TWO WOLVES

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A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy. He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one".

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The grandson asked him, "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?"

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The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."

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LIFE

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If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets. I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice creams and fewer beans. I would have more actual problems and fewer imaginary ones.

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You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely. Hour after hour. Day after day. Oh, I have had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd have nothing else. Just moments, one right after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it over again, I would go places and do things and travel lighter than I have.

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If I had my life to liver over, I would start barefoot earlier in the Spring and stay that way later in the Fall. I would play hookey more often, I wouldn't make good grades except by accident. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more daisies. If you hold your nose to the grindstone rough and hold it there long enough you'll soon forget there are such things as brooks that babble and birds that sing. These things will your world compose: just you, a stone and your darned old nose.

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Nadine Stair (85 years old)

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Our deepest fear is that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves - Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of the Universe.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of the spirit that is within us.

It is not just some of us; it is everyone.

As we light our light shine, we unconsciously give people

permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

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Nelson Mandela. Inaugural speech 1994

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Desiderata

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Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, but on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue is there; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be your self. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cyncial about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrending the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and borken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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Found in St. Paul's Church Baltimore.dated 1692

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PERSISTENCE

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NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF PERSISTENCE.

TALENT WILL NOT; NOTHING IS MORE COMMON THAN UNSUCCESSFUL MEN WITH TALENT.

GENIUS WILL NOT; UNREWARDED GENIUS IS ALMOST A PROVERB.

EDUCATION WILL NOT; THE WORLD IS FULL OF EDUCATED DERELICTS.

PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ARE OMNIPOTENT

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U.S. PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE

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A SMILE

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A smile costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich and mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as they who have no more to give.

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THEY CAME AFTER THE JEWS

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They came after the Jews

And I was not a Jew

So I did not object

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Then they came after the Catholics.

And I was not a Catholic.

So I did not object.

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Then they came after the Trade Unionists.

And I was not a Trade Unionist.

So I did not object.

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Then they came after me.

And there was no one left to object.

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Martin Niemoeller. Protestant Pastor

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DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL

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Death is nothing at all.... I have only slipped into the next room.... I am I, and you are you...whatever were were to each other - that we are still.

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Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at little jokes we enjoyed together. Let my name be the household word it ever was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Life means all that it ever meant.

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It is the same as it ever was, there is absolutely unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for an interval, somewhere near just around the corner........... All is well.

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Canon Henry Scott Holland 1847-1918

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THE GREATEST GIFT IN THE WORLD OG MANDINO

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I will live this day as if it is my last.

And what shall I do with last precious day which remains in my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday's misfortunes, yesterday's defeats, yesterday's aches of heart, for why should I throw good after bad? Can sand flow upwards in the hour glass? Will the sun rise where it sets and sets where it rises? Can I relieve the errors of yesterday and right them? Can I call back yesterday's wounds and make them whole? Can I become younger than yesterday? Can I take back the evil that was spoken?, the blows that were struck, the pain that was caused? No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will think of it no more.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

And what then shall I do? Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw now after maybe ? Can tomorrow's sand flow through the glass before today's? Will the sun rise twice in the morning? Can I perform

tomorrow's deeds while standing in today's path? Can I place tomorrow's gold in today's purse? Can tomorrow's child be born today? Can tomorrow's death cast its shadow backwards and darken today's joy? Should I concern myself over events I may never witness? Should I torment myself with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more.

I will live this day as if it were my last.

This day is all I have and these hours now my eternity. I greet the sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted yesterday's sunrise who are no longer with the living today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today's hours are but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others, far better than I, have departed? Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved? Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be? Is there a purpose in nature? Is this my day to excel?

I will live this day as if it were my last.

I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for it's value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

I will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith; fear I will dismember with confidence. Where there are idle mouths, I will listen not; where there are idle hands I will linger not; where there are idle bodies I will visit not. Henceforth I know to court idleness is to steal food, clothing and warmth from those I love. I am not a thief. I am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my love and greatness.

I will live this day as if it were my last.

The duties of today I shall fulfill today. Today, I shall fondle my children while they are young; tomorrow they will be gone, and so will I. Today I shall embrace my woman with sweet kisses; tomorrow she will be gone, and so will I. Today, I shall lift up a friend in need; tomorrow he will no longer cry for help, nor will I hear his cries. Today, I shall give myself in sacrifice and work; tomorrow I will have nothing to give, and there will be none to receive.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

And if it is my last, it will be my greatest monument. This day I will make the best day of my life. This day I will drink every minute to its full. I will savour it's taste and give thanks. I will make every hour count and each minute I will trade only for something of value. I will labour harder than ever before and push my muscles until they cry for relief, and then I will continue. I will make more calls than ever before. I will sell more goods than ever before. I will earn more gold than ever before. Each minute of today will be more fruitful than hours of yesterday. My last must be my best.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

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And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.