Judge Gently
Author Unknown
Pray don't find fault with the man who limps
or stumbles along the road,
unless you have worn the shoes he wears
or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
though hidden away from view,
or the burden he bears, placed on your back
might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today
unless you have felt the blow
that caused his fall or felt the shame
that only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
that were his if dealt to you,
in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time,
might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
or pelt him with word or stone,
unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
that you have no sins of your own -
for you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
should whisper as softly to you
as it did to him when he went astray,
it might cause you to stumble too.
Wednesday 31 December 2008
Happy New Year
May peace fill all the empty spaces around you
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year show you that every day
is really a first day, a new year.
Let abundance be your constant companion,
so that you have much to share.
May mirth be near you always,
like a lamp shining brightly
on the many paths you travel.
May you be true love.
Author Unknown
But Very Much Appreciated!
Five Beautiful Poems To Read On New Years Day
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year show you that every day
is really a first day, a new year.
Let abundance be your constant companion,
so that you have much to share.
May mirth be near you always,
like a lamp shining brightly
on the many paths you travel.
May you be true love.
Author Unknown
But Very Much Appreciated!
Five Beautiful Poems To Read On New Years Day
Look between the sights, ....
Look between the sights, hear between the words, feel between your heart and mind... and there you'll find the Universe, conspiring, on your behalf, with magic, miracles and more.
Thursday 2 October 2008
Moment of Love
Moment of Love
Inviting More Love into Our Hearts
The brief statement below is designed to remind us of the common humanity we share with all people in our world. Take a moment to read these words slowly and really feel the beautiful message here. By choosing to focus less on what divides us, and more on what unites us, we can more effectively build a brighter future for us all.
Every person in the world has a heart
Every heart has a place within
that wants only to love and be loved
Let us connect with that
place of love in our own heart
and in the hearts of all around us
Let us take a moment now
to open to the heart connection
we share with all people through love
Inviting More Love into Our Hearts
The brief statement below is designed to remind us of the common humanity we share with all people in our world. Take a moment to read these words slowly and really feel the beautiful message here. By choosing to focus less on what divides us, and more on what unites us, we can more effectively build a brighter future for us all.
Every person in the world has a heart
Every heart has a place within
that wants only to love and be loved
Let us connect with that
place of love in our own heart
and in the hearts of all around us
Let us take a moment now
to open to the heart connection
we share with all people through love
The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget
The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget
by Kent Nerburn
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."
"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."
I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers."
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware—beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
See our collection of inspiring resources at http://www.weboflove.org/inspiringresources
by Kent Nerburn
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."
"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."
I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers."
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware—beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
See our collection of inspiring resources at http://www.weboflove.org/inspiringresources
Monday 18 August 2008
Nature's Pharmacy!
Nature left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
Nature's Pharmacy!
Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones.
These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.
These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months
to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
Nature's Pharmacy!
Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones.
These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.
These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months
to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
Monday 11 August 2008
Remember your sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter:
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. Short and very sweet:
There are more than twenty angels in this world.
Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are
playing. And one is reading her email at this moment.
As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter:
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. Short and very sweet:
There are more than twenty angels in this world.
Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are
playing. And one is reading her email at this moment.
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Ok - so here's the deal. I've been tagged by Laine - over at IckleKids to do 6 Things Meme. I've been updating my blog these last few weeks, and she seemed to like one of my posts about this amazing love story out of china, and tagged me there! So here we are....
The rules of 6 Things Meme - I have to answer 6 questions about myself. At the end of the post, I then tag 6 people and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and ask them to read my blog. Then, I must let the person who tagged me know when I've posted my answers.
6 Places I have lived
1) Massachusetts USA - I was born there and lived there until I was 16. It's such a beautiful part of the USA, and if you ever get a chance you must visit it. It's hard to pick a season to visit because they're all beautiful, but if you want to see outstanding autumn colour, then go in the Northern Hemisphere Autumn.
2) Orlando Florida USA - We lived there for about 12 months when I was 11. Whilst living in Florida we travelled to Mexico where my younger brother was born.
