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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Inspirational
- Subject: Novels
- Published: 07/15/2024
Introduction:
My Third Book of Life’s Short Stories
In life, we all learn very dear lessons during our journey of life.
Some of the lessons are good, and some are bad lessons we never want to repeat.
Life’s lessons we experience from other people’s situations and our own life’s story.
These are Life’s lessons I have put together for all to read and hopefully to improve their journey of life.
We all can benefit from just that little extra in life to keep us going and to improve our lives for ourselves and our family and friends.
In the present day everyone on this earth at one time or another needs help in one way or another.
These short stories are there as a life guide and information with some very helpful tips advice and teaching for a better life in the future for all.
Enjoy.
Short Stories:
• A Pencil Maker one day said to his favourite Pencil
• Africa
• Bullies
• Just Pedal
• Lately
• My Dear Human
• My Shoes
• On the day I Die a lot will happen.
• Poem of a Dog
• Seashells
• Spinoza
• Teenagers
• The Button
• The Four Candles
• The Parliament of Tomfoolery
• The Runner
• The Secret of Life
• They Told Me
• The Wise Old Man
• Time a Short Trip
• Two Lives Two Endings.
• What is a Tree
• Why is the Wedding Ring worn on your Ring Finger?
• Why Men and Woman think Differently.
• You’re Footprints in Life
A Pencil Maker one day said to his favourite Pencil
Any mistakes you make in your life can be rubbed out, forgiven, and forgotten.
Everything you do in life will always leave a mark, be it good or bad.
What is most important is what is inside you every day.
In your life, you are going to go through painful sharpening’s, but it will make you a better pencil overall in your life. A sharp pencil is a productive pencil.
If you want to be the best pencil in life you must let the person who holds you always be in charge.
Let GOD Always be in charge and in control of your Life, to be the best Pencil Ever.
Africa
When you have acquired a taste for dust
The African dust
And the smell of the first rains in the bush
A smell you cannot describe
You are hooked for life in Africa
And you will never be the same again
Until you can watch the setting moon in the African sky
The rising sun, blood red in the morning sky
And hear the jackals cry in the darkness of the night
And know for sure they are around you
Waiting in the dark
When you long to see the Elephants
Or hear the mockingbird song
When the moon rise sets your heart on fire
Then you have been gone too long
It is time to cut the traces and lose
And let your heart go free
Beyond that far horizon
Where your spirit yearns to be
In Africa
Africa is waiting for you
In all its splendour and glory
Since you have touched the open sky
And learned to love the rustling grass
And the wild fish eagle's cry
You will always hunger for the African bush
From the lions rasping roar
To a bush camp beneath the African sky
And to be in at peace ever more.
Bullies
Once again, Jenny Topper had to strain to reach the countertop. Even with her step stool, she could not reach the toaster. Someone had pushed it back. She could see it gleaming, stuck back under the cupboards. Cupboards that neither her, nor her husband, or her two children had ever used. She sighed.
Thirteen-year-old Brian, Elsie’s best friend, watched with a curious look on his face. One of consternation, embarrassment, and disbelief. A moment later, his young face cleared of all emotion, he quietly got up, and walked over to the counter. Reaching his long arm back to the toaster, he gently pulled it forward, almost to the edge of the countertop. Mrs. Jenny Topper, and what an Ironic name to give a family of midgets, Brian thought for the hundredth or so time, leaned over and touched his arm lightly.
You are a good boy Brian, and there is no denying that. Ever since you met my daughter Elsie and became her best friend, this house has had some cheer in it. Do you know why? Do you know?
No. Mrs. Topper, Brian replied.
It is because of your heart. You treat us all, as if we were tall, or normal sized. You call us Little People, when you found out that is what we call ourselves, never do you call us midgets. Remarkable in a boy of your age, or any age for that matter.
Brian turned bright red. He had no idea what to say. He was ashamed to say he had called them midgets, until that day he saw Elsie, the daughter sitting calmly on a swing, a circle of playground bullies, both girls and boys, taunting her because she could not reach the ground with her short legs and tiny feet.
She looked calm, but the tears were streaming down her cheek. Giving lies to the false smile and calm demeanor she displayed to the crowd of jeering children. It made Brian mad. Fighting mad.
No one wanted to fight an angry Brian. The few that did never wanted to do it again. He was not the biggest kid in school and was far from being the smallest, but he was by far, the toughest. He never started a fight, but he finished them all. When Brian was finished with you, you, my friend, were done. He stomped through the crowd, ready if anyone said a word, he would throw them to the ground and beat them up.
As he stepped through the circle of children, they all quieted down immediately. What was he doing? They wondered.
Brian himself had no idea. He just hated bullies. He hated it worse when good kids just stood by and watched. It was then that he met Elsie's eyes. She took one of her tiny hands and raised the index finger towards him. Waggling it in the manner that says, worldwide.
No, no, no. Stop right there. Brian got it immediately. She did not want anyone hurt. She did not want a fight, or hear ugly words. She would rather quietly sit on the swing, refusing to let the children see how awkwardly, she had to climb out of the seat to get down. She would sit there until the last bell of recess, fall off the swing, and even though it hurt, run to her class, late.
Brian registered all of this in a heartbeat. Without breaking stride, he walked right behind her and pulled the swing gently back by both chains.
Would you like me to push? He asked.
Oh, Yes. She squealed in surprise and delight.
Brian had only moved back a few feet, and he let the swing go. She went forward a bit, and on the backswing, he put his hands on her small back and pushed ever so gently.
Elsie laughed.
You have to push harder than that.
Brian could not see her face, but he knew she was smiling. He was too. He was surprised to see she weighed as much as a normal girl her age. He did have to push harder, and he did. This time, she flew forward. Leaning back on the chains, and giggling, she flung her little legs up with glee.
Whee, Wheee.
He pushed her higher, and higher, but still she hung on, urging him on.
Push me Brian to the Sky and back. And she laughed.
That was how they met. No one but Brian and Elsie knew that when they were alone, Sky was what Brian called her.
She loved that name, Sky.
On their wedding invitations, just ten years later, was a picture of a swing set, a little girl sitting in it, a little boy behind her,
Underneath was a caption.
Push me to the Sky and back.
Today and every day, push those to the sky that needs to get there.
You are and can always be someone else’s Sky…..
Just Pedal
At first, I saw GOD as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things and my life I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited Heaven, or hell when I die.
HE was out of there like a president. I recognized HIS picture when I saw it, but I did not really know HIM.
But later on, when I met CHRIST, and gave my life to HIM, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed CHRIST was at the back helping me pedal.
I do not know just when it was that HE suggested we changed places, but life has not been the same since. HE changed places to the front.
When I had control, I knew the way. I was rather boring, but very predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when HE took the lead, HE knew delightfully long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on. Even though it looked like madness. HE said, Pedal, Pedal, and Pedal.
I was worried and anxious and asked,
Where are YOU taking me?
HE laughed and did not answer, and I learned to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. When I would say I am scared HE would lean back and touch my hand.
HE took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, my LORDS and mine. And we were off again.
HE said
Give the gifts away, they are extra baggage, too much weight.
So, I did, to the people we met along the way. And I found in giving I received, and still our burdens were very light.
I did not trust HIM, at first, in control of my life. I thought HE would wreck my life, but HE truly knows bike secrets, HE knows how to make it bend to make very sharp corners, jumps to clear very high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.
I have learnt to shut up and just pedal in very strange places, and I am beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion. JESUS CHRIST.
When I am sure I just cannot do anymore
HE just smiles and says
PEDAL PEDAL PEDAL…..
Lately
Lately, I have been noticing, that I am always bringing winter and spring.
I am always here to summon warps to heart-crown cold with frigid stains.
I turn grey skies to blue, so no one thinks that I get grey.
It is like they have forgotten I am a human with more emotions than I know what to do with.
More emotions you will never understand.
I have got no one to speed them to.
Or at least that is how it feels sometimes, who knows if it is the truth.
But lately I have been noticing I will light the paths before their feet.
I will let the shadows fall on me if it only means that they can see.
This is who I want to be.
This is who am.
Be there for anyone in need.
But oftentimes I am just a steppingstone in someone's dreams.
When they find out where they are going, their destination is not me.
So it feels like their life's been on a lock and I am just the key.
But I am here for myself at the end of the day.
I have had to adapt to be this way.
I need validation too, but I will, l have to be the one to say.
That regardless of what life has in store, I will always be okay.
I will always choose to see the rainbows, even when I am dripping drenched in the rain.
I will always look up to admire the stars and learn them all by name.
I will know that someone is looking down and wants to know me just the same.
Knowing this is comforting because lately I have been noticing that no one seems to notice me……
I have been noticing that no one seems to care or notice me.
No One………
My Dear Human
I see that you are crying, for it is my moment to leave.
Do not cry, please. I want to explain some things to you.
You are sad because I left, but I am glad I met you.
How many dogs and cats and birds like me die daily without meeting someone special like you?
I know it saddens you my departure, but I have to go now.
I want to ask you not to blame yourself for anything. I heard you sobbing that you should have done something else for me.
Do not say that, you have done a lot for me.
Without you, I would have known nothing of the beauty I carry with me today.
You must know that we animals live the present intensely and we are very wise, we enjoy every little thing every day, and forget the bad past quickly.
Our lives begin when we know love, the same love you gave me, my angel without wings and two legs and a heart filled with gold.
Know that even if you find an animal that is seriously injured, and that you only have a little bit of time in this world, you provide a huge service by accompanying you in your final transition.
None of us likes to be alone, except when we realize it is time to leave.
Maybe for you it is not so important that one of you is next to us caressing us and holding our paw, helps us go in peace.
No more crying, please. I will be happy. I have in memory the name you gave me, the warmth of your house that in this time became mine. I take the sound of your voice talking to me, even though I do not always understand what you were saying to me.
I carry in my heart every caress you gave me.
Everything you did was very valuable to me, and I thank you endlessly,
I do not know how to tell you, because I do not speak your language, but surely in my eyes you could see my gratitude.
I am just going to ask for two Favours.
Wash your face and start smiling.
Remember how good we lived together these moments, remember the antics I made to cheer you up.
Relive like me all the good we share in this time.
And do not say you will not adopt another animal, because you have suffered a lot from my departure.
Without you I would not live the beauties I lived.
Please do not do this.
There are many like me waiting for someone like you to love us to the end of our lives.
Give them what you gave me, please, they need it just like I needed you.
Do not keep the love you have to give, for fear of suffering.
Follow my advice, cherish the good you share with each of us, recognizing that you are an angel to us animals, and that without people like you our life would be harder than sometimes it is.
Follow your noble task, now it is up to me to be your angel.
I will accompany you in your path and help you to help others like me.
I will talk to other animals who are here with me, I will tell them everything you have done for me and I will point and say proudly.
That is my family. The people that loved and cared for me so much.
Tonight, when you look at the sky and see a blinking star, I want you to know that it is me flashing an eye, warning you that I arrived well and telling you
Thank you for the love you gave me.
I say farewell now not saying goodbye but see you later soon.
There is a special sky for people like you, the sky where we go and life rewards us by making us meet there.
I will be waiting for you.
Mickey, my best friend, the love of my life
Thank you, see you soon…….
My Shoes
I woke up one day and realized that there were many things about my life I was not satisfied with, or better still, there were challenges that were threatening my soul, with the shoes I wore.
I asked myself
Why would anybody envy me, and want to walk in my shoes?
They do not know how far I have come through the journey of life in my shoes.
They do not know and realize what lies ahead of me.
They do not know the journey of life I have already walked in my shoes.
Neither do they know how dissatisfied I get with myself from time-to-time walking in my shoes.
People do not know the joy I have had walking in my shoes.
People do not realize the troubles I have had or the price that I had to pay to get to where I am today with my shoes.
All they want to know is how they can be like me.
What can they do to walk in the journey I have walked in my shoes?
I ask the question, why you would want to be in anybody’s else’s shoes but your own, if you do not even know how someone’s else’s shoes fit?
When you have worn your own shoes for a while.
Your shoes take the shape of your feet during the journey of life.
Your shoes align with the way you walk.
If you were to wear my shoes, you would never ever be comfortable in them. My shoes would not fit your feet.
So, I stopped wishing I was in someone else’s shoes because it would never fit.
Rather I thanked GOD for my shoes because they fitted and were so comfortable and uncomfortable at times during my journey of life.
I have learned to be the best in what I do, and I know no one can replace me, just like no other shoes would fit me or be able to walk through the journey of my life.
Just like my shoes, I am an original.
GOD is not into the cloning business.
GOD only makes originals.
Make the best of your own shoes, besides just like you, your shoes were new when you bought them, and then you wore them according to your feet. Your feet only.
Make the best of your shoes and enjoy the journey of life that you alone walk in your shoes.
They are your shoes, and you have a beautiful life to walk with them.
Your shoes will always fit your feet, and your feet alone.
You only live once, so walk in your shoes and enjoy the journey of your life, not someone else’s in their shoes and their life and journey.
On the day I Die allot will happen.
A lot will change.
The world will be busy with everything life throws at us.
On the day I Die, all the important appointments
I made will be left unattended.
The many plans I had yet to complete will remain
Forever undone.
The calendar that ruled so many of my days
Will now be irrelevant to me.
All material things I so chased, guarded and treasured will be left in the hands of others to care for or discard.
The words of my critics which so burdened me will cease to sting or capture anymore.
They will be unable to touch me.
The arguments I believed I had won here on earth will not serve me or bring me any satisfaction or solace.
All my noisy incoming notifications and texts and calls will go unanswered.
Their great urgency will be quieted.
Many nagging regrets will be resigned to the past
Where they should have always been anyway.
Every superficial worry about my body that I ever laboured over
About my waistline, hairline or frown lines will fade away.
My carefully crafted image, the one I worked so hard to shape for others here on earth, will be left to them to complete anyway.
The sterling reputation I once struggled so greatly to maintain will be of little concern for me anymore.
All small and large anxieties that stole sleep from me each night will be rendered powerless.
The deep and towering mysteries about life and death that so consumed my mind, will finally be clarified in a way that they could never be before while I lived.
These things will certainly be true on the day that I Die.
Yet for as much as this will happen on that day, one more thing that will happen.
On the day that I Die, the few people who really know me and truly Love me
Will grieve deeply.
They will feel a void.
They will feel cheated.
They will not feel ready for my departing from their lives.
They will feel as though a part of them has died as well.
And on that day, more than anything in the world they will want more time with me.
I know this from those I love and grieve for every day that have gone.
So, knowing all this, while I am still alive I will try to remember that my time with them is finite and fleeting and so very precious.
I will do my best not to waste a second of my time with those that I love and care for.
I will try my best not to squander a priceless moment worrying about all the other things that happen on the day that I Die, because many of those things are either not my concern or beyond my control.
Family and friends, those other things have an insidious way of keeping you from living even as you live, vying for your attention, competing for your affections.
They rob you of the joy of this unrepeatable, uncontainable, ever evaporating, now with those who love and care for you, and want only to share love and time with you again and always.
Do not miss the chance to dance life with them while you still can.
It is easy to waste so much daylight in the days before you Die.
Do not let your life be stolen every day by all that you have been led to believe matters, because on the day you Die, the fact is that much of it simply will not matter.
Yes, it is a fact, you and I will Die one day.
But before you Die, always live your life to the best of your ability.
Live your life not only for yourself, but also for those who love and care for you always.
Poem of a Dog
I am the one who's always waiting for you.
Your car has a special sound that I have imprinted on my senses, I can recognize it in a thousand cars.
Your steps have a magic bell.
Your voice is music to my ears.
If I see your joy, it makes me happy.
Your scent is the best.
Your presence moves my senses.
Your waking up wakes me up.
I contemplate you sleeping and for me you are my God, I am happy watching your sleep.
Your look is a ray of light.
Your hands upon me, hold the lightness of peace and the sublime display of infinite love.
When you leave, I feel a huge void in my heart.
I keep waiting for you again and again.
I am the one who will wait for you all your life today, tomorrow and forever:
I am your dog.
