“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” Randy Pausch
One Step at a time
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Once upon a time, a wealthy king sought a suitable man to marry his daughter. So he decided to create a challenge to test whether an individual has the appropriate attitude and will not quit at the first indication of adversity. To pass the test, each candidate had to put on royal metal armor and ascend 1000 stairs to the top of the mountain, where the king’s palace was.
Many men gathered from all across the world to take on the task. However, as soon as they put on the armor, they understood that the endeavor would be impossible. The majority of men took the first step, then glanced up at the remaining 999 and gave up. Several men made it to the second step before abandoning their quest. And so it continued for the next couple of hundred guys, with some reaching the third stage.
The king appeared to be very concerned. He pondered if someone was deserving of his daughter. Everyone who came to try their luck with the challenge stayed away after they saw everyone who attempted to compete in the challenge fail miserably. Nobody thought it was possible. So far, everyone has failed, and they were discussing how the task was designed to be impossible to finish. The most powerful military men attempted and failed. The top athletes tried but failed. Even the most muscular men couldn’t go past the third stairwell. Nobody could make it any further. They all pointed their finger at the armor and the steps. If only the armor were lighter, the stairs weren’t so steep.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, a young man who didn’t appear to be very ordinary and not very impressive declared he wanted to try. He, like everyone else before him, had his chance. He donned the heavy gear and proceeded to the steps. Everyone said he wouldn’t make it past the first step. But he was quick to go to the second. He could hardly move his shivering feet to the fourth step.
But he took a big breath and moved forward. He felt like he was about to collapse, but he was determined to keep going. He kept telling himself, “One step at a time.” I only have to finish this one. As he approached the fifth step, he felt a strong pull from the top. His armor became noticeably lighter. So he took another step, telling himself, “I’m not ready to quit yet.”
Surprisingly, the armor felt lighter in this following stage. He was exhausted but determined to take one more step. So the “not-so-special young man” went on. Each stride brought his armor lighter and his goal closer.
When the young man finished the challenge, the king praised him and then revealed a secret about the test: “You know, the challenge aimed to make sure that the guy who is going to marry my daughter is not the type of man who gives up after the first couple of difficult moments.”
The armor
The armor represents the difficult times, and the magnet on top, which made each step easier after the first few you had to make on your own, represents the willpower and experience that will make your future endeavors easier to bear. Because with the proper person at your side, as well as the right mindset and focus, you can do anything, no matter how big the problem is.
So you know that the most challenging part of any problem you and your partner will encounter in the future is the first few steps, and it will become easier from there. You have proven yourself worthy, and now you have my blessings to marry my daughter.”
Moral: Remember to take your first steps and keep going. It becomes easier as you gain experience.
The “Happiness is Within You” story is a fable about a man who travels to a far-off land in search of happiness. He meets a wise old man who tells him that happiness is not found in distant places, but rather within oneself.
The wise man tells the traveler to seek out a certain tree in a nearby forest, which is said to hold the secret to true happiness.
The traveler searches for the tree, but when he finds it, he is disappointed to see that it looks like any other tree.
The wise man appears again and tells the traveler to cut the tree down and open it up. Inside, the traveler finds nothing but plain, unremarkable wood. Confused and frustrated, he asks the wise man what this means.
The wise man tells him that the true secret to happiness is not in external objects or circumstances, but rather in our own perception and attitude.
Happiness is not found in material things or in achieving external goals, but rather in cultivating an inner sense of peace, contentment, and gratitude.
The story is often used as a metaphor for the idea that true happiness comes from within, and that external factors can only provide temporary pleasure or satisfaction.
The lesson of the story is to focus on cultivating inner peace and contentment, rather than seeking happiness in external objects or circumstances. Love and Blessings
Sir Winston Churchill took three years getting through eighth grade because he had trouble learning English. It seems ironic that years later Oxford University asked him to address its commencement exercises.
He arrived with his usual props. A cigar, a cane and a top hat accompanied Churchill wherever he went. As Churchill approached the podium, the crowd rose in appreciative applause. With unmatched dignity, he settled the crowd and stood confident before his admirers. Removing the cigar and carefully placing the top hat on the podium, Churchill gazed at his waiting audience. Authority rang in Churchill’s voice as he shouted, “Never give up!”
