Five Great Lessons.......

1 - Most Important Lesson

During my second month of college our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would

Count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'"

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2 - Second Important Lesson

Pickup in the Rain - One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure the lashing rainstorm.

Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s.

The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A

special note was attached.

It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God

bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

     Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson

Always remember those who serve - In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel

coffee shop and sat at a table.

 A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

 The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he

inquired.  

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents, she brusquely replied."

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," He said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on

the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.     

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she

wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two

nickels and five pennies.

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have

enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson

The Obstacle in Our Path - In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest

merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

    Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and

tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally

succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

    The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the

boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson

Giving When It Counts - Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz, who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had

miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying,"Yes, I'll do it, if it will save her."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and

smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at

the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"  

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he

was going to have to give his sister all of his blood

in order to save her.

You see, after all, understanding and attitude is everything.

Now remember...

"Work like you don't need the money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

& Dance like you do when nobody's watching."

source: A mail from my dad!