Outlook Towards Life

Outlook Towards Life

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else;
And for everything you gain, you lose something else.

It is about your outlook towards life. You can either regret or rejoice.

LIve Today

Live Today

To live a little, you've got to love a whole lot.
Love turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Life is a gift we're given each and every day.

Dream about tomorrow, but live for today.
Don't wait for tomorrow. Make memories today.
Life is for Living.

Father, You know all the lonely hearts that are reading this devotional. Reveal Your love for them by showing them that someone cares for them. Thank You! Amen.

Working Hard

Working Hard
Whether you're a musician, a writer,
an athlete or a businessman;
There is no getting around it.

The only way -
You are going to get anywhere in life,
is by working hard to achieve your dreams.

If you do, you'll win;
If you don't you won't.

Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent.

John 17:3

Friend

This is a message
from a
friend to a
friend for a
friend to be a
friend so that a
friend remains a
friend of a
friend who is a
friend 4revr.

Look for GOd in Others

Look for God in others
Thanks to Shobha Shamanna

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends'
tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was
walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from
him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes my heart went
out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his
glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really
should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed
real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with
my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were
seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I
was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles
would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for
business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a
nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me
having to get up there and speak Graduation day.

I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys who had really found
himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in
glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy,
sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his
speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be
great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and
smiled.

"Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a
time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your
friends...I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the
best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked
at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He
had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you
can change a person's life for better or for worse. God puts us all in each
other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Worth Two Paisa

Worth two Paisa!!

Thanks to Ranjan Jain

A man went out of his village and came back after ten years. He advertised himself, "I have become successful in yoga practice." So naturally villagers surrounded him. "Oh! Really! What yoga practice you have learnt?" they asked him.

"I can walk on the water," he replied. "Oh? Let us see this!" So a big arrangement was made that he'll walk across the river. Then he walked over the water, and crossed the river.

Then one old man came and said, "Sir, what you did was very wonderful, but it’s worth two paisa only."
"Why?" the so-called yogi asked.

The great feat which you display after arduous practice of 10 years is available to me just for 2 paisa. Now you will walk to the other side of the river. I will just take a boat for two paisa and cross the river. I'll do the same thing, so what is your credit? What’s the special benefit that you have derived by spending ten years of time?"

So, those who are actually intelligent, they will see the things in right perspective. What’s the use of spending so much time and effort on something which is temporary and transient? We shouldn’t put our efforts in getting things to show off, but should go for something which will come handy when we embark our final journey!

Let’s go for the real happiness, not for the itch, which is pleasant during the course of itching, but later gives immense burning sensation!

We often spend time in struggling to show what we can get...or what we have achieved .or what we can doing..just to catch the attention of people...to prove ourselves.......true happiness is in humbly enjoying the satisfaction in doing our work..if its really worthwhile....it will really be able to catch worthwhile attention... we need not put an extra effort to draw people' attention ... coz effective & efficient work anyways will do that ...So lets do that which we enjoy the most and have fun instead of doing something JUST to impress someone or to show off!!

Critics

Critics

Thanks to Mayilraj Kalimuthu

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciplehood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills of skills so he decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.

Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to display it on a busy street-square of that small town he was resident of. He wanted people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills..

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a 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. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

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

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his masters place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with marks everywhere. Such was the state that colors were not visible, only things one could see were crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and 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"

Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting."

Young disciple couldn't believe it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't think I am good enough.. don't make false hopes.."

"Do as I say without questioning it.. It WILL work." Master interrupted him.

"Just paint exactly similar painting once again for me and give it to me. Will you do that for your master?.." Master instructed.

Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.

"Come with me." master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now 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 a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."

Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. But master wasn't satisfied as yet and he told his disciple "May be one day was too little a time for people to come up with ideas and take out time out of their busy schedules to correct it so let us keep it here for one more day. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can expect some corrections coming in."

Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched..

They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!

It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve. If you want to help people improve their behaviour it is worth investing your effort in learning how help people change their behaviours, attitudes and skill

A Refiner and Purifier of Silver

A Refiner and Purifier of Silver

Thanks to Ranjan Jain

Once a woman was puzzled and wondered what the holy verse "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." meant about the character and nature of God. She offered to find out the process of refining silver and called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you and, no matter whatever you are going through now, you will be a better person in the end!

The Wooden Bowl

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?'
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.'

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note,
I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

GOD CARES FOR YOU

Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Psalm 27:10