Sea Shells
It is a beautiful winter morning in Mossel Bay. I sit on a rock and run my fingers through the millions of shells on the beach. The children are playing just a little further and as I watch them I feel the peace of the environment wash over me. The sea air is surprisingly warm and the sounds of laughing children, gentle waves and a joking seagull fill the silences.
An excited Melanios comes bouncing by and jumps belly and paws inside a rock pool. While I watch the activities on the beach, I collect a handful of perfect little shells. They have not yet been crushed by the waves or weathered by the sun and sand. The children come running closer and my little girl gives me a hand full of shells to hold. I open my hand and look at what she has gathered. There is maybe one whole shell, the rest are broken. Some have been bleached by the sun and others have been ground smooth by the waves.
Look, Dad, she said, as she packed the shells one by one onto the rock next to me.
These two are pink, it is my best color. The three orange shells are cousins to me. This one is rough like daddy's beard and the white one is soft like grandma. The blue is for little brother because it is his best color.
She held a faded weathered piece of shell to the sky and said,
This one is the most beautiful.
Did you see that it is little heart dad?
I think the sea sometimes makes hearts out of broken shells and then people pick them up and then they remember that Jesus loves them.
She turned and ran back to the beach. . .
I look after her as I open my hand full of perfect shells.
Why do we strive for perfection so much when in reality it does not exist?
We wear ourselves down daily to build the illusion of a perfect picture, the perfect house, and the perfect children only to be disappointed over and over again by its unattainable emptiness. It is as if nothing in the world fulfills you. However, the word speaks of a gift, a glorious mystery where there is perfect fulfillment: Colossians 1:27
God decided to make known to them how blessed and glorious this mystery is for the nations. Its contents are:
Christ is in you, He is your hope of glory. Our gift is the presence of Christ in us. It is so big that we cannot even begin to truly understand it.
One day I heard the following explanation:
The gift of Jesus Christ in us is like wrapping a diamond ring in a checkers bag. The packaging does not diminish the value of the content. Having Christ in us does not change who God is, but it does change who we are. It changes what we do, how we speak and where we are going.
I looked again at my hand full of perfect shells and I throw them over my shoulder.
My little girl's weathered and destroyed shells have so much more value than a hand full of perfect shells. Her shells have meaning and tell a story of the loves in her life. In the same way, we, with our shortcomings and mistakes, are worth much more because Jesus Christ lives in us.
Despite being faded and weathered by life, we all tell a story. The most beautiful story about infinite love and a Man from Nazareth who conquered death and who is the world's hope for Love Hope Faith Trust and Glory.
All I ask is the wisdom to push aside the empty things in life. I ask for teaching to look with our hearts and not with our eyes so that we will see the little hearts that we can see out of broken things.
Spinoza
What is Spinoza's idea of God?
Who was Spinoza’s?
Baruch de Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher considered one of the great rationalists of 17th century philosophy, along with Descartes.
Spinoza defined God as:
A substance consisting of infinite attributes, each of which expresses eternal and infinite essence, and since, no cause or reason, can prevent such a being from existing, it therefore must exist. God exists.
When Einstein gave lectures at U.S. universities, the recurring question that students asked him most was:
Do you believe in God?
And he always answered:
I believe in the God that Spinoza spoke of. The true God,
Spinoza, God would say:
What I want you to do is go out into the world and enjoy your life.
I want you to sing, have fun and enjoy everything I have made for you.
Stop going into those dark, cold temples that you built yourself and saying they are my house. God only has one house. The temple of the Lord.
My house is in the mountains, in the woods, rivers, lakes, beaches. That is where I live and there I express my love for you. The God of love.
Stop blaming me for your miserable life, I never told you there was anything wrong with you or that you were a sinner, or that your sexuality was a bad thing. Sex is a gift I have given you and with which you can express your love, your ecstasy, your joy. So do not blame me for everything they made you believe.
Stop reading alleged sacred scriptures that have nothing to do with me. If you cannot read me in a sunrise, in a landscape, in the look of your friends, in your son's eyes, you will find me in no book. Find me in the things and life around you. There is only one true book. The book of life God created for you.
Stop asking me, will you tell me how to do my job?
Stop being so scared of me. I do not judge you or criticize you, nor get angry, or bothered. I am pure love. I am the one and only true God.
When I made you, I filled you with passions, limitations, pleasures, feelings, needs, inconsistencies, free will. How can I blame you if you respond to something I put in you? In you I put love, the true love I have for you.
How can I punish you for being the way you are, if I am, the one who made you? Do you think I could create a place to burn all my children who behave badly for the rest of eternity?
What kind of God would do that? Only a God you do not love follow and give your life to.
Respect your peers and do not do what you do not want for yourself.
All I ask is that you pay attention in your life, that alertness is your guide.
My beloved, this life is not a test, not a step on the way, not a rehearsal, nor a prelude to paradise. Your life with the true God is eternal.
This life is the only thing here and now and it is all you need. The life after is something you have to live for every day.
I have set you absolutely free, no prizes or punishments, no sins or virtues, no one carries a marker, and no one keeps a record.
You are absolutely free to create in your life. Heaven or hell. The choice is yours. You decide.
So, if you have lived your life on earth according to God, then you will have enjoyed the opportunity I gave you. And if there is, rest assured that I will ask if you behaved right or wrong, I will ask.
Did you love it?
Did you have fun?
What did you enjoy the most?
What did you learn?
Did you follow the ways of God?
I want you to believe in Me, I also want you to believe in you.
I want you to feel Me in you when you kiss your beloved, when you tuck in your little girl at night, when you caress your dog, when you bathe in the sea.
What kind of God do you think I am?
I love being praised.
I love being thanked.
I love feeling grateful?
Prove it by taking care of yourself, your health, your relationships, and the world.
Express your joy to the one and only God.
That is the way to praise me.
Always repeating as a parakeet what you have been taught about me.
The only thing for sure is that there is a living God that loves you very much, accept that you are here, that you are alive, that this world is full of wonders.
Always remember the biggest wonders is the living God, who created you and who loves you so much, that He gave His life for you.
Teenagers
This is especially for the parents of boys and girls, teenagers to be more specific, who are on the brink of entering the twilight zone of teenage hood.
My first words of advice is to go straight to your doctor, demand large quantities of stress medication, kiss any ounce of sanity you thought you had goodbye and brace yourself for the ride of your life.
It is not even as simple as, one day they are up and one day they are down. It is a case of one minute they are happy, sad, moping, frowning and then they are laughing, then they are crying, and all this happens in a matter of sixty seconds.
Impossible, it cannot be done I hear you say. You obviously do not have a teenager, and yes it can be done, it has been done and will continue to be done for centuries to come.
Whatever you do, do not feel bewildered and confused and wonder to yourself if you have experienced a Bermuda triangle moment.
Surely you must have missed something or simply lost the plot. What else could justify such a flurry of unprovoked emotion?
I gave up trying to make sense of it, and just like my insanity, I simply chose to accept that this was normal behaviour for teenagers and embraced it.
Before long, I found myself pre-empting the order in which they would lose it, and patting myself on the back when I got it right.
Specialists blame this stage of their lives on hormones, the fact that they are totally unbalanced. Now I cannot talk for all teenagers, but I do have first-hand experience with other teenagers, but I do with my own. Many of them.
Some say it is worse with girls. I would not know, as my son has only entered the outskirts of the teenage zone, and at this stage, his computer is my greatest rival, which quite frankly suits me, as I have the ultimate power. I am still in control, it is called a gaming console, and unlike trying to reason with a teenager, it really does wield great power and it works.
As a parent you know nothing, understand less and are considered the meanest person on this planet.
All the other mums and dads allow them to do it, I would often be told.
You are so mean was another all-time favourite.
My Teenagers would accuse me of being this old fashioned party pooper who has no clue what it feels like to be a teenager.
Correct. I naturally evolved from a baby to adulthood and skipped the whole teenage thing. That was the difference between many years ago and present day.
Wrong, it is for that exact reason that I am laying down the law like the new sheriff in town. I know what teenagers are scheming before they have even get to the second word of their sentence. Remember, I have been there, done that and burnt the T-shirt, the evidence and scares from a long time ago.
I was not permitted to ask what was wrong when they came home dragging not only their suitcase on the floor, but their bottom lip as well.
The reason is simple, you just will not understand. They would hiss at me. Teachers and friends know everything at this stage and what they say is as good as gospel.
However, do not feel bad. It is only a matter a time, and the teachers will be joining you in the villain department. They too will know nothing, thus leaving the wisdom of the world in the hands of some very hormonally challenged teenagers, Scary thought to say the least. Welcome to the dark side of a teenager.
After the age of great wisdom, comes the age of the great rebellion. This stage of their life is probably the most terrifying of all. It is the stage that they experience absolutely no brain activity and even less common sense.
They consider themselves immortal and thus live their lives as if they are indestructible and untouchable.
This is the age when you wish you could pack your bags and leave home, only to return when it is all over, but you cannot no matter what, you have to suck it up, put your big girl panties on and face the challenge ahead.
It will seem as if every rule you ever made will be broken, every boundary you lay down will be overstepped and every last nerve you ever had will be trampled on.
We are talking full on war. The important thing to remember though is that your teenager is not the enemy, but their actions are. It is a bit like loving the sinner but hating the sin.
No matter what, never retreat or even give them the slightest indication they have the upper hand. Hold your ground, stand firm, be bold. Be the parent you wish you had. Some of us had that parent.
As you find yourself in the rewind and replay stage of every conversation, you will suddenly experience a feeling of déjà vu.
I am talking about those words your parents spoke numerous times over and over, the wait until you have children one day.
If I recall, my response was always I will never be like you. I will let my children do what they want, yet here I stand as the parent I swore I would never be, and my past has come back to haunt me and knock me over the head with that proverbial, I told you so.
After endless arguments with my teenagers, I happened to watch a show where a Doctor of Psychology suggested that as parents, we should try putting ourselves in our teenager’s shoes and see things from their perspective.
I sat there thinking that could be a slight problem. I am a size 8 and they are size 5, so I am sure you can see the challenge, but yes, I know that is not the point, so let us get back to the real issue at hand and try to see things from a teenager’s point of view.
My first response was their point of view my foot.
Yes, we are back at the foot subject, and yes, I do have a foot fetish.
But, it is my house, my rules. I am the boss. What I say goes. Never told my ex that, she always thought she was the boss, and who was I to correct her?
Fortunately, common sense prevailed and I decided to give this concept a go with very interesting results.
Now before we go any further, let me state the following for the record. No, I do not hold a degree in child psychology. My only qualification is a bit of fatherhood, a lot of sleepless nights and years of experience in head bashing to top it off with.
I clearly recall the first time I put this new concept into practice. My teenagers had reached the stage in their lives when it was totally uncool to be seen with your parents, so they asked me to drop them around the corner and not at the entrance of the school.
My first reaction was to get all defensive.
Their first-class ticket on the guilt trip express, followed by a very impressive pity party, sparklers, and all.
After everything I have done for you, and now you are ashamed of me, is this how I deserve to be treated? Fine, if that is the way you want it, then I will drop you off right here, this was my very mature adult response Let us not judge people.
I proceeded to pull off at a speed that would make a few Formula One driver's blush, leaving my teenagers confused and clearly very embarrassed.
After seething and moping around, grumbling about how my teenagers no longer loved me, and woe is my life, I soon realized that their request was actually not unreasonable and that if handled correctly, in time, they would be okay with hanging with their parents again.
With this newfound wisdom, I gracefully composed myself and retreated into the background of their lives, lurking in the shadows to catch them if they fell or popped up like a bottle cork if the need ever arose that they needed me.
I accepted that my place was to no longer drag them forward, but to gently nudge them from behind in the right direction and walk alongside them when the time arose.
The scary part about being a parent is that one day there is these teenagers who look up to you as a prince or princess from one of their fairy tales, and the next, you are the villain in the story.
You kiss your innocent little teenager's goodnight one day, and the next morning you walk into their room, only to find this little teenager with an attitude to boot, in their place.
Posting a LITTLE TEENAGER LOST poster will not help either.
Simply hide the credit cards, haul out the baby photos and buckle up, because the days of Barbie is long over, and suddenly Ken looks a lot more interesting than Barbie ever did, and in order to attract Kens attention, one needs to look drop dead gorgeous.
It will not take you long to realize that nothing and I mean nothing but brand clothing will do, so that little retirement nest you were working on, will have to be put on hold.
Without warning, you become so yesterday alongside the brand new denim you just bought them an hour ago.
Actually, to come to think of it, everything and anything becomes so yesterday. As a parent, you know nothing and understand less.
Your life becomes a whirlwind of eyes rolls, foot stamping and a lot of huffing and door slamming.
My all-time favourite would be when their response to my annoyance or disapproval would be, whatever. This word would literally feel as if they had got a hammer out and beaten up every last nerve that remained in your body.
Most days, their bedroom would look as if a bomb went off leaving clothing strewn in every corner of the room, over the bed and desk, leaving little to nothing left in the cupboard.
I would have to hear how they had nothing to wear in their cupboard, which in reality was the truth, however they forgot the reason was because it was literally all over their room floor now.
In their eyes they were never as pretty as their friends or as thin as them. I chose to not even entertain this self-talk, and just changed the subject. Dealing with any conversation at this point was like navigating a mine field, and as I valued my life, I would just coast on the outskirts of that conversation, because no amount of reassuring them that as they were was indeed beautiful and not fat, would convince them. They needed to see their inner beauty first, before any amount of convincing from me would work.
Remember, I was the parent who had time-warped from the 16th century, so I would never understand what they were going through in the 20th Century.
It was only later they came to understand that beauty was never about something external, but what came from within, and in realizing this, that their external beauty would shine beyond their wildest imagination, but that is a story for another day.
So parents, if you have a teenage child do not take anything personal for the next few years, and always keep in mind that their logical brain has been switched off and the emotional part has invaded their head like a virus from a zombie apocalypse movie.
Be brave, be strong and above all, be supportive, because if you can make it out of this stage, you will be so proud of the beautiful people they become on the other side.
The Button
What about this one, Grandma Pop? Six-year-old Lume held up a black, ornate button. The little girl, her hair in two imperfect pigtails, held the button as if it were a treasure. Her blue eyes shone with wonder and interest.
Ah, that one has been with us for a long time, has it not, Grandpa M? Grandma Pop said with a soft, kind smile. Grandma Pop remained in her chair, her back perfectly straight. At first glance, she might appear prim and proper, rigid even, but she is not. Good posture and good lip ice were just things she refused to be without.
He nodded. Sure has. The man was tall and thin. His long legs stretched out before him, his ankles crossed. He was a man who knew how to enjoy a day sitting quietly drinking red wine. Or to enjoy an afternoon with his granddaughter Lume.
What do you mean? Asked the little girl.
Well, that button started out on a coat that I had many, many years ago. But then something happened to the coat, a tear or a stain. I do not remember. But your grandma here said, Bokkie, because that is what she called me, Bokkie, do not toss that coat before I get that button off it.
Grandma Pop smiled. Well, it was and still is a very nice button. It was the top button on that coat, and I could not see the sense in throwing it away. Anyway, it was a good thing I did not. I used it on a handbag not too long after I took it off the coat.
And then we used it on your daddy’s cardigan when he lost a button, said Grandpa M. And then, well, what then, Grandma Pop?
I believe that when the cardigan got too small, we pulled it off and put it on your Auntie Alice’s hat. Grandma Pop answered.
Her hat? Lume asked in surprise.
Grandma Pop explained, she liked the way it looked. It was just decoration.
What then, Lume asked?”
Grandpa M and Grandma Pop thought for a few moments. Finally, Grandpa M answered, I guess I do not really know. We put it in this jar, but we probably took it out a few times since then. Do you remember, Grandma Pop?
No, I just remember that we always tried to keep it. Sometimes your Auntie Alice would pour out all the buttons and sort them out. She would always put that button in the jar last, so it would be on the top always.
Well, is it going to be okay to take this one for the project at school, Lume asked?
I do not see why not, said Grandpa M.
Grandma Pop hesitated, but only for a moment. Certainly. It needs to be used again.
Thanks, Grandpa M and Grandma Pop, Lume squealed.
She went home later, the button safe in a Zip lock bag.
