Great thoughts of Bill Gates

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest esemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

A GIFT OF LOVE

"Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears. Time proved that the baby's hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother's arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. "A boy, a big boy ... called me a freak." He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music. "But you might mingle with other young people," his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart. The boy's father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? "I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured," the doctor decided. Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by. Then, "You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it's a secret," said the father. The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. "But I must know!" He urged his father, "Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him." "I do not believe you could," said the father, "but the agreement was that you are not to know ... not yet." The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come ... one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother's casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears. "Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut," he whispered gently, "and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?" Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.

The Six Blind Men

Six blind men were asked to determine what an elephant looked like by feeling different parts of the elephant's body. The blind man who feels a leg says the elephant is like a pillar; the one who feels the tail says the elephant is like a rope; the one who feels the trunk says the elephant is like a tree branch; the one who feels the ear says the elephant is like a hand fan; the one who feels the belly says the elephant is like a wall; and the one who feels the tusk says the elephant is like a solid pipe.

They argued for some time before they decide to go to the king.

A king explains to them:

"All of you are right. The reason every one of you is telling it differently is because each one of you touched the different part of the elephant. So, actually the elephant has all the features you mentioned."

Moral of the story

This Story illustrates the principle of living in harmony with people who have different belief systems, and that truth can be stated in different ways when there is a confilict in opinions.

THE SCHOLAR'S FOUR QUESTIONS

There was once a great scholar. Everybody in the kingdom appreciated him because he was so learned. Unfortunately, in spite of his great learning he had great pride.
One day this scholar put on a gold necklace and went to the palace of another king. He said, "Whoever can defeat me in wisdom will get this necklace. I challenge everybody!"

All the scholars in that particular kingdom had heard about this scholar and they were afraid that they would lose. So they would not accept his challenge. The king was very sad that nobody would accept the challenge.
Finally, the court jester said, I accept your challenge."

The king had almost surrendered to the scholar but thought it would be amusing to see his jester compete. He believed he was only a joker and would not be able to win the necklace.

The court jester said, “I will ask you four questions. if you answer any of my questions correctly, then you will lose, but if all your answers are incorrect, then I will accept defeat and the king will give you anything you want."
Then the court jester asked his first question: "Where do you come from?"
The scholar said, I live here." This was incorrect, since he came from another kingdom. So by giving the wrong answer the scholar passed the first test.
The jester's second question was, "How long have you been here?"
"Three years," the scholar said, which was also incorrect. Still the court jester was unable to trick him.
The third time the jester asked, "Our king is good, kind and generous. Do you agree?"
The scholar said, "Your king? What you are saying is totally wrong. Your king is undivine and very unkind." So again the scholar passed the test.
The court jester said, "It seems that I can't defeat you. How many questions have I asked so far?"
The scholar said, "You have asked me three questions; you have one more. If I do not answer it correctly you will lose. "
The court jester cried out, "Look! The scholar has lost. He has answered this question correctly."
So the scholar gave his necklace to the court jester, and the jester immediately gave it to the king. The scholar's pride was totally smashed. He said, "I will never come to your kingdom to challenge anybody again."
All the scholars were very impressed by the court jester's cleverness. They knew that they would not have been able to defeat the great scholar. The jester said, "You see, when great scholars are not alert, they lose. Had he been alert, he could have saved himself."

