The Love Ladder of China

The Love Ladder of China

~ by Pearly (Penang, Malaysia) ~

The Love Ladder of China, An incredible love story has come out of China a few years ago and managed to touch the world.

It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century. Over 50 years ago, Liu, a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossip, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing area.

In the beginning, they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.

In 2006, their story had become one of the top 10 love stories from China, collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

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Wow! What a great story of love and dedication that a couple had to each other despite the fact that the couple was so poor. This story demonstrates to us the fact the happiness and love is not found in things but found in actions. So, what are you willing to do for your significant other today?

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Drunk Driving: A Child's Love

A Child’s Love

~ John Pasko ~

I was walking around in a Big Bazar store shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old..

The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll. Then the little boy turned to the cashier and asked: are you sure I don't have enough money?''

The cashier counted his cash once again and replied: ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy the doll, my dear.'' The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.

Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much. I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY.

I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this. 'My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister...''

My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said: 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so my sister won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly..

I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?''

'OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money.

The little boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!'

Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.'

I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind.

Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial.

She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed forever...

The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.

Please DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE. The value of a man or woman resides in what he or she gives, not in what they are capable of receiving.

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A Fun Fact: Why Do FIngers Wrinkle In Water?

Why Fingers Wrinkle In Water

~ Davin Hiskey ~

Today I found out why fingers wrinkle in water. For the quick answer, water washes away an oily substance that protects your skin.  When that happens, a certain type of dead cell on your skin will absorb the water causing the cells to swell up, but the layer underneath does not.  So the swelling, combined with the places the skin is connected underneath to the non-swelled layer, causes your finger tips to look all wrinkly.

So that’s the quick, generic answer.  More technically, there is a  waxy/oily substance your skin secretes from the sebaceous glands called “sebum”.  In these glands, sebum is produced within special cells and is then secreted when these cells burst.  This substance, among other benefits, has the dual effect of helping your skin and hair stay hydrated underneath, so it doesn’t get dry and cracked, while also helping to protect your skin from excess moisture from the outside.  You will have probably noticed sebum at some point in your hair if you go a couple days without washing it.  Your hair will start to feel very oily when you run your hands through it.  When you are in water for extended periods, this sebum gets washed away from your skin and hair, removing this protective layer.

Now you might be wondering why only your finger tips and toes get wrinkly and not the rest of your body (or at least not nearly as fast).  The reason why is not 100% understood, but we do have a pretty good idea of what is going on here.  The skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis, contains a protein called keratin.  This protein helps strengthen your skin.  Dead keratin cells also make up the epidermis’ surface layer, called the stratum corneum (Latin for ‘horny layer’).  So once all the protective sebum is washed away, these dead keratin cells absorb the water like a sponge and swell.  This is why your skin is much easier to cut or break when it is waterlogged.  The strong outer layer of dead keratin cells loses some of its toughness when waterlogged.   The reason then that your toes and fingers get more wrinkly is that they contain a thicker layer of both living and dead keratin cells than the rest of your body.  This causes them to swell more noticeably then the rest of your skin as the dead keratin cells absorb water.

The wrinkle effect occurs, rather than just general swelling, because the inner layer of living keratin cells stays more or less the same as it was before you were in the water, while the outer layer swells; the connections between these two layers stay closely bonded while the places not connected are free to swell, hence, the pruney fingers and toes.

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So, that’s the interesting story of how fingers get wrinkled in water. I will occasionally be adding more “educational” stories in some of my upcoming blogs. Have an awesome day!

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Become Everything That You Want To Be

Become What You Want to Be

~Brian Cavanaugh, T.O.R., The Sower's Seeds ~

Let me tell you about a little girl who was born into a very poor family in a shack in the Backwoods of Tennessee. She was the 20th of 22 children, prematurely born and frail. Her survival was doubtful. When she was four years old she had double pneumonia and scarlet fever - a deadly combination that left her with a paralyzed and useless left leg. She had to wear an iron leg brace. Yet she was fortunate in having a mother who encouraged her.

Well, this mother told her little girl, who was very bright, that despite the brace and leg, she could do whatever she wanted to do with her life. She told her that all she needed to do was to have faith, persistence, courage and indomitable spirit.

So at nine years of age, the little girl removed the leg brace, and she took the step the doctors told her she would never take normally. In four years, she developed a rhythmic stride, which was a medical wonder. Then this girl got the notion, the incredible notion that she would like to be the world's greatest woman runner. Now, what could she mean - be a runner with a leg like that?

