Monday, January 30, 2012

The Starfish Story

Just came across this lovely story. Here below are 2 versions of it.
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It reminds me of this quote by Mother Teresa.
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“We ourselves feel that 
what we are doing is 
just a drop in the ocean. 
But the ocean would be less 
because of that missing drop.”
~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta
(Albanian born Indian Missionary and 
Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. 
Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. 1910-1997)
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Version 1:
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The Starfish Story
~ an adaptation from an original story by Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. 

Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. 

The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the sea.  

Then, smiling at the man, he said "I made a difference for that one."

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Version 2:
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The Starfish Story
Guest Author - Deanna Joseph
adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley
1907 - 1977


Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

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Muddy Water


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I've learnt that...
it is as difficult to drink water that is muddy, 
as it is to think with mind that is cluttered.
~ age 49... inspired by article below.

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Here's How To Drink From Water That Is Muddy
~ Author Unknown

A Religious Teacher was travelling with a few of his followers. 

While they were passing a lake, the Religious Teacher told one of his disciples, "I am thirsty. Do get me some water from the lake."

The disciple walked up to the lake. At that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy and turbid. The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to my master to drink?"

So he came back and told his master, "The water in there is very muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink."

After about half an hour, again the Religious Teacher asked the same disciple to go back to the lake. 

The disciple went back, and found that the water was still muddy. He returned and informed the Religious Teacher the same thing.

After sometime, again the Religious Teacher asked the same disciple to go back.

This time, the disciple found the mud had settled down, and the water was clean and clear. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to his master.

The Religious Teacher looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said," See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be, and the mud settled down on its own... and now we have clear water.

Your mind is like that too ! When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own. It will happen.

Having 'Peace of Mind' is not a strenuous job; it is an effortless process!

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Don't Drink & Drive ~ What Happens, The Law, The Penalty

Click on image to enlarge...


Don't Drink & Drive
~ What Happens, The Law, The Penalty 
~ ST, 2012 Jan 17, Tue, Pg C11

Song Quote ~ Pick Yourself Up...

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"...pick yourself up, 
dust yourself off and 
start all over again."
~ Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
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We all make mistakes in life. The trick is to learn from them, not to beat yourself up every time it happens. There's an old song with a nice beat & pleasant melody. Lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Jerome Kern. Some of the other lyrics are...
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"don't lose your confidence if you 
slip, be grateful for a pleasant trip"
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"Will you remember the famous 
men who had to fall to rise again?"
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These words are from a song made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and later by the legendary Nat "King" Cole and jazz pianist George Shearing. It has also been sung by several of the greats like Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra.

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Frank Sinatra | Pick Yourself Up

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Diana Krall - Pick Yourself Up

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Nat King Cole - Pick Yourself Up

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Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
Walk Kansas Encouragement - Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off, Start All Over Again
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers remind you that if you fail to do something or don't live up to your own expectations, you just have to "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again." If you fail to do your 30-minutes of walking a day or if you don't eat as many fruits and vegetables as you should, don't give up or get down on yourself. Just "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again."

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Lyrics:

Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off, Start All Over Again
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields music by Jerome Kern
This version by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

FRED: 
Please teacher, teach me something.
Nice teacher, teach me something.
I'm as awkward as a camel.
That's not the worst.
My two feet haven't met yet.
But I'll be teacher's pet yet,
'Cause I'm going to learn to dance or burst.

GINGER:
Nothing's impossible, I have found.
For when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up, dust myself off,
Start all over again.

Don't lose your confidence if you slip.
Be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up; dust yourself off;
Start all over again.

Work like a soul inspired
'Til the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired,
But you'll be a man, my son.

Will you remember the famous men
Who had to fall to rise again.
So take a deep breath;
Pick yourself up; 
Dust yourself off;
Start all over again.

FRED:
I'll get some self assurance
If your endurance is great.
I'll learn by easy stages
If you're courageous and wait.

To feel the strength I want to,
I must hang onto your hand.
Maybe by the time I'm fifty,
I'll get up and do a nifty.

(dialogue)

FRED:
Pick yourself up; dust yourself off;
Start all over again.

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Quote ~ Be Nice

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Treat everyone with politeness…
even those who are rude to you…
not because they are not nice…
but because you are nice & that… 
makes a difference of who you are.
~ Unknown
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