How to treat others

1. First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.


2. Second Important Lesson - "Pickup In The Rain"

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.


3. Third Important Lesson - "Remember Those Who Serve"

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.


4. Fourth Important Lesson - "The Obstacles In Our Path"

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition."


5. Fifth Important Lesson - "Giving When It Counts"

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

The Last Day

Let me start this blog by saying that I never believed that today was going to be my last day on earth.

With that stated, who believes that today May 21, 2011 will be their last day on earth? And yet hundreds of people die everyday, die today even and each one probably thought they would face tomorrow. These are the thoughts that were racing through my head yesterday. Just in case someone may have gotten the day and the hour of Jesus' arrival correct.
So on your last night what do most people do? Call their loved ones, smoke their last joint or get really drunk with friends, have deep philosophical conversations, or make love one last time? What you would do on your last day really defines who you are.
What your last act is on the day before you may die, or be raptured, or whatever. In movies we see people kiss their kids before they go into an epic battle. Or we see them give away all their loved possessions and then get shot in a gun fight. That last act of love or kindness is how we remember that person, as a loving parent, or a giving member of society.
As human beings we'd try to make sure that everything is taken care of before we leave, even if its just for work or a weekend.

So if our last day defines who we are and what we love, and no one knows the day or the hour... our last day could be today. Or tomorrow. But who lives as if every day is their last? It's just a cliché saying. Right?

BELIEVE

Faith is belief, and with out that faith or that belief- what is existence?

That is saying: If you don't believe in anything, what are you living for?

I believe that kids should run around with their shoes off and get in as much trouble as humanly possible with out being judged.

I believe that humanity is mostly good. That it's ok to leave your mac sitting open in the library while you go to the bathroom, or to leave your ground level windows open at night.

I believe that secretly teachers want to give all their students good grades no matter how badly they're really doing in the class.

I believe that it's ok to be open about your life situation, about your feelings, about hopes, fears, and concerns. I don't think that people should have to be fake or scared of what others will think of them.

I believe in a higher power that watches over us and has our best interests in mind.

I believe its ok to run around in the rain barefoot and with out an umbrella.

It's ok to know what you believe and act on those beliefs no matter if you're stuck in a over protective home, a strict boarding academy, or out on your own. It's ok to run against the crowd. It's ok to be yourself, no matter what the world around you says.

Commitment

Some people find it easy to do.

Spending years committed to studying one subject to then commit to jobs that leave them doing the same monotonus tasks repeatedly.

Other people commit to raising plants or taking care of pets.

Still others, go crazy trying to find the perfect expensive piece of round metal to put small diamonds on to commit to one person for the rest of their life (or so they hope).

I can understand why people would want to commit to something. Really sticking to one thing brings a sense of self accomplishment. A lasting relationship brings love. A good career brings happiness and pays the bills.

What person wouldn't want to commit to something?

Me.

Heres A Toast:

A toast to good friends who know your limits better than you do.

A toast to being honest no matter the circumstance.

A toast to old flames who make you puke and cry simultaneously.

A toast to warm weather that makes you turn your face to the sky and smile.

A toast to the education we wish we had.

A toast to spontaneity, and doing as you please.

A toast to life, ne matter what it brings.

Raise your glass, clink it with someone you know you'll never lose, and enjoy your life.

Perceptions

Since I was really little I've been going to the same church. I grew up there. Preschool through Eighth grade I spent in that tiny establishment. My brothers did the same thing.

Today my brother (who is 23) went out with one of our friends from back in the day. His family is big into music and he's a drummer. He has both his ears gaged and long hair that he dyes every once in a while. He has his very own scream-o band and he LOVES it.

Another member of my family ( i wont say who for reputation reasons ) finds out where my brother is and immediately remarks, "oh- why is he out with those losers?" Then asks me "Do you know the things that they do when they go out?" with a very judgmental tone. The funny part about this is that this boy who I've known forever (and was actually my first boyfriend) will not smoke, drink, or put any drugs into his body because he sees no reason for it. He does what he wants and is happy with it and doesn't need drugs to feel better about himself. People in my family are judgmental of the people who look odd, or like 'losers' and aren't afraid to admit it.