What is the matter? Grandpa M said to his wife, noticing that she looked a little bothered.
Oh, I know it is silly. But we have had that button for so long. I did not want to tell Lume no, but I would have liked to have kept that button. It is just the memories that is all.
Well, do not let it worry you too much. We have got lots of pictures with that button. I am glad you did not say no today. She seemed to love it. I understand, though. He gave her a hug. How about dinner at our favourite restaurant and then we can go see a horror movie?
Grandma Pop laughed. You just love to see the reactions of those teenagers when you tell them that you want those tickets. Is there a good movie playing?
I think there are a few, actually. Let us go to dinner. We can look up show times while we wait for the food. But I am definitely going to say that we want the horror movie after dinner. You are right. I love to see their reactions, and at my age, I have fun whenever I can.
About a week later, Lume was at their house again, this time with a small package in her hands. She was nearly shaking with her excitement. I made something for you at school with the button, she said.
Open, open, open. She started jumping up and down.
Grandpa M took it from Lume and handed it to Grandma Pop, who very carefully unwrapped the gift.
Oh, she said quietly. Lume, I love this. Look, Grandpa M.
He looked. What he saw was not an original idea. It has been around for ages, but some things do not need improving. It was a photo of Lume in a frame with the words, Cute as a button, written on it.
The O in the word button, was a button, the special button.
I cannot think of a better use for this button, Lume, said Grandma Pop. It has been used a lot, but this is the best. What do you think, Grandpa M?
I agree. And Lume, you really are cute as a button, he said as he pulled her into a hug.
Today and every day, are you that special button…….
The Four Candles
Four candles slowly burned.
The ambiance was so soft, one could almost hear them talking.
The first candle said
I am Peace
The world is full of anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.
Then the flame of Peace went out completely.
The second Candle said
I am Faith
I am no longer indispensable.
It does not make sense that I stay lit another moment.
Just then a breeze softly blew Faith’s flame out.
Sadly, the third Candle began to speak
I am Love
People do not understand my importance so they simply put me aside.
They even forget to Love those who are nearest to them.
Waiting no longer Love’s flame went out.
Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three dead Candles.
Why are you not burning?
You are supposed to stay till the very end.
Saying this the child began to cry.
Then the fourth Candle answered
I am Hope
While I am still burning, we can relight the other dead Candles.
With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other dead Candles.
The Greatest of these is Love
But the flame of Hope should never go out of your life.
With Hope, each of us can live with Peace, Faith and Love.
So today and every day
Pray for Hope, Peace, Faith and most important Love.
The Parliament of Tomfoolery
Parliament - An assembly of the representatives of a political nation or people, often the supreme legislative authority.
Tomfoolery – Foolish silly behavior.
The man on the moon, Nelson, looked down at the earth with a bored expression. He had seen it all, from wars and plagues to love and peace. Nothing surprised him anymore, except for one place, the kingdom of Parliament of Tomfoolery SA. There, the most absurd and ridiculous things happened every day, and the man on the moon Nelson enjoyed watching them with amusement.
Today, He, Nelson, saw something that made him chuckle. The Parliament of Tomfoolery SA was in session, and the topic of debate was the age old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
The ministers of Tomfoolery SA were all experts in nonsense and silliness, and they had their own opinions on the matter. The Speaker of the house, the Speaker, Nqakula called the meeting to order with a loud screams and whistles.
Speaker of the House - The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the powers to discipline members who break the procedures of the chamber or house.
Order, order. She shouted. We are here to settle this important issue once and for all. The fate of the chicken and the egg depends on our verdict. Let us hear from the honorable ministers of Parliament.
The Speaker of the House had the right and the privilege to choose who spoke first. She chose the Jester who was the leader of the pack because he was the head of the Parliament of Tomfoolery SA. He was the chosen one amongst the members. He had more companies than the fingers on your hands. His gentlemanly appearance had everyone in awe.
Madam Speaker said the Jester Ramaphosa. He wore a colourful outfit with bells and a hat with three points. One point for all his wealth. He jumped up and down, making funny noises like only he could.
Jester - A professional joker or fool at a medieval court.
Medieval Court - A medieval court was the center of political, social, and legal activity in a kingdom or manor. It was attended by the monarch, nobles, clergy, and common people. The court served as a place for the ruler to administer justice, hear petitions, and make important decisions.
Very well, the Jester Ramaphosa has the floor, the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Jester Ramaphosa said. My fellow ministers, I have a simple and elegant solution to this dilemma. The answer is obvious, neither the chicken nor the egg came first. They both came at the same time, in a big explosion of feathers and shells. That is how life began on this planet, and that is how it will end. Thank you for your attention.
The Jester Ramaphosa bowed and sat down, amid laughter and applause from the other ministers.
Bravo, bravo the Speaker said. That was a brilliant speech, full of wit and wisdom. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more evidence and arguments. Admits screaming and hands raised the Speaker chose the Harlequin Bheki.
Harlequin Bheki, stood up. He wore a patchwork costume of different colours and patterns and a mask that covered half of his face. He wore a hat of veldt. He walked on his hands, doing cartwheels and flips.
Harlequin - Leader of a legendary troop of demon horsemen.
Very well, the Harlequin Bheki has the floor," the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Harlequin Bheki said. My fellow ministers, I have a different and better solution to this problem. The answer is clear, the chicken came first because the egg is a chicken in disguise. The egg is just a clever way for the chicken to hide from its enemies and predators. When the coast is clear, the egg cracks open and reveals the chicken inside. That is how the chicken survives and thrives in this world, and that is how it will always be. Thank you for your consideration Madam Speaker.
The Harlequin Bheki bowed and sat down, amid cheers and whistles from the other ministers.
Wow, wow, the Speaker said. That was a marvelous speech, full of logic and reason. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more proof and facts.
The Speaker nominated the next speaker, Fool Zuma
Fool Zuma. He wore a simple tunic and a cap with bells. He carried a stick with a puppet on the end, which he used to make jokes and comments.
Fool - A person who acts unwisely or imprudently, a silly person.
Fool Zuma has the floor, the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Fool Zuma said. My fellow ministers, I have a better and different solution to this question. The answer is obvious, the egg came first because the chicken is an egg in disguise. The chicken is just a clever way for the egg to grow and mature. When the time is right, the chicken sheds its feathers and reveals the egg inside. That is how the egg evolves and adapts in this world, and that is how it will always be. Thank you for your attention.
The Fool Zuma bowed and sat down, amid claps and hoots from the other ministers.
Amazing, amazing, the Speaker said. That was a wonderful speech, full of facts and logic. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more reason and proof. The Speaker nominated the next speaker Clown Motshekga.
Madam Speaker said the Clown Motshekga. He wore a bright red nose, a big wig, and oversized shoes. He rode a unicycle, juggling balls and pies.
Very well, the Clown Motshekga has the floor, the Speaker said.
Clown - A comic entertainer, especially one in a circus, wearing a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Clown Motshekga said. My fellow ministers, I have a different and better solution to this dilemma. The answer is clear, neither the egg nor the chicken came first. They both came from somewhere else, in a big spaceship of metal and glass. That is how they arrived on this planet, and that is how they will leave. Thank you for your consideration.
The Clown Motshekga bowed and sat down, amid laughter and applause from the other ministers.
Fantastic, fantastic the Speaker said. That was a brilliant speech, full of wisdom and wit. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more evidence and arguments. The Speaker nominated the next speaker. Mime Mashatile.
Madam Speaker, said the Mime Mashatile. He wore a white face, black clothes, and a striped shirt. He did not speak, but acted out his speech with gestures and expressions.
Very well, the Mime Mashatile has the floor, the Speaker said.
Mime - The theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Mime Mashatile said, without saying anything. He pretended to hold an egg in his hand and then cracked it open. He showed that there was nothing inside, and then threw the shell away. He then pretended to hold a chicken in his hand and then plucked its feathers. He showed that there was nothing inside, and then threw the carcass away. He then shrugged his shoulders and made a sign of zero with his fingers. He then bowed and sat down, amid silence and confusion from the other ministers.
Uh, uh, the Speaker said. That was a speech, I guess, full of something and something. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more something and something. The Speaker chose the next speaker. Preriot Malema.
Preriot Malema. He wore a white costume with black buttons and a red beret with a white pom-pom. White was a strange colour for all. He played the flute, singing a song of kill the farmer kill the boer.
Very well, the Preriot Malema has the floor, the Speaker said.
Preriot - Relating to, occurring in, or being a time before a riot.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Preriot Malema said. My fellow ministers, I have a better and different solution to this problem. The answer is obvious, the chicken and the egg are the same thing, just in different forms. They are both part of a cycle of life and death, of birth and rebirth. They are both beautiful and mysterious, and we should not question them, but admire them. This is the song I wrote for them, the song of Preriot Malema
The chicken and the egg, the egg and the chicken
They are one and the same, they are different and the same
They are round and they are oval, they are soft and they are hard
They are yellow and they are white, they are white and they are black
They are warm and they are cold, they are fresh and they are old
They are tasty and they are nasty, they are healthy and they are sick
They are alive and they are dead, they are quiet and they are loud
They are simple and they are complex, they are easy and they are hard
They are the chicken and the egg, the egg and the chicken
They are one and the same, they are different and the same
Thank you for your attention.
The Preriot Malema bowed and sat down, amid cheers and whistles from the other ministers.
Beautiful, beautiful the Speaker said. That was a lovely speech, full of poetry and music. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more logic and reason.
The Speaker was stunned by all the comments and explanations but what came next took her breath away. As she scratched her wig, the sweat rolled down her face, her long red nails did the job.
Nobody, Madam Speaker, said the Rooster Modise, standing up. He was a large and proud bird, with a red comb and a colourful plumage. He had been sitting in the front row, next to the Hen Dlamini Zuma who was a small and timid bird, with a white feather and a brown spot. They had been listening to the speeches with interest and anxiety, hoping for a favourable outcome.
Rooster - A male domestic fowl, a cock. A violent or disorderly Bird.
Hen - A female bird, especially of a domestic fowl.
Nobody, Madam Speaker, the Rooster Modise repeated. We have heard enough. We have heard too much. We have heard nothing at all. You and your ministers are all fools and idiots. You have no clue about the chicken and the egg. You have no clue about anything. You are wasting your time and ours. You are wasting the air and the space. You are wasting the world and the life. You are the Parliament of Tomfoolery, and we are the victims of your Tomfoolery Parliament SA. We have had enough. We are leaving. Come on, Hen Dlamini Zuma, let us go.
The Rooster Modise grabbed the Hen Dlamini Zuma by the wing, and dragged her out of the room, leaving behind a trail of feathers and eggs. The other ministers watched them go, stunned and speechless.
Well, well, the Madam Speaker said, after a long pause.
That was unexpected and rather rude, uncalled for indeed.
But I suppose it was also honest, and maybe it was also right.
Maybe we are the Parliament of Tomfoolery SA, and maybe we have no clue about anything.
Maybe, just maybe………who knows…..
The Runner
It is an athletic event
There is a boy, Janu, who is looking at the runner named Francois.
A very famous runner, who never lost due his dedication and addiction to the sport.
I want to be just like him. Janu said
Francois is a competitive runner.
Janu has a banner with him.
It says, you are my hero and the very best ever.
Francois looks at his banner and smiles.
Janu is filled with excitement to see his lifelong hero and idol.
The boy, Janu, admires him so much. As Francois puts on his running shoes, he takes his place. The gun goes off and Francois sprints away.
Arms swinging legs pumping away Francois finished in first place, again.
The first place and another medal and trophy goes to Francois.
Janu says to his friend Manul
He has got a good physique and everything he does is the best.
Manul says, can you please stop?
You have been talking about Francois for so long.
Let us go home now, please.
Janu says, do you even know about him?
I will, later, says Manul.
They both finished watching the competition and walked towards home.
Janu goes to his home. The next day he wakes up, eats breakfast, and goes to school. Barefoot as normal.
A few days pass. Janu runs towards his friend, wrapping his hand around Manul's shoulder.
I want to meet him, Janu says.
Meet him? Manul says.
Francois, he has a street event. Moreover, it is free. Okay, we will go, but the burgers will be on you after, Manul says.
Cool, says Janu.
Janu wears his best clothes, polishes his only shoes, and styles his hair.
Nothing much special, but this is the day the event happens.
Janu and Manul talk about different things as they walk. They see a lot of people in the crowd. Soon they merge into the crowd. As soon as Francois comes to the stage, people start screaming as loud as they can. Francois, Francois, the crowd screams, the crowd goes wild.
Wow, let us calm down a bit. I am happy to see all of you here, Francois says.
Are you happy to see him, the host asks.
Everyone in the crowd says, yes, very very happy.
The host asks the people to acknowledge Francois and the first person sings a song, and the second person plays an eye-staring game. Then the host asks again who wants to meet Francois. Manul pinches Janu’s shoulder. Janu raises his hand. The host says, okay, you, young boy, and points towards Janu.
Janu steps up. Nervous and shy as hell.
Do you want to say something to him, Janu, the host says.
Janu says, I really like you. You look cool when you run. You shine the most when you run. You are my idol. I want to be a great runner just like you, Janu expresses it rapidly.
I do not think I did enough to get this kind of praise. Thank you for that, Francois says.
Do you have any questions for him? The host asks Janu.
What inspires you to become a runner, Janu asks?
Francois says, I really love running. So I joined our school's running team. My coach saw me and suggested that I should do running. He convinced my parents. I felt happy doing running. Feeling I belong somewhere. So now I can say all of those experiences and hardships I had are my inspiration, Francois says, as Janu listens, his eyes sparkling, his heart pounding.
He continued, I saw you holding a banner of me. That was amazing.
I wish I had it with me. I really want to give it to you, Janu replies.
No, you do not have to. I was just saying, Francois says.
Now you can come down Janu, and the next person can come, the host says.
Janu cannot believe he just spoke to his idol. Now you have to really treat me to a meal Janu. I got you up there, Manul says.
Okay, I will. Let us go to your favourite restaurant for a burger, Janu says.
After time a miracle happens for Janu.
Later in the week Francois sees Janu at his next event.
After the competition, Francois winning again, Francois whispers something to his manager.
His manager talks to the boy and escorts him to Francois’s room. The boy is none other than Janu.
Janu and Manul go to the change room together.
I remember you. I am glad to see you at my event, Francois says after looking at Janu. I never thought of seeing you like this, Janu says, as he gives his banner to Francois.
That means you left a good impression on me. I heard you love running.
It is an honour for me, Francois says.
Have you thought about your future Janu?
Perhaps what you want to do?
Francois asks,
I have never thought of it, Janu says.
You know you should go to running classes. They are very good for you, Francois suggests.
Janu is silent. He is lost for words
Do you not want to pursue running, Francois asks? Janu says, I want to pursue it, but I have financial problems. Those classes are a little bit expensive for me.
Listen, I will sponsor you. I will pay for everything Francois says.
I have never seen a persistent boy like you. Well, thank you for all of this Janu answers. I am very grateful for your offer. I will try my best. No, I mean I will do my best.
Leave your contact info with me. Francois says. My manager will contact your parents. After expressing heartfelt gratitude repeatedly, Janu leaves with his friend Manul.
I do not know what is going on in your mind, the manager says to Francois. Why are you suddenly doing this?
I see myself in him. I was just like him, Francois replied.
Later
Janu is walking with Manul on the sidewalk.
Janu breaks into tears, continuously crying. Tears of joy not sadness.
Francois’s generosity is beyond what I could expect, says Janu.
Manul is comforting him, because Manul is his best friend, and always will be.
The road ahead for Janu has turned his life around. Now he will pursue his dream of becoming the best runner just like his idol Francois.
As they continue their walk on the sidewalk, Manul puts his arm around Janu’s shoulder, and tells him everything is going to be alright, and promises to be with him every step of the way. I will be there at all the finish lines you cross and win.
The sun is setting on an old life for Janu, tomorrow, a brand-new life begins, one he dreamt about and now it is a reality.
A great runner just like Francois……
The Secret of Life
What is the Secret of Life?
A father used to say to his children when they were young:
When you all reach the age of twelve, I will tell you the secret of life.
