�Who Says You Can�t Teach an Old Dog a New Trick or Two�

If there is one thing I have found to be a consistent in life it is when things appear to be at their very worst, this is the time when things are about to change for the good.

And this is the time when you either prove to yourself that you have the courage to hang in there and endure the pain or this is the time when you turn and run and begin a life of excuses.

The saying “Good things come to those who wait,” provides us with the simple answer that patience is the key to success and it is, but it’s not the only key. You must keep learning, growing and moving forward – “One step at a time” and never give up on your faith.

In any case here is a very nice poem that sums it up – It’s all within your reach – if you want it!

Don’t You Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.
When funds are low and the debts are high.
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Anonymous

There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

It was a great day for the world December 1, 1955 when Rosa Parks decided to ride that bus in Montgomery, Alabama and cast out her seed for equality so that all women and men of all races, colors, religions and creeds might have an opportunity to be treated equally.

So what’s my point? Well there are two stories here; one of a farmer willing to give away his prized possession to improve his life and the lives of others and one of a woman willing to give away her prized possession to improve her life and the lives of others.

Sure one is more dramatic and more publicized – and thus perceived as a greater feat BUT the reality is that they are both the same – both acts of kindness to improve the lives of their fellow man. The good news is that we as humans are all capable of sharing this kindness – but because some acts receive a great deal more fan fare – far too often the little acts are perceived as pointless and are brushed off as not worth our while. Think about it – if tomorrow everyone on this planet treated everyone they met with respect and dignity – would their one small act really be so small.

Wishing you a day of shared peace love and kindness!