WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN?

This is from a widely circulated email where the source is unknown:

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" 

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all even when his hands got arthritis, too. That's Love."
Rebecca - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French Fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."
Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her oldclothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you"
Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- 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. (Now this will melt your heart.) The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. 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."

Quote of the day....

No matter how small, acknowledge the achievement.

~Greg Henry Quinn

Quote of the day....

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.

 

~Orison SwettMarden

1850-1924, Founder of Success Magazine

Quote of the day....

I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.

~Michael Jordan

Quote of the day....

If only our tongues were made of glass 
How much more careful we would be when we speak
-Shaun Shane

THE COLOR OF MY WORLD

By Janet Perez Eckles

 Strange, isn’t it? No, actually it‚s bizarre. Ladies, you can identify with this. When you‚re pregnant, don‚t you happen to see pregnant women everywhere you go?

I have a friend who, distraught about losing his hair, saw bald men wherever he went.

Same thing happens to me. When the discussion about my blindness surfaces, stories about a myriad of eye problems flood the conversation. Recently, a friend told me his father also lost his sight. All he could see were shadows and one other thing--the color orange. So, as a good son, he painted all items in his father‚s home bright orange.

"Hmm," I said. "Wonder what that might be like. Guess it would be better than not seeing any color at all."

But then reality struck me. Though I have no sight and thus, am unable to see any colors at all, my world is painted brighter than a rainbow across a blue sky.
I see the color of hope. Hope that fills my heart every morning and nudges me along from the moment my feet slide into my bedroom slippers. Hope because I have the gift of one more day. Hope to find yet another way to brighten someone else‚s life. And also the hope that the triumph over my difficulties can serve as encouragement to others.

Vivid hues of adventure brush across the canvas of my world. Adventure, particularly when I travel by myself. When I pick up my white cane, kiss hubby good-bye, I brace for the adventure ahead, unaware of the friends I’ll meet along the way, I welcome each unknown step. I giggle inside, wondering what stories I’ll hear from the passenger seated beside me on the plane. And the excitement of knowing I’ll come home with stories to tell adds to the adventure.

The bold color of determination highlights my days as well. Writing fiction is tough, requires tons of talent and rewrites, patience and more hard work.

But the deep shade of determination brushes over spots of discouragement. And perseverance blends with determination resulting in the painting of success.
Also, the brilliant shades of joy purposefully dotted swirl throughout. And, though not overpowering, the accent gives a refreshing and revitalizing look to my world.
A soft hue of quiet reflection adds a warm tone. Reflection in silence before God to draw serenity and calmness in the midst of a hurried world.

And finally, a rich wooden frame of gratitude borders the portrait I see. Enormous gratitude as the eyes of my heart gaze upon the divine artist whose hands brushed vibrant colors across my world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet Perez Eckles is an inspirational speaker, writer, and contributor to nine books including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She authored, "Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life, true story of triumph, reflections to soothe the soul, and insights to stir the heart.  She imparts nuggets of inspiration at:www.janetperezeckles.com

DON'T JUST SIT THERE!

By Bob Perks

Do you ever feel like you are going nowhere?

Have you ever just stopped what you are doing because you were frustrated?

Well, my friend I have news for you. We are all going places even when we stop.

I was responding in an email to my friend Nathaniel. I said, "It's always good to have a dream and an ultimate dream, but use patchwork on the reality of your life."

I was talking about my front porch. It desperately needs to be replaced, but we can't afford it.

When I think about it, I have three possibilities.

1. My ultimate dream would be to tear it down and replace it with a small two story addition. Our bedroom is tiny so the second story would expand it a bit. The downstairs extension would be a closed in sitting area.

2. The dream would be to just replace the porch with a three season enclosure.

3. The reality is to patch the porch with a few new boards and lots
of paint.

I realized when I said this that formula is perfect for so many of my everyday dreams and plans.

The ultimate dream, the dream and the patchwork of reality.

Of course, one could argue that the fourth would be to do nothing.

Let it sit.

Then I "just happened to" (it never "just happens" for me) come across two interesting facts.

We may try to "sit this one out" but we are still moving.