One day when the oldest turned twelve, he anxiously asked his father what the secret of life was.
The father replied that he was going to tell him, but that he should not reveal it to his brothers. Not yet.
My Son the secret of life is this:
The cows on our farm does not give milk.
What are you saying? Asked the boy incredulously.
As you hear it, son:
The cow does not give milk, you have to milk it.
You have to get up at four in the morning, go to the field, walk through the corral full of manure, tie the tail of the cow, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the wooden stool, place the bucket under the udder of the cow and do the work yourself. You have to milk the cow, to get milk.
That is the secret of life, the cow does not give milk.
You milk her or you do not get the milk.
There is this generation that thinks that cows GIVE milk.
That things are automatic and free,
People’s mentality is that if, I wish, I ask, I obtain.
They have been accustomed to get whatever they want the easy way.
But no, life is not a matter of wishing, asking and obtaining.
The things that one receives are the effort of what one does.
Happiness is the result of effort. Lack of effort creates anger and frustration.
So, share with your children from a young age the secret of life, so they do not grow up with the mentality that the government, their parents, or their cute little faces is going to give them everything they need in life.
Remember
Cows do not give milk; you have to work for it.
So
The secret of life is, you have to work hard for what you want in life,
Nothing in life is for free, except the air that you breathe.
Hard work results in great rewards.
So today and every day, realize that the hard work and effort you put into your life, will get you exactly where you want to be……
They Told Me
They told me...
That my house
Smells like dog...
And I asked them...
Do they know what a dog smells like?
A dog smells like:
Gratitude...
Loyalty...
Nobility...
Honey...
Love….
Compassion,,,,
Kindness…
Trust….
Obedience….
Pure and Unconditional LOVE,
Despite all they have suffered they do not
Smell a grudge....
Hold a disappointment….
Bite the hand that feeds them…..
Go to bed angry…..
Wake up with a sad face……
So...
I feel so blessed
My house smells like Dog…..
The Wise Old Man
After a serious illness, a wise old man was lying on his death bed.
He spoke these wise words
At this moment, lying in my bed, ill am remembering my whole life,
I realize that all the recognition and wealth I have are so insignificant in the presence of imminent death. A death we all face one day.
You can hire someone to drive your car, make money for you, but you cannot hire someone to carry a disease for you. No one can carry your pain and suffering at any time in life.
As we get older, we get smarter, and we slowly understand when a clock is worth R30.00 or R300.00 they both show the exact time in our lives.
Whether we drive a car worth R30.00 or R300.00 the road, distance and destination are always the same, we arrive on the same road, at the same time and at the same destination.
If we drink a bottle of wine worth R30.00 or R3000.00 we will be just as drunk at the end of the day.
So
Do not educate your children to be rich or strive for great wealth and riches. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things and not their price. Most important the true value of life.
Eat your food as medicine otherwise, you will have to eat your medicine as food.
The one who truly loves you will never leave you even if they have 100 reasons to give up. They will always have one reason to hold on.
That reason, true love.
There is a big difference between being human and just being.
Be that person who loves and cares always.
And lastly, If you want to go fast go alone.
But if you want to go far, always go together.
If you want to enjoy your journey of life, go with those who love and care for you.
Time a Short Trip
When we are born our time clock on this earth begins to run.
Tik Tok, hour by hour day by day.
Time does not wait on us.
It does not pause for us to play, or replay.
It does not stop for us to complete our dreams.
It moves forward either way day by day
.
It does not press rewind.
A moment passed is a moment lost forever.
If you did not speak your heart, then regret will be the cost.
Time goes on forever, but our time will surely end.
If you do not make the most of the time you have, the time is not your friend.
Time you spend with family and friends is so valuable. Time lost you can never ever get back.
No matter how much you have to do with your time on earth, your time clock is ticking away.
You believe that your time, is so valuable, but your time on earth is truly like a ticking clock.
In time and life, our time is slowly but surely coming to an end.
So what you do with your time, is totally in your hands.
Before you know it, you will go from a small child to an old person. You time has passed you before you can even blink an eye.
Life is truly only a very small trip from a baby to an old person who has lived the test of time.
The wrinkles on your face will tell the world have you have gone through the time of life.
How you spend that time, is completely up to you. You are in charge of your time and your destiny.
How you spend that time will either make you a better person, or you will just go day by day, time after time, in the flow of time, or you can make a huge difference with your time spent on earth.
Your time is the most important thing you can spend on this earth.
Time waits for no one. You cannot stop time. Time goes by from sunrise to sunset every day.
If you can arrange your time the way it will add value to your life every day, time will be your best friend.
The only thing is life you cannot bye is time. Time waits for no body. Time is a bus that has a journey with no stops.
Time is a long straight road with a beginning and an end.
The journey of time is your choice and your choice only.
In life you sometimes wish time will go quickly so you can get to the destination you want to be at, but before you know it time would have passed you by. Time you cannot replay or take back.
So the time you have on this earth, use that time to the very best of your ability.
Your time is much shorter than you think. Always use your time wisely. You never know when time will pass you by and you will have reached your final destination.
Two Lives Two Endings
The story of two lives and two empires built.
The young boy and the old man.
The Boy story.
On a warm summer at a beautiful beach, a little boy on his knees scoops and packs the sand with plastic shovels into a bucket.
He upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created.
He works all afternoon spooning out the moat, packing the walls, and building sentries with bottle tops and bridges with ice cream sticks.
Finally, with his hours of hard work on the beach, a sandcastle was made. A creation is made to stand the test of time. The boy’s time.
The Man’s story
In a big city with busy streets and rumbling traffic, a man works in an office.
He shuffles papers into stacks, delegates assignments, cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers.
He juggles with numbers, contracts get signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made. All his life, he will work.
He was formulating the plans and forecasting the future. His annuities will be sentries, and Capital gains will be bridged.
An empire will be built.
The two builders of the two castles have very much in common.
They both shape granules into grandeurs. They both make something beautiful out of nothing. They both are very diligent and determined to build their world.
For both, the tide will rise, and the end will come.
In life, there is always an end. No matter what.
Yet, that is where the similarities cease. The little boy sees the end of his castle while the man ignores it.
As the dusk approaches and the waves near, the boy jumps to his feet and begins to clap as the waves wash away his masterpiece. There is no sorrow. No fear. No regret. He is not surprised; he knew this would happen. He smiles, picks up his tools and takes his father’s hand, and goes home.
The man in his sophisticated office is not very wise like the boy.
As the wave of years collapses on his empire, the man is terrified. He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it.
He tries to block the waves with the walls he made. He snarls at the incoming tide. “It’s my castle,” he defies. The ocean need not respond. Both know to whom the sand belongs.
In life, always go ahead and build your dreams, but build with a child’s heart. A child’s heart is always innocent because of the unknown.
When the sun sets, and the tides take – applaud loudly.
Salute the process of life and go home with a huge smile and satisfaction.
Satisfied, with a day, you lived to the full, to the best of your ability and always gave it your best. That is always what life expects of you, only your best. Your best not someone else’s.
Another day, you were blessed to have lived and to be alive…..
A boy that is starting to live a new life…..
A man, almost done with his life…..
A beginning and an end……
Where are you today……
What is a Tree?
"WHAT IS A TREE?"...
What a question.
A tree is
"A TREE IS A SEED THAT TOOK A STAND AND SURVIVED THE TEST OF TIME AND LIFE"
You started your life as a seed, now you are like an old oak tree.
You have survived the test of time.
Your time, your life, your age.
Lots of seeds go to waste.
Some are just lying and have fallen on a stone.
Germinate but wither way.
Others get waterlogged.
Others germinate but lie on top of the earth and wither away.
Others grow but burn to death in the hot sun.
Lots of reasons why a tree does not grow to maturity, but by the time it has become a tree, it is one with testimonies that have survived a lot of attacks in life.
If you have grown up, past sixty, then I have a lot of respect for you.
Like a tree that stands strong and has survived life, so have you past sixty years of age.
Then it means you are
"A tree that took a stand, the test of time and survived life."
But
Then it also tells, that you were spared, so that you can give coolness, have branches for birds to sit and nest on, bear fruit for all to eat, have wood that can be used, have shade from the red hot sun and have a character that is your own.
You are Beautifully shaped and Unique.
You were like a good old oak tree, formed to serve a purpose in life.
Your life, your future, your destiny.
Do not just stand there and wait for your time to pass you by.
You are a chosen seed that has become a TREE.
You have fruit, coolness, knowledge, strength, and ability etc. for others to learn from.
You can be just like an old oak tree that does so much as a tree.
When you were born you have a future, a destiny and a purpose in life.
Live and focus on it to the very best of your ability.
You have one life
Grow it……
Live it………..
Why is the Wedding Ring worn on your Ring Finger.
Because
The Thumb represents your PARENTS
The Index Finger is your BROTHERS and SISTERS
The Middle Finger is you YOURSELF
The Ring Finger, your SPOUSE (your husband or your wife)
The Pinkie, your CHILDREN
First, open your hands, fingers facing each other and bend/fold the middle fingers inward.
Place the thumb of one hand against the thumb of the other hand and do the same with all the fingers EXCEPT the two middle fingers.
Those two fingers should be folded in so that the middle fingers touch each other.
Now, try to take/open your THUMBS, which represent your PARENTS, away from each other, you get it right, don't you.
This is because your PARENTS are not destined to walk your entire life path with you. They are going to leave you at some point.
Now close/close your thumbs again and try to take/open your INDEX FINGERS, which represent your BROTHERS and SISTERS, away from each other. You will be able to manage it too, because your brothers and sisters will one day have families of their own and so will they live separate lives from yours.
Put your index fingers back together again and now try to take/open your PINKIES, which represent your CHILDREN, away from each other. They too will open, because your children will also one day have children of their own, their own families and families, separate from yours.
Finally, put your pinkies back together and now try to take/open your RING FINGERS, which represent your SPOUSE (your husband or wife), away from each other. You cannot.
No matter how hard you try, without opening your other fingers.
Why?
Because Man and Woman are destined to walk their life paths together, eat 7x7 bags of salt together, by loving each other unconditionally through thick and thin!
And THAT is why we wear our wedding rings on our ring fingers.
Why Men and Woman think Differently.
Woman are much more complicated than Men.
Men are very simple beings.
And do you know why?
It is because their brains are so different.
First.
I want to start with Men.
Men’s brains are very unique.
Most Women do not realize that whether we are having sex or watching sports, our brains are made up of little boxes.
We have got a box for everything.
We have a box for the car.
We have got a box for money
We have a box for our jobs
We have a box for our women
We have got a box for the kids
We have a box for our friends
We have a box for your mother in the basement.
We have a box for everything and everywhere.
The rule is, the boxes do not touch each other, ever.
When a man discusses a particular subject, we go to that particular box.
We pull that box out, we open the box, and we discuss “ONLY” what is in that “BOX”.
Then we close the box and put it away being very very careful not to touch other boxes.
Women
Now Women’s brains are very different form Men’s brains
Women’s brains are made up of a big ball of steel wire.
Everything is connected to everything.
The money is connected to the car and the car is connected to her job and her kids are connected to her mother
Everything is all connected.
It is like the internet superhighway, and it is all driven by energy that we call emotions.
It is one of the reasons why women tend to remember, “EVERYTHING”.
Because if you take an event and you connect it to an emotion and it burns in your memory and you can remember it forever, no matter what.
The same thing happens for Men. It just does not happen very often, because quite frankly, we just focus on our own “BOXES”.
Women tend to care about everything, and she loves it.
Now, Men we have a “BOX” in our brain that most women are not aware of.
This particular box has “NOTHING” in it.
In fact, we call it “THE NOTHING BOX”.
Of all the boxes the man has in his brain, “THE NOTHING BOX” is our favourite box.
If a man has any chance at all, he will go to his “NOTHING BOX” every time and every day.
That is why a “MAN” can do something seemingly completely brain dead for hours on end.
You know, like watching sport, like fishing, camping and drinking with friends.
Now they have actually measured this.
The University of South Africa a couple of years ago did a study and discovered that “MEN” have the ability to do absolutely “NOTHING”.
And still breathe very well.
Women cannot do this.
Their minds have never stopped working.
They do not understand the “NOTHING BOX”
It drives them crazy, because nothing drives a woman crazier and makes them feel more irritated than to watch a “MAN” do “NOTHING”.
So
When your man does “NOTHING”
Always remember your Man is doing Something.
Check the “NOTHING BOX” of your man
It is always very busy.
You’re Footprints in Life
When we are born we start the journey of our lives in our own footprints.
We are born with very small little pink toes and feet.
We walk through life and those feet have to carry us day by day as we get older and stronger.
Your feet have to carry you through a smooth terrain, or through the thorns of life. Thorns that can cause so much pain and suffering in your life.
Foot prints we will walk on this earth that will make a positive or negative affect and difference in our lives and in other peoples.
We do not know how our journey is going to be or how the footprints of our lives is going to turn out.
Every day is a new journey and a new path that our feet have to walk.
But
A fact that we will leave footprints on this earth and in the lives of our family and friends and the people we encounter during the journey of our lives. Very deep footprints we will walk every day.
Footprints we do not always know where we leave them, or where we leave them, but we leave footprints every day of our lives on our journey of life and in the life of others.
In life sometimes that is all we leave is footprints, so we have to always consider where we walk, how we walk, and the footprints we leave on this earth and in people’s lives.
There is times that our footprints walk on the plush green grass on this planet, and in our lives, but there are so many times we walk in the dirtiest places that cause dirt and pain on our feet.
The journey we walk is not always smooth or on plush green grass, our footprints can sometimes be very hard and difficult at times.
Those footprints that we walk, the difficult path, is what makes us what we are everyday of our lives. Those are the footprints that get recognized and noticed by everybody.
In life when you walk the good path, it very seldom gets noticed, but walk the bad path and it will be noticed and remembered forever.
In life no matter how big or small you are, your feet walk the path and the journey of life. Your life and your life alone.
We spend so much time on our feet and walking the journey of life.
No matter who you are or what you are, your feet and the foot prints you leave is what your life is all about.
Many of us only want to walk on the plush green pastures of our lives, but the sad dirty part of our lives will always be there.
How many times have you walked on a beach and there is footprints of the people who have walked on the beach before you? You then try and walk in those footprints to hide your own. You can never ever hide your own footprints.
But
They are not your footprints, they are someone else’s. It is so easy to walk in someone else’s footprints because it takes so little effort from yourself. You have to in life walk in your own footprints to make a success and a difference in your own life and your own future.
Your own footprints define who you are and where you are going in your own life. It is your footprints, your journey, your life and your destination.
Our footprints define who we are in life and where we are going. You are the destiny of your own footprints and your own journey of your own life.
Your footprints define who you are. There are never ever two sets of footprints that are the same. Footprints like fingerprints are never ever the same.
No matter how big or small your footprints are they are who you are and those footprints leave marks and impressions in life. Your life.
Your future.
So your life, no matter the terrain situation or distance, always leave the best footprints you can, for others to follow, appreciate, love and admire.
Like the false foot prints on the moon, your foot prints in life will be there forever.
Because
They are your foot prints. Yours alone.
Walk life with your foot prints to the very best of your ability…..
In your own foot prints.
No one else’s……
Epilogue
Many of us go through life, experience so much about life and its values and the journey we are on.
We learn everyday about life and our journey there in.
It is up to us to share our experiences and situations with others to make life a better place for us all to live in.
Your journey in life depends on what you learn about life and what you do with it.
Your life and your journey is what you make of it.
We all travel on the bus of life on our journeys till the end of time.
We have many different bus stops, that we stop at and continue our journey of life, be it good or bad stops.
The life’s lesson we learn at every stop make us better people and to continue to help other people’s life’s journey to be a better place to live in.
Enjoy your journey of life.
It is what you make of life that makes you a better person.
Thank you to my Wife, Friends and Family
Who has contributed to the short story book of Life Volume 3….
Thank you
Marius Robbertze
Author and Writer
AKA ©MFR
The Book of Life's Short Stories Volume 3(Marius Robbertze)
Introduction:
My Third Book of Life’s Short Stories
In life, we all learn very dear lessons during our journey of life.
