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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 50s, 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
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2.) - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at11:30 p.m., an older African American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to
endure a lashing rainstorm. 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 1960s.The man took her to safety, helped
her get assistance 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. |
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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.
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(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. |
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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 |
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Most
importantly.................. "Work like you don't need the money,
love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when
nobody's watching. |
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