TIME IS LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow."

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE-SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!

THE PARABLE OF THE MYSTERIOUS LAKE

In a distant town, a long time ago, there was a mysterious lake. It teemed with various fishes but they had the uncanny habit of remaining at the bottom. Since the lake was many fathom deep, the people could not take advantage of this natural resource.
Meanwhile, in spite of the teeming lake, the people were hungry. They had a shortage of grains and very little animal supplements.
It was in the midst of this irony that a farmer among them revealed a supernatural ability. He claimed he had the prowess to siphon off huge quantities of water in his mouth. So the people requested him to take out the water in the lake so that all of them could gather the fish at the bottom.
At first the farmer was reluctant for it was a delicate process. But seeing the hunger and malnutrition all around, he finally relented.
However, he had one condition. "I will siphon off all the water from the lake and retain it in my mouth. However, I can only hold my breath for exactly three minutes. Within that period you must gather all the fish you can get. When the time is up I will wave my hands. You must all get out of the lake for I will then let go the water from my mouth, and the lake will return to its original depth."
"But why only three minutes?" the people complained. "We need more time to catch the fish."
"Three minutes because that is all the time I can retain the huge volume of water in my mouth," the farmer replied. "And, also, the amount of fish you can gather in that time is all you need to be well fed for a whole week."
They all agreed to have the lake dried up the next day. All the townpeople appeared, for the good news had spread all over town. Even children came with their parents. They surrounded the big lake, and there was almost no space open at the edge of the water line.
At the appointed time, the farmer reminded them of the three-minute limit. With hushed expectation, the people saw the farmer dip his lips in the water. Slowly at first, then with a tremendous suction, the lake began to recede. The fish appeared and the lake was soon a dry bed.
The people rushed in and began picking up all the fish within sight. All were able to get at least a dozen each.
After exactly three minutes, the farmer waved both hands as his signal. Everyone scampered out with their catch still struggling. Many had brought baskets, and others even put the fish in their pockets, shouting with joy at the bounty of their harvest.
In a wink, water gushed from the farmer's mouth. It took only a minute for the lake to return to its former appearance and depth.
The next week, the same procedure and excitement were repeated. This time more came, for people from nearby towns had heard about the blessings from the man who siphoned off the water. All went well and the people got plenty of fish within three minutes.
On the third week, still more came. People from the adjoining provinces had heard the good news and wanted to have a share of the harvest.
As in the past two sessions, the farmer warned all about the three-minute limit and his hand signals for clearing the bed. He then sipped all the water.
The supply of fish seemed inexhaustible. People filled baskets, cans, and even sacks with fish.
At the precise moment, the farmer waved his hands. But the people continued to gather the jumping fish, disregarding the frantic waving of the farmer.
He could no longer hold the water in his mouth. In a burst of fury the water spurted out. The lake immediately filled up, drowning all the people in it.

HUNGER DID NOT KILL THEM.
GREED DID.


"A man's character is his fate"
-Heraclitus

20 WORDS TO THE WISE

1.

God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

2.

Dear God: I have a problem. Sometimes, it's me.

3.

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

4.

There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

5.

Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

6.

Do the math. Count your blessings.

7.

Faith is the ability to not panic.

8.

Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

9.

If we worry, we probably didn't pray. If we pray, we probably don't worry.

10.

As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

11.

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

12.

The most important things in our homes are the people.

13.

When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knots for us.

14.

A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15.

He who dies with the most toys is still dead. And who knows where he has gone?

16.

We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17.

Nothing is real to you until we experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.

18.

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

19.

Surviving and living our life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams we seek require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle -- it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20.

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

A SIX-THOUSAND PESO SERVANT

One of the richest men in the province was Mr.Cruz. He had many helpers. He treated them all kindly so they were very fond of him. They often told him their troubles and asked his advice.
Among his helpers were Ador and Madz. Ador was paid a wage of three thousand pesos a month and Madz was paid six thousand pesos.
Ador and Madz often met at their work. Ador's job was hard. He had to move heavy furniture about. He carried large boxes up and down the stairs.
Madz' work was much lighter. He carried messages for Mr.Cruz. He wrote letters for him. He kept his account, too.
Ador often wondered.
"Why does Madz receive more pay than I? I work harder for less money." He went to Mr.Cruz and said, "Something puzzles me,Sir." and he told to him his problem.
Mr.Cruz listened and then answered,
"I will show you why. There is indeed a difference between your wage and Madz. But first, do you see that loaded truck over there- the one that has stopped in the street? Ask the driver for me what he has on his truck."
Ador went to ask the driver and then returned. "The truck is loaded with palay on sacks," he reported.
"Where is the palay going?" asked Mr.Cruz.
Ador went back to the truck driver, spoke to him again and came back. "The palay will be sent to the city," he reported.
"Where is the palay from?" Mr.Cruz inquired.
Once more Ador ran out into the street and asked the driver.
Ador was told this and next his master wanted to know how much it cost per cavan. Again, Ador ran out to ask the driver. Altogether he made five trips in order to answer his master's questions.
Then Mr.Cruz sent for Madz and said, "Please go to that driver,Madz. I want to know what he has on his truck."
Madz went and after a short while came back,
"Well?" asked his master.
"The driver says that he comes from Barrio Castillo" says Madz. "His load of palay came from Lingayen town. He says he is taking it to the city of Dagupan. He has more than one hundred cavans of palay on the truck. A cavan costs nine hundred fifty pesos. Is that all, Sir?"
"Yes, thank you, Madz. Now, Ador," said Mr.Cruz after Madz left, "do you understand why Madz gets a bigger wage than you?"
Ador nodded. "Yes, Sir. MADZ THINKS WHILE HE WORKS."

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Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?
-Fanny Brice

DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the 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 fellow 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.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

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 afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.


Author Unknown

A KING AND FOUR WIVES

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times. The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her. One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that Im dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life, Now that Im dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, Im going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I cant help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lighting, and the King was devastated. Then a voice called out: "I will live with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!" >>>In truth,we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our BODY. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our POSSESSION, STATUS and WEALTH. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our FAMILY and FRIENDS. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our SOUL, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the ego. However,our SOUL is the only thing that willf follow us whenever we go. So cultivate, strengthen, and cherish it now, it is your greatest gift to offer the world.