5 Life Lessons

[Ace]

A couple valuable life lessons that are frequently forgotten in this day and age... Sorry if anyone feels this is rubbish/spam, as it was from an email originally, but I feel it certainly has significance and value - and should be shared

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance! e and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.

It read:

"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

" Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the

peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had

miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

[Legba]

Sorry if anyone feels this is rubbish/spam

quite the contrary. thanx so much for sharing Ace.

[Μορφέας]

great read, maybe the only thing i would ever send in a forward or post in a myspace bulliten!

[The Dude]

Nice heartwarming stories there.

[mu!]

Mmmm, very nice

[chilli]

Good one Ace, good to see you around again too.

This thread gave me the idea of having a thread where people can add short stories/parables/illustrations/life lessons that they like, I will start it in the Spirituality & Philosophy forum also.

[Ace]

Thanks ladies 'n' gents

Good one Ace, good to see you around again too.

Cheers IB - I have been pretty busy of late and havent been able to pop in as often (lol, I'm sure people were getting sick of me anyway ), but I'll try to say gidday everynow and then and add my 2 bobs worth when I feel its valued

Feel free to add whatever you'd like to this thread, I just had no where to put it, so I started a new one. I noticed you started a thread already (or I could be going bonkers), but if not, just add whatever you feel relates to this sort of 'life lessons' theme I have going here

-Ace

[chilli]

Thanks ladies 'n' gents

Good one Ace, good to see you around again too.

Cheers IB - I have been pretty busy of late and havent been able to pop in as often (lol, I'm sure people were getting sick of me anyway ), but I'll try to say gidday everynow and then and add my 2 bobs worth when I feel its valued

Feel free to add whatever you'd like to this thread, I just had no where to put it, so I started a new one. I noticed you started a thread already (or I could be going bonkers), but if not, just add whatever you feel relates to this sort of 'life lessons' theme I have going here

-Ace

Sorry mate, I didn't know you meant for this to be a continuing thread with people adding stuff... besides it was you that gave me the idea for the other thread anyway... now, the competition is on!

[Evil Genius]

Hi Ace, some of the stories sound a little bit cheesy but i like the post! Do you know if the Story about Nat King Coles Wife is true? bye Eg

[Ace]

now, the competition is on!

ROLF - bring it on IB

Do you know if the Story about Nat King Coles Wife is true?

Sorry EG, I dont really know. I'd be a little suprised if it was, as it was just a bit of spam (I usually hate this kind of stuff, but this one was actually worth reading IMO) that I was emailed a while ago. Its more than likely just a bit of fiction, but I cant say for certain.