If a
parent told his child, “An elephant is a big animal dwelling in
Asia or Africa,” you and I both know there are many, many other
facts unknown to the child. Life is an Education...so much to
learn...one building block at a time...each experience adding to the
existing knowledge.
Someone
stated, “A person doesn't know...what he doesn't know!”
Life
can be a 'precipice' or it can be a 'mountain top' experience.
Throughout the italicized
VALUES, contributed by
Dilu, I insert a few “clip-its” from novels read the past few
years.
To
realize the value of a sister or brother ~ ask someone who doesn't
have one.
To
realize the value of ten years ~ ask a newly divorced couple.
To
realize the value of four years ~ ask a graduate.
To
realize the value of one year ~ ask a student who has failed a final
exam.
From
The Winter Vault by Anne Michael:
A white-haired man sitting on a bench near the hospital, speaking
to Jean in Cairo (having a brief walk, after losing her
baby...teary-eyed, disconsolate, lonely and feeling guilty)
consolingly spoke, “Do not confuse Fate with Destiny. Fate is
dead! Destiny is liquid...alive like a bird. There are consequences
and there is mystery...and sometimes they look the same. All your
self-knowledge won't bring you peace. Seek something else. One can
never forgive oneself anyway ~ for you, it takes another person to
forgive ~ and for that, you could wait forever!”
To realize the value of nine months ~
ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize the value of one month ~
ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
From
A Certain Smile by Judith Michael:
As Miranda and Li approached the market in a clearing between
apartment buildings, old men in baggy pants and faded jackets were
hanging covered birdcages on wire hooks dangling from the branches of
scrawny trees. When the men pulled off the covers, the canaries and
parakeets began to sing. They sang and sang, joyful with the freedom
of the sunlight, hopping from perch to floor and back to swinging
perch while the old men sat on worn tree stumps gossiping. Li
commented, “They do this every day. Their apartments are cramped
and dark and they bring their birds here for fresh air. Sometimes
they swing the cages in wide circles ~ they call this 'exercising'
the birds.” Miranda stated, “How lovely...they all get to
escape! Look at them, how happy they are...the men and the birds all
sharing the same freedom!”
Li
remarked, “We all have more than one cage...and we can escape.
Miranda, what are your cages?”
To realize the value of one week ~ ask an editor of a weekly
newspaper.
To realize the value of a minute ~ ask a person who has missed the
train, bus or plane.
To realize the value of a second ~ ask a person who has survived
an accident.
From
Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steel:
Hope Dunn, a renowned photographer of humanities had lived in India,
Tibet and Nepal. She was not a Buddhist...but
shared philosophies with them in that she didn't fight what happened
to her. Instead, drifted with it...allowing life to carry her from
one experience to the next. It was that...and wisdom that shone
through her work. An Acceptance
of Life as
it really was...rather than try to force it to be what one wanted,
knowing it never could be. She was a strong reed...bending in the
wind...beautiful...and resilient.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more ~ when you can share it with
someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member ~ LOSE ONE!
A
Learn-ed Philosophy
In life, we are in proximity to workers, whether business or
industry...to service personnel who provide transportation,
entertainment and our daily needs of life...even neighbours with whom
we converse... sometimes without thought or reason. Often, what we
say is 'counter-productive' with one's own words being misunderstood
or misconstrued...resulting in negative reception.
The
solution to this dilemma is: Think
Before You Speak!
(to ensure clarity)
The
following “Hormone Guide” illustrates the foregoing
philosophy...”How
to Speak to a Woman!
Dangerous:
What's for dinner?
Safer:
Can I help you with dinner?
Safest:
Where would you like to go for dinner?
Ultra
Safe:
Here, have some wine!
Dangerous:
Are you wearing that?
Safer:
You sure look good in brown.
Safest:
WOW! Look at you !
Ultra
Safe:
Here, have some wine!
Dangerous:
What are you so worked up about?
Safer:
Could we be over-reacting?
Safest:
Here's my paycheck.
Ultra
Safe:
Here, have some wine!
Dangerous:
Should you be eating that?
Safer:
You know there are a lot of apples left.
Safest:
Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?
Ultra
Safe:
Here, have some wine!
Dangerous:
What did you DO all day?
Safer:
I hope you didn't over-do it today.
Safest:
I've always loved you in that robe!
Ultra
Safe:
Here, have some wine!
Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...January 16, 2015
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