REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

LIFE IS LIKE A TRAIN RIDE... We get on, We ride, We get off.  There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy; some will result in profound sorrow.  When we are born and we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents!  Sadly, this is far from the truth...Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete. We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence. There are others who board the train and who eventually become very important to us, in turn. These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances, whom we will learn to love, and cherish. Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along. Others will encounter many upsets, tears...

A young man went to a sage for help. “I come, teacher, because I feel so small that I have no strength to do anything. People tell me I’m good for nothing, I don’t do anything right, I’m clumsy and rather silly. How can I improve myself? What can I do that will make them think well of me?” The teacher, without looking up, replied, “I’m sorry boy, but I can’t help you. I have to solve my own problem first. Maybe later.” But after a pause, he added, “If you would like to help me, I could solve this problem faster, and then maybe I can help you.” Though delighted, the youth stammered to the teacher, feeling worthless as usual, his needs again subordinated. “Well, then,” agreed the teacher. He took off a ring he was wearing on his little finger and gave it to the boy, saying, “Take the horse out there and ride to the market place. I have to sell this ring to pay a debt. We have to get as much for it as we possibly can, but don’t accept anything less than a gold coin. Go, and com...

A donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.  Finally, After trying different ways to help the animal unsuccessfully and without a clear idea, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.  He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.  At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.  A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.  As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey step...

A beggar was given a piece of bread, but nothing to put on it. Hoping to get something to go with his bread, he went to a nearby inn and asked for a handout. The innkeeper turned him away with nothing, but the beggar sneaked into the kitchen where he saw a large pot of soup cooking over the fire. He held his piece of bread over the steaming pot, hoping to thus capture a bit of flavor from the good smelling vapor. Suddenly the innkeeper seized him by the arm and accused him of stealing soup.  "I took no soup," said the beggar. "I was only smelling the vapor."  "Then you must pay for the smell," answered the innkeeper. The poor beggar had no money, so the angry innkeeper dragged him to court.  Now The judge heard the innkeeper's complaint and the beggar's explanation. So you demand payment for the smell of your soup?" summarized him after the hearing. "Yes!" insisted the innkeeper.  The judge of the town listened carefully both...

One night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each beautiful scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to me, the other to the Lord.   After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints. This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.  “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”  The Lord replied, “ My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. Never, ever,   During your trials and testings, your times of suffering, when ...

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water.  In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.  In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.  She dished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.  She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee into a bowl.  Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did and noted that they were soft.  She then asked her to take a...