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Love Hurts: 1. 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. 2. Maybe it is meant for us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. 3. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship, and find out you still care for that person. 4. 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. 5. When the door of happiness closes, another opens but oftentimes we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. 6. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had. 7. 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. 8. Giving someone your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. 9. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person whom you would like to hear them from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from his heart. 10. Never say goodbye if you still want to try -- never give up if you still feel you can go on -- never say you don't love a person any more if you can't let go. 11. Love comes to those who still hope, although they've been disappointed, and to those who still believe, although they've been betrayed. 12. 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. 13. Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Hope that you find the one who makes you smile. 14. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! Hope that you dream of that special someone. 15. 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 do. 16. The best and most beautiful things in this world can neither be seen nor touched, but can be felt with the heart. 17. Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person, too. Don't be so quick to judge. 18. 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. 19. The beginning of love is to let those we love be just themselves, and not twist them with our own image -- otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. 20. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. 21. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. 22. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. 23. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. 24. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. And last but not least... 25. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy, and enough money to buy me gifts. Inspirational: The Father's Eyes This is a story about a skinny young boy who loved football with all his heart. Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on". Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday." Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today." said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in". Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you ? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!" RIGHT NOW:
Somebody is very proud of you. GOD FOLDER: Imagine an Angel comes to you... to comfort you. She appears in a mist and her flowing gown moves in an unseen breeze. She says to you..... " We gently welcome you to the Light . . . a place of such peace and tranquillity that you may liken it to being held softly and gently in the midst of clouds. "There is so much fear in your world... one cannot fear and feel at peace at the same moment. If one can take a moment and say a prayer for peace, and feel peace for one brief moment, they know that they have the ability to gain some peace. "With each moment of peace, you can add one more moment, until you are feeling calmer and calmer... and more peaceful. "Think on this. If at this precise moment you are enveloped in fear... will it change any outcome? Or will it have the power to zap your inner strength as you await the outcome? "Then visualize that you are surrounded and permeated by a gentle and peaceful feeling. You are still the same person, in the same situation, still awaiting an outcome... but, how do you feel now? "Is your breathing easier, body less tense, heart beating more smoothly, head clearer... for better life decisions? "Nothing around you has changed, yet everything inside of you has. And you have the power to do it now, and again when you need to. This is a way to gain the inner strength to carry you forward in life. "You deserve to feel at peace, and calm, and you will handle your life lessons with a greater ease and expertise. "Now that you are sitting and relaxing, in this moment of peace, do you see how much work and effort it takes your body to rev itself up into fear and hold itself there? "Know that you are the master of your destiny... choose the path of peace and watch as the outcomes change. "Feeding fear into an outcome is not the same as watching the events unfold from your new and stronger perspective. The next time fear enters, take a deep breath to build your inner strength, blow out the fear and see how the calming mind and body are allowed to add to your new heartfelt strength. Amen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Survival Bible: Hello, to all of you in the world dealing with or living with HIV/AIDS! First, my hat is off to Sister Mary Elizabeth for her hard work to bring all of us AEGIS. Com. I realize that it takes many, but it takes that first pebble in the brook to make ripples. So to all "you ripples" with AEGIS.COM my praise and thanks. My name is THOM COLLINS AKA Tom Colvin. I am 32 born on Halloween 1966. I have been told I am a little devil at times, but if you get to know me you will see I can be a true, loving, caring compassionate "treat." I was exposed to HIV in 1982 to 83. I tested Positive on December 15th, 1985. My companion whom I am still with tested negative. We had been together for 2 years by the time I found out. He has since tested positive in 1987. Which makes me a 16 year long term HIV non progressor. But wait there is more! I have lived a full life from a young gay teen to my adult years with this disease. I was raised in a strong catholic home. When my family found out of my sexuality, I was cast to the streets as an