WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING 7 YEARS FROM NOW?

By Augie Mendoza

I graduated from Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas in May 1972. Not dressed in white (honors), but I graduated.

That summer like the previous summer, I worked as a longshoreman loading corn, flour and corn sacks weighing 50 to 140 lbs. and 900 lbs. caustic soda drums on freight ships bound to other countries at nearby Brazos Harbor and Dow Chemical A2 Dock.

This was one of the better paying jobs in the area. It was grueling, hard, heavy work, but I loved it at the time. My father had been doing this job most of his life since it paid well.

Fall came around and I had already decided that I did not want to make my living as a longshoreman. Work was inconsistent and when it was there it only went to the ones with the most seniority, unless there was too much. There was very little opportunity for a better job when you got older.

I had always heard that a college education would get you a better job and decided to find out. So I went to nearby Brazosport College and set up an appointment with a counselor.

I got to his office at the appointed time and he asked me what work or profession interested me the most. I had taken Auto Mechanics I & II during my junior and senior years in high school and asked him if Brazosport College had an auto mechanics program.

He said "no." I asked him if they had anything similar to it. He said that the Machine Tools Technology program was very similar and described the program to me.

I was very interested and asked him how long it would take if I went full time. He said "4 years." I said I couldn't go full time since I am working (whenever work was available).

I asked how long would it take if I go part time? He said "7 years." I was shocked. I said, "Man, I'll be old then, I'll be 25 years old. I don't thing so."

He asked me, "what did you say you did for a living right now?"

I told him again that I worked as a longshoreman throwing bags and manhandling drums. Then he bent over his desk and looked me square in the eye and asked me the most significant words I will never forget in my life:

"IF YOU DON'T TAKE ANY CLASSES. WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING 7 YEARS FROM NOW?"

These words hit me like a ton of bricks! I sheepishly told him that I would be doing the same thing. I signed up for the classes right then and there.

These prophetic words have inspired many of my relatives and friends. The sun will rise and fall 365 days a year. What you choose to do in between will determine many things in your life.

This story alone has inspired relatives and friends to realize an age-old truth: Time will go on regardless and it waits on nobody.

Years later, I told a co-worker this story. He got inspired enough that he went on and got 3 different degrees in computers in less than 7 years! He said afterwards, "7 years ago I would've been saying to myself, 'If only I had the opportunity.'"

TIME WILL PASS REGARDLESS!

THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN

If you think you are beaten, you are,

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you like to win, but you think you can't,

It is almost certain you won't.

 

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,

For out in the world we find,

Success begins with a fellow's will.

It's all in the state of mind.

 

If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

 

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man.

But soon or late the man who wins,

Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN.

Nine nutrients to boost memory

1) Gingko Biloba improves mental alertness, clarity and memory;

2) Ginseng boosts memory in scores of people suffering from dementia; combined with Ginko Biloba, it even produces better memory-boosting results;

3) B vitamins while important for top-notch memory, inositol and cholineare particularly effective at reducing stress and jump-starting memory;

4) Omega-3 oils come from fatty fish such as salmon and also flaxseed oil;

5) Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that helps control the free radicels that damage brain cells and help improve the flow of oxygen through the brain;

6) Tumeric carries anti-inflammatory compounds that protect cells from beta-amyloid, a main component of the plaques in the brain of Alzheimer’s victims;

7) Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties protect the brain against memory-robbing diseases;

8) Hawthorn is rich in bioflavonoids and is a great anti-oxidant that fight free radicels and increases oxygen supply to the brain to carry important nutrients vital to the functioning of neurotransmitters; 

9) Gotu Kola is sometimes called “food for the brain” and improves concentration and memory.

IT'S OUT OF YOUR HANDS

By Bob Perks (c)2008

"It's out of my hands!" I thought to myself. There's nothing more I can do."

It seems so final, so absolute.

I heard those words once spoken when I was fired from a job I loved.

The look on my face begged for an explanation.

"Why?" I asked. "Can't you do something about it?"

"It's out of my hands," he said.

I heard those words spoken when my mother was dying from cancer. I was just 21 years old, still young enough to believe that doctors heal and mothers can make boo boos better with a kiss.

