Help me get 1000 posts

[The Story Teller]

It's nice that we're trying to help this person out, but where are they?? We seem to be doing all the work..

 

[NewSong]

The Pink Dress


There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park.

Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad.

Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat
and watched the people go by.

She never tried to speak.

She never said a word.

Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see
if the little girl would still be there.

Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was
yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes.

Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl.

For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place
for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress.

It was grotesquely shaped.

I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no
effort to speak to her.

Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if
you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.

As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to
avoid my intent stare.

As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more
clearly.

She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk.

I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, "Hello."

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a "hi"; after a long
stare into my eyes.

I smiled and she shyly smiled back.

We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty.

I asked the girl why she was so sad.

The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, "Because, I'm
different."

I immediately said, "That you are!"; and smiled.

The little girl acted even sadder and said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and
innocent."

She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and
said,
"Really?"
"Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch
over all people walking by."

She nodded her head yes, and smiled.

With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her
wings to spread, then she said "I am."

"I'm your Guardian Angel," with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things.

She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself.
My job here is done".

I got to my feet and said, "Wait, why did no one stop to help an
angel?"

She looked at me, smiled, and said, "You're the only one that
could see me," and then she was gone.

And with that, my life was changed dramatically.

So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is
always watching over you.

 

[The Story Teller]

[size=+3]Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.[/size]

 

[The Story Teller]

I've read that one before..

 

[The Story Teller]

Cardinal Climber - Ipomoea Multifida

Season: Annual
Height: 15 - 20 feet (vining)
Bloom Season: Early Summer to Early Winter
Environment: Full Sun - Moist Well Drained Soil
Brilliant blooms from early summer till frost on this vigorous, giant twining vine! The huge foliage is so elegantly divided--looking for all the world like palm fronds--and it makes a spectacular backdrop for the radiant 1-inch scarlet blooms. These tubular flowers face up and out from the foliage for a full color show--the perfect accent for gates, poles, and any other structure enabling this 15- to 20-foot vine to twine with unrestrained glory! The foliage is so striking that even when not in bloom, it is a handsome addition to the garden. Very easy to grow in full sun. Cannot ship seed to AZ.

 

[NewSong]

Breakfast at McDonald's . Please read until the end.

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.
Her last project of the term was called "Smile."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".
His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.


We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

 

[The Story Teller]

Morning Glory - Ipomoea Tricolor (Heavenly Blue)

Season: Annual
Height: 8 - 10 feet (vining)
Bloom Season: Mid Summer to Late Fall
Environment: Full Sun to Partial Sun - Dry
Heavenly Blue is the variety most people picture when they think of Morning Glories. Intensely blue and very abundant, the soft blooms bedazzle wherever they arise, offering soft color on a vigorous, dense, carefree vine. The cheery white eye adds to the appeal of these blooms, which swirl open in the morning and then close again in afternoon. Perfect for covering unsightly buildings, tumbling over fences, or decorating any vertical garden structure from the mailbox to the lamppost, Heavenly Blue blooms over a very long summer and fall season and is pest-free.

 

[The Story Teller]

Love Lies Bleeding - Amaranthus Caudatus

Season: Annual
Height: 4 - 6 feet
Bloom Season: Early to Late Spring
Environment: Partial Shade to Partial Sun

 

[The Story Teller]

Zinnia - Zinnia Elegans

Season: Annual
Height: 3 - 4 feet
Bloom Season: Early Summer to Late Summer
Environment: Full Sun - Moist, but Well Drained Soil

 

[The Story Teller]

http://store6.yimg.com/I/allthingsiris_1708_191633http://store6.yimg.com/I/allthingsiris_1708_191633
Jewelled Crown" type="#_x0000_t75">

Height-24"

Deep wine-red, circular gold blaze on ruffled falls; fading to white. Ruffled. A real jewel in the garden.

 

[The Story Teller]

Cat Bathing As A Martial Art





Some people say cats never have to be bathed. They say cats lick

themselves clean. They say cats have a special enzyme of some sort in

their saliva that works like new, improved Wisk - dislodging the dirt

where it hides and whisking it away.



