“Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being. Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away. I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives. The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?" The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed. I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally." When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. ”
—In a letter wrote by a policeman in Fukushima to a friend in Vietnam
Original Source: Whole article
Mathew Robinson
Dear Toys R Us,
I’m not sure if you will ever read this yourself, but I have a story that needs to be heard.
1 year ago today, I walked into the Toys R Us in Clive, Iowa. My 4-year old son Peter, was in the hospital receiving Chemotherapy for his bone cancer that he had been battling since he was diagnosed at age 2. The doctors said that he probably would not make it through the night. I obviously could not tell Peter that, so I asked him if there was anything that he really wanted that evening. He said to me “Daddy I want a teddy bear. I don’t feel good”. I PROMISED him that I would get him a teddy bear before he fell asleep. So I drove to the Toys R Us as soon as he told me. As soon as I got to the store, I rushed in and found the closest teddy bear. I then got the the cashier, only to realize that I had forgotten my wallet at the hospital. I was crushed and began to panic in fear that I could not keep my promise to my son. I quickly thought…
, and finally decided to approach the customer service desk and explain my situation and my urgency to get back. After listening to my story, they gladly handed me the bear at no cost. I was stunned at this act of generosity and kindness. After much thanks to the compassionate employees, I rushed to my car, and then back to the hospital. As I approached Peter’s bedside, I gently tucked the stuffed animal under my son’s arm. He said “Goodnight daddy”. I responded “Goodnight Peter. I love you”. I realized that this was probably the last time I would return these words to my son. Once he was sound asleep, I pulled a chair to his bedside, and watched him sleep. I wanted stayed up the whole night. The next morning, I realized I had dozed off. I looked at Peter, then kissed his forehead for, what I thought, was the last time, then I wept. Much to my surprise, I saw my son stirring and then open his eyes. I was filled with an indescribable happiness and joy. The first words he said to me were “thank you very much daddy for the teddy bear”.
I am happy to say that Peter is now strong, healthy, and cancer-free.
I am a very religious man, and I do believe in miracles. I also know that God works in strange ways through other people. I truly believe that the employee at Toys R Us worked a miracle for me.
Thank you SO much Toys R Us!
God Bless,
Matthew
-found this on facebook thought it was worth sharing
An invitation you should never miss
(image from google)
Mannaforjenny.org believes that good people abound everywhere.
We believe that there are people who live inspiring lives by using their gifts passionately. These are ordinary people just like us but are totally different in one way or another. We often wonder why they always have so much joy and passion in doing their work or in doing other things that give us inspiration, hope, delight and encouragement.
If you know some of these people, feel free to interview them, write a story about them and share it here. Help us spread the good message to the world. Help us plant seeds of good deeds around the globe.
Mannaforjenny.org also welcomes personal stories of triumph and hope. We believe each person has personal struggles and personal victories. Your struggle and victory may look miniscule to you but to other people, your victory may be the only message of hope that they will hear.
Share your story and be a blessing to others.
No matter who you are and where you are in life today, God created you for a purpose. You are His masterpiece. He blessed you with gifts and capabilities that are uniquely your own. God delights in you whenever you use your gifts with gratitude in your heart.
Live a positive life. Influence others.
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19(NLT)
P.E. Health Time.
Ang super interesting lang ng lecture namin kanina, dapat kasi bababa kami para tapusin yung physical fitness test, kaso umulan ng malakas. But it was super worth it. Nag’lesson kami about sa Mental Health, pati yung mga nakapaloob sa mental health like emotional health, financial health, social health, etc. Aminin ko, natamaan ako sa lecture namin ngayon. Tinanong kasi kami ng subject teacher ko kung mentally fit ba kami. Sagot ko “Oo”. Since, Wala naman akong nakikitang signs na ewan sa pagiisip ko? Idek how to describe it. Unang una, Cigar. Ano bang kinalaman nito sa pagiging mentally fit? Sabi ni sir, sa bawat sticks daw na pinagkakagastusan ng tao, kasabay na nito yung pagisip sa mga problema. Pero biglang naiba ang usapan nung tinanong ni sir. na naisip ba nung mga gumagamit ng sigarilyo yung kalusugan nila? Pati kung ilang hirap at mura/bad words ang natatanggap ng magulang namin sa pagsigarilyo lamang? Para sakin, walang konek ‘yan sa nararanasan ko since hindi naman ako nagsisigarilyo at wala akong kahit na ano mang bisyo. Pero natamaan ako nung sinabi ni sir na yung panggastos raw sa sinasabi na pangcomputer tsaka sa fake projects. It’s not like na ganun ang ginagawa ko. Kasi, mostly ang pinagkakagastusan ko ay pagkain LOL. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natamaan. Nagkwento kasi si sir ng ilang stories. Nakakainis. Maiiyak na kasi ako that time. PARANG RECOLLECTION LANG ANG DATING. At dahil dun, Ang junior year ko ay yung sunod na naging 2nd turning point ko sa buhay.
