"The Empty Pot"

The Empty Pot

Long ago in China, there lived a wise and aging emperor who loved flowers more than anything else. His gardens were filled with beautiful blossoms from every corner of the kingdom. As he grew older, however, he faced an important problem: he had no children and needed to choose someone worthy to become the next emperor.

Instead of selecting the strongest warrior or the richest noble, he decided to find the most honest child in the land.

One day, he invited all the children in the kingdom to the palace. To each child, he gave a single flower seed.

"Take this seed," the emperor said. "Plant it in a pot, care for it with all your heart, and return in one year. I will choose my successor based on what you bring back."

Among the children was a boy named Ping, who loved gardening. He hurried home, planted his seed in fresh soil, watered it carefully, and placed it in the sunlight.

Days passed.

Then weeks.

But nothing grew.

Ping changed the soil, watered just the right amount, and made sure the pot had enough warmth and light. Still, the pot remained empty.

Months went by, and Ping became discouraged. While other children talked excitedly about their growing flowers, bushes, and colorful blooms, Ping had only an empty pot.

His mother comforted him.

"You have done everything you could," she said. "When it's time to see the emperor, simply take him the pot and tell him the truth."

When the year was over, children from across the kingdom arrived at the palace carrying magnificent flowers of every color and shape. Their pots overflowed with beautiful plants.

Ping felt embarrassed carrying his empty pot. He wanted to turn around and go home, but he remembered his mother's words.

So he stood quietly among the crowd.

The emperor walked slowly past each child, looking carefully at every flower. To everyone's surprise, he did not smile.

Finally, he came to Ping.

"Why is your pot empty?" he asked.

Ping bowed his head.

"Your Majesty, I planted the seed you gave me. I watered it, cared for it every day, and tried everything I knew. But it never grew. I am sorry."

The emperor's face brightened.

He asked Ping to step forward.

Then he turned to the crowd and said, "A year ago, I gave each of you a seed. But I had boiled every seed before giving it away. Boiled seeds cannot grow."

The crowd fell silent.

"You could not have grown these flowers from the seeds I gave you. Many of you replaced the seed with another because you wanted to impress me."

The emperor placed his hand on Ping's shoulder.

"This boy brought me the only thing I asked for: honesty."

He declared Ping his successor, saying, "A ruler must have courage, integrity, and truthfulness. These qualities are worth far more than the most beautiful flower."

And so, Ping became the next emperor, remembered not for the flowers he grew, but for the honesty he showed when it mattered most.

---

Moral of the Story

Honesty is more valuable than success gained through deceit. It takes courage to tell the truth, especially when everyone else appears to be succeeding. In the end, integrity is rewarded because trust is the foundation of good leadership and strong character.

" Heart of a Teacher "

 " The Heart of a Teacher "

Heart of A Teacher
by Paula J. Fox

The child arrives like a mystery box…
with puzzle pieces inside
some of the pieces are broken or missing…
and others just seem to hide

But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out…
and help the child to see
the potential for greatness he has within…
a picture of what he can be

Her goal isn’t just to teach knowledge…
by filling the box with more parts
it’s putting the pieces together…
to create a work of art.

The process is painfully slow at times…
some need more help than others
each child is a work in progress…
with assorted shapes and colors

First she creates a classroom…
where the child can feel safe in school
where he never feels threatened or afraid to try…
and kindness is always the rule

She knows that a child can achieve
much more when he feels secure inside
when he’s valued and loved…and believes in himself …
and he has a sense of pride

She models and teaches good character…
and respect for one another
how to focus on strengths…not weaknesses
and how to encourage each other

She gives the child the freedom he needs…
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible…
and is able to stand alone

He’s taught to be strong and think for himself…
as his soul and spirit heal
and the puzzle that’s taking shape inside…
has a much more positive feel

The child discovers the joy that comes…
from learning something new…
and his vision grows as he begins
to see all the things he can do

A picture is formed as more pieces fit…
an image of the child within
with greater strength and confidence…
and a belief that he can win!

All because a hero was there…
in the HEART of a teacher who cared
enabling the child to become much more…
than he ever imagined…or dared

A teacher with a HEART for her children…
knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers…
but on this…she has no doubt

When asked which subjects she loved to teach,
she answered this way and smiled…
“It’s not the subjects that matter…

It’s all about teaching the CHILD.”

Teachers inspire the smallest hearts to grow big enough to change the world.” 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+heart+of+a+teacher

The Heart of a Teacher

Teaching is more than just a role we play

It's a passion we carry every day

Though some moments are hard, we stay strong

Guiding children where they belong.

 

We give them knowledge, help them grow,

Support their steps as they come to know.

Through struggles and joy, we stand by their side

With love and care as their faithful guide.

 

We see their progress, we see their fight

We lift them up when they lose sight.

