This is a collection of things that are an insparation to me and they tug on my heart strings.

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale."Signs like that have a way of attracting small children,and sure enough,a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied,"Anywhere from $30 to $50. "The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change."I have $2.37,"he said."Can I please look at them? "The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady,who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny,tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging,limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog? "The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp.It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That is the puppy that I want to buy. "The store owner said,"No,you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him,I'll just give him to you." The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes,pointing his finger,and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact,I'll give you $2.37 now,and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for. "The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies. "To his surprise,the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted,crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself,and the little puppy will need someone who understands!" We ALL need someone who Understands!

1.Give people more than they expect, and do it cheerfully.
2.Memorize your favorite poem.
  3.Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
4.When you say "I love you" - mean it.
5.When you say "I'm sorry" look the person in the eye.
6.Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
  7.Believe in love at first sight.
8.Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
9.Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
10.In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
11.Don't judge people by their relatives.
12.Talk slowly but think quickly.
13.When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
14.Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15.Call your mom.
16.Say "Bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
17.When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
18.Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others, Responsibility for all your actions.
19.Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
20.When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
21.Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
22.Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any others.
23.Spend some time alone.
24.Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
25.Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
26.Read more books and watch less TV.
27.Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.
28.Trust in God but lock your car.
29.Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home.
30.In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
31.Read between the lines.
32.Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
  33.Be gentle with the Earth.
34.Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
35.Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
36.Mind your own business.
37.Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
38.Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
39.If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
40.Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
41.Learn the rules, then break some.
42.Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
43.Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
44.Remember that your character is your destiny.
45.Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

1. Compliment at least three people every day.
2. Watch a sunrise.
3. Be the first to say hello in any encounter with another.

4. Treat another as you would want to be treated.
5. Live beneath your means.
6. Never give up on anyone, because miracles do happen.
7. Forget keeping up with the Jones'
8. Remember someone's name correctly.
9. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
10. Be tough-minded, but tender-hearted.
11. Keep your promises.
12. Be kinder than you have to be.
13. Learn to show cheerfulness even when you do not feel it.
14. Don't rain on other people's parade.
15. Leave everything better than you found it.
16. When you arrive at work, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day.
17. Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years!
18. Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do.
19. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel Appreciated.
20. Don't waste an opportunity to tell someone that you love them.

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes  
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffers support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you  
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains things you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality.

A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift
A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift
A friend is someone who fills our life with Beauty, Joy, and Grace,  
And makes the world we live in a Better and Happier Place.

I was walking down a dimly lit street late one evening when I heard muffled screams coming from behind a clump of bushes. Alarmed, I slowed down to listen, and panicked when I realized that what I was hearing was the unmistakable sounds of a struggle: heavy grunting, frantic scuffling, and tearing of fabric. Only yards from where I stood, a woman was being attacked. Should I get involved? I was frightened for my own safety, and cursed myself for having suddenly decided to take a new route home that night. What if I became another statistic? Shouldn't I just run to the nearest phone and call the police? Although it seemed an eternity, the deliberations in my head had taken only seconds, but already the girl's cries were growing weaker. I knew I had to act fast. How could I walk away from this? No, I finally resolved, I could not turn my back on the fate of this unknown woman, even if it meant risking my own life. I am not a brave man, nor am I athletic. I don't know where I found the moral courage and physical strength---but once I had finally resolved to help the girl, I became strangely transformed. I ran behind the bushes and pulled the assailant off the woman. Grappling, we fell to the ground, where we wrestled for a few minutes until the attacker jumped up and escaped. Panting hard, I scrambled upright and approached the girl, who was crouched behind a tree, sobbing. In the darkness, I could barely see her outline, but I could certainly sense her trembling shock. Not wanting to frighten her further, I at first spoke to her from a distance. "It's OK," I said soothingly. "The man ran away. You're safe now." There was a long pause and then I heard the words, uttered in wonder, in amazement: "Daddy, is that you?" And then, from behind the tree, stepped my youngest daughter, Katherine.

