Forrest Gump died and went to heaven. When he got to the Pearly Gates, Saint Peter told him that new rules were in effect. In order to gain admittance a prospective Heavenly Soul must answer three questions:

1) Name two days of the week that begin with "T."
2) How many seconds are in a year?
3) What is God's first name?

Forrest Gump thought for a few minutes and answered...

"1) The two days of the week that begin with "T" are Today and Tomorrow."
"2) There are 12 seconds in a year."
"3) God has two first names, and they are 'Andy' and 'Howard.'"

Saint Peter said, "OK, I'll buy Today and Tomorrow, even though it's not the answer I expected. But how did you get 12 seconds in a year, and why do you think God's first name is either Andy or Howard?"

Forrest Gump answered, "Well, there's January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 2nd, etc."

"OK, I'll give you that one, too. But what about God's first name?"

And Forrest Gump said, "Well, it's from the song, 'Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am his own.' And also from the prayer, 'Our Father, who art in Heaven, Howard be thy name.'"

Saint Peter just shook his head and opened the gate.

Now I see why powerful people often wear sunglasses. The spotlight blinds them to reality. They suffer from a delusion that power means something. They suffer from the misconception that titles make a difference. They are under the impression that earthly authority will make a heavenly difference.

Take this quiz.

* Name the ten wealthiest people in the world.
* Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
* Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
* Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
* How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture, or * The last decade's worth of World Series winners?

How did you do? I didn't do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well.

Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what I've mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

* Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
* Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.
* Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
* List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
* Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.

What is a teenager?

A teenager is.... a person who can't remember to walk the dog but never forgets a phone number......a weight watcher who goes on a diet by giving up candy bars before breakfast.....a youngster who receives her allowance on Monday, spends it on Tuesday, and borrows it from her best friend on Wednesday...someone who can hear his favorite singer 3 blocks away but not his mother calling from the next room.....a whiz who can operate the latest computer without a lesson but can't make a bed....a student who spends 12 minutes studying history and 12 hours studying for her driver's license.....a connoisseur of 2 kinds of fine music--loud and very loud....an enthusiast who has the energy to bike for miles but is usually too tired to dry the dishes....a young woman who loves the cat and tolerates the brother.....a romantic who never falls in love more than once a week....a budding beauty who never smiles until her braces come off....a boy who can sleep till noon on any Saturday he suspects the lawn needs mowing...an original thinker who is positive that her mother was never a teenager.