Moral Stories

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Celestial Light
2007-09-15 06:05:00
Breathing is not simply this process through which living beings absorb and expel air. Breathing also allows us to inhale and exhale light. Practice this exercise: inhale as you focus your mind on attracting light and then exhale concentrating on projecting this light onto your organs and your cells. Inhale again, in the same way, and exhale. Very soon you will begin to sense the beneficial effect of this exercise; you will feel relaxed, at peace.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.And once you have attracted light towards you, once you have inhaled it, you can imagine you are exhaling it to bestow it upon the entire world. This second exercise should of course only be undertaken when you have practiced the first many times and have replaced many of your dull and sickly particles with particles of light. You must first feel that this work of transformation and purification is beginning to bear fruit before you can begin to give to others this ...
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Joy Is My Compass
2007-09-14 06:02:00
"Pick out a treat," I offered 4-year-old Kate at the candy display. Quickly she grabbed a packet of M&M's with one hand and a Milky Way with the other. "You can have only one," I told her. "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe," she counted, finally landing on the M&M's. "Okay, we get the M&M's," I confirmed.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Immediately, Kate threw the M&M's back in the bin and clutched the Milky Way bar. "I want this one." Within our hearts, each of us knows what we really want. While our mind and emotions may go through all manner of drama and machinations, when we are confronted with the reality of choice, our heart will speak. Sometimes it is only when we receive what we do not want that we recognize what we do want.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. When confronted with a difficult decision, flip a coin and imagine that you will be committed to the alternative the spin ...
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Conversation With God
2007-09-14 05:59:00
If you choose evolution?the evolution of your soul?you won?t produce that by the worldly activities of your body. Doing is a function of the body. Being is a function of the soul. The body is always doing something. Every minute of every day it?s up to something. It never stops, it never rests, it?s constantly doing something. It?s either doing what it?s dong at the behest of the soul?or in spite of the soul. The quality of your life hangs in the balance.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. The soul is forever being. It is being what it is being, regardless of what the body is dong, not because of what it?s doing. If your think your life is about doingness, you do not understand what you are about.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Your soul doesn?t care what you do for a living?and when your life is over, neither will you. Your soul cares only about what you?re being while you?re d...
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Awakening
2007-09-14 05:57:00
In our culture, male energy is more respected and understood than is female energy. Therefore, doing is more highly valued and cultivated than being. In fact, being is not seen as legitimate or important way to spend time. If we are not actively doing or accomplishing something, we feel we are ?wasting time.? Because of this cultural bias, most of us push ourselves to do more than our natural energy would allow. We constantly deplete and exhaust ourselves, using caffeine and other stimulants to keep ourselves going. Even men and women who are good at being and spend more of their time that way often do not respect themselves or receive respect from others for their ability to be. We need to value being.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.It is time to cultivate and appreciate the art of being. Being is a deeply fulfilling and satisfying experience that allows us to commune with our deeper spiritual selves, with nature, and with each other. Tim...
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Some Signs and Symptoms of Inner Peace
2007-09-13 07:00:00
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment A loss of interest in judging other people A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others A loss of interest in judging self A loss of interest in conflict A loss of ability to worry (A very serious symptom!) Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature Frequent attacks of smiling An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than to make them happen An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it Warning! If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed at your own risk!Moral stories can improve your moral values.
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Flame of Love
2007-09-13 06:56:00
"'I can master it,? said the Ax. His blows fell heavy on the hard, strong steel. But each blow only made his edge more blunt until he ceased to strike.?Leave it to me,? said the Saw. With his relentless teeth, he worked back & forth. But to his dismay, all of his teeth were worn out or broken off."Ha!? said the Hammer. ?I knew you could not do this. Let me show you how.?But with the very first blow, his head flew off, and the steel was unchanged.?Shall I try?? asked the Flame . And it curled itself gently around the strong, hard steel, and embraced it, and would not let it go. And the tough steel melted.There are hearts that are hard enough to resist:The forces of wrath, the fury of pride.But hard is the heart that can resist the warm flame of Love .Moral stories can improve your moral values.
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You Are.........!
2007-09-13 06:55:00
You are strong when you take your grief and teach it to smile. You are brave when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same. You are happy when you see a flower and give it your blessing. You are loving when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others. You are wise when you know the limits of your wisdom. You are true when you admit there are times you fool yourself. You are alive when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake. You are growing when you know what you are but not what you will become. You are free when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others. You are honorable when you find your honor is to honor others. You are generous when you can take as sweetly as you can give. You are humble when you do not know how humble you are. You are thoughtful when you see me just as I am and tre...

