This was forwarded to me the other day, and I thought I would share it here. Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his show, "The Rest of the Story." Enjoy!
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it Enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one Nation under God."
Make it a great day!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Doc Interrupts Surgery to Donate His Blood
From HappyNews.com -- What a great story I found today on HappyNews.com.
"A heart surgeon had to take a break from a mercy-mission operation in El Salvador so he could donate his own rare-type blood for his 8-year-old patient.
Dr. Samuel Weinstein said he had his blood drawn, ate a Pop-Tart, returned to the operating table and watched as his blood helped the boy survive the complex surgery.
''It was a little bit surreal,'' Weinstein said by phone Friday from the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, where he is chief of pediatric cardio-thoracic surgery.
The 43-year-old Weinstein was on a charity trip with Heart Care International when he did the surgery at Bloom Hospital in San Salvador.
In the May 11 operation, which had begun 12 hours earlier, the boy's failing aortic valve was replaced with his pulmonary valve and the pulmonary valve was replaced with an artificial valve.
''The surgery had been going well, everything was working great, but he was bleeding a lot and they didn't have a lot of the medicines we would use to stop the bleeding,'' Weinstein said.
They were running out of blood to give the boy, Weinstein said. When he asked the boy's blood type, he discovered they were both B-negative.
Weinstein, who said he was an occasional blood donor, 'but never like this', said the interruption to donate a pint lasted about 20 minutes."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Make it a great day!
"A heart surgeon had to take a break from a mercy-mission operation in El Salvador so he could donate his own rare-type blood for his 8-year-old patient.
Dr. Samuel Weinstein said he had his blood drawn, ate a Pop-Tart, returned to the operating table and watched as his blood helped the boy survive the complex surgery.
''It was a little bit surreal,'' Weinstein said by phone Friday from the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, where he is chief of pediatric cardio-thoracic surgery.
The 43-year-old Weinstein was on a charity trip with Heart Care International when he did the surgery at Bloom Hospital in San Salvador.
In the May 11 operation, which had begun 12 hours earlier, the boy's failing aortic valve was replaced with his pulmonary valve and the pulmonary valve was replaced with an artificial valve.
''The surgery had been going well, everything was working great, but he was bleeding a lot and they didn't have a lot of the medicines we would use to stop the bleeding,'' Weinstein said.
They were running out of blood to give the boy, Weinstein said. When he asked the boy's blood type, he discovered they were both B-negative.
Weinstein, who said he was an occasional blood donor, 'but never like this', said the interruption to donate a pint lasted about 20 minutes."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Make it a great day!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Big and Rich - 8th of November
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
I want to personally thank all the veterans of our military for everything you have done for our great country. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Thank You!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
John Stossel - Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity : Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong
On my ride home from work yesterday, John Stossel from ABC News was being interviewed by a local radio station regarding his new book, Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity : Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong. I found the interview fascinating because a lot of the myths he exposed are things that we have been led to believe are the truth. Some examples he gave in the interview are:
Good luck today and make it a great one!
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- Global Warming is causing the increase in hurricanes, etc. - According to his research, there is no evidence that global warming is causing more hurricanes. In fact, if you look at the cycle of hurricanes over the years, we are just in the middle of an active cycle.
- Second-Hand Smoke is just as harmful as Smoking - While I do not like the smell of smoke and am glad it has been banned in most restaurants and offices, the research that was done on second-hand smoke was done on people who lived with a smoker for many, many years. And, even then, the research wasn't conclusive.
- Pesticide residues in food cause cancer and other diseases - The research shows that the residues are largely harmless.
- Schools are more violent these days - Violent crimes in schools dropped by half between 1992 and 2002, although reporting about school violence increased.
Good luck today and make it a great one!
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Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Heard the Good News? By Michael Barone
A friend of mine forwarded me the following article written by USNews.com reporter Michael Barone. Rather than chop up the article, I am going to include the entire article here because it illustrates why I started this blog in the first place. Things really aren't as bad as people are led to believe by the mainstream media.
--
Heard the Good News?
By Michael Barone
"Things are better than you think. Yes, I know, most Americans are in a sour mood these days, convinced that the struggle in Iraq is an endless cycle of bloodshed, certain that our economy is in dismal shape, lamenting that the nation and the world are off on the wrong track. That's what polls tell us. But if we look at some other numbers, we'll find that we are living not in the worst of times but in something much closer to the best. What do I mean?
First, economic growth. In 2005, as in 2004, the world economy grew by about 5 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, and the IMF projects similar growth for several years to come. This is faster growth than in all but a few peak years in the 1980s and 1990s, and it's in vivid contrast to the long periods of stagnation or contraction in history. The great engine of this growth is, of course, the United States, which produces more than one fifth of world economic product and whose gross domestic product has been growing at around 4 percent--4.8 percent in the latest quarter. Other engines are China and India, each with about a sixth of the world's people, and with economic growth of 10 and 8 percent, respectively. But other areas are growing, too: eastern Europe (5 percent), Russia (6 percent), East Asia (5 percent), Latin America (4 percent), even the Middle East (6 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (5.5 percent).
