Rekindled

By Raymond M. Sheppard

Many years ago, while employed at a Boys and Girls Club in Halifax Nova Scotia, I met a young 14 year old that was defiant and considered by many at the club and in the community, as a person going no where fast. Although Jashaun as I will call him, was disruptive, would steal, lie, curse and swear and fight, there was another side that few had ever taken the time to see.

When I got the chance to spend some time on a one-to-one basis, I saw something totally different. I saw a scared and confused 14-year-old boy who did not have a sense of who he was, nor did he seem to have a sense of where he fit in. I was told many times, that I was a fool not to see this young person for the true evil he had inside of him and that I would regret treating him as someone with respect.

As a Program Worker, it was my responsible to teach wrestling, plan and implement exchange trips with other clubs based on friendly competition involving basketball, swimming, and floor hockey and of course wrestling.

As time went on Jashaun would come looking for me and would talk openly about how he grew up with his father in and out of his life, his mother's alcohol abuse and having to take care of his little brother, a responsible he was not ready for nor equipped for. He mentioned of having gone without food for two days while his mother was out drinking and how he had to fry up potatoes skins that had been discarded for his baby brother.

Over the course of six months I noticed a changed in Jashaun, he seemed more confident, relaxed, patient and open. I was shocked to learn that this young person knew about Shakespare, Monet, King Kenyatta, Martin Luther King, Jr. Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman and a wealth of other information.

One day I was setting in the office area when the telephone rang, no one else was around, so I decided to answer it. The person on the other end was a teacher from Richmond School across the street, she asked to speak to a Mr. Sheppard; I responded you're speaking to him. Mr. Sheppard, the teacher said, Jashaun requested that I contact you to discuss a few things, can you come over for a few minutes, I responded in the affirmative. I wasn't sure what to expect as I darted across the street to the school, my immediate thought was what has gone wrong now.

After arriving at the school and checking in at the office, I was directed to the gymnasium and again I thought my God what has happened. I entered the gym nervously; to my surprise an awards ceremony was being held and Jashaun was getting an award for a poem he had written and for protecting another individual from being bullied. I was surprised, shocked and very relieved. Jashaun looked over from where he was standing and smiled; in his eyes I could see thankfulness and joy. Although I did not have children of my own at that time, I was as proud as any father could be and recently when my son came home with straight A's on his report card, I had a flashback to that day.

Many things have happened between then and now including Jashaun graduating high school with honors and going on to university. Jashaun is now a lawyer residing in Ontario Canada, and although we do not have much contact, I realize that in everyone's life, at some point, an inner fire is ignited with a flame if directed, that flame can rekindle the inner spirit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raymond Sheppard is an African Canadian and African Nova Scotian residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the father of four and his background includes writing and broadcasting. Raymond can be reached at raymondsheppard@can.rogers.com

Down Is The Best Place To Be

By Bob Perks


"I've really hit bottom," the young woman said.

"You'll still find hope there," I told her.

"How could I? I'm down so low in life I can't see a thing."

"Down is really a great place to be. Everything is always looking up!" I told her and then went on to explain.

I had been so depressed at one point in my life that I prayed to God to take my life. Every morning when I woke up, I'd curse the day. I was unemployed and in great debt.

But it wasn't until I crashed, literally hitting the floor that my life would change.

My life became very predictable. I had been desperately looking for a job. Each morning I woke up I'd grab the local newspaper from my porch. Bypassing the news, which during that time was depressing enough, I immediately looked for the want ads. Running my finger slowly down the page, I'd carefully scan for something new. Anything that caught my attention would be circled. It was early in 1990. There was little to circle.

That day there was nothing at all.

By this point I had already sent out hundreds of resumes to every conceivable employer within a 100-mile radius of my home. Of course, because of the economy, so did thousands of other unemployed mid-lifers.

I remember that day as clearly as I can see today. Sadness and despair washed over me like sweat on a hot, humid day.

I stood up from the kitchen table and walked, no, dragged myself into the living room. The paper slipped from my hands as I lost all touch with reality. My heart, my mind, my soul, my spirit, suddenly just gave up on life.

I looked up at the ceiling and tears gushed from my eyes.

With every last bit of energy I screamed, "God help me!" and fell to the floor on my knees. I wept openly for a few minutes and rolled over on my side. I lay there crying still, now curled up in a fetal position.

I don't remember much of my time lying there on the floor, but I do remember waking up and finding my Old English Sheepdog next to me.

I, too, was as low as I could be.

You might think, "How sad!" or "How very depressing!"

It actually saved my life.

Jim Rohn, professional speaker and inspirational writer would call such an event, "The day that turned my life around."

Despair and anguish were like an infection running through my system.

Hopelessness and thoughts of being a failure were lies raging within my very soul.

