Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Two Nickels and Five Pennies - 小费
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?"
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it. "How much is a dish of plain ice cream?" he inquired.
Some people were now waiting for a table and the waitress was a bit impatient.
"Thirty-five cents," she said brusquely.
The little boy again counted the coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and departed. When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the table and then swallowed hard at what she saw.
There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - her tip.
小费
一个十岁的男孩走进冷饮店坐下。女侍者手拿托盘来道他面前，男孩问她：“一只双色冰淇淋多少钱？”女侍者答：“五角。”
男孩从口袋里掏出一把硬币，放在桌子上一枚一枚地数着，接着又问：“一只普通的冰淇淋呢？”
女侍者这时显得不耐烦了，说道：“三角五分。”
男孩又数了一遍硬币，才说：“给我三角五分的冰淇淋。”
男孩津津有味地吃完冰淇淋才离开，当女侍者回来收拾桌子时，她一下子怔住了：在空盘子旁边，整齐地叠放着三个五分硬币--那是她的小费。
A True Promise - 光头的诺言
A True Promise
"How long will you be pouring over that newspaper? Will you come here right away and make your darling daughter eat her food?"
I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only Daughter Sindu looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with Curd Rice.
Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. She has Just turned eight. She particularly detested Curd Rice. My mother and my wife are orthodox and believe firmly in the cooling effects' of Curd Rice. I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl.
"Sindu, darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this Curd Rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear. If you don't, your Mom will shout at me."
I could sense my wife's scowl behind my back. Sindu softened a bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "OK, Dad. I will eat not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this. But, you should..." Sindu hesitated. "Dad, if I eat this entire Curd Rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?" "Oh sure, darling."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine
And clinched the deal.
"Ask Mom also to give a similar promise," my daughter insisted. My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's muttering "Promise," Without any emotion.
Now I became a bit anxious. "Sindu, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad does not have that kind of money right now. OK?"
"No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive."
Slowly and painfully, she finished eating the whole quantity. I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my Child to eat something that she detested.
After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with expectation. All of our attention was on her.
"Dad, I want to have my head shaved off this Sunday," Was her demand!
"Atrocious!" shouted my wife, "a girl child having her head shaved off? Impossible!"
"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching too much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these stupid TV programs!"
"Sindu, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head."
"No, Dad. I do not want anything else," Sindu said with finality.
"Please Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?" I tried to plead with her.
"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd Rice," Sindu was in tears. "And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for. Now, you are going back on your words. Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra and its moral that we should honor our promises no matter what?"
It was time for me to call the shots. "Our promise must be kept."
"Are you out your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.
"No. If we go back on our promises, she will never learn to honor her own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled."
With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes Looked big and beautiful.
On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight To watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom. She turned around and waved.
I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a car, and shouted, "Sinduja, please wait for me!"
What struck me was the hairless head of that boy. "Maybe that is the "in" stuff," I thought.
"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!" Without introducing herself, a lady got out of the car, and continued, "That boy who is walking along with your daughter is my son Harish. He is suffering from leukemia."
She paused to muffle her sobs. "Harish could not attend the school for the whole of the last month. He lost all of his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school fearing the unintentional but cruel teasing of the schoolmates.
"Sinduja visited him last week and promised him that she will take care of the teasing issue. But I never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son! Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your daughter."
I stood transfixed. And then, I wept.