At age 13, she entered a race. She came in last - way, way last. She entered every race in high school, and in every race she came in last. Everyone begged her quit! However, one day, she came in next to last. And then there came a day when she won a race. From then on, Wilma Rudolph won every race that she entered.

Wilma went to Tennessee State University, where she met a coach named Ed Temple. Coach Temple saw the indomitable spirit of the girl, that she was a believer and that she had great natural talent. He trained her so well that she went to the Olympic Games.

There she was pitted against the greatest woman runner of the day, a German girl named Jutta Heine. Nobody had ever beaten Jutta. But in the 100-meter dash, Wilma Rudolph won. She beat Jutta again in the 200-meters. Now Wilma had two Olympic gold medals.

Finally came the 400-meter relay. It would be Wilma against Jutta once again. The first two runners on Wilma's team made perfect hand-offs with the baton. But when the third runner handed the baton to Wilma, she was so excited she dropped it, and Wilma saw Jutta taking off down the track. It was impossible that anybody could catch this fleet and nimble girl. But Wilma did just that! Wilma Rudolph had earned three Olympic gold medals.

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If you have a dream and really want to achieve it, you need to believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t let anything distract you from becoming what you want to be.

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Plant Your Own Garden of Life!

Have you ever wanted to plant your own garden? Well, this article won’t tell you how to build a garden from which you can eat from but a garden that feed your soul. Why not build your garden with kindness and gentleness and live your life to its fullest.

    
Planting A Garden of Life

~ Author Unknown ~

Plant Three Rows of Peas

Peace of Heart

Peace of Soul

Peace of Mind

Plant Four Rows of Squash

Squash Gossip

Squash Indifference

Squash Grumbling

Squash Selfishness

Plant Four Rows of Lettuce

Lettuce Be Faithful

Lettuce Be Kind

Lettuce Be Patient

Lettuce REALLY Love One Another

No Gardens without Turnips

Turnip for Meetings

Turnip for Service

Turnip to Help One Another

Complete Your Garden with Thyme

Thyme for Each Other

Thyme for Family

Thyme for Friends

Water Freely with Patience and Cultivate with Love.

If you want your “Garden” to be full of “food”,

you must remember that the more you sow, the more

you will reap.  

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Daily Work Outs - 100 Reasons Why You Should Work Out Today

100 Reasons Why You Should Work Out Today

~ Nicole Nichols ~

~ Posted on SparkPeople.com ~

We all have those days that we don't want to work out even though we know we should. When you need a little motivation, look no further.
Here are 100 reasons you shouldn't skip your workout today.
Print, save, pin or "like" this post so you'll have easy access to it on the days you need it most.

100 Reasons to Exercise Now

1. Because it makes you feel confident
2. Because it helps you get stronger
3. Because exercise helps combat depression
4. Because you'll feel proud of yourself
5. Because you have goals you want to reach
6. Because you'll feel bad if you don't
7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
9. Because it improves your heart health
10. Because you want a great butt
11. Because it prevents diabetes
12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
15. Because your body was made to move
16. Because you want to be an athlete
17. Because you want to look better
18. Because it lifts your mood
19. Because you want to stand taller
20. Because it reduces back pain
21. Because it feels good
22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
25. Because strong is the new skinny
26. Because dieting only works so much
27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
28. Because it helps you lose weight
29. Because it allows you to eat more food
30. Because it's the best way to spend "me" time
31. Because it helps you de-stress
32. Because it's cheaper than therapy
33. Because you want a strong core
34. Because you want to take care for yourself
35. Because you take pride in your body
36. Because it strengthens your legs
37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
38. Because you want to push yourself
39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
40. Because moving your body feels good
41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
44. Because it gives you energy
45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
46. Because you want to look younger
47. Because you want toned arms
48. Because it improves your balance
49. Because it burns off last night's dessert
50. Because it boosts your immune system
51. Because sweat is sexy
52. Because you want to live longer
53. Because you want to get better at your game
54. Because you want to catch someone's eye
55. Because exercisers earn more money
56. Because you're more likely to eat better when you exercise
57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
58. Because you want to breathe easier
59. Because you want to see the scale drop
60. Because exercise improves your sex life
61. Because you are worth it
62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
63. Because you promised yourself that you would
64. Because you deserve a better life
65. Because it'll help you drink more water
66. Because you want to do real push-ups
67. Because it reduces your health care costs
68. Because you'll miss fewer days of work
69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
70. Because it'll help you like what you see in the mirror
71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
73. Because exercising can be fun
74. Because it'll give your skin a glow
75. Because it's a good way to spend time with your friends
76. Because it'll help you prevent the middle-age spread
77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
78. Because you don't want to let yourself go
79. Because you don't want to squeeze into an airplane or rollercoaster seat
80. Because it strengthens your spirit
81. Because it's a cheap way to entertain yourself
82. Because you'll be able to reward yourself
83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
84. Because you're tired of being tired
85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
86. Because it's a great way to spend time outside
87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
88. Because you're tired of starting over
89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
90. Because you're not a quitter
91. Because it improves your cholesterol
92. Because it boosts your metabolism
93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
99. Because not working out isn't working out for you
100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

