Monthly Archives: September 2012

LEAF PEOPLE
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can’t depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or a wind blows in your life they are gone. You can’t be angry at them, it’s just who they are.

BRANCH PEOPLE
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life it’s possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it’s tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases they can’t handle too much weight. But again, you can’t be mad with them, it’s just who they are.

ROOT PEOPLE
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don’t let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.

Just as a tree has many limbs and many leaves, there are few roots. Look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people’s lives?

Bad is easy. Good is hard.

Losing is easy. Winning is hard.

Talking is easy. Listening is hard.

Watching TV is easy. Reading is hard.

Giving advice is easy. Taking advice is hard.

Flab is easy. Muscle is hard.

Stop is easy. Go is hard.

Dirty is easy. Clean is hard.

Take is easy. Give is hard.

Dream is easy. Think is hard.

Lying is easy. Truth is hard.

Sleeping is easy. Waking is hard.

Holding a grudge is easy. Forgiving is hard.

Telling a secret is easy. Keeping a secret is hard.

Play is easy. Work is hard.

Falling is easy. Getting up is hard.

Spending is easy. Saving is hard.

Doubt is easy. Faith is hard.

Laughter is easy. Tears are hard.

Criticizing is easy. Taking criticism is hard.

Letting go is easy. Hanging on is hard.

Pride is easy. Humility is hard.

Excusing oneself is easy. Excusing others is hard.

Borrowing is easy. Paying back is hard.

Sex is easy. Love is hard.

Going alone is easy. Walking alone is hard.

 Messy is easy. Neat is hard.

Cowardice is easy. Bravery is hard.

War is easy. Peace is hard.

Poor is easy. Rich is hard.

An F is easy. An A is hard.

Can’t do is easy. Can do is hard.

Following is easy. Leading is hard.

Having friends is easy. Being a friend is hard.

Dying is easy. Living is hard.

If you ask why all this is so, why is life so hard, I’ll tell you, “It just is. Nothing in life that is good and worthwhile comes without effort. Easy is its own reward. Hard is much finer!

·   If you smile at someone, in almost every case, they will smile back. Try it now with someone nearby and see if it works.

·   If you’re kind toward someone, they will usually be kind in return. Of course, this also works in the other direction.

·   If you complain to someone, they will “share” their complaints with you. (In fact, you may quickly find yourself in a subtle competition to see who is more miserable.)

·   If you get angry at someone, they will usually get angry with you. And so on.

The fact is, whatever you decide to “throw” out into the world will usually circle around and land right back at your feet. (Much like the boomerangs we played with as kids.)

You have a CHOICE about what you decide to “throw” out into the world. You have a CHOICE about what you WANT to land at your feet? If you want more JOY … Throw it out there.

·   If you want more HAPPINESS, throw some happiness out there to someone else and watch it “miraculously” come back to you.

·   It even works with money. Need money? Give some away. (Spiritual leaders from the beginning of time have been telling us this, but most of us are afraid to believe it.)

·   It works in just about every area of our life. When we give something away, when we “throw” it out there. It comes back to us.

But here’s the good news. . (And this is really the “miraculous” part.) . We actually get MORE back than what we throw out there.

·   Plant a seed and you don’t just get one seed back. You get HUNDREDS (maybe even THOUSANDS!)

So today (and for as many days afterwards as you want), make a conscious CHOICE about what you want to “throw” out into the world. By doing this, you will be making a choice about what is going to come back and land at your feet. Remember the boomerang. Whatever you “throw” out there WILL come back to you (many times over).

The Mountain Top of Life

“Everyone must face the challenge of the mountain; some will reach the summit, but many will fall. I cannot tell you how to reach the top, for each climber must find his own way. But I will share with you 10 laws that apply to climbing the mountain of life”. While many people believe there is only one path to the mountaintop, this is not so. Indeed, there are many routes that lead there. It is not the path chosen that is key, but rather the way in which one travels.

1. If you stop to whine every time you step on a pebble, you will never reach the top.
2. The best climbers are those who stop to help pull up others who are struggling. It seems to strengthen their arms and legs when they lift others, making themselves more powerful climbers.
3. The difficulties and disappointments faced during the trek to the top will lead to many questions. As you ponder the mysteries of the mountain, take comfort in knowing that all questions will be answered at the summit.
4. The endeavor goes best for those who make the climb with a sense of purpose and presence. It is possible to find purpose in learning, growing, and helping as one moves toward the destination; and there is joy in being fully present in each moment, enjoying the beautiful sights and experiences along the way.
5. It is well known that the journey up the mountain varies greatly over time. At times, it is pleasant and calm, with cool winds and shade; other times, rocky and treacherous, with long periods of darkness and rain. The successful climbers learn to accept it all — appreciating and savoring the good times, while discovering their strength and will in the hard times.
6. Some will be lazy or misguided and will fail to make the required effort to reach the top. They will play, loaf, and indulge themselves, perhaps never getting far from the foothills. They will forfeit the benefits of the hard, but wondrous pilgrimage and never know the rewards gathered at the joyful destination.
7. Remember, everyone you meet on the uphill journey is struggling with the mountain just as you are. You can never know what heavy burdens they must carry with them as they try to find their way. It serves no purpose to discourage, criticize, or judge anyone else. If you can help someone, do so — but never let your treatment of others add to their burden.
8. Because of the adverse conditions that occur along parts of the trip, accompanied by periods of discouragement and even hopelessness, one requires faith to traverse the most arduous aspects of the climb. How else can one navigate in darkness, find his or her way back after being lost, and stay strong when the specter of failure rises up again and again?
9. 9.     The Maker of the Mountain waits at the mountaintop to receive those who make their way to the summit of serenity. Wise climbers learn to talk in their hearts to the Maker as they travel, that they might receive an internal light to warm them when they are cold, and guide them when they are in darkness.
10. 10.   The Maker of the Mountain waits at the mountaintop to receive those who make their way to the summit of serenity. Wise climbers learn to talk in their hearts to the Maker as they travel, that they might receive an internal light to warm them when they are cold, and guide them when they are in darkness.