Free-market benefits. Lagging behind is the euro area (1 percent) and the rest of western Europe (2 percent). Lesson: Sclerotic welfare states produce mass unemployment and stifle initiative and innovation. In contrast, the Chinese and Indian growth rates show how freeing up an economy produces rapid growth, and the continued contrast between the United States and Europe makes the same point. Free-market economic growth is enabling millions of people to rise out of poverty every year, even more than the experts expect. As the IMF writes, "The momentum and resilience of the global economy in 2005 continued to exceed expectations."
It's worth noting, as the IMF does, that this growth is being achieved with minimal inflation. "The present era of globalization and low inflation has an important precedent: 1880-1914, the era of the classical gold standard," it says. That period ended with the outbreak of World War I, and there is no guarantee that the current low-inflation growth will continue. There are always downside risks in the economy. But we seem to be living by far in the best economic times in human history.
But aren't we also living in times of record strife? Actually, no. Just the opposite. The Human Security Centre of the University of British Columbia has been keeping track of armed conflicts since World War II. It reports that the number of genocides and violent conflicts dropped rapidly after the end of the Cold War and that in 2005 the number of armed conflicts was down 40 percent from 1992. Wars have also become less deadly: The average number of people killed per conflict per year in 1950 was 38,000; in 2002 it was just 600. The conflict in Iraq has not significantly changed that picture. American casualties are orders of magnitude lower than in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and precision weapons have enabled us to vastly reduce the civilian death toll.
After our victory in the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama proclaimed that we had reached "the end of history," by which he meant the end of any serious argument over what constitutes the best kind of society. That is disputed by the Islamist fascists who have made it clear that they will do whatever they can to inflict harm on our civilization; as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in his recent letter to President Bush, "Liberalism and western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today those two concepts have failed." That's obviously nonsense, of course. Free markets and democracy are chalking up one ringing achievement after another--as we can see from the surge in world economic growth and the reduction of armed conflict--while the Islamists can achieve their goals only through oppression and slaughter. Yes, they can inflict severe damage on us by asymmetric warfare, as they did on September 11, and we must continue to take determined action to prevent them from doing so again. Yes, a nuclear Iran is a severe threat. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, in most important respects, our civilization is performing splendidly."
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--
Heard the Good News?
By Michael Barone
"Things are better than you think. Yes, I know, most Americans are in a sour mood these days, convinced that the struggle in Iraq is an endless cycle of bloodshed, certain that our economy is in dismal shape, lamenting that the nation and the world are off on the wrong track. That's what polls tell us. But if we look at some other numbers, we'll find that we are living not in the worst of times but in something much closer to the best. What do I mean?
First, economic growth. In 2005, as in 2004, the world economy grew by about 5 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, and the IMF projects similar growth for several years to come. This is faster growth than in all but a few peak years in the 1980s and 1990s, and it's in vivid contrast to the long periods of stagnation or contraction in history. The great engine of this growth is, of course, the United States, which produces more than one fifth of world economic product and whose gross domestic product has been growing at around 4 percent--4.8 percent in the latest quarter. Other engines are China and India, each with about a sixth of the world's people, and with economic growth of 10 and 8 percent, respectively. But other areas are growing, too: eastern Europe (5 percent), Russia (6 percent), East Asia (5 percent), Latin America (4 percent), even the Middle East (6 percent) and sub-Saharan Africa (5.5 percent).
Free-market benefits. Lagging behind is the euro area (1 percent) and the rest of western Europe (2 percent). Lesson: Sclerotic welfare states produce mass unemployment and stifle initiative and innovation. In contrast, the Chinese and Indian growth rates show how freeing up an economy produces rapid growth, and the continued contrast between the United States and Europe makes the same point. Free-market economic growth is enabling millions of people to rise out of poverty every year, even more than the experts expect. As the IMF writes, "The momentum and resilience of the global economy in 2005 continued to exceed expectations."
It's worth noting, as the IMF does, that this growth is being achieved with minimal inflation. "The present era of globalization and low inflation has an important precedent: 1880-1914, the era of the classical gold standard," it says. That period ended with the outbreak of World War I, and there is no guarantee that the current low-inflation growth will continue. There are always downside risks in the economy. But we seem to be living by far in the best economic times in human history.
But aren't we also living in times of record strife? Actually, no. Just the opposite. The Human Security Centre of the University of British Columbia has been keeping track of armed conflicts since World War II. It reports that the number of genocides and violent conflicts dropped rapidly after the end of the Cold War and that in 2005 the number of armed conflicts was down 40 percent from 1992. Wars have also become less deadly: The average number of people killed per conflict per year in 1950 was 38,000; in 2002 it was just 600. The conflict in Iraq has not significantly changed that picture. American casualties are orders of magnitude lower than in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and precision weapons have enabled us to vastly reduce the civilian death toll.