Several seconds passed before he rose to his toes and repeated: “Never give up!” His words thundered in their ears. There was a deafening silence as Churchill reached for his hat and cigar, steadied himself with his cane and left the platform. His commencement address was finished.
Love and Blessing Friend and remember "Never Give Up!" Hugs
“May today usher a new beginning into your life. Things will start falling in the right place for you. The day is loaded with blessings for you, what are you waiting for, go get them. Have a blessed morning.”
Being and BreathingPin
After spending nearly every waking minute with Angel for eight straight days, I knew that I had to tell her just one thing. So late at night, just before she fell asleep, I whispered it in her ear. She smiled – the kind of smile that makes me smile back –and she said, “When I’m seventy-five and I think about my life and what it was like to be young, I hope that I can remember this very moment.”
A few seconds later, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. The room was peaceful – almost silent. All I could hear was the soft purr of her breathing. I stayed awake thinking about the time we’d spent together and all the choices in our lives that made this moment possible. And at some point, I realized that it didn’t matter what we’d done or where we’d gone. Nor did the future hold any significance.
All that mattered was the serenity of the moment.
Just being with her and breathing with her.
The Moral of the Story: Our days are made up of fleeting moments. In a split second, these moments are gone. Do not let external pressures or stress keep you from appreciating the little moments that make life beautiful. Every day is a miracle, from the moment you open your eyes in the morning and close your eyes at night.
I shall pass this way but once perhaps, in life’s eternal turn, Let me make of it what I can, do my best to learn.
Seek out the truth, be kind to all, consider what I am, Try to be what I should be, forever an honest man.
You are what you are and have made yourself, no less nor great than this, Be what you are, be true to all, not in ignorance, bliss.
Know yourself, know others too, understand it all, Seek out a meaning where none is known, avoid a heady fall.
Life is but a transient phase, in some eternal plan, Where for a time, we pass the time, as humans only can.
Waste not the chance for life is short, it may not come again, Although, perhaps, with circle’s turn, revolving, as a game.
Enrich the soul, build it strong, seek out a higher know, Give freely that of what you are, be not afraid to grow.
I shall pass this way but once perhaps, follow me be true, But follow your own path, the one you’ve made, don’t be me, be you
Time flies and memories fade. People change and new friendships are made. Only the true remain forever at our side. Eventually the disappointment and pain will subside.
It is all about the journey and what has yet to come. Life is what you make of it; you are what you've become. Life is too short to hold onto regrets. Forgiveness is key even though you may never forget.
Cherish the good and remove the bad. Some people don't realize till it's gone what they've had. Moving on is a way of life. There will always be obstacles, pain, and strife.
You must believe that you are strong enough to fight. You have to believe in yourself to do what is right. Always do for YOU no matter what you do, Because in the end the only one who has your back is you.
Never be afraid to take a stand, And always be willing to lend a helping hand. A little bit goes a long way. All it takes is a smile to brighten someone's day.
Your chance to live is now, so what are you waiting for? The world is yours for the taking and so much more. Endless possibilities are forever at your disposal. The chance to live another day is life's golden proposal.
Never let anyone tear you down, And never let anyone steal your shine and make you frown. So will you sit in the shadows and let darkness win again? Or will you rise up and make the light your friend?
Here is your chance, so what will you do? You've got this because I believe in you!
So here we are, at the edge of a new season, not just in nature, but in spirit. Let’s leave behind what no longer serves and step into what’s possible.
Somebody asked me recently what do I think about the people out there who are seen as failures by their peers. (The definition of failure can be different from one person to another). I know that there are people who are being very patient while working on themselves, or an important project that hopefully will result in them achieving their dreams. They do this silently and diligently. They may appear to be failing but, they the are far from failing and diligently working towards their goal.
Beware of judging others. Because you never how things will turn out. I have seen this happen so many times. May I leave you with this, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race ” Calvin Coolidge.
Blessings and Love... Carol Anne..
You are powerful. You are needed. And you are never alone.
