I have seen this before & felt it was important to include in my blog.
This is a great story about how such a young person can see the meaning of life so clearly through the eyes of his best friend.
Six-year-old Shane observed his beloved dog being euthanized after a long battle with cancer. Shane's parents felt as though he might learn something from the experience. Shane seemed very calm, petting the old dog for the last time, the adults wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, the dog slipped away peacefully. The little boy seemed to accept his dog's fate without any difficulty or confusion. Shane joined his parents and their vet in a small quiet room where they discussed the sad fact that humans tend to outlive their pets. Shane, who had been listening attentively and quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, they all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned everyone. They've never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Please pause a moment and consider to:
Live simply
Love generously
Care deeply
Speak kindly
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
When You Touch A Life: The Teddy Stoddard Story – OMG I am still weeping over this story
Her name was Mrs. Thompson.
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie; like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking 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 records and 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 work neatly 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, but he 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 had 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 steps aren't taken."
~Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got 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 the stones 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 it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mother used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading,writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come 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 would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her 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, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher 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 in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer, the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually 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 was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. 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 showing me 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 I met you."
Please remember that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook please try to do it in a positive way.
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie; like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking 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 records and 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 work neatly 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, but he 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 had 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 steps aren't taken."
~Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got 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 the stones 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 it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mother used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading,writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come 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 would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her 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, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher 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 in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer, the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually 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 was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. 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 showing me 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 I met you."
Please remember that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook please try to do it in a positive way.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
100 Mini Purposes in MY Life
1) Eat a little healthier - starting to
2) Smile more - trying to
3) Smile and talk to a complete stranger - I do at least once a day
4) Be a better listener everyday - son & dad once a day
5) Write a poem - or try to
6) Try something completely new
7) Cut down on the junk food - see #1
8 ) Be more grateful for the everyday things - every day!
9) Feel a bit better than yesterday
10) Help a stranger - see #3
11) Call an old friend and catch up - finally caught up with the Mafia 8
12) Stand tall in the face of adversity - thankfully haven't had to face any lately
13) Be a better driver - does being an overly safe driver mean anything?
14) Write a song - or listen to good ones
15) Write a positive review of a product you like
16) Create a new TV show concept
17) Call a radio show and request a song
18) Enter a finished piece into a competition - when I get better at what I do!
19) Start reading a new book - I do once a week at least
20) Start writing a book
21) Go for a drive with no destination in mind - have been since I started the journey back in '81
22) Watch an old movie - can you say they are better than the new ones?
23) Watch re-runs of your favourite TV shows - Law & Order anyone?
24) Go and see some famous works of art
25) Track down a lost friend and get in touch - see #11
26) Call a distant relative - HA>!!!!
27) Give some spare change to a beggar without thinking about what they might spend it on
28) Plan your strategy for becoming world famous - or dream about it anyway!
29) Start a trend - everyday!
30) Create a cool new word that the young generation can catch onto - steal one from the '70's
31) Organize a fantasy crop or craft night
32) Complete a crossword or soduku puzzle without help - nah still need to cheat!
33) Go old school and write a letter to a pen-pal - wish I had one!
34) Take a picture of something random and submit it to a photography competition
35) Make a fun video
36) Laugh for no reason - everyday!
37) Leave messages on random blogs - my bookmarks are full of them!
38) Do some charity work
39) Raise some money for charity
40) Donate money to a random charity.
41) Do one a RAK everyday - I try!
42) Go explore a park
43) Get out the old photo albums and reminisce - they make me cry
44) Introduce someone who’s never done it to your favorite hobby -Creative Arts Program?
45) Set yourself a challenge to double the money in your pocket by being savvy
46) Invent a new game
47) Play a board game instead of watching T.V. - anything's better than TV
48) Give someone a lift
49) Wear something you wouldn’t normally wear
50) Write an inspirational text message and send it onto friends
51) Wash your car
52) Focus on abundance for the whole day - I am gratefull every minute
53) Become more in-tune with people - I am a people reader from way back1
54) Create a better rapport with people
55) Improve your attitude of gratitude - see #52
56) Remember that you have the power of choice at every step
57) Attract birds to your backyard - love them all
58) Start a blog
59) Write a blog post everyday - I try anyway
60) Share pearls of wisdom you’ve been holding onto - I share them with DS everyday
61) Write to your favorite author or inspiration and say thank you
62) Shift your focus from the bad to the good
63) Focus on healing any minor ailments or injuries
64) Increase your sensory awareness
65) Give advice and guidance to those who need it
66) Ask yourself better questions
67) Pray -constantly
68) Meditate for brief moments throughout the day
69) Practice following through on your decisions - how can I not?
