Vitamins for the Soul
A quote a day helps you remember what’s important. Here are this week’s quotes on reaching for your dreams.
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Quote of the day:
“You, the people have the power—the power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.” – Charlie Chaplin Reflection: With the world in so much turmoil, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the almost-daily bad news of terrorism, disasters, violence, war, and human suffering. I sometimes feel my efforts are like a drop of water in a vast ocean of what needs to be done to truly help the world and make any difference at all. In the stirring speech by Charlie Chaplin’s character in his movie "The Great Dictator," he said, “We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness—not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. “Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. “You, the people have the power—the power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.” The above-mentioned movie was produced in 1940. The message was true then, but how much more can we relate to this challenge today! I believe spreading peace on earth can work in much the same way. Changing the way you see others, being kind to those who cross your path, doing kind deeds when opportunities present themselves without expecting something in return. Sometimes it just takes a kind word or a helping hand when most needed, t to show us what a beautiful world this can be. Quote of the day:
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe Reflection: We have no idea whether the following story is true, but the message is powerful. It reportedly took place in 1942. According to the account: Rafael Solano was physically exhausted and defeated. As he sat on a boulder in the dry river bed he announced to his companions, "I'm through. There's no use going on any longer. See this pebble. It makes 999,999 I've picked up without finding one diamond. One more pebble makes a million, but what's the use? I quit!" The exploration crew had spent months prospecting for diamonds in a Venezuelan watercourse. Their efforts focused on finding signs of valuable diamonds. Mentally, physically, and emotionally they were exhausted. Their clothes were tattered and their spirits weak. "Pick up one more and make it a million," one man said. Solano consented and pulled forth a stone the size of a hen's egg. It was different than the others, and the crew soon realized they had discovered a diamond. It is reported Harry Winston, a New York jewel dealer, paid Rafael Solano $200,000 for that millionth pebble. The stone was named the Liberator and to date is the largest and purest diamond ever found. This story brings to mind the words of another famous character in history, Sir Winston Churchill, who said, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up”. Think about it! Vitamins for the Soul
A quote a day helps you remember what’s important. Here are this week’s quotes on creativity.
Quote of the day:
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” —Paul Boese Reflection: Tony Compal tells a story about President Clinton first meeting with Nelson Mandela. In his conversation with this great leader of South Africa, the president said, "When you were released from prison, Mr. Mandela, I woke my daughter at three o'clock in the morning. I wanted her to see this historic event. As you marched from the cellblock across the yard to the gate of the prison, the camera focused in on your face. I have never seen such anger, and even hatred, in any man as was expressed on your face at that time. That's not the Nelson Mandela I know today. What was that all about?" Mandela answered, "I'm surprised that you saw that, and I regret that the cameras caught my anger. As I walked across the courtyard that day I thought to myself, “They've taken everything from you that matters. Your cause is dead. Your family is gone. Your friends have been killed. Now they're releasing you, but there's nothing left for you out-there. And I hated them for what they had taken from me. Then, I sensed an inner voice saying to me, `Nelson! For twenty-seven years you were their prisoner, but you were always a free man! Don't allow them to make you into a free man, only to turn you into their prisoner!'" An unforgiving spirit creates bitterness in our souls and imprisons our spirits. Failure to forgive imprisons us. If Mandela can forgive so can you. Quote of the day:
"Acceptance of what has happened is the first steps to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune." —William James Reflection: I came upon this great story and wanted to share it with you. One day I hopped in a taxi to go to the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car pulled out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. I asked, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and nearly sent us to the hospital!” This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.” He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it, and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is to not let garbage trucks take over your day. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. Be thankful for the people who treat you right and pray for those who don't. Vitamins for the Soul
A quote a day helps you remember what’s important. Here are this week’s quotes on choice.
Quote of the day:
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things. I am tempted to think there are no little things.” —Bruce Barton Reflection: I hope you enjoy this post on significance. Each of us has our place to fill and we are all important no matter what others may think. I hope this story encourages you to know just how important you are. The story of the keeper of the spring is about a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slope of the Alps. The old gentleman had been hired many years earlier by a young town councilman to clear away the debris from the pools of water up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise have choked and contaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystal clear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the water turned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view from restaurants was picturesque beyond description. Years passed. One evening the town council met for its semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer." By a unanimous vote, they dispensed with the old man's services. For several weeks, nothing changed. By early autumn, the trees began to shed their leaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering the rushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slight yellowish-brown tint in the spring. A few days later, the water was much darker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water along the banks, and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved more slowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammy fingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village. Quickly, the embarrassed council called a special meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they rehired the old keeper of the spring, and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life began to clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet in the Alps. Never become discouraged with the seeming smallness of your task, job, or life. Cling fast to the words of Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.” The key to accomplishment is believing that what you can do will make a difference. Quote of the Day:
“The more [money] a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.” —Benjamin Franklin Reflection: The following story illustrates this quote. The English millionaire Jon Pedley had great dreams that he had managed to fulfill. Money, fame, respect—he had it all. He’d even been featured on magazine covers. But it turned out he was struggling. Somewhere past the façade, there was a nagging little voice that told him that all was not as it seemed to be, that there was more to life than just wealth. He hated that voice and tried to drown it out with alcohol. One day he drank too much and had a car crash. He ended up in a coma for six weeks. But that wasn’t the end. When he finally woke up, he’d had enough. He realized he needed to change. And change he did! He gave his heart to God and most of his money to charity. Then he flew to Uganda, lived in a mud hut among the poor, and started an orphanage for lost children. Not everyone is called to sell all their worldly belongings and live in primitive conditions, but Jon Pedley’s story is a good illustration of how true lasting happiness isn’t found in accumulating money and possessions. Vitamins for the Soul
A quote a day helps you remember what’s important. Here are this week’s quotes on Character.
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AuthorThe goal of the blog is to provide interesting, motivational, soul feeding material. All to help remind us that God loves us all and wants a personal relationship with each of us and will take care of us in times of trouble. I aspire to be a force for good by providing you with positive input. I encourage you to share the blog with others. Archives
August 2023
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