Forward by Rachna
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room’s only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end.
They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
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She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed
. It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’
Moral of the story:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Grief when shared halves the sorrow, but happiness when shared, doubles the joy.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.
‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .’
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Today Is A Gift (Beautiful Story)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Good Morning-Thought for Today
Forward by Deanna Walter
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
One day a man saw a old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.
He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.'
Well, all she had was a flat tire,but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.
Bryan never thought twice about being paid.
This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.
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He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.'
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean20towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her
feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan ..
After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have
been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.'
Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....
She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right.. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'
There is an old saying 'What goes around comes around.' Today I sent you this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on. Let this light shine.
Good friends are like stars.....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
Monday, June 15, 2009
WILLPOWER
Forward by Arun Kumar
I smiled after looking at the first photo...you will also smile. Just scroll down and you will get to know the story of Will Power.
Here it goes....
You thought the dog is imitating the man......
Entertaining the college kids....right?
Now have a close look at it....
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So....
Got the message???
Despite being an animal he gets respect...
He gets a pat on his shoulder...
He gets warm welcome everywhere....
He is STAND-ALONE
"The doors are open for only those who believe in themselves" and
Will Power which can make an animal walk on TWO LEGS...!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cool logic............
Forward by Rebecca
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and
drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops; a few
people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet
eight,built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He
glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at
the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically
meek?
Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy
about it.
The next day the same thing happened-Big John got on again, made a show of
refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the one after
that, and so fourth. This grated on the bus driver, who started losing
sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him.
Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses,
karate, judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of the summer, he
had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about
himself.
So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!," the driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."
Moral of the story:
"Be sure there is a problem before working hard to solve it"
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Interesting stories behind some of the greatest logos in the world
Forward by Rebecca 
Nike
In the Greek mythology, Nike is the goddess of victory and the source of inspiration for warriors, this logo represents the wing in the famous statue of the Greek goddess. Nike’s logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971 for $35, and was registered as a trademark in 1995.
McDonald’s
The logo was designed in 1962 by Jim Schindler to resemble the arch shaped signs on the sides of the company’s then walk-up hamburger stand, later on, the two golden arches were merged together to form the M. The McDonald’s name was added to the logo in 1968.
Apple
There are different stories behind Apple’s logo, the first one is a reference to the religious story of Adam and Eve, in which the apple represents the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. The second version says that Apple’s first logo was designed by Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne, and depicted Sir Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree. This logo didn’t stay long and was replaced almost immediately by graphic designer Rob Janoff’s “rainbow Apple,” a rainbow-colored silhouette of an apple with a bite taken out of it, which has been replaced by the monochromatic logo In 1998.
Mercedes Benz
The Mercedes Benz logo, which was originally created by Gottlieb Daimler in 1909, consists of a simple depiction of a three-pointed star that represents its domination of the land, the sea, and the air. The company was founded Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, Mercedes is the name of Maybach’s elder daughter, while the Benz came as a result of a merger with Benz and Cie in 1926.
Adidas
The Adidas logo, which was created by founder of the company Adi Dassler, represents mountains, pointing towards the challenges that are seen ahead and goals that can be achieved. The logo first appeared in 1971, and was used for the first time on Adidas products in 1972.
Monday, May 4, 2009
GOOD MORNING
Forward by Ramana
Stand Tall Like the Sunflower
Even the most mundane occurrences can have an impact on our awareness.
A family moved into their new home some years ago and they spent a lot of time and energy in the yard to get it look green. They lived on a corner, higher than street level, and the entire side of the yard was encased by a professionally built rock wall. They did the best and changed that area as their 'rock garden'.
Last summer they found a tiny little plant at the end of the rock garden that they could not immediately identify. They knew that they didn't plant it. They decided to let it continue growing until they could figure out what it was.
Weeks passed and as they made their way back to the mystery plant, it appeared to be a Sunflower. It was spindly looking with a tall skinny stalk and only one head on it. They decided to baby it along and weed around it. As they pulled rocks from the area to get to the weeds, they noticed something unusual. The Sunflower had not started where they saw the stalk begin. It actually had begun under a big rock and grown under and around it to reach the sun.
This makes us realize that if a tiny little Sunflower didn't let a big rock stand in its way of developing, we too have the capability of doing the same thing. Once our environment begins to see that we believe in ourselves like that little Sunflower, we can attain the same nourishment and nurturing as well.