Some of the lessons are good, and some are bad lessons we never want to repeat.
Life’s lessons we experience from other people’s situations and our own life’s story.
These are Life’s lessons I have put together for all to read and hopefully to improve their journey of life.
We all can benefit from just that little extra in life to keep us going and to improve our lives for ourselves and our family and friends.
In the present day everyone on this earth at one time or another needs help in one way or another.
These short stories are there as a life guide and information with some very helpful tips advice and teaching for a better life in the future for all.
Enjoy.
Short Stories:
• A Pencil Maker one day said to his favourite Pencil
• Africa
• Bullies
• Just Pedal
• Lately
• My Dear Human
• My Shoes
• On the day I Die a lot will happen.
• Poem of a Dog
• Seashells
• Spinoza
• Teenagers
• The Button
• The Four Candles
• The Parliament of Tomfoolery
• The Runner
• The Secret of Life
• They Told Me
• The Wise Old Man
• Time a Short Trip
• Two Lives Two Endings.
• What is a Tree
• Why is the Wedding Ring worn on your Ring Finger?
• Why Men and Woman think Differently.
• You’re Footprints in Life
A Pencil Maker one day said to his favourite Pencil
Any mistakes you make in your life can be rubbed out, forgiven, and forgotten.
Everything you do in life will always leave a mark, be it good or bad.
What is most important is what is inside you every day.
In your life, you are going to go through painful sharpening’s, but it will make you a better pencil overall in your life. A sharp pencil is a productive pencil.
If you want to be the best pencil in life you must let the person who holds you always be in charge.
Let GOD Always be in charge and in control of your Life, to be the best Pencil Ever.
Africa
When you have acquired a taste for dust
The African dust
And the smell of the first rains in the bush
A smell you cannot describe
You are hooked for life in Africa
And you will never be the same again
Until you can watch the setting moon in the African sky
The rising sun, blood red in the morning sky
And hear the jackals cry in the darkness of the night
And know for sure they are around you
Waiting in the dark
When you long to see the Elephants
Or hear the mockingbird song
When the moon rise sets your heart on fire
Then you have been gone too long
It is time to cut the traces and lose
And let your heart go free
Beyond that far horizon
Where your spirit yearns to be
In Africa
Africa is waiting for you
In all its splendour and glory
Since you have touched the open sky
And learned to love the rustling grass
And the wild fish eagle's cry
You will always hunger for the African bush
From the lions rasping roar
To a bush camp beneath the African sky
And to be in at peace ever more.
Bullies
Once again, Jenny Topper had to strain to reach the countertop. Even with her step stool, she could not reach the toaster. Someone had pushed it back. She could see it gleaming, stuck back under the cupboards. Cupboards that neither her, nor her husband, or her two children had ever used. She sighed.
Thirteen-year-old Brian, Elsie’s best friend, watched with a curious look on his face. One of consternation, embarrassment, and disbelief. A moment later, his young face cleared of all emotion, he quietly got up, and walked over to the counter. Reaching his long arm back to the toaster, he gently pulled it forward, almost to the edge of the countertop. Mrs. Jenny Topper, and what an Ironic name to give a family of midgets, Brian thought for the hundredth or so time, leaned over and touched his arm lightly.
You are a good boy Brian, and there is no denying that. Ever since you met my daughter Elsie and became her best friend, this house has had some cheer in it. Do you know why? Do you know?
No. Mrs. Topper, Brian replied.
It is because of your heart. You treat us all, as if we were tall, or normal sized. You call us Little People, when you found out that is what we call ourselves, never do you call us midgets. Remarkable in a boy of your age, or any age for that matter.
Brian turned bright red. He had no idea what to say. He was ashamed to say he had called them midgets, until that day he saw Elsie, the daughter sitting calmly on a swing, a circle of playground bullies, both girls and boys, taunting her because she could not reach the ground with her short legs and tiny feet.
She looked calm, but the tears were streaming down her cheek. Giving lies to the false smile and calm demeanor she displayed to the crowd of jeering children. It made Brian mad. Fighting mad.
No one wanted to fight an angry Brian. The few that did never wanted to do it again. He was not the biggest kid in school and was far from being the smallest, but he was by far, the toughest. He never started a fight, but he finished them all. When Brian was finished with you, you, my friend, were done. He stomped through the crowd, ready if anyone said a word, he would throw them to the ground and beat them up.
As he stepped through the circle of children, they all quieted down immediately. What was he doing? They wondered.
Brian himself had no idea. He just hated bullies. He hated it worse when good kids just stood by and watched. It was then that he met Elsie's eyes. She took one of her tiny hands and raised the index finger towards him. Waggling it in the manner that says, worldwide.
No, no, no. Stop right there. Brian got it immediately. She did not want anyone hurt. She did not want a fight, or hear ugly words. She would rather quietly sit on the swing, refusing to let the children see how awkwardly, she had to climb out of the seat to get down. She would sit there until the last bell of recess, fall off the swing, and even though it hurt, run to her class, late.
Brian registered all of this in a heartbeat. Without breaking stride, he walked right behind her and pulled the swing gently back by both chains.
Would you like me to push? He asked.
Oh, Yes. She squealed in surprise and delight.
Brian had only moved back a few feet, and he let the swing go. She went forward a bit, and on the backswing, he put his hands on her small back and pushed ever so gently.
Elsie laughed.
You have to push harder than that.
Brian could not see her face, but he knew she was smiling. He was too. He was surprised to see she weighed as much as a normal girl her age. He did have to push harder, and he did. This time, she flew forward. Leaning back on the chains, and giggling, she flung her little legs up with glee.
Whee, Wheee.
He pushed her higher, and higher, but still she hung on, urging him on.
Push me Brian to the Sky and back. And she laughed.
That was how they met. No one but Brian and Elsie knew that when they were alone, Sky was what Brian called her.
She loved that name, Sky.
On their wedding invitations, just ten years later, was a picture of a swing set, a little girl sitting in it, a little boy behind her,
Underneath was a caption.
Push me to the Sky and back.
Today and every day, push those to the sky that needs to get there.
You are and can always be someone else’s Sky…..
Just Pedal
At first, I saw GOD as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things and my life I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited Heaven, or hell when I die.
HE was out of there like a president. I recognized HIS picture when I saw it, but I did not really know HIM.
But later on, when I met CHRIST, and gave my life to HIM, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed CHRIST was at the back helping me pedal.
I do not know just when it was that HE suggested we changed places, but life has not been the same since. HE changed places to the front.
When I had control, I knew the way. I was rather boring, but very predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when HE took the lead, HE knew delightfully long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on. Even though it looked like madness. HE said, Pedal, Pedal, and Pedal.
I was worried and anxious and asked,
Where are YOU taking me?
HE laughed and did not answer, and I learned to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. When I would say I am scared HE would lean back and touch my hand.
HE took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, my LORDS and mine. And we were off again.
HE said
Give the gifts away, they are extra baggage, too much weight.
So, I did, to the people we met along the way. And I found in giving I received, and still our burdens were very light.
I did not trust HIM, at first, in control of my life. I thought HE would wreck my life, but HE truly knows bike secrets, HE knows how to make it bend to make very sharp corners, jumps to clear very high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.
I have learnt to shut up and just pedal in very strange places, and I am beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion. JESUS CHRIST.
When I am sure I just cannot do anymore
HE just smiles and says
PEDAL PEDAL PEDAL…..
Lately
Lately, I have been noticing, that I am always bringing winter and spring.
I am always here to summon warps to heart-crown cold with frigid stains.
I turn grey skies to blue, so no one thinks that I get grey.
It is like they have forgotten I am a human with more emotions than I know what to do with.
More emotions you will never understand.
I have got no one to speed them to.
Or at least that is how it feels sometimes, who knows if it is the truth.
But lately I have been noticing I will light the paths before their feet.
I will let the shadows fall on me if it only means that they can see.
This is who I want to be.
This is who am.
Be there for anyone in need.
But oftentimes I am just a steppingstone in someone's dreams.
When they find out where they are going, their destination is not me.
So it feels like their life's been on a lock and I am just the key.
But I am here for myself at the end of the day.
I have had to adapt to be this way.
I need validation too, but I will, l have to be the one to say.
That regardless of what life has in store, I will always be okay.
I will always choose to see the rainbows, even when I am dripping drenched in the rain.
I will always look up to admire the stars and learn them all by name.
I will know that someone is looking down and wants to know me just the same.
Knowing this is comforting because lately I have been noticing that no one seems to notice me……
I have been noticing that no one seems to care or notice me.
No One………
My Dear Human
I see that you are crying, for it is my moment to leave.
Do not cry, please. I want to explain some things to you.
You are sad because I left, but I am glad I met you.
How many dogs and cats and birds like me die daily without meeting someone special like you?
I know it saddens you my departure, but I have to go now.
I want to ask you not to blame yourself for anything. I heard you sobbing that you should have done something else for me.
Do not say that, you have done a lot for me.
Without you, I would have known nothing of the beauty I carry with me today.
You must know that we animals live the present intensely and we are very wise, we enjoy every little thing every day, and forget the bad past quickly.
Our lives begin when we know love, the same love you gave me, my angel without wings and two legs and a heart filled with gold.
Know that even if you find an animal that is seriously injured, and that you only have a little bit of time in this world, you provide a huge service by accompanying you in your final transition.
None of us likes to be alone, except when we realize it is time to leave.
Maybe for you it is not so important that one of you is next to us caressing us and holding our paw, helps us go in peace.
No more crying, please. I will be happy. I have in memory the name you gave me, the warmth of your house that in this time became mine. I take the sound of your voice talking to me, even though I do not always understand what you were saying to me.
I carry in my heart every caress you gave me.
Everything you did was very valuable to me, and I thank you endlessly,
I do not know how to tell you, because I do not speak your language, but surely in my eyes you could see my gratitude.
I am just going to ask for two Favours.
Wash your face and start smiling.
Remember how good we lived together these moments, remember the antics I made to cheer you up.
Relive like me all the good we share in this time.
And do not say you will not adopt another animal, because you have suffered a lot from my departure.
Without you I would not live the beauties I lived.
Please do not do this.
There are many like me waiting for someone like you to love us to the end of our lives.
Give them what you gave me, please, they need it just like I needed you.
Do not keep the love you have to give, for fear of suffering.
Follow my advice, cherish the good you share with each of us, recognizing that you are an angel to us animals, and that without people like you our life would be harder than sometimes it is.
Follow your noble task, now it is up to me to be your angel.
I will accompany you in your path and help you to help others like me.
I will talk to other animals who are here with me, I will tell them everything you have done for me and I will point and say proudly.
That is my family. The people that loved and cared for me so much.
Tonight, when you look at the sky and see a blinking star, I want you to know that it is me flashing an eye, warning you that I arrived well and telling you
Thank you for the love you gave me.
I say farewell now not saying goodbye but see you later soon.
There is a special sky for people like you, the sky where we go and life rewards us by making us meet there.
I will be waiting for you.
Mickey, my best friend, the love of my life
Thank you, see you soon…….
My Shoes
I woke up one day and realized that there were many things about my life I was not satisfied with, or better still, there were challenges that were threatening my soul, with the shoes I wore.
I asked myself
Why would anybody envy me, and want to walk in my shoes?
They do not know how far I have come through the journey of life in my shoes.
They do not know and realize what lies ahead of me.
They do not know the journey of life I have already walked in my shoes.
Neither do they know how dissatisfied I get with myself from time-to-time walking in my shoes.
People do not know the joy I have had walking in my shoes.
People do not realize the troubles I have had or the price that I had to pay to get to where I am today with my shoes.
All they want to know is how they can be like me.
What can they do to walk in the journey I have walked in my shoes?
I ask the question, why you would want to be in anybody’s else’s shoes but your own, if you do not even know how someone’s else’s shoes fit?
When you have worn your own shoes for a while.
Your shoes take the shape of your feet during the journey of life.
Your shoes align with the way you walk.
If you were to wear my shoes, you would never ever be comfortable in them. My shoes would not fit your feet.
So, I stopped wishing I was in someone else’s shoes because it would never fit.
Rather I thanked GOD for my shoes because they fitted and were so comfortable and uncomfortable at times during my journey of life.
I have learned to be the best in what I do, and I know no one can replace me, just like no other shoes would fit me or be able to walk through the journey of my life.
Just like my shoes, I am an original.
GOD is not into the cloning business.
GOD only makes originals.
Make the best of your own shoes, besides just like you, your shoes were new when you bought them, and then you wore them according to your feet. Your feet only.
Make the best of your shoes and enjoy the journey of life that you alone walk in your shoes.
They are your shoes, and you have a beautiful life to walk with them.
Your shoes will always fit your feet, and your feet alone.
You only live once, so walk in your shoes and enjoy the journey of your life, not someone else’s in their shoes and their life and journey.
On the day I Die allot will happen.
A lot will change.
The world will be busy with everything life throws at us.
On the day I Die, all the important appointments
I made will be left unattended.
The many plans I had yet to complete will remain
Forever undone.
The calendar that ruled so many of my days
Will now be irrelevant to me.
All material things I so chased, guarded and treasured will be left in the hands of others to care for or discard.
The words of my critics which so burdened me will cease to sting or capture anymore.
They will be unable to touch me.
The arguments I believed I had won here on earth will not serve me or bring me any satisfaction or solace.
All my noisy incoming notifications and texts and calls will go unanswered.
Their great urgency will be quieted.
Many nagging regrets will be resigned to the past
Where they should have always been anyway.
Every superficial worry about my body that I ever laboured over
About my waistline, hairline or frown lines will fade away.
My carefully crafted image, the one I worked so hard to shape for others here on earth, will be left to them to complete anyway.
The sterling reputation I once struggled so greatly to maintain will be of little concern for me anymore.
All small and large anxieties that stole sleep from me each night will be rendered powerless.
The deep and towering mysteries about life and death that so consumed my mind, will finally be clarified in a way that they could never be before while I lived.
These things will certainly be true on the day that I Die.
Yet for as much as this will happen on that day, one more thing that will happen.
On the day that I Die, the few people who really know me and truly Love me
Will grieve deeply.
They will feel a void.
They will feel cheated.
They will not feel ready for my departing from their lives.
They will feel as though a part of them has died as well.
And on that day, more than anything in the world they will want more time with me.
I know this from those I love and grieve for every day that have gone.
So, knowing all this, while I am still alive I will try to remember that my time with them is finite and fleeting and so very precious.
I will do my best not to waste a second of my time with those that I love and care for.
I will try my best not to squander a priceless moment worrying about all the other things that happen on the day that I Die, because many of those things are either not my concern or beyond my control.
Family and friends, those other things have an insidious way of keeping you from living even as you live, vying for your attention, competing for your affections.
They rob you of the joy of this unrepeatable, uncontainable, ever evaporating, now with those who love and care for you, and want only to share love and time with you again and always.
Do not miss the chance to dance life with them while you still can.
It is easy to waste so much daylight in the days before you Die.
Do not let your life be stolen every day by all that you have been led to believe matters, because on the day you Die, the fact is that much of it simply will not matter.
Yes, it is a fact, you and I will Die one day.
But before you Die, always live your life to the best of your ability.
Live your life not only for yourself, but also for those who love and care for you always.
Poem of a Dog
I am the one who's always waiting for you.
Your car has a special sound that I have imprinted on my senses, I can recognize it in a thousand cars.
Your steps have a magic bell.
Your voice is music to my ears.
If I see your joy, it makes me happy.
Your scent is the best.
Your presence moves my senses.
Your waking up wakes me up.
I contemplate you sleeping and for me you are my God, I am happy watching your sleep.
Your look is a ray of light.
Your hands upon me, hold the lightness of peace and the sublime display of infinite love.
When you leave, I feel a huge void in my heart.
I keep waiting for you again and again.
I am the one who will wait for you all your life today, tomorrow and forever:
I am your dog.
Sea Shells
It is a beautiful winter morning in Mossel Bay. I sit on a rock and run my fingers through the millions of shells on the beach. The children are playing just a little further and as I watch them I feel the peace of the environment wash over me. The sea air is surprisingly warm and the sounds of laughing children, gentle waves and a joking seagull fill the silences.
