A Box of Kisses: A Story of Jumping to Conclusions

This is a story that will touch your heart and hopefully, help you to understand why sometimes, when we jump to the wrong conclusions, it can effect you more than you'll ever know.

A Box of Kisses: A Story of Jumping to Conclusions

The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy."

The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, "Don't you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They're all for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

We need to remember that while our words can help uplift and soothe a person's soul....they can also be hurtful. We need to be careful of "jumping to conclusions" and saying things that may hurt someone before knowing an entire situation. In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses... from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this.

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Author: Unknown
Photo Credit: 123rf.com
Source: Indianchild.com

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Live. Laugh. Love
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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

 

A Shocking Letter To Dad

A Shocking Letter to Dad – This is Not Heart Warming

~ Posted by MumbaiiteAnu

A father passing by his teenage daughter's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made and everything was neat and tidy.
Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the center of the pillow.
It was addressed "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands: -

“Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you, but I'm leaving home. I had to elope with my new boyfriend Randy because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.
I've been finding real passion with Randy and he is so nice to me. I know when you meet him you'll like him too - even with all his piercing, tattoos, and motorcycle clothes. But it's not my only the passion Dad, I'm pregnant and Randy said that he wants me to have the kid and that we can be very happy together.
Even though Randy is much older than me (anyway, 42 isn't so old these days is it? ), and has no money, really these things shouldn't stand in the way of our relationship, don't you agree?

Randy has a great CD collection; he already owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. It's true he has other girlfriends as well but I know he'll be faithful to me in his own way. He wants to have many more children with me and that's now one of my dreams too.
Randy taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone and he'll be growing it for us and we'll trade it with our friends for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Randy can get better; he sure deserves it!!

Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your loving daughter,
Rosie.”

At the bottom of the page were the letters " PTO" (Please Turn Over).

Hands still trembling, her father turned the sheet, and read:

PS:
“Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbor’s house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my report card that's in my desk center drawer. Please sign it and call when it is safe for me to come home.
I love you!
Your loving daughter,
Rosie”

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Live. Laugh. Love
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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

 

Dealing With Gossip - The Triple Filter Test

Dealing With Gossip - The Triple-Filter Test  ~ Author Unknown ~

Jonnie Miles / Getty Images

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"Well, no," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and…"

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"Umm, no, on the contrary…"

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left—the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

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This is a fabulous story that gives us a helpful guideline to show us how to deal with gossip and the people who like to spread it. Gossip is one of those things that some people like to spread because it makes that person portray themselves as being important and valuable to other people. Despite the fact that gossip often can sound interesting and / or stimulating, Gossip, most often than not, can not only be untrue, but it can also be very hurtful. There have been millions of relationships and friendships that have destroyed because of this vice.

So, as for me, the next time someone has some gossip to tell me, I am going to remind myself of Socrates’ Triple Filter Test, and think to myself…is it true? Is it good? Is it useful?  If not, I’ll find someone else to talk to and spend my time wisely. What about you?

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A Fun Little "To Do List"

A Fun “To Do List”

This “To Do List” is a collection a fun things that you could do…if you were REALLY bored and wanted something to do. Hopefully, this “list” will bring a smile to your face and tickle your funny bone…at least for a while. Enjoy!

   1. Make vanilla pudding. Put in Mayo jar. Eat in public.

   2. Hire two detectives. Get them to follow each other. 

   3. Wear a shirt that says "Life". Hand out lemons on a street corner.

   4. Get into a crowded elevator and say "I bet you are all wondering   why I have 

       gathered here today.

    5. Major in Philosophy. Ask people WHY they really like fries with that. 

    6. Run into a store, ask what year it is. When someone answers, yell "it Worked!"and run out cheering.

    7. Become a doctor. Change last name to Acula.

    8. Change name to Simon. Speak in third person.

    9. Buy a parrot. Teach the parrot to say "Help! I have been turned into a parrot."

  10. Follow joggers around in your car blasting "Eye of the Tiger" for encouragement.
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A Short Story About Friendship

A Short Story About Friendship

~ Author Unknown~

Horror gripped the heart of a World War-I soldier, as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle.
The soldier asked his Lieutenant if he could go out to bring his fallen comrade back…"You can go," said the Lieutenant, "but don't think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away."
The Lieutenant's words didn't matter, and the soldier went anyway.
Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company's trench.
The officer checked the wounded soldier, then looked kindly at his friend “, I told you it wouldn't be worth it," he said. "Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded."

"It was worth it, Sir," said the soldier.

"What do you mean by worth it?" responded the Lieutenant." Your friend is dead."

"Yes Sir," the soldier answered, "but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say....... “Man...I knew you would come! "

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We all have those people that are close to us and are special in our lives. But how many of us would be willing to save the life of a friend while giving up our own? It was once said “Greater love has no one than to lay down their life for a friend”. Let’s all be thankful for the friends that we have and value the time that we spend with them.

