REFLECTIONS

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of
the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking
on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons
ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them
all...

And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and
dreams... But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by
surprise...

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my
babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking
that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so
far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be
like...

But, here it is...

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for
the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory!
Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all
the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do
things.

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not
sure how long it will last...This I know, that when it's over...its
over....Yes , I have regrets .There are things I wish I hadn't done
,,,,,things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm
happy to have done. Its all in a lifetime.. .

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will
be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to
accomplish in your life please do it quickly!

Life goes by quickly So, do what you can today, because you can never
be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your
life...so, live for good today and say all the things that you want
your loved ones to remember...

"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to
those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."

IT�S UP TO YOU

It�s not what happens to you that can make your life or break it.
The thing that really matters is the way you choose to take it.

You can have a "pity party" and say life�s not worth the living,
Or find some place that needs the love and help you could be giving.

You can crawl into a shell, and reach a state of deep depression,
Or count the many blessings you still have in your possession.

You can say that life�s not fair, and that you simply cannot bear it,
Or seek what�s good in life, and find a way that you can share it.

No, it�s not what happens that decides the winning or the losing.
It�s how you take it -- and you�ll find it�s strictly your own choosing.

As a little child when I wanted to move,
I learned that I should crawl.
Yet when I got on my hand and knees,
Again and again I would fall.

But I rose to my knees, each time I fell,
I was determined to get moving.
With every fall, I learned a better way,
Until finally I started crawling.

Now mommy saw, I was starting to learn,
And thought I needed more.
So from the cradle, I was placed on the floor,
I smiled, and crawled away to explore.

Now one day I saw, up on the table,
Something delicious I wanted to eat.
But unfortunately I couldn¢t reach,
And I knew it was time to get on my feet.

Both hands and knees were on the ground,
And I¢d try to raise my belly.
Yet gradually as I tried to straighten.
Again and again I would fall.

But I rose to my feet each time I fell,
I was determined to start reaching.
With every fall, I learned a better way,
Until finally I started standing.

Now while I was standing, I wanted to move
But every few steps and I stumbled.
So I spread my hands, against the wall,
Yet again and again I would fall.

But I rose to my feet each time I fell
I was determined to start hiking.
With every fall, I learned a better way,
Until finally I started walking.

All day long I walked and I played,
At last I could have some fun.
The more I walked, the better I got,
Until one day, I could actually run.

Bangs and bruises, were the only pain,
Which brought tears to my eyes.
And with every obstacle that came in my path,
I learned; there was a way around.

Now if that wasn¢t plenty to my parent¢s dismay,
I would try to climb the chairs.
Over and under, up and down.
Not until I fell and hurt my crown.

Memories of my childhood are still with me,
And it taught me an intelligent lesson.
That falling down is not the end,
But one-step higher to achieving.

I have made mistakes all through my life,
A hundred times I¢ve failed.
But with every failure I learned a lesson;
A lesson, saying, "There¢s a better way".

From a tiny child that could barely move,
We learned how to roll and crawl.
Yet determined to reach the top,
We learned how to stand and walk.

But we didn¢t stop there; we learned to run,
Then we learned how to jump and climb.
So why stop now; the stars aren¢t high,
Let¢s just spread our wings, and fly.

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have!
Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.

There is a place you can touch a woman that will drive her crazy. Her heart.

A PROBLEM I COULD NOT SEE

© By Paul T. Izyk

A night alone, just me and the remote.
A new 55-inch big screen,
Yes, my friends they would gloat.
HDTV ready, twenty speakers with Dolby sound.
Careful with the volume,
So I won't knock the walls down 600 channels,
that is what the installer promised me.
Then he hooked up the cable and satellite to my TV.
Now for the big moment, a push of the power button.
I sat patiently, but alas no picture or sound 'there was nothing!

I ran to the TV, to see what had gone wrong.
I checked all the cables.
'What the heck is going on?'
Angry, upset, sitting on the floor looking down,
The desire struck me to throw the lot around.
Taking a deep breath, I mumbled'
'Your not going to win!'
But looking over the mess' where do I begin?
Putting everything back, starting with the TV,
Soon the real problem became apparent to me.
From behind the couch was a cable, black and thin.
It was the extension cord...and it wasn't even plugged in.