Emptying the Sea

Once two partridges, a husband and wife, were going on a trip. Before they left, the wife laid some eggs near the ocean. Then the husband said to the sea, "We are going on a sea voyage. You must take care of these eggs for us. if we don't find the eggs when we return, we'll empty you."
The sea agreed to take care of the eggs, and it kept them safe. A few days later the two partridges came back, but they couldn't find the eggs. They screamed at the sea. The sea wanted to give them the eggs, but it couldn't find them. The birds cursed the sea; they began taking out a drop of water at a time and throwing it on the land.
"We are going to empty you," they said to the sea.
Some little birds saw all this and they asked, "What are you doing?"
The partridges replied, "We are punishing the sea because it didn't keep its promise to look after our eggs."
The little birds thought it was a noble task and they joined the partridges. After a while some big birds took up their cause. They also started taking out water drop by drop. This went on for weeks.
One day, Garuda (a divine bird who carries the great cosmic god Lord Vishnu) came and asked, "What are you doing?"
The birds said, "Can't you see? We are emptying the sea. "
Garuda said, "You fools, how long will this take? You will never be able to do it. The sea is vast, infinite."
But the birds answered, "No, we have determination and perseverance."
Garuda was very surprised and said, "Let me show them Compassion. I'll ask Lord Vishnu to help them. if Vishnu helps, then certainly they will be able to find their eggs. if the eggs are still in good condition, Vishnu will be able to return them. But if they are destroyed, he can do nothing for them."
He went to Vishnu. "Vishnu, I have never seen fools like these. If you really care for fools, then will you do them a favor?" Garuda then told him the whole story.
Vishnu said, "No, they are not fools. They are showing the spirit of patience and perseverance. This is how human beings must try to empty the ignorance-sea, drop by drop. it is what seekers must and should do. The ignorance-sea is vast. If sincere seekers want to empty it and replace it with knowledge-light, then they must do it the same way, drop by drop. I am very pleased with these birds. I will command the sea to return the eggs."
Garuda said, "The sea wanted to give them the eggs but it misplaced them and believes they are destroyed."
Vishnu said, "I will use my psychic power to show the sea where they are."
He used his psychic power and the sea immediately found the eggs and returned them to the partridges. Then Vishnu said to the birds, "Perseverance, patience and self-giving all are of paramount importance to fulfill one's divine task. "

REAL MEANING OF PEACE

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But therewere only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?

"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

POWER OF WORDS

A group of frogs were travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered aroundthey would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. Th the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs e other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog however continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. But to the surprise of one and all, he jumped even harder and finally did come out.

When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue jumping? Didn't you hear us?" It was shocking for them to know that the frog was deaf and all the time he actually thought they were all encouraging him to get out. He did not want to disappoint them and therefore did not give him up till the end.ne night, after a particularly difficult day, I stormed into my room, shut the door and got into bed. As I lay down in the privacy of my bed, my hands slipped under my pillow. There was an envelope. I pulled it out and on the envelope it said, "To read when you're alone."

This story teaches two lessons:

There is the power of life & death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.

Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words ... it is sometimes hard to understand. An encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

Be special to others.

A Story on Friendship

Once upon a time, there was a brave soldier who served his country. He decided to return home to his parents after serving in the military. As he called them from his city, his voice was filled with excitement.

"Mom and Dad, I'm on my way home, but I have a question for you." During my service, I made a dear friend, and I want to bring him home with me."

"Of course, dear," his parents replied warmly. "We'd love to meet your friend."

"There's something important you should know about my friend," the soldier said after a brief pause. During the war, he was severely injured. He stepped on a landmine and lost both his arms and legs as a result. He doesn't have anywhere else to go, and I'd like him to come live with us."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, my son," his mother expressed concern. Perhaps we can assist him in finding suitable nearby accommodations."

"No, Mom and Dad," the soldier insisted, "I want him to live with us."

"Son, what you're asking for is a significant responsibility," his father cautioned. Taking care of someone with such difficulties may cause disruption in our lives. We must consider our own plans and routines. Perhaps we can find another way to help him. You should return home so that we can discuss this further. He'll undoubtedly find assistance elsewhere."

Disappointed, the son quietly hung up the phone. His parents never heard from him again. A few days later, they received a harrowing phone call from city police. Their son had tragically died after falling from a building. The police suspected it was a suicide attempt.

The parents, overcome with grief, ran to the city police. They were taken to the city mortuary to identify the body of their son. They did recognize him, but to their surprise, they also discovered that their son had only one arm and one leg.

In this touching story, the parents' initial reaction mirrors that of many of us. It's easy to love and care for those who are attractive or who bring us joy. When confronted with people who may annoy or challenge our comfort, our natural instinct may be to keep our distance. We may prefer to avoid those who do not conform to our standards of health, beauty, or intelligence.

Fortunately, there is someone who does not pass such judgment on us. Regardless of our flaws and differences, there is a love that embraces us unconditionally and welcomes us into a forever family.

Friends are like rare jewels; they make you smile, inspire you to succeed, listen when you need to be heard, and offer encouraging words. They welcome us with open arms. Show your friends how much you appreciate them, and treasure the invaluable gift of friendship in your life.

45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

If you like it, please share your feelings. I'm open to it.