Tapos mayroon pang nakwento si sir tungkol sa friendship, NAALALA KO SI JAIRUS. Tinanong kasi ni sir, kung true friend daw ba kami? Ang sagot ko ulit “Oo”. Kasi never kong ginawa for once in my life, binagsak ko yung tiwala at yung pagkakaibigan namin nung isang tao. Pero, Nalungkot ako nung sinabi ni sir na, Nasaan daw ba kami nung times na kailangan kami nung tao na yun? Eto isa pang aral at tip na natanggap ko, Tuwing gabi raw prone ang mga tao sa depression. It seems to be pretty accurate. Pero sa kalagayan ko, hindi ang mga kaibigan ko ang nangangailangan. Actually ako, pero distance nga kasi ang problema. At hindi ko naman ineexpect na tatawag sila sa gabi para mapangiti lang nila ako. So dun palang, bagsak na ako sa mentally fit. Err. Tapos, mas lalo kong naalala si jairus nung sinabi ni sir na. “AWAY MAKES OUR FRIENDSHIP MORE STRONGER” *pertaining to his friend*. Napangiti ako that time, kasi naalala ko nung na sa CDSC pa ako. Lagi kaming nagaaway ni jairus, sinasabihan namin yung isa’t-isa ng panget, basta, mga nakakainsulto na words LOL. At nagsasakitan pa kami, nagtutulakan, suntukan, etc. Pero in a jokingly way yun. Pero considered ko na yun as paglalambing. Ganun ako ka’loka loka. HAHA. Confident kami sa pangaasar sa isa’t-isa. Kasi wala naman ibang makakagawa nun sayo na hindi ka masasaktan kung hindi ang true friend or best friend mo. Namimiss ko na yung walangyang yun. HAHAHA. Kapag nakita ko sya, bibigyan ko sya ng isang malaking hug! Namimiss ko na sya ng sobra sobra.
Then bukas, ipagpapatuloy namin yung discussion. Pero kapag hindi umulan, doon kami sa baba at ipagpapatuloy yung physical fitness test. AYOKO MUNANG UMARAW. HAHAHA.
The Important Things in Life
A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
-Author Unknown
Christian the Lion
One of my favorite stories about man and animal.
Source: buzzfeed.com via i.Am. on Pinterest
Learning to listen
We all know what it’s like to get that phone call in the middle of the night.
This night’s call was no different.
Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight. Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind as I grabbed the receiver.
“Hello?”
My heart pounded; I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my husband, who was now turning to face my side of the bed.
“Mama?”
I could hardly hear the whisper over the static. But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter. When the desperate sound of a young crying voice became clearer on the line, I grabbed for my husband and squeezed his wrist.
“Mama, I know it’s late, but don’t…don’t say anything, until I finish. And before you ask, yes, I’ve been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back and…”
I drew in a sharp shallow breath, released my husband and pressed my hand against my forehead. Sleep still fogged my mind, and I attempted to fight back the panic.
Something wasn’t right.
“And I got so scared. All I could think about was how it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door and said I’d been killed. I want…to come home. I know running away was wrong. I know you’ve been worried sick. I should have called you days ago, but I was afraid…afraid…”
Sobs of deep-felt emotion flowed from the receiver and poured into my heart. Immediately I pictured my daughter’s face in my mind and my fogged senses seemed to clear. “I think…”
“No! Please let me finish! Please!” She pleaded, not so much in anger but in desperation.
I paused and tried to think of what to say. Before I could go on, she continued, “I’m pregnant, Mama. I know I shouldn’t be drinking now… especially now, but I’m scared, Mama, so scared!”
The voice broke again and I bit into my lip feeling my own eyes fill with moisture. I looked at my husband who sat silently mouthing, “Who is it?”
I shook my head and when I didn’t answer, he jumped up and left the room, returning seconds later with the portable phone held to his ear. She must have heard the click in the line because she continued, “Are you still there? Please don’t hang up on me! I need you. I feel so alone.”
I clutched the phone and stared at my husband, seeking guidance. “I’m here, I wouldn’t hang up,” I said.
“I know I should have told you, Mama. But when we talk, you just keep telling me what I should do. You read all those pamphlets on how to talk about sex and all, but all you do is talk. You don’t listen to me. You never let me tell you how I feel. It is as filmy feelings aren’t important. Because you’re my mother, you think you have all the answers. But sometimes I don’t need answers. I just want someone to listen.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared at the how-to-talk- to-your-kids pamphlets scattered on my nightstand. “I’m listening,” I whispered.
“You know, back there on the road, after I got the car under control, I started thinking about the baby and taking care of it. Then I saw this phone booth and it was as if I could hear you preaching about people shouldn’t drink and drive. So I called a taxi. I want to come home.”
“That’s good, Honey,” I said as relief filled my chest. My husband came closer, sat down beside me and laced his fingers through mine. I knew from his touch that he thought I was doing and saying the right thing.
“But you know, I think I can drive now.”
“No!” I snapped. My muscles stiffened, and I tightened the clasp on my husband’s hand. “Please, wait for the taxi. Don’t hang up on me until the taxi gets there.”
“I just want to come home, Mama.”
“I know. But do this for your mama. Wait for the taxi, please.” I listened to the silence in fear. When I didn’t hear her answer, I bit into my lip and closed my eyes. Somehow I had to stop her from driving.
“There’s the taxi, now.”
Only when I heard someone in the background asking about a Yellow Cab did I feel my tension easing.
I’m coming home, Mama.”
There was a click and the phone went silent. Moving from the bed with tears forming in my eyes, I walked out into the hall and went to stand in my sixteen-year-old daughter’s room. The dark silence hung thick. My husband came from behind, wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“We have to learn to listen,” I said.
He pulled me around to face him. “We’ll learn. You’ll see.”
Then he took me into his arms and I buried my head in his shoulder. I let him hold me for several moments, then I pulled back and stared back at the bed. He studied me for a second, then asked, “Do you think she’ll ever know she dialed the wrong number?”
I looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at him. “Maybe it wasn’t such a wrong number.”
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing?” The muffled young voice came from under the covers.
I walked over to my daughter, who now sat up staring into the darkness.
“We’re practicing,” I answered.
“Practicing what?” she mumbled and laid back on the mattress, her eyes already closed in slumber.
“Listening,” I whispered, and brushed a hand over her cheek.
