Friday, March 18, 2011

Frogitude!



Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs....who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower
to see the race and cheer on the contestants.... The race began... Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that
the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!" "They will NEVER make it to the top." or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!" The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one.... Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher....The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.... This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower.
Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort,
was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to
know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... That the winner was DEAF!!!! The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic....because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have.

Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions! Therefore: ALWAYS be....POSITIVE!And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! This is from an email I received, but thought it very worthy to share...

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Little Things Mean A Lot

Several years ago, I had a friend that was moving his family to a new home. With three children, two of which were twins, his family had a lot of STUFF. Anyone that has moved can sympathize with the overwhelming feeling that comes with a move. The feeling that you will never get it all done, needing something that has already been packed, forgetting to schedule utility changes, etc. Moving can be very daunting.

In the middle of this chaos which was happening in the thick Alabama summer heat, my buddy said someone did something he will never forget. Without asking, a dear sister from my friend's church pulled up with cups, ice, and a big jug of sweet tea. In the South, we love our sweet tea and this dear sister knew the movers needed a break. My friend said that small act of kindness made a huge impact on him. To some, it was just a glass of tea. But, to my friend, it was a reminder that someone really cared about his family and just wanted to do something to make their chaotic day a little better. Making and taking tea wasn't a big deal to the good sister, but it was a huge deal to my friend.

Never underestimate how a small act of kindness can impact someone else's life. It could be a call or card to a person that is sick. It could be taking someone to lunch that has been having a tough time in life. Or, it could be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee at work that has had a bad day. It doesn't have to be a big act to be a big blessing. Look for the little things in life that you can do to make a big impact for someone else.
God Bless!