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Motivating Words - A Collrction From A to Z

A to Z Collection of Motivating Words

~ Author Unknown ~

How often when we are down, do we look for motivational quotes or words to stir our enthusiasm and lift us from the depths of despair? This A to Z Collection of Motivating Words will provide you Positive Thoughts to help you feel better and change your perspective on Success.

Achievements
Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.
Doug Larson

Attitude
The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.
William James

Belief
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Anatole France

Change
If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
Mary Engelbreit

Challenge
Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton

Desire
Plant the seed of desire in your mind and it forms
a nucleus with power to attract to itself
everything needed for its fulfillment.
Robert Collier

Destiny
Character is fate. (Destiny)
Heraclitus of Ephesus

Dream
Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough, You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.
Sir James M. Barrie

Emotional / Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is a way of recognizing, understanding, and choosing how we think, feel, and act. It shapes our interactions with others and our understanding of ourselves.

It defines how and what we learn; it allows us to set priorities; it determines the majority of our daily actions. Research suggests it is responsible for as much as 80% of the "success" in our lives.
Freedman et al, Handle With Care: Emotional Intelligence Activity Book

Faith
Faith can move mountains.
The Bible

Friendship
You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
Dale Carnegie

Greatness
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Emerson Palmer

Happiness
The truth is that all of us attain the greatest success and happiness possible in this life whenever we use our native capacities to their greatest extent.
Smiley Blanton

Intelligence
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
Bertrand Russell

Intelligence is quickness in seeing things as they are.
George Santayana

Jealousy
Jealousy is that pain which a man feels from the apprehension that he is not equally beloved by the person whom he entirely loves.
Joseph Addison

Kindness
Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

Blaise Pascal

Love
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
William Shakespeare

Motivational Quote
Always set the bar for your goals higher than you think you can jump. If you reach for it and fall, as long as you get up and give it another shot, then you will have accomplished more than you ever thought was possible. And the day that you do achieve that goal, it will be the best feeling in the world.
Author Unknown

Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.
Norman Augustine

Nature
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
Anne Frank

Opportunity
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognized them.
Ann Landers

Obstacles
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
Henry Ford

Positive Thinking
There is nothing wrong with having your goals really high and trying to achieve them. That’s the fun part. You may come up short. I’ve come up short on a lot on my goals, but it’s always fun to try and achieve them.
Tiger Woods, Legendary American Golfer

Questions
One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.
Chinese Proverb

Risk
Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance.
Bruce Barton

Success
Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.
Mahatma Gandhi, Spiritual Leader from India

Truth
If you tell the truth,  you don't have to remember it.
Author Unknown

The Lord sets you free.
The Bible

Uncertainty
When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others.
Bertrand Russell

Vision
Vision: the art of seeing things invisible.
Jonathan Swift

Wisdom
True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.
And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all.
Socrates, Greek Philosopher

Zeal
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

I hope in some small way, some of these quotes will help to inspire you and to encourage you as you continue your travels through life.

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Have any stories or interesting tidbits? Email me richmullercoach@gmail.com

If you are receiving this story through your email and want to read more stories on my blog, please go to my blog site  -  http:// soup-heart.blogspot.com

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A Father's Day Poem

A Father’s Day Poem

~ Author Unknown ~

Dad,
A great many thanks for all you have done
Without you my life would not have begun
You have been there when I most needed you
You have helped to guide me my whole life through
We have shared both the good times and the bad
But most of all, thank you for being my dad
I love you

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Have any stories or interesting tidbits? Email me richmullercoach@gmail.com

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