Two Eyes; Two Hands
2007-09-12 06:33:00
This week we're taking time to remember that America has been throughone of her history's difficult times. This past year was not the firsttime this county faced hardship, of course. Nor are we the onlycountry to have known suffering. Some nations have endured muchmore...for much longer...even than we.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.None of us on this planet have been immune to adversity. All of ushave known almost unbearable pain and difficulties. Heart-breakingtimes.A wise obstetrician at a university teaching hospital once made acomment about suffering. Someone asked the doctor what advice heoffered to his students, future doctors and nurses, when caring formothers who gave birth to stillborn infants.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.The doctor paused for a moment in thought. Then he said this: "I tellthem that they need two eyes. One eye is not enough; they need twoeyes. With one eye they hav...
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When The Whole World Stinks
2007-09-12 06:31:00
Do you remember the story of the sailor who over-imbibed and fell asleep at his table? His buddies smeared a bit of strong smelling cheese dip on his mustache, which caused him to wake up and look around. He sniffed and then walked outside, sniffed again and came back in, walked out and back in one more time and finally sat back down in his seat. "It's no use," he said to his friend, "the whole world stinks!" Ever felt that way? We have all experienced bad days and horrible situations. We've felt trapped, helpless and, at times, hopeless. We may have even believed that the whole world stinks.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. But I like the tremendous way one woman has learned to approach living. She grew up in extreme poverty, but was privileged to be in a Sunday School class taught by a young woman named Alice Freeman Palmer, who was later to become president of Wellesley College. One Sunday, the teacher asked the children to find so...
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Attitude
2007-09-12 06:30:00
The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity."I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy."Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room ...just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide o...
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Do You Act Or React to Things Outside of You?
2007-09-11 06:14:00
I walked with my friend, a Quaker, to the news stand the other night, and hebought a paper, thanking the newsie politely. The newsie didn't evenacknowledge it.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity."A sullen fellow, isn't he?" I asked."Oh, he's that way every night", shrugged my friend."Then why do you continue to be so polite to him?" I asked."Why not?" inquired my friend. "Why should I let him decide how I'm going to act?"As I thought about this incident later, it occurred to me that the important word was "act". My friend acts towards people; most of us react toward them.He has a sense of inner balance which is lacking in most of us -- he knows who he is, what he stands for, how he should behave. He refuses to return incivility, because then he would no longer be in command of his own conduct.When we are enjoined in the Bible to return good for evil, we look upon this as a moral injunction -- which it is. But it is also a psychological pre...
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Your Sight May Be Perfect But...Hows your vision?
2007-09-11 05:59:00
Helen Keller said, "The greatest tragedy in life is people who have sight butno vision." How's your vision?A Hollywood producer scrawled a curt rejection note on a manuscript thatbecame "Gone With The Wind." He had no vision for what that book could become.Henry Ford's largest original investor sold all his stock in 1906. What couldhave happened had he shared Ford's vision for his company?Roebuck sold out to Sears for $25,000 in 1895. Today, Sears may sell $25,000worth of goods in sixteen seconds.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.How's your vision? Do you see what needs to be seen?Orville and Wilbur Wright felt excited. On December 17, 1903, they hadfinally succeeded in keeping their homemade airplane in the air for 59seconds. Immediately, they rushed a telegram to their sister in Dayton, Ohio,telling of this great accomplishment. The telegram read, "First sustainedflight today fifty-nine seconds. Hope to be home by Christmas."Upon recei...
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Freckles
2007-09-11 05:57:00
An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled withbright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting inline to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating themwith tiger paws.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity."You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the linesaid to the little fella.Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head.His grandmother knelt down next to him. "I love your freckles. When I was alittle girl I always wanted freckles," she said, while tracing her fingeracross the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful."The boy looked up, "Really?""Of course," said the grandmother. "Why just name me one thing that'sprettier than freckles."The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's faceand softly whispered, "Wrinkles."Moral stories can improve your moral values--Author Unknown

A Blessing
2007-09-10 05:40:00
Watch and listen carefully.The man whispered, "God, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang. But, the man did not hear.So the man yelled, "God, speak to me," and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.The man looked around and said, "God let me see you," and a star shined brightly. But the man did not notice.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle," and a life was born. But, the man did not know. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.Moral stories can improve your moral values.--Jennifer Dennison
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Where Change Begins
2007-09-10 05:40:00
An old mystic said this about himself: "I was a revolutionary when I was young, and my prayer to God was, 'Lord, give me the strength to change the world.' As I approached middle age and realized that my life was halfway gone without changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to, 'Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come into contact with me, especially my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied.' Now that I am an old man, and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. Now my one prayer is this, 'Lord, give me the grace to change myself.' If I had prayed that right from the start, I would not have wasted my life."Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.We can waste years trying to change other people. But we can only really change one person -- ourselves. In the end, that is probably enough.Moral stories can improve your moral values.--Steve Goodier
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The Dafffodil Principle
2007-09-10 05:37:00
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother.""Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her."I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car.""How far will we have to drive?""J...
