A HEROES CREED "DID I"

By Carl Morris

 

Did I help someone to realize a dream they thought they'd lost?

Did I listen when someone told me the reward is worth the cost?

Did I praise someone for their efforts and encourage someone toward their dreams?

Did I help someone to understand the end never justifies the means?

Did I make someone laugh and smile when they would much, rather frown?

Was I the one who picked them up when everyone put them down?

Am I, the one they confide in and know their conversations secure?

Did I provide them with someone to trust in knowing their friendship will always endure?

Am I humble and constantly striving to become more than I was yesterday?

Did I focus on the successes of others and follow through with all that I say?

If I constantly strive to become the one who can say I did to did I's.

Then my life is fulfilled, knowing I have achieved life's greatest prize.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carl wrote this poem more that a decade ago but believes it is even more pertinent today. Each of us can be heroes to others through our actions and our words. He has observed the impact his wife has had in the lives of both children and elderly in her care for more that 30 years. Carl writes poems and messages about faith, families and freedom. To learn more you my contact Carl at carl.morris at verizon.net

THE OLD WAY WORKS FINE

By Sandy Abell

While visiting my grandchildren last week we played a game where we looked at all the things that have changed since I was a child. We talked about all the conveniences and technology they have now, that didn't exist when I was young.

It was a fun and educational exercise for them, and a new awareness for me. I was astonished to realize how much change had changed, and how much change we all have to adapt to, every day! So, now I'm reflecting on the importance of being flexible and adaptable in all areas of my life.

When a new idea or technology comes along, my first inclination is to say, "No thanks, I don't need that. The old way works fine." However, that may not be completely true. The old way may have worked fine in the past, but does it still, and will it in another year or two? Will clinging to the old way make my life easier, or put me at a disadvantage in business?

My competitors will probably be using the new methods, which will help them serve their clients faster and more conveniently. What will happen to me if I don't keep up and can't provide better service too?

In my personal life, doing things the way I have always done them might interfere withmy enjoyment or interaction with my family and friends. For example, if I stop learning how to operate my digital video camera (which I am sorely tempted to do because I HATE IT when an inanimate object gets the best of me!) I will lose the incredible joy I get from preserving special moments in the lives of my children and grandchildren.

Do I really want to do that, just because it's a challenge to learn the new way? Probably not. So I now adopt a positive attitude, believe I can do it, and continue to be open to the up-to-date ways of doing all kinds of things. I will be flexible and adaptable, and then congratulate myself for being up to the challenge of mastering something new.

How about you?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Sandy is a business and life coach, and owner of Inside Jobs Coaching Company. She specializes in working with executives, business owners, professionals, entrepreneurs and people in transition. Sandy publishes a free monthly newsletter entitled Focusing On Your Success, a free daily coaching question and quote called Inside Insights and has written several books, including Leadership and Management Skills for New Supervisors, and Self-Esteem, An Inside Job. She concentrates on helping people improve their business and/or personal life, accomplish goals and maximize potential in every area. Please visit Sandy on her website at www.insidejobscoach.com .

HARVESTING LOVE

By Kathleene S. Baker ©2011 

 

"If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right. There's no satisfaction in doing anything halfway!" My father preached those wise words of wisdom to me from the time I was old enough to grasp their meaning. And, Dad was right! For me, a job well done brings happiness like nothing else and typically comes after triumphing over a major challenge that generates joy in the lives of those I love.

 

When my husband, Jerry, and I were given one days notice that his children, Leisa and Chuck, were arriving the following afternoon to live with us, I was dumbstruck, felt completely inept, and was shaking in my boots. I was overwhelmed with fear and knew those youngsters felt the same way, surely even more so. Why would a Mother choose to devastate her children's lives at a moment's notice?

 

To this day, none of us have an answer. We took custody rapidly so she could never again "toy" with their lives. Leisa and Chuck came to us broken, confused, and anxious about life in a new city, new schools, and without old friends to confide in. Worse yet, a step-mother!

 

When the most difficult challenge of my life was unexpectedly tossed my way, I said a prayer and gave it my all. On day one, I assured both children they would always be cared for in safe surroundings and that I would never try to take their mother's place. Also, that my utmost hope was to earn their trust and become a friend that they could come to in times of trouble.

Chuck, at nine years of age, had his father available for male conversations. Leisa, at 12 years of age, definitely needed a woman with whom she could easily converse for she was about to be faced with rampaging hormones and a barrage of questions, many of them personal in nature.

 

Positive results did not come quickly and time crept by at half speed. We all struggled. one day, one week, and one year at a time. We shed tears, had bouts of anger, and dealt with a gamut of emotions like the peaks and dips of a seemingly endless roller coaster ride. Bad days would remind me of every story I'd heard or read about situations like ours and the many marriages that didn't survive!

