A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs. The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, "There is a pond near my house that is full of frogs ---millions of them. They all croak all night long and they are about to make me crazy! "So the
restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant, five hundred at a time for the next several weeks. The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant
looking rather sheepish,with two scrawny little frogs. the restaurant
owner said,"Well...where are all the frogs?" The farmer said, "I was mistaken.There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!"

[Next time you hear somebody criticizing or making fun of you,remember,it's probably just a couple of noisy frogs. Also remember that problems always seem bigger in the dark. Have you ever laid in your bed at night worrying about things which seem almost overwhelming like a million frogs croaking? Chances are pretty good that when the morning
comes, and you take a closer look, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.]***

Standing for what you believe in, regardless of the odds against you, 
and the pressure that tears at your resistance, means COURAGE

Keeping a smile on your face, when inside you feel like dying, 
for the sake of supporting others, means STRENGTH

Stopping at nothing, and doing what in your heart you know is right, 
to make another's life a little more bearable, without uttering a single complaint, 
means COMPASSION

Helping a friend in need, no matter the time or effort, 
to the best of your ability, means LOYALTY

Giving more than you have and expecting absolutely nothing in return, 
means SELFLESSNESS

Holding your head high, and being the best you know you can be 
when life seems to fall apart at your feet, and facing each difficulty 
with the confidence that time will bring you better tomorrows, 
and never giving up, means CONFIDENCE

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, 
their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you", mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams 
don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only
way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to 
answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements 
involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; 
Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take 
immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will 
hear it in your voice.

TWENTY ONE. Spend some time alone.

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.

The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.

Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION 

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: 'What is the first name ofthe woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper,leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 

"Absolutely,"said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello". I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. 

============================= 
SAY A PRAYER 

I was taking my usual morning walk when a garbage truck pulled up beside me. I thought the driver was going to ask for directions. Instead, he showed me a picture of a cute little five-year-old boy. "This is my grandson, Jeremiah," he said. "He's on a life-support system at a Phoenix hospital." Thinking he would next ask for a contribution to his hospital bills, I reached for my wallet. But he wanted something more than money. He said, "I'm asking everybody I can to say a prayer for him. Would you say one for him, please?" I did. And my problems didn't seem like much that day. 

============================= 

PICKUP IN THE RAIN 

One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African-American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. 

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her-generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry! She wrote down his address, thanked him and drove away. 

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant combination console color TV and stereo record player were delivered to his home. A special note was attached. The note read: Dear Mr. James: Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then you came along. 

Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. 

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole. 

============================= 

GIVING BLOOD Giving blood 

many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a disease and needed a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. 

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liza." 

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. 

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood. 

WOMEN have strengths that amaze men. They carry children, they carry 
hardships, they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. 

They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. 

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. 

WOMEN wait by the phone for a "safe at home call" from a friend or 
relative after a snowy drive home. 

WOMEN have special qualities about them. They volunteer for good 
causes.

They are pink ladies in hospitals, they bring food to shut ins. 

They are childcare workers, executives, attorneys, stay-at-home moms, 
biker babes and your neighbors. They wear suits, jeans, and they wear 
uniforms. 

They fight for what they believe in. They stand up for injustice. 

They are in the front row at PTA meetings. They vote for the person 
that will do the best job for family issues. 

WOMEN walk and talk the extra mile to get their children in the right 
schools and for getting their family the right health care. 

They write to the editor, their congressmen and to the "powers that be" for things that make for a better life. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. 

WOMEN stick a love note in their husband's lunch box. They do without 
new shoes so their children can have them. They go to the doctor with a 
frightened friend. 

They love unconditionally. 

WOMEN are honest, loyal, and forgiving They are smart, knowing that knowledge is power; but they still know how to use their softer side to make a point. 

WOMEN want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy (or cry) when they hear about a birth or a new marriage. 

Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of
a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no 
strength left. 

A WOMAN'S touch can cure any ailment. They know that a hug and a kiss 
can heal a broken heart. She can make a romantic evening unforgettable. 

WOMEN come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes,
apartments and cabins. They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to 
show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman 
is what makes the world spin! 

WOMEN do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give
compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and 
friends. 

And all they want back is a hug, a smile and for you to do the same to
people you come in contact with. Women have a lot to say and a lot to 
give. 

This was sent to you by someone who respects you as a WOMAN and who 
sees many of your qualities in this letter. Why not pass it on to someone 
you recognize and know? 

That which does not destroy us only makes us stronger! 

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. 
They were a loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes. When 
the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine 
bottle open. He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the 
bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife, preoccupied in the kitchen totally forgot the matter. 
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed the mother hurried 
him to the hospital. He died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified how she was going to face her husband. 
When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just five words. 

QUESTIONS : 
1. What were the five words ? 
2. What is the implication of this story? 

Scroll down to read.... 

ANSWER : 
The husband just said "I am with you Darling". 
The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life. There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. 
No one is to be blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her. If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think. 