That moment, my crashing to the floor was one of the greatest moments in my life.

I was down so low that "up" was the only option.

I believe, that my cry to God that day told Him that I was ready for Him to take over. Up until that very moment, although I may have prayed for help, I was never really willing to accept it at all.

There is a story about a man in search of an audience with a great Sage. The day they met the man began to tell his story, never ceasing, never yielding to the Sage's input.

Finally the Wise Man raised his hand to stop the conversation.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" he asked the man.

"Yes, that would be fine," the man replied and continued speaking.

The Wise Man placed the small tea cup in front of the man and began to pour from the tea pot. He continued pouring until the cup was filled beyond capacity and now overflowing onto the table.

"Stop!" the man shouted. "It is more than full!"

The Sage set the tea pot down on the table and said, "You came here for guidance but, like the cup before you, you are overflowing, unwilling and unable to add anything to your life."

Before I emptied myself by letting go of it all that day, I too, was much too full of myself to permit God to take over.

If you are struggling with life and find yourself face down on the floor, remember two things.

"Down is a great place to be, because everything is always looking up."

And..."You can't fall off the floor."


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob Perks is an author, storyteller, trainer, and motivational speaker whose specialty is human potential. His message --"I believe in you!"-- has resonated with thousands of people who are seeking to increase their self-esteem and communication skills.

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

COMPLAIN LESS, GIVE MORE!

George says it all!

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian
of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very
eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller
buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but
enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families,more
conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less
sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh
too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get
up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too
seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our
values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added
years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the
moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a
new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered
the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but
not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and
less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men
and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier
houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips,
disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to
quiet, to kill. It is a t ime when there is much in the
showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when
technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can
choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they
might not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word
to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little
person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because
that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it
doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved
ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend
hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that
person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time
to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your
mind.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by
the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this
to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

From a forwarded e-mail

FLIPPING

By Charles Price

I have always been a fish, when it comes to swimming. I've been swimming since I was two and a half years old. I was fortunate to have a pool in my backyard growing up. My older sister, Veronica, was also a fish. She would get up on the diving board and do double front flips and double back flips with relative ease.

Needless to say I was quite amazed by her acrobatic feet. I really wanted to do a flip badly. Except for some reason I was afraid of our diving board. It took me a few summers to get over that one.

Six years later my sister had stopped doing her amazing double flips, but my dream to do a flip still stuck in my mind. I had a constant reminder in my backyard, even during the winter months.

I started becoming very adventurous on the diving board, turning my body in various ways before I hit the water. The sting of the water when you are spinning uncontrollably almost knocked me out on multiple occasions.

I really put my effort into doing flips when I was thirteen years old. I would begin my flip, only to get scared in the middle of it, and have a long fall to land on my back. This was my regular routine for three years. I'd have it and then get scared and hit my back, but I never stopped trying.

I got really good at absorbing the pain of landing on my back or my side. My best friend, Kevin, had gotten the flip down the previous summer. Needless to say I did trust myself. I didn't truly believe I could do it. Yet no matter the countless tries attempting to fulfill this dream my focus to accomplish it never waned.

One day while watching Kevin flip, it suddenly clicked for me. I lowered my left shoulder and did a very awkward looking flip. I was so ecstatic that I did this odd looking flips over and over again. It was all worth it.

After that I perfected my flip and started doing one and a half flips. I have flipped off of ten-foot roofs (Don't try this at home kids); thirty-foot cliffs and a forty-five foot cliff.

I tend to forget the accomplishments I've done in my childhood because I've thought it's all about growing up. But the dream that kid had still lives inside me. So next time you have a project to do or a dream to accomplish think of all the amazing things you have accomplished before that. Celebrate your victories and go after your dreams. If you have never done your flip in life, all it takes is the dream to do it again one more time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charles Price is a MDI subscriber who has appreciated the inspiration he has received over the years from MDI. He created wristbands that say "REDEFINE WHAT"S POSSIBLE" as a reminder for us all that dreams do come true. Charles can be contacted at yabish@yahoo.com

Memo from GOD

To : YOU
Date : TODAY
From : GOD
Subject : YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.


P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Now, you have a nice day.

GOD

Interesting Stuff:

* Coca-Cola was originally green…
* It is impossible to lick your elbow…
* The percentage of Africa that is wilderness is 28%...
* The percentage of North America that is wilderness is 28%.

* Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair…
* The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer…
* Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades--King David; Hearts—Charlemagne; Clubs—Alexander the Great; Diamonds—Julius Caesar.

* 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321;
* What is the only food that doesn’t spoil? Honey!
* If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you find the letter “A”?
Answer: One thousand

* What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common? All were invented by women!

* In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase…’Goodnight, sleep tight.’