光头的诺言
“你还要在那份报纸上耗多久？能不能赶紧过来，叫你的宝贝女儿吃饭？”
我把报纸扔到一边，急忙奔过去。我的独生女辛杜看死受了惊吓，眼里涌满了泪水。在她前面摆着满满一碗酸乳酪饭。
辛杜是个好孩子，在同龄孩子中算是非常聪明的。辛杜刚满８岁。她特别讨厌酸乳捞饭。母亲和妻子都是墨守成规的人，对酸乳酪饭的“消暑功能”笃信不疑。
我清了清喉咙，端起饭碗。
“辛杜，宝贝，就吃几小口好不好？就算看在爸爸的份儿上，亲爱的。你要是不吃，你妈妈又要冲我喊叫了。”
我都能感到妻子正在我背后怒目而视。辛杜态度稍稍缓和了些，她用手背揩去泪水。“好吧，爸爸。不知吃几小口，我要把这碗饭都吃下去。不过，你记得……”辛杜停顿了一下，“爸爸，要是我把这碗酸乳酪饭全吃下去，不管我要什么，你都能给我吗？”“哦，当然，宝贝。”
“你能保证吗？”
“我保证。”
我把手扣在女儿伸出的粉嫩小手上，协议达成了。
“叫妈妈也这样保证，”女儿坚持道。妻子面无表情地拍了一下辛杜的手，低声咕哝了一句：“我保证。”
此刻我有些担心了。“辛杜，你不能缠着要电脑之类的贵东西。爸爸现在没那么多钱。好吗？”
“不会的，爸爸。我什么贵的东西也不要。”
辛杜缓慢而痛苦的吃完了那一整碗饭。
我暗暗生妻子和母亲的气，气她们逼着孩子吃她厌恶的东西。
痛苦的煎熬终于结束了，辛杜走到我身边，睁大了眼睛，目光中满是期待。全家人都定睛在她身上。
“爸爸，我想这个星期天把头发剃光。”这就是她的要求！
“太不像话了！”妻子喊道，“一个小姑娘剃光头？休想！”
“在我们家绝对不行！”母亲粗声说，“她是电视看得太多了。我们的文化被这些电视节目彻底毁了！”
“辛杜，不能要别的吗？看你剃成光头，我们都会很难过的。”
“不，爸爸。别的我什么都不要。”辛杜斩钉截铁地说。
“辛杜，你难道不能想象我们的感受吗？”我试着劝她。
“爸爸，我吃下了那晚酸乳酪饭有多费劲，你都看到了。”辛杜流着眼泪，“你想我保证过，不管我要什么，你都会给我的。现在，你说过的话却不算数了。哈里什昌德拉国王的故事，不是你给我讲的吗？你不是说这个故事教我们不管怎样都要遵守诺言吗？”
轮到我拍板定论了。“我们的诺言必须遵守。”
“你疯了吗？”母亲和妻子异口同声地喊道。
“不。假如我们食言，她永远都学不会遵守自己的诺言。辛杜，你的愿望会满足的。”
剃光了头发的辛杜显露出圆圆的脸庞，双眼开上去大而美丽。
星期一的早晨，我送她去上学校。目送剃成光头的女儿走向教室，这景象多少有些滑稽。她转过身朝我挥挥手。
我微笑着，也朝她挥了挥手。就在这时，一个男孩从一辆车上下来，喊着：“辛杜，等等我！”
看到男孩光秃秃的脑袋，我心中一怔。“大概现在‘流行’这个吧！”我想。
“先生，您的女儿辛杜真了不起！”一位女士走下车，没作自我介绍，就继续说道，“那个跟您女儿走在一起的男孩是我的儿子哈里希。他得了白血病。”
她顿了顿，压抑着自己的哽咽。“哈里希上月一整月没能来上学。他因为化疗，头发全掉光了。他怕遭到同学们无心却残酷的嘲弄，所以不肯回学校。上周辛杜来看他了，还向他保证，她会摆平大家的嘲弄。可我怎么也没想到，她会为了我的儿子牺牲自己漂亮的长发！先生，您和妻子能有这么一个心灵高尚的女儿，真是有福啊。”
我呆呆地站在那里，不禁流下了眼泪。
"How long will you be pouring over that newspaper? Will you come here right away and make your darling daughter eat her food?"
I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only Daughter Sindu looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with Curd Rice.
Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. She has Just turned eight. She particularly detested Curd Rice. My mother and my wife are orthodox and believe firmly in the cooling effects' of Curd Rice. I cleared my throat and picked up the bowl.
"Sindu, darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this Curd Rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear. If you don't, your Mom will shout at me."
I could sense my wife's scowl behind my back. Sindu softened a bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "OK, Dad. I will eat not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this. But, you should..." Sindu hesitated. "Dad, if I eat this entire Curd Rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?" "Oh sure, darling."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine
And clinched the deal.
"Ask Mom also to give a similar promise," my daughter insisted. My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's muttering "Promise," Without any emotion.
Now I became a bit anxious. "Sindu, you shouldn't insist on getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad does not have that kind of money right now. OK?"
"No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive."
Slowly and painfully, she finished eating the whole quantity. I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my Child to eat something that she detested.
After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes wide with expectation. All of our attention was on her.
"Dad, I want to have my head shaved off this Sunday," Was her demand!
"Atrocious!" shouted my wife, "a girl child having her head shaved off? Impossible!"
"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching too much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled with these stupid TV programs!"
"Sindu, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad seeing you with a clean-shaven head."
"No, Dad. I do not want anything else," Sindu said with finality.
