So here is time again to smell the roses… :-)
Have you taken out some moments recently to think about life…to feel the air around you…to see the smile on somebody’s face…to count the countless stars in the night…to welcome golden sunlight in the morning?
Sometimes I feel that life is too short to do all that we want or to be more specific to do what we should do. Anyways...no issues, whatever time is there we have to live…and to live with a smile on our face and content in our heart…because ‘Life is beautiful’ and if not we need to make it.
I have selected few gems worth your precious time from my treasure of life touching experiences. These gems are nothing but ‘Love’, ‘Gratitude’, ‘Optimism’, Patience’, ‘Perseverance’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Strength’ and ‘Trust’. Just in case you take out some time to smell the roses, I can assure, you will definitely cherish them.
Love
"What are those for?" she asked smiling at the bouquet of flowers. Such an unnecessary question from the woman who has carried me through the trials of life. This is the mother that worked all day and dealt with kids at night while I worked my way through graduate school. This is the wife that sat by my side and fought back her tears as I endured an agonizing year of chemotherapy. This is the woman that carefully budgeted our income to allow us to afford our new home. Today the sun shines, but clouds may come again. I don't know what the future will bring, but I do know that my love for her has grown and I never have to question her love for me.
And she wonders what the flowers are for.
Gratitude
"Thanks for stopping by," he said with a big, gap-toothed smile. I smiled back and continued on my way. How could that old flower-cart owner be so cheerful? All I ever did was stop and look at his flowers during my rush to work. I had been passing his cart for over a year now and still hadn't bought a single flower. Yet, every day I got that same cheerful smile and simple thank you.
The next day I decided I'd finally buy a bunch of carnations for my desk and see how the man treated me after a purchase. "Thanks for stopping by," was his sole response, along with that big gap-toothed smile. I couldn't resist any longer and asked him, "Why do you thank me for stopping every day when I never make a purchase?" He looked at me for a moment and said, “Everybody that stops and admires my flowers makes me glad of what I do. I try to bring some cheer into this busy world and when someone stops to look, I feel I've done a good job."
"Thanks for being here," was my smiling response as I hurried on to work.
Optimism
"C'mon, man. There's nothing up here but sky!"
I remember that long ago day on the trampoline. My brother always had such a great outlook on life. Nothing seemed to get him down. He rarely complained and everyone seemed to be his friend. As we grew older, he went on to start his own company. Even when facing serious setbacks, he always found a bright side to hold on to. Eventually his work paid off and his company was a success.
He has always been my hero. Following his enthusiasm for life, I have also worked my way in the business world. And whenever I feel down and discouraged, I look up and remember his voice gleefully shouting that summer day, "There's nothing up here but sky."
Patience
My fondest memory of my Dad occurred one summer day out in the middle of a mountain lake. "Don't jerk it. Just reel it in real slow," my father whispered. But it was so difficult. I hated to wait for anything. I usually took forever to decide what I really wanted, but once I decided, I wanted it right now. And right now I wanted to catch a fish.
My father seemed to sense my impatience. "The big ones didn't get that way by snapping the first thing to hit the water," he said quietly. "You'll soon find that anything big and worthwhile usually takes a lot of time."
Then, with a smile that I will never forget, he added, "After all, I've already spent twelve years on you."
Perseverance
One inch at a time. That is how I climb and that is how I live. Sure, the summit is my goal, but without each carefully calculated move, I could never make it to the top. Each small step and each giant reach presents a unique challenge. As I move up the cliff, I recognize characteristics of the rock and then adapt learned techniques to advance further toward the goal.
My father taught me perseverance by his example. I remember him going back to college when I was a little boy. He worked all day, attended classes in the evening and then came home to study. I don't know how he did it, but somehow the yard work got done and he kept the car maintained. I never have asked him how he managed, but he did. When I was just ten years old, my father received his degree. It took him many years, but he reached his goal and then moved on to other challenges.
As I reach the summit, I look back down and enjoy the moment. Then I gather my gear and start planning my next climb. One inch at a time.
Sacrifice
As I walked up the sidewalk toward the university, I noticed a lone bike rider struggling up the steep grade. Suddenly, the chain slipped and the rider lost momentum and began to roll backwards. She caught herself in time to avoid a spill and I watched her climb off and slump down next to the bike. As I got closer, I could tell that she was crying. "Tough break," I thought as I glanced at my watch and noticed that I only had five minutes until my first class. I quickly picked up my pace and started up that same hill.