After our victory in the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama proclaimed that we had reached "the end of history," by which he meant the end of any serious argument over what constitutes the best kind of society. That is disputed by the Islamist fascists who have made it clear that they will do whatever they can to inflict harm on our civilization; as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in his recent letter to President Bush, "Liberalism and western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today those two concepts have failed." That's obviously nonsense, of course. Free markets and democracy are chalking up one ringing achievement after another--as we can see from the surge in world economic growth and the reduction of armed conflict--while the Islamists can achieve their goals only through oppression and slaughter. Yes, they can inflict severe damage on us by asymmetric warfare, as they did on September 11, and we must continue to take determined action to prevent them from doing so again. Yes, a nuclear Iran is a severe threat. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, in most important respects, our civilization is performing splendidly."
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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
411.com
I attended a meeting today for people who are somewhat new to the internet. While the majority of the meeting consisted of things that I have known about for years, it occurred to me that maybe it would be a good idea for me to offer up some tips for surfing the web for those of you who may only use the web for email and occasional search engine searches.
One of the sites that was mentioned today is www.411.com. This is one of the most useful resources on the web. How many times have you called 411 on your telephone for directory assistance? 411.com does exactly the same, but online. And, it not only gives you the phone number, but also the full address. Give it a try. Do a search for your own name and see what comes up. All you have to know about a person is their name. It'll find them unless they have an unlisted phone number.
What's more, once you've found who you are looking for, click on their name and it will bring up their individual listing. Then, you can find out who their neighbors are by clicking on the "Find Neighbors" link. This is especially helpful if you are new to an area and you would like to know who your neighbors are...
Periodically, I'll share other websites that you may not know about. Until then, good luck and have a great day!
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One of the sites that was mentioned today is www.411.com. This is one of the most useful resources on the web. How many times have you called 411 on your telephone for directory assistance? 411.com does exactly the same, but online. And, it not only gives you the phone number, but also the full address. Give it a try. Do a search for your own name and see what comes up. All you have to know about a person is their name. It'll find them unless they have an unlisted phone number.
What's more, once you've found who you are looking for, click on their name and it will bring up their individual listing. Then, you can find out who their neighbors are by clicking on the "Find Neighbors" link. This is especially helpful if you are new to an area and you would like to know who your neighbors are...
Periodically, I'll share other websites that you may not know about. Until then, good luck and have a great day!
Click here to share this story with a friend!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Pilot Survives 24 Hours in Subfreezing Weather
From CNN.com -- "A pilot survived 24 hours in temperatures that hovered near zero after his small plane splashed into an Alaska lake during an unsuccessful takeoff from a remote airstrip over the weekend.
Wade Strahan, 56, was rescued Saturday after spending a subfreezing night in an unheated trapper's cabin and then hiking eight miles where he was found by a cross-country skier, said Maj. Mike Haller of the Alaska National Guard.
According to Haller, the skier was able to text-message rescue crews, who came for Strahan and took him to a hospital.
After swimming ashore, Strahan battled the frigid conditions -- temperatures ranging between zero and 10 degrees above zero -- and hiked to the trapper's cabin, never able to remove the frozen shoes from his feet."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on CNN.com.
Good luck today. Make it a great one!
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Wade Strahan, 56, was rescued Saturday after spending a subfreezing night in an unheated trapper's cabin and then hiking eight miles where he was found by a cross-country skier, said Maj. Mike Haller of the Alaska National Guard.
According to Haller, the skier was able to text-message rescue crews, who came for Strahan and took him to a hospital.
After swimming ashore, Strahan battled the frigid conditions -- temperatures ranging between zero and 10 degrees above zero -- and hiked to the trapper's cabin, never able to remove the frozen shoes from his feet."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on CNN.com.
Good luck today. Make it a great one!
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Sunday, May 21, 2006
Ozone Hole May Disappear By 2050
From CTV.ca -- It seems that we all can make things change. Check out this story from CTV.ca:
"The ozone hole over the Antarctic is likely to begin contracting in the future and may disappear by 2050 because of a reduction in the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting gases, according to a team of Japanese scientists.
The findings are based on a series of numerical simulations carried out by Eiji Akiyoshi of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, near Tokyo, using projected emissions of chlorofluorocarbons and other gases blamed for the ozone hole.
According to a report posted Friday on the institute's Web site, the hole is at its largest now but is likely to gradually start contracting around 2020 and disappear by around 2050."
To continue reading this article, please go to this page on CTV.ca.
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"The ozone hole over the Antarctic is likely to begin contracting in the future and may disappear by 2050 because of a reduction in the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting gases, according to a team of Japanese scientists.
The findings are based on a series of numerical simulations carried out by Eiji Akiyoshi of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, near Tokyo, using projected emissions of chlorofluorocarbons and other gases blamed for the ozone hole.
According to a report posted Friday on the institute's Web site, the hole is at its largest now but is likely to gradually start contracting around 2020 and disappear by around 2050."
To continue reading this article, please go to this page on CTV.ca.
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Saturday, May 20, 2006
Dog Survives Fall Off Cliff; Owner Rescued
From HappyNews.com -- Here's a story about a very lucky dog. Pepe, a Jack Russell terrier fell off a cliff near his home in California and landed next to the Pacific Coast Highway. Here is an excerpt from the article:
"A dog survived a plunge from an oceanside cliff and his owner had to be rescued when he got stuck searching for the animal. Pepe, a Jack Russell terrier, darted over the cliff's edge in the upscale Pacific Palisades area while chasing a squirrel on Tuesday.
