Fwd: LESSONS....

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Subject: LESSONS....

Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 14:38:33 +1000

LESSONS....

1. Most Important Lesson - During my second month of nursing school, our

professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed

through the questions, until I read the last one: " What is the first name

of the woman who cleans the school? " Surely this was some kind of joke. I

had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in

her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the

last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count

toward our quiz grade.

" Absolutely, " said the professor. " In your careers, you will meet many

people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if

all you do is smile and say 'hello' "

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the

side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car

had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided

to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally

unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety,

helped her get asistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a

big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked

him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his

surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered to his home. A special

note was attached. It read: " Thank you so much for assisting me on the

highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my

spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my

dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for

helping me and unselfishly serving others. "

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3. Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy

entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of

water in front of him. " How much is an ice cream sundae? " he asked. " Fifty

cents, " replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in

it. " Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream? " he inquired. By now

more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

" Thirty-five cents, " she brusquely replied. " The little boy again counted

his coins. " I'll have the plain ice cream, " he said. The waitress brought

the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished

the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she

began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the

empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - You see, he couldn't have

the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4. Fourth Important Lesson - The Obstacle in Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway.

Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply

walked around it. Many loudly blamed

the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about

getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching

the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to

the side of the road.

After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant

picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where

the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from

the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder

from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand.

Every

obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition

5. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a

little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease.

Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her

5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had

developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained

the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be

willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a

moment before taking a deep breath and saying, " Yes, I'll do it if it will

save her. " As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister

and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then

his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and

asked with a trembling voice, " Will I start to die right away? " Being

young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going

to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. You see,

after all, understanding and attitude, are everything.

And remember,

" Work like you don't need the money,

love like you've never been hurt and

dance like you do when nobody's watching. "

________________________________________________________________________

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LESSONS....

1. Most Important Lesson - During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'"I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the RainOne night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get asistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thankedhim. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."Sincerely,Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3. Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serveIn the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress.The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4. Fourth Important Lesson - The Obstacle in Our PathIn ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway.Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamedthe king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Everyobstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition

5. Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it CountsMany years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. You see, after all, understanding and attitude, are everything.

And remember,"Work like you don't need the money,

love like you've never been hurt and

dance like you do when nobody's watching."