The man who planted Hope

 

The Man Who Planted Hope

Long ago, in a small village surrounded by barren land, there lived an old man named Elias. The village had once been fertile and full of life, but over time, the soil dried up, the rivers shrank, and the trees withered. People left in search of better lands, until only a few remained, barely surviving.

But every morning, before the sun rose, Elias would walk to the dead land beyond the village, carrying a small bag. He would kneel, dig a small hole in the dry earth, and drop a single seed inside. Then, he would cover it, sprinkle water from his little flask, and move on.

Day after day, year after year, he did this.

---

A Young Traveler’s Doubt

One day, a young traveler named Daniel arrived at the village. He had heard tales of its dying lands and wanted to see it for himself.

He watched as Elias planted his seeds in the cracked earth.

"Old man," Daniel said, "why do you waste your time? Nothing grows here. The land is dead."

Elias smiled, wrinkles deepening around his eyes. "Ah, but the land is only as dead as the hope we have for it."

Daniel scoffed. "Even if a tree did grow, you are too old to see it. You won’t be here when it gives shade, or when the fruit comes."

Elias chuckled. "Then I am planting for those who will come after me."

Daniel left, shaking his head at the old man’s foolishness.

---

The Storm and the Miracle

Years passed. Elias grew frail, but he never stopped planting. Then, one night, a great storm came. It raged for hours, pouring rain like the land hadn’t seen in decades. The dry earth drank eagerly, soaking in the gift.

When the sun rose the next morning, something incredible happened.

Tiny green sprouts peeked out from the soil where Elias had planted.

The villagers, who had long lost hope, stared in awe. Over the next months, the sprouts grew into saplings, and the saplings into trees.

The winds carried seeds farther, and soon, more plants began to grow. The river swelled again. Birds returned, and with them, life.

By the time Daniel returned to the village years later, he could hardly believe his eyes. The land that was once dry and dead was now a lush forest.

"What happened?" he asked.

An elder smiled. "Elias happened."

Daniel found the old man’s grave beneath the tallest tree, its branches heavy with fruit. The words on the stone read:

"He never saw the forest, but he planted it anyway."

Tears welled in Daniel’s eyes. He realized then that true greatness is not in what we take, but in what we leave behind.

---

The Lesson

In life, we may not always see the results of our kindness, our efforts, or our dreams—but that doesn’t mean they don’t matter.

The seeds of today become the forests of tomorrow.

One 

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to YOU!!!

Inclusivity / Diversity - what legacy do you want to leave ?

    

A 90 Year-Old Rᴀᴄɪsᴛ Woman Tells Big Shaq ‘Go Back to Africa’—His Response Leaves the Crowd Speechless

One sunny afternoon, Big Shaq, known for his towering presence and fame as a basketball legend, decided to visit his usual corner store. Despite his celebrity status and impressive physique—standing over two meters tall—he enjoyed the simple pleasure of grocery shopping. It was his way of unwinding after long, demanding days.

Casually dressed in a grey t-shirt, jeans, and a shiny watch, Shaq strolled into the bustling store with his usual friendly demeanour. The staff, familiar with his visits, greeted him warmly, and he returned their smiles as he picked up a basket and began walking through the aisles.

Stopping at the cereal section, Shaq browsed the shelves with focused attention, carefully reading labels to find something nutritious. He was so absorbed in his task that he didn’t notice an elderly woman, Mrs. Margaret, approaching behind him. She was a petite lady with snow-white hair, leaning on a cane and pushing a squeaky cart.

“Excuse me, young man!” her voice rang out sharply. “How am I supposed to get my cereal when you’re standing in the way?”

Startled, Shaq turned around to face her. Seeing her stern expression, he quickly stepped aside with a polite smile. “Sorry about that, ma’am,” he said warmly.

But Mrs. Margaret wasn’t finished. Glancing up at him with a disapproving look, she muttered, “They’ll let anyone in here these days. No standards anymore.”

Her words carried a tone of prejudice that Shaq couldn’t ignore. Though her remark stung, he chose to remain calm, a principle he’d held onto throughout his life. With a deep breath, he resumed browsing, determined not to let her words ruin his day.

As Shaq moved to leave the aisle, Mrs. Margaret suddenly shouted, her voice loud and accusatory. “Security! Someone get security here now!”

The store fell silent as customers turned to see what was happening. A young security guard hurried over, looking bewildered. Mrs. Margaret pointed at Shaq with a trembling finger.

“Get him out of here! People like him don’t belong here. Send him back to Africa!”