"It's out of my hands," he said.

With that we knew it was over.

Hands that I shook when I accepted a job suddenly couldn't hold me there.

Hands that I depended on to bandage a wound, gently inject an antibiotic, sign an excuse to miss school, and couldn't make my mother well.

Hands that nurtured, wiped away tears, caressed my face, guided me across the street and welcomed me home, would no longer be there.

Today I spoke to a friend about a project I worked on, a dream I've held in my heart for years now and how much it would mean in my life at this time if it worked out.

He said, "You've done all that you could, Bob. It's out of your hands."

He left and I sat there alone in my dreams.

I looked down at my hands and realized that they have grown old along with me. Wrinkled, dried up, bruised and scarred, still they've never let me down.

"As long as I have faith, this dream is not out of my hands," said.

With that I raised my hands, placed the palms together and said a prayer.

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

Why do we shout when we're angry?

Yeah, why do we shout when we're angry??? We know it'll make it harder to resolve whatever the issue is and it'll just make the other person angrier, and then he/she shouts back, and the shouting goes back and forth.

Easier said than done but we should try to learn from this......

‘Why do we shout in anger?’ A saint asked his disciples, ‘Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?’

His disciples thought for a while, one of them said, ‘Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.’

‘But, why do you shout when the other person is just next to you?’ asked the saint. ‘Isn’t it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you’re angry?’

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint. Finally he explained, ‘When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other.The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.’

Then the saint asked, ‘What happens when two people fall in love? They don’t shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small!’

The saint continued, ‘When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other(but when you're angry you can also look at this person like you want to strangle him/her, he, he, he he!).

‘MORAL’ said the saint: ‘When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return!’

HAPPINESS

By Darcy Keith

Mother's Day is a recent memory. Like most moms, I was treated to a day where I could do whatever I want. I was Queen of the remote control. The lunch menu detailed food that I wanted, and I didn't have to cook it. My daughter, young as she is, made several Mother's Day cards at school, church, and home with various scrapbooking adornments, which she proudly presented to me and begged that I select my favorite one. The sun was shining, and the day was happy.

There are times in our lives where things may not seem happy or joyous at all. Events happen and steal our joy. How do you recover from this? Where are you getting your joy? I must confess, life is not all roses. One of my six year-old daughter's favorite sayings is, "It's not fair". She is learning that life isn't fair at times.

What would life be like if we had everything we wanted? King Solomon in the Bible had it all: power, fame, fortune, and wisdom. Yet, he put his happiness in temporal things and became very unhappy. Have you ever said to yourself, I will be really happy when I get that new car? How long does this happiness last? Or what about an accomplishment you have achieved. The next one must be bigger and better. It's never enough and the cycle continues, searching for the happiness "high" that you experienced before.

What makes you happy? I'm not just talking about for a few hours or days. I'm talking about happiness for a while longer.

Here are four suggestions on living a happier life:

1. Think of the small things that make you happy and write them down. This could be a sunny day, the smell of freshly cut grass, or hearing your favorite song on the radio.
2. Keep everything in perspective. Put things in their proper place. If something makes you unhappy, consider the scenario in the big scheme of things. Will it really matter when you are 80 years old?
3. Look at the root cause of what makes you happy in your life. Remember what gives you joy.
4. Put yourself second and serve others, which is contradictory to what the world says. Happiness in serving another person first, rather than ourselves, is a humbling experience that shows others that they matter more than us.

Have you heard of the saying, "Giving the shirt off of your back"? Happiness is a great feeling. The wonderful thing about being happy is that it can be found in small packages. Why not take time to look for the small stuff that makes you happy today?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darcy Keith is a national award-winning professional speaker and author, and is an expert on overcoming challenges. She has presented before numerous corporations, associations, service organizations, churches, and universities, as well as being featured on various television and radio venues including ABC, CBS, and FOX. To have Darcy share her expertise through her captivating presentations, contact her at www.DarcyKeith.com, or to sign up for her FREE monthly inspirational newsletter, email her at Darcy@DarcyKeith.com.

Simple but effective!

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car.

The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.

It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.... After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And, remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there..... This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. -Albert Einstein