Some Important Lessons Life Teaches You
- MOST IMPORTANT LESSON -- ALWAYS remember that everyone IS important to God!
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 name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Sure this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I never spoke to her or spoke about her to anyone. So, I handed in my paper leaving the question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely!" the professor answered. "In your careers, you will meet many people. ALL are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is say, "hello."
"I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name is Dorothy."
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2. Second Important Lesson -- ALWAYS stop and help others in need.
One night at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was sitting on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a horrible 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, which was usually unheard of in the conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry but wrote down his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by, when there was a knock on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note attached 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
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3. 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 he held. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he asked.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents." she hastily replied.
The boy counted his coins again and told the waitress, "I'll have the plain ice cream."
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished his 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.
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4. Fourth Important Lesson -- ALWAYS remember that every obstacle can be an opportunity.
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 couriers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear but no one 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 load and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After mush 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.
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5. Fifth Important Lesson -- ALWAYS remember to love others no matter what the cost.
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 if would still be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated for just a brief moment then he let out a deep breath and said, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."
You see, understanding and attitude is everything. Take into account that GREAT LOVE and great achievements involve great risk.
***Submitted via e-mail by Wendy Tafoya