Chance favors the prepared mind

A traveler was stumbling through the desert; desperate for water, then he
saw something, far off in the distance. Hoping to find water, he walked
towards the image, only to find a little old peddler sitting at a card table
with a bunch of neckties laid out.

The parched wanderer asked, "Please, I'm dying of thirst, can I have some
water?" The man replied "I don't have any water, but why don't you buy a
tie? Here's one that goes nicely with your clothes. "The desperate man
shouted, "I don't want a tie, you idiot, I need water!"

"OK, don't buy a tie. But to show you what a nice guy I am, I'll tell you
that over that hill there, about 5 miles, is a nice restaurant.Walk that
way, they'll give you all the water you want."

The man thanked the peddler and walked away towards the hill and eventually
disappeared out of sight.

Three hours later he returned. The man at the card table asked, "I told you,
about 5 miles over that hill. Couldn't you find it?"

"I found it all right. They wouldn't let me in without a tie."

The Burnt Biscuits

When I was a kid, my mom would prepare special breakfast every now and then. And I remember one night in particular, after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned.

He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else.

What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

God Bless You..... Now, and always....

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine.!.!.!.!

Think before you do something...

Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who's crying out to God for companion

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren

Before you argue about your dirty house didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet
And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around

Life is a gift Live it... Enjoy it... Celebrate it... And fulfill it.
And while you are at it give love to someone today
Love someone with what you do and the words you say
Love is not meant to be kept locked inside of us and hidden
So give it away "Give Love to someone today!"

Only for the broken hearted

It's only for someone who need someone to wrapped around, who need an open arms to share, maybe this could be make to get being better.

When... it's the person u feel the most comfortable w/ in the world, and to know that u've.. u share that special bond w/ one other person that's the best feeling in the world.. but when u lose that feeling.. when u lose the only thing that ever mattered to u.. it seems like life has no purpose, no point at all..

U feel like u could just curl up and die.. that nothing or no one else matters to u.. and the only thing that u've ever wanted is now gone and u'll do anything to get him/her back, coz he's worth it.. u'll try and try until one day u realize.. that things will never be the same again. Ur love is still there, deep inside of u.. so u try ur best to just be friends, and it works for a while.. but the feelings are still there.. and no matter how hard u try friend will never be good enough..

So u want to forget about him/her, but that's even harder.. there's too many memories, to many good times to just forget.. and no matter what u do, he's/she's always there.. everywhere u look, everything u do, every place u go, every song u hear, everyone u see.. reminds you of him/her.. and u hope some day u'll be back together but until then there's nothing u can do..

But sit and cry, to go through that pain when he/she talks about another woman/man he/she likes, or how good his/her life is going.

And that pain breaks ur heart day after day, tear after tear, until u've no more tears to cry, until u just get used to that hole in ur heart that won't go away, that pain that never leaves u, that lonely feeling that stays with u forever, and u may have other guys, but nothing or no one could ever compare, and u know that.

Now here.. that what many people said about love.. love is perfect, love is kind.. isn't it? or It isn't just a peace of mind, maybe Love is something u need to give, it is something u need to live, everyone think, love is also very unique, love is great, love is loyal, but It isn't something rotten or spoiled, for what u got, love can be love, love can be liked, to love as in use, it isn't right, love can be friendship, inside down of partnership, in a relationship of love, u give ur advice, many kind of people said, love can be happy, love can be sad, but that doesn't mean to love is bad, to love someone can be such great pleasure, it what makes u and him one hell of a treasure, sometimes love of course has its ups and downs, but, that doesn't mean that it's not around, love or to be loved is what u want.. it's came over from inside my heart, not just to show of mine, or try to manipulated my words to get someone hearts.. die on me.. here, just trying to help some friend of mine..
coz i care it's only words.. maybe another people could make this better... that's what i can do for my friend.. still many concern.. from here some people around u...

Hope In The Midst Of Tragedy

If you have ever faced unexpected tragedy you know about the craving for assurances. You, a friend, or a family member may have felt the gaping wound caused by divorce, death, disease, or a disheveled dream. You may be searching for answers that will mend and heal. There is hope.

