For those who at times find themselves hitting a wall when challenges seems beyond hope. May these insight provide idea to overcome the circumstances.
- Last posting on Monday, 02, November 2009, (7 Postings).
1. The different between Focus on Problems and Focus on Solutions.
When NASA began the launch of astronauts in space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (Ink won’t flow down to the writing surface). In order to solve this problem, they hired Andersen Consulting (Accenture today).
It took them one decade and 12 million dollars. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, under water, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees Celsius.
The Russians, they used a pencil.
2. The Law of the Seed by George Carlin's - Views on Shift In attitude
Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree and each apple has ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?" Nature has something to teach us here.
It's telling us: “Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow”. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."
This might mean:
• You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job.
• You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.
• And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend.
When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed.
• We stop feeling like victims.
• We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.
• Laws of nature are not things to take personally.
We just need to understand them - and work with them.
IN A NUTSHELL: Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.
When things are beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to avoid misery in your life:
- You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.
- You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.
Then, when the world doesn't obey your rules, you get angry! That's what miserable people do!
On the other hand, let's say you expect that:
- Friends SHOULD return favors.
- People SHOULD appreciate you.
- Planes SHOULD arrive on time.
- Everyone SHOULD be honest.
- Your spouse or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.
These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen! So you end up frustrated and disappointed.
There's a better strategy:
• Demand less, and instead, have preferences!
• For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself: "I would prefer this, but if that happens, it’s OK too!"
This is really a change in mindset. It is a shift in attitude, and it gives you more peace of mind ...
• You prefer that people are polite ... but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day.
• You prefer sunshine ... but if it rains, it is ok too!
To become happier, we either need to:
a) Change the world, or
b) Change our thinking.
IN A NUTSHELL: It is easier to change our Thinking than sticking to our expectation!
Bottom Line
It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem.
It's not what happens to you that determine your happiness. It's how you think about what happens to you!
3. Getting older by George Carlin's - Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids?
Adolescent
You're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. When being ask, "How old are you?". The usual replies would be "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half you're four and a half, going on five!
Teenager
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. When being ask, "How old are you?” The usual replies would be "I'm going to be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're going to be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21 and spread your "wings". Even the words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!! ---Freedom.
Adulthood
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out! There's no fun now. You're just a sour-dumpling. What went wrong? Why the changed?
Turning Point
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
Stop!
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
Climax
You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92." Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
Life focus
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them".
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening or whatever. Just never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy all things. Even the simplest or insignificant ones.
5. Laughter. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. Moan. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Accompaniment. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Home is where your heart is.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Acquaintance. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Bottom Line
ALWAYS REMEMBER: The number of breaths we take does not measure Life, but by the moments that take our breath away. We all need to live life to its fullest each day.
4. Decision Making-Train Track and Children is simplified by Mr. CH Ling (Extracted from Anonymous author) for the purpose of Management growth specifically for Northern Region MIS-Head of Department.
Introduction
The story given here is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into DECISION MAKING
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................
Analyse the situation………….
Think and reflect…….
Decided your answer !!!!
Now … go ahead
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train because the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one. "Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
NUTSHELL: Remember! Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.
5. A king’s 3 wishes
On his deathbed, a monarch realises crucial lessons about life.
AFTER conquering many kingdoms, the great Greek king Alexander was returning home when he fell seriously ill. Nothing his generals did could cure him.
With death staring him in the face, Alexander realised how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no value to him as he lay waiting to breathe his last.
All he wanted then was to go home, see his mother’s face and bid her a fond farewell.
But knowing that he would not have time to reach his distant homeland, he summoned his generals and told them:
“I will depart from this world soon. I have three wishes which you must carry out without fail.”
With tears flowing down their cheeks, all his men could do was nod.
“My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin.”
After a long pause, the king continued, “When my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard should be strewn with the gold, silver and precious stones which I have in my treasury.”
Quite exhausted by then, he said softly: “Finally, after I’m gone, let both my hands dangle out of my coffin.”
The people who had gathered around the king wondered about his strange requests. But no one dared ask about the rational behind them.
Alexander’s favourite general then kissed his hands and pressed them to his heart.
“I assure your highness that your wishes will be fulfilled. But why?
At this the ailing monarch took a deep breath and said: “I would like the world to know the three lessons I have just learnt.
“I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can cure every ailment.
“Doctors cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.
“Strewing gold, silver and other riches along the path to the graveyard will serve to remind everyone that I might have spent my life accumulating riches, but I cannot even take a piece of gold with me when I die.
“So let people realise that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.
“As for the final wish to leave my hands dangling out of the coffin, I want people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and I will leave the same way.”
With these words, the king closed his eyes as death conquered him.
6. WHAT HAS OUR NATION BECOME !!!!!?????.
Received : Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:13:07
Sender : Anonymous
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot anti-abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!"
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and whole-heartedly become our desire so that we again can be called: "one nation under God."
7. Crabby Old Man.
Received : Tuesday, 27 October, 2009 16:22
Sender : Anonymous
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte , Nebraska , it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri .
The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . . . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . . . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . . . .. the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .. . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am. . . . .. . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . .. who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . . my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .. . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . . . and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . . . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . .. . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . .. . open and see.
Not a crabby old man . .. . Look closer . . . see ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet
an older person who you might brush aside
without looking at the young soul within.
We will all, one day, be there, too!