He landed next to Pacific Coast Highway, where he narrowly avoided being struck by a big rig.
Motorist Jenny-Lyn Marais stopped and coaxed the dog into her Range Rover.
"I leaned across and opened the door and whistled for him to come," said Marais, who works in a Santa Monica dental lab. "He was so gentle and so grateful. He jumped right over on my lap and started licking me."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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"A dog survived a plunge from an oceanside cliff and his owner had to be rescued when he got stuck searching for the animal. Pepe, a Jack Russell terrier, darted over the cliff's edge in the upscale Pacific Palisades area while chasing a squirrel on Tuesday.
He landed next to Pacific Coast Highway, where he narrowly avoided being struck by a big rig.
Motorist Jenny-Lyn Marais stopped and coaxed the dog into her Range Rover.
"I leaned across and opened the door and whistled for him to come," said Marais, who works in a Santa Monica dental lab. "He was so gentle and so grateful. He jumped right over on my lap and started licking me."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Friday, May 19, 2006
Want Twins? Eat Dairy Products
From DNA World -- "Want twins? Take milk and eat dairy products, a new study says. The rate of twin births in the United States rose by more than 75 per cent between 1980 and 2003.
Some of this can be explained by the use of fertility treatments, which ups the risk of multiple births. But that can't explain the entire jump, researchers said.
Bearing twins is more risky for both mother and child than having a single baby. So scientists wanted to know what's causing the rise."
"Gary Steinman of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York carried out a simple comparison: he gathered together childbearing records for more than 1,000 vegan women who do not eat any animal products. He calculated that vegans were around five times less likely to bear twins than omnivorous women or vegetarians who eat dairy food, Nature magazine said."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on DNA World.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Some of this can be explained by the use of fertility treatments, which ups the risk of multiple births. But that can't explain the entire jump, researchers said.
Bearing twins is more risky for both mother and child than having a single baby. So scientists wanted to know what's causing the rise."
"Gary Steinman of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York carried out a simple comparison: he gathered together childbearing records for more than 1,000 vegan women who do not eat any animal products. He calculated that vegans were around five times less likely to bear twins than omnivorous women or vegetarians who eat dairy food, Nature magazine said."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on DNA World.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Thursday, May 18, 2006
A Touch of Kindness
This is an old news story that I found today, but it shows how one person can make a huge difference in the lives of so many. The story comes from CBSNews.com:
"It seems so natural, nannies playing with babies. But in China, reports CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen, it's not the norm.
In huge orphanages, with too many babies and too few staff, babies can get virtually no attention; left in a crib all day long, almost never talked to – or touched.
Now that's changing, thanks to one woman: Jenny Bowen, of Berkeley, California.
"What we give to the children is the gift of nurture, individual care," says Bowen.
What inspired her crusade was Maya.
Bowen adopted Maya from China six years ago; she was expressionless, dull-eyed, locked in solitude. Bowen worried that Maya might be mentally ill.
But after lots of caring and caresses, she realized she was wrong.
Bowen thought that what worked for Maya could work across China. She started raising money to train and pay special nannies in a program called Half the Sky to help all the little abandoned babies who may never have parents of their own.
"Once it started happening and the results were so successful, it swallowed up my life," Bowen says. "Once you start there's thousands of kids out there you can reach and whose lives you can really change."
In three years they've expanded to 13 orphanages – a drop in the bucket here, but 2,000 tiny lives changed so far."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on CBSNews.com.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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"It seems so natural, nannies playing with babies. But in China, reports CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen, it's not the norm.
In huge orphanages, with too many babies and too few staff, babies can get virtually no attention; left in a crib all day long, almost never talked to – or touched.
Now that's changing, thanks to one woman: Jenny Bowen, of Berkeley, California.
"What we give to the children is the gift of nurture, individual care," says Bowen.
What inspired her crusade was Maya.
Bowen adopted Maya from China six years ago; she was expressionless, dull-eyed, locked in solitude. Bowen worried that Maya might be mentally ill.
But after lots of caring and caresses, she realized she was wrong.
Bowen thought that what worked for Maya could work across China. She started raising money to train and pay special nannies in a program called Half the Sky to help all the little abandoned babies who may never have parents of their own.
"Once it started happening and the results were so successful, it swallowed up my life," Bowen says. "Once you start there's thousands of kids out there you can reach and whose lives you can really change."
In three years they've expanded to 13 orphanages – a drop in the bucket here, but 2,000 tiny lives changed so far."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on CBSNews.com.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Support the TEAM in Training - Support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Hello all,
I want to share an email I received from a realtor friend who is participating in a 100-mile bike ride to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I admire people like Eddie who is doing this to help raise money. Here is his email and if you feel like donating to his cause, the instructions on how to do so are included in the email below....