An excited Melanios comes bouncing by and jumps belly and paws inside a rock pool. While I watch the activities on the beach, I collect a handful of perfect little shells. They have not yet been crushed by the waves or weathered by the sun and sand. The children come running closer and my little girl gives me a hand full of shells to hold. I open my hand and look at what she has gathered. There is maybe one whole shell, the rest are broken. Some have been bleached by the sun and others have been ground smooth by the waves.
Look, Dad, she said, as she packed the shells one by one onto the rock next to me.
These two are pink, it is my best color. The three orange shells are cousins to me. This one is rough like daddy's beard and the white one is soft like grandma. The blue is for little brother because it is his best color.
She held a faded weathered piece of shell to the sky and said,
This one is the most beautiful.
Did you see that it is little heart dad?
I think the sea sometimes makes hearts out of broken shells and then people pick them up and then they remember that Jesus loves them.
She turned and ran back to the beach. . .
I look after her as I open my hand full of perfect shells.
Why do we strive for perfection so much when in reality it does not exist?
We wear ourselves down daily to build the illusion of a perfect picture, the perfect house, and the perfect children only to be disappointed over and over again by its unattainable emptiness. It is as if nothing in the world fulfills you. However, the word speaks of a gift, a glorious mystery where there is perfect fulfillment: Colossians 1:27
God decided to make known to them how blessed and glorious this mystery is for the nations. Its contents are:
Christ is in you, He is your hope of glory. Our gift is the presence of Christ in us. It is so big that we cannot even begin to truly understand it.
One day I heard the following explanation:
The gift of Jesus Christ in us is like wrapping a diamond ring in a checkers bag. The packaging does not diminish the value of the content. Having Christ in us does not change who God is, but it does change who we are. It changes what we do, how we speak and where we are going.
I looked again at my hand full of perfect shells and I throw them over my shoulder.
My little girl's weathered and destroyed shells have so much more value than a hand full of perfect shells. Her shells have meaning and tell a story of the loves in her life. In the same way, we, with our shortcomings and mistakes, are worth much more because Jesus Christ lives in us.
Despite being faded and weathered by life, we all tell a story. The most beautiful story about infinite love and a Man from Nazareth who conquered death and who is the world's hope for Love Hope Faith Trust and Glory.
All I ask is the wisdom to push aside the empty things in life. I ask for teaching to look with our hearts and not with our eyes so that we will see the little hearts that we can see out of broken things.
Spinoza
What is Spinoza's idea of God?
Who was Spinoza’s?
Baruch de Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher considered one of the great rationalists of 17th century philosophy, along with Descartes.
Spinoza defined God as:
A substance consisting of infinite attributes, each of which expresses eternal and infinite essence, and since, no cause or reason, can prevent such a being from existing, it therefore must exist. God exists.
When Einstein gave lectures at U.S. universities, the recurring question that students asked him most was:
Do you believe in God?
And he always answered:
I believe in the God that Spinoza spoke of. The true God,
Spinoza, God would say:
What I want you to do is go out into the world and enjoy your life.
I want you to sing, have fun and enjoy everything I have made for you.
Stop going into those dark, cold temples that you built yourself and saying they are my house. God only has one house. The temple of the Lord.
My house is in the mountains, in the woods, rivers, lakes, beaches. That is where I live and there I express my love for you. The God of love.
Stop blaming me for your miserable life, I never told you there was anything wrong with you or that you were a sinner, or that your sexuality was a bad thing. Sex is a gift I have given you and with which you can express your love, your ecstasy, your joy. So do not blame me for everything they made you believe.
Stop reading alleged sacred scriptures that have nothing to do with me. If you cannot read me in a sunrise, in a landscape, in the look of your friends, in your son's eyes, you will find me in no book. Find me in the things and life around you. There is only one true book. The book of life God created for you.
Stop asking me, will you tell me how to do my job?
Stop being so scared of me. I do not judge you or criticize you, nor get angry, or bothered. I am pure love. I am the one and only true God.
When I made you, I filled you with passions, limitations, pleasures, feelings, needs, inconsistencies, free will. How can I blame you if you respond to something I put in you? In you I put love, the true love I have for you.
How can I punish you for being the way you are, if I am, the one who made you? Do you think I could create a place to burn all my children who behave badly for the rest of eternity?
What kind of God would do that? Only a God you do not love follow and give your life to.
Respect your peers and do not do what you do not want for yourself.
All I ask is that you pay attention in your life, that alertness is your guide.
My beloved, this life is not a test, not a step on the way, not a rehearsal, nor a prelude to paradise. Your life with the true God is eternal.
This life is the only thing here and now and it is all you need. The life after is something you have to live for every day.
I have set you absolutely free, no prizes or punishments, no sins or virtues, no one carries a marker, and no one keeps a record.
You are absolutely free to create in your life. Heaven or hell. The choice is yours. You decide.
So, if you have lived your life on earth according to God, then you will have enjoyed the opportunity I gave you. And if there is, rest assured that I will ask if you behaved right or wrong, I will ask.
Did you love it?
Did you have fun?
What did you enjoy the most?
What did you learn?
Did you follow the ways of God?
I want you to believe in Me, I also want you to believe in you.
I want you to feel Me in you when you kiss your beloved, when you tuck in your little girl at night, when you caress your dog, when you bathe in the sea.
What kind of God do you think I am?
I love being praised.
I love being thanked.
I love feeling grateful?
Prove it by taking care of yourself, your health, your relationships, and the world.
Express your joy to the one and only God.
That is the way to praise me.
Always repeating as a parakeet what you have been taught about me.
The only thing for sure is that there is a living God that loves you very much, accept that you are here, that you are alive, that this world is full of wonders.
Always remember the biggest wonders is the living God, who created you and who loves you so much, that He gave His life for you.
Teenagers
This is especially for the parents of boys and girls, teenagers to be more specific, who are on the brink of entering the twilight zone of teenage hood.
My first words of advice is to go straight to your doctor, demand large quantities of stress medication, kiss any ounce of sanity you thought you had goodbye and brace yourself for the ride of your life.
It is not even as simple as, one day they are up and one day they are down. It is a case of one minute they are happy, sad, moping, frowning and then they are laughing, then they are crying, and all this happens in a matter of sixty seconds.
Impossible, it cannot be done I hear you say. You obviously do not have a teenager, and yes it can be done, it has been done and will continue to be done for centuries to come.
Whatever you do, do not feel bewildered and confused and wonder to yourself if you have experienced a Bermuda triangle moment.
Surely you must have missed something or simply lost the plot. What else could justify such a flurry of unprovoked emotion?
I gave up trying to make sense of it, and just like my insanity, I simply chose to accept that this was normal behaviour for teenagers and embraced it.
Before long, I found myself pre-empting the order in which they would lose it, and patting myself on the back when I got it right.
Specialists blame this stage of their lives on hormones, the fact that they are totally unbalanced. Now I cannot talk for all teenagers, but I do have first-hand experience with other teenagers, but I do with my own. Many of them.
Some say it is worse with girls. I would not know, as my son has only entered the outskirts of the teenage zone, and at this stage, his computer is my greatest rival, which quite frankly suits me, as I have the ultimate power. I am still in control, it is called a gaming console, and unlike trying to reason with a teenager, it really does wield great power and it works.
As a parent you know nothing, understand less and are considered the meanest person on this planet.
All the other mums and dads allow them to do it, I would often be told.
You are so mean was another all-time favourite.
My Teenagers would accuse me of being this old fashioned party pooper who has no clue what it feels like to be a teenager.
Correct. I naturally evolved from a baby to adulthood and skipped the whole teenage thing. That was the difference between many years ago and present day.
Wrong, it is for that exact reason that I am laying down the law like the new sheriff in town. I know what teenagers are scheming before they have even get to the second word of their sentence. Remember, I have been there, done that and burnt the T-shirt, the evidence and scares from a long time ago.
I was not permitted to ask what was wrong when they came home dragging not only their suitcase on the floor, but their bottom lip as well.
The reason is simple, you just will not understand. They would hiss at me. Teachers and friends know everything at this stage and what they say is as good as gospel.
However, do not feel bad. It is only a matter a time, and the teachers will be joining you in the villain department. They too will know nothing, thus leaving the wisdom of the world in the hands of some very hormonally challenged teenagers, Scary thought to say the least. Welcome to the dark side of a teenager.
After the age of great wisdom, comes the age of the great rebellion. This stage of their life is probably the most terrifying of all. It is the stage that they experience absolutely no brain activity and even less common sense.
They consider themselves immortal and thus live their lives as if they are indestructible and untouchable.
This is the age when you wish you could pack your bags and leave home, only to return when it is all over, but you cannot no matter what, you have to suck it up, put your big girl panties on and face the challenge ahead.
It will seem as if every rule you ever made will be broken, every boundary you lay down will be overstepped and every last nerve you ever had will be trampled on.
We are talking full on war. The important thing to remember though is that your teenager is not the enemy, but their actions are. It is a bit like loving the sinner but hating the sin.
No matter what, never retreat or even give them the slightest indication they have the upper hand. Hold your ground, stand firm, be bold. Be the parent you wish you had. Some of us had that parent.
As you find yourself in the rewind and replay stage of every conversation, you will suddenly experience a feeling of déjà vu.
I am talking about those words your parents spoke numerous times over and over, the wait until you have children one day.
If I recall, my response was always I will never be like you. I will let my children do what they want, yet here I stand as the parent I swore I would never be, and my past has come back to haunt me and knock me over the head with that proverbial, I told you so.
After endless arguments with my teenagers, I happened to watch a show where a Doctor of Psychology suggested that as parents, we should try putting ourselves in our teenager’s shoes and see things from their perspective.
I sat there thinking that could be a slight problem. I am a size 8 and they are size 5, so I am sure you can see the challenge, but yes, I know that is not the point, so let us get back to the real issue at hand and try to see things from a teenager’s point of view.
My first response was their point of view my foot.
Yes, we are back at the foot subject, and yes, I do have a foot fetish.
But, it is my house, my rules. I am the boss. What I say goes. Never told my ex that, she always thought she was the boss, and who was I to correct her?
Fortunately, common sense prevailed and I decided to give this concept a go with very interesting results.
Now before we go any further, let me state the following for the record. No, I do not hold a degree in child psychology. My only qualification is a bit of fatherhood, a lot of sleepless nights and years of experience in head bashing to top it off with.
I clearly recall the first time I put this new concept into practice. My teenagers had reached the stage in their lives when it was totally uncool to be seen with your parents, so they asked me to drop them around the corner and not at the entrance of the school.
My first reaction was to get all defensive.
Their first-class ticket on the guilt trip express, followed by a very impressive pity party, sparklers, and all.
After everything I have done for you, and now you are ashamed of me, is this how I deserve to be treated? Fine, if that is the way you want it, then I will drop you off right here, this was my very mature adult response Let us not judge people.
I proceeded to pull off at a speed that would make a few Formula One driver's blush, leaving my teenagers confused and clearly very embarrassed.
After seething and moping around, grumbling about how my teenagers no longer loved me, and woe is my life, I soon realized that their request was actually not unreasonable and that if handled correctly, in time, they would be okay with hanging with their parents again.
With this newfound wisdom, I gracefully composed myself and retreated into the background of their lives, lurking in the shadows to catch them if they fell or popped up like a bottle cork if the need ever arose that they needed me.
I accepted that my place was to no longer drag them forward, but to gently nudge them from behind in the right direction and walk alongside them when the time arose.
The scary part about being a parent is that one day there is these teenagers who look up to you as a prince or princess from one of their fairy tales, and the next, you are the villain in the story.
You kiss your innocent little teenager's goodnight one day, and the next morning you walk into their room, only to find this little teenager with an attitude to boot, in their place.
Posting a LITTLE TEENAGER LOST poster will not help either.
Simply hide the credit cards, haul out the baby photos and buckle up, because the days of Barbie is long over, and suddenly Ken looks a lot more interesting than Barbie ever did, and in order to attract Kens attention, one needs to look drop dead gorgeous.
It will not take you long to realize that nothing and I mean nothing but brand clothing will do, so that little retirement nest you were working on, will have to be put on hold.
Without warning, you become so yesterday alongside the brand new denim you just bought them an hour ago.
Actually, to come to think of it, everything and anything becomes so yesterday. As a parent, you know nothing and understand less.
Your life becomes a whirlwind of eyes rolls, foot stamping and a lot of huffing and door slamming.
My all-time favourite would be when their response to my annoyance or disapproval would be, whatever. This word would literally feel as if they had got a hammer out and beaten up every last nerve that remained in your body.
Most days, their bedroom would look as if a bomb went off leaving clothing strewn in every corner of the room, over the bed and desk, leaving little to nothing left in the cupboard.
I would have to hear how they had nothing to wear in their cupboard, which in reality was the truth, however they forgot the reason was because it was literally all over their room floor now.
In their eyes they were never as pretty as their friends or as thin as them. I chose to not even entertain this self-talk, and just changed the subject. Dealing with any conversation at this point was like navigating a mine field, and as I valued my life, I would just coast on the outskirts of that conversation, because no amount of reassuring them that as they were was indeed beautiful and not fat, would convince them. They needed to see their inner beauty first, before any amount of convincing from me would work.
Remember, I was the parent who had time-warped from the 16th century, so I would never understand what they were going through in the 20th Century.
It was only later they came to understand that beauty was never about something external, but what came from within, and in realizing this, that their external beauty would shine beyond their wildest imagination, but that is a story for another day.
So parents, if you have a teenage child do not take anything personal for the next few years, and always keep in mind that their logical brain has been switched off and the emotional part has invaded their head like a virus from a zombie apocalypse movie.
Be brave, be strong and above all, be supportive, because if you can make it out of this stage, you will be so proud of the beautiful people they become on the other side.
The Button
What about this one, Grandma Pop? Six-year-old Lume held up a black, ornate button. The little girl, her hair in two imperfect pigtails, held the button as if it were a treasure. Her blue eyes shone with wonder and interest.
Ah, that one has been with us for a long time, has it not, Grandpa M? Grandma Pop said with a soft, kind smile. Grandma Pop remained in her chair, her back perfectly straight. At first glance, she might appear prim and proper, rigid even, but she is not. Good posture and good lip ice were just things she refused to be without.
He nodded. Sure has. The man was tall and thin. His long legs stretched out before him, his ankles crossed. He was a man who knew how to enjoy a day sitting quietly drinking red wine. Or to enjoy an afternoon with his granddaughter Lume.
What do you mean? Asked the little girl.
Well, that button started out on a coat that I had many, many years ago. But then something happened to the coat, a tear or a stain. I do not remember. But your grandma here said, Bokkie, because that is what she called me, Bokkie, do not toss that coat before I get that button off it.
Grandma Pop smiled. Well, it was and still is a very nice button. It was the top button on that coat, and I could not see the sense in throwing it away. Anyway, it was a good thing I did not. I used it on a handbag not too long after I took it off the coat.
And then we used it on your daddy’s cardigan when he lost a button, said Grandpa M. And then, well, what then, Grandma Pop?
I believe that when the cardigan got too small, we pulled it off and put it on your Auntie Alice’s hat. Grandma Pop answered.
Her hat? Lume asked in surprise.
Grandma Pop explained, she liked the way it looked. It was just decoration.
What then, Lume asked?”
Grandpa M and Grandma Pop thought for a few moments. Finally, Grandpa M answered, I guess I do not really know. We put it in this jar, but we probably took it out a few times since then. Do you remember, Grandma Pop?
No, I just remember that we always tried to keep it. Sometimes your Auntie Alice would pour out all the buttons and sort them out. She would always put that button in the jar last, so it would be on the top always.
Well, is it going to be okay to take this one for the project at school, Lume asked?
I do not see why not, said Grandpa M.
Grandma Pop hesitated, but only for a moment. Certainly. It needs to be used again.
Thanks, Grandpa M and Grandma Pop, Lume squealed.
She went home later, the button safe in a Zip lock bag.
What is the matter? Grandpa M said to his wife, noticing that she looked a little bothered.