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The Dance
2007-09-10 05:32:00
What carries you to the other side of that wall,to the fragile beauty of your own humanness?And after we have shown each other how we have set and kept the clear,healthy boundaries that help us live side by side with each other,let us risk remembering that we never stop silently loving thosewe once loved out loud.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance, the places where you can risk letting the world break your heart, and I will take you to the places where the earth beneath my feet and the stars overhead make my heart whole again & again.Show me how you take care of business without letting business determine who you are.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.When the children are fed but still the voices within and around us shout that soul's desires have too high a price, let us remind each other that it is never about the money.Show me how you ...
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Let Yourself Grow A Little
2007-09-06 06:04:00
Did you know that the gestation period for an elephant is 22 months? And then, she will give birth to a bundle of joy that weighs 150-250 pounds? The fact that we're not elephants reminds me that we always have something to be thankful for!Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.Grow th takes time. That is true of humans as well as elephants. I attended a parent-teacher conference for my second-grade son. We sat in the children's chairs. They were about two feet tall and certainly not made for adults! Those chairs were designed for little people. But we grow up. And that growth takes time.We not only grow physically, but we grow in other ways, too. We grow in our roles. I occasionally asked my adolescent kids, "How do you think you're doing raising your parents?" I understood I would become a better parent as I grew into that role.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.Sometimes growth in parenting involves t...
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One Light
2007-09-05 06:06:00
Imagine an artist painting a winter scene. She depicts a white, frozen ground and evergreens draped in snow. Her hand brings the day to a close as she paints night falling on the canvas. In the deep shadows of dusk, she has painted a grim, log cabin, barely visible to the casual observer.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Then she dips her brush in yellow paint and, with a few quick strokes, places a brightly burning lamp in one of the cabin's windows. Warm rays dance on white snow, now made brighter by the light. The lonely lamp wholly changes the tone of the picture, replacing feelings of dark and gloom with warmth and security. Edith Wharton has said that there are two ways of spreading the light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Sometimes we are candles. We shed light of love and hope. We shine encouragement into dark souls. Or we illuminate with insight. But sometimes we reflect the light. We are mirrors to enable ot...
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Giving Thanks
2007-09-05 06:05:00
A national day of Thanksgiving for God's blessings in our lives is a beautiful tradition. Individual and national expressions of gratitude strengthen our connectedness with the Divine. Each time we offer our heart's appreciation to the Heavenly Provider and renew our realization of His boundless grace, we cannot but wonder at the abundance - spiritual and material - that flows from Him unto ourselves, our families, our country, our world.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Paramahansaji often said that though God is so great - the Infinite Sustainer of the universe - He is exceedingly humble, hiding Himself behind the countless manifestations of nature and human existence. But those who look for Him with devotion begin to perceive His presence working throughout creation and dwelling in the soul of every being. The more we yearn to know Him, the more we will become aware of His expressions of love: perhaps through an unsought encour...
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Reason To Smile
2007-09-04 05:41:00
Comedian George Burns said that he was advised: "Let a smile be your umbrella." He said, "I tried that once. I had pneumonia for six weeks and shrunk a $450 suit."All right. Maybe it won't keep you dry in the rain, but there are other good reasons to smile. Author Brian Tracy tells us that the face requires 12 muscles to smile and 103 to frown. (Who counts these things?) He also says that whenever you smile at another person, it puts them at ease and raises their self-esteem. And if that isn't enough, when you smile it releases endorphins in your brain and gives you a feeling of well-being and contentment.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.So a smile benefits the giver as well as the receiver. It's like receiving a gift in return every time we give one away!Rabbi Hirsch gives more reasons to smile:Smiling is a universal language. + People will enjoy being around you when you smile. + Smiling reduces stress, which may improve your ove...
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The Black Belt
2007-09-04 05:26:00
One of the best parables I've ever heard tells about a martial artist who kneels before a master sensei in a ceremony to receive the hard-earned Black Belt . After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline."Before granting you the belt, you must pass one more test," the sensei solemnly tells the young man."I'm ready," responds the student, expecting perhaps one more round of sparring."You must answer the essential question, 'What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?'""Why, the end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved reward for all of my hard work."Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.The master waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. The sensei finally speaks: "You are not ready for the Black Belt. Return in one year."As the student kneels before his master a year later, he is again asked the question, "What is the true meaning of the Black Belt?""A symbol...