70) Complete an unfinished project
71) Create some SOS’s (Simple Obvious Strategies) for enhancing your life
72) Focus on getting better at what you do
73) Practise being ‘in the moment’
74) Create a new way of doing a repetitive task
75) Look at a repetitive task in a new light
76) Listen to audio books throughout the day and at night
77) Apply your wisdom
78) Meditate in an open space like a park
79) Do some tai chi or yoga - starting to
80) Get a book about a new skill and learn it
81) Improve your memory and remember names and other info - easier said than done!
82) Find a good Life Coach and follow their teachings - Dr.Christiane Northrop
83) Start a new course or evening class -84) Learn to breathe more fully - thank goodness for the breathing ball
85) Cook a healthy meal - see #1
86) Volunteer at a school - do too much as it is - but love every minute!
87) Sort out your finances - finally after 25 years I have
88) Book some "you time"
89) Be more charming and attractive to the opposite sex -HA!
90) Do a very challenging task
91) Arrange a tournament of some kind
92) Get rid of clutter - every moment of every day I trash something
93) Act more consciously
94) Appreciate the rain - did you ever smell the rain?
95) Tackle something you fear head on - I fear being alone
96) Overwrite a limiting belief with an empowering one
97) Anchor your positive emotions
98) Send out healing vibes to the whole world
99) Utilize the technology you have to do good
100) Get yourself to get into action
2) Smile more - trying to
3) Smile and talk to a complete stranger - I do at least once a day
4) Be a better listener everyday - son & dad once a day
5) Write a poem - or try to
6) Try something completely new
7) Cut down on the junk food - see #1
8 ) Be more grateful for the everyday things - every day!
9) Feel a bit better than yesterday
10) Help a stranger - see #3
11) Call an old friend and catch up - finally caught up with the Mafia 8
12) Stand tall in the face of adversity - thankfully haven't had to face any lately
13) Be a better driver - does being an overly safe driver mean anything?
14) Write a song - or listen to good ones
15) Write a positive review of a product you like
16) Create a new TV show concept
17) Call a radio show and request a song
18) Enter a finished piece into a competition - when I get better at what I do!
19) Start reading a new book - I do once a week at least
20) Start writing a book
21) Go for a drive with no destination in mind - have been since I started the journey back in '81
22) Watch an old movie - can you say they are better than the new ones?
23) Watch re-runs of your favourite TV shows - Law & Order anyone?
24) Go and see some famous works of art
25) Track down a lost friend and get in touch - see #11
26) Call a distant relative - HA>!!!!
27) Give some spare change to a beggar without thinking about what they might spend it on
28) Plan your strategy for becoming world famous - or dream about it anyway!
29) Start a trend - everyday!
30) Create a cool new word that the young generation can catch onto - steal one from the '70's
31) Organize a fantasy crop or craft night
32) Complete a crossword or soduku puzzle without help - nah still need to cheat!
33) Go old school and write a letter to a pen-pal - wish I had one!
34) Take a picture of something random and submit it to a photography competition
35) Make a fun video
36) Laugh for no reason - everyday!
37) Leave messages on random blogs - my bookmarks are full of them!
38) Do some charity work
39) Raise some money for charity
40) Donate money to a random charity.
41) Do one a RAK everyday - I try!
42) Go explore a park
43) Get out the old photo albums and reminisce - they make me cry
44) Introduce someone who’s never done it to your favorite hobby -Creative Arts Program?