MORAL OF THE STORY 
This story is really worth reading. Sometimes we spend time in asking who is responsible or whom to blame, whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know. By this way we miss out some warmth in human relationship.

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he
could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then
the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. 
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as 
fast
as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding
and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was
hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much 
area
as possible. 
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was
exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself
so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a
very small area to bury myself." 

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very
hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We
neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the
surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love. 
One day when we look back , we will realize that we don't really need
that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. 
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. 
Life is definitely not about work! 
Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and
pleasures of life. 
Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. 
You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. 
Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but
always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness
is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human
existence. 

So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. 
Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a
balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life! 

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
 

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. 

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were u the one who changed my sign this morning? What did u write?" 

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what u said but in a different way."
What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day & I cannot see it."

Do u think the first sign & the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective? 

Moral of the Story:

Be thankful for what you have.

Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

11/01/2011
by Penny

This is a nice story from our good customers Debbie and Sara Marie Webster. It's touching, a must read.

From dreams to reality.....
by Sarah Marie on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 11:32pm
This time four years ago, several people in my life were telling me my best friend, my partner, my horse Emma would never be ridden again. Every professional from trainers, to vets and specialists told me Emma was never going to be a show horse. Absolutely out of the question. It was also very unlikely that I would get to ride her again. I was 16 years old, my heart was broken, I spent an entire year taking care of her. Hand walking, wrapping, stretching, etc etc. I never once gave up on her. I don't think it is possible for me sum up in words how much I truly love and adore this horse. I spent nights curled up in her stall laying with her. I have to say my Mom was the only person who stood by me and Emma, and pushed forward always. She never gave up on her. She spent every moment of the day helping her and I, whether it was hauling to another vet, holding her, driving me there and back, the list is endless and I am forever grateful that I have the most dedicated Mom. 

Jump forward to the present. I have my trailer packed as full as possible, Emmie is all snuggled up in her stall, (wondering I am sure why we dragged her out at 9:30 to clip her ears.) Hotel is booked, stalls, entries all made for the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Somewhere I never thought I would be heading, only ever dreamed. Our driving force to never give up on Emma is what led us to find the most amazing coach, trainer and horse woman - Jade. In three years Jade and my parents have helped me take some of the most incredible journey's in life. Learning from each one, and learning to laugh at your self and have an absolute blast ! I have learned so much as a Rider, a Horse woman, and Person throughout this journey. 

I cannot wait to drive up to Congress tomorrow. To pull in the drive. I have never been to the Congress, so it will be a complete first time ! I cant wait to feel our first steps into Celeste for our first Trail pattern. I am not going with any expectations other then to have an incredible time, ride late, eat lots, drink lots and laugh lots. I have never worried about winning, placings or anything competitive. I learned that from my Mom, life is too short to worry about any of that. Have fun, laugh and love what you do. The fact is I do not know when I may ever get the opportunity to go to Congress again. I do know that anything can happen in life. I may never get the opportunity again, and I do not want to be sitting around some point in my life WISHING I had gone. My Emma has given me so much in life, and I trust that horse with my life too. She has the biggest personality and a huge heart. The fact that Emma has defied all odds and opinions is so moving to me. Never ever give up on something you believe.I plan to give you my all Tuesday morning Em, a soft leg and hand to guide us through, and a huge smile plastered from ear to ear. 

Lots of love and thanks to the incredible people in my life who truly support me and have pushed me to go after my dreams.

I had a bad day and so I called for help from my best friends here in India. 

I think it’s interesting to exchange opinions, reflexions and thoughts with people 
from different countries, languages and experiences. 

I wrote about that day. Siddharth (a young Indian guy, very nice and very clever. 
He is interested in discovering the world and learning from each moment of life) 
and Paul (an Australian guy, young is not the word but I can say very active, who 
has been living in India since March 2010, and who has travelled a lot around 
India during his life) gave me some feedback. I think both know me quite well. 
So, here is what I wrote and their comments: 

"Today it was a bad day. I woke up very happy, optimistic with a lot of energy (like 
every morning!). But it all started to change when I started work. It was one of 
those days when I thought “what am I doing in India exactly?” 

There was a meeting with the staff. We discussed how to evaluate the progress 
of the children. I started to get nervous because I don't understand how it is 
possible 

to evaluate these children if they are always rote learning? What are 
we evaluating exactly? I started to think about what I wanted to do here. The 
Foundation (and me too) thought that it would be good if I could show these 
teachers other ways of teaching and, slowly, they could introduce this different 
methodology in their practice. 
Of course I don't want this rote learning and I tried to show them how to think 
about what they need to learn, and how to find a relationship between what they 
know and what they have to learn. In other words, keep the brain active and 
alive! It was horrible when I heard many children repeating like robots!" 

Paul wrote: 
The point is that we all know that kids love to learn (properly) in terms of having 
their minds engaged and stimulated - learning to think about things and to be 
creative inside. So if you show them just a glimpse of true learning they will want 
more and more. But you can at the same time do this along side the hard fact 
that the system requires them to memorise. 