"Please Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?" I tried to plead with her.
"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd Rice," Sindu was in tears. "And you promised to grant me whatever I ask for. Now, you are going back on your words. Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra and its moral that we should honor our promises no matter what?"
It was time for me to call the shots. "Our promise must be kept."
"Are you out your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.
"No. If we go back on our promises, she will never learn to honor her own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled."
With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes Looked big and beautiful.
On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight To watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom. She turned around and waved.
I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a car, and shouted, "Sinduja, please wait for me!"
What struck me was the hairless head of that boy. "Maybe that is the "in" stuff," I thought.
"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!" Without introducing herself, a lady got out of the car, and continued, "That boy who is walking along with your daughter is my son Harish. He is suffering from leukemia."
She paused to muffle her sobs. "Harish could not attend the school for the whole of the last month. He lost all of his hair due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come back to school fearing the unintentional but cruel teasing of the schoolmates.
"Sinduja visited him last week and promised him that she will take care of the teasing issue. But I never imagined she would sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son! Sir, you and your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your daughter."
I stood transfixed. And then, I wept.
光头的诺言
“你还要在那份报纸上耗多久？能不能赶紧过来，叫你的宝贝女儿吃饭？”
我把报纸扔到一边，急忙奔过去。我的独生女辛杜看死受了惊吓，眼里涌满了泪水。在她前面摆着满满一碗酸乳酪饭。
辛杜是个好孩子，在同龄孩子中算是非常聪明的。辛杜刚满８岁。她特别讨厌酸乳捞饭。母亲和妻子都是墨守成规的人，对酸乳酪饭的“消暑功能”笃信不疑。
我清了清喉咙，端起饭碗。
“辛杜，宝贝，就吃几小口好不好？就算看在爸爸的份儿上，亲爱的。你要是不吃，你妈妈又要冲我喊叫了。”
我都能感到妻子正在我背后怒目而视。辛杜态度稍稍缓和了些，她用手背揩去泪水。“好吧，爸爸。不知吃几小口，我要把这碗饭都吃下去。不过，你记得……”辛杜停顿了一下，“爸爸，要是我把这碗酸乳酪饭全吃下去，不管我要什么，你都能给我吗？”“哦，当然，宝贝。”
“你能保证吗？”
“我保证。”
我把手扣在女儿伸出的粉嫩小手上，协议达成了。
“叫妈妈也这样保证，”女儿坚持道。妻子面无表情地拍了一下辛杜的手，低声咕哝了一句：“我保证。”
此刻我有些担心了。“辛杜，你不能缠着要电脑之类的贵东西。爸爸现在没那么多钱。好吗？”
“不会的，爸爸。我什么贵的东西也不要。”
辛杜缓慢而痛苦的吃完了那一整碗饭。
我暗暗生妻子和母亲的气，气她们逼着孩子吃她厌恶的东西。
痛苦的煎熬终于结束了，辛杜走到我身边，睁大了眼睛，目光中满是期待。全家人都定睛在她身上。
“爸爸，我想这个星期天把头发剃光。”这就是她的要求！
“太不像话了！”妻子喊道，“一个小姑娘剃光头？休想！”
“在我们家绝对不行！”母亲粗声说，“她是电视看得太多了。我们的文化被这些电视节目彻底毁了！”
“辛杜，不能要别的吗？看你剃成光头，我们都会很难过的。”
“不，爸爸。别的我什么都不要。”辛杜斩钉截铁地说。
“辛杜，你难道不能想象我们的感受吗？”我试着劝她。
“爸爸，我吃下了那晚酸乳酪饭有多费劲，你都看到了。”辛杜流着眼泪，“你想我保证过，不管我要什么，你都会给我的。现在，你说过的话却不算数了。哈里什昌德拉国王的故事，不是你给我讲的吗？你不是说这个故事教我们不管怎样都要遵守诺言吗？”
轮到我拍板定论了。“我们的诺言必须遵守。”
“你疯了吗？”母亲和妻子异口同声地喊道。
“不。假如我们食言，她永远都学不会遵守自己的诺言。辛杜，你的愿望会满足的。”