 

That's when determination would suddenly grab hold; I'd grit my teeth, re-adjust myattitude and continue to battle the predicament thrust upon the four of us. And, on mymost frustrating days, Dad's words echoed a stern reminder of doing the job right! Given time, lots of time, it happened. Eventually true love did grow! I can't put a finger on the precise moment, but gradually love was felt lingering in the air, and little by little tension skedaddled right out the front door.

 

I'm reminded of a sick, scraggly, withered plant that is surely to die. But, with continued watering, moving it to differently lighted locations, you are astounded to envision what appears to be a minute hint of green. Within a few days a single shiny leaf begins to appear. You see there is hope, you don't give up, and in due time the plant is lush, green, and heavy with glorious blossoms!

 

The day Leisa informed me I was never to use the word "step" again, more than made up for all the daunting days of years gone by. Her exact words, "You are my mom!" She was a grown woman with children of her own when that time came and possibly the long wait made those words even more cherished. It is said, "Good things come to those who wait." I'm a believer!

 

Chuck and I always had an unusual and comical way of communicating and I still jokingly refer to myself as Your Wicked Step-mother. Not long ago I referred to myself in that manner as regards Leisa. He stopped me dead in my tracks, "That phrase is reserved for me and me alone!" He and I may be the only ones that know what he was really saying, which was, "I love you."

 

Even though the journey was thorny, it's rewarding when two now- grown children mainly recall only the good times. Often they remind me of events I've long since forgotten; we laugh and relive those times again. Mealtime had been more important to Leisa and Chuck than I had ever fathomed. To this day, it's a rare visit that their favorite recipes don't sneak into our conversations.

 

Recently, I flew to Leisa's for a week's visit. Several days before my departure, she called wondering if I could find time to bake Pumpkin Bread. Her request was added tomy already staggering "to do" list! I baked, froze two large loaves, and placed them inmy carry-on bag. When I plopped them down on her kitchen counter Leisa squealed with delight. My reward was a tight bear hug and "thank you" muttered from a mouth already stuffed full.

 

While blended families do not always thrive, thankfully ours did. It took tremendous effort from all of us; the end result being a home filled with love. That's what I call happiness than can never be outshined.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy and husband Jerry reside in Plano, Texas with two fur babies, Hank and Samantha. Kathy contributes to magazines, ezines, anthologies, Chicken Soup for the Soul and writes a weekly column entitled Heart of Texas. Kathy can be reached at Lnstrlady at aol.com.

MIRACLE FROM 83rd STREET

By Dr. Kiya Immergluck

I have always hated high school. Even now, that I'm technically a senior citizen, I think about those awful times and can feel badly about my teenage self. I grew up in the 1950's, and if you didn't look like a blonde cheerleader, you were out of luck.

I was suffering from all of the teenage angst over my looks: I wore "Coke bottle" glasses, had bad skin and braces on my teeth. My self-esteem was very low and I was subjected to the cruelty of both boys and girls who didn't miss a chance to tell me how "ugly" I was. Forget about dating! If I wanted to go to a high school dance in Chicago, I had to beg my first cousin to come in from Indiana and be my pretend "date."

Last year, a high school classmate found me on the Internet and asked if I would be willing to be on the committee to plan our 50th High School Reunion. I was very honest with her. I told her that I would attend the Reunion because I was very curious how our "Medicare" selves would look in comparison to the 16 year old kids we used to be. I promised I would attend, but I couldn't possibly serve on a committee to celebrate the single worst period of my life.

Later, for the bios we all wrote, I mentioned again that although my life has been mostly very good since 1961, that I had very bad memories of that most awful time in my life. I didn't even realize the irony of my statement, because I mentioned in a later paragraph that I was a breast cancer survivor. Classmates who read my bio were shocked: "She had a bout with cancer and high school was worse?"

I went with very low expectations. If I've had no reason to speak to any of these people for half a century, what will I say to them now? Then the miracle happened. Every single person I greeted, male or female, was very glad to see me. One group of women said to me: "We couldn't believe that you hated high school. We remember you as smart and funny and very active in school activities."

Several guys hugged me and said they recognized me because I "look the same." At first, I was insulted because I thought I look a lot better now then I did back then. Mygood friend set me straight: "You idiot: they mean that as a COMPLIMENT!" One guy said to me, "You look terrific." Best of all, a guy who was one of the cute ones in high school and was still an attractive older man, said to me: "I will always remember you: you were the first girl I ever kissed!" I have no memory at all of this event, but he told me that when we were 9 years old, we were at a party and played Spin the Bottle.