The best part? They won't think twice about us going out with the youth from our church who all drink, smoke, and go clubbing. Its amazing to me that people who call themselves christian and who sit in church every sabbath will jump at the chance to label and judge people who choose to dress their own way and do what they love.

If you read this, revaluate the way you look at other people. At some point in time everyone has been discriminated against of labeled for how they look or what they do or say. Is there no way to stop the slander? Just by speaking up can we get people to think a little harder about what comes out of their mouths?

I know I'm not perfect, no one is, so i'm sure as people are reading this they will think of times that i've said something judgmental or hurtful and I'm sorry for that.

Seriously, the only way for things like this is to speak up. I know I will. Right now.

could have been awesome

Have you ever had the chance to do something awesome?

say for instance, go to Africa.

or maybe its something smaller like getting an awesome job that you've always wanted.

or it could be a small thing thats awesome like distributing christmas cards, or moving in with an awesome friend
You get all excited about that 'awesome' thing.

You read up on Africa and get all your traveling stuff ready or buy an outfit for the first day of work.
You get all the card making stuff ready, or pack up all the things you own.

Its just a natural human thing to do. We prepare for what's to come. We do things like, get our hopes up. We expect things. We trust that things will happen in a succession that makes sense against our current circumstance. But then somethings happens.
[ isn't that always the way it goes? Some thing has to happen ]

Suddenly your trip plans are cancelled and Africa was only a dream.
The job was given to you by mistake, there was actually a better candidate.
Your awesome friend found a different room mate, sorry!
and you just happened to discover during card making that you have NO creativity or artsy talent.


Well sorry, but I mean, It could have been awesome. At least you can hold onto that.

Fri End

Have you ever defined friendship?


Webster says: friendship is the emotion or conduct of being friends

then what is a friend?

Friend: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations

These are the definitions the dictionary gives, but every person has their own definition of what or who a friend is.
Im picky.
I like to know people for a long time before I call them friend. I like to know that they'll have my back no matter what. I want to be certain that they will never point out my worst qualities to new friends and understand me for who I am. But isn't this what every single person wants? If this is what every one looks for in a friend, why can't each and every one of us be this person? Or maybe we are... just to one person.

The concept of friends is hard for me grasp, in all honesty.

Having someone who you can ALWAYS trust, who will ALWAYS be there for you, who WANTS to know everything about you. Who wont say anything about you because your image matters to them just as much as it matters to you.

Do people like that exist? Is anyone that selfless?

I'm accepting applications.

Faith

It is hard to remember to have that which can come so easily.

Every once in a while I lose control of my emotions.

I get frustrated, or annoyed, or desperate for one reason or another
and those emotions will put me in a slump.
I get sick of being in a slump. I hate it in fact, and so today
while at the mall I looked for something that will keep me out of that mind set.
I went to find something that would remind me that God has my life in control.
That with out God I would be in one of those slumps almost all the time. Through
searching I found something that usually wouldn't even cross my mind to buy.

A small set of rings. Three rings. Simple thin silver bands, one said hope, one said faith,
and the other said love. Now, in reading my blogs one should realize that I'm not the biggest
fan of the last one. I realized that maybe with the first two, the last will come on it's own.

So, I spent $6.50 to remind myself to have faith. Can one buy faith? No. Not even in America
can one buy faith, but you can buy a reminder.

When Push comes to Shove

There are things in life that everyone can take.
For instance: Gravity.
It gives us the little "push" we need. It holds us down on the wonderful planet that we call earth. With out it pushing down on us, we'd just be floating about.

Then there are things that not every one can take.
For Instance: pressure.
Not everyone can sit at the bottom of a 15 foot pool because the pressure hurts their ears to much. Not everyone can handle someone putting pressure on their side because they will erupt into laughter.