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The Top 10 Perks of Coffee

This is an interesting article that shows us some surprisingly interesting facts about coffee. This is also the first article that was submitted by someone else to be published! Since just about everyone I know drinks coffee, I thought that this would be a fascinating read. Me? Sorry folks….I am a tea drinker!

The Top 10 Perks of Coffee

~ Lisa Collier Cool, Yahoo Health ~

New research shows that drinking coffee can actually lengthen our lives. And that’s only the latest surprise from medical sleuths who have been assessing coffee’s remarkable health benefits. Recent studies reveal that coffee has previously unsuspected powers to protect against diseases ranging from Type 2 diabetes to breast and prostate cancer, and, possibly, Alzheimer’s disease.

The latest surprise comes from a study of more than 402,000 healthy men and women ages 50 to 71. The research, published in New England Journal of Medicine in May, reported that drinking three or more cups of coffee (or decaf) per day cut risk of death for heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, injuries, accidents, diabetes and infection by 10 percent. (This applies only to nonsmokers who didn’t drink a lot of alcohol.)

Coffee contains more than 1,000 compounds that could affect health. Here are 10 more amazing health perks:

Perk #1: Hot Coffee May Fight Superbug Infections.

Compared to people who don’t drink hot coffee or tea, those who do are 50 percent less likely to harbor MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria in their nose—and may therefore be at significantly lower risk for developing a dangerous superbug infection. MRSA causes 278,000 hospitalizations and more than 6,500 deaths in the US annually.

Perk #2: Coffee Decreases Diabetes Risk.

Researchers at Harvard who followed more than 125,000 men and women for more than 10 years found that drinking six cups of coffee daily appears to help ward off type 2 diabetes.

In men, a six-or-more cup daily java habit slashed the risk by more than 50 percent compared to men who didn’t drink coffee; among women, sipping six cups daily trimmed risk by nearly 30 percent. 

Perk #3: Coffee Combats Gallstones.

Another Harvard study that tracked more than 46,000 men ages 40 to 75 for 10 years showed that drinking two to three cups of regular coffee (not decaf) daily shrank the risk of gallstones by 40 percent (and may have similar benefits for women).

Coffee seems to stimulate gallbladder contractions and reduce cholesterol in bile that can form gallstones. Other sources of caffeine, including tea and sodas, don’t help.

Perk #4: Coffee Benefits Digestive Health.

A 10-year study in Japan including 96,000 adults found that drinking three or more cups of java per day halved the colon cancer risk in women.

Perk #5: Coffee May Stave Off Stroke.

A Swedish study published in 2011 reported that drinking one or more cups of java daily lowered stroke risk by 22 to 25 percent. More than 34,000 women were followed for slightly more than 10 years.

Perk #6: Coffee Is a Mood-Booster.

A study by Harvard School of Public Health found a 20 percent lower risk of depression in women who drink coffee regularly compared to women who don’t. More than 50,000 midlife women participated.

And for some, coffee actually seems to be lifesaving: Earlier studies showed that the risk of suicide declines as coffee consumption rises. And a study in Finland found a lower risk of severe depression in men who drank the most coffee.

Perk #7: Coffee Improves Men’s Health.

Guys, here’s a great reason to grab a cup of joe: Another Harvard study published last year followed almost 48,000 men for 20 years and found that the risk of prostate cancer was 20 percent lower in those who drank six or more cups of coffee daily, regular or decaf.

Better yet, those who quaffed the most were 60 percent less likely than nondrinkers to develop a lethal form of prostate cancer.  Drinking one to three cups of java reduced the risk of fatal prostate cancer by 30 percent.

Perk #8: Coffee Cuts Breast Cancer Risk.

A study from Sweden’s prestigious Karolinska Institute suggests that women who drink five or more cups of coffee per day cut risk of aggressive estrogen-receptor negative breast cancer by 57 percent. Exactly what it is about coffee that works against this particular kind of breast cancer isn’t known.

Perk #9: Coffee Protects Women’s Skin

Yet another study from the Harvard School of Public Health found a 20 percent lower risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, in women who drank more than three cups of regular coffee daily.

Perk #10: Coffee Has An Amazing Potential to Protect Against Alzheimer’s.

Studies in Finland have found that people who drank three to five cups of coffee daily when they were middle-aged had a 60 to 70 percent drop in risk for Alzheimer’s later in life.

A 2011 study at Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center is the first to show that caffeinated coffee appears to protect against the memory-robbing disorder in a way not seem with other caffeinated drinks or decaf.  The mouse study, published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, found that caffeinated coffee spurs a rise in blood levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), a growth factor that’s greatly diminished in Alzheimer’s patients.

The boost is important, since GCSF causes bone marrow stems to enter the brain and remove harmful beta-amyloid protein that triggers Alzheimer’s. GCSF also forges new brain cell connections and boosts levels of new neurons. “Together, these actions appear to give coffee an amazing potential to protect against Alzheimer’s—but only if you drink moderate amounts,” remarked one of the study authors.

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