outsider at 16. I did not graduate as I dropped out my senior year. ( my family now is one of my strongest supporters today, praise GOD) JESUS is my best friend and guiding light. GOD on the other hand I questioned when I went through all of this trauma as a young man. I cursed the angels and I got involved in drugs, promiscuity, and self destruction. With all of that going on I was still able to achieve my dreams of becoming a professional dancer and later when I moved to Los Angeles in 1989 I finally reached my goal of becoming a professional model. With all the superficiality around me from looks, drugs, to so called friends, and the fast lane. I needed to run and get away. My companion and I moved back to Oklahoma (where I now reside) to raise his 3 teenagers in 1993. I was all of 27 and not ready to be a stepmom and we split for 5 months. I grew up in those 5 months in 1994 and I will tell you why. On May 22nd, 1994 I attempted suicide. I gave up on myself, relationships, and the pain. As I laid there in the ER after swallowing enough pain killers to kill a horse, they were pumping my stomach and it happened. I HAD A VISION AND HEARD A VOICE. The nurse was trying to control me and keep me down, but my iv had come out and I was worried for the staff. So here I am trying to tell the nurse that I am HIV positive. She put her arm around me and said "is that why you tried to kill yourself?" I then felt numb, things went "bright white," and I heard a beautiful voice, but it was not a happy voice. The last thing on my mind when I went to take my life was because of HIV, it was because of a drug problem, bad relationship, no direction, and self-pity. This voice told me "how could you attempt to take the life I have given you when so many are struggling for one more day to live." The voice then said "I needed to go and tell the news of living life to the fullest, negative or positive. No one is promised tomorrow." I said over and over again, " I will, I will, I love you, I love you GOD, I love you Tom Colvin." I AWOKE, and tears streamed down my face for I knew I was in his presence. To this day my companion and nurses said that I was close to death and I spent the next two days in the cardiac unit. call it a life after death experience. But I own that time regardless. Well, I did just that. I started an aids foundation called Open your Heart in Oklahoma City. I started with the help of my staff a support group, a home for pwa's and a clinic with my partner. I had to, I felt this need in my heart to fulfill on my PROMISED covenant with GOD. Then I was the 5th person to come out in 94 with my story back when it was just not cool to POZ magazine. GOD works in mysterious ways. His master plan was to give me success in my dreams, but then I was able to praise him back by using my "celebrity" to go out and educate others around the world from TV, print, and seminars to reach out to all affected with HIV/AIDS. The one thing I had no idea that would follow me around were titles. Like HIV positive SUPERMODEL, AZT POSTER BOY, and the worst, that I was glamorizing AIDS because of my physical appearance. From my website, my family, and my works I simply say to those that praise me that they need to look above. The glory is all GOD'S, I, like so many of you are just one of his many messengers. We are all in this together. We are all rocks that can start a ripple effect to reach those in need. We all have our stories that need to be shared to erase teh fear and lack of education that still plauges this nation, not to mention that our compassion level is better but could be even stronger still. GOD is my rock, JESUS is my best friend. When I am asked my "secret" to my long term survival I say. If you live by this advice in this order you cannot go wrong. 1. GOD I am doing really well. As good as one can expect. I guess the reason why I wanted to post here is to let you know that we come into the world alone and we leave alone. I could tell you all about my therapies, and my HIV chronic illness that I suffer now. I await to be on SSDI any day now. But being that this is a site set up not only in ways of endless education and information. But, in the spiritual sense, as you will also see my strong spiritual convictions to my survival on my website: www.thomcollins.com Here are a few key things I do that are not conventional. I have kept a journal everyday since my attempted suicide and it really helps, I color in my coloring book at the lake alone, I spend at least an hour a day in meditation and prayer, I am always praising GOD for the good things as well as the bad things. I really feel that in tragedy comes triumph. If you look at your life as over when you test positive then I have lived my life in vain. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and talk to the doctor in the sky first and foremost. He has all the answers and healing powers. My favorite quote: "I would rather have 30 minutes of something wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special." What I mean by that is I am one that strongly wants a life of QUALITY not just QUANTITY. God knows when my time is. I choose to live it like it were my last + or Negative. However, I am HIV positive, I don't have time to be negative. I pray for you all and support from each other keeps us all going. You can E-mail me at: ThomPoz@aol.com One of my many favorite scriptures Proverbs 8:35 or Matthew 7:2 GOD BLESS YOU ALL, Inspirational: > "The Company We Keep" Joanne Blum Ph.D. > *Unity Magazine,* April, 1999, p. 49. > The image of the sacred call of friendship is as important in our lives as > it was in the lives of the disciples. Friendship is a divine gift, a > powerful inner calling within and between us, intended to nurture our > souls' growth. "It is no idle bond," said Emerson. "It is for aid and > comfort through all the relations and passages of life and death." the > Buddha taught his followers that a good friend is "a guide to hidden > treasure." > ...Our spiritual growth is deeply influenced by the friends we choose or > fail to choose....A recalcitrant codependency lingers in our friendships. > Too often we confuse friendship with caretaking or obligation. We try to > possess each other or resist others' efforts to possess us. We allow our > relationships to be infected by deceit, guilt tripping and emotional > blackmail. As a results, where we hoped to find encouragement and comfort, > we experience discouragement, boredom or resentment.... > True friendship is a soul-level connection. It is a spontaneous flowering > of the tree of our own spiritual growth of who we are and who we are > becoming, and it is a powerful spiritual catalyst in all our lives. The > feeling of being with a true friend is unmistakable. We are energized and > uplifted. We are filled with new ideas. Feeling a sense of understanding > and of being understood we are validated and encouraged; we know we are not > alone. Our friends inspire us to grow. What we admire in them-their > compassion, energy, joy, or peace, -- motivates us to rise higher. They > become the mirror in which we see our better selves. As an athlete > develops faster when challenged by a better player, we are spiritually > invigorated by the wisdom and beauty we see in our friends.... > > TODAY: Instructions for Life Some good advice for living -- here is the short version: INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE Give people more than they expect, and do it cheerfully. Memorize your favorite poem. Don't believe all you hear, speak all you want, or spend all you have. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. Including yours. Love deeply and passionately. You may get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling. And listen. Don't judge people by their looks or their relatives. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. Be the first to say, “I love you,” and “I am sorry.” Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. When you realize you've made a mistake, quickly correct it. Marry a someone you love to talk to. Spend enough time alone. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. Read more books and watch less TV. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time. Trust in God, but lock your car. Be at peace with those in your home. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. When listening to others, listen for the feelings behind their words. Be gentle with the earth, its creatures and its people. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it. Never interrupt when someone is paying you a compliment. Go someplace you've never been before. Give freely and help others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a blessing. Learn the rules, then break some. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. Remember that your character is your destiny. ~ Author unknown, edited GOD FOLDER: Some new billboards are getting attention in Dallas and the newspaper listed all of them. Here's a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization is included. These are awesome...enjoy. Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game. -God C'mon over and bring the kids. -God What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand? -God We need to talk. -God Keep using my name in vain, I'll make rush hour longer. -God Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage. -God That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it. -God I love you and you and you and you and... -God Will the road you're on get you to my place? -God Follow me. -God Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding. -God My way is the highway. -God Need directions? -God You think it's hot here? -God Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God Do you have any idea where you're going? -God (And my personal favorite...) Don't make me come down there. -God >> CORPORATE RECRUITMENT TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph The Woodrcrafter's Carpenter Shop Nazareth 25922 FROM: Jordan Management Consultants Jerusalem 26544 Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computers, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocation aptitude consultant. It is the opinion of the staff that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capacity. We have summarized the findings of our study below: Simon Peter is emotional, unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no quality of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interests above Company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We believe it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings. Additionally, they both registered high scores on the manic depressive scale. However, one of the candidates shows great potential. He's a man of ability and resourcefulness; he is a great networker; has a keen business mind; and has strong contacts in influential circles. He's highly motivated, very ambitious and adept with financial matters. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your Controller and Chief Operating Officer. All the other profiles are self-explanatory. We wish you the utmost success in your new venture. What if Jesus had chosen the twelve based on the modern methods of leadership selection? Most of them would have never had a chance to participate. Jesus chooses people not for who they are, but for what they can become in Him. Aren't you glad that when Jesus looked at you, He didn't take you for what you were (a sinner); but He took you for what you could be. Jesus sees the potential in all of us, and has called us to be disciples. Jesus is still saying, "Follow Me!" Many thanks to Marivie.Soriano who shared this. Survival Bible: Just take 30 seconds to read this. It's really something. Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you." Epilogue. . . .There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present." |