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The
heart of compassion lives within the ancient Chinese goddess, Kuan Yin.
She lights the path to true compassion. The ability to care deeply for
another's wounded heart, is a path that can only be walked by first
knowing your own pain.
In ancient China, the goddess Quan Yin was worshipped mostly by
fishermen and women seeking prayer remedies for fertility problems.
There are many tales of magical healings from her and miraculous
appearances by her during times of crises. When Buddhism arrived in
China, she was co-opted and became the Bodhisattva (enlightened being)
of Compassion.
The latest tale being this: Miraculous Flowers Sprout On Gold Statue In South Korea January 10, 2001
"Flowers that bloom only once every 3,000 years are budding on the head
of a sacred Buddhist statue." Buddhist priests in South Korea "say the
legendary flowers blossoming on the forehead of Kuan Yin the
Compassionate" only appear "when the 'Sage King of the Future' comes
into the world, "which one Buddhist leader called, "a delight that gives
joy beyond description."
"The Miracle of the Flowers, as it's now being called, happened in the
Chonggyesa Temple," in a suburb of Seoul, the capital of SouthKorea.
"Tens of thousands of pilgrims are flocking to see the white blossoms on
the tip of the eyebrow of the shining, gilded statue of Kuan Yin."
"'Kuan Yin is a gentle Buddhist deity who refused to enter paradise
[Nirvana-J.T.) because she heard the cries of suffering humanity,' says
religious expert Dr. Kenneth Ireland 'She is acknowledged to save the
soul of everyone on Earth, turning her back on none.'" "'Many are now
saying that the monastery of Chonggye-sa could become the Buddhist
Lourdes because many cures are being performed there.'" "According to
the monks, 21 thread like stems are growing from the statue of Kuan Yin,
each with a tiny white flower 'no bigger than the tip of a ball-point
pen.'" "This is the first time in the 1,000 year history of the
monastery that the flowers have blossomed." "'Buddhists say sighting the
flowers is like witnessing the birth of Buddha,'" he added. "Experts say
it's unthinkable that the 500-year-old statue of Kuan Yin, gilded every
three years over the [original) woodwork, could produce growing Flowers
without divine intervention."
"'Botanically, the flower is related to the fiscus,' says botanist
William Grant, 'There is just no way it could take root in the statue.'"
"Dr. Ireland says the flowers are regarded as divine in India, Japan and
China and are believed to bloom only when a momentous event is about to
happen." "Buddhist monks are currently keeping a prayer vigil at the
statue, waiting for the event that will change mankind's future
forever."
Quan Yin Website
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The
paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but
shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less
time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less
judgment; more experts, but less solutions; more medicine, but less
wellness.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a
living, but not a life. We've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing
the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but
not inner space. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've
split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We have higher incomes, but lower morals. We've become long on quantity,
but short on quality. These are the times of tall men, and short
character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic
warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less
nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier
houses, but broken homes. It is a time when there is much in the show
window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you
can choose either to forward this message and make a difference...
or just hit delete. |
The more you give, the more you get.
The more you do unselfishly,
The more you live abundantly.
The more of everything you share,
The more you laugh, the less you fret.
The more you'll always have to spare.
The more you love, the more you'll find
That life is good and friends are kind.
For only what we give away,
Enriches us from day to day.
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Many
people will walk in and out of your life,
But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;
If he betrays you twice, it is your fault
Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
He who loses money, loses much;
He, who loses a friend, loses much more;
He, who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
Friends, you and me.... You brought another friend....
And then there were three. |
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"When
you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is
in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have
expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a
difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you
physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend,
and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then,
without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this
person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or
out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need
has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn
has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of
peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never
done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it!
It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must
build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to
accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you
have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant." Author
Unknown |
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The
Rose
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged
us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look
around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a
wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her
entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm 87 years old.
Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of
course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.
"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She
jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a
couple of children, and then retire and travel."
"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be
taking on this challenge at her age.
"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting
one!" she told me. After class we walked to the student union building
and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instance friends. Every day
for the next three months we would leave class together and talk
nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she
shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily
made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in
the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living
it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our
football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was
introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her
prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and
simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this
whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me
just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat and
began:
"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop
playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and
achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've
got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many
people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a
huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are
nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one
productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven
years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn
eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The
idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change. Have no
regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but
rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are
those with regrets."
She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She
challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our
daily lives. At years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun
all those years ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two
thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the
wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all
you can possibly be.
If you read this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your
friends and family, they'll really enjoy it! We send these words in
loving memory of ROSE. Remember, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY, GROWING UP
IS OPTIONAL. |
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1. No
one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be.
3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will
have.
5. Success stops when you do.
6. When your ship comes in.... make sure you are willing to unload it.
7. You will never "have it all together".
8. Life is a journey...not a destination. Enjoy the trip !
9. The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want I will be
happy".
10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
11. I've learned that ultimately , 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.
13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.
14. We often fear the thing we want the most.
15. He or she who laughs......lasts.
16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.
17. Look for opportunities...not guarantees.
18. Life is what's coming....not what was.
19. Success is getting up one more time.
20. Now is the most interesting time of all.
21. When things go wrong.....don't go with them. |
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If a
dog were your teacher; You would learn things like...
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience
of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when
they’ve invaded your territory. Avoid biting when a simple growl will
do.
Take naps and stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive
on attention and let people touch you.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink
lots of water and lay under a shady tree. When you’re happy, dance
around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing &
pout, run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. And MOST of all...
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently. |
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This
was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.
Dear,
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring
the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more
time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible,
life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm
trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every
special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the
first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory
is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of
groceries.
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for
clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. "Someday" and "one
of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth
seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had theyknown they wouldn't be
here
for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would
havecalled family members and a few close friends. They might have
called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past
squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner
or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew
my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters
that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I
didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love
them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything
that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when
I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute,
every breath truly is a gift from God.
If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're too
busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this,
would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that would
make a difference in your relationships?
I can tell you it certainly won't be the last. Take a few minutes to
send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that
you're thinking of them. "People say true friends must always hold
hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the
other hand will always be there." I don't believe in miracles. I rely on
them! |
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