taken from amazon.com
1. Wisdom
It was shortly after college, while
this young man didn't know what to do with his life, that he met an elderly
saxophonist, Lucky, who taught him wisdom and the great values that goes with
it. Lucky would often tell him real life
stories just like how a farmer would effortlessly toss away seeds from his
hands. Little did the young man know
that these anecdotes would serve as gold nuggets of wisdom that he would carry
on through his life.
2. Warm
Spring Days
This is a story of a young man's love for baseball. Though he never became a star of the Little
League, baseball mirrored out the significance of his relationship with his
dad. It was during the springtime ritual
of playing catch with dad that he realized his father's dedication to be always
around for him, no matter what. Thanks
to the warm spring days.
3.
Memories
In a small town dotted with cemeteries is a woman who
believes that saying out loud the names of the people who have died is another
way of remembering them-asserting that they will always be part of their
families' precious memories. After 35
years of not seeing her grandmother's grave, this woman wished that somehow,
someone is also walking her dog by the cemetery and taking time to read aloud
from the worn out stone, the carefully carved name of her beloved grandmother.
4. Honest
Work
Matt, exposed to hard work while he was just 10, teaches his
wife lessons on devotion and honesty to one's work. For him, devotion is an opportunity of
expression-- giving people a different kind of fulfillment to every work done.
5. Faith
Jeb, a man whose faith is rooted on old time miracles,
missed how God had tried to rescue him amidst the dangers of the big
flood. God sent a rowboat, powerboat and
a helicopter to Jeb's rescue but he didn't mind. Jeb didn't realize that God works in ways we
sometimes don't understand and sends us gifts of comfort and protection that we
don't always recognize.
6. Bubble
Baths
Enjoying bubble baths, feeling its smooth and calming touch,
is like setting out our spirits free.
Bubble baths transcend great relaxation and exude something magical that
makes us leave the past behind and reconnects us again with life.
7. Passion
A daughter, fascinated by how her father transforms
everything that he touches into a wonderful work of art, saw something far
beyond the father's talented hands. She
saw passion. Believing that it is something everyone of us has, seated deep
down in our hearts, waiting yet to be discovered-to fuel our soul, give our
lives purpose, and to connect us into something larger than ourselves.
8. Puppies
After years of resisting the idea of getting a dog, Matt's
wife finally relented. They, one day,
got Lulu-- a yellow lab that taught them precious lessons about life, one lick
at a time.
! Lulu Lesson #1: When you're really enjoying play, you don't
care how foolish you look.
! Lulu Lesson #2: Parenting can make you neurotic than you've
ever dreamed possible.
! Lulu Lesson #3: Ritual is a glue that holds love together.
! Lulu Lesson #4: Unconditional love is a renewable resource.
! Lulu Lesson #5: True communication is only possible when we
don't apply upon language.
9. The
Sound of Music
Here is a story of a man's realization of how music can
define life. After growing up to be a
man of notes and instruments, this man decided to shut himself from music of
any form for a couple of years. One day,
however, while he was on top of the mountain, he had close encounter with
silence. It was this time that he realized
how the absence of music has brought sorrow and sadness into his life. He then decided to reclaim his old love for
music and instruments. This brought him
great joy and a wonderful discovery that the sound of music heals, touches,
soothes and restores.
10. Seashells
Seashells, those little intricate colorful "houses"
buried below the ocean's floors, are reflections of God's diverse and beautiful
creation, fashioned for His own pleasure and satisfaction.
11.
Candlelight
We, like the hottest part of a candle's flame, expel the same
warmth and brightness to any surrounding that we are in.
12. Saying
"I Love You"
Henry, the building custodian who happened to be the most
popular and well-loved person in the university, never said "I love
you". Instead, he lived it. He showed and expressed it through sincerest
forms of concern, care and going extra miles for people. These and all other thoughts of love goes to
say that "I love you" often has little to do with words.
13. Saying
"I'm Sorry"
Owning up heals.
Saying "I'm sorry" touches and frees up your soul as much as the
person you have offended.