Time seemed to stand still. Shaq stood motionless, processing the hateful words. Though his expression remained composed, the hurt was evident in his eyes. He had faced prejudice before, but the blatant venom in her words was a painful reminder of the challenges he still endured.

The security guard hesitated, glancing between Mrs. Margaret and Shaq. “Ma’am,” he said carefully, “he hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s just shopping.”

Mrs. Margaret’s face flushed with anger. “Are you refusing to listen to me?” she demanded, banging her cane on the floor. “Get the manager!”

Moments later, the store manager arrived, looking serious. Mrs. Margaret wasted no time, pointing again at Shaq. “I want him out of this store. Now!”

Before the manager could respond, Shaq stepped forward. His deep, steady voice filled the aisle. “Ma’am,” he began, his tone calm but firm, “I understand that you may not be used to seeing someone like me here. But I’m just here to shop, like you and everyone else. I’m a son, a friend, a hardworking man, and a citizen of this community. My skin colour doesn’t change that.”

The store remained silent as Shaq continued, his words powerful yet full of grace. “I’ve faced comments like yours before. They’re hurtful, but I choose not to respond with anger. Instead, I feel sad—sad that someone who has lived as long as you have could hold onto such outdated views.”

Mrs. Margaret faltered, her eyes dropping to the floor. Shaq’s voice softened. “I have a grandmother about your age. She taught me to respect my elders because they’ve seen and experienced things I never will. But if she were here and heard the words you said to me, I think she’d feel disappointed.”

The room was heavy with emotion. A few shoppers wiped their eyes, moved by Shaq’s composure and sincerity.

“You’ve seen the world change,” Shaq said gently. “If your grandchildren heard what happened here today, would they be proud? Is this the legacy you want to leave behind?”

Mrs. Margaret’s hands trembled as tears welled in her eyes. Her voice quivered as she finally spoke.

“I… I didn’t think of it that way. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Shaq gave her a kind smile. “It’s okay, ma’am. We all make mistakes. What’s important is learning from them.”

The aisle erupted in applause. Mrs. Margaret reached out, placing a hand on Shaq’s arm. Her voice was now soft and genuine. “Thank you for teaching me this,” she said.

Shaq nodded. “We can all learn from one another. That’s how we grow.”

The tension in the store dissolved. The manager thanked Shaq for his grace, and customers approached to express their admiration. Even Mrs. Margaret, now visibly humbled, left with a warm smile.

As Shaq exited the store that evening, the golden sunset bathed the street in a peaceful glow. He felt a sense of fulfilment, knowing he had transformed a moment of hostility into one of understanding and humanity.

The story spread through the community, becoming a powerful reminder of compassion and forgiveness. Mrs. Margaret, once known for her biases, began greeting everyone with kindness, while Shaq continued to inspire others with his big heart and unshakable belief in the power of kindness.

 

...................................................................

Grandparents

 

“Mom, can I sleep at Grandma’s tonight?”

That’s what I heard in the car this morning, and when I managed to turn around and look at my child, that one simple sentence sent me back in time.

In that moment, I wasn’t in the present anymore. I had travelled

far into the past.

When did time slip by and make us adults, consumed by endless responsibilities and boring priorities? We fight every day for things we’re not even sure we truly want... When in reality, maybe all we really need to be happy is Grandma’s house.

Grandma’s house, where the hands of the clock slow down, and the minutes arrive unhurriedly.

Grandma’s house, where a simple bowl of pasta or a slice of homemade bread tastes like the best meal in the world.

Grandma’s house, where an innocent afternoon can stretch into an eternity of games, fantasies, and laughter.

Grandma’s house, where old cupboards hide vintage clothes and mysterious tools, and where closed boxes transform into treasure chests waiting to be explored.

Grandma’s house, where toys are rarely store-bought—they’re created on the spot, born out of pure imagination.

Grandma’s house, where magic happens effortlessly, and worries don’t exist.

Grandma’s house, where the echoes of our parents’ childhood mingle with the beginnings of our own lives.

Inside Grandma’s house lives our deepest affection, our safest memories, and a world where everything feels possible.

That precious gift no longer belongs to me—it exists now only in my memories.

But if I could make one wish, one single wish in the whole world, it would be this:

“Can I sleep at Grandma’s tonight?”

 

When I was 6 years old, life changed forever. My mom and dad split up, and my mom decided she didn’t want to care for me or my younger siblings anymore. That left us with my grandmother—a strong woman who, at the age of 70, stepped in to raise us.

