Does God Exist ?

This is one of the best explanations on the nature of God that I have ever seen...  A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'  'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.  Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?  If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.  I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.' 'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!'  'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'  'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'  'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.' 

Very motivating...think/do out of box!

If your company, a comb manufacturer, assigns you to sell combs to the monks in the temples ? Can you do it ?What is your answer ?a) No Way , Impossible !b) Crazy !c) I will give it a try in order to follow my boss'instruction.d) Well, I will try.e) Ya, I think I can sell ??? (5pcs ? 10pcs ? 50pcs ? or more...you name it)Pick an answer above and read below to find out if you are or are not going to be a successful person or not at all.The Story: SELLING COMB TO THE MONKThere is one company "manufacturing combs" which intends to expand its business and therefore,the management needsto employ a new Sales Manager.The company ADV ERTISED the vacancy in the newspaper. Many people turned up for the interview daily....adding up to almost a hundred intervieweesin just few days.The Company now faces the problem in choosingthe right candidate for this position. Sothe Company's HR managersets out a task to those who wantedto come for the final interview.The task: Selling CombsTo Monks In TemplesOnly 3 applicants are willing to stay on for this Final Interview challenge:- A, B and CThe HR manager instructed: "Now I want three of you to sell these wooden combs to the monks in the temples. You only have 10 days to do it and report to me."After 10 days, they reported.The HR manager asked A: "How many have you sold ?"A answered: "Only One."HR manager asked: "How did you manage to sell one ?A answered: "The monks in the temple scolded me when I showed them the comb but on my way downhill, I met a young monk who bought it to scratch his head due to dandruff."The HR manager then asked B: "How many did you sell ?B replied: "10 pieces. I went to a shrine and noticed that many devotees' hair were in a mess due to strong winds outside the shrine. The monk listened to my advice and bought 10 combs for their devotees as a mark of respect to Buddha."Then, the HR manager asked C: "What about you ?"C replied: "1,000 units."The HR manager and the other 2 interviewees were astounded.HR manager asked: "How did you do that ?"C replied: "I went to a famous temple. After observing for a few days, I discovered that there were many tourists. I then told the Chief Abbot there. "Sifu, those who come here are very devoted. If you could give them a gift, it will be more elating to them. I told him that I have a bulk of combs here and asked him to put his signature on the combs as a present to these visitors. He was very delighted and immediately ordered 1,000 pieces."MORAL OF THE STORY:HARVARD UNIVERSITY did a research:-1) 85% of success is due to attitude and 15% is capability2) Attitude is more important than intelligence, specials skills or luck..In other words, professional knowledge only constitutes for 15% success factor while 85% is due to self-cultivation, public relations and adaptability.Still remember the story of Selling Shoes to Africans ?When 2 Salesmen were sent to Africa , one of them reported: "Cannot do it. No one wears shoes over there !"The second salesman said: "It is good to market. A lot of opportunities."Success and Failure is dependent on how we face problems.Remember, when the economic is good, there are people going bankrupt.When business is bad, there are many new millionaires as well. So apply the 85% of the right working attitude fully.Something 2 Share:I believe this basic principle of 85% right working attitude is also applicable to Plantation Management.Many problems encountered by planters can be overcome because they are not as difficult as "selling comb to the monks". Logically, it's impossible for the monk to buy a comb to comb hair. Monks in temples are simply not your customers!With this story, we learn to "think out of the box" and even with 15% capability, we are confident to solve problems as long as we have the RIGHT WORKING ATTITUDE, COMMITMENT, DISCIPLINED, DEDICATED and DETERMINED.Every time when we watch MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, the ending is always POSSIBLE.DO NOT FIND EXCUSES NOT TO DO THE POSSIBLE BUT INSTEAD,FIND WAYS AND MEANS TO DO THE! POSSIBLE! .  That's the right working attitude

Interesting philosophy...Charles Schulz

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.

Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor andactress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.How did you do?

