  ARCHIVED ESSAYS FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES
- The author is indicated when known -
The Bank of Time
- author unknown
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There is a bank that credits your
account each morning with $86,400.
It carries over no balance from day to day.
Every evening deletes whatever part of the
balance you failed to use during the day. What
would you do? Draw out ALL OF IT, of
course!!!!
Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86,400
seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost,
whatever of this you have failed to invest to good
purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no
overdraft.
Each day it opens a new account for you.
Each night it burns the remains of the day.
If you fail to use the day's deposits, the
loss is yours.
There is no going back. There is no
drawing against the "tomorrow."
You must live in the present on today's
deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the
utmost in health, happiness, and success!
The clock is running. Make the most of today.
I Wish You Enough
- author unknown
Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together.
They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough."
She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough.
Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."
They kissed and she left.
He walked over toward the window where I was seated. "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me.
"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked. "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral," he said.
"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."
"When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "'Hello's' to get you through the final 'Goodbye'."
He then began to sob and walked away.
I Wish You Dandelions!
- author unknown
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
No wonder God loves the little children!!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
I wish you BIG MUD PUDDLES and SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS
THE OLD LADY
- author unknown
When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had left nothing of value. Then the nurses, going through her possessions, found this poem. Its quality so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland Association for Mental Health.
A slide presentation has also been made based on the poem...
What do you see, nurses, what do you see, what are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise, uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes. Who dribbles her food and makes no reply when you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do, and forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still, as I use at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother, brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet, dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty-my heart gives a leap, remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast, bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty my young sons have grown and are gone, but my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more babies play round my knee, again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead; I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own, and I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman and nature is cruel; 'tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart, there is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, and now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain, and I'm loving and living life over again. I think of the years - all too few, gone too fast and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see, not a crabby old woman;
...look closer-see ME!!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an old person.
It is so true that we don't really ''see'' others in this state.
And most of us will get to this stage of life!
ATTITUDE
By Charles Swindoll
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skills. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... We are in charge of our attitudes."
Friendship Is...
- author unknown
A Friend...
Accepts you as you are
Believes in "you"
Calls you just to say "HI"
Doesn't give up on you
Envisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you
Invites you over
Just "be" with you
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your life
Never judges
Offers support
Picks you up
Quiets your fears
Raises your spirits
Says nice things about you
Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
X-plains things you don't understand
Yells when you won't listen and
Zaps you back to reality
What would you do?
- author unknown
What would you do if every time you fell in love you had to say goodbye?
What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be
there?
What would you do, if you best friend died tomorrow and you never got to tell them how you felt? What would you do if you loved someone more than ever and you couldn't have them?
Some people love, and some people die. But I want to tell you I love you, and you are a true friend. If I died tomorrow, you would be in my heart. Would I be in yours? If you care about the person that sent this to you, then you will send it back.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
I Love Ya...Suppose one morning you never wake up; do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.
Sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.
Just in case I die tomorrow....I LOVE YA!!!
Facts of Life;
- author unknown
1-At least 5 people in this world love you so much, they would die for you.
2-At least 15 people in this world love you, in some way.
3-The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4-A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5-Everynight, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6-You mean the world to someone.
7-Without you, someone may not be living.
8-You are special and unique, in your own way.
9-Someone that you don't know even exists, loves you.
10-When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
11-When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look; you most likely turned your back on the world.
12-When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooner or later will get it.
13-Always remember complements you received; forget about the rude remarks.
14-Always tell someone how you feel about them, you will feel much better when they know.
15-If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they're great.
DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
- author unknown
I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.
O, Remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe
about the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
"Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
"Cause my cup has overflowed.
JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT
- author unknown
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. When you want to talk, He'll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe and yet He chose your heart. And that Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem? Face it friend He's crazy about you! Pass this on and brighten someone's day, and remember, God answers Knee-Mail.
A Reason, A Season, or a Lifetime
- author unknown
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life...
PRAYER ...
May today there be peace within you.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.
It is there for each and every one of you.
Praying For Help
- author unknown
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter.
When returning to her car she found that she had locked her keys in the car. She was in a hurry to get home to her sick daughter, she didn't know what to do, so she called her home and told the baby sitter what had happened and that she did not know what to do.
The baby sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door." The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."
So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up,with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "Great, God. This is what you sent to help me????" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help.
She said "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car, I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car." He said, "SURE."
He walked over to the car, and in less than one minute the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "THANK YOU SO MUCH..... You are a very nice man." The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour." The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud:
"THANK YOU, GOD, FOR SENDING ME A PROFESSIONAL!"
The Paradox of Our Time
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 it 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, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little. We drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, 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 the new neighbor. We've 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 split 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 have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of 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 time when there is much in the show 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.
- George Carlin
FRIENDS WITHOUT FACES
(and some that do)
- author unknown
We sit and we type, and we stare at our screens.
We all have to wonder, what this possibly means.
With our mouse we roam, through the rooms in a maze.
Looking for something or someone, as we sit in a daze.
We chat with each other, we type all our woes.
Small groups we do form, and gang up on our foes.
We wait for somebody, to type out our name.
We want recognition, but it is always the same.
We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes flirt.
In IMs we chat deeply, and reveal why we hurt.
We do form friendships - but - why we don't know.
But some of these friendships, will flourish and grow.
Why is it on screen, we can be so bold.
Telling our secrets, that have never been told.
Why is it we share, the thoughts in our mind.
With those we can't see, as though we were blind.
The answer is simple, it is as clear as a bell.
We all have our problems, and need someone to tell.
We can't tell real people, but tell someone we must.
So we turn to the 'puter, and to those we can trust.
Even though it is crazy, the truth still remains.
They are Friends Without Faces, and odd little names.
SITE-WHY NOT 1.22.2000
- Mark D McKinley
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I started a Site, to help me shed light,
As to this thing called the Web;
I started it twice, then scraped it again,
before I found a place to begin;
It's been several months, and it's still there in place,
It's sort of my "Favorites List", my friends;
For as I find a new URL, I give it a whirl,
and on my Web Site, it ends.
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