Mind Opener

A great piece about the power of a little generosity and ingenuity. Check out the Facebook page at the end to see how you can pay it forward too!

It all started with a trip to Trader Joe’s. Jenni Ware had just rung up her groceries, which came to a total of $207. But as she reached into her purse, she discovered that she’d left her wallet at home.

Ware was about to go home grocery-less when she received a kind offer from the stranger in line behind her, a woman named Carolee Hazard. Hazard offered to pay Ware’s entire bill, simply asking her to send her a check to cover the cost.

The next day, Hazard received a check for $300—$93 more than she’d lent to Ware.

“I didn’t know what to do with the money,” Hazard told USA Today. “I’d thought to mail a check back to Jenni, but in the day and age of Facebook, I turned to my friends to decide what to do with the money instead,”

A friend suggested donating the cash to charity. Hazard thought that was a great idea, and selected the Second Harvest Food Bank, matching the $93 with an additional $93 of her own.

Several of Hazard’s friends were so inspired by her actions that they decided to make their own $93 donations. Soon, their friends were following suit. The group of philanthropists created “the 93 Dollar Club,” and a Facebook page to go along with it. A year since that fateful day at Trader Joe’s, the club has raised more than $100,000 to fight hunger in America.

Now that their story is getting so much attention, Hazard has a bold new goal: doubling donations to $200,000. Want to help? Check out the Facebook page for more info.

Source: Gimundo

Last night, a friend stopped over. We talked to the wee hours of the morning, sipping some great wine. While it was all worth it, today I’d prefer to do nothing rather than…something. Ah, laