Five Important Lessons In Life

[82Rigger]

This time of year our thoughts turn to giving. Here are some reflections on the generosity of the human spirit.


Five important lessons in life

1. First Important Lesson - The Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I
was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions,
until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who
cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman
several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would
I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would
count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In
your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say
hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11.30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing
on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing
rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man
stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s.

The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into
a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address
and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his
surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special
note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the
highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but
also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to
make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God
bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole

3. Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy
entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass
of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he
asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his
handout of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more
people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice
cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the
cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and
five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae because he had to
have enough left to leave her a tip.

4. Fourth Important Lesson - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he
hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.
Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and
simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping
the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of
the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon
approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to
move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and
straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse
lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many
gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for
the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant
learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an
opportunity to improve our condition.

5. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts.

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to
know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious
disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived
the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother and asked the
little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I
saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and
saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and
smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then
his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and
asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being
young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was
going to have to give his sister ALL of his blood in order to
save her.


Merry Christmas to all.

Steve / 82Rigger

[exlrrp]

If you want to have a good time, be sure and take a good time with you
Merry Christmas
James

[ArtySgt]

Some good points for the entire year, Marry Christmas everyone.