The point is , none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz.. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the mostcredentials..the most money...or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

Tak Mampu Kehilangan Cinta

http://www.iluvislam.com/keluarga/perkahwinan/951-tak-mampu-kehilangan-cinta.html

Ketika  kedua suami isteri itu baru berpindah ke bandar, hidup mereka penuh ceria, penuh dengan gurau mesra.

Ada masa makan bersama, ada masa solat berjemaah bersama.

Walaupun pendapatan masih kecil kerana perniagaan yang mereka usahakan belum menjadi, tetapi mereka mengharungi kehidupan dengan seadanya.

Sikap saling memahami dan bertimbang rasa jelas terpancar.

Di kejauhan malam atau pada awal pagi sudah kedengaran suara mereka berdua bergurau dan berbual  dengan mesranya.

Minggu demi minggu, bulan demi bulan dan akhirnya beberapa tahun mula berlalu. Perniagaan kecil-kecilan yang diusahakan dahulu semakin maju.

Untuk menguruskan perniagaan yang semakin berkembang, suami adakalanya pulang lewat petang. Manakala si isteri yang juga memulakan pernigaannya sendiri pun semakin sibuk.

Anak-anak pun semakin jarang bertemu dan berbual mesra dengan mereka berdua.

Namun, alhamdulillah keadaan ekonomi keluarga bertambah baik.

Mereka telah berpindah dari rumah yang sempit ke rumah yang lebih luas. Sekarang keluarga itu telah memiliki kereta yang besar.

Bukan sebuah, tetapi dua buah – sebuah untuk suami, sebuah lagi untuk isteri.

Entah kenapa, kemesraan yang dahulu semakin hilang.

Suami semakin leka dengan kawan-kawan seperniagaan dan pelanggannya. Manakala si isteri juga sibuk mempromosi produk jualannya.

Solat berjemaah, makan berjemaah yang dulunya menjadi tradisi semakin jarang dilakukan.

Apatah lagi untuk melihat suami memberi sedikit tazkirah untuk anak-anak dan kemudian keluarga itu saling bermaafan bersama seperti dahulu... hampir tidak pernah lagi.

Benarlah kata bijak pandai, apabila kita mendapat sesuatu, maka pada masa yang sama kita akan kehilangan sesuatu.

Kita tidak akan dapat kedua-duanya pada satu masa.

Justeru, pesan bijak pandai lagi, pastikan apa yang kita dapat lebih berharga daripada apa yang kita hilang.

Keluarga tadi mendapat apa yang mereka cari kemewahan dan keselesaan hidup, tetapi pada masa yang sama mereka sudah hilang kemesraan dan keharmonian dalam kehidupan berumah tangga.

Jika ditanyakan kepada hati nurani kita yang paling dalam, antara keduanya yang mana lebih berharga? Kemewahan hidup atau kerukunan rumahtanga? Tentu kita akan menjawab, kerukunan rumahtangga.

Bukankah kita mencari rezeki dan segala kemewahan hidup untuk  membina sebuah keluarga yang bahagia?

Jika si suami ditanya, untuk apa kamu bertungkus-lumus bekerja siang dan malam?

Tentu jawabnya, kerana isteri aku! Begitulah juga jika ditanyakan kepada si isteri, tentu jawabnya kerana suami.

Dan jika ditanya kepada kedua ibu-bapa itu, untuk apa mereka berusaha, nescaya kita akan dapat jawapannya... demi anak-anak.

Malangnya, mereka dan kita sering tertipu, betapa ramai yang melupakan isteri, meminggirkan suami dan mengabaikan anak-anak semasa mencari kemewahan dan keselesaan hidup?

Kita sering terlupa yang kemewahan hidup - harta, rumah, kereta dan sebagainya bukan matlamat tetapi hanya alat dalam kehidupan ini.

Kita memburu alat untuk mencapai matlamat.

Ertinya, harta dan segalanya itu adalah untuk membahagiakan rumahtangga kita. Begitulah sewajarnya.

Namun, apa yang sering berlaku adalah kita sering tertukar. Alat jadi matlamat, matlamat menjadi alat.

Kebahagian rumahtangga sering jadi pertaruhan dan acapkali tergadai dalam keghairahan kita memburu kemewahan hidup.