At first, you were just another handle in a never ending list of handles on the Internet..Then I began to recognize your handle from the countless others...Before I knew it, I found myself smiling whenever I saw your handle, because I enjoyed the time I spent talking to you...And it saddened me when you were no where to be found...I don't know how or why, but somehow you became more to me than just another handle on the Internet...You Have Become My Dear Friend..Thanks for being you

Never say I love you If you really don't care  
Never talk about feelings If they aren't really there
Never hold my hand If you are going to break my heart
Never say you are going to If you don't plan to start
Never look into my eyes If all you do is lie
Never say hello If you really mean good bye
If you really mean forever Then say you will try
Never say forever Cause forever makes me cry.

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse. He had just finished a rough first day on the job, a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home,he sat in stony silence.On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree,touching tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car.We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me.I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. Oh,that's my trouble tree," he replied."I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again." Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head; To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it's his fault; if he betrays you twice, it's your fault.
Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are acts of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art. Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
The tongue weighs practically nothing, But so few people can hold it.
Friends, you and me ... you brought another friend... and then there were 3...we started our group... Our circle of friends...and like that circle...there is no beginning or end...

It's so hard to find a friend like you, you're someone I can talk to, and always tell the truth. A friend when we're together, and a friend when we're apart, you're someone I can lean on when I've got a broken heart. You share in all my happiness, and feel for all my sorrow, you're someone that's there to tell me 'there will always be tomorrow.' It's so hard to find a friend like you, you're someone to hold my hand, you're there to guide me through. A friend to share my problems with, and talk to every day, You're someone who comforts my mind, and always knows what to say. You know me so very well, a better match we couldn't be, you're someone to realize that when I do wrong, that it's not really me. It's so hard to find a friend like you, you're someone I can't live without, I couldn't imagine what I'd do.A friend to live with until the end, a tie I couldn't sever, you're someone that I know will live within my heart forever. You are a friend to help me stand, when I've fallen to the floor, and you're someone I care so much about, a friend, and so much more.

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.
Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.
After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when... our spouse gets his or her act together, we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges.
It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
Here is a quote that comes from Alfred D Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.
Happiness IS the way.
So, treasure every moment that you have.
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school,until you go back to school,until you lose ten pounds,until you get married,until you have kids,until your kids leave the house,until you start work,until you retire,until Friday night,until Sunday morning,until you get a new car or home,until your car or home is paid off,until spring, summer, fall, or winter,until your song comes on, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Thought for the day:
"Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, Dance like no one's watching."

Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.   
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.   
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope; to be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank you."

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

If I knew it would be the last time That I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in tighter and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make everything right.

There will always be another day to say our "I love yours," And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day, that you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So always hold them dear. Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay." And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

I don't have to be perfect, and neither does anyone else.

Control is an illusion. It doesn't work. I can't change other people.

I can't change things I can't change, and trying to do that will make me crazy.

The only person I can change is myself. But, by changing myself, I may change more than I can imagine.

"Have the courage to take off when the others are standing still."

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year- old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St.Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..." The next, day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

My name is Misty I am but three, My eyes are swollen I cannot see,

I must be stupid I must be bad, What else could have made my daddy so mad?

I wish I were better I wish I weren't ugly, Then maybe my mommy Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all I Can't do a wrong Or else I'm locked up All the day long.

When I awake I'm all alone The house is dark My folks aren't home

When my mommy does come I'll try and be nice, So maybe I'll get just One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound! I just heard a car My daddy is back From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse My name he calls I press myself Against the wall

I try and hide From his evil eyes I'm so afraid now I'm starting to cry

He finds me weeping He shouts ugly words, He says its my fault That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me And yells at me more, I finally get free And I run for the door.

He's already locked it And I start to bawl,He takes me and throws me Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor With my bones nearly broken, And my daddy continues With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!", I scream But its now much too late His face has been twisted Into unimaginable hate

The hurt and the pain Again and again Oh please God, have mercy! Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops And heads for the door, While I lay there motionless Sprawled on the floor

My name is Misty And I am but three, Tonight my daddy Murdered me.