|
Bookmark www.Gr8Stuff4You.com
Thanks On this page you will find a collection of my thoughts as well as some of the great quotes I have found during a lifetime of reading. There are so many that I will try to insert the updates in the top of the section so when you come back you will find them easier to find and enjoy them. If you have one you think should be here email it to me and I will credit you with sending it. Thanks
Bill Wayman - email: bill@gr8stuff4you.com |
Don't Forget the Tsunami Survivors!
________________________________________________________________
There
is a link to some new galleries on the update page. Click
Here to go
there.
I just want to get an Idea of how many of you
come to this page.
Let me know what you think. bill@gr8stuff4you.com
_________________________
______________________________________________________
Do we have as
much sense as a goose?
When you see geese flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.
By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% grater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Basic Truth #1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Basic Truth #2: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed in the same direction we are going.
When the lead goose gets tired, he of she rotates back in the wing and another goose flies the point.
Basic Truth #3: It pays to take turns doing hard jobs--with people, or with geese flying north.
The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Basic Truth #4 We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind.
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to protect it. They stay with it until it is either able to fly or until it is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.
Final Truth: If we have the sense of a goose we will stand by each other like that.
--contributed by Greg Risberg
_________________________________________Christmas, God and
Country
Does this make any sense?
Reading the newspapers and
listening to the news on radio or watching on TV brings a barrage of mixed and
confusing signals about America. There is a story today about a school teacher
who was told not to use the Declaration of Independence in his class because the
word God appears in it. There are stories almost daily this time of year that
say children cannot sing any song or Christmas carol in a school production that
mentions anything about God or religion (especially Christianity). In the last
few days Target decided not to allow the Salvation Army to ring their bells and
collect donations outside their stores. To put a Christmas display in any public
place will bring the wrath of the ACLU and the courts down upon the perpetrator
of this horrible act of insensitivity. I could go on and on but I am sure you
read the news as well. So my thoughts turn to the basic question, “does
this make any sense?”
I am a sentimental fool.
As a nation we celebrate
this "Season," "The Holidays," "This Blessed Time of Year,"
"Xmas" by shopping and giving gifts to our families, loved ones and
friends. Yet in the center of our beings we remember, this is Christmas. Are we
so wimpy that we won’t stand up and be counted as “sentimental
fools” who tell it like
it is. I have been shopping, as I know you have, and everywhere I go I tell
people Merry Christmas. Without exception they smile. On many occasions they
respond with a “Merry Christmas to you too.” Am I wrong or do we really want to
celebrate “Christmas” the way it always was when we were growing
up. I do. I want to hear the Christmas music in the malls and stores. I
want to see the Salvation Army bell ringers outside the Post Office and Target
and I want to put money in the bucket. I want to know Christmas is the
reason for “Toys for Tots” toys being collected by the Marines. I want to find
the Salvation Army Christmas tree in the malls where I can select a child’s name
and anonymously purchase gifts that will make them know there is a Santa
Claus in all our hearts even if we
try to hide it from the world. I want to see the houses around town decorated
with lights. I want to see Santa arrive in a fire engine, a helicopter or on a
horse. I want to celebrate the traditions of Christmas including the stories and
songs of the Christ Child, the star of Bethlehem, the songs of Peace on Earth
and the hope they bring. I want to remember our armed forces who are fighting
for the freedom and dignity of people around the world. I want them to have a
Merry Christmas wherever they are serving. I want all of us to remember what
they are doing and pray for peace on earth. I want us to remember that this is
truly the message of Christmas.
If
anything is lost today it is story of the hope that God brings to each and every
person through His revelation of love. Yes, I said, God loves us and wants to
bless us. I encourage you to read my thoughts from last year about Christmas. Click Here. If you did read
them you will find my views haven’t changed. I still believe we are all better
off to remember our roots and celebrate our traditions. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I pray the blessing
of God will come upon you and overtake you. Be whoever you are but be the best
whoever you can be. Don’t judge your neighbor with demands you wouldn’t be
willing to be judged with. Really, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you
don’t love yourself change the things you have power to change in yourself and
let the rest take care of itself. God loves you, so He must be your neighbor
too. Quit trying to change everyone around you so they can be just like you. God
made them different, so trust Him to help them be the best whoever they can be.
It’s not your job or responsibility. Try getting outside of yourself and
find someone to give some of your gifts and talents to. Find a kid to
help he will keep you young at heart. Kids can make you remember that
life is to be lived today. Live.
If you agree or disagree with me and would like to tell me so, send an e-mail to bill@gr8stuff4you.com.
__________________________________________________________________
Here
is a short story sent to me by a friend.
I don't know the author but I am
sure It can be verified as true.
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish
farmer. One
day, while trying to make a living for his
family, he heard a cry for help
coming from a nearby
bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There,
mired to his waist in black muck, was a
terrified boy, screaming and
struggling to free himself.
Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have
been
a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the
Scotsman's
sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed
nobleman stepped out and introduced
himself as
the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
"I want to
repay you," said the nobleman.
