These are some emails i got from a friend

[ladyinred]

I thought I'd share these with you..NUDGE THE BALANCE

A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified life. When she
Met God, she asked Him something that had really bothered her for a very
Long time. "If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created
Equal, why do people treat each other so badly?"

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to
Teach us. It is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people
And our relationships with God. This confused the woman, so God began to
Explain:

"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always what
They seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks
People wear if you want to know what is in their hearts. Remove your own
Masks to let people know who you really are.

When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always
Appreciate what you have. You never know when you might lose it. Never take
Your friends or family for granted, because today and sometimes only this
Very moment is the only guarantee you may have.

When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state
Is a very fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you
Can, it's the one thing that you are sure to have forever.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When
You encounter people who are different from you, do not judge them by how
They look or act, instead base it on the contents of what is in their
Hearts.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not
Always mean that the person will love you back. But don't turn your back on
Love, because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings
You will make up for all of your past hurts. Times a thousand fold.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes
Mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is
Forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is
Often the most difficult and painful of life's experiences, but it is also
The most courageous thing a person can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting
Temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance
Against all temptations. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an enduring
Sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you
Were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil.
Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do
Not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with
Achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept
People for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject
Someone for imperfections over which they have no control."

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there
Are no lessons to be learned from man's good deeds. God replied that Man's
Capacity to love is the greatest gift He has. At the root of kindness and
Love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson. The woman's curiosity
Deepened. God, once again began to explain:

"When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity, honesty,
Humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can counteract all the
Evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone
Has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the
Lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence,
Consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of
Reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more
Hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness? Each one of us
Has the power over the balance of the love in the world. Use it wisely!"

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction!

[ladyinred]

God’s Plan

God has a plan for me. It is hidden within me, just as the oak is hidden within me, just as the oak is hidden within the acorn, or the rose within the bud. As I yield myself more fully to god, His plan expresses itself more perfectly through me. I can tell when I am in tune with it, for then my mind and heart are filled with a deep inner peace. This peace fills me with a sense of security, with joy, and a desire to take steps that are part of the Plan.

God has chosen those people he wants me to know, to love and to serve. We are continually being drawn to one another in ways that are not coincidental. I pray that I may become a better instrument to love and to serve and that I may become more worthy to receive love and the service of others.

I ask the Father within me for only those things which he wants me to have. I know that these benefits will come to me at the right time and in the right way. This inner knowing frees my mind and heart from all fear, greed, jealousy, anger and resentment. It gives me courage and faith to do those things which I feel are mine to do. I no longer look with envy at what others are receiving, nor do I compare myself with them. Therefore, I do not cut myself off from God, the giver of all good things.

God’s gifts to me can be many times greater than I am now receiving. I pray that I may increase my capacity to give and to receive for I can give only as I receive, and receive only as I give.

I believe that when I cannot do those things I desire to do; it is because God has closed one door only to leave ajar a better and larger door. If I do not see the door just ahead, it is because I have not seen, heard, or obeyed God’s guidance. It is then that God uses the trouble or seeming failure which may result to help me face myself, and see the new opportunity

[ladyinred]

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.

The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever someone picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.


"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

:'( :'(

[ladyinred]

Charles grew up in poverty in a New York ghetto. His 'tough guy' image served him well until he was severely handicapped by a gunshot wound incurred in a street fight. His spine was shattered, and he was paralyzed from the waist down.
When I met Charles, he had just completed training in a rehabilitation center and was looking for a job at The Floating Hospital. Charles wanted an opportunity to teach children how to avoid getting into trouble the way he had. He became part of my staff and an inspiration to everyone around him.
One day I walked into one of our classrooms and found Charles sitting with a group of children surrounding him. He was answering all the burning questions that young people have when they look at a handicapped person.
"What does it feel like not to be able to walk?"
"What should I say to someone in a wheelchair?"
"How do you go to the bathroom?"
At one point, Charles asked the group what they thought a handicapped person wanted the most.
"Friends!"
"Right!" answered Charles, and all the children spontaneously jumped up and hugged him, shouting,
"I'll be your friend!"
I don't know who got more out of the session - Charles, the children, or me.

On another occasion we were giving a party for a new group of senior citizens. Although we had hired a three-piece band for the festivities, the seniors were hesitant about getting into the swing of things. All of a sudden, Charles pushed his chair into the middle of the room and started "dancing" with the music.
"Come on, everyone. If I can get out here and dance, so can you."
Within minutes, he had everyone dancing, laughing, singing and clapping. His spirit was infectious. The strangers in the room quickly became friends. He never missed the opportunity to show people that, with a positive attitude, value can be created from anything that happens to you in life.

I had plenty of opportunities to talk with Charles. He told me that in the early days of his disability he had lost all hope, all will. As he described it,
"It wasn't easy for a macho kid to lose his ability to walk, let alone to lose all control of his bladder and bowels."
He was referred to an excellent rehabilitation center, but refused to be helped. The center was about to send him home to make way for someone who was willing to take responsibility for his own life. That was the turning point. Charles knew that if he was sent home, he would have no chance at all. This was his moment to say yes or no to his universe. His thankful he chose to say yes.

Once that choice was made, his progress was remarkable. Opportunities opened up to him that he'd never thought about before. He decided that his life could have a purpose: to help others in their struggle, whatever that struggle might be. He would be a model, saying,
"If I could do it, so can you."
Charles admitted that, strangely, he was grateful now for his handicap, because it made him aware of how much he had to contribute to the world.
Before the accident, Charles had been blind to the fact that his life had meaning. Now he believes he was more handicapped before the accident; only since then has he derived satisfaction from living.:) :) :) :) :) :) :)



Keep one thing in view forever- the truth; and if you do this,
though it may seem to lead you away from the opinion of men, it
will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God.










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