45) Set yourself a challenge to double the money in your pocket by being savvy
46) Invent a new game
47) Play a board game instead of watching T.V. - anything's better than TV
48) Give someone a lift
49) Wear something you wouldn’t normally wear
50) Write an inspirational text message and send it onto friends
51) Wash your car
52) Focus on abundance for the whole day - I am gratefull every minute
53) Become more in-tune with people - I am a people reader from way back1
54) Create a better rapport with people
55) Improve your attitude of gratitude - see #52
56) Remember that you have the power of choice at every step
57) Attract birds to your backyard - love them all
58) Start a blog
59) Write a blog post everyday - I try anyway
60) Share pearls of wisdom you’ve been holding onto - I share them with DS everyday
61) Write to your favorite author or inspiration and say thank you
62) Shift your focus from the bad to the good
63) Focus on healing any minor ailments or injuries
64) Increase your sensory awareness
65) Give advice and guidance to those who need it
66) Ask yourself better questions
67) Pray -constantly
68) Meditate for brief moments throughout the day
69) Practice following through on your decisions - how can I not?
70) Complete an unfinished project
71) Create some SOS’s (Simple Obvious Strategies) for enhancing your life
72) Focus on getting better at what you do
73) Practise being ‘in the moment’
74) Create a new way of doing a repetitive task
75) Look at a repetitive task in a new light
76) Listen to audio books throughout the day and at night
77) Apply your wisdom
78) Meditate in an open space like a park
79) Do some tai chi or yoga - starting to
80) Get a book about a new skill and learn it
81) Improve your memory and remember names and other info - easier said than done!
82) Find a good Life Coach and follow their teachings - Dr.Christiane Northrop
83) Start a new course or evening class -84) Learn to breathe more fully - thank goodness for the breathing ball
85) Cook a healthy meal - see #1
86) Volunteer at a school - do too much as it is - but love every minute!
87) Sort out your finances - finally after 25 years I have
88) Book some "you time"
89) Be more charming and attractive to the opposite sex -HA!
90) Do a very challenging task
91) Arrange a tournament of some kind
92) Get rid of clutter - every moment of every day I trash something
93) Act more consciously
94) Appreciate the rain - did you ever smell the rain?
