If you only had one more day

I was watching a show on TV where they were discussing the book "For One More Day to Live" by Mitch Album, and what struck me was that the holiday season was coming up and we would all be thinking of holiday gifts for our friends and loved ones. A thought came to me and I want to share it with all of you and perhaps you could share it with all your friends and loved ones, so it becomes a "thought" that may have a domino effect eventually. What with the economic crisis, with all the violence and riots going on all over the world wouldn't this be a good time to focus on what is really important to us. Instill these values in your children and pass on this idea to them as well. Who knows we may change the idea and concept of giving gifts? So what is my idea:

a. Acknowledge someone by telling them what they mean to you or perhaps the impact they have had in your lives. Write a short letter or a poem - frame it and give it to that person for Christmas/New Year.

b. Ask yourself "If I had one day only with the person I value/love the most, what would I tell them or do for them?" And give them that gift for the holidays.

c. The old/sick/lonely who have no families and are alone during the holidays - what could you do for them? Could you offer to take them out for dinner for one evening? Could you just take them for a ride around the city; or to visit a relative that cannot visit them? Think about it.

d. Your children - instead of giving them "things" these holidays, have a pact with them to do one of the above. Everyone write a letter to each other in the family and frame it.......imagine the love that would be "known".

I am sure you could come out with more ideas similar to the above. You just have to be creative and think of the "other" person. This holiday give "love".......give "thanks", and above all think "IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE MORE DAY".
Happy Holidays

(Author unknown)

A wise woman's stone

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

'The Wise Woman's Stone'
Author Unknown

Skillful speech not only means that we pay attention to the words we speak and to their tone but also requires that our words reflect compassion and concern for others and that they help and heal, rather than wound and destroy.

-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"

Love

We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past, but by the love we're not extending in the present.

- Marianne Williamson

(1952 - )

American author, philosopher

Do you bellieve?

Do you believe God is omnipotent, omniscient,and omnipresent?

If so,where is there roomfor anything else?

No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has."

Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887
American Pastor

Offer a Gift

Swami Vivekananda said this: “By offering a gift ... you are able to

help yourself. It is not the receiver who is blessed, but it is the

giver.” Put yourself in the practice of giving without worrying what

you'll receive in return. Give your talent, time and treasure. When

you infuse your life and the lives around you with giving, you cannot

help but have greater good circle back into your life. How might you

demonstrate greater giving today?