I've spent most of my life believing this folklore. Like most

blind believers, I've been able to discount all the facts to the contrary,

the kitty odors that lurk in the corners of the garage and dirt smudges

that cling to the throw rug by the fireplace.



The time comes, however, when a man must face reality: when he

must look squarely in the face of massive public sentiment to the contrary

and announce: "This cat smells like a port-a-potty on a hot day in

Juarez."



When that day arrives at your house, as it has in mine, I have

some advice you might consider as you place your feline friend under your

arm and head for the bathtub:



-- Know that although the cat has the advantage of quickness and

lack of concern for human life, you have the advantage of strength.

Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don't try to

bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a

very small bathroom. If your bathroom is more than four feet square, I

recommend that you get in the tub with the cat and close the sliding-glass

doors as if you were about to take a shower. (A simple shower curtain

will not do. A berserk cat can shred a three-ply rubber shower curtain

quicker than a politician can shift positions.)



-- Know that a cat has claws and will not hesitate to remove all

the skin from your body. Your advantage here is that you are smart and

know how to dress to protect yourself. I recommend canvas overalls tucked

into high-top construction boots, a pair of steel-mesh gloves, an army

helmet, a hockey face mask, and a long-sleeved flak jacket.



-- Prepare everything in advance. There is no time to go out for

a towel when you have a cat digging a hole in your flak jacket. Draw the

water. Make sure the bottle of kitty shampoo is inside the glass

enclosure. Make sure the towel can be reached, even if you are lying on

your back in the water.



-- Use the element of surprise. Pick up your cat nonchalantly,

as if to simply carry him to his supper dish. (Cats will not usually

notice your strange attire. They have little or no interest in fashion as

a rule. If he does notice your garb, calmly explain that you are taking

part in a product testing experiment for J.C. Penney.)



-- Once you are inside the bathroom, speed is essential to

survival. In a single liquid motion, shut the bathroom door, step into

the tub enclosure, slide the glass door shut, dip the cat in the water and

squirt him with shampoo. You have begun one of the wildest 45 seconds of

your life.



Cats have no handles. Add the fact that he now has soapy fur, and

the problem is radically compounded. Do not expect to hold on to him for

more than two or three seconds at a time. When you have him, however, you

must remember to give him another squirt of shampoo and rub like crazy.

He'll then spring free and fall back into the water, thereby rinsing

himself off. (The national record for cats is three lathering, so don't

expect too much.)



-- Next, the cat must be dried. Novice cat bathers always assume

this part will be the most difficult, for humans generally are worn out at

this point and the cat is just getting really determined. In fact, the

drying is simple compared to what you have just been through. That's

because by now the cat is semipermanently affixed to your right leg. You

simply pop the drain plug with you foot, reach for your towel and wait.

(Occasionally, however, the cat will end up clinging to the top of your

army helmet. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to shake him

loose and to encourage him toward your leg.) After all the water is

drained from the tub, it is a simple matter to just reach down and dry the

cat.



In a few days the cat will relax enough to be removed from your

leg. He will usually have nothing to say for about three weeks and will

spend a lot of time sitting with his back to you. He might even become

psychoceramic and develop the fixed stare of a plaster figurine.



You will be tempted to assume he is angry. This isn't usually the

case. As a rule he is simply plotting ways to get through your defenses

and injure you for life the next time you decide to give him a bath.



But at least now he smells a lot better.



Submitted by Richard

 

[NewSong]

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see.
The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up.

Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car.
A senior officer slowly approaches the car,
clasping his half drawn gun.

Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!
The woman steps out of her vehicle.
Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.

Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
The woman opens the trunk,
revealing nothing but an empty trunk.

Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.

Officer 2: One of my officers claims
that you do not have a driving license.
The woman digs into her handbag
and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.

The officer examines the license.
He looks quite puzzled.

Officer 2: Thank you ma'am,
one of my officers told me you didn't have a license,
that you stole this car,
and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.

Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.

MORAL:
Don't Mess With Little Old Ladies
If you want to brighten someone's day,
Pass this on to someone you know.