PLEASE HELP, HELP, HELP! I am down to the final days for my fundraising and I need your help. I MUST HAVE ALL FUNDS BEFORE MAY 23rd. I am very close and I know I can make it. I am passing the hat for a VERY special cause. I have committed to riding in a century (100 mile bike ride) in Lake Tahoe on June 4th, 2006. More importantly, I have committed to raising $3,800 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A cure for leukemia means great strides in curing all cancers because leukemia research is considered the window to the treatment and cure for all cancers. All of us have been touched by cancer in some way & one of the most touching parts of this program is that we are teamed up with an "Honored Hero".
My cycle team's Honored Hero is Greg Robinson. He was diagnosed in February of 2000 with multiple myeloma. He is 56 years old and his wife's name is Sheila. You may not be aware of this but multiple myeloma is the second leading type of blood cancer and one of the hardest to treat and deadliest cancers. Greg has never achieved the hoped for complete remission but the disease has stabilized and his quality of life has improved. He is an active participant with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
I am up to riding 70 miles and feel confident that I can make it 100 miles in June. I will be stretching it to 75 miles this weekend and will update my website to let you know how it goes. I really appreciate everyone who has donated to this wonderful cause as it has become close to my heart. It is amazing how many people I have met during this training and fundraising that have been touched by cancer.
I'll do the cycling and you can help cheer me on by sponsoring me and Greg. With your contribution, important research will continue toward a cure for this disease! ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!
***To make your contribution, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, visit my website at www.H2realty.com and click on the Team in Training logo at the bottom of the page. It will take you directly to my Team in Training website where you can make a donation through their secure server. Please pass this letter along to anyone you know who may be interested in helping in the fight against this disease. I must have all of the funds before May 23rd. If you would like to write a check, please make it payable to LLS & give me a call so I can come pick it up. I have to turn in any checks that I get on May 23rd. Have a great day!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Eddie Hudson
Good luck today and make it a great day!
Click here to share this story with a friend!
I want to share an email I received from a realtor friend who is participating in a 100-mile bike ride to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I admire people like Eddie who is doing this to help raise money. Here is his email and if you feel like donating to his cause, the instructions on how to do so are included in the email below....
PLEASE HELP, HELP, HELP! I am down to the final days for my fundraising and I need your help. I MUST HAVE ALL FUNDS BEFORE MAY 23rd. I am very close and I know I can make it. I am passing the hat for a VERY special cause. I have committed to riding in a century (100 mile bike ride) in Lake Tahoe on June 4th, 2006. More importantly, I have committed to raising $3,800 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A cure for leukemia means great strides in curing all cancers because leukemia research is considered the window to the treatment and cure for all cancers. All of us have been touched by cancer in some way & one of the most touching parts of this program is that we are teamed up with an "Honored Hero".
My cycle team's Honored Hero is Greg Robinson. He was diagnosed in February of 2000 with multiple myeloma. He is 56 years old and his wife's name is Sheila. You may not be aware of this but multiple myeloma is the second leading type of blood cancer and one of the hardest to treat and deadliest cancers. Greg has never achieved the hoped for complete remission but the disease has stabilized and his quality of life has improved. He is an active participant with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
I am up to riding 70 miles and feel confident that I can make it 100 miles in June. I will be stretching it to 75 miles this weekend and will update my website to let you know how it goes. I really appreciate everyone who has donated to this wonderful cause as it has become close to my heart. It is amazing how many people I have met during this training and fundraising that have been touched by cancer.
I'll do the cycling and you can help cheer me on by sponsoring me and Greg. With your contribution, important research will continue toward a cure for this disease! ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!!
***To make your contribution, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, visit my website at www.H2realty.com and click on the Team in Training logo at the bottom of the page. It will take you directly to my Team in Training website where you can make a donation through their secure server. Please pass this letter along to anyone you know who may be interested in helping in the fight against this disease. I must have all of the funds before May 23rd. If you would like to write a check, please make it payable to LLS & give me a call so I can come pick it up. I have to turn in any checks that I get on May 23rd. Have a great day!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Eddie Hudson
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Monday, May 15, 2006
Emily, Jacob Still Most Popular Baby Names
From HappyNews.com -- "When kids born in 2005 head to kindergarten in a few years, a lot of them will be raising their hands when the teacher calls out "Emily" or "Jacob." In border states, it will be hard to miss Jose, Angel and Mia.
For the 10th year running, Emily is the most popular name for infant girls in the United States, according to figures this Mother's Day weekend from the Social Security Administration.
"The whole question was whether Emma going to beat out Emily this time," said Cleveland Evans, a professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska and president of the American Names Society. Emma was number two on the list.
Biblical names dominate the boys' list. Jacob is the most popular, as it has been since 1999. Other top picks for boys are Michael, Joshua and Matthew.
"There's a lot more men mentioned in the Bible than women," Evans said. Maybe that's why the girls' list includes so many non-biblical names such as Madison."
To continue reading this article, please go to HappyNews.com.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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For the 10th year running, Emily is the most popular name for infant girls in the United States, according to figures this Mother's Day weekend from the Social Security Administration.
"The whole question was whether Emma going to beat out Emily this time," said Cleveland Evans, a professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska and president of the American Names Society. Emma was number two on the list.