14. Flowers
Here's a touching story of a wife whose husband has been
diagnosed of brain cancer and got ill for months. The wife never leaved her husband's side all
throughout this time. She cared for him
and loved him unconditionally. A year
after the diagnosis, during his time of recovery, the wife received a bouquet
of beautifully arranged flowers with the message: "I know this day last
year was a lot longer for you than it was for me. Thank you for being there then, now-and
always."
15.
Motherhood
First-time moms, expectant as they are, often feel
disappointments during early stages of motherhood. Willa's mom is one of them. When Willa came to earth, her mom would
always think that she's not good enough.
Motherhood has become one strange word for her. Until one September day, when Willa was so
absorbed by the fear of a brand new experience of riding a train, Willa showed
her mom undivided trust-this faith of Willa made her mom experience the true
essence of motherhood.
16. A Good
Book
Neither good magazines, a number of words, nor any form of
writing can measure up to a good book. A
good book entertains and makes you see your truest self. It teaches you lessons, brings you to places
and makes you feel so alive. If at one
time you get a good book, treasure the moment and be grateful that such little
object containing much more than what you expect, has found you.
17.
Kindness
An encounter with the homeless people who sleep in cardboard
boxes taught a group of friends the essence of kindness. It is from these homeless people that they
learned kindness, given or received, is still the same. It is the trust and the willingness to share a
cup of kindness that really matters.
18.
Afternoon Naps
Afternoon naps become rare with age. The older you get, the lesser time you got to
spend for them. Treasure afternoon naps. It is the only time of relaxation when
you can be private, alone with yourself.
19. Friends
Friends come in different packages. Once in a while, they are there to
"restore your faith in humanity".
Sometimes, they are there to "restore your faith in
yourself."
20.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms, with all their fury and rage, often pose
threat to people. Yet to others, these are just lights and sounds of Mother
Nature-created by God to be experienced and enjoyed like all other creations.
21. Sad
Movies
Matt suggested to watch Disney's Beauty and the Beast with
his stepsister. Romantic, and touching
as it is, Matt was carried away by his emotions. Unashamed of his sniffles, this star football
player and prom king let tears fall and admittedly said, "It's
sad." They both got carried away
and cried. Sad movies provide special
moments for people to bond and connect in a very strange and special way.
22. Family
Every addition to one's family, no matter how extended
it is, will always be a "gift from God." That was how Tong Yan has been to Peg and
Bill, and to the rest of the clan.
23.
Gratitude
This is a story of a daughter's gratitude to her mother who
had to die of brain aneurysm two years back.
Until now, memories of her mother bring laughter and deep gratefulness
in her heart.
24. Quiet
Time
Mother and daughter got accustomed to enjoying great music in
their family care. However, there are
times when mother would put off the music and say, "I just want
quiet." Looking back, at her own
maturity, the daughter now understands the essence of quietness. Quiet time is precious. It makes you
appreciate more of the little overlooked sounds.
25. Independence
Leaving something behind and sailing off to new things, and
hoping for the best to come our way is independence. However, leaving a place rich with all the
good memories-like moving out of your childhood home-is independence burdened
with emotions. Though hard, such kind of
independence will eventually cause our souls and hearts to mature and prosper.
26.
Imagination
Imagination
is not just about seeing things.
Imagination is about connecting
things that we seecreating from these connections far more interesting
wonderful stories. Imagination is like
seeing the earth that we live in as enclosed inside a big blue ball.
27. Contentment
Contentment is accepting, with happiness, the things that
come your way-whether be it a trip missed or a long, disappointing and tiring
journey. Contentment is not having the
things that you want, it is simply being grateful for the things that you now
have.
28.
Milestones
Milestones are unique to every individual. Whatever form they take, milestones are
mirrors of how far we've gone in the journey of life. Thus, they must be
celebrated and recognized.
29. Hugs
It is the once-in-a-lifetime hug of an indifferent father to
his son that gave hugging a new kind of light.
It is more that just physical contact-it is actually a deep connection,
a link of love, an indescribable gift that needs to be shared, not suppressed.
30. Sunrise
Sunrise is not meant to be rushed. It comes only when we are
ready to it's majestic rays and glaring beauty.
31. A Child's Art
As a way of saying thanks, a child sent the nature guide of
an organic farm her own simple work of art.