95) Tackle something you fear head on - I fear being alone
96) Overwrite a limiting belief with an empowering one
97) Anchor your positive emotions
98) Send out healing vibes to the whole world
99) Utilize the technology you have to do good
100) Get yourself to get into action
Thursday, October 9, 2008
80 Things toLive By...
1. Forgive your parents
2. Pay off debt
3. Lose your image
4. Think critically
5. Find the silver lining
6. Make friends with children, old people and animals
7. Don’t watch the news
8. Explore outside your comfort zone
9. Try new foods
10. Invest your money
11. Get rid of clutter
12. Read the ingredients list
13. Don’t believe information you’re given when someone or something is trying to sell you something
14. Don’t grocery shop hungry
15. Lose toxic friends
16. Do yoga
17. Never stop learning
18. Get a hobby
19. Don’t buy publications that have celebrity headlines
20. Thank your parents
21. Buy used
22. Don’t buy into the housing hype
23. Learn to differentiate between needs & wants
24. Ignore socialization
25. Time does not equal dedication
26. Things are not love
27. Stop trying to change your lover
28. Learn from your AND others mistakes
29. Listen more
30. Exercise
31. Find a life outside of your children
32. Stay out of direct sunlight
33. Buy your size, not the one you want to be
34. Identify government propaganda or research it yourself
35. Get a library card
36. Don’t waste food
37. Be honest
38. Don’t let anyone intimidate you
39. Let children struggle so they can grow their own wings
40. Forgive yourself; you only did what you knew to do
41. Grow a backbone
42. Don’t ever try a cigarette
43. Learn how to make yourself orgasm first
44. If you are repeatedly treated poorly by someone, it’s because you allow it to continue
45. Confidence is sexiest
46. A great haircut is worth it
47. Say NO when you get the urge
48. Be grateful
49. When you marry someone you marry his or her family.
50. Your job probably thinks your expendable; be selective with your loyalty
51. When your kids constantly whine and misbehave, it’s not because of the school system…
52. If you are offended by something someone says about you, it’s probably true
53. Give without expectation
54. Everyone likes a birthday cake, no matter how much they deny it
55. Don’t yell
56. No one really knows what they’re doing in life
57. Communicate
58. Diversify: your friends, money and interests
59. Talk about ideas, not people
60. Don’t fall into marketable New Age hype
61. There are 400 billion stars in our galaxy, so yes, the world does not revolve around you
62. Smile (apparently, it’s the 2nd best thing you can do with your mouth)
63. Compliment more
64. Know your weaknesses, find other people to complement them
65. Mentor, mentor, mentor
66. No matter how much you know, you’re still probably ignorant
67. America needs a lot of work right now
68. Race does not define you
69. Your purpose is to be; enjoy it
70. Normal doesn’t exist; it’s all socialization put in your head
71. Live beneath your means
72. Avoid car loans
73. Clip coupons
74. Stay on the border of the grocery store
75. Tip 20% or more
76. Your beliefs are yours alone, unless some random stranger asked for a lecture, keep it that way
77. Take responsibility for your choices
78. Just do it. Anything, everything, all of it - whatever you want. Just do it.
79. It’s always easier than you thought
80. Get Over yoursel
I am particularly drawn to #s 7,9,16,21,33,44,46,61,66,70 & most imoportanly for me this year #50
2. Pay off debt
3. Lose your image
4. Think critically
5. Find the silver lining
6. Make friends with children, old people and animals
7. Don’t watch the news
8. Explore outside your comfort zone
9. Try new foods
10. Invest your money
11. Get rid of clutter
12. Read the ingredients list
13. Don’t believe information you’re given when someone or something is trying to sell you something
14. Don’t grocery shop hungry
15. Lose toxic friends
16. Do yoga
17. Never stop learning
18. Get a hobby
19. Don’t buy publications that have celebrity headlines
20. Thank your parents
21. Buy used
22. Don’t buy into the housing hype
23. Learn to differentiate between needs & wants
24. Ignore socialization
25. Time does not equal dedication
26. Things are not love
27. Stop trying to change your lover
28. Learn from your AND others mistakes
29. Listen more
30. Exercise
31. Find a life outside of your children
32. Stay out of direct sunlight
33. Buy your size, not the one you want to be
34. Identify government propaganda or research it yourself
35. Get a library card
36. Don’t waste food
37. Be honest
38. Don’t let anyone intimidate you
39. Let children struggle so they can grow their own wings
40. Forgive yourself; you only did what you knew to do
41. Grow a backbone
42. Don’t ever try a cigarette
43. Learn how to make yourself orgasm first
44. If you are repeatedly treated poorly by someone, it’s because you allow it to continue
45. Confidence is sexiest
46. A great haircut is worth it
47. Say NO when you get the urge
48. Be grateful
49. When you marry someone you marry his or her family.
50. Your job probably thinks your expendable; be selective with your loyalty
51. When your kids constantly whine and misbehave, it’s not because of the school system…
52. If you are offended by something someone says about you, it’s probably true
53. Give without expectation
54. Everyone likes a birthday cake, no matter how much they deny it
55. Don’t yell
56. No one really knows what they’re doing in life
57. Communicate
58. Diversify: your friends, money and interests
59. Talk about ideas, not people
60. Don’t fall into marketable New Age hype
61. There are 400 billion stars in our galaxy, so yes, the world does not revolve around you
62. Smile (apparently, it’s the 2nd best thing you can do with your mouth)
63. Compliment more
64. Know your weaknesses, find other people to complement them
65. Mentor, mentor, mentor
66. No matter how much you know, you’re still probably ignorant
67. America needs a lot of work right now
68. Race does not define you
69. Your purpose is to be; enjoy it
70. Normal doesn’t exist; it’s all socialization put in your head
71. Live beneath your means
72. Avoid car loans
73. Clip coupons
74. Stay on the border of the grocery store
75. Tip 20% or more
76. Your beliefs are yours alone, unless some random stranger asked for a lecture, keep it that way
77. Take responsibility for your choices
78. Just do it. Anything, everything, all of it - whatever you want. Just do it.
79. It’s always easier than you thought
80. Get Over yoursel
I am particularly drawn to #s 7,9,16,21,33,44,46,61,66,70 & most imoportanly for me this year #50
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