by Inspiration | Oct 14, 2024 | Relationship, Archives
Are You a Bucket-Filler or a Dipper? You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it… Are You a Bucket-Filler or a Dipper? You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with people. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full. A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more, if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another’s bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him
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by Inspiration | Oct 13, 2024 | Relationship, Archives
The Room Filled I ran home from school, stomped up the worn wooden steps, slammed open the front door and yelled, “Mum! Mum, I’m home!” “Michael, I’m right here!” Mum… The Room Filled I ran home from school, stomped up the worn wooden steps, slammed open the front door and yelled, “Mum! Mum, I’m home!” “Michael, I’m right here!” Mum appeared around the corner. “Stop yelling. What if your father had been sleeping? You know he works nights.” “Sorry, Mum,” I mumbled and hung my head in shame. “I didn’t mean to yell.” “If you had woken him, you know how mad he would have been.” “I just wanted to show you my spelling test.” I handed her my test. “I got a gold star.” “You got another one?” She smiled. “Good for you! You always study so hard, but you have to remember not to yell when you come in the house.” “I know, Mum, but I was excited and wanted to show you.” I lied. Dad drank a lot. If he had too much, he’d argue with Mum. I was afraid she’d leave. My two older brothers and I would be alone with him. What if I came home and she was gone? It was a fear I lived with most of my childhood. I needed to know
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by Inspiration | Oct 8, 2024 | Relationship, Archives
How to Treat People A wise old man was sitting at the river bank when he saw a cat that had fallen into the water, flailing around, trying to save… How to Treat People A wise old man was sitting at the river bank when he saw a cat that had fallen into the water, flailing around, trying to save itself from drowning. The man decided to save the cat. He stretched his hand out but was scratched by the cat. He pulled his hand back in pain. However, a minute later he stretched his hand out again to save the cat, but it scratched him again, and again he pulled his hand back in pain. Another minute later he was yet again trying for the third time!! A man, who was nearby watching what was happening, yelled out: “O wise man, you have not learned your lesson the first time, nor the second time, and now you are trying to save the cat a third time?” The wise man paid no heed to that man’s scolding and kept on trying until he managed to save the cat. He then walked over to the man and patted his shoulder saying: “My son, it is in the cat’s nature to scratch, and it is in my nature to love and have
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by Inspiration | Oct 2, 2024 | Relationship, Archives
How to Make the World A Better Place Once upon a time, a young man and woman met, gazed into each other’s eyes, kissed, and knew – for certain –… How to Make the World A Better Place Once upon a time, a young man and woman met, gazed into each other’s eyes, kissed, and knew – for certain – that they were supposed to be together forever. In the subsequent days, weeks, and months everything fell into place just as they had anticipated. He was perfect in her eyes, and she was perfect in his. Oh, it’s the majestic certainty of young love! When two souls who barely know each other believe they know everything that they must know to live happily ever after in their own blissful bubble. They think this because it’s what their emotional hearts and minds tell them is true. But you know what happens next. It’s what always happens next in phony fairy tales like this. For one reason or another, logic trumps emotion, their bubble bursts, and the two lovers tumble back down to Earth, bruising themselves along the way and realizing that their perfect partner isn’t so perfect after all. Maybe he learns that she doesn’t like rock music – and rock music is extremely important to him. Maybe she learns that
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by Inspiration | Sep 26, 2024 | Inspiration, Archives, Relationship
Insights on Living from An Ancient Come in,” he said to me, “So, you would like to interview Me?” “If you have the time,” I said. He smiled through his… Insights on Living from An Ancient Come in,” he said to me, “So, you would like to interview Me?” “If you have the time,” I said. He smiled through his beard and said: “What questions do you have in mind to ask me?” “None that are new to you. What’s the one thing that surprises you most about mankind?” He answered: “That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived…” His hands took mine and we were silent. After a long period, I said, “May I ask you another question?” He replied with a smile. “As a father, what would you ask your children to do for the New Year?” “To learn they cannot make anyone love them. What they can
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by Inspiration | Sep 24, 2024 | Attitude, Archives, Relationship
The Tramp It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that… The Tramp It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this tramp was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word,
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