They can do both (because brains are amazing) - and they can appreciate under 
your tutelage that they have to do one (the system requires it) in order for them 
to then have the opportunity for you to show them more and more about creative 
learning (which they will love). 

"But maybe I'm wrong.Why should I try to introduce new ways to teach? Do they 
need it? Why? Do they want it? Maybe they think I'm crazy (and maybe I am). I 
understand what I want to do with my European mentality but, what do they think 
about this young white girl who wants to stop rote learning?” 

Paul wrote: 
It’s that very classic dilemma about quick change and incremental change. The 
problem is that if you try quick change it won't work because they will simply 
reject you and then there will be no change. So how to bring about small change 
and change that the teachers feel they are making themselves (and not the 
foreign white girl imposing it). 

Siddharth wrote: 
Can you do something with the teachers? Yes, if you are able to communicate beyond 
language. But you must be careful not to take on the role of reformer in all ways. Do 
not think less of your western perspective, because it is not western in many ways, 
simply progressive, which is what matters. It is a tough task, but you can try to show the 
teachers some effective strategies. even so, they are not always very competent. and 
they have other pressures that you might not yet clearly understand. 

Village life is complicated, like any other form of society, and in a couple of months you 
have only seen some part of it. those people live there, and they have their own way of 
dealing with things. Some of it is very wise, you can also learn from this. Other parts are 
painful, but that is their current reality, and if you understand the basic cause you will 
find much of the time you cannot change it so easily. but there are some ways in which 
you can be a catalyst of change. You must find these, to fulfil your responsibility. beyond 
these, make the most of your time, take long walks, spend time observing daily rituals, 
seeing what the people in that society do in an elaborate way. it is a rare opportunity, 
make the most of it. and most of all, enjoy it! 

"Some days ago I talked about this with a boy. He's 15, very clever and speaks 
English very well. He told me “I understand you and what you mean but I have to 
memorise all of this, otherwise my teacher will hit me!” Oh God! What can I say?" 

Siddharth wrote: 
It is so remarkable, such a complicated world and structure of systems that we 
operate within. Even so, it is possible to share a deep connection, in a personal 
sense, and perhaps you experience this, such as with the 15 year old boy. It 
is tragic that teachers should still resort to terrible practices like beating, but 
the reality of rural education in India is one of little infrastructure and fewer 
resources, including well qualified humans. It is our failing, and the seeming 
nature of society, that we accord much more importance and glory to working 
with big projects and money than with our own children. 

"When I arrived here I was very excited, with many ideas. One week later I 
thought “Carol, be quiet.... maybe you can help these teachers but don't get too 
excited” and now I'm thinking “maybe children can have fun with me for a while 
and that's it.... no expectations..." 

Siddharth wrote: 
You are here for six months - a relatively short time in the long run for these 
children. Share with them what you have, touch their lives in as deep a way as 
possible, but be under no illusion that you will create a dramatic or lasting change 
in all their lives for a long time to come. 
It's good to stay free of expectations, but also not become cynical. Keep yourself 
open to the wonderful possibilities of life and the miracle that is every day. And 
trust in yourself and in others. Even if you sometimes get hurt, that hurt makes 
your pleasure real. 

. A long time A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree

A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday

He climbed to the treetop, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow

He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by the little boy had grown up,

And he no longer played around the tree every day.

One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad.

\"Come and play with me,” the tree asked the boy.

\"I am no longer a kid, I do not play around trees anymore\"
The boy replied.

\"I want toys. I need money to buy them.\"

\"Sorry, but I do not have money

But you can pick all my apples and sell them.
So, you will have money.

\" The boy was so excited.

He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily.

The boy never came back after he picked the apples.

The tree was sad.

One day, the boy who now turned into a man returned

And the tree was excited \"Come and play with me\" the tree said.

\"I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family.

We need a house for rest
Can you help me?

\" Sorry”,

But I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches
To build your house.

\" So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily.

The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back since then


The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day,

The man returned and the tree was delighted.

\"Come and play with me!\" the tree said.

\"I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself.

“Can you give me a boat?\"
“Said the man”.

\"Use my trunk to build your boat.
You can sail far away and be happy.

\" So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat.

He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the man returned after many years.

\"Sorry, my boy. But I do not have anything for you anymore.

No more apples for you
\" The tree said”.

\"No problem, I do not have any teeth to bite
\" The man replied.

\"No more trunk for you to climb on\"

\"I am too old for that now\" the man said.

\"I really cannot give you anything

The only thing left is my dying root,”
The tree said with tears.

\"I do not need much now, just a place to rest.

I am tired after all these years\" the man replied.

\"Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest,

Come, come sit down with me and rest.

\" The man sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears

This is you and the tree is your parent. 

Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.

Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

Find the one that makes your heart smile.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

Dream what you want to dream; 
go where you want to go; 
be what you want to be, 
because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies ahead for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.