The court asked her if she was capable of taking care of three kids, and she didn’t even hesitate. She said, “Yes.” That word sealed our future. She was determined we wouldn’t end up in foster care. We were supposed to get financial help from our parents, but that money never came. Not a single dime.

Wanting a better life for us, my grandma packed us up and moved us far from the city, choosing the peaceful countryside instead. However, life threw another curveball at her. When she went to the bank to collect the savings she had put aside for us, she found every last penny gone. My mom had taken it all. It broke my grandmother’s heart, but she didn’t give up. Even with little to her name, she worked tirelessly to care for us.

While my mother chose to walk away from our lives, my grandmother stayed. She was the one who watched my brother excel in sports, came to my younger sister’s school plays, and clapped along when I played the piano. When major milestones came, like weddings or the birth of her great-grandchildren, my grandmother was always there, beaming with pride. My mom? Well, she chose to miss all of it.

It was my grandmother’s love, not my parents’, that shaped our lives. She taught us the meaning of resilience and unconditional love. She lived until 98, and when we lost her, it felt like losing the foundation of our family. Her headstone reads, “Forever in our hearts,” because, truly, she will be.

I cherish a photo of her that I keep close. It shows her in her 90s, sitting surrounded by the three of us, no longer kids but grown adults. Her smile says it all—she was the angel who raised us, and her love is a gift we’ll carry forever.

Credits goes to the respective owner

Advice from Grandparents:

 

1. Cherish your loved ones. Always make time for family and friends—they are your greatest treasure.
2. Be kind and patient. Strong relationships require understanding, forgiveness, and effort.
3. Choose your battles. Not everything is worth a fight; sometimes, peace is more important than being right.

4. Appreciate the little things. Joy often comes from simple moments, like a sunrise, a good meal, or a heartfelt laugh.
5. This too shall pass. Challenges are temporary; resilience and hope will carry you through.
6. Keep learning. Stay curious and open-minded, no matter your age.

7. Do your best. Effort and integrity matter more than perfection.
8. Save for a rainy day. Financial prudence can prevent stress in tough times.
9. Don't rush life. Success is not a race—take the time to enjoy the journey.

10. Take care of your body. Rest, eat well, and stay active; you only get one body.
11. Laughter is the best medicine. A sense of humor can get you through almost anything.
12. Sleep on it. Big decisions often seem clearer after a good night's rest.

13. Mistakes are lessons. Don't be afraid of failure; it's how you grow and learn.
14. Be grateful. Focus on what you have, not what you lack.
15. Time is precious. Spend it wisely, and don't let it slip away unnoticed.

 

.

Grandparents.

G - is for Giving they are always there

R - is for Richness, so beyond compare

A - is for Adoration, for one and for all

N - is for Nice, to receive their call

D - is for Delightful, it's their special way

P - is for Perfect, each and every day

A - is for Angels, precious like gold

R - is for Radiant, makes life a glow

E - is for Endure, all that may come

N - is for Noble, always standing strong

T - is for Tender, the softness of touch

S - is for Special, we love them so much.

" God's Special Gift to us all "

It's a hard life - do not "poison" our children.

 

Dr. Martin King Jr,                                                                                                                                    taught us that there were no bad babies                                                                                                  born on the face of this earth.                                                                                                                      All babies are born good.

It's what we give them in love, what we teach them in education,                                                                What we lend to them in trust that they'll return to us in that dream of the future.

Whatever bitterness and hatred you harbour in your heart, let the cycle stop and don't pass it on to your children.                                                                        Because it is the greatest disease that you could expose them to                                                              'cause it's a hard life wherever you go.

Nanci Griffith 1999

It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go

 Song by Nanci Griffith

I am a backseat driver from America
They drive to the left on Falls Road
The man at the wheel's name is Seamus
We pass a child on the corner he knows
And Seamus says, "Now, what chance has that
Kid got?"
And I say from the back, "I don't know."
He says, "There's barbed wire at all of these exits
And there ain't no place in Belfast for that kid
To go."

It's a hard life
It's a hard life
It's a very hard life
It's a hard life wherever you go
If we poison our children with hatred
Then, the hard life is all that they'll know
And there ain't no place in (Belfast) for
These kids to go

A cafeteria line in Chicago
The fat man in front of me
Is calling black people trash to his children
He's the only trash here I see
And I'm thinking this man wears a white hood
In the night when his children should sleep
But, they slip to their window and they see him
And they think that white hood's all they need

It's a hard life….

