Saturday, October 6, 2012

#29 - The Masterpiece

One of the first books I remember reading, from cover-to-cover, was given to me in 1970 after an incident that almost claimed the most precious gift I ever got from God – my life.  That book was “Run Baby Run” by Nicky Cruz.

More than thirty years later, in November 2004, I had a strong desire to read that book again but I could not find my personal copy. I went to the local library in Orillia, Ontario, but they did not have a copy. They advised that only two copies were available through an inter-library loan; one for a fee. I requested the free copy. To my great surprise it came all the way from a library in Edmonton.

Since that life changing near-death experience in 1970, I have read many wonderful books by great authors. On numerous occasions I felt as if the book I was reading was better or at the very least comparable with others I had read. Today however, Oct04, 2012, I completed reading what I now consider to be the greatest of all the great books – the masterpiece of all masterpieces.

This book is “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young. It is one of the most captivating stories about God, the Trinity i.e. the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I highly recommend it to you if you really want to know God. In fact, I recommend it even if you feel you do not need to know God.

One of the interesting coincidences about this book is that this is the second time it has come into my life. The first time, a few years ago, I choose not to read it. This time, I did and I sincerely thank God for bringing it back to me and for choosing me to be among those who were privileged to read this great book.

I read the last few chapters at night during a two-night business trip to Sudbury, Ontario. Alone in my hotel room, I felt as if I did not want the book to end – I did not want to separate myself from God, the story or the characters. Yet, I desperately wanted to know what finally happened. I finished the book at 12:09 AM on the second night even though I had to get up very early the next morning for my meeting.

I broke my all time record while reading this book. I finished it in less time than any book I read since 1970 – more than four decades.

Check it out online at http://theshackbook.com/

#28 - Growing Food In Space

It is ludicrous to believe that mankind, at some future date, will inhabit the moon or some other celestial body. In my humble opinion, we should focus our energies and limited resources on feeding the poor and making this world a better place for all of us to live.

This does not mean that I am not supportive of space exploration. In fact, I believe that it is vitally important and even necessary. But, I would prefer to see us feeding those among us who are in imminent danger of death from starvation. Yes, instead of investing our knowledge, expertise and limited resources to grow food on the moon we should be busy trying to grow food in sub-zero temperatures or in arid conditions like our ever increasing deserts and rocky areas.

Why? Growing food on the moon may benefit a few astronauts for a short period while growing food in the desert has the potential to benefit the masses. In addition, if we could successfully grow food on the moon in large quantities it would be way too costly to benefit anyone here on earth.

To put this perspective, it would be like your parents saying this when you were born. Instead of feeding this child, we want to invest our knowledge, expertise and limited resources to grow food for another child we expect to have at some future date. Where would you be today if they had said that?

Another area where we might do well to invest our knowledge, expertise and limited resources is with the weather. As it stands today, whenever nature i.e. the weather, takes center stage in the form of a hurricane, monsoon or tsunami, we are forced to stop whatever we are doing – shut down our cities, factories or airports and watch in awe and wonder.

Why are we not investing our talents and our resources to make this life better for those of us who are here right now?

Monday, October 24, 2011

#27 - Who Should I Listen To?

Listen to your heart. Live your life entirely according to what your heart tells you is the right way to live. If you feel like crying, cry. It you feel overwhelmed with joy, sing. If you feel love towards someone, express it.
We need to define our priorities – the values, endeavours and dreams that guide us – and build our worlds around those things. It is not enough just to get through the day. We need to make every day a platform for accomplishing what we want out of life. We must take responsibility for ourselves and the world we live in so that we can live with ourselves and the world around us. Joanna Smith Bers

If you are sleeping, sleep well. If you are playing, play well. If you are working, give it your best. H. W. Prentis, Jr.

At the end of your life you will find that the things you thought were the big things were actually the little things, and that all those things you thought were the little unimportant things were actually the big, important ones. Unknown

#26 - How Much Should I Give?

Remember that the hand that gives is the hand that gathers, and that giving to others starts the receiving process. The more you give to others, the more you will ultimately receive yourself.
Life is like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of acting that matters. Seneca

#25 - What is Most Important in Life?

Most important in life is what you give to it; not what you get from it. Life is about helping others and blessing the world by the way you live.
Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But, we are all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four pound bass. A full moon. Cold beer.

Don't fret about getting life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us. United Technologies Corporation.

#24 - How do I Become Wealthy?

Stop wishing that you made more money and ask yourself how you can help more people to get what they want. Think about it! Tim Hortons is not successful because they know how to make coffee and donuts. Many other people make coffee and donuts too.

They are successful because they help many people get what they want – a convenient supply of fresh coffee and donuts!


Friday, October 21, 2011

#23 - What is Happiness?

Happiness does not come when you achieve certain things; it comes when you think certain thoughts. Fulfillment in life does not come from collecting more things; it comes from feeling more love.

Do not forget how to live with decency and love. Do not loose sight of the things that truly count. Do not forget that life's little pleasures, like the magic of a child's laugh or the glory of a sunrise, are life's most important ones.
You must become the change you most wish to see in your life. Gandhi