Important Life Lessons

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Hope these lessons touch your heart, as they did mine.

Love and Gentle Hugs,

Verlene

Most Important Lesson:

During my second month of graduate 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.

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 rain-

storm. 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

1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance 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 color 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

Third Important Lesson:

Always remember those who serve you.

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.

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.

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 everyone

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 seeunderstanding and attitude, after all, is everything.

Now you can do something. You have 2 choices now:

1. Delete this email, or

2. Forward it to people you care about.

I hope that you will choose No. 2 and remember to:

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's

watching.