From the Tao: I hate what seems right, but in reality is wrong. I hate the darnel lest it be confused with the corn. I hate the glib talker lest he be confused with the rightgeous.

If a Fool be associated with the Wise, even all his life, he will perceive the Truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.

As long as the evil deed done does not bear fruit, the Fool thinks it is like honey; but when it ripens, then the Fool suffers grief. An evil deed does not ripen suddenly, but smouldering, like fire covered by ashes, it follows the Fool.

A Man is not Learned because he talks much. A man is not an Elder because his head is grey. He is merely "old-in-vain".

Karl Marx: Theory without practice is Sterile; Practice without Theory is Blind.



The Prophet Muhammad: "Take advantage of five things before five others occur: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, you leisure before your work and your life before your death."

Failed in business - age 22

Ran for Legislature and was defeated - age 23

Again failed in business - age 24

Elected to legislature - age 25

Sweetheart Died - age 26

Had a nervous breakdown - age 27

Defeated for Speaker - age 29

Defeated for Congress - age 34

Elected to Congress - age 37

Defeated for Congress - age 39

Defeated for Senate - age 46

Defeated for Vice-President - age 47

Elected President of the United States - age 51

This man was Abraham Lincoln

Like everyone else, I am flat broke from overspending at Yule. However, I need to go shopping again soon because I am completely out of self-respect. I've said somethings I wish I could take back and I am not feeling too good about myself.

I also want to exchange a load of self-rightgeousness I picked up during the year for an equal amount of humility. I hear it's less expensive and wears well.

While I'm at it, I am going to check on tolerance and see if there is any available in my size.

I must remember to try to match some patience with the little I have left. My neigbour is loaded with it and it looks awfully good on her.

I was told the same department has a repair shop for mending integrity. Mine has become frayed around the edges from too much compromising and not enough self-discipline. If I don't get refurbished soon, there won't be any left.

I almost forgot the most important thing of all: compassion. If I see some, no matter what the colour, size or shape, I'm going to stock up heavily, regardless of the price. I have run out of it so many times and always feel ashamed of myself when it happens.

I don't know why it has taken me so long to get around to shopping for these items. They don't cost nearly as much as some of the frivolous things I bought and I'll get a lot more satisfaction from them. I'm going shopping today, and I can leave my chequebook and credit cards at home.

The Paradox of our times is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but more narrow viewpoints. We buy more but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences but less time. We have more advanced degrees, but less common sense; more knowledge but less good judgement; more medicine but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We have higher incomes but lower morals.

We have been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We've 'conquered' outer space but inner space is still a mystery to many of us.

We claim we have "cleaned" the air but we have polluted the soul; we split the atom, but not our prejudices

We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often.

These are times of steep profits and shallow relationships; world peace but domestic warfare; more leisure but less fun; two incomes and more divorce.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring a letter to you in seconds and you can choose either to make a difference.

I asked God to take away my Pride

And God said "No".

He said it was not for Him to take away,

but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole

And God said "No".

He said her spirit is whole

Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me Patience

And God said "No,

Patience is the biproduct of tribulation

it isn't granted, it's earned"

I asked God to give me Happiness

And God said "No".

He said He gives Blessings.

Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me Pain.

And God said "No,

suffering draws you from the worldly cares

and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

And God said "No".

He said I must grow on my own,

but He will prune me and make me fruitful.

I asked God to help me love others

as much as He loves me.

And God said

"Ah, now you finally have the idea."

Author Unknown