How?

Earth's average distance to the Sun is 150,000,000 km (93 million miles), therefore the distance it travels as it circles the Sun in one year is that radius x 2 x pi, or 942,000,000 million kilometers
in a year of 24 hours/day x 365 1/4 = 8,766 hours so you divide to get 107,000 km/h or about 67,000 mph.

Yep! That's you and I on the move even when we sit still.  (I didn't figure that out. I researched it. There are other more complicated answers available, but I think this makes my point.)

Oh, what about creating a "new you"?

My doctors keep telling me that I need to re-create myself in order to be happy.

I found out I already do that without really trying...

Your skin, due to shedding of skin cells, replaces itself every 7 years. Actually, your skin sheds every 28-45 days, rejuvenating the epidermis and allowing the next generation of skin cells to come forward. The dead skin needs to slough off to allow the new cells to the top. We shed about 40 lbs of skin in a lifetime.

Gee, I need to lose weight. 40 lbs isn't bad.

Yes, there were other influences and possibilities with that fact, too, but again I think it makes the point.

The truth is you can't just sit there and expect positive change in your life. You can't just stop in one place and expect to get towhere you really want to be.

You have all that you need to make those changes.

You don't want to end up with a life that has been patched up too many times.

So, "don't just sit there!"

"I believe in you!

Bob Perks

ABOUT THE AUTHORBob's signature story, "I Wish You Enough," has been released by Thomas Nelson Publishers and features a collection of his stories based on the eight wishes expressed in the original story. His inspiring true stories are based on the people he meets in his travels. Bob's unique perspective on life makes him "the philosopher of everyday moments." For more information visit his website at:http://www.IWishYouEnough.com or email Bob your comments to: perksblog@hotmail.com 

Quote of the day....

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

~Walt Disney

Quote of the day....

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.  ~Ann Landers

YOU ARE NO DIFFERENT

by Bob Perks

Earlier this evening I was inspired by this thought as I 
listened to a minister speak at the annual Red Cross 
dinner my wife and I attended. As usual I made a few quick notes to keep the thought alive and help me to remember exactly what I wanted to share with you. 
I tucked it away in my suit jacket with plans to write this "tomorrow sometime."

I was driven out of bed. It's 12:23 a.m.

Picture in your mind the most incredible thing designed 
by mankind that you have ever seen. Perhaps the Empire 
State Building, the Shuttle built by the technicians at NASA, 
The Golden Gate Bridge or even the intricate detailing in a 
painting you've seen.

What name comes to mind when I say the words "creative genius?"

Who do you think of when I mention God-like compassion, 
caring and loving?

What author's name do you think of when I mention "poetry,"
"drama," "mystery," "fiction," and "comedy?"

What do you see when I say "strength," and "stamina?"

Finally "winner," "successful," or "role model?"

I'll bet you a Kids Meal at McDonald's you never saw yourself 
in any of those images. And yet...

Look at your hands. 
Are they not the same as the hands of the skillful 
artist, architect, mason, or technician?

If you were to x-ray your skull, would you not find the same 
brain matter that takes up the space between the ears of 
Einstein, Plato, and Disney?

Hold your hand to your chest. Can you feel the beat of a 
heart capable of paining for the homeless and starving? 
Have you not the same heart that beat in the chest of Jesus, 
Gandhi, Mohamed or the thousands of missionaries around 
the world?

Look at your fingers. Are they not like the fingers of Frost, Churchill, Stevens, Wilder and King that held tightly the pens 
that wrote the words that shaped the world?

Look at your feet. Show me the difference between yours and 
gold medalists of the Olympics or the rescuers who carried the 
people out of the rubble in Taiwan's tragic earthquake.

Finally. Close your eyes as you stand in front of a mirror and 
picture in your mind that man or woman who you think of as a 
success, a winner and role model. Open your eyes and explain 
to me the difference between you and that person.

There is no difference...except in how you perceive yourself.

You have the mind, the hands, the feet, the fingers, the heart to be exactly what you want to be. The only thing that is stopping you is the person you see in the mirror.

You have all that it takes.

