There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into his shell.

It was only a grain,
but it gave him great pain.
For oysters have feelings
Although they’re so plain.

Now, did he berate
the harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?

Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?

‘No,’ he said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
Since I cannot remove it,
I shall try to improve it.

Now the years have rolled around,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny ­ stew.

And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.

Now the tale has a moral,
for isn’t it grand
What an oyster can do
With a morsel of sand?

What couldn’t we do
If we’d only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.

Take some time to smell the flowers. As you walk the paths of life.

Take some time to ease the tensions. From the challenges and the strife.

Take some time to hear the birds sing. As they usher in the dawn.

Though the day be just emerging. Too soon it will be gone.

Take some time to watch a sunrise. Now and then a sunset too.

Just be sure that seeking pleasure. Isn’t all you ever do.

Take some time to count your blessings. Though you feel they’re not that great.

You will find they’re more abundant. Than you thought, at any rate.

Take some time to banish hatred. When and where you can.

Just detest man’s evil ways. And not your fellow man.

Take some time to love your children. Every moment you are free.

The benefits sure exceed. A university degree.

Take some time to love your neighbor. And even more important still,

Take some time to love yourself. Or not many others will.

And if you don’t like that image. Of yourself that others see,

Take some time to make some changes. Be the best that you can be.

Take some time to help another. Who you think might need a hand.

You will find the satisfaction. Leaves you feeling sort of grand.

Take some time to live by virtue. In the best way that is known,

And respect the rights of others. As equal to your own.

Take some time to just appreciate. The fact that you are here,

And to know that higher power. And to trust it without fear.

If you do these things with diligence. You will eventually be glad.

If you don’t attempt to do them. You may one day wish you had.

Although this no doubt could impose. Upon your time for seeking wealth,

There should be little question. That it could improve your health.

And though you might not be as wealthy. Nor drive so fine a car,

You’ll find you will be richer. In other ways by far.

Your time and mine is in God’s Hands but He has empowered us to use it responsibly.

- written by Leon Hansen

I’ve learned….
that the best classroom in the world
is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned….
that when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned….
that just one person saying to me,
“You’ve made my day!” makes my day.

I’ve learned….
that I feel better about myself when
I make others feel better about themselves.

I’ve learned….
that having a child fall asleep in your
arms is one of the most peaceful
feelings in the world.

I’ve learned….
that what we have done for ourselves
alone dies with us. What we have done
for others and the world remains and
is immortal.

I’ve learned….
that one sincere apology is worth more
than all the roses money can buy.

I’ve learned….
that words harshly spoken are as difficult
to retrieve as feathers in a gale.

I’ve learned….
that being kind is more important than
being right.

I’ve learned….
that you should never say no to a
gift from a child.

I’ve learned….
that I can always pray for someone when
I don’t have the strength to help him
in some other way.

I’ve learned….
that no matter how serious your life
requires you to be, everyone needs a
friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned….
that sometimes all a person needs is a
hand to hold and a heart to understand.