On the card is a drawing of a girl beaming with the warmest smile, with
arms spread wide open, and welcoming the school bus that arrived. This child's work or art is a reminder to
learn to accept and embrace any kind of bus of life that passes us by.
32. The
Smell of a New Baby
This is a story of a mother who smelled life in her
new-born son. Tangy, sweet, funky or
fresh, the smell of her new baby always set a feeling that she also had just
been born.
33. Romance
Romance can take many forms. It can be watching the moonlight, a walk in
the woods, or a good candle lit bath. Whatever form it takes, romance will
always play a great part in any relationship.
34.
Holidays
For someone with a sad past of seeing her parents divorce as
early as five, holidays have become more than just good food and happy
times. For her, holidays are times of
being together, bringing the family-- no matter how divided it is-- even
closer.
35. Trust
"If, like a dedicated cider man, we continue to
set out our best handiwork for one another and hope for the best, there will
always be enough cracks of light left in the dark to lure good neighbors to one
another's harvests."
36.
Sympathy
Sympathy is far beyond the funeral flowers that we
offer. It is simply being there, without
any words necessary.
37.
Holding Hands
If done at a special moment, holding hands can do much more
like restoring a friendship gone cold.
38. Charity
Charity
is compassion in action. It may take any
form, like caring for homeless people, but it will always be founded in one
truth-that charity is an active manifestation of God's love for the world.
39. Summer Nights
A story about two sisters who found solace waiting for the
starlit summer nights, not having seen a long awaited shooting star but knowing
deep inside that dreams and wishes were made to come true.
40. Old
Dogs
Seeing a dog grow old and struggle with each passing time is
painful. Yet every excruciating exercise
that goes with it gives us lessons in life that we will forever cherish.
41. Family
Dinners
Family dinners, aside from being soothing breaks, are that
special time to bond and connect, not only with the members of the family, but
to its past and ancestral roots as well.
42. A Good
Cup of Coffee
For some, a good cup of coffee is not only a time to ease out
and relax. It also a tradition that
strengthens the bond of a mother and a child.
43.
Curiosity
Curiosity is a gift in so many ways. It teaches you to appreciate, relieves you of
anxious thoughts, draws into you new interests, and makes you see the world in
a lot larger perspective. Do the things
of the child-- take curiosity from this view and you'll be amazed as you see
the world opens up around you.
44. A Sense
of Wonder
A daddy's portrayal of Santa Claus every Christmas opened a
sense of wonder and amazement to his little daughters' eyes-giving them
memories of childhood they would carry on.
45. Hope
Amelia, as early as 4-years old, got exposed to the trauma of
seeing her grandmother suffered a massive stroke attack. Deep in her coma, the
doctors offered no assurance. They all
lost hope, except for Amelia. One day,
with reasons even the doctors can't understand and explain, Amelia's
grandmother woke up and after time of recovery, returned home. It is the hope of the child-with all its
wonder and joy-that brought Amelia's grandmother back.
46. Companionship
Companionship doesn't end with death. It just takes a different form-one that is
more intimate.
47. Home
A young man has a unique way of approaching landscape
designs. He would ask people to sketch
in their minds their idea of a beautiful outdoor setting. After this, he would ask them to bring home
such visions into their backyards-adding things that would depict what they
have drawn in their minds. This practice
conveys that homes are not just a place to stay, but rather are expressions of
our inner selves, our own being.
48. Butterflies
Butterflies, with all its grace as their wings of
different colors glide effortlessly from flower to flower, are created for a
simple purpose-to inspire and remind us that beauty truly exists.
49. Courage
The Mennonites of Pennsylvania are hooked on their own
long-established traditions. They, even
if the rest of the world is already swirling on the latest technologies, insist
on their simple way of living-- grounded on honesty, hard work and commitment.
They are courageous enough to stick to their simple traditions, content with
the choice they made and, not afraid to stay put behind because on where they
chose to be, others still count on them.
50. You
Life is not all about pleasing others and doing the
"shoulds". Life is all about
you. Love yourself and approve of
it. Focus on your dreams and needs. Choose to be happy. Remember, you are the one responsible for
your happiness, not the people around you.
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