3) Broke, Hunter Valley, NSW - Australia - I was 16 when we moved to Australia. I hated it, but grew to love it over time. The Hunter Valley is a truly beautiful part of NSW.
4) North Ryde, NSW , Australia - I moved to Sydney to live with my brother who was attending Macquarie University.
5) Glenfield, NSW, Australia - moved in with my long term boyfriend, now husband, into our first home.
6) Georges Hall NSW - Settled into our current home. We now have 2 gorgeous kids.
What I was doing 10 years ago
Ten years ago I was working for Qantas at Sydney International Airport. I was a Customer Service Agent, and duties included working in the Qantas Club & First Class Lounge, First Class Check-in as well as check-in for other classes, assisting with arrivals and departures. Not just for Qantas but for the 26 other customer airlines that Qantas did the ground handling for. Whilst at Qantas I became pregnant with my first child and after she was born I went back to work for 18 months, but eventually left because conflicting schedules with daycare and shift work!
5 things on my to do list:
1) Go to work Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
2) Take my son to a birthday party on Sunday
3) Get some work for ID Your Child done
4) Place some orders for customers
5) Spend time with the kids
Snacks I like to eat
1) Chocolate - who doesn't like to eat chocolate!? Oh - I know - my niece's boyfriend doesn't like chocolate - he's allergic to milk.
2) Dips & crackers
3) Chocolate Chip Cookies - homemade of course
4) Home baked biscuits or bread - warm with butter
5) Mangoes, strawberries, apples
If I was a billionaire
1) I'd give a good portion to charity
2) Pay off my parents debts and buy them new cars and set them up so they wouldn't have to work again
3) Work for a charity
4) Set up trust accounts for my children, ensure they had enough money for their education and to set them up for when they leave home
5) Pay off our debts and build a new house and buy a new car
6) Travel the world
7) Pay for my friends to come and visit me
Now, I tag the following people:
http://rainbowdesigns.com.au/blog/
http://www.momentbymoment.com.au/cafeprem/momentbymoment/
The rules of 6 Things Meme - I have to answer 6 questions about myself. At the end of the post, I then tag 6 people and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and ask them to read my blog. Then, I must let the person who tagged me know when I've posted my answers.
6 Places I have lived
1) Massachusetts USA - I was born there and lived there until I was 16. It's such a beautiful part of the USA, and if you ever get a chance you must visit it. It's hard to pick a season to visit because they're all beautiful, but if you want to see outstanding autumn colour, then go in the Northern Hemisphere Autumn.
2) Orlando Florida USA - We lived there for about 12 months when I was 11. Whilst living in Florida we travelled to Mexico where my younger brother was born.
3) Broke, Hunter Valley, NSW - Australia - I was 16 when we moved to Australia. I hated it, but grew to love it over time. The Hunter Valley is a truly beautiful part of NSW.
4) North Ryde, NSW , Australia - I moved to Sydney to live with my brother who was attending Macquarie University.
5) Glenfield, NSW, Australia - moved in with my long term boyfriend, now husband, into our first home.
6) Georges Hall NSW - Settled into our current home. We now have 2 gorgeous kids.
What I was doing 10 years ago
Ten years ago I was working for Qantas at Sydney International Airport. I was a Customer Service Agent, and duties included working in the Qantas Club & First Class Lounge, First Class Check-in as well as check-in for other classes, assisting with arrivals and departures. Not just for Qantas but for the 26 other customer airlines that Qantas did the ground handling for. Whilst at Qantas I became pregnant with my first child and after she was born I went back to work for 18 months, but eventually left because conflicting schedules with daycare and shift work!
5 things on my to do list:
1) Go to work Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
2) Take my son to a birthday party on Sunday
3) Get some work for ID Your Child done
4) Place some orders for customers
5) Spend time with the kids
Snacks I like to eat
1) Chocolate - who doesn't like to eat chocolate!? Oh - I know - my niece's boyfriend doesn't like chocolate - he's allergic to milk.