Biblical names dominate the boys' list. Jacob is the most popular, as it has been since 1999. Other top picks for boys are Michael, Joshua and Matthew.
"There's a lot more men mentioned in the Bible than women," Evans said. Maybe that's why the girls' list includes so many non-biblical names such as Madison."
To continue reading this article, please go to HappyNews.com.
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Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mother's Day
I want to wish all the mother's who read my blog a Happy Mother's Day. I especially want to wish my own mother a wonderful Mother's Day. I wish I could have been with you today mom. You are the best mother a son could ever hope for. Happy Mother's Day! I love you.
J. Anthony.
J. Anthony.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Limo Riders Oil Wheels for Driver's Ph.D Dream
I read a story today in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that really solidified my belief in two things. First, there are still really good people in the world who want to help others and aren't doing it just for the limelight. And, second, it always pays to be nice to people no matter what the circumstance because you never know who you might run into.
The story I am referring to is about a young man named Christopher Martin, who was a teacher at a middle school here in Atlanta, and who also had a dream to get a doctorate from the University of Georgia. In order to pay for his doctorate, Christopher was also driving a limo during his spare time to earn extra money to put towards school.
One day back in December of 2000, a wealthy couple from Chicago needed a ride from the DeKalb Peachtree Airport to the Four Seasons downtown. Christopher gave them the ride in the limo and also took them around town during the week. During the week, the couple were so grateful for the time he spent with them, they basically decided to make an investment in Christopher's life.
The first thing they did was at the end of the first week, they asked him this: If he could buy anything for his classroom, what would it be? They asked him to make a wish list. He hesitated, but about a week later, he mailed in a wish list that included a computer and some software for his classroom. Shortly thereafter, a check for $5,000 arrived from the couple. He couldn't believe it.
About a year later, the couple came back to Atlanta, and this time, the couple asked him again what he needed. He told them immediately what he need for the classroom, and they wrote him a check for $20,000 on the spot.
Then, the amazing part of the story happened... The couple asked him about his personal goals, and he told them about how he was saving for school and that was why he had been working as the limo driver. They told him to stop working and all tuition bills and invoices should be sent directly to them, and they would pay for them.
Fast forward to the present. Christopher is graduating from the University of Georgia where he is receiving his doctorate. His benefactors from Chicago are coming down for the graduation. He still doesn't know exactly what they do for a living except that they are in some type of business and are very religious.
And, the only thing that the couple asked him to do in return was to do something nice like this for someone else who is in need of assistance.
As you can see, miracles do happen. And, this all started for Christopher because he was nice to a couple he had never met.
Good luck and make it a great day!
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The story I am referring to is about a young man named Christopher Martin, who was a teacher at a middle school here in Atlanta, and who also had a dream to get a doctorate from the University of Georgia. In order to pay for his doctorate, Christopher was also driving a limo during his spare time to earn extra money to put towards school.
One day back in December of 2000, a wealthy couple from Chicago needed a ride from the DeKalb Peachtree Airport to the Four Seasons downtown. Christopher gave them the ride in the limo and also took them around town during the week. During the week, the couple were so grateful for the time he spent with them, they basically decided to make an investment in Christopher's life.
The first thing they did was at the end of the first week, they asked him this: If he could buy anything for his classroom, what would it be? They asked him to make a wish list. He hesitated, but about a week later, he mailed in a wish list that included a computer and some software for his classroom. Shortly thereafter, a check for $5,000 arrived from the couple. He couldn't believe it.
About a year later, the couple came back to Atlanta, and this time, the couple asked him again what he needed. He told them immediately what he need for the classroom, and they wrote him a check for $20,000 on the spot.
Then, the amazing part of the story happened... The couple asked him about his personal goals, and he told them about how he was saving for school and that was why he had been working as the limo driver. They told him to stop working and all tuition bills and invoices should be sent directly to them, and they would pay for them.
Fast forward to the present. Christopher is graduating from the University of Georgia where he is receiving his doctorate. His benefactors from Chicago are coming down for the graduation. He still doesn't know exactly what they do for a living except that they are in some type of business and are very religious.
And, the only thing that the couple asked him to do in return was to do something nice like this for someone else who is in need of assistance.
As you can see, miracles do happen. And, this all started for Christopher because he was nice to a couple he had never met.
Good luck and make it a great day!
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Thursday, May 11, 2006
Need to Keep House Payments Low? Try a 50-Year Mortgage
From Yahoo! News -- With home prices still heading north even with a slight slow-down, some banks around the country are offering 50-year mortgages. Here is an excerpt from the article:
"A handful of lenders have begun offering 50-year adjustable-rate loans to buyers who need to keep payments low in the face of record home prices and rising rates.
Most big banks already offer 40-year mortgages, which account for about 5% of all home loans, according to LoanPerformance, a real estate data firm. So far, only a few small lenders have rolled out the five-decades-long mortgages."
Further in the article:
"The 50-year mortgage also signals that the cooling real estate market is heating up competition among lenders.