* Someday you will be you again. Things will never be the way they were. After tragedy has struck you are severely wounded. Things will be better, or they will be worse; they will not be restored to how they were. But the good news is that you can carry on as a wounded survivor and face the days ahead with hope of recovery.
* Let God work. Don't attempt to advise God as to what is best for you. God will make a way for you. Remember that God's way is not your way. Trust God to do His maintaining, providing, healing, sustaining, and guiding. Lay aside your human expectations so that you can see God's answers. Sometimes when solutions are given, you reject them because you had in mind something different, or something easier. If you are trying to figure out how to make it through one of the roughest times you've ever encountered, you are not in the position to pick and choose answers. Your only hope lies in the Lord.
* Make choices. You have more control over the situation than you might imagine. While you do not have the choice to turn back the clock and restore things to their original order, you do have the choice of going under or going up. Which way is up to you. Every situation, every pain, can go one of two ways; it can depress or motivate. It's up to you. When you encounter tragedy you can spend your remaining days saturated in grief - blaming God, blaming others, and blaming yourself - or, learn from the hurt. What you learn of pain will find purpose in helping others who hurt.
* Accept God's offer. Anticipate that He will come through for you. You can plan to be "all right." You can intend to let the Heavenly Father handle your private situation with class. The choice is yours.
* Acknowledge the pain. He does not minimize your pain. The Lord is not in denial; neither does He expect you to be. God cares. He has not abandoned you. He is right beside you and has been there all along. He hears your sobs and He sees your tears.
* Let the healing begin. God is neither handicapped nor weary in the midst of your pain. Nor is He confused or baffled. His strength will deliver you - not barely, but mightily.
**********************************

Terry Rush has preached for the Memorial Drive Church of Christ since 1977. He is the author of several books, including The Miracle of Mercy and has produced a video interviewing several celebrities, High Hope for the Human Heart. He and his wife, Mary, have three children.

Your Idea of a Good Friend

1 In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.
2 In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
3 In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.
4 In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
5 In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to bestuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nicky or Smelly Susan.
6 In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.
7 In sixth grade your idea of a friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
8 In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before that you had.
9 In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball cards so that your room would be a "high schooler's" room, but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.
10 In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to that"cool" party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there.
11 In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch.
12 In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded,consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.>
13 In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college, assured you that you would get into that college,helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go.
14 At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you.
15 The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you clean up the bottles from that party, helped you sneak out of the house when you just couldn't deal with your parents, assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for college and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you assurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved.
16 Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, hold your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!

Around the corner

Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end, Yet the days go by and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face, For life is a swift and terrible race, He knows I like him just as well, As in the days when I rang his bell. And he rang mine if, we were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men. Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired of trying to make a name. "Tommorow" I say "I will call on Jim" "Just to show that I'm thinking of him."

But tommorow comes and tommorow goes, And distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner!- yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir" "Jim died today." And thats what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you. Because when you decide that it is the right time, it might be too late. Seize the day. Never have regrets. And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today.

Pass this along to your friends. It could make a difference. The difference between doing all that you can or having regrets which may stay with you forever.

Experience Life

You put a lot of energy and effort into living. So on a regular basis, take time to fully experience your life and the world in which you live.

Spend some time that has no purpose other than to take in all the richness of which you're a part. Let go, for a while, of the need to analyze, to criticize, to judge and react.

Allow your thoughts to be still. Feel the wonder, the goodness, the beauty of simply being, and knowing that you are.

Experience life, not in order to gain any advantage or to impress someone. Experience life because the depth of its richness has no limit.

The more fully you experience and appreciate life, the more you'll find yourself needing less and having more. Experience life, and you'll clearly see how truly rich you already are.

Life is a gift so precious that it has no equal.
Experience life, and give that gift to yourself and others.

11 hints

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.
A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can be deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it only takes a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be; because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to.
Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other too.

A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life; a timely word may level stress; a loving word may heal and bless.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live life so that when you die...you are the one smiling and everyone around you is crying..
Always remember- Life is precious, don't let it slip by...

5 simple rules

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God is thinking of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

The measure of love is when you love without measure. In life there are very rare chances that you'll meet the person you love and loves you in return. So once you have it don't ever let go, the chance might never come your way again.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

When you truly care for someone, you don't look for faults, you don't look for answers, you don't look for mistakes. Instead, you fight the mistakes, you accept the faults, and you overlook the excuses.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.