Kita berkerja demi anak-anak, anehnya anak-anak kita abaikan semasa bertungkus lumus bekerja. Kita tidak sedar. Kita terus memburu dan memburu.

Bangun dari tidur, berkemas dan terus bekerja. Hampir senja baru pulang. Tidak cukup dengan itu ada lagi kerja yang kita bawa pulang ke rumah.

Tidak cukup lagi, kita keluar pula bertemu pelanggan dalam kerja-kerja 'part time'.

Begitulah kita hari demi hari, minggu demi minggu, bulan demi bulan dan akhir bertahun-tahun.

Tiba-tiba kita tersentak, mengapa kita sudah jarang menikmati senyum dan gurauan isteri?

Mengapa kita sudah jarang mendapat sentuhan dan belaian suami?

Mengapa ketawa dan gurau senda sudah semakin hilang dalam rumah tangga?

Pada ketika itu, hati yang degil masih mampu memberi alasan. Aku sibuk. Aku sedang mengejar kejayaan dalam profesionalisme.

Sedikit masa lagi, perniagaan ku semakin menjadi.

Nantilah, bila segalanya sudah stabil aku akan kembali serius membina keharmonian keluarga. Nantilah, aku akan ini, aku akan ini...

Begitulah selalunya diri kita memberi alasan. Hati memberi justifikasi yang bukan-bukan.

Dan kita terus selesa dengan alasan, biarlah suami, isteri atau anak-anak berkorban sementara, nantilah kita akan bahagia!

Jangan keliru. Bahagia itu bukan hanya di hujung jalan tetapi bahagia itu ada di sepanjang jalan.

Temuilah bahagia ketika kita mencarinya.  Carilah bahagia yang di sepanjang jalan itu dengan menggenggam rasa cinta sentiasa dan selamanya.

Carilah harta, tetapi genggamlah cinta. Carilah kemewahan hidup tetapi peluklah cinta itu sekuat-kuatnya. Jangan diabaikan cinta itu walau sekelip pun. Maknanya, tunaikanlah hukum-hukum cinta dalam apa jua pun keadaan.

Hukum-Hukum Cinta

Antara hukum cinta yang paling diutamakan adalah: Cinta itu memberi, cinta itu mendengar, cinta itu berkorban, cinta itu tanggungjawab, cinta itu mendoakan dan cinta itu memaafkan.

Contohnya, jangan kesibukan menyebabkan kita jarang lagi memberi masa, perhatian, senyuman, nasihat dan doa kepada pasangan kita.

Jangan hanya mengucapkan kalimah-kalimah cinta yang bersifat 'kosmetik' semata-mata. Tetapi luahkan dalam bentuk perbuatan dan tindakan yang dapat dilihat dan dirasakan.

Dan paling penting, jangan sekali-kali diabaikan cinta suci yang menghubungkan cinta antara suami dan isteri.

Cinta itu adalah cinta Allah! Jagalah cinta kita kepada Allah, insya-Allah, Allah akan terus menyuburkan cinta kita suami isteri.

Allah akan berikan hidayah dan taufik ke dalam hati kita untuk terus berpegang pada matlamat.

Kita akan sentiasa beringat bahawa dunia dan segala isinya ini hanya alat untuk memburu cinta Allah. Dan hanya dengan memburu cinta Allah maka cinta kita sesama suami isteri akan dikekalkan-Nya.

Dunia ini umpama lautan, ramai orang yang memburunya ditenggelamkan.

Dunia ini menipu daya, ramai pula manusia yang ditipunya. Betapa ramai orang yang memburu dunia dengan menggadaikan sesuatu yang menjadi miliknya yang sangat berharga.

Iman, kasih saying, cinta sering dilemparkan orang dilitar perlumbaan memburu dunia.

Dunia tidak salah, selagi kita memburunya dengan niat untuk beribadah. Kita jadikan dia alat untuk memburu kebahagiaan akhirat.

Jadilah dunia umpama kebun yang kita pagar, kita bersihkan dan kita tanam dengan pohon-pohon kebaikan yang hasilnya kita tuai di akhirat.