"Mortgage lenders are getting craftier to get the attention of consumers," says Anthony Hsieh, CEO of LendingTree. But, he says, "The consumer needs to slow down and understand the product."
Two issues to keep in mind: A borrower with a 50-year mortgage builds equity very slowly. And because rates on the loans are adjustable, borrower's monthly payments could rise.
Still, the 50-year isn't considered as risky as an interest-only loan or a mortgage that lets borrowers pay even less than the interest."
To read the entire article, please go to this page on Yahoo.com.
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"A handful of lenders have begun offering 50-year adjustable-rate loans to buyers who need to keep payments low in the face of record home prices and rising rates.
Most big banks already offer 40-year mortgages, which account for about 5% of all home loans, according to LoanPerformance, a real estate data firm. So far, only a few small lenders have rolled out the five-decades-long mortgages."
Further in the article:
"The 50-year mortgage also signals that the cooling real estate market is heating up competition among lenders.
"Mortgage lenders are getting craftier to get the attention of consumers," says Anthony Hsieh, CEO of LendingTree. But, he says, "The consumer needs to slow down and understand the product."
Two issues to keep in mind: A borrower with a 50-year mortgage builds equity very slowly. And because rates on the loans are adjustable, borrower's monthly payments could rise.
Still, the 50-year isn't considered as risky as an interest-only loan or a mortgage that lets borrowers pay even less than the interest."
To read the entire article, please go to this page on Yahoo.com.
Good luck and make it a great day!
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Activity Calorie Counter
Ever wondered how many calories you are burning while raking the yard? How about playing a couple of sets of tennis? You can find the answer using Reader's Digest's Activity Calorie Counter. It's a very simple tool to use to find out how many calories you are going to burn doing a certain activity. It even factors in your weight to give you a true measurement.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Rescued Australian Miners in 'Good Health'
Fresh off the heels of the horrible mining accident in West Virginia back in January, this story from Australia has a somewhat better ending. From the BBC News -- "Two rescued Australian miners are in good health and "excellent spirits", despite spending two weeks trapped deep underground, doctors have said."
"Brant Webb, 37, and Todd Russell, 34, were discharged from a hospital in Tasmania just hours after tests.
At least one later attended the funeral of Larry Knight, a third miner who died in the initial accident on 25 April, caused when a tremor dislodged rocks.
PM John Howard hailed rescue efforts as a triumph of "Australian mateship".
Mr Webb and Mr Russell were trapped in a tiny cage when the tremor struck. Rescuers took a week to bring them out, drilling through hard rock, often by hand.
Residents of the town of Beaconsfield gathered at the gates of the mine as news of the rescue began to emerge.
The mine's siren sounded and the town's church bell pealed in celebration. Mr Webb and Mr Russell, wearing mining helmets and yellow jackets, punched the air in jubilation as they emerged from the mine to the cheering crowds."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on the BBC News website.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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"Brant Webb, 37, and Todd Russell, 34, were discharged from a hospital in Tasmania just hours after tests.
At least one later attended the funeral of Larry Knight, a third miner who died in the initial accident on 25 April, caused when a tremor dislodged rocks.
PM John Howard hailed rescue efforts as a triumph of "Australian mateship".
Mr Webb and Mr Russell were trapped in a tiny cage when the tremor struck. Rescuers took a week to bring them out, drilling through hard rock, often by hand.
Residents of the town of Beaconsfield gathered at the gates of the mine as news of the rescue began to emerge.
The mine's siren sounded and the town's church bell pealed in celebration. Mr Webb and Mr Russell, wearing mining helmets and yellow jackets, punched the air in jubilation as they emerged from the mine to the cheering crowds."
To continue reading this story, please go to this page on the BBC News website.
Good luck today and make it a great day!
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Monday, May 08, 2006
The I Love You Dog
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Sunday, May 07, 2006
Man, 7-Foot-8, Gets New Size-26 Shoes
From HappyNews.com -- Can you imagine being 7-foot, 8-inches tall? I can't even fathom being that tall. Well, if you were that tall, you'd understand Igor Vovkovinskiy's problem with finding shoes that fit his size 26 feet and his elation at receiving two pairs of custom-fitted shoes for free from a shoemaker from Germany. Here is an excerpt from the article:
"German shoemaker Georg Wessels traveled across the pond this week to personally deliver some king-size footwear to a Rochester man.
Igor Vovkovinskiy, who stands at 7-foot-8, received three pairs of size-26 shoes crafted specifically to fit his feet.
As part of his business, Wessels makes shoes free-of-charge for the world's 10 tallest people, which include the 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant.
Wessels said he gets a kick out of helping tall people get properly fitting footwear. "I'm a little bit proud, of course,'' he said. ''We like to make friends all over the world."
Vovkovinskiy, who works for Mayo Clinic's computer help line, said he was in need of the new shoes, having worn one pair for the past three years.
"I was embarrassed to go to the Mayo Clinic with my shoes this year because they are so black and worn out,'' he said. "Now it's like a new beginning."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
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"German shoemaker Georg Wessels traveled across the pond this week to personally deliver some king-size footwear to a Rochester man.