​

 

[NewSong]

Moments in Life


There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!


When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the
closed door that we don't see the one,
which has been opened for us.


Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile.


Dream what you want to dream;
go where you want to go;
be what you want to be,
because you have only one life
and one chance to do all the things
you want to do.


May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human and
enough hope to make you happy.

​

​

​

​

The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.


The brightest future will always
be based on a forgotten past;
you can't go forward in life until
you let go of your past failures and heartaches.


When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so at the end,
you're the one who is smiling and everyone
around you is crying.


Please send this message to those people
who mean something to you (I JUST DID);
to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the
brighter side of things when you are really down;
to those whose friendship you appreciate;
to those who are so meaningful in your life.
​

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away!
​

​

​

 

[The Story Teller]

Does this count under Matthew - 18:20?

For where two or three are gathered together in My Name,

There am I in the midst of them.

 

[The Story Teller]

For Better or Worse . . . Mostly Worse



BreakPoint with Charles Colson

July 24, 2002



The State of Our Marital Unions



Tina wants to get married, but her boyfriend Ted just wants to move in. Ted is an exceptionally honest young man, so here is what he says: "Tina, I'm fond of you, and I want to live with you for the following reasons. First, it will make it easier for me to enjoy regular sex. Second, I want to protect my assets—assets I'd have to share with you if we got a divorce. Third, you already have kids, and I don't want to support them. Fourth, I'm waiting for my perfect soul mate to come along. Until I meet her, I'd like to live with you."

Sound convincing? Probably not. Tim's arguments are incredibly insulting. And yet, according to a new study, these are exactly the reasons men want to live with women—reasons that not only insult women, but also make them big losers on the domestic front.

At Rutgers University, researchers with the National Marriage Project have published a report called "Why Men Won't Commit: Exploring Young Men's Attitudes about Sex, Dating, and Marriage." The study offers the top ten reasons men are reluctant to say, "I do." Among them: They can get all the sex they want without marriage. They want to enjoy the single life as long as possible. They want to avoid the financial pitfalls of divorce. And they're afraid marriage will demand too many changes and compromises. Apparently, their live-in girlfriends can get used to their bad habits or leave.

Most galling of all is the admission by men that they don't want to marry their girlfriends because they're waiting for their "true love" to come along. Then they'll tie the knot, buy a home, and father kids. Meanwhile, their live-ins can pick up their socks and provide sex-on-demand.

Grandma was right: Men won't buy the cow if they can get the milk free.

Grandma was echoing the wisdom of the biblical writers. Read the Old Testament, and you'll get a picture of how carefully the ancient Israelites protected unmarried women: They knew how predatory, how utterly selfish, men can be. Taking on the responsibilities of a wife and children involved hard work that would last a lifetime. And men were only motivated to shoulder those responsibilities because their culture demanded it.

Modern women have far more freedom of movement than their sisters in the ancient world. But human nature is still fallen. This means that men are as predatory as ever—and women today are paying the price for it in a culture that doesn't demand marriage.

I hope this report serves as a wake-up call to women who think men who want to cohabit have marriage on their minds. Most of them do not. Pastors ought to make this report a subject of a sermon. And if they know couples in their congregations are living together, they ought to encourage them to either marry—or separate.

I hope you'll read the full Rutgers report . If enough women read it, maybe the day would come when men who invite women to live with them would get what they deserve: a slap in the face for that kind of insult.



Submitted by Richard

 

[The Story Teller]

Four months without work and my unemployment checks were about to run out



Help Wanted



by Randy Hicks

Bedford, Texas



Trying not to look out the window, I spread the paper out on the kitchen table. This was the hardest part of the day. Outside, neighbors were getting into their cars for work, coffee mugs in hand. Me? I wasn't going anywhere. It had been four months since my company went bankrupt and laid me off. Four months of Web sites, job fairs and employment agencies, of sending out résumés and going to interviews where I always heard the same thing: I was either overqualified or didn't have the right experience. Yet I had a family to support. How can you be overqualified to do that?