Oh, I know it is silly. But we have had that button for so long. I did not want to tell Lume no, but I would have liked to have kept that button. It is just the memories that is all.
Well, do not let it worry you too much. We have got lots of pictures with that button. I am glad you did not say no today. She seemed to love it. I understand, though. He gave her a hug. How about dinner at our favourite restaurant and then we can go see a horror movie?
Grandma Pop laughed. You just love to see the reactions of those teenagers when you tell them that you want those tickets. Is there a good movie playing?
I think there are a few, actually. Let us go to dinner. We can look up show times while we wait for the food. But I am definitely going to say that we want the horror movie after dinner. You are right. I love to see their reactions, and at my age, I have fun whenever I can.
About a week later, Lume was at their house again, this time with a small package in her hands. She was nearly shaking with her excitement. I made something for you at school with the button, she said.
Open, open, open. She started jumping up and down.
Grandpa M took it from Lume and handed it to Grandma Pop, who very carefully unwrapped the gift.
Oh, she said quietly. Lume, I love this. Look, Grandpa M.
He looked. What he saw was not an original idea. It has been around for ages, but some things do not need improving. It was a photo of Lume in a frame with the words, Cute as a button, written on it.
The O in the word button, was a button, the special button.
I cannot think of a better use for this button, Lume, said Grandma Pop. It has been used a lot, but this is the best. What do you think, Grandpa M?
I agree. And Lume, you really are cute as a button, he said as he pulled her into a hug.
Today and every day, are you that special button…….
The Four Candles
Four candles slowly burned.
The ambiance was so soft, one could almost hear them talking.
The first candle said
I am Peace
The world is full of anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.
Then the flame of Peace went out completely.
The second Candle said
I am Faith
I am no longer indispensable.
It does not make sense that I stay lit another moment.
Just then a breeze softly blew Faith’s flame out.
Sadly, the third Candle began to speak
I am Love
People do not understand my importance so they simply put me aside.
They even forget to Love those who are nearest to them.
Waiting no longer Love’s flame went out.
Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three dead Candles.
Why are you not burning?
You are supposed to stay till the very end.
Saying this the child began to cry.
Then the fourth Candle answered
I am Hope
While I am still burning, we can relight the other dead Candles.
With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other dead Candles.
The Greatest of these is Love
But the flame of Hope should never go out of your life.
With Hope, each of us can live with Peace, Faith and Love.
So today and every day
Pray for Hope, Peace, Faith and most important Love.
The Parliament of Tomfoolery
Parliament - An assembly of the representatives of a political nation or people, often the supreme legislative authority.
Tomfoolery – Foolish silly behavior.
The man on the moon, Nelson, looked down at the earth with a bored expression. He had seen it all, from wars and plagues to love and peace. Nothing surprised him anymore, except for one place, the kingdom of Parliament of Tomfoolery SA. There, the most absurd and ridiculous things happened every day, and the man on the moon Nelson enjoyed watching them with amusement.
Today, He, Nelson, saw something that made him chuckle. The Parliament of Tomfoolery SA was in session, and the topic of debate was the age old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg?
The ministers of Tomfoolery SA were all experts in nonsense and silliness, and they had their own opinions on the matter. The Speaker of the house, the Speaker, Nqakula called the meeting to order with a loud screams and whistles.
Speaker of the House - The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the powers to discipline members who break the procedures of the chamber or house.
Order, order. She shouted. We are here to settle this important issue once and for all. The fate of the chicken and the egg depends on our verdict. Let us hear from the honorable ministers of Parliament.
The Speaker of the House had the right and the privilege to choose who spoke first. She chose the Jester who was the leader of the pack because he was the head of the Parliament of Tomfoolery SA. He was the chosen one amongst the members. He had more companies than the fingers on your hands. His gentlemanly appearance had everyone in awe.
Madam Speaker said the Jester Ramaphosa. He wore a colourful outfit with bells and a hat with three points. One point for all his wealth. He jumped up and down, making funny noises like only he could.
Jester - A professional joker or fool at a medieval court.
Medieval Court - A medieval court was the center of political, social, and legal activity in a kingdom or manor. It was attended by the monarch, nobles, clergy, and common people. The court served as a place for the ruler to administer justice, hear petitions, and make important decisions.
Very well, the Jester Ramaphosa has the floor, the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Jester Ramaphosa said. My fellow ministers, I have a simple and elegant solution to this dilemma. The answer is obvious, neither the chicken nor the egg came first. They both came at the same time, in a big explosion of feathers and shells. That is how life began on this planet, and that is how it will end. Thank you for your attention.
The Jester Ramaphosa bowed and sat down, amid laughter and applause from the other ministers.
Bravo, bravo the Speaker said. That was a brilliant speech, full of wit and wisdom. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more evidence and arguments. Admits screaming and hands raised the Speaker chose the Harlequin Bheki.
Harlequin Bheki, stood up. He wore a patchwork costume of different colours and patterns and a mask that covered half of his face. He wore a hat of veldt. He walked on his hands, doing cartwheels and flips.
Harlequin - Leader of a legendary troop of demon horsemen.
Very well, the Harlequin Bheki has the floor," the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Harlequin Bheki said. My fellow ministers, I have a different and better solution to this problem. The answer is clear, the chicken came first because the egg is a chicken in disguise. The egg is just a clever way for the chicken to hide from its enemies and predators. When the coast is clear, the egg cracks open and reveals the chicken inside. That is how the chicken survives and thrives in this world, and that is how it will always be. Thank you for your consideration Madam Speaker.
The Harlequin Bheki bowed and sat down, amid cheers and whistles from the other ministers.
Wow, wow, the Speaker said. That was a marvelous speech, full of logic and reason. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more proof and facts.
The Speaker nominated the next speaker, Fool Zuma
Fool Zuma. He wore a simple tunic and a cap with bells. He carried a stick with a puppet on the end, which he used to make jokes and comments.
Fool - A person who acts unwisely or imprudently, a silly person.
Fool Zuma has the floor, the Speaker said.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Fool Zuma said. My fellow ministers, I have a better and different solution to this question. The answer is obvious, the egg came first because the chicken is an egg in disguise. The chicken is just a clever way for the egg to grow and mature. When the time is right, the chicken sheds its feathers and reveals the egg inside. That is how the egg evolves and adapts in this world, and that is how it will always be. Thank you for your attention.
The Fool Zuma bowed and sat down, amid claps and hoots from the other ministers.
Amazing, amazing, the Speaker said. That was a wonderful speech, full of facts and logic. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more reason and proof. The Speaker nominated the next speaker Clown Motshekga.
Madam Speaker said the Clown Motshekga. He wore a bright red nose, a big wig, and oversized shoes. He rode a unicycle, juggling balls and pies.
Very well, the Clown Motshekga has the floor, the Speaker said.
Clown - A comic entertainer, especially one in a circus, wearing a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Clown Motshekga said. My fellow ministers, I have a different and better solution to this dilemma. The answer is clear, neither the egg nor the chicken came first. They both came from somewhere else, in a big spaceship of metal and glass. That is how they arrived on this planet, and that is how they will leave. Thank you for your consideration.
The Clown Motshekga bowed and sat down, amid laughter and applause from the other ministers.
Fantastic, fantastic the Speaker said. That was a brilliant speech, full of wisdom and wit. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more evidence and arguments. The Speaker nominated the next speaker. Mime Mashatile.
Madam Speaker, said the Mime Mashatile. He wore a white face, black clothes, and a striped shirt. He did not speak, but acted out his speech with gestures and expressions.
Very well, the Mime Mashatile has the floor, the Speaker said.
Mime - The theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Mime Mashatile said, without saying anything. He pretended to hold an egg in his hand and then cracked it open. He showed that there was nothing inside, and then threw the shell away. He then pretended to hold a chicken in his hand and then plucked its feathers. He showed that there was nothing inside, and then threw the carcass away. He then shrugged his shoulders and made a sign of zero with his fingers. He then bowed and sat down, amid silence and confusion from the other ministers.
Uh, uh, the Speaker said. That was a speech, I guess, full of something and something. But I am afraid it is not enough to convince me. I need more something and something. The Speaker chose the next speaker. Preriot Malema.
Preriot Malema. He wore a white costume with black buttons and a red beret with a white pom-pom. White was a strange colour for all. He played the flute, singing a song of kill the farmer kill the boer.
Very well, the Preriot Malema has the floor, the Speaker said.
Preriot - Relating to, occurring in, or being a time before a riot.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, the Preriot Malema said. My fellow ministers, I have a better and different solution to this problem. The answer is obvious, the chicken and the egg are the same thing, just in different forms. They are both part of a cycle of life and death, of birth and rebirth. They are both beautiful and mysterious, and we should not question them, but admire them. This is the song I wrote for them, the song of Preriot Malema
The chicken and the egg, the egg and the chicken
They are one and the same, they are different and the same
They are round and they are oval, they are soft and they are hard
They are yellow and they are white, they are white and they are black
They are warm and they are cold, they are fresh and they are old
They are tasty and they are nasty, they are healthy and they are sick
They are alive and they are dead, they are quiet and they are loud
They are simple and they are complex, they are easy and they are hard
They are the chicken and the egg, the egg and the chicken
They are one and the same, they are different and the same
Thank you for your attention.
The Preriot Malema bowed and sat down, amid cheers and whistles from the other ministers.
Beautiful, beautiful the Speaker said. That was a lovely speech, full of poetry and music. But I am afraid it is not enough to persuade me. I need more logic and reason.
The Speaker was stunned by all the comments and explanations but what came next took her breath away. As she scratched her wig, the sweat rolled down her face, her long red nails did the job.
Nobody, Madam Speaker, said the Rooster Modise, standing up. He was a large and proud bird, with a red comb and a colourful plumage. He had been sitting in the front row, next to the Hen Dlamini Zuma who was a small and timid bird, with a white feather and a brown spot. They had been listening to the speeches with interest and anxiety, hoping for a favourable outcome.
Rooster - A male domestic fowl, a cock. A violent or disorderly Bird.
Hen - A female bird, especially of a domestic fowl.
Nobody, Madam Speaker, the Rooster Modise repeated. We have heard enough. We have heard too much. We have heard nothing at all. You and your ministers are all fools and idiots. You have no clue about the chicken and the egg. You have no clue about anything. You are wasting your time and ours. You are wasting the air and the space. You are wasting the world and the life. You are the Parliament of Tomfoolery, and we are the victims of your Tomfoolery Parliament SA. We have had enough. We are leaving. Come on, Hen Dlamini Zuma, let us go.
The Rooster Modise grabbed the Hen Dlamini Zuma by the wing, and dragged her out of the room, leaving behind a trail of feathers and eggs. The other ministers watched them go, stunned and speechless.
Well, well, the Madam Speaker said, after a long pause.
That was unexpected and rather rude, uncalled for indeed.
But I suppose it was also honest, and maybe it was also right.
Maybe we are the Parliament of Tomfoolery SA, and maybe we have no clue about anything.
Maybe, just maybe………who knows…..
The Runner
It is an athletic event
There is a boy, Janu, who is looking at the runner named Francois.
A very famous runner, who never lost due his dedication and addiction to the sport.
I want to be just like him. Janu said
Francois is a competitive runner.
Janu has a banner with him.
It says, you are my hero and the very best ever.
Francois looks at his banner and smiles.
Janu is filled with excitement to see his lifelong hero and idol.
The boy, Janu, admires him so much. As Francois puts on his running shoes, he takes his place. The gun goes off and Francois sprints away.
Arms swinging legs pumping away Francois finished in first place, again.
The first place and another medal and trophy goes to Francois.
Janu says to his friend Manul
He has got a good physique and everything he does is the best.
Manul says, can you please stop?
You have been talking about Francois for so long.
Let us go home now, please.
Janu says, do you even know about him?
I will, later, says Manul.
They both finished watching the competition and walked towards home.
Janu goes to his home. The next day he wakes up, eats breakfast, and goes to school. Barefoot as normal.
A few days pass. Janu runs towards his friend, wrapping his hand around Manul's shoulder.
I want to meet him, Janu says.
Meet him? Manul says.
Francois, he has a street event. Moreover, it is free. Okay, we will go, but the burgers will be on you after, Manul says.
Cool, says Janu.
Janu wears his best clothes, polishes his only shoes, and styles his hair.
Nothing much special, but this is the day the event happens.
Janu and Manul talk about different things as they walk. They see a lot of people in the crowd. Soon they merge into the crowd. As soon as Francois comes to the stage, people start screaming as loud as they can. Francois, Francois, the crowd screams, the crowd goes wild.
Wow, let us calm down a bit. I am happy to see all of you here, Francois says.
Are you happy to see him, the host asks.
Everyone in the crowd says, yes, very very happy.
The host asks the people to acknowledge Francois and the first person sings a song, and the second person plays an eye-staring game. Then the host asks again who wants to meet Francois. Manul pinches Janu’s shoulder. Janu raises his hand. The host says, okay, you, young boy, and points towards Janu.
Janu steps up. Nervous and shy as hell.
Do you want to say something to him, Janu, the host says.
Janu says, I really like you. You look cool when you run. You shine the most when you run. You are my idol. I want to be a great runner just like you, Janu expresses it rapidly.
I do not think I did enough to get this kind of praise. Thank you for that, Francois says.
Do you have any questions for him? The host asks Janu.
What inspires you to become a runner, Janu asks?
Francois says, I really love running. So I joined our school's running team. My coach saw me and suggested that I should do running. He convinced my parents. I felt happy doing running. Feeling I belong somewhere. So now I can say all of those experiences and hardships I had are my inspiration, Francois says, as Janu listens, his eyes sparkling, his heart pounding.
He continued, I saw you holding a banner of me. That was amazing.
I wish I had it with me. I really want to give it to you, Janu replies.
No, you do not have to. I was just saying, Francois says.
Now you can come down Janu, and the next person can come, the host says.
Janu cannot believe he just spoke to his idol. Now you have to really treat me to a meal Janu. I got you up there, Manul says.
Okay, I will. Let us go to your favourite restaurant for a burger, Janu says.
After time a miracle happens for Janu.
Later in the week Francois sees Janu at his next event.
After the competition, Francois winning again, Francois whispers something to his manager.
His manager talks to the boy and escorts him to Francois’s room. The boy is none other than Janu.
Janu and Manul go to the change room together.
I remember you. I am glad to see you at my event, Francois says after looking at Janu. I never thought of seeing you like this, Janu says, as he gives his banner to Francois.
That means you left a good impression on me. I heard you love running.
It is an honour for me, Francois says.
Have you thought about your future Janu?
Perhaps what you want to do?
Francois asks,
I have never thought of it, Janu says.
You know you should go to running classes. They are very good for you, Francois suggests.
Janu is silent. He is lost for words
Do you not want to pursue running, Francois asks? Janu says, I want to pursue it, but I have financial problems. Those classes are a little bit expensive for me.
Listen, I will sponsor you. I will pay for everything Francois says.
I have never seen a persistent boy like you. Well, thank you for all of this Janu answers. I am very grateful for your offer. I will try my best. No, I mean I will do my best.
Leave your contact info with me. Francois says. My manager will contact your parents. After expressing heartfelt gratitude repeatedly, Janu leaves with his friend Manul.
I do not know what is going on in your mind, the manager says to Francois. Why are you suddenly doing this?
I see myself in him. I was just like him, Francois replied.
Later
Janu is walking with Manul on the sidewalk.
Janu breaks into tears, continuously crying. Tears of joy not sadness.
Francois’s generosity is beyond what I could expect, says Janu.
Manul is comforting him, because Manul is his best friend, and always will be.
The road ahead for Janu has turned his life around. Now he will pursue his dream of becoming the best runner just like his idol Francois.
As they continue their walk on the sidewalk, Manul puts his arm around Janu’s shoulder, and tells him everything is going to be alright, and promises to be with him every step of the way. I will be there at all the finish lines you cross and win.
The sun is setting on an old life for Janu, tomorrow, a brand-new life begins, one he dreamt about and now it is a reality.
A great runner just like Francois……
The Secret of Life
What is the Secret of Life?
A father used to say to his children when they were young:
When you all reach the age of twelve, I will tell you the secret of life.