2) Dips & crackers
3) Chocolate Chip Cookies - homemade of course
4) Home baked biscuits or bread - warm with butter
5) Mangoes, strawberries, apples
If I was a billionaire
1) I'd give a good portion to charity
2) Pay off my parents debts and buy them new cars and set them up so they wouldn't have to work again
3) Work for a charity
4) Set up trust accounts for my children, ensure they had enough money for their education and to set them up for when they leave home
5) Pay off our debts and build a new house and buy a new car
6) Travel the world
7) Pay for my friends to come and visit me
Now, I tag the following people:
http://rainbowdesigns.com.au/blog/
http://www.momentbymoment.com.au/cafeprem/momentbymoment/
We're past the 1/2 way mark - City2Surf
WOW - overnight we've had $150 donated. That brings our total so far raised to $351 - we still need an extra $149 to reach our goal of $500.
If you can help us or if you know of someone who can help us reach that goal, please forward the information with a link to my fundraising page.
Every $$ is greatly appreciated, and it would be such a shame if we came so close to our goal, but didn't make it.
To all of you who have already so kindly donated/sponsored us, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I'm sure the children and the families of those children who will benefit from the funds raised thank you also!!!!!
Please follow the link to see how we're going and to make a donation!
http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/Jennifer_Kohen
Please also pass this info along, wouldn't it be great if we could surpass our goal of $500 before August 10!
Starlight Wishgranting
A dream come true
A Starlight Wish is like a dream come true for a seriously ill child. Sharing a special, once-in-a-lifetime wish brings a family together, and is an experience that stays with them forever. Starlight aims to grant more wishes each year for children with serious and chronic illness.
A Starlight Wish provides meaningful experiences, has life impacting benefits and is an opportunity to share in a dream come true. A Starlight Wish gives the whole family a break from the stress of their child's illness. Fulfilled wishes provide lasting memories for the child, and it's rare that a day goes by without the family mentioning their special experience.
Just last Christmas, the generosity of the Australian public meant that Starlight could grant more than 152 urgent wishes for seriously ill children, children just like Christian, who wanted a Rocket Ship Cubby House, so he could use it to escape and visit planet Starlight.
"The day we heard Starlight were able to grant Christian's wish was amazing - the best day since his illness was diagnosed. It has become something special for him to look forward to every day."
Mum of Christian, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour just before his fifth birthday
If you can help us or if you know of someone who can help us reach that goal, please forward the information with a link to my fundraising page.
Every $$ is greatly appreciated, and it would be such a shame if we came so close to our goal, but didn't make it.
To all of you who have already so kindly donated/sponsored us, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I'm sure the children and the families of those children who will benefit from the funds raised thank you also!!!!!
Please follow the link to see how we're going and to make a donation!
http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/Jennifer_Kohen
Please also pass this info along, wouldn't it be great if we could surpass our goal of $500 before August 10!
Starlight Wishgranting
A dream come true
A Starlight Wish is like a dream come true for a seriously ill child. Sharing a special, once-in-a-lifetime wish brings a family together, and is an experience that stays with them forever. Starlight aims to grant more wishes each year for children with serious and chronic illness.
A Starlight Wish provides meaningful experiences, has life impacting benefits and is an opportunity to share in a dream come true. A Starlight Wish gives the whole family a break from the stress of their child's illness. Fulfilled wishes provide lasting memories for the child, and it's rare that a day goes by without the family mentioning their special experience.
Just last Christmas, the generosity of the Australian public meant that Starlight could grant more than 152 urgent wishes for seriously ill children, children just like Christian, who wanted a Rocket Ship Cubby House, so he could use it to escape and visit planet Starlight.
"The day we heard Starlight were able to grant Christian's wish was amazing - the best day since his illness was diagnosed. It has become something special for him to look forward to every day."
Mum of Christian, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour just before his fifth birthday
Thursday 10 July 2008
BEAUTIFUL PRAYER
BEAUTIFUL PRAYER
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own!, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
If you love God, send this to ten people and back to the person that sent it.
THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY
May God Bless You,
'To the world you might be one person,but to one person you just might be the world'
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own!, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
If you love God, send this to ten people and back to the person that sent it.
THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY
May God Bless You,
'To the world you might be one person,but to one person you just might be the world'
An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world.
An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world.
