Don't Forget you are a Shining Star

When you were small
And just a touch away,
I covered you with blankets
Against the cool night air.
But now that you are tall
and out of reach,
I fold only hands
And cover you with prayer.

- Dona Maddux Cooper (  Reference: Chicken soup for the Mother's soul )

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.

She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and
treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off
to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave
her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always
kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem,
she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult
times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great
contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not
love the first boyfriend, although he loved her deeply, she hardly took
notice of him! 

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of
her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but
when I die, will I be alone.'

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you
with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm
dying, will you follow me and keep me company?
'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another
word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now
that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the
third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry
someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, '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 can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend.
'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'
His answer struck her Like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was
devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where
you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very
skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of
you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:

Your fourth boyfriend is **your body**. No matter how much time and effort
you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is **your possessions**, status and wealth.When you
die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is **your family and friends**. No matter how much
they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to
the grave. 

And your first boyfriend is **your spirit**. Often neglected in pursuit of
wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you
go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of
you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you
throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees,
you're in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to
see beyond the imperfections.

Be Blessed Not Stressed

પરદેશ ગયેલા દીકરા ની વ્યથા ........................

કોણ જાણે આ કેવા દેશમાં આવી ગયો છું, બધાંને એમ છે કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

અહીં કોઈ કોઈને બોલાવતાં બીવે છે, ને મારા દેશમાં લોકો એકબીજાને જોઈને જીવે છે,
અનહદ ઠંડીમાં લેપટોપ સાથે એક રૂમમાં પુરાઈ ગયો છું,
ને બધાંને એમ કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

અહીં માણસમાં થી દોસ્ત નીકળી ગયો છે ને ધોળીયાનો સ્વભાવ બધાંને ભર્ખી ગયો છે,
લાગણી વગરના માણસો સાથે ફસાઈ ગયો છું,
ને બધાંને એમ કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

... કોણ જાણે આ કેવા દેશમાં આવી ગયો છું, બધાંને એમ છે કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

એક ટાઇમ ખવું છું, ને ઓફીસ જાઉં છું, માણસ માંથી જાણે મશીન બની ગયો છું,
આઝાદ ભારતમાં થી આહીં આવી ફરી ગુલામ બની ગયો છું,
ને બધાંને એમ કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

ભગવાન, થોડી જીંદગી બાકી રાખજે કે મારા દેશમાં મારે જીવવું છે,
ફરી ટોળે વળી પેલા ગલ્લે બેસવું છે, ફરી સેવ ઉસળ પેટ ભરીને ઠોકવું છે,
બાઈક પર ત્રણ સવારી રખડવું છે,
ભગવાન, મારે ફરી મમ્મી નો લાડલો બની જવું છે,
પોતાના લોકોથી છુટો પડી ગયો છું,
ને બધાંને એમ કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું,

કોણ જાણે આ કેવા દેશમાં આવી ગયો છું, બધાંને એમ છે કે હું ફાવી ગયો છું..

I asked God
To take away my pain
God said No
It's not for me to take away
But for you to give it up;


I asked God
To grant me patience
God said No
Patience is a by product of toil
It's not granted, it is earned;


I asked God
To give me happiness
God said No
I give you blessings
Happiness is up to you;


I asked God
To make my spirit grow
God said No
You must grow on your own
I will praise you
To make you fruitful;


I asked God
To help me 'love' others
As much as he loves me
God said ahh...H!
At last you have the idea.