Jadilah dunia umpama jambatan yang kita lalui.

Pastikan ia teguh, kukuh tetapi kita tidak akan berlama-lama di situ... ia hanya jambatan. Tidak ada orang yang membina rumah di atas jambatan. Rumah kita yang hakiki ialah di syurga.

Jika ada rasa-rasa itu di dalam jiwa ketika kita memburu karier, kejayaan dalam perniagaan dan apa jua aktiviti keduaniaan, insya-Allah cinta dan kasih sayang tidak akan diabaikan.

Orang yang ada di dalam hatinya cinta Allah, sentiasa ada ruang yang lapang untuk mencintai sesama manusia lebih-lebih lagi suami, isteri dan anak-anaknya.

Dengan cinta itu kita akan menyelamatkan semua keluarga kita daripada neraka akhirat.

Dan neraka di akhirat itu hanya akan dapat kita hindari jika kita berjaya menyelamatkan diri dan keluarga kita daripada neraka dunia.

Apakah neraka dunia itu? Nereka dunia itu ialah hilangnya kasih sayang di tengah-tengah rumah yang besar.

Pudarnya cahaya wajah dan ketenangan hati di tengah sinar lampu yang beribu-ribu ringgit harganya di tengah ruang tamu rumah yang besar itu.

Dan hambarnya perbualan di dalam kereta mewah yang sering bertukar ganti.

Yang ketawa ria ialah pelakon-pelakon di dalam filem yang kita tonton, tetapi hati kita semakin kosong, gersang dan sayu entah apa puncanya!

Lihatlah Rasulullah SAW. Betapa sibuknya baginda... tetapi masih ada masa berlumba lari bersama Aisyah isterinya.

Betapa besar perjuangannya... tetapi masih mampu meluangkan masa bersama isteri yang hendak melihat tarian dan permainan pedang di suatu Hari Raya.

Ketika baginda kaya, dikorbankannya harta... kerana baginda tidak kehilangan cinta.

Ketika baginda miskin... dihadapinya dengan sabar kerana di dalam hatinya tetap ada cinta. Baginda tidak pernah kehilangan cinta kerana di dalam hatinya ada cinta yang lebih besar... cinta Allah!

Ayuh Intai-Intai Semula

Justeru, intai-intailah semula cinta di dalam rumah tangga kita. Masih bersinar atau sudah pudar? Jika sudah pudar, ayuh muhasabah kembali di mana puncanya? Apakah yang kita garap hingga kita sanggup menggadaikannya?

Ayuh, lihat kembali 'di mana Allah' dalam rumah tangga kita? Di mana solat jemaah, di mana zikir, di mana tazkirah, di mana sadakah, di mana bacaan Al Quran...

Di manakah semua 'ayat-ayat cinta' itu dalam rumah yang mungkin sudah semakin luas, kereta yang semakin mahal, makanan yang semakin lazat, tabungan kewangan yang semakin banyak?

Dan pandang wajah isteri, renung wajah suami... tatap lama-lama.

Bila kita terakhir kita bertentangan mata dalam keadaan yang paling tenang, harmoni dan syahdu? Sekali lagi bila?

Bukankah mata itu jendela bagi hati. Pertautan mata petanda pertautan hati?

Atau kita hanya melihat sekadar imbasan, tolehan dan pandangan, tanpa ada rasa cinta, kasih, mesra, kasihan, simpati, empati dan lain-lain perisa hati?

Apakah kita secara tidak sedar telah bertukar menjadi 'haiwan berteknologi' dalam belantara dunia meterialisma yang semakin ketandusan cinta?

Lalu, di kejauhan destinasi ketika sibuk menguruskan kerja atau perniagaan, sudi apalah kiranya suami atau isteri menghulurkan gugusan doa-doa yang paling kudus untuk pasangannya?

Atau ketika dia pulang nanti, kita sapa tangannya dan bersalam penuh mesra lantas  berdakapan dengan hati yang terus berkata-kata, "inilah teman ku di dunia untuk menuju syurga!" Inilah yang semakin hilang dalam rumah tangga kini.