剃光了头发的辛杜显露出圆圆的脸庞，双眼开上去大而美丽。
星期一的早晨，我送她去上学校。目送剃成光头的女儿走向教室，这景象多少有些滑稽。她转过身朝我挥挥手。
我微笑着，也朝她挥了挥手。就在这时，一个男孩从一辆车上下来，喊着：“辛杜，等等我！”
看到男孩光秃秃的脑袋，我心中一怔。“大概现在‘流行’这个吧！”我想。
“先生，您的女儿辛杜真了不起！”一位女士走下车，没作自我介绍，就继续说道，“那个跟您女儿走在一起的男孩是我的儿子哈里希。他得了白血病。”
她顿了顿，压抑着自己的哽咽。“哈里希上月一整月没能来上学。他因为化疗，头发全掉光了。他怕遭到同学们无心却残酷的嘲弄，所以不肯回学校。上周辛杜来看他了，还向他保证，她会摆平大家的嘲弄。可我怎么也没想到，她会为了我的儿子牺牲自己漂亮的长发！先生，您和妻子能有这么一个心灵高尚的女儿，真是有福啊。”
我呆呆地站在那里，不禁流下了眼泪。
Thursday, September 24, 2009
进入公司前。。。进入公司后
来回看了几遍，觉得超好，超刻薄，但却又有点属实的。在这与大家分享。
进入公司前，请由上往下念
进入公司后，请由下往上念
老板： 万分欢迎，没有你我们的公司肯定大不一样！
职员： 如果工作太累，搞不好我会辞职。
老板： 放心。我不会让这样的事情发生的。
职员： 我周休二日可以休息吗？
老板： 当然了！这是底线。
职员： 平时会天天加班到凌晨吗？
老板： 不可能。谁告诉你的？
职员： 有餐费补贴吗？
老板： 还用说吗。绝对比同行都高！
职员： 有没有工作猝死的风险？
老板： 不会！你怎么会有这种念头？
职员： 公司会定期组织旅游吗？
老板： 这是我们的明文规定！
职员： 那我需要准时上班吗？
老板： 不，看情况吧。
职员： 工资呢？会准时发吗？
老板： 一向如此！
职员： 事情全是新员工做吗？
老板： 怎么可能，你上头还有很多资深同事。
职员： 如果管理职位有空缺，我可以参与竞争吗？
老板： 毫无疑问，这是我们公司赖以生存的机制！
职员： 你不会是在骗我吧？
现在，入公司后看真实的一幕（从后往前读）
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Heart Warming Kids Storiies
Share with you 3 short stories which I have read and warmed my heart, especially the second story.
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family.
"What does it mean to be adopted?" asked another child.
"It means," said the girl, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy."
A four year old girl was at the pediatrician for a check up.
As the doctor looked down her ears with an otoscope, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?"
The little girl stayed silent.
Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there"
Again, the little girl was silent.
Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?"
"Oh, no!" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my underpants."
带我去远方 Somewhere I Have Never Travelled
每个人心中都有一段想要完成却未能继续的旅程。。。
每个人心中都有一个想要前往却抵达不了的远方。。。
因为梦想，所以我们存在。。。
因为梦想，所以我们才有勇气不断地往前进。。。
去寻求属于我们自己的一个心岛。。。
是那几张拍得极简单却又十分好看的电影海报捕捉了我。是那几首极简单却又十分动听的电影配乐吸引了我。是因难得由资深导演吴念真监制，最佳编剧傅天余编剧兼导演，配乐大师兼制作人陈建骐，三人所合作的电影，使我对它有一种无名的期待与盼望。。。
电影简介摘自于该电影官方网站
~~~~
阿桂眼中的世界，跟其他人的不一样。她分不清红色跟绿色，衣服颜色乱搭，看不懂红绿灯。祖母很忧心她的脑袋，乩童指示说阿桂的魂魄是被小鬼牵走了，长大以后就会回来。
阿桂最崇拜堂哥阿贤，他有一张世界地图跟满书柜的旅行指南，总是带领阿桂去想像外面那个无奇不有的广大世界。有天阿贤告诉她，在遥远的南太平洋有一座小岛，岛上没有人能分辨红色跟绿色，每个人都是色盲，就像她一样。
他们是彼此秘密的守护者，互相计画有一天要离开这里，到一个不会感到寂寞，也不会被人当作异类的自由天堂。未来就像一个未曾旅行过的远方。乌托邦就在地平线那一端，她们能顺利抵达吗？
在这部电影中我试图呈现一个色盲女孩眼中以及她内心的微妙景观。每个人心中都有一个想要前往却抵达不了的远方。我成长的台湾是个位居边缘的岛屿，对于外面的世界总是有种被隔离在外的寂寥感，而台湾特殊的历史处境，令它就像片中渴望寻找自我定位的女孩跟男孩。 -傅天余
周以文的摄影、黄文英的美术设计，加上一群电影界和剧场界的甘草人物，把几个有偶像明星气质的年轻演员烘托得十分亮眼。 -游惠贞
Gui is a 15-year-old color-blind girl. She admires her cousin Xian. Xian has a world map and a whole bookshelf of traveling guides. He often takes Gui on imaginary journeys to a world full of wonders. They guard the secrets for each other and plan to get out of here someday, leaving for a place without loneliness or alienation. The future is a place untrodden, and their Utopia lies at the other end of the horizon. Will they get there at last?