I was a child in the sixties
Dreams could be held through TV
With Disney, and Cronkite, and Martin Luther
Oh, I believed, I believed, I believed
Now, I am the backseat driver from America
I am not at the wheel of control
I am guilty, I am war, I am the root of all evil
Lord, and I can't drive on the left side of the road

It's a hard life……

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhs0qm9ozLs&ab_channel=SingDaily%21

 

Looking for a Job

 

Looking for a Job

There was a young man who didn’t like living at his father’s house because of the constant "nagging" he received:

"If you’re not using the fan, turn it off."

"The TV is on in the living room, and no one is there. Turn it off!"

"Close the door."

"Don’t waste so much water."

The son couldn’t stand his father correcting him over such "little things."

He endured this until one day, he received an invitation for a job interview.

"As soon as I get the job, I’ll leave this city. I won’t have to listen to my father’s complaints anymore," he thought.

Before leaving for the interview, his father gave him some advice:

"Answer all the questions confidently. Even if you don’t know the answer, say it with assurance."

He also gave him more money than he actually needed for the interview.

When the young man arrived at the interview location, he noticed there were no security guards at the door. The door was left open outward, which was likely inconvenient for people passing by. He closed the door before entering.

Walking through the garden, he saw beautiful flowers but also noticed the gardener had left the hose running, wasting water. He moved the hose toward other plants that needed it.

At the reception, there was no one present, but a sign indicated the interview was on the first floor. He climbed the stairs slowly.

He noticed a light still on, probably since the night before. He remembered his father’s words:

"Why are you leaving the room without turning off the light?"

Although the thought annoyed him, he turned off the light before continuing.

On the first floor, he found a large hall with many people waiting for their turn. Seeing so many applicants, he wondered if he even had a chance of getting the job.

Near the entrance, there was a welcome mat, but it was placed upside down. Although slightly irritated, he adjusted it properly.

In the front rows, people were sitting close together, while the back rows were empty, with several fans running unnecessarily. Once again, he recalled his father’s voice:

"Why are the fans running in an empty space?"

He turned off the unnecessary fans and sat in one of the empty chairs.

He noticed many candidates entering the interview room and leaving quickly through another door, making it impossible to guess what questions were being asked.

When his turn came, he stood nervously in front of the interviewer. The interviewer glanced at his documents without much attention and asked:

"When can you start working?"

The young man, confused, wondered if this was a trick question or if he was actually being offered the job.

Seeing his hesitation, the interviewer explained:

"We don’t ask questions here because we believe they don’t effectively evaluate someone’s skills. Instead, we observe behaviours through a series of tests. We have CCTV cameras monitoring everything. Of all the candidates today, you were the only one who closed the door, adjusted the welcome mat, turned off the unnecessary fans and lights, and reused the water from the hose. That’s why we decided to hire you."

At that moment, the young man recalled all his father’s teachings. Although he had always complained about his discipline, he realized it was thanks to that discipline that he got his first job. His frustration and resentment disappeared. He decided to go home and thank his father, eager to share the good news.

Everything our parents tell us is for our benefit, to ensure we have a bright future.

To become a person of value, we must accept corrections and guidance that help us eliminate bad habits. That’s what our parents do when they discipline us and set boundaries.

Our father is our teacher when we are young, a "villain" during our youth, but a guide for life.

Mothers often visit their children when they grow older, but fathers don’t always know how to do that.

It’s not worth hurting your parents while they are alive and regretting it when they’re gone.

Always treat them with love and respect.

  

 Respect for parents is a fundamental value in many cultures and religions. It involves showing love, consideration, and appreciation for the people who raised or supported you. Respecting your parents means recognizing their efforts, sacrifices, and roles in your life and treating them with kindness and gratitude. This respect can be expressed in many ways, including:

1. Listening to them: Giving your parents your time and attention when they speak, acknowledging their opinions and feelings.

2. Helping and supporting them: Whether it's providing emotional support or assisting with practical tasks, helping your parents shows that you care.

3. Being considerate of their needs: Understanding their physical, emotional, or financial needs as they age and offering assistance when needed.

4. Expressing gratitude: Saying thank you for the sacrifices they’ve made for your well-being, and showing appreciation for the things they’ve done for you.

5. Being patient and understanding: Parents are not perfect, and respecting them means accepting their flaws and showing patience with them, especially as they age or encounter challenges.

6. Following their guidance: In many cultures, honoring your parents also means taking their advice or instructions into consideration when making decisions.