As I walked, I remembered the time as a kid when I was trying to fix my first flat tire on my bike. Even though he was in a suit and leaving for work, my neighbor saw me and came over to help me fix the tire.
After a few more steps, I turned and walked back toward the woman who was now struggling to wipe away her tears. "Can I help?" I asked as I approached. "Know anything about stupid bikes?" she replied. I looked the situation over and was quickly able to return the chain to its proper position. "Looks like this was tangled in the sprocket," I said holding up the greasy remains of a weed. A slight smile cracked through her tear-streaked face. "Thanks for helping me," she said as her smile began to grow. "No problem," I replied as I turned and started back up the hill.
Even with grease on my hands, the uphill walk seemed easier with the joy of actually helping to make someone's day a little brighter. It was worth being a few minutes late.
Strength
Growing up is tough. Sometimes all that's needed is someone to lean on. For many years, it was mom.
My mother had her own problems, but when I needed her, she was always there. Her strength came from somewhere very deep. I knew she wouldn't break, even when I unloaded all my little-boy problems.
Her strength made me stronger and gave me courage to try things others thought were impossible.
A helping hand is always strong enough to lift both of yours.
Trust
"It's just over this ridge," she said as I held back a smile. For almost an hour she had been greeting me this way whenever I finally caught up with her. Somehow she always convinced me to go on one of these hikes with her every year. Let's just say I don't exactly have a natural talent for this sort of thing. "Almost here," she said as she held out her hand and gently pulled me to the ledge beside her. It had been like this all of our lives. She loved pushing herself and pulling others out of difficult situations. I always tried to be right there whenever she needed someone, but more often than not it was the other way around.
She was one of those people that was easy to predict because every single decision she made seemed to make perfect sense. I have always been able to ask her for advice and I never hesitate to use it. "We're always there for each other, and that's what makes us friends," she says. All that I have to do in return is pretend to enjoy myself once a year whenever we go hiking.
"Is it really over this ridge?" I ask as she races to the top. "Trust me ," she yells as I start to smile again.
Life is a journey with endless chances to become more than what we are and gain more than we currently have. We have to make the choice to believe in ourselves and take hold of our dreams.
With lots of happiness & smile,
Pragati Soni :-)
Have you taken out some moments recently to think about life…to feel the air around you…to see the smile on somebody’s face…to count the countless stars in the night…to welcome golden sunlight in the morning?
Sometimes I feel that life is too short to do all that we want or to be more specific to do what we should do. Anyways...no issues, whatever time is there we have to live…and to live with a smile on our face and content in our heart…because ‘Life is beautiful’ and if not we need to make it.
I have selected few gems worth your precious time from my treasure of life touching experiences. These gems are nothing but ‘Love’, ‘Gratitude’, ‘Optimism’, Patience’, ‘Perseverance’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Strength’ and ‘Trust’. Just in case you take out some time to smell the roses, I can assure, you will definitely cherish them.
Love
"What are those for?" she asked smiling at the bouquet of flowers. Such an unnecessary question from the woman who has carried me through the trials of life. This is the mother that worked all day and dealt with kids at night while I worked my way through graduate school. This is the wife that sat by my side and fought back her tears as I endured an agonizing year of chemotherapy. This is the woman that carefully budgeted our income to allow us to afford our new home. Today the sun shines, but clouds may come again. I don't know what the future will bring, but I do know that my love for her has grown and I never have to question her love for me.
And she wonders what the flowers are for.
Gratitude
"Thanks for stopping by," he said with a big, gap-toothed smile. I smiled back and continued on my way. How could that old flower-cart owner be so cheerful? All I ever did was stop and look at his flowers during my rush to work. I had been passing his cart for over a year now and still hadn't bought a single flower. Yet, every day I got that same cheerful smile and simple thank you.
The next day I decided I'd finally buy a bunch of carnations for my desk and see how the man treated me after a purchase. "Thanks for stopping by," was his sole response, along with that big gap-toothed smile. I couldn't resist any longer and asked him, "Why do you thank me for stopping every day when I never make a purchase?" He looked at me for a moment and said, “Everybody that stops and admires my flowers makes me glad of what I do. I try to bring some cheer into this busy world and when someone stops to look, I feel I've done a good job."
"Thanks for being here," was my smiling response as I hurried on to work.
Optimism
"C'mon, man. There's nothing up here but sky!"