Kita memburu tanpa sedar bahawa kitalah yang sebenarnya diburu.

Diburu oleh kesibukan yang tiada penghujung, keresahan yang tiada penawar. Kekosongan yang tidak dapat  di isi. Kerana hati tanpa cinta... adalah hati yang mati!

Carilah cinta kita yang hilang. Insya-Allah kita akan temuinya semula cinta itu di tempat, suasana dan masa ketika kita mula-mula menemuinya dahulu.

Bukankah kita bertemu kerana Allah? Bukankah yang menyatukan kita kalimah-Nya?

Bukankah tempat termaktubnya lafaz akad dan nikah di rumah Allah? Kembalilah ke sana.

Carilah kekuatan itu semula. Tidak ada manusia yang terlalu gagah untuk hidup tanpa-Nya. Dan tidak ada hati yang paling waja hingga mampu bertahan terhadap tipuan dunia tanpa cinta.

Renunglah mata isteri atau suami mu, carilah cinta itu di situ. Masih ada? Atau telah tiada?

Dan kemudian genggam erat tangannya. Mari kita cari semula cinta yang hilang itu bersama-sama!

Sayang... di kejauhan ini

Ku sentuh hatimu dengan rasaku

Debarnya debar cinta

Denyutnya denyut setia

Ku usap air matamu yang jernih

Dengannya ku sulamrasa kasih

Kutatap matamu yang duka

Di situ kutemui makna rela

Sayang.. dikejauhan ini

Ku sapa salam setiamu

Ku sambut  senyum mesramu

Onak, duri dan jeriji besi ini

Tak kan menghalang bicara

... rasa kita berdua

Sayang, sayang, sayang,

Semakin terpisah...

cinta kita  semakin indah

Semakin jauh...

kasih kita semakin kukuh

Kita boleh hilang segalanya

Namun kita tidak mampu kehilangan cinta!

Dikejauhan IniBiodata PenulisUstaz Pahrol Mohd Juoi merupakan seorang penulis buku, artikel, lirik nasyid dan juga skrip. Salah satu buku karangan beliau adalah 'Tentang Cinta.' Penulis kelahiran Ipoh, Perak ini merupakan seorang master trainer untuk syarikat Fitrah Perkasa Sdn. Bhd. dan juga ketua editor majalah Solusi.

Earth Hour 2011 - 'Going Beyond the Hour'

A Blueprint for a Sustainable Future - 33 Ways to Save Money and Save the World

Consume a Little Bit Less

Simply scrape the top off everything :
- Use four less sheets of toilet paper (only if you can spare it of course)
- Use a few less grains of sugar in your coffee and tea
- Put a little less butter on sandwiches, on toast, potatoes and corn
- Put a little less salt on your foods
- Use one spray less of your perfume
- Use a little less shampoo, conditioner or toothpaste
- Have 2 less cigarettes each day if you smoke
- Have one less biscuit / nasi lemak, or cup of coffee (instead of two take
only once a day - this may also improve your health)
- Have a smaller piece of cake / desserts.
- Use a little less milk in your coffee or tea
- Eat little less of junk food / fast food (instead of weekly, change to monthly)
- Have a little less cream/coconut milk in your food / curry
- Use one teaspoon less oil in your stir fry
- Use less oil in all your cooking (why not grill or bake it?)
- Spray a little less fly spray or a little less air freshener
- Use a little less oven cleaner and washing detergents
- Don't supersize all the time (buy only what you need, NOT what you want)
- Reduce petrol consumption (Use more public transport / free shuttle bus / Car-pool)

This habit can be applied to everything you do - actions at home, at work, eating out and at the drive through. Be conscious of it and pretty soon it'll be automatic. Added together over time, these tiny amounts add up - these are calculable savings not just in money spent, but in manufacturing resources, packaging and calories on the hips.

Just scrape the top of everything - you can do without it and you probably won't even notice. The things you buy will last a little. longer simply because you're using them a little less. If you apply this technique to every activity that you can - in a relaxed fashion to begin with - you'll be able to save at least MYR 959.180 each year.

Five Lessons About How To Treat People -- Author Unknown

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.