As we slowly drove down the street on that cold December evening we spotted the porch light. "This must be the house." I told our "Positive Teens In Action" group. We pulled up in front of an older home with the porch light glowing. We gathered up our song books, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. We heard a faint voice from inside say, “Come on in. The door is open." We opened the door.
There in a rocking chair sat an elderly woman with a big smile on her face. "I've been expecting you." she said weakly. Ruth was one of our Meals On Wheels stops I had arranged; along with the usual church members who enjoyed carolers. We handed Ruth the basket of goodies the teens had assembled earlier that evening. Then I asked Ruth what carols she would like to hear. Ruth's face was beaming as she joined in singing each song.
As we hugged Ruth good-bye she said to me with tears glistening in her eyes, “The day you called I was still in bed. I had just finished praying. I asked God if it would be possible to have some Christmas Carolers come to my home and sing this year. Thank you for being the answer to my Christmas prayer."
Wow, what an awesome experience to have the opportunity to be the answer to someone's Christmas prayer.
哇哦,能使别人的祷告得以实现是多棒的一次经历呀。
Change is considerably easier when you have a full complement of supporting partners and unlimited resources. But, since very often it is the shock of a death, divorce or some other life tragedy that unceremoniously tosses us out of our comfort zone to fend for ourselves, it can mean being forced to strike out alone which for many of us is the scariest part of all.
Probably the most difficult thing about pursuing significant change is doing it when you don’t have the knowledge, financial or emotional tools available to make the process go smoothly.
However, as difficult as it can be, sometimes reaching our full potential means working without a net. Or, as Tony Robbins says, "If you want to take the island, burn the f’ing boats!"
For those truly dedicated to their mission, having fewer resources and no backup or fallback plan can be a surprising blessing as it forces you to get creative and forge new paths.
I don’t know if it’s possible to leave this world with zero regrets. Because of the natural life cycles and the fact that sometimes it’s the tragedy that causes our awakenings we often have our epiphanies too late to avoid certain painful outcomes.
However, it is indefensible to can claim ignorance to the possible ramifications of continued inaction. The choice belongs to each and every one of us. We all have the power to change both our thoughts and behavior thereby giving more intentional direction to the remainder of our lives.
I was in line at Trader Joe's and the young woman in front of me had her card declined, she embarrassedly handed the cashier another card, which was also declined and then a final card that was approved for just $5.47.
She asked the cashier to cancel the transaction. The cashier motions for manager. I smile and offer to pay the balance, which was $20 something dollars.
无奈之下,她只能让收银员取消交易。收银员示意了经理。我微笑了一下,然后帮女孩付了余款。
The woman was very thankful, the cashier was happy.
女孩很感激,收银员看到这一幕感到非常欣喜。
On my way out the manager handed me a bouquet of mixed flowers. He didn't say anything, just held the flowers out to me.
就在我走出超市时,经理递给了我一束花。但他什么也没说,只是把花递给了我。
I saw he was overcomed with emotion. I suspected that if he opened his mouth he would start to cry. I accepted the flowers with thanks and walked out feeling that, for just a few moments, the world had become a better place.