I had a wonderful time at my Reunion, and Miracle of Miracles, this lonely unhappy teenage girl from 83rd Street on the South Side of Chicago felt totally healed. Yes, I had some unpleasant experiences during those four years, but my classmates reminded me that they weren't all bad. It reminded me of a book I read years ago: "It's Never Too Late to Have a Happy Childhood." I can look back on those days now with a whole new perspective.

I look forward to the next Reunion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Kiya Immergluck is a Psychotherapist, Energy Coach, Addictions Counselor and Marriage & Child Therapist. She focuses most of her Energy Coaching and Training in the greater Chicago area, and she has taught Workshops and Retreats in California, Florida and Washington. Kiya offers telephone and SKYPE sessions anywhere in the world. Her specialties include self-esteem, phobias, and addiction issues. Her website is:www.eft-tap.com and her e-mail is: kiya at eft-tap.com. Kiya has written several books to help pre-school children learn tapping techniques.

For you to exercise with:

1. Stretch your Patience
2. Run miles of Faith 
3. Flex you Love for others
4. Kick those Worries away
5. Smile your heart out
6. Jump to good Decisions
7. Bend into right Conclusions

SOMETHING OF VALUE

By Peggy McColl

I recently returned from presenting a workshop in Cincinnati, and when I pulled up to the parking attendant's booth at the airport, I handed him my ticket and he flashed me a huge grin and said, "Hello! That'll be $30.50."

"$30.50?" I echoed, incredulous. "I was only here for 24 hours. I just want to pay for parking-I don't want to buy the place!"

He laughed and said, "Yep, it's $30.50 for 24 hours' parking. So how was your trip? Did you have a good time?"

I was still in a bit of shock at the price, but he was being so friendly that any temptation I had to become frustrated started to fade away. I chatted with him a little about my trip, asked him about his day, and paid my bill, feeling a lot better than I probably would have if he hadn't been so nice.

Now, some people might say that this gentleman had a right to be unhappy and cranky-after all, his job probably isn't always very pleasant. He has to deal with grouchy people who resent paying $30.50 for 24 hours' parking, he has to work in a closed space without much opportunity to move around or get visual stimulation, and he probably doesn't make all that much money. Yet this fellow was giving value unconditionally, without an obvious or immediate payback for doing so.

What he understood, which I try to help others understand, is that the more value you offer unconditionally, the more abundance you'll enjoy. Giving with strings attached creates feelings of fear (What if I don't get a return on what I give?) and lack (I don't have enough to justify giving to others without a clear benefit to me). Giving unconditionally creates feelings of abundance.

People who feel wealthy and blessed and who bring value to their jobs regardless of their pay let the Universe know that they're ready to receive even more wealth. They may get a raise or an unexpected windfall, or they could attract the attention of someone who wants to hire them for a better job. 

As I drove away from that parking garage, I thought about how much value and enthusiasm that gentleman brings to his work if he is able to deal with grumpy customers all day long and by early evening still have joy to share with others. I thought, I would like to hire that fellow! I wouldn't be at all surprised if he gets a promotion, a raise, or a more lucrative position somewhere, and I imagine that he leads a rich and abundant life outside of his job.

When you give value unconditionally, you'll receive it in return-and the more you give, the more value and abundance you'll receive. People, who offer the minimal amount at their job, always rushing out the door at exactly 5 p.m. and never showing any initiative, are missing the opportunity to create abundance or value and reap the benefits.

There are many ways to offer value. My husband, son, and I live next to a golf course. At the end of the week, Michel will gather up all of the balls in our yard, put them in egg cartons, and sell them to golfers at a fraction of the cost of new ones. When he approaches a potential customer, he'll give them a free ball. Whether or not they decide to buy a dozen from him, this ball is theirs to keep. The golfers feel positive about him and are more inspired to buy a box from him, if not today, then sometime in the future.

You can offer value through creative ideas, suggestions for how to make your company work more efficiently, enthusiasm that inspires others, hard work, diligence and attention to detail, and going the extra mile in a crisis.

If you're thinking of finding different work, or you've been considering making a change for a long time but feel paralyzed and unsure of what to do next, start by creating positive feelings so that you can access your passion and creativity. You'll get clarity about what you want to do next and avoid making the kind of mistakes we commit when we operate from negative feelings such as fear and lack. You won't jump from one unrewarding job to the next; instead, you'll find new, better opportunities opening up for you in response to the feelings of abundance, enthusiasm, and worthiness you've created. You'll recognize your beneficial purpose, value it, and attract more resources and wealth by giving unconditionally, letting your abundance flow into the Universe, and opening yourself to receive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Peggy McColl is a New York Times Best Selling Author and an internationally recognized expert in the area of goal achievement. She is the author of five books, translated in many languages and sold all over the world. You can find out more about Peggy at http://www.destinies.com .