it!
And then he shared some ways of dealing with
the burdens of life:
* Accept that some days you're the pigeon,
and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet,
just in case you have to eat them.
* Always read stuff that will make you look good
if you die in the middle of it.
* Drive carefully!
It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
* If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person
again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life
is simply to serve as a warning to others.
* Never buy a car you can't push.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well.. Just get up and
dance.
* The second mouse gets the cheese.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong
lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the
longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once
* We could learn a lot from crayons.
Some are sharp,
some are pretty
and some are dull .
Some have weird names ,
and all are different colors,
but they all have to live in the same box.
" A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery
on a detour.
Congratulations to Us...
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED The 1930's, 40's, 50's , 60's and 70's
!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank
while they carried us.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested
for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright
colored
lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and
when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks
we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special
treat .
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a water bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and NO
ONE
actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in
it,
but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we
were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach
us all day.
And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then
ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After
running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the
problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games
at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround
sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or
Internet chat rooms...
WE HAD FRIENDS . . . and we went outside and found them! We fell
out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and
although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many
eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door
or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who
didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard
of. They actually sided with the law!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem
solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new
ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to
grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our
lives for our own good.
LAUS DEO : A little history lesson you may enjoy.
I thought that you and others may like to see this. One detail that
is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of
greater height than the Washington Monument.
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This
is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this
historical information.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC,
are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In
fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are
even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.
Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with
everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years;
they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top
the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation,
overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of
Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of
sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully
placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in
the most successful nation in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four
syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they
say "Praise be to God!"
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James
Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that
the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took
twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the
Father of our nation, Laus Deo .........Praise be to God!"
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors
may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its
division into four major segments.
From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan
of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed
upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The
Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the
Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and
state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is
not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no
doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to
notice.
Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50
landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the
memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer
offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial
presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation
made by Sunday School children from New York
and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs
22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July
4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy
Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was
the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritua l mood given
by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One
Nation, Under God."
I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read
it? Well,
now is your unique opportunity, so read on!
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the
United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the
hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and
obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and
love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United
States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be
pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to
demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of
mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our
blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in
these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our
supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen."
Laus Deo!
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places
all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the
signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the
width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but
no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these
words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in
vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every
sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find
offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they
probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on
those who will never see this because someone! failed to send it on.