If a man is honest with others and with himself …
If he receives gratefully and gives quietly …
If he is gentle enough to feel and strong enough to show his feelings …
If he is slow to see the faults of others but quick to discover their goodness …
If he is cheerful in difficult times and modest in success …
If he does his best to be true to his beliefs …
Then he is truly an admirable man.
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted.
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her son responded, she added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
When Jaxson Denno’s mum arranged for him to meet his idol, Iron Man, the 18-month-old was beside himself with excitement.
When Robert Downey Jnr, the actor who plays Iron Man, turned up expecting to make the kid’s day, Jaxson simply burst into tears.
The photograph of Jaxson bawling his eyes out as a tified-looking Downey Jnr tries to console him has been doing the rounds on the internet.
Jaxson’s mother told People Magazine that her son was “confused because I kept telling him it was Iron Man and he knew it wasn’t.”
Robert Downey Jnr, you should wear your Iron Man suit.
My mobile rang and the call was from a private number. I answered it.
Hi, my name is Victoria. I think we talked before, I’m the community worker who responsible for your mom. I just found out that your mom had passed away. I’m calling to say I’m so sorry for your loss.
Oh … thanks. (What am I going to say?)
I visited her twice in the nursing home. Although she’s sick, she still tried to do things by herself and keep herself busy. I hope I can do more for her. Such a kind lady … (Sounds like fighting back her tears)
Yeah, she told me about you. Well, there’s not much we can do about her sickness.
Luckily she has you.
(Suddenly a lump in my throat) … I just tried to do everything that can make her feel more comfortable.
I stared at my phone screen after we hung up. Victoria’s voice was still echoed in my mind. Luckily she has you. After all the condolences from relatives and friends, no one has ever said this to me – and today this was from a stranger who I have never met. I think I get used to living my life without mom – but not quite.
My first day of school; my first swimming lesson; first time I ride the bike; my first soccer practice; my mom was always there. I earned my first dollar by doing the housework for her. When I was sick, she insisted on bringing me to the doctor. She would clean up the mess I made and said with a smile, “Kids are like that.” I wasn’t aware that my mom is also the link of our family. Now my sister rarely comes over, my father and I seldom talk to each other, and the house is so quiet.
Fate has brought you and your parents together, so treasure every moment and enjoy the journey. People say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. The truth is, you knew exactly what you had; you just thought you’d never lose it. Hug your loved ones and tell them how much you care for them now because when they are gone … no matter how loud you shout and cry, they won’t hear you anymore.
One fine evening a man walked into a fast-food chicken place and bought a nine-piece bucket of chicken. He took his chicken to the park for a romantic picnic under the moonlight with his lady.
Upon reaching into the bucket, however, he received a surprise. Instead of chicken he discovered what was apparently the restaurant’s night deposit – nine thousand dollars. The young man brought the bucket back to the store and asked for his chicken in exchange for the money. The manager, in awe of the young man’s honesty, asked for his name and told him he wanted to call the newspaper and the local news station to do a story on him. He would become a local hero, an example of honesty and morality that would inspire others!
The hungry man shrugged it off. “My date’s waiting. I just want my chicken.”
The manager’s renewed amazement over the young man’s humility almost overwhelmed him. He begged to be allowed to tell the story on the news. At this the honest man became angry with the manager and demanded his chicken.
“I don’t get it,” the manager responded. “You are an honest man in a dishonest world! This is a perfect opportunity to show the world that there are honest people still willing to take a stand for what is right. Please, give me your name and also your lady’s name. Is that your wife?”
“That’s the problem,” said the young man. “My wife is at home. The woman in the car is my girlfriend. Now let me have my chicken so I can get out of here.”
It really doesn’t matter how much you do or what other people think of you. What matters is what’s inside your heart.
A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of interest in judging others.
A loss of interest in judging self.
A loss of interest in conflict.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of ability to worry.
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.
Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate.
An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold, rather than resisting and manipulating.
I had a short trip to Hong Kong last week to handle some family matters. It ended up being my most fatigue trip with a number of things went wrong.
1. Wrong planning
As it was a short trip of 5 days, I booked a room with 2 single beds for me and my father. I never expect he snores so loudly – like a beast roaring at me all night. The trip then turned to a reality show of how I survive without sleeping – consumption of large amount of caffeine helps. So think twice if you need to share a room with someone during travel.
2. Wrong timing
The month May should be end of spring in Hong Kong. However, with its high humidity, it was as hot as the summer in Australia. I was soaked in sweat within 5 minutes walking on the street. In addition to the exhaust gases from the traffic and people smoking outside the buildings, I felt like I was in an oven. I planned to visit the Tian Tan Buddha in Lantau Island and the Ocean Park, but the visits were put off due to the heat. Buddha and Ocean Park, I will be back for you – probably in winter.
3. Wrong people
We may meet new people and make new friends while traveling. However I encountered 4 incidents of people arguing in public transport during my short stay in Hong Kong. The cause was as simple as someone did not give way to another in the crowded train cabin then heated arguments were exchanged. There was once the two guys nearly went into a fight in front of me that really scared me. I’m not saying all the people in Hong Kong are angry and rude, but in my observation, they are not happy in general.
Other than lack of sleep, the hot weather, and some arguing in public, on the positive side, I had dinner with my cousins in Hong Kong who I didn’t meet for years. That night reminded me of our long forgotten lovely childhood memories. We talked about those places we stayed and those games we played when we were young – they really warmed my heart. Hong Kong, a place where I was born and grew up, has changed so much. But on the contrary, things may not change – we change.