It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.
The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years.
Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin..
In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children.
At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality.
In the beginning, life was harsh as hey had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives.
Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve.'
In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.
Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'
The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.
'You promised me you'll take care of me, you'll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?'
Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband's black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.
In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.
Thursday 3 July 2008
Retail therapy is great isn't it?
Retail therapy is great!
The only problem I have with shopping with the kids during the mid year school holidays is that K-Mart, Target & Big W all put their MASSIVE TOY SALES on at this time.
Who in their right mind wants to go toy shopping with the kids in tow???? I know I don't, hence I usually avoid the sales, for me it's sometimes worth paying the extra couple of dollars just to avoid the crowds.
I had to go to Big W today to exchange something that I bought yesterday (another story), and being the first day of the Big W toy sale there were, needless to say, A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE!!! The queue for the Lay-By desk (which is at the back of the store - oddly enough right next to the toy dept.) was almost to the front door where all the registers are!!!!!! OMG - is all I could say.
I was staggered at the amount of toys people had in their trolleys and queuing in the Lay-By queue. Now don't get me wrong, I love to buy my kids things, but this was bordering on ridiculous!!!!!!
It just got me thinking that we are such a consumer society, give it to me now, I want it, I need it, I will have it!!!!!! It made me think of how much we buy and all the packaging that is so unnecessary. I know at Christmas time, it takes me almost a month to get rid of all the packaging that gets tossed, because I put it in the recycling bin and that only gets collected fortnightly. Note to Council - at Christmas have weekly recycling pick-up!
Anyway, I walked out of Big W vowing to not go overboard on my Christmas shopping this year.
The only problem I have with shopping with the kids during the mid year school holidays is that K-Mart, Target & Big W all put their MASSIVE TOY SALES on at this time.
Who in their right mind wants to go toy shopping with the kids in tow???? I know I don't, hence I usually avoid the sales, for me it's sometimes worth paying the extra couple of dollars just to avoid the crowds.
I had to go to Big W today to exchange something that I bought yesterday (another story), and being the first day of the Big W toy sale there were, needless to say, A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE!!! The queue for the Lay-By desk (which is at the back of the store - oddly enough right next to the toy dept.) was almost to the front door where all the registers are!!!!!! OMG - is all I could say.
I was staggered at the amount of toys people had in their trolleys and queuing in the Lay-By queue. Now don't get me wrong, I love to buy my kids things, but this was bordering on ridiculous!!!!!!
It just got me thinking that we are such a consumer society, give it to me now, I want it, I need it, I will have it!!!!!! It made me think of how much we buy and all the packaging that is so unnecessary. I know at Christmas time, it takes me almost a month to get rid of all the packaging that gets tossed, because I put it in the recycling bin and that only gets collected fortnightly. Note to Council - at Christmas have weekly recycling pick-up!
Anyway, I walked out of Big W vowing to not go overboard on my Christmas shopping this year.
Monday 23 June 2008
Strange & interesting shoppping bags
Have you ever put much thought into the shopping bags that you carry around. Well these people sure have!!!
http://www.oddee.com/item_95373.aspx
http://www.oddee.com/item_95373.aspx
Strange Letterboxes
Do you think you have a strange letterbox? I bet it's not as strange as these ones!
Check them out here!
http://www.oddee.com/item_96200.aspx
Check them out here!
http://www.oddee.com/item_96200.aspx
Help me raise funds for The Starlight Foundation
On Sunday, August 10, I am participating in The Sun-Herald City2Surf. I am trying to raise as much money as I can for a great cause by taking the 14km journey to Bondi. You can find out more about the charity I am raising money for, by clicking on the link below to visit my very own fundraising page. Please dig deep to sponsor me in this event, it only takes a few seconds.
You can also help my fundraising efforts, by sending this page onto as many people as possible. I'm fundraising for The Starlight Foundation!!
Thank you very much.
http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/Jennifer_Kohen
You can also help my fundraising efforts, by sending this page onto as many people as possible. I'm fundraising for The Starlight Foundation!!
Thank you very much.
http://city2surf.everydayhero.com.au/Jennifer_Kohen
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