It's 1:18 A.M. I can sleep now. The rest is up to you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob's signature story, "I Wish You Enough," has circled the globe via the internet. His inspiring true stories are based on the people he meets in his travels. In the mall, the airport, the park, or sitting in a restaurant, a simple word or phrase will often catch his attention, hook onto his heart-and from it a story blooms. Bob's unique perspective on life makes him "the philosopher of everyday moments."  http://www.IWishYouEnough.com  or via email perksblog@hotmail.com 

Quote of the day.....

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner.   Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.

~Diane Arbus

LIVING IN OUR OWN SKIN (Peeling Back The Layers)

By Miles Patrick Yohnke

© 2010 All Rights Reserved.

 

"Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The poster boy. This is who I have been for most of my life with respect to the issues I'm about to address. Most humans are really just sleep walking through their lives. Society tells us that if we have this car, we are somehow better than another, that if we live in this type of home we are somehow better than another. If we have this type of clothes, again, we are somehow better. But the real story is that the woman or man is doing all this to be liked. I just bought this car. Do you like me now? I just bought this house. Do you like me now? I just bought this Hugo Boss suit, this outfit. Do you like me now? If we really think about it, we just want to be liked.

 

From the executive to the janitor we just want to be liked. We are all struggling! It makes one ask questions of who they like and why they like them. It should be the person inside. That something about them. It's not what their assets are, rather their asset is who they are.

 

Each of us, every person, has a wonderful story in them. Truly. We are all children of God. At times we just need to stop, reflect, and perhaps quit running from ourselves. It's interesting so many people are trying to find God. Many get involved in a religion only to jump to another. In a lot of cases they are not looking for God at all. Many are joining nothing dis-similar than a gym or a club per say. They just want to be around people that perhaps have a similar interest. Or mostly just to feel like they belong.

 

Most of our lives it is just that. We just want to belong! To be liked, needed, or be loved! We just need to be truly honest with ourselves and question our purpose in each thing we do. That God is in each of us, not something to go searching for, but searching within us. And in that lies the answer. Each of us holds a beautiful story only to be told. We are all capable of the most beautiful things.

 

The mind is a very powerful organ. Albert Einstein stated that we only use 10% of the brain. I was a young child when I read that. I thought it was a typo or just me dealing with my learning disorder. But I never forgot it and now years later, I understand. Most people don't want to think.

 

Thomas Edison wrote: "Five percent of the people think, 10 percent of the people think they think, and the other 85 percent would rather die than think."

 

We are conditioned in ways from media/society not to think. We are banged and banged over the head from ads and media to be this and that and not to think. Mother Teresa once said: "One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody."

 

We need to stop and take ownership of our lives. To realize and accept that happiness isn't in possessions. In us lies the happiness. When we realize this one has another type of life. A calm, a peace, a joy. A life that we never thought was possible.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORWidely recognized and award-nominated engineer, producer, writer, poet and founder and C.E.O. of 5 Star Productions, Miles Patrick Yohnke brings many years of experience to the music industry; including many awards in sales and marketing. If you are looking at developing your career, Yohnke offers consulting in person, by phone or via email. For more info, please contact him at miles@5-starproductions.com

Quote of the hour....

If you work hard on your job, you make a living. If you work hard on yourself, you can make a fortune.

~ Jim Rohn

Quote of the hour....

Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.

~John Maxwell

Quote of the hour....

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.

~Harvey Fierstein

Quote of the hour.....

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.

~Henry David Thoreau

Quote of the hour....

Remember, happiness doesn’t depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think.

~Dale Carnegie 

Quote of the hour....

Life is a process of accumulation. We either accumulate the debt or the value, the regret or the equity.

~ Jim Rohn 

Quote of the day...

We must train from the inside out. Using our strengths to attack and nullify any weaknesses. It’s not about denying a weakness may exist but about denying its right to persist.

~Vince McConnell 

Quote of the day...

Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal — a commitment to excellence — that will enable you to attain the success you seek.

~Mario Andretti 

Quote of the day....

Failures are part of life.
If you don't fail, you don't learn.
If you don't learn, you'll never change. 

~Unknown