"Listen to your Elders"

 

Listen to your  ELDERS when they SAY!!!

1. "A stitch in time saves nine."

2. "Actions speak louder than words."

3. "All good things come to those who wait."

4. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

5. "Birds of a feather flock together."

6. "Better late than never."

7. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

8. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

9. "Every cloud has a silver lining."

10. "Every dog has its day."

11. "Every man for himself."

12. "Fortune favours the bold."

13. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

14. "Haste makes waste."

15. "It takes two to tango."

16. "Kill two birds with one stone."

17. "Let sleeping dogs lie."

18. "Make hay while the sun shines."

19. "Necessity is the mother of invention."

20. "No pain, no gain."

021. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire."

22. "Practice makes perfect."

23. "Rome wasn't built in a day."

24. "The early bird catches the worm."

25. "The grass is always greener on the other side."

26. "The pen is mightier than the sword."

27. "There's no smoke without fire."

28. "Too many cooks spoil the broth."

29. "Two heads are better than one."

30. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

31. "Where there's a will, there's a way."

32. "You can't judge a book by its cover."

33. "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs."

34. "You reap what you sow."

35. "A watched pot never boils."

36. "Actions speak louder than words."

37. "Beggars can't be choosers."

38. "Better safe than sorry."

39. "Curiosity killed the cat."

40. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."

41. "Don't cry over spilled milk."

42. "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

43. "Easy come, easy go."

44. "Familiarity breeds contempt."

45. "Half a loaf is better than none."

46. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

47. "It's no use crying over spilt milk."

48. "Jack of all trades, master of none."

49. "Kill the fatted calf."

50. "Let bygones be bygones."

51. "Look before you leap."

 

"Drop your Troubles into the Palm of my Hand"

 

The bus driver by Elizabeth Gilbert

Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.

But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. 'Folks,' he said, 'I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I will open the window and throw your troubles in the water.'

It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who had been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious?

Oh, he was serious.

At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.

We live in a hard world, my friends.

Sometimes it is extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.

But what if you are the light? What if you are the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for?. That’s what this bus driver taught me, that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy influencer. He was a bus driver, one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.

When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name.

No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated, one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.

 

 

" I'm gonna be like you, Dad "

 

The Gift of Time: A Reflection on Spending Time with Your Children

In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in responsibilities—work, chores, commitments, and the never-ending to-do lists. As parents, we often tell ourselves that we are working hard for our children, providing for their needs, and ensuring their future security. But while these efforts are important, we must remember that the most valuable thing we can give our children is not material wealth or possessions—it is our time.

Time Is the Foundation of Love

Children spell love as T-I-M-E. More than anything else, they crave our attention, our presence, and our engagement in their world. Whether they are toddlers discovering the wonders of the world, school-aged kids eager to share their thoughts, or teenagers seeking understanding, our time with them shapes their emotional well-being and sense of self-worth.

Spending time with our children doesn’t always require extravagant trips or expensive gifts. What truly matters are the simple, everyday moments—the bedtime stories, the shared laughter at the dinner table, the walks in the park, or the quiet conversations before bed. These are the moments that create lifelong memories and strong family bonds.

Cat's in the Cradle

Song by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him

Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?

 

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, dad, if I can find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0&list=RD5u-KWa3tL-0&start_radio=1&ab_channel=RHINO

Quality Over Quantity

It’s easy to say, I’ll spend time with them later. But later is uncertain. Work, responsibilities, and obligations will always be there. But childhood? Childhood has an expiration date.

Spending time with our children doesn’t mean grand vacations or expensive gifts. It’s in the simple things:

• Reading bedtime stories even when we’re tired.
• Sitting down for family dinners and truly listening.
• Going for walks and letting them lead the conversation.
• Playing their silly games even when we don’t understand the rules.
• Laughing at their jokes even when they don’t make sense.
• Holding them close because one day, they’ll stop asking for hugs.

These are the moments that matter. These are the memories they’ll carry with them into adulthood.

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!!!