~~~~~
“带我去远方”官方部落格： http://myjourney911.pixnet.net/blog
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Remember My Birthday ?
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday.
Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.
Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!
At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..
Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon. I Love you!
Jesus
Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.
Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!
At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..
Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.
I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...
See you soon. I Love you!
Jesus
I Almost Sold Your Son for a Quarter !
I Almost Sold Your Son for a Quarter !
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas .
Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.'
Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change '
The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied.
'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
The Will of God
Will Never Take You to Where
The Grace of God
Will Not PROTECT You !
Will Never Take You to Where
The Grace of God
Will Not PROTECT You !
Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL!
God Bless You...
Wooden Bowl - 木碗
Wooden Bowl
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather", said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, "what are you making? "
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh,, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up. "
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
木碗
这是一个会深深的印在您脑海中，长久记在您心中的故事。
一位在风烛残年的老人，与他的儿子，媳妇，及四岁的孙儿同住。老人的视力以经模糊昏花，双手不能控制的经常颤抖，脚步也是踉跄不稳。当全家一起用餐时，颤抖的手及衰退的视力造成老人用餐的困难。豆子会从汤匙里掉落，当他想握住杯子，牛奶会从杯子里晃出来，而把桌巾弄湿了。
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future. Let's be wise builders and role models.
On a positive note, I've learned that :
- no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
- you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
- regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
- making a living; is not the same thing as making a life.
- life sometimes gives you a second chance.
- you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
- if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
- whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
- even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
- every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch--holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
- I still have a lot to learn.
木碗
这是一个会深深的印在您脑海中，长久记在您心中的故事。
一位在风烛残年的老人，与他的儿子，媳妇，及四岁的孙儿同住。老人的视力以经模糊昏花，双手不能控制的经常颤抖，脚步也是踉跄不稳。当全家一起用餐时，颤抖的手及衰退的视力造成老人用餐的困难。豆子会从汤匙里掉落，当他想握住杯子，牛奶会从杯子里晃出来，而把桌巾弄湿了。
儿子和媳妇对老人越来越没有耐心了，儿子说：“我们需要想个方法，我受够了他在饭桌上，打翻牛奶杯，食物掉到桌子下，吃饭时发出的响声。”
所以，两夫妻在餐厅的一个角落放了一个小桌子，从此，当全家享受晚餐的时候，老祖父单独的一人在角落里吃饭。因为老祖父曾经把碗盘打破，他的餐盘也改成木头做的碗钵了。偶而，不经意的眼光瞟向老人时，会看见他双眼含着泪，孤独的坐在角落里。但是两夫妇还是经常用着很尖锐的言词批评他把叉子或食物掉落桌下。
这一切，都看在四岁的小孙儿的眼中。
一天傍晚，在饭前，做父亲的看见小儿子坐在地上，玩耍般的磨着一块木头。
他和颜悦色并且好奇的问着：“你在做什么东西呀？”
孩子也同样愉悦的回答说：“我想做一个小木碗给你和妈妈，等我长大了，你们可以用这个碗来吃饭了！”四岁的孩儿，笑着说完了，又继续再磨着木头。
这句回答，使得这对夫妇哑口无言，沉默了许久，只见两行泪水默默的流下。 两个人都知道该如何去做了。