Its like when a bully pushes you around, that most can take. Most everyone can take a little jostling. Not very many people can handle a bully's shove. Most people will "break", either giving up their lunch money, crying, or telling the principal.

Often I push, just enough to keep people at arms length. Sometimes once I know someone can handle the push, I see if they can handle the shove. Most times, I lose a friend.

Truth

The essence of what almost every human being is looking for. The reason behind every religious movement. It's what we hunger for, what we pursue. No matter how much the truth will hurt, we want to hear it.

Why then is it so hard to just be honest? Sure maybe the truth is difficult sometimes, but don't we owe it to the people that we care about? Shouldn't they be able to accept us for who we really are?

It hurts me more when people put on their protective covering and hide their feelings so they aren't vulnerable.When you pour your heart out to some one and all they can do is lash out or clam up to make sure they feel no pain it's just more painful for both. It just seems to me that being open and honest would make everything so much easier. Sure, your heart is on the line but so is theirs.

Maybe I as a person just trust people to much. Maybe the reason I lie is because I can't bear to see the people I love hurt.

Or maybe it's because I don't want the people I love to view me in a tainted light. Maybe in reality I'm just selfish because i want to know the truth behind every word and the intention behind every action. Aren't we all selfish though? Is it that hard to use our selfishness to both sides advantage?

I see no harm in honesty, but that is not to say I don't see pain in the truth.

I vs. E

People like to assume things. For instance; because someone

is friendly and doesn't mind talking to people they are an

extrovert or very involved and what not.

On the other end of the spectrum if

people keep to themselves and

don't have many friends they are an introvert.

FALSE! People open your eyes and your mind

and see others not by stereotypes or labels but

by how they act and the words they say.

An extrovert is someone who loves people.

They get their drive from communication,

being involved, and constantly having someone to talk to.

An introvert is someone who

cherishes their alone time.

They are rejuvenated by reading a book or

laying on the floor staring at the ceiling.

Dear World, Im an introvert.

Observing people is one of my most favorite things to do.

Today I watched a grown man jumping around while the wind blew leaves all over him. The girl who was with him was attempting to catch the leaves as the fluttered down off the trees.

I thought to myself, wow, they look incredibly silly.

I have a deep, longing desire to play in the leaves, but something keeps me from breaking out and doing it.

A look at me

Sometimes this crazy thing happens in my life where I get stuck on old memories. In all honesty it's not even stuck on memories as much as it is past relationships.
Even though it was almost three years ago it feels like it was just yesterday sometimes. Seriously it's so rediculous or maybe I'm so ridiculous that I feel like one of those poets whose had their heart ripped straight out of their very breakable body.
Really though, lonely is a sad little messed up word especially when you're surrounded by people. I just want to be over it. Maybe I never will be.

Boiling

There are two thongs that make my blood boil: injustice and events in Gods house.

This blog will focus on the second.
At the educational institution I attend we are required to attend general asemblies, some of these assemblies take place in the university church. Since it's a requirement usually everyone on campus attends and proceeds to try to find a seat next to their friends in the three minutes before the service starts. As you can imagine there is a large amount of yelling and talking on cell phones and standing on pews, but that doesn't bother me as much as what I watched happen tonight. A young woman theology major came into the sanctuary with 3 of her friends. Credit was being given for the biblical series going on, but since the meetings began at 7pm not a lot of people were showing up. This theology major and her friends sat two rows in front of me in the middle of the sanctuary.
The service begins with a hymn, while everyone is singing this rather large deacon dressed in jeans and a t-shirt enters the pew behind my friend, taps her on the shoulder and proceeds to loudly reprimand her for bringing the tea she was sipping into the sanctuary. Everyone in the 4 rows around them heard this conversation and all stared as the man grabbed her cup from her hand walked to the back of the sanctuary and tossed it.

Two minutes later she and all her friends left.

How would that make you feel?