As teachers we give from the heart

In this journey we each play our part.

 

With passion, we teach, we guide, we care

Helping children rise everywhere.

We're proud of the work we do each day

And together we will show them the way.

 

Through love and struggle, joy and pain

We help them grow and rise again.

People may imagine, but can't truly feel

The hard work that makes our passion real.

 

We share the load, we lift each other

As teachers, we stand strong together.

We see their struggles, their highs and lows

And through it all, our love still grows.

We teach with care, we teach with pride

With every lesson, we're by their side.

We're more than teachers, we're a team

United by one common dream.

 

To guide the children who cross our way

To shape a brighter, better day.

With passion, we teach, we guide we care

Helping children rise everywhere.

 

We're proud of the work we do each day

And together we will show them the way.

Through love and struggle, joy and pain

We help them grow and rise again.

 

We have one voice, our mission clear

To touch each child we hold so dear.

We teach with hope, we teach with pride

And walk with them, side by side.

a heartfelt tribute to the dedication and passion teachers bring to their work 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhAeyzgwlFc&list=RDbhAeyzgwlFc&start_radio=1

 

"All of my life v the rest of my life"

 

All of my life, and longer

 

All of my life, I've been searching for answers,
Without knowing which questions to ask.

All of my life, I've been looking for "The One",
But this is no simple task.

All of my life, I've been waiting for someone,
To make my small half a whole.

All of my life, I've been meeting new friends,
While trying to stay linked to the old.

All of my life, I've been trying too hard,
Trying to grow up too fast.

All of my life, I've been moving on to the future,
Yet fondly holding on to the past.

All of my life, I've been laughing and crying,
And living as much as I can.

All of my life, I've been told to walk slowly through time,
So why does it seem like I ran?

For the rest of my life, I'll try very hard,
To take smaller steps in my walk.

For the rest of my life, I'll dance and sing,
Instead of muttering the words that I talk.

For the rest of my life, I'll cherish,
The many gifts that I have been given.

For the rest of my life, I'll lend a caring hand,
My tiny part in making the world better to live in.

For the rest of my life, I'll appreciate,
That love is what matters the most.

For the rest of my life, I'll make a difference,
Instead of just trying to coast.

For the rest of my life, I'll keep my eyes open,
Searching less, while hoping to be found.

For the rest of my life, I'll keep my heart open.
Surely, one day Fate will come around.

All of my life, I've been wondering,
Should I settle or be wild and run free?

For the rest of my life, I'll try to stop for a moment,
Look deep inside, and just find me.

 

 

Sometimes you have to " Let Go "

 

For a Prosperous life – Sometimes you have to let go.

 

Let Go

Let go of those who don't care about you.

Let go of those who don't like you.

Let go of those who are jealous of you.

All of those who are pretentious and malicious, let go of them.

Let go of those who betray you.

Those who tittle-tattle on you, please let go of them.

Let go of those who are utilizing you for their own rationale and aspiration.

Let go of those who hurt you.

Let go of those who procrastinate your epoch and efforts.

Those who don't cherish you, just let go of them.

Let go of everybody who is delectating you because you don't belong together.

Let go of all the stresses and devastations.

Let go of all the insults and underestimations.

Let go of all your enemies.

Let go of those who are insignificant and contributing unenthusiastically in your life.

Let go of those who edify your criminal deeds.

Those who utilize drugs, please let go of them.

Let go of those who are addicted to alcohol.

Let go of those who cheat you.

Let go of those who pretend to be tidy and pleasant.

All who are uncooperative, let go of them.

Let go of all your tribulations.

Let go of all your grievances.

Please, let go of them.

 

 

" As we Graduate "

 

As we Graduate.

The end has come. Finally the end has come. Thirteen years of work. Thirteen years of blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of blood, sweat and tears. The good times came, as did all of the bad times.

We have lived to see each other grow and yet we were blind to it, never noticing every detail that has made our lives beautiful. The beauty was there. The passion was there, but we never took the time to look, to see.

We ignored those who were different from ourselves, every clique thinking the other to be weird or stupid. We put down those we like, not because they deserved it, but because we were too stubborn to see the beauty in them. Instead, we saw our own insecurities and tried to crush those that were weaker to make ourselves feel better.

There is no more time to lie to ourselves about what we think is right. There is no more time to justify our actions, or our choices. There is no more time. Our lives as we know them are over.

Welcome to the real world, and I'm not talking about FB, Tick tock, AI etc.  I'm talking about the cruelty we create every time we open our mouths without love in our hearts. Love. Please love someone. You will never be able to truly live until you truly love.

Are we too young to love? Absolutely not. We have just been conditioned to not want to love, to not want to listen to our own hearts, or follow that gut feeling. We have allowed these days to pass, without any idea of who we really are or what we really feel. Our feelings have gone unspoken. We have lied.