I had never thought of myself as the kind of guy who builds his life around work, but without work, what kind of a life did I have?



This morning was different. I had hope again, just a shred of it, but it was real.



I'd interviewed at a bank that was looking for someone with just my credentials. I'd been called back for a second interview, then a third-this time with the bank's chairman earlier in the week. We got on like old friends. "We'll call you when we've made a decision," he said.



I checked the kitchen clock: 9:15. I'd spent the last three days on tenterhooks, jumping each time the phone rang, afraid to leave the house even for a minute. It was such a beautiful morning I was already going stir crazy. I'd get some fresh air.



I drove my truck down to the Texas Unemployment Commission. I got online and surfed a job site until I found a posting. Then I stood in line to photocopy a résumé next to a young man. I'm old enough to be that boy's father. This just isn't a place for people like me.



Feeling self-conscious, I hurried out, glancing over my shoulder in the parking lot to check if anyone I knew had seen me. This is ridiculous, I thought in the safety of my truck. Everyone understands what I'm going through. My friends had been nothing but supportive. Not a week had gone by that our family hadn't had an invitation to dinner or somebody drop by with a casserole. And I got good, heartfelt advice from every quarter, whether it was a friend with a job lead or my prayer partner giving me encouragement.

"God has a place for you," she always said.



"Well, I wish he'd hurry up and find it," I exclaimed as I drove home. "I'm sick of waiting around. I have to get this job."



I pulled into the driveway. The phone was ringing in the house. I sprinted inside and grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" It was the bank's human resources director. My heart pounded in my chest. "I'm sorry," he said, "but we've decided to give the job to another candidate."



I wandered out into the yard. The bright sun played in the leaves overhead, but the day seemed dark. How was I ever going to tell my wife? Our savings were almost gone, and I had only eight more weeks of unemployment.



I went to the playground around the corner and sat down on a bench. The air was full of giggles and shouts as kids chased each other and zoomed down the slides. Mothers chatted and rocked their babies. All the dads are at their jobs. I hung my head and prayed, "Lord, we really needed that job. I would do anything at this point-flip burgers or pump gas-just to get some money for my family. Is there any hope?"



My mouth was dry with worry. Across the street there was a convenience store. I felt like I couldn't even afford to splurge on a soda. Finally, I walked over. I stood in line, staring at the floor, my shoulders slumped in defeat. I heard a friendly voice say, "Good morning, sir."



Was she talking to me? I looked up. An old woman stood next to me. She was dressed in worn clothes that looked like they'd come from a thrift store. Gray hair spilled out from under a tattered sun hat. Her face was weathered, but her eyes were strikingly clear.



"Seems like you could use this," she said, pressing a card into my palm. What is it? I saw a photo of a polar bear cub with a prayer written underneath: "Help me to remember, Lord, that nothing's going to happen today that you and I can't handle together." I looked up to thank the woman, but she was already gone.



Fingering the card in my pocket, I walked home with my soda. It's funny how a little thing like that can make such a difference. I started thinking about how much God had given me already. My wife, Rhonda. My kids, who understood not to ask for new clothes just now. My friends. My pastor. Okay, so the job had fallen through. There had to be others. I'm not going to worry anymore about where it is or when I'll find it. That's for God to decide. For now, I know I can depend on the strength of my family. Just like that, because of a small, kind gesture from out of the blue, I knew that my family would be all right-we would be taken care of.



The job search went on. Then one day I got a call from a company I'd interviewed at months before. They wanted me to come back. "Lord," I said, "I'm not going to worry about this. You're in charge." I had to admit, though, that the job was a perfect fit for me. A few days later, I got the call I'd been waiting six months for. "We want you to come work for us, Randy."



As for the card I got on that dark summer day, I keep it in the visor of my truck so that I'll always remember its message and the strength and reassurance it gives me to this day. I can handle anything.



The above article originally appeared in the March 2003 issue of Guideposts.

To subscribe to Guideposts click here..



Submitted by Richard

 

[NewSong]

His Calm Within The Storm

In the message "Patiently Trust His Timing" we considered Abraham and Sarah as they waited for God's promise through the birth of Isaac. Waiting for God's direction and blessing can be a great test of our faith, but waiting on God for our rescue can be an even greater challenge.

