Without Words....

 

Not surprising......the man's best friend features in the majority.

Thought And Care

Many years ago my wife and I were on a trip to Carmel, California for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, "Can I help you?"

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"Yes," I answered. "A full tank of gas, please." I wasn't prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window - even the sunroof - singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn't believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.

When he brought the bill I said to the young man, "Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it."

He replied, "I really enjoy working. It's fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you."

This kid was really something!

I said, "We're on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?"

"Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away," he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, "Don't park out front - park around to the side so your car won't get sideswiped."

What a kid!

As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. "Hey, I see you got your milkshakes."

"Yes, and this one is for you!"

His mouth fell open. "For me?"

"Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn't leave you out of the milkshake deal."

"Wow!" was his astonished reply.

As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars - you see, it's not the money, it's the consideration.

Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so on our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, "I need a long-stemmed rose for my wife to carry while we go shopping in Carmel."

The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, "We sell them by the dozen."

"I don't need a dozen," I said, "just one."

"Well," he replied haughtily, "if you only want one it will cost you two dollars."

"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "There's nothing worse than a cheap rose."

Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my wife. She was impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, "I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose." And I believe she probably was.

Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care?

Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.

The small details of our lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, the property, the bank balance that matters. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be someone’s friend and do those little things for each other that build a relationship.

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up...

Live like a Candle Which Burns itself but Gives Lights to Others.

The Trouble Tree

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job...a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit...and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching tips of the branches with his hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied.

"I know I can't help having troubles on the job and in my life, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again." "Funny thing is," he smiled, "When I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

Life's Gifts Are In Disguise

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bhagwad Gita.

Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bhagwad Gita?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realised his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son.

He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bhagwad Gita, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bhagwad Gita and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bhagwad Gita. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words…PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss Life’s gifts because they are not packaged as we expected.

The Painter

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course. He took 3 days and painted a beautiful scenery. He wanted people’s opinion about his caliber and painting skills.

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below he kept a board which read “I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.”

When he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with crosses and some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears. The young artist was breathing heavily and the master heard him saying “I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying.”

The master smiled and suggested “My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work.”

The young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later, early morning, he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. The master took it gracefully and smiled.

“Come with me,” the master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now the master took out another board which read “Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do me a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it.”

The master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place the same evening. The young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. The next day again they visited and found that the painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!

Moral:

It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!

There are a lot of people around us who just wait for an opportunity to criticize us. Don't get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed. Be yourself.

JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE!!!