Friday, September 12, 2008

Some Of Life's Lessons...

This was passed on to me by my friend Minerva, who lives in New Zealand. I thought that I would pass it on to you because it contains some very important lessons.

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 50s, 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.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain.

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 rainstorm. 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 60s.. 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.

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.


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.

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 but he had chosen to save her anyway.

These lessons are ones that we should put into practise each and every day of our lives. It may surprise you to know that these lessons can all be traced to an important lesson from the Bible. The Golden Rule ! Remember that one? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...!

Now let's have some fresh coffee, my friend!

10 comments:

Manu said...

Good Morning Jim...i am the first one this morning, yipeee.
Wonderful lessons this morning Jim, thank you. This rule has always been part of my attitude...
Now to you Jim...i am concerned about you the news don't paint a pretty picture about Ike and i heard you won't leave your home.
I truly hope that you will stay safe. I know there is still time for things to change for the better so we will just keep focusing on that, ok?

Take care of yourself,
Manu.

Manu said...

Hey Him...which part of Houston are you living in, i just heard the east part is most threatened.

Lydia said...

Good morning Jim, Nice post, thanks for sharing! I will echo what Manu has said and am also hoping you are, and will remain, safe! Not sure what part of Texas you are in but a great part of it looks threatened by this storm. Thinking of you and am also focusing on the best outcome.
Lydia

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the message. Part of it gave me chills. Thank you and Minerva. (I feel as if I know some of your internet friends.)

HermitJim said...

Hey Ladies...I want to thank all of you for stopping by. The lessons that we should learn from this are onew we all know already. Just putting them into practise seems to be the hard part.

The concern shown by all my friends is a great source of comfort and support and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

See ya guys...

js said...

Those are excellent lessons Jim. Thanks for posting them.

js

PS: Hope you get through the storm with ease, and others as well.

HermitJim said...

Hey John...thanks for the visit and the good wishes. I appreciate it, as do we all.

Jim

Anonymous said...

Hi Hermitjim - and all.
Especially liked you blog today - and it is so true. Let's get back to community and love.
A little boy - 4 yrs old on a bike - was just hit by a truck here on ur street yesterday. We are all praying he is not severly injured , and also for the driver.

Where you personally live is it near Houston or ? thanks.
Love and take care of each other.
One of Your many friends - from Canada!

HermitJim said...

Hey Myrna...I live in southern Houston...the side closest to Galveston. 45 miles from my house to the beach.

Sorry about the small boy being hit. Children often suffer the most by the actions of those of us charged with protecting them. Very sad...and my prayers will be with him and his family.

Thanks for the visit...

Anonymous said...

Hermitjim - happy to finally hear late today that although he is awfully scared he suffered only a dislocated shoulder and wearing a neck brace. Little angels must have been watching over him. :)

Talked to my brother-in-law tonight
who just bought aplace in Texas last winter - and he said yes it was heading toward Galveston.
Take care !
Hope you can rest tonight.