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Beyond The Humps
2007-08-31 06:17:00
A police officer told an all-too-common story. While on patrol, she was pleased one day to see a car sporting a bumper sticker that read, "Hang up and drive." She had witnessed too many accidents caused by motorists talking on cell phones.Wanting to signal her approval to the driver, she pulled up alongside the car. When she glanced over, however, she was dismayed to see a man peering into his rear-view mirror -- while shaving! His crusade against using the phone while driving had apparently not extended to driving and shaving.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.An African proverb states, "The camel never sees its own hump, but that of its brother is always before its eyes." And with humans, when those irritating faults of others are constantly before our eyes, we can likewise let them obscure our vision. We soon lose sight of the good and decent qualities of another, the true essence of who they are, and all we see is the "hump."So what will ...

Love and Gratitude
2007-08-31 06:15:00
As I look back over my life, I recognize that everything that has ever happened to me has contributed to the person I am now. While I have gone through different professions, living situations, travels, and relationships, I see that each of them bestowed me with a gift. Even the painful or difficult times taught me lessons that make me a better person now. All of it has been a blessing. It is important that we hold our past in a sense of reverence, along with the people we have known. If we resent our former spouse, employer, or friends, we are tied t the pain and unable to move forward. The hardship of the past will stay with us until we find a way to make it a gift; then it will empower us to move ahead.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Make a list of significant past events and relationships, and next to each entry note the gifts you received from that person or experience. If you are willing to find the good, you will. As...
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How To Improve Your Vision?
2007-08-31 06:14:00
The English word "thanks" comes from the same root word as "think." But they not only share a similar background, they are related in another way. It seems the more we think, the more we thank. One woman illustrated the how thinking and thanking are related in a visit to the eye doctor.Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.She complained to her ophthalmologist that, as she grew older, her eyesight was getting worse. He examined her eyes and could not be encouraging about the future of her eyesight. But to his surprise, she did not seem to be upset. She told him all she was grateful for: her deceased husband; her children and their families; her friends; the many years she has enjoyed upon this earth; her vast library of memories. She had done a great deal of thinking about these things."My eyesight is getting worse," she summarized, "but I'm not going to fret over that."Her doctor later made this observation: "Her eyesight is poor, but her visi...
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Needless Worry
2007-08-30 13:31:00
A story worth dusting off is about a man who bragged: "I only worry about two things -- whether I am sick or well. If I'm well, I have nothing to worry about! And if I'm sick, I've only got two things to worry about -- whether I get better or whether I die. If I get better, I have nothing to worry about! And if I die, I've only got two things to worry about -- whether I go to heaven or hell. If I go to heaven, I have nothing to worry about. And if I go to hell, I'll be so busy greeting my friends I won't have time to worry! So why worry?"Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.Regardless of how you feel about his view of life after life, he makes a good point about worry! There is really no room for needless concern about the future. I like what Ralph Waldo Emerson said about worry: Some of your hurts you have cured, And the sharpest you still have survived, But what torments of grief you endured From evil that never arrived!Almo...
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What is Intuition?
2007-08-30 05:33:00
Intuition is an incredible resource and gift that we have been given to help us live our best life. Unfortunately, not many people know what it is or how to use it. The word intuition means "in to you" in Latin. Florence Scovel, a theologian, once said, "Intuition is the spiritual faculty that doesn't explain; it seemingly points the way." It's also been said that intuition is your divine Spirit talking to you. If you will stop for a moment and acknowledge this, you will begin to realize the incredible perspective you have at your fingertips. You have this very amazing power! And you don't even have to get any special training to start using it. All you need to do is raise your awareness about it and set your intention to harness it.Intuitive messages range from an inkling to a strong sign or message. Your inner self is persistent and consistent. It will keep trying to get your attention until you finally wise up! An inkling is like a glimmer or passing feeling/ though...
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Succeeding At "Ohana"
2007-08-30 05:30:00
Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation. One of them complained of family problems.Finally, the other man said, "You think you have family problems? Listen. A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown-up daughter, and we got married. Later my father married my stepdaughter. That made my stepdaughter my stepmother and my father became my stepson. Also, my wife became mother-in-law of her father-in-law."Then the daughter of my wife, my stepmother, had a son. This boy was my half-brother because he was my father's son, but he was also the son of my wife's daughter, which made him my wife's grandson. That made me the grandfather of my half-brother."This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half-sister of my son, my stepmother, is also the grandmother. This makes my father the brother-in-law of my child, whose stepsister is my father's wife. I'm my stepmother's brother-in-law, my wife is her own child's aunt, my son is my father's nephew and I'm...
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Looking Through The Wrong End Of A Telescope
2007-08-29 06:31:00
On the way to preschool, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it."Be still, my heart," thought the doctor, "my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!"Then the child spoke into the instrument, "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"Among the many lessons we can learn from children is the lesson about how to have fun. And for most children, fun is spelled F-A-N-T-A-S-Y. Their worlds of make believe are places of excitement and joy.Writer Dr. Seuss said this about fantasy: "I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."Through moral stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity.One man spoke for too many of us when he said, "The prospect of a long day at the beach makes me panic. There is no harder work I...
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