Friday, January 11, 2008

Lessons learned in life


I usually leave the profound stuff to her. But as we wait on my bloggity make-over here is something for you to ponder. You just never know who you might run into. I know I didn't expect to meet you.



Five (5) lessons about the way we treat people.


1 - First Important Lesson - 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 50's, 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. I realized when I read this that You my friends are "that" person to me. You all are so important to me.


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 rain storm. 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 1960's. 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.
This touched me to the core. Good fortune does happen to those who are willing to give of themselves without expecting anything in return other than a simple "thank-you".

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 is hand out 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.
And to think a mere child learned the value of respecting ones time and service......

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.
Touche'

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 & 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.
Typical of me, I cried at the unconditional love given from one sibling to another.

Remember, "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching." What do you have to loose?!

16 comments:

crazylady said...

It is only fitting that I found this first. Let me tell YOU that in the entire history of your blog no other post has impressed as much as this one. I had to read it twice. It is the side these bloggers rarely see of you, though I know is there, and now they get to share you with me.
That or you're smoking crack.

Another reason you are incredibly awesome.
Love ya

Kim said...

Okay.. I am crying...
This is why I love ya girly..
You are amazing..
Only YOU would write this on your blog...
The reason why is because you are sooooo amazing.. you always think of other people..
Have a WONDERFUL Weekend..
Hugs to you my friend..
I am sooo HAPPY and HONORED to have met you...

Steffie B. said...

Bravo darling....and on that note, I am done blogg surfing this evening and will take these thoughts to bed with me!

Smooches....
S*

The family of six said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog - we are so excited!! Your daughters are beautiful!

Nikki said...

I loved those stories! thank you for sharing them - wonderful reminders...all of them!

Have a beautiful weekend!

mommy24treasures said...

beautiful sweetie!

Dianne said...

You didn't warn us we need a tissue. Thanks for sharing such touching stories!

Steffie B. said...

Love the blog.....it's lovely just like you!

Jewels of My Heart said...

Oh, Rony, I finally got a chance to read your post.......
I am in tears....... I had to keep sharing each story, each lesson with Jeremy as my voice was trembling and I tried to read it again through my tears....
This one post puts life into perspective.....
How powerful words are...
Each day we are presented opportunities to make a difference in another human beings life.... how often we turn our heads, walk on and abandon that chance to touch the heart and change the life of that person.... even when that person turns out to be ourselves.
These stories will stay with me.
Thank you

Kathryn said...

Oh what a beautiful post!!!!!! I love reading your blog!!

Cindy from central NC said...

Count me in in your fan club. Love you too. Big-time. Just left you a vm. So sorry I've been not-around. I've been in the ol' ucky black-hole in a big way but crawled my way back out and even managed to post. Jeez, hope we can talk soon.

love,cin

jennifer said...

What a great post, and what a GREAT makeover!


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new look!!! It is beautiful

Kim said...

LOVE THE NEW LOOK...
She did a WONDERFUL Job...
Have a Great Weekend..
Hugs to you girly..

kerri said...

You have been nominated...
Lovin' your new sexy look. ;)

Krista said...

Oh, nice. Thanks for sharing and cheering up my day!

3 Peanuts said...

I love this post! Such important life lessons.

Kim