I remember that long ago day on the trampoline. My brother always had such a great outlook on life. Nothing seemed to get him down. He rarely complained and everyone seemed to be his friend. As we grew older, he went on to start his own company. Even when facing serious setbacks, he always found a bright side to hold on to. Eventually his work paid off and his company was a success.
He has always been my hero. Following his enthusiasm for life, I have also worked my way in the business world. And whenever I feel down and discouraged, I look up and remember his voice gleefully shouting that summer day, "There's nothing up here but sky."
Patience
My fondest memory of my Dad occurred one summer day out in the middle of a mountain lake. "Don't jerk it. Just reel it in real slow," my father whispered. But it was so difficult. I hated to wait for anything. I usually took forever to decide what I really wanted, but once I decided, I wanted it right now. And right now I wanted to catch a fish.
My father seemed to sense my impatience. "The big ones didn't get that way by snapping the first thing to hit the water," he said quietly. "You'll soon find that anything big and worthwhile usually takes a lot of time."
Then, with a smile that I will never forget, he added, "After all, I've already spent twelve years on you."
Perseverance
One inch at a time. That is how I climb and that is how I live. Sure, the summit is my goal, but without each carefully calculated move, I could never make it to the top. Each small step and each giant reach presents a unique challenge. As I move up the cliff, I recognize characteristics of the rock and then adapt learned techniques to advance further toward the goal.
My father taught me perseverance by his example. I remember him going back to college when I was a little boy. He worked all day, attended classes in the evening and then came home to study. I don't know how he did it, but somehow the yard work got done and he kept the car maintained. I never have asked him how he managed, but he did. When I was just ten years old, my father received his degree. It took him many years, but he reached his goal and then moved on to other challenges.
As I reach the summit, I look back down and enjoy the moment. Then I gather my gear and start planning my next climb. One inch at a time.
Sacrifice
As I walked up the sidewalk toward the university, I noticed a lone bike rider struggling up the steep grade. Suddenly, the chain slipped and the rider lost momentum and began to roll backwards. She caught herself in time to avoid a spill and I watched her climb off and slump down next to the bike. As I got closer, I could tell that she was crying. "Tough break," I thought as I glanced at my watch and noticed that I only had five minutes until my first class. I quickly picked up my pace and started up that same hill.
As I walked, I remembered the time as a kid when I was trying to fix my first flat tire on my bike. Even though he was in a suit and leaving for work, my neighbor saw me and came over to help me fix the tire.
After a few more steps, I turned and walked back toward the woman who was now struggling to wipe away her tears. "Can I help?" I asked as I approached. "Know anything about stupid bikes?" she replied. I looked the situation over and was quickly able to return the chain to its proper position. "Looks like this was tangled in the sprocket," I said holding up the greasy remains of a weed. A slight smile cracked through her tear-streaked face. "Thanks for helping me," she said as her smile began to grow. "No problem," I replied as I turned and started back up the hill.
Even with grease on my hands, the uphill walk seemed easier with the joy of actually helping to make someone's day a little brighter. It was worth being a few minutes late.
Strength
Growing up is tough. Sometimes all that's needed is someone to lean on. For many years, it was mom.
My mother had her own problems, but when I needed her, she was always there. Her strength came from somewhere very deep. I knew she wouldn't break, even when I unloaded all my little-boy problems.
Her strength made me stronger and gave me courage to try things others thought were impossible.
A helping hand is always strong enough to lift both of yours.
Trust
"It's just over this ridge," she said as I held back a smile. For almost an hour she had been greeting me this way whenever I finally caught up with her. Somehow she always convinced me to go on one of these hikes with her every year. Let's just say I don't exactly have a natural talent for this sort of thing. "Almost here," she said as she held out her hand and gently pulled me to the ledge beside her. It had been like this all of our lives. She loved pushing herself and pulling others out of difficult situations. I always tried to be right there whenever she needed someone, but more often than not it was the other way around.
She was one of those people that was easy to predict because every single decision she made seemed to make perfect sense. I have always been able to ask her for advice and I never hesitate to use it. "We're always there for each other, and that's what makes us friends," she says. All that I have to do in return is pretend to enjoy myself once a year whenever we go hiking.
"Is it really over this ridge?" I ask as she races to the top. "Trust me ," she yells as I start to smile again.
Life is a journey with endless chances to become more than what we are and gain more than we currently have. We have to make the choice to believe in ourselves and take hold of our dreams.
With lots of happiness & smile,
Pragati Soni :-)
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