First, we need to believe in ourselves knowing we have the capabilities in achieving our desires. Like the Sunflower, it knew it had the capability to overcome its obstacle because it trusted in the Universal Truth and had faith it would succeed.
Stand tall like the Sunflower and be proud of who and what you are and the environment will begin to support you. You will find a way to go under or around your big obstacle in order to reach your desires
Socotra Island
Forward by LaxmiRamana
It is like being on a different planet... These pictures and information are excellent viewing and reading. Socotra Island: You have to see it to believe it. This island simply blows away any notion about what is considered "normal" for a landscape on Earth.
Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island 
The climate is harsh, hot, and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 km in length) and mountains up to 1,525 metres high.
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The name Socotra is derived from a Sanskrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss"... Is it the beaches? The isolation and quiet? Or the strange and crazy botanical allure? Alien-looking plants: H.P. Lovecraft's secret inspiration?
Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his "The Colour Out of Space")? We’re almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved through the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old... We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy.
The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... and from above, they have a distinct mushroom look:
There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg:
Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock:
It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera:
Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas is this "bucha" vegetable found as far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham ("The Day of the Triffids") would have loved it:
Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge:
Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads. Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni government put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. I would prefer a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride... It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.
This island is a birder's paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds, 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow, and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants:
Want to see some fairy-tale (and possibly haunted) shipwrecks? There are diving tours available... Hopefully some IMAX crew will film it in all its glory one day.
To give you a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland: Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist
Socotra is one of those "lost world" islands (separated from the world six million years ago) where intrepid travellers - particularly those seeking exotic nature and wildlife in a remote tropical setting - can go days on end without rubbing shoulders with that less-than-endangered species: tourists. Known for decades as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, it's the world's tenth richest island for endemic plant species. And it's the biggest island in the Middle East…125 km in length and 45 km across. Meanwhile, the landscape is one of contrasts; for example, it has isolated nature preserves with dazzling wildlife, including 900 species of plants, the famous Dragon's Blood Tree "dracaena cinnabara," some of the rarest birds that exist nowhere else in the world, and picturesque sandy beaches.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Not everyone dies .. Drunk Driver
Forward by Deanna Walter
This is very hard to look at so be prepared.
It's always a good reminder to have this email come back round.
If you haven't watched her TV interview with Oprah, try to find it on the internet
This woman's story is amazing, and as stated 'Not everyone that gets hit by a drunk driver dies'.
This is Jacqueline Saburido on September 19, 1999 .
This is her and her Father, 1998..
Birthday party as a child.
At a party with friends.
The car in which Jacqueline traveled.
She was hit by another car that was driven by a 17-year old male student on his way home
This was in December 1999.
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After the accident Jacqueline has needed over 40 operations.
Jacqueline was caught in the burning car and
her body was heavily burnt during around 45 seconds.
With her Father, 2000
Getting treatment.
Three months after accident.
Now 20 years old, he cannot forgive himself for driving drunk on that night
three years ago.
He's aware of devastating Jacqueline Saburidos life.
Not everyone who gets hit with a car dies
This picture was taken 4 years after the accident and the doctors are still working on Jacqueline,
whose body was covered with 60% severe burnings.
Please send this to as many people as you can to make them aware of the consequences of drink driving.
SHOW YOUR TEENAGERS THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT DRINKING AND DRIVING
IT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH OR SOMETHING WORSE
PLEASE PASS THIS MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW
In our choices lies our greatest power
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Life is short!!!!....One of the best mail I have ever seen....!!
Forward by RASHMIREKHA HATI
The girl in the picture is Katie Kirkpatrick, she is 21 . Next to her, her fiancé, Nick, 23.
The picture was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony, held on January 11, 2005 in the US .
Katie has terminal cancer and spend hours a day receiving medication.
In the picture, Nick is waiting for her on one of the many sessions of chemo to end.
In spite of all the pain, organ failures, and morphine shots, Katie is going along with her wedding and took care
of every detail. The dress had to be adjusted a few times due to her constant weight loss
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An unusual accessory at the party was the oxygen tube that Katie used throughout the ceremony and reception as well.
The other couple in the picture are Nick's parents. Excited to see their son marrying his high school sweetheart.
Katie, in her wheelchair with the oxygen tube , listening to a song from her husband and friends
At the reception, katie had to take a few rests. The pain did not allow her to stand for long periods
Katie died five days after her wedding day. Watching a woman so ill and weak getting married and with a smile on her face makes us think..... Happiness is reachable, no matter how long it lasts .
We should stop making our lives complicated.