当晚，做儿子的牵着老父亲的手，温柔的把老人安置在家庭的餐桌上。在老人的余年，他每天都和儿孙一起用餐。再也没有人会因为他把食物打翻，或是弄脏了桌巾，去在意而责骂他了。
孩子们的感觉是敏锐的。他们的眼睛会观察，他们的耳朵会聆听，他们的头脑会思考所有吸收进来的讯息。当他们看到我们营造的是一个快乐的家庭，我们是用温柔，和善，忍耐来对待家人，他们以后的一生都会用相同的态度来对待每一个人。
聪明的父母会了解到，他们每天的一举一动，都是他们子女未来，行为走向的基石。让我们互相勉励，为了我们所爱的，好好的照顾自己，作一个有智慧的建筑师，良善的榜样，从现在开始。
我学习到:
- 孩子眼睛观察的比听到的多得多，我们所设立的榜样，也会决定他们未来行为的方向。
- 无论你和父母的关系如何，当他们离开你的生命后，你都会想念他们的。
- 生存不等于生活。
- 不要用两只手紧紧抓住生命中的每一件东西，我们需要学习放手，分享。
- 当你追寻快乐时，它反而会逃避你。但是，当你的心思，意念，是集中在家庭，朋友，别人的需要，你的工作，尽力作好你的本分时，快乐便会寻找到你。
- 当我用一颗开放的心去作决定时，我作的选择往往是正确的。
- 当我在痛苦当中时，我不需要成为造成痛苦的原因。
- 别人会忘记你曾说的话，别人会忘记你曾作的事，但是别人永远不会忘记你带给他们的感受。
- 生命的意义，是如何在别人的生命中，造成正面的影响。
- 我需要学习的永远不会终止。
The Most Beautiful Flower
The Most Beautiful Flower
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
~~author unknown~~
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
~~author unknown~~
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Pastor's Cat - 神父的猫咪
The Pastor's Cat
Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
He did! All the while, checking his progress in the car frequently, then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air-out of sight.
The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.
So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. Now this woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"
She replied, "You won't believe this," and told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it."
She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."
Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor.
神父的猫咪
这位神父养了一只猫咪，有一天这只小猫咪爬上神父家后院的树上，神父很担心小猫会从树上摔下来，神父拜托小猫咪爬下树来，或是拿温热的牛奶引诱牠下来等等。用尽了方法，猫咪就是不肯从树上下来，因此神父决定试着用一条粗绳系在他车子上，另一端系在树枝上，然后发动车子往前开，树就会被弯曲，神父就可以把小猫抱下来，神父按照计划进行所有的步骤，神父下车检查一切是否都如预期。他想到，假如再开远一点点，那么树就可以低到足够让神父抓到小猫，但是当他这样做的时侯，绳子断了，当然，那棵树马上”碰”的一声弹回原位，小猫咪像箭一般射向天际，一下子就消失不见踪影。
神父的情绪蹧透了，他问遍了所有的邻居，希望有人看到小猫咪，答案就是没有人知道猫咪飞到哪里去，神父只有向天主祈祷，”天主，请看顾这只小猫咪”，然后开始专注于教区的工作。
几天后，神父去杂货店的时候，遇到一位教友，凑巧看见了这位教友的手推车里，居然有猫食，神父很讶异，因为神父知道这位教友非常厌恶猫咪。神父问她说:”妳很讨厌猫咪，为什么妳还要买猫食呢”﹖她回答说”你不会相信发生这种事的”，她说:”她的小女儿求她准许养一只猫咪，我总是说不行，但是几天之前，小女儿又来求我，我告诉我女儿，”好吧，假如天主送妳一只小猫咪的话，我就让妳养牠”。
话刚说完，我看着我的小女儿走到院子，跪在地上，祈求天主送自己一只猫咪，真的，你不会相信，但是我亲眼看到的，突然从天上飞来一只猫咪，身手利落，不偏不倚的就落在她的正前方。
这是一种巧合，还是天主的有意安排！
Sunday, September 6, 2009
With Money ...
With Money you can buy House,
But not Home.
With Money you can buy Clock,
But not Time.
With Money you can buy Bed,
But not Sleep.
With Money you can buy Insurance,
But not Safety.
With Money you can buy Food,
But not Appetite.
With Money you can buy Book,
But not Knowledge.
With Money you can buy Doctor,
But not Good Health.
With Money you can buy Position,
But not Respect.
With Money you can buy Blood,
But not Life.
With Money you can buy Sex,
But not Love.
With Money you can buy Luxury,
But not Happiness.
But not Home.
With Money you can buy Clock,
But not Time.
With Money you can buy Bed,
But not Sleep.
With Money you can buy Insurance,
But not Safety.
With Money you can buy Food,
But not Appetite.
With Money you can buy Book,
But not Knowledge.
With Money you can buy Doctor,
But not Good Health.
With Money you can buy Position,
But not Respect.
With Money you can buy Blood,
But not Life.
With Money you can buy Sex,
But not Love.
With Money you can buy Luxury,
But not Happiness.
~~ anonymous ~~
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