2. We convince ourselves that life will be better once we are married, have a baby, then another. Then we get frustrated because our children are not old enough, and that all will be well when they are older. Then we are frustrated because they reach adolescence and we must deal with them. Surely we’ll be happier when they grow out of the teen years. We tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouse gets his/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can take a vacation, when we finally retire. The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now. If not, then when? Your life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit as much and to decide to be happy in spite of it all.
3. For the longest time, it seemed that life was about to start. Real life. But there was always some obstacle along the way, an ordeal to get through, some work to be finished, some time to be given, a bill to be paid. Then life would start. I finally came to understand that those obstacles were life. That point of view helped me see that there isn’t any road to happiness. Happiness IS the road. So, enjoy every moment. Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to school, to lose ten pounds, to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening, for Sunday morning, waiting for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid off, for spring, for summer, for fall, for winter, for the first or the fifteenth of the month, for your song to be played on the radio, to die, to be reborn… before deciding to be happy.
4. Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. There is no better time to be happy than… NOW! Live and enjoy the moment. -Author unknown Now, think and try to answer these questions: 1 – Name the 5 richest people in the world. 2 – Name the last 5 Miss Universe winners. 3 – Name the last 10 Nobel Prize winners. 4 – Name the last 10 winners of the Best Actor Oscar.
5. Can’t do it? Rather difficult, isn’t it? Don’t worry, nobody remembers that. Applause dies away! Trophies gather dust! Winners are soon forgotten. Now answer these questions: 1 – Name 3 teachers who contributed to your education. 2 – Name 3 friends who helped you in your hour of need. 3 – Think of a few people who made you feel special. 4 – Name 5 people that you like to spend time with. More manageable? It’s easier, isn’t it? The people who mean something to your life are not rated “the best”, don’t have the most money, haven’t won the greatest prizes… They are the ones who care about you, take care of you, those who, no matter what, stay close by. Think about it for a moment. Life is very short! And you, in which list are you? Don’t know?
6. Let me give you a hand. You are not among the most “famous”, but among those to whom I remember to send this message… Some time ago, at the Seattle Olympics, nine athletes, all mentally or physically challenged, were standing on the start line for the 100 m race. The gun fired and the race began. Not everyone was running, but everyone wanted to participate and win. They ran in threes, a boy tripped and fell, did a few somersaults and started crying. The other eight heard him crying. They slowed down and looked behind them. They stopped and came back… All of them… A girl with Down’s Syndrome sat down next to him, hugged him and asked, “Feeling better now?” Then , all nine walked shoulder to shoulder to the finish line. The whole crowd stood up and applauded. And the applause lasted a very long time…
7. People who witnessed this still talk about it. Why? Because deep down inside us, we all know that the most important thing in life is much more than winning for ourselves. The most important thing in this life is to help others to win. Even if that means slowing down and changing our own race. A candle loses nothing if it is used to light another one.”
8. Your Life --Did It Matter? God speaks, life begins Some were married, some in sin Greatest accomplishment, only the beginning Into this world, not by grinning Life starts, trauma for two Slapped behind, cries anew. Baby’s bottle, mothers breast Dirty diapers, diaper rash Teeth come in, constant pain Inoculations, words do gain Learning young, how to grow Asking why, need to know
9. Starting school, first big day Leaving home, start first grade Girls have cooties, boys are gross Cherish parents, family most Making friends, learning math Teachers pet, loves recess Hurt by friends, first car crash Fall in love, acne rash High school starts, puberty too Wow, what changes! - girls look new! Cooties gone, replaced with lust Growing up, over 30- don’t trust
10. Parents not cool, all else is How do I look, pimply skin High school friends, soon to part Graduation byes, heart to heart Making choices, growin’ up What to do…no more pup. Join the Army, marry maybe Go to college, have a baby? 30 something, making gold not long ago, seemed so old Now a family—whoop whoopee!! Priorities change, who is thee?
11. Kids grow up, we grow old Things do change, hearts grow cold. Life was meant… to be lived Did you use, gift you’re gived The gift is life, the gift was yours How did you do, what was the score The time is now, gone full circle ‘member the passion- the color purple? Hair does go, your memory too Viagra needed, what to do? Back in diapers, others care Moving slow, Going where?
12. Box is ready, time to rest Meeting maker, did your best? Will be judged, what we did Too late now, made your bed. Did you use, the time you had Made it matter? Others glad? No “shoulda”, on yourself Can be messy, little help. Great big gathering, you were there Pretty in box, some gray hair. What you did, what’s your worth Did it matter? Now under dirt The difference made…better than cash? How big did you play… how big was your dash?
13. So what will matter? So how will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought--- But what you built--- Not what you got but what you gave What will matter is not your success but your significance What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught What will matter is not your competence but your character What will matter is not how many people you knew But how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone What will matter is not your memories But the memories that live in those that loved you Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice Chose a life that matters
14. Do you wish you were what you were when you wished you were What you are now ??? So---------------------------- Fill your life with love and laughter; Let God Decide what comes hereafter? Dare to dream great dreams but never Kid yourself you'll live forever. Hug your Dad and kiss your Mother, Tell your wife she's all you thought her When you came to first discover How you evermore would love her. Make the most of second chances, Remind her of first romances , Watch your weight, enjoy your labors, Prize your friends, respect your neighbors. Play at Golf, however badly, Suffer fools and asses sadly; Work at understanding others, Bear in mind all men are brothers. Keep your cool and learn to master Either triumph or disaster; Grow in grace, be strong yet tender, Risk defeat only to God surrender . Click To End