"You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't
accept payment for what I
did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the
offer
At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door
of the
family hovel. "Is that your son?" the
nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer
replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level
of
education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything
like his father,
he'll no doubt grow to be a man we
both will be proud of."
And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools
and in
time, he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital
Medical School in London, and
went on to become known
throughout the world as the noted Sir
Alexander
Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved
from
the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved
his life this time?
Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill.
His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.
If you know the author
please let me know. bill@gr8stuff4you.com
I recently went to watch and photograph one of our local parades.
While there I observed that there are
several types of people who go to a parade.
First there are the participants.
Secondly there are the watchers.
Thirdly there are the watchers of the watchers.
Finally there are the brought.
Let me explain my
observations.
The participants are pretty much
self explanatory. They are the folks who
march, ride, play instruments,
clean up after the horses, and
keep the parade moving.
The watchers are the Kids and
adults that line the street to enjoy the
festivities or watch a friend who
is a participant.
The next group is the watchers of the
watchers. These are
the parents
of the kids that wanted to be there and the ones who would have
rather been somewhere else. Just keeping an eye on things.
The final group is usually the toddlers who were
brought by their parents
or grandparents. They have a very short attention
span. They have a
great time
doing anything and everything, but would rather eat, buy a
balloon, play in
the street, drink a soda, climb on mom or dad, and in
general stay busy
doing whatever comes to mind right at that instant.
Their parents
are watchers and sometimes even get to watch the parade.
But don’t bet on
it.
I have recorded some of each group and enjoyed every minute of it.
I hope you enjoy a few of the pictures.
Go HERE then
Click on Galleries,
and then click on Ski to Sea Parade 2004 to see them.
Let me know which ones are your favorites.
Send me a note HERE. Thanks for looking.
______________________________________________________
Have You ever been asked for your opinion?
Well if you're anything like me
you've probably thought or said many times, “who are all the
people “they”
poll, no one has ever asked me for my opinion.” (and I have lots of
opinions)
What you think can make a
difference. I've just found a place where you can take polls,
give your opinion and even get paid for
it.
All your information is kept
private and the polls are use to change the future of everything
from what
programs are on TV, to what products are best or your view our world.
Want to give it a try? Click here and get more information.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Some Thoughts on
Friendship
Blessed are they who have the
gift of making friends, for it is one on God's best gifts.
It involves many
things, but above all, the power of going out of one's self,
and appreciating
whatever is noble and loving in another.
********************************************************
Who
is my neighbor (friend)? This question was asked of a great teacher.
He
responded, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among
robbers,
who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half
dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road: and when he saw him he
passed by
on the other side.....But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to
where he was;
and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and
bound up his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine: then he set him on his own
beast and brought
him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he
took out two denarii and
gave them to the inn-keeper, saying, "Take care of
him: and whatever more you spend,
I will repay you when I come back." Which
of these...., do you think proved neighbor to the
man who fell among
robbers?
Of course you know the teacher was Jesus. Look in The Gospel of
Luke.
****************************************************************
_______________________________________________________
A
Christmas Thought for 2003 - It applies all year long
In a world full of headlines about war, terror, financial instability and the decline of the family, it's hard to acquire a view of life that gives us sway to believe in the good of mankind. But let's attempt to put some perspective and balance to our view. Yes, we need to be a productive part of society. Yes, we need to be an influence for good. Yes, we need to care about the people in our lives and around the world. No, we are not responsible for everyone in the world, but we are responsible for those people in our sphere of influence.
I suggest that we all want things to improve from the way they were yesterday. But what part can we play in bringing about change? We need to see our world as it really is behind the toil and tasks of everyday living. Slow down enough to see and consider the beauty of a sunset, a town under a blanket of snow that hides the blemishes of man, see a tree, a home or a village trimmed for Christmas, watch the faces of families during the Christmas season, and so many other wonderful things that are around us everyday. It will change how we think about our world. Don't get caught up in how the snow slowed down your commute or how Christmas has become so commercialized. Listen to the sounds of Christmas, remember the reason we celebrate Christmas, give from your heart, not because you think it's expected. Smile and you will be greeted with smiles. Some will wonder why you are so happy. If they ask tell them. We can change our view and thereby change our sphere of influence. I call it "our world."
I quote, "Take time to smell the roses."
There are many ways to look at the world around us. One way is to see it through the eyes of a child. When you realize everything is new to them and they don't have a personal history to shape what they think, it brings a new responsibility to us. Not to shape their view through our eyes and history, but to attempt to understand our world through their eyes. Through the eyes of discovery.
When we take a child to the beach, fishing, to a ballgame, on a picnic, on a hike, to the playground, to a hot dog roast, or even to a G-rated movie we will be insturmental in shaping their view of life just because we took the time to share our life and time with them.
Don't wait until it's too late and then say I wish I had spent more time with ___________ (I'll let you fill in the blank). There is never a time like today. In fact today is the only day we live in. It's where we create the memories of yesterday and the promise of gr8 tomorrows.
Bill
____________________________________________________________________
If you have something to
contribute
email me: Clidk Here
|
Your comments are very helpful. Please
let me know what you think. |
Stuff to
Consider