Return to Menu Page
- Last posting on Monday, 02, November 2009, (7 Postings).
1. The different between Focus on Problems and Focus on Solutions.
When NASA began the launch of astronauts in space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (Ink won’t flow down to the writing surface). In order to solve this problem, they hired Andersen Consulting (Accenture today).
It took them one decade and 12 million dollars. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, under water, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees Celsius.
The Russians, they used a pencil.
2. The Law of the Seed by George Carlin's - Views on Shift In attitude
Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree and each apple has ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?" Nature has something to teach us here.
It's telling us: “Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow”. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."
This might mean:
• You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job.
• You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.
• And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend.
When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed.
• We stop feeling like victims.
• We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.
• Laws of nature are not things to take personally.
We just need to understand them - and work with them.
IN A NUTSHELL: Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.
When things are beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to avoid misery in your life:
- You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.
- You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.
Then, when the world doesn't obey your rules, you get angry! That's what miserable people do!
On the other hand, let's say you expect that:
- Friends SHOULD return favors.
- People SHOULD appreciate you.
- Planes SHOULD arrive on time.
- Everyone SHOULD be honest.
- Your spouse or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.
These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen! So you end up frustrated and disappointed.
There's a better strategy:
• Demand less, and instead, have preferences!
• For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself: "I would prefer this, but if that happens, it’s OK too!"
This is really a change in mindset. It is a shift in attitude, and it gives you more peace of mind ...
• You prefer that people are polite ... but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day.
• You prefer sunshine ... but if it rains, it is ok too!
To become happier, we either need to:
a) Change the world, or
b) Change our thinking.
IN A NUTSHELL: It is easier to change our Thinking than sticking to our expectation!
Bottom Line
It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem.
It's not what happens to you that determine your happiness. It's how you think about what happens to you!
3. Getting older by George Carlin's - Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids?
Adolescent
You're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. When being ask, "How old are you?". The usual replies would be "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half you're four and a half, going on five!
Teenager
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. When being ask, "How old are you?” The usual replies would be "I'm going to be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're going to be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21 and spread your "wings". Even the words sound like a ceremony . . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!! ---Freedom.
Adulthood
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out! There's no fun now. You're just a sour-dumpling. What went wrong? Why the changed?
Turning Point
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
Stop!
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
Climax
You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92." Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
Life focus
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them".
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening or whatever. Just never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy all things. Even the simplest or insignificant ones.
5. Laughter. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. Moan. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Accompaniment. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Home is where your heart is.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Acquaintance. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
Bottom Line
ALWAYS REMEMBER: The number of breaths we take does not measure Life, but by the moments that take our breath away. We all need to live life to its fullest each day.
4. Decision Making-Train Track and Children is simplified by Mr. CH Ling (Extracted from Anonymous author) for the purpose of Management growth specifically for Northern Region MIS-Head of Department.
Introduction
The story given here is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into DECISION MAKING
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and saved most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?
Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................
Analyse the situation………….
Think and reflect…….
Decided your answer !!!!
Now … go ahead
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was.
This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train because the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one. "Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
NUTSHELL: Remember! Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.
5. A king’s 3 wishes
On his deathbed, a monarch realises crucial lessons about life.
AFTER conquering many kingdoms, the great Greek king Alexander was returning home when he fell seriously ill. Nothing his generals did could cure him.
With death staring him in the face, Alexander realised how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no value to him as he lay waiting to breathe his last.
All he wanted then was to go home, see his mother’s face and bid her a fond farewell.
But knowing that he would not have time to reach his distant homeland, he summoned his generals and told them:
“I will depart from this world soon. I have three wishes which you must carry out without fail.”
With tears flowing down their cheeks, all his men could do was nod.
“My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin.”
After a long pause, the king continued, “When my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard should be strewn with the gold, silver and precious stones which I have in my treasury.”
Quite exhausted by then, he said softly: “Finally, after I’m gone, let both my hands dangle out of my coffin.”
The people who had gathered around the king wondered about his strange requests. But no one dared ask about the rational behind them.
Alexander’s favourite general then kissed his hands and pressed them to his heart.
“I assure your highness that your wishes will be fulfilled. But why?
At this the ailing monarch took a deep breath and said: “I would like the world to know the three lessons I have just learnt.
“I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can cure every ailment.
“Doctors cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.
“Strewing gold, silver and other riches along the path to the graveyard will serve to remind everyone that I might have spent my life accumulating riches, but I cannot even take a piece of gold with me when I die.
“So let people realise that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.
“As for the final wish to leave my hands dangling out of the coffin, I want people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and I will leave the same way.”
With these words, the king closed his eyes as death conquered him.
6. WHAT HAS OUR NATION BECOME !!!!!?????.
Received : Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:13:07
Sender : Anonymous
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot anti-abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!"
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and whole-heartedly become our desire so that we again can be called: "one nation under God."
7. Crabby Old Man.
Received : Tuesday, 27 October, 2009 16:22
Sender : Anonymous
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte , Nebraska , it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Missouri .
The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Crabby Old Man
What do you see nurses? . . . . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . . . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . . . .. the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . .. . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am. . . . .. . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . .. who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . . my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .. . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . . . and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . . . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . .. . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . .. . open and see.
Not a crabby old man . .. . Look closer . . . see ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet
an older person who you might brush aside
without looking at the young soul within.
We will all, one day, be there, too!
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