One day when the oldest turned twelve, he anxiously asked his father what the secret of life was.
The father replied that he was going to tell him, but that he should not reveal it to his brothers. Not yet.
My Son the secret of life is this:
The cows on our farm does not give milk.
What are you saying? Asked the boy incredulously.
As you hear it, son:
The cow does not give milk, you have to milk it.
You have to get up at four in the morning, go to the field, walk through the corral full of manure, tie the tail of the cow, hobble the legs of the cow, sit on the wooden stool, place the bucket under the udder of the cow and do the work yourself. You have to milk the cow, to get milk.
That is the secret of life, the cow does not give milk.
You milk her or you do not get the milk.
There is this generation that thinks that cows GIVE milk.
That things are automatic and free,
People’s mentality is that if, I wish, I ask, I obtain.
They have been accustomed to get whatever they want the easy way.
But no, life is not a matter of wishing, asking and obtaining.
The things that one receives are the effort of what one does.
Happiness is the result of effort. Lack of effort creates anger and frustration.
So, share with your children from a young age the secret of life, so they do not grow up with the mentality that the government, their parents, or their cute little faces is going to give them everything they need in life.
Remember
Cows do not give milk; you have to work for it.
So
The secret of life is, you have to work hard for what you want in life,
Nothing in life is for free, except the air that you breathe.
Hard work results in great rewards.
So today and every day, realize that the hard work and effort you put into your life, will get you exactly where you want to be……
They Told Me
They told me...
That my house
Smells like dog...
And I asked them...
Do they know what a dog smells like?
A dog smells like:
Gratitude...
Loyalty...
Nobility...
Honey...
Love….
Compassion,,,,
Kindness…
Trust….
Obedience….
Pure and Unconditional LOVE,
Despite all they have suffered they do not
Smell a grudge....
Hold a disappointment….
Bite the hand that feeds them…..
Go to bed angry…..
Wake up with a sad face……
So...
I feel so blessed
My house smells like Dog…..
The Wise Old Man
After a serious illness, a wise old man was lying on his death bed.
He spoke these wise words
At this moment, lying in my bed, ill am remembering my whole life,
I realize that all the recognition and wealth I have are so insignificant in the presence of imminent death. A death we all face one day.
You can hire someone to drive your car, make money for you, but you cannot hire someone to carry a disease for you. No one can carry your pain and suffering at any time in life.
As we get older, we get smarter, and we slowly understand when a clock is worth R30.00 or R300.00 they both show the exact time in our lives.
Whether we drive a car worth R30.00 or R300.00 the road, distance and destination are always the same, we arrive on the same road, at the same time and at the same destination.
If we drink a bottle of wine worth R30.00 or R3000.00 we will be just as drunk at the end of the day.
So
Do not educate your children to be rich or strive for great wealth and riches. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things and not their price. Most important the true value of life.
Eat your food as medicine otherwise, you will have to eat your medicine as food.
The one who truly loves you will never leave you even if they have 100 reasons to give up. They will always have one reason to hold on.
That reason, true love.
There is a big difference between being human and just being.
Be that person who loves and cares always.
And lastly, If you want to go fast go alone.
But if you want to go far, always go together.
If you want to enjoy your journey of life, go with those who love and care for you.
Time a Short Trip
When we are born our time clock on this earth begins to run.
Tik Tok, hour by hour day by day.
Time does not wait on us.
It does not pause for us to play, or replay.
It does not stop for us to complete our dreams.
It moves forward either way day by day
.
It does not press rewind.
A moment passed is a moment lost forever.
If you did not speak your heart, then regret will be the cost.
Time goes on forever, but our time will surely end.
If you do not make the most of the time you have, the time is not your friend.
Time you spend with family and friends is so valuable. Time lost you can never ever get back.
No matter how much you have to do with your time on earth, your time clock is ticking away.
You believe that your time, is so valuable, but your time on earth is truly like a ticking clock.
In time and life, our time is slowly but surely coming to an end.
So what you do with your time, is totally in your hands.
Before you know it, you will go from a small child to an old person. You time has passed you before you can even blink an eye.
Life is truly only a very small trip from a baby to an old person who has lived the test of time.
The wrinkles on your face will tell the world have you have gone through the time of life.
How you spend that time, is completely up to you. You are in charge of your time and your destiny.
How you spend that time will either make you a better person, or you will just go day by day, time after time, in the flow of time, or you can make a huge difference with your time spent on earth.
Your time is the most important thing you can spend on this earth.
Time waits for no one. You cannot stop time. Time goes by from sunrise to sunset every day.
If you can arrange your time the way it will add value to your life every day, time will be your best friend.
The only thing is life you cannot bye is time. Time waits for no body. Time is a bus that has a journey with no stops.
Time is a long straight road with a beginning and an end.
The journey of time is your choice and your choice only.
In life you sometimes wish time will go quickly so you can get to the destination you want to be at, but before you know it time would have passed you by. Time you cannot replay or take back.
So the time you have on this earth, use that time to the very best of your ability.
Your time is much shorter than you think. Always use your time wisely. You never know when time will pass you by and you will have reached your final destination.
Two Lives Two Endings
The story of two lives and two empires built.
The young boy and the old man.
The Boy story.
On a warm summer at a beautiful beach, a little boy on his knees scoops and packs the sand with plastic shovels into a bucket.
He upends the bucket on the surface and lifts it. And, to the delight of the little architect, a castle tower is created.
He works all afternoon spooning out the moat, packing the walls, and building sentries with bottle tops and bridges with ice cream sticks.
Finally, with his hours of hard work on the beach, a sandcastle was made. A creation is made to stand the test of time. The boy’s time.
The Man’s story
In a big city with busy streets and rumbling traffic, a man works in an office.
He shuffles papers into stacks, delegates assignments, cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard with his fingers.
He juggles with numbers, contracts get signed and much to the delight of the man, a profit is made. All his life, he will work.
He was formulating the plans and forecasting the future. His annuities will be sentries, and Capital gains will be bridged.
An empire will be built.
The two builders of the two castles have very much in common.
They both shape granules into grandeurs. They both make something beautiful out of nothing. They both are very diligent and determined to build their world.
For both, the tide will rise, and the end will come.
In life, there is always an end. No matter what.
Yet, that is where the similarities cease. The little boy sees the end of his castle while the man ignores it.
As the dusk approaches and the waves near, the boy jumps to his feet and begins to clap as the waves wash away his masterpiece. There is no sorrow. No fear. No regret. He is not surprised; he knew this would happen. He smiles, picks up his tools and takes his father’s hand, and goes home.
The man in his sophisticated office is not very wise like the boy.
As the wave of years collapses on his empire, the man is terrified. He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it.
He tries to block the waves with the walls he made. He snarls at the incoming tide. “It’s my castle,” he defies. The ocean need not respond. Both know to whom the sand belongs.
In life, always go ahead and build your dreams, but build with a child’s heart. A child’s heart is always innocent because of the unknown.
When the sun sets, and the tides take – applaud loudly.
Salute the process of life and go home with a huge smile and satisfaction.
Satisfied, with a day, you lived to the full, to the best of your ability and always gave it your best. That is always what life expects of you, only your best. Your best not someone else’s.
Another day, you were blessed to have lived and to be alive…..
A boy that is starting to live a new life…..
A man, almost done with his life…..
A beginning and an end……
Where are you today……
What is a Tree?
"WHAT IS A TREE?"...
What a question.
A tree is
"A TREE IS A SEED THAT TOOK A STAND AND SURVIVED THE TEST OF TIME AND LIFE"
You started your life as a seed, now you are like an old oak tree.
You have survived the test of time.
Your time, your life, your age.
Lots of seeds go to waste.
Some are just lying and have fallen on a stone.
Germinate but wither way.
Others get waterlogged.
Others germinate but lie on top of the earth and wither away.
Others grow but burn to death in the hot sun.
Lots of reasons why a tree does not grow to maturity, but by the time it has become a tree, it is one with testimonies that have survived a lot of attacks in life.
If you have grown up, past sixty, then I have a lot of respect for you.
Like a tree that stands strong and has survived life, so have you past sixty years of age.
Then it means you are
"A tree that took a stand, the test of time and survived life."
But
Then it also tells, that you were spared, so that you can give coolness, have branches for birds to sit and nest on, bear fruit for all to eat, have wood that can be used, have shade from the red hot sun and have a character that is your own.
You are Beautifully shaped and Unique.
You were like a good old oak tree, formed to serve a purpose in life.
Your life, your future, your destiny.
Do not just stand there and wait for your time to pass you by.
You are a chosen seed that has become a TREE.
You have fruit, coolness, knowledge, strength, and ability etc. for others to learn from.
You can be just like an old oak tree that does so much as a tree.
When you were born you have a future, a destiny and a purpose in life.
Live and focus on it to the very best of your ability.
You have one life
Grow it……
Live it………..
Why is the Wedding Ring worn on your Ring Finger.
Because
The Thumb represents your PARENTS
The Index Finger is your BROTHERS and SISTERS
The Middle Finger is you YOURSELF
The Ring Finger, your SPOUSE (your husband or your wife)
The Pinkie, your CHILDREN
First, open your hands, fingers facing each other and bend/fold the middle fingers inward.
Place the thumb of one hand against the thumb of the other hand and do the same with all the fingers EXCEPT the two middle fingers.
Those two fingers should be folded in so that the middle fingers touch each other.
Now, try to take/open your THUMBS, which represent your PARENTS, away from each other, you get it right, don't you.
This is because your PARENTS are not destined to walk your entire life path with you. They are going to leave you at some point.
Now close/close your thumbs again and try to take/open your INDEX FINGERS, which represent your BROTHERS and SISTERS, away from each other. You will be able to manage it too, because your brothers and sisters will one day have families of their own and so will they live separate lives from yours.
Put your index fingers back together again and now try to take/open your PINKIES, which represent your CHILDREN, away from each other. They too will open, because your children will also one day have children of their own, their own families and families, separate from yours.
Finally, put your pinkies back together and now try to take/open your RING FINGERS, which represent your SPOUSE (your husband or wife), away from each other. You cannot.
No matter how hard you try, without opening your other fingers.
Why?
Because Man and Woman are destined to walk their life paths together, eat 7x7 bags of salt together, by loving each other unconditionally through thick and thin!
And THAT is why we wear our wedding rings on our ring fingers.
Why Men and Woman think Differently.
Woman are much more complicated than Men.
Men are very simple beings.
And do you know why?
It is because their brains are so different.
First.
I want to start with Men.
Men’s brains are very unique.
Most Women do not realize that whether we are having sex or watching sports, our brains are made up of little boxes.
We have got a box for everything.
We have a box for the car.
We have got a box for money
We have a box for our jobs
We have a box for our women
We have got a box for the kids
We have a box for our friends
We have a box for your mother in the basement.
We have a box for everything and everywhere.
The rule is, the boxes do not touch each other, ever.
When a man discusses a particular subject, we go to that particular box.
We pull that box out, we open the box, and we discuss “ONLY” what is in that “BOX”.
Then we close the box and put it away being very very careful not to touch other boxes.
Women
Now Women’s brains are very different form Men’s brains
Women’s brains are made up of a big ball of steel wire.
Everything is connected to everything.
The money is connected to the car and the car is connected to her job and her kids are connected to her mother
Everything is all connected.
It is like the internet superhighway, and it is all driven by energy that we call emotions.
It is one of the reasons why women tend to remember, “EVERYTHING”.
Because if you take an event and you connect it to an emotion and it burns in your memory and you can remember it forever, no matter what.
The same thing happens for Men. It just does not happen very often, because quite frankly, we just focus on our own “BOXES”.
Women tend to care about everything, and she loves it.
Now, Men we have a “BOX” in our brain that most women are not aware of.
This particular box has “NOTHING” in it.
In fact, we call it “THE NOTHING BOX”.
Of all the boxes the man has in his brain, “THE NOTHING BOX” is our favourite box.
If a man has any chance at all, he will go to his “NOTHING BOX” every time and every day.
That is why a “MAN” can do something seemingly completely brain dead for hours on end.
You know, like watching sport, like fishing, camping and drinking with friends.
Now they have actually measured this.
The University of South Africa a couple of years ago did a study and discovered that “MEN” have the ability to do absolutely “NOTHING”.
And still breathe very well.
Women cannot do this.
Their minds have never stopped working.
They do not understand the “NOTHING BOX”
It drives them crazy, because nothing drives a woman crazier and makes them feel more irritated than to watch a “MAN” do “NOTHING”.
So
When your man does “NOTHING”
Always remember your Man is doing Something.
Check the “NOTHING BOX” of your man
It is always very busy.
You’re Footprints in Life
When we are born we start the journey of our lives in our own footprints.
We are born with very small little pink toes and feet.
We walk through life and those feet have to carry us day by day as we get older and stronger.
Your feet have to carry you through a smooth terrain, or through the thorns of life. Thorns that can cause so much pain and suffering in your life.
Foot prints we will walk on this earth that will make a positive or negative affect and difference in our lives and in other peoples.
We do not know how our journey is going to be or how the footprints of our lives is going to turn out.
Every day is a new journey and a new path that our feet have to walk.
But
A fact that we will leave footprints on this earth and in the lives of our family and friends and the people we encounter during the journey of our lives. Very deep footprints we will walk every day.
Footprints we do not always know where we leave them, or where we leave them, but we leave footprints every day of our lives on our journey of life and in the life of others.
In life sometimes that is all we leave is footprints, so we have to always consider where we walk, how we walk, and the footprints we leave on this earth and in people’s lives.
There is times that our footprints walk on the plush green grass on this planet, and in our lives, but there are so many times we walk in the dirtiest places that cause dirt and pain on our feet.
The journey we walk is not always smooth or on plush green grass, our footprints can sometimes be very hard and difficult at times.
Those footprints that we walk, the difficult path, is what makes us what we are everyday of our lives. Those are the footprints that get recognized and noticed by everybody.
In life when you walk the good path, it very seldom gets noticed, but walk the bad path and it will be noticed and remembered forever.
In life no matter how big or small you are, your feet walk the path and the journey of life. Your life and your life alone.
We spend so much time on our feet and walking the journey of life.
No matter who you are or what you are, your feet and the foot prints you leave is what your life is all about.
Many of us only want to walk on the plush green pastures of our lives, but the sad dirty part of our lives will always be there.
How many times have you walked on a beach and there is footprints of the people who have walked on the beach before you? You then try and walk in those footprints to hide your own. You can never ever hide your own footprints.
But
They are not your footprints, they are someone else’s. It is so easy to walk in someone else’s footprints because it takes so little effort from yourself. You have to in life walk in your own footprints to make a success and a difference in your own life and your own future.
Your own footprints define who you are and where you are going in your own life. It is your footprints, your journey, your life and your destination.
Our footprints define who we are in life and where we are going. You are the destiny of your own footprints and your own journey of your own life.
Your footprints define who you are. There are never ever two sets of footprints that are the same. Footprints like fingerprints are never ever the same.
No matter how big or small your footprints are they are who you are and those footprints leave marks and impressions in life. Your life.
Your future.
So your life, no matter the terrain situation or distance, always leave the best footprints you can, for others to follow, appreciate, love and admire.
Like the false foot prints on the moon, your foot prints in life will be there forever.
Because
They are your foot prints. Yours alone.
Walk life with your foot prints to the very best of your ability…..
In your own foot prints.
No one else’s……
Epilogue
Many of us go through life, experience so much about life and its values and the journey we are on.
We learn everyday about life and our journey there in.
It is up to us to share our experiences and situations with others to make life a better place for us all to live in.
Your journey in life depends on what you learn about life and what you do with it.
Your life and your journey is what you make of it.
We all travel on the bus of life on our journeys till the end of time.
We have many different bus stops, that we stop at and continue our journey of life, be it good or bad stops.
The life’s lesson we learn at every stop make us better people and to continue to help other people’s life’s journey to be a better place to live in.
Enjoy your journey of life.
It is what you make of life that makes you a better person.
Thank you to my Wife, Friends and Family
Who has contributed to the short story book of Life Volume 3….
Thank you
Marius Robbertze
Author and Writer
AKA ©MFR
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