Look into yourself and ask, "Have I lied?" We stand on the doorstep of destiny and Destiny has said," I will not make your choices for you any longer, I will not be your guide, you are yours and so the choices are yours. You must live with the consequences of your actions. The blame can only lie on you."

There is no more blame to be shared. We are individuals. We have chosen our paths and no matter where they lead, they are our own paths. Some paths may cross again. Some of us may never see each other again. The truth is all we can hold on to.

Some I will miss, others I will not, but this phase in our lives is deeply rooted with each other. No matter how hard we try to deny each other, we are all connected. Do not deny each other anymore. We are entering an even more hostile world than high school. We need each other. We must stand with each other. We must always look out for each other.

Men, chivalry is not dead, unless you kill it. Treat all women with respect. Look closely; every woman is beautiful. Look at her eyes, look at her hands, and look at her lips. Look at her, and really begin to see her. Every woman is beautiful.

Women, don't forget about us normal guys. The geeks, the nerds, the brains, the everyday average guy. That is where you will find the true romantic. Not all of us can be athletic or popular or rich, but we are still here, and are more than willing to treat you like queens.

And so life for us is truly beginning. Our careers will start. We will meet the love of our lives and forget those we loved before. We will have few true friends but those we keep will be more than blood, they will be a part of us, a part of our souls. They will live on in us forever.

And as the years pass, so will many of this class. And the tears will form more often then not. Our mortality, which we never feared will begin to make us worry, about what will they do if I die? Will they go on, will they mourn?

We will begin to second guess ourselves. But our friends will be there to support us and when they are not, we will know when the time has come when we will meet our Maker, and we will have to account for our lives.

And then there will be no lies; every second recorded. Will you regret what you did? Don't lie, you will.

My life is filled with many regrets, but all we can do is stand firm and do what is right. We cannot pass judgment on anyone but ourselves. That is not our job.

Our job is to live respectable, good lives, raising our children to be better than we are. Our job is to love for love is the root of all that is good. Without it, we are already dead.

Don't be afraid to cry, it is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a sign of strength; strength from your own self-awareness; the knowledge that tears will heal without leaving as many scars.

Dream. Change your mind if you need to. Don't be miserable. Don't be afraid to walk away. Don't put yourself down; you are your own worst critic. Don't trust everyone, but know who can trust and when you do, trust him or her with your life.

Let the ones you love know. Don't be ashamed to hug your dad or your mom." I love you" comes too few and far between. Don't be ashamed to say it if you really mean it. They will be appreciated.

Be a kid again. Swing, run around, go splashing in the mud, forget about the world for a few minutes. Don't worry what people will think, even if it's for just a moment for that moment will live with you for the rest of your life.

Do not hesitate. If someone is good and there in front of you, take hold and never let go. You never know if they will ever be back in your life again, or if you will ever have the chance to love them and have the love returned if you let them go.

Fear nothing. The worst that can happen is you will die. And you will die, so the worst will happen inevitably, so why be afraid of anything?

You are never alone, there is always someone thinking of you. And most importantly, again, I say love.

Love endlessly. Put no bounds on your love. Love like there is no tomorrow. Love like you can't be hurt. And when you are, love some more. Love will heal you; love will save you. Love.

And I leave everyone with these final words. Live your lives full of love; live for the moment. Live for the moments, each detail, and each beautiful second of time.

Find your moment. Find the beauty and then live for it. Live for those days when you can just dance in the rain. Live for those beautiful moments.

 

I Hope you Dance : Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (dance)
I hope you dance (dance)

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion)
I hope you dance (always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years)
I hope you dance (and wonder where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance, I hope you dance (dance)
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion)
I hope you dance (always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years)
I hope you dance (and wonder where those years have gone)

Tell me who wants to look back on their years (dance)
And wonder where those years have gone (dance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44nrK0MxEQ

" Advice for Living "

 

ADVICE FOR LIVING

1.      The best way to get even is to forget.

2.      Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.

3.      God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

4.      Some folks wear their halos much too tight.

5.      Some marriages are made in heaven...
but they ALL have to be maintained on earth.

6.      Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days...
then perhaps giving "advice" to God, isn't such a good idea!

7.      Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.

8.      Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous...
You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.

9.      Words are windows to the heart.

10.   A sceptic is a person who...
when he sees the handwriting on the wall claims it's a forgery.

11.   It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill; just add a little dirt.

12.   A successful marriage isn't finding the right person ...
It's BEING the right person.

13.   The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.

14.   Too many people offer God prayers, with claw marks all over them.

15.   The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can hold it.

16.   To forgive is to set the prisoner free...
and then discover the prisoner was you.

17.   You have to wonder about humans...
they think God is dead and Elvis is alive!

18.   It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again...
Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19.   You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck.

20.   If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence...
you can bet the water bill is higher.

Author Unknown -