Igor Vovkovinskiy, who stands at 7-foot-8, received three pairs of size-26 shoes crafted specifically to fit his feet.
As part of his business, Wessels makes shoes free-of-charge for the world's 10 tallest people, which include the 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant.
Wessels said he gets a kick out of helping tall people get properly fitting footwear. "I'm a little bit proud, of course,'' he said. ''We like to make friends all over the world."
Vovkovinskiy, who works for Mayo Clinic's computer help line, said he was in need of the new shoes, having worn one pair for the past three years.
"I was embarrassed to go to the Mayo Clinic with my shoes this year because they are so black and worn out,'' he said. "Now it's like a new beginning."
To read the complete article, please go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Make it a great day!
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Saturday, May 06, 2006
Funny Video - Granny and Her Dog
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Friday, May 05, 2006
Operation Smile - A Good Story Out Of Iraq
While browsing HappyNews.com today, I found a great story from Iraq.
"Operation Smile, an international nongovernmental organization, provides corrective surgery for children with cleft palates and cleft lips, congenital birth defects that affect about one out of every 600 children, according to the Cleft Palate Foundation."
Operation Smile had taken 110 Iraqi children along with 97 of their parents and guardians out of Iraq in order for the children to receive the corrective surgeries. However, the organization was going to travel back into Iraq via bus, but they feared for the safety of the children and their families. This is where the Air Force stepped in. Here is another excerpt from the article:
"As they stepped into the large, gray military cargo plane, their eyes widened and their expressions were equal parts wonOperation Smile cofounder and chief executive officer Dr. William P. Magee, Jr., and chief medical officer Dr. Robert Rubin wrote to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and requested assistance from the Air Force to provide safe airlift for the Iraqi children and their parents.
The Air Force received approval for the mission late April 28 evening, and by early on the 29th, the C-17 was airborne and en route to Amman. der and bewilderment. This was the first time many of the Iraqi children and their parents had ever flown in an airplane, and none had ever been in an aircraft as large as the U.S. Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III."
The last paragraph in the article says it all:
"The bottom line is that the military is really trying to do what it can to help," Anderson said. "The support was a great match for us."
To read the complete article, go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Good luck today. Make it a great one!
Click here to share this story with a friend!
"Operation Smile, an international nongovernmental organization, provides corrective surgery for children with cleft palates and cleft lips, congenital birth defects that affect about one out of every 600 children, according to the Cleft Palate Foundation."
Operation Smile had taken 110 Iraqi children along with 97 of their parents and guardians out of Iraq in order for the children to receive the corrective surgeries. However, the organization was going to travel back into Iraq via bus, but they feared for the safety of the children and their families. This is where the Air Force stepped in. Here is another excerpt from the article:
"As they stepped into the large, gray military cargo plane, their eyes widened and their expressions were equal parts wonOperation Smile cofounder and chief executive officer Dr. William P. Magee, Jr., and chief medical officer Dr. Robert Rubin wrote to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and requested assistance from the Air Force to provide safe airlift for the Iraqi children and their parents.
The Air Force received approval for the mission late April 28 evening, and by early on the 29th, the C-17 was airborne and en route to Amman. der and bewilderment. This was the first time many of the Iraqi children and their parents had ever flown in an airplane, and none had ever been in an aircraft as large as the U.S. Air Force's C-17 Globemaster III."
The last paragraph in the article says it all:
"The bottom line is that the military is really trying to do what it can to help," Anderson said. "The support was a great match for us."
To read the complete article, go to this page on HappyNews.com.
Good luck today. Make it a great one!
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Wednesday, May 03, 2006
In Memory of Earl Woods
Earl Woods, Tiger Woods' father, passed away this morning at the age of 74. He had been battling cancer for quite some time. As an only child, I understand the bond between Tiger and his father.
Here is what Tiger had to say on his website about his dad today:
"I’m very saddened to share the news of my father’s passing at home early this morning. My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and I’m honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring."
I feel the same way about my father. Dad, thank you for everything you've done for me. You're my best friend, and I'm very proud to be your son.
Make it a great day!
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Here is what Tiger had to say on his website about his dad today:
"I’m very saddened to share the news of my father’s passing at home early this morning. My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and I’m honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring."
I feel the same way about my father. Dad, thank you for everything you've done for me. You're my best friend, and I'm very proud to be your son.
Make it a great day!
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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Thanks For Your Time
I received the following story via email from a co-worker today. I loved it and want to share it with you...
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said. "What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
To everyone reading this, "Thanks for your time!"
Click here to share this story with a friend!
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said. "What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most...was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
To everyone reading this, "Thanks for your time!"
Click here to share this story with a friend!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Work One Summer at Age 16, And Retire a Millionaire at 67
What? What is this headline about? I found a very interesting article on MSN.com. Did you know that if you worked only one summer when you were 16 years old, and only made $2,000 during the summer, and if you invested it in a Roth IRA and didn't touch the money until you were 67 years old, your initial $2,000 investment would be worth over $1.1 million dollars? How? Check out this article on MSN.com. It's fascinating stuff.
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