There are three great storms detailed in the New Testament. The first occurred when Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. Jesus was asleep when the storm began, and the disciples became afraid and woke Him: "Lord save us! We're going to drown!" (Matthew 8:25). Jesus rebuked the disciples for their fear and proceeded to calm the storm; "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26).

The second storm occurred immediately after the miraculous feeding of over five thousand people. This time, Jesus sent the disciples across the sea by themselves; and when the storm rose up, Jesus went out to them - walking on the water. As Jesus again calmed the storm, He spoke the same message against fear; "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).

The last storm occurred about thirty years after Jesus was crucified. Paul had proclaimed the gospel through much of the Roman empire and was being transported by boat to stand trial in Rome. A storm arose which blew the ship terribly off course. The ship was battered and tossed for several days: "We finally gave up all hope of
being saved" (Acts 27:20).

It must have been difficult to trust God's timing as the storm continued through the many long days and sleepless nights. But as hope was fading away, God sent an angel to Paul with a familiar message.

Acts 27:23-24
"Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid.'"

There may be times when our ability to trust is severely tested. But our faith in God - in His ability to hold us secure - must be independent of the force of the wind. Though the winds may blow, we remain in His hands and must not fear; "If we are thrown into the
blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, but even
if He does not..." (Daniel 3:17-18).

Most storms last longer than we prefer. But our Heavenly Father is leading us to the place where we can have peace, contentment, and even joy, whether the sun is shining or the storm is raging. He is calling us to be free of fear; calling us to trust Him more and experience His calm within the storm.

 

[NewSong]

How to stay safe in the world


1. Riding in automobiles are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.
2. 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
3. 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.
4. Form of transportation like traveling by air, rail, or water cause 16% of
all accidents.
5. 32% of all deaths out of remaining 33% occur in hospitals.



You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship
services, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders.
Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for us to be at any given
point in time is at the place of worshipping the Lord !


Studying the Bible and interceding for others also safe. The percentage of
deaths during Bible study and the time of intercession is even less !!

 

[The Story Teller]

HU'S ON FIRST

(We take you now to the Oval Office.)

George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?

Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China.

George: Great. Lay it on me.

Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.

George: That's what I want to know.

Condi: That's what I'm telling you.

George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes.

George: I mean the fellow's name.

Condi: Hu.

George: The guy in China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The new leader of China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The Chinaman!

Condi: Hu is leading China.

George: Now whaddya' asking me for?

Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.

George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?

Condi: That's the man's name.

George: That's who's name?

Condi: Yes.

George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the

Middle East.

Condi: That's correct.

George: Then who is in China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir is in China?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Then who is?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China.

Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the

phone.

Condi: Kofi?

George: No, thanks.

Condi: You want Kofi?

George: No.

Condi: You don't want Kofi.

George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.

Condi: Kofi?

George: Milk! Will you please make the call?

Condi: And call who?

George: Who is the guy at the U.N?

Condi: Hu is the guy in China.

George: Will you stay out of China?!

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N.

Condi: Kofi.

George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.

(Condi picks up the phone.)

Condi: Rice, here.

George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls,

too. Maybe we should send some to the guy in China. And the Middle East. Can you get Chinese food in the Middle East?

 

[The Story Teller]

<<<Life>>>



Life isn't about keeping score.

It's not about how many friends you have

Or how accepted you are.

Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.

It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many

people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.

It isn't about who you have kissed,

It's not about sex.

It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have

Or what kind of car you drive.

Or where you are sent to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.

Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of

music you listen to.

It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown

Or if your skin is too light or too dark.

Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody

else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are.

It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your"

sport.

It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and

seeing who will "accept the written you."



LIFE JUST ISN'T.



But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.

It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.

It's about keeping or betraying trust.

It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.

It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.

About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.

It's about what judgments you pass and why. And who your judgments

are spread to.

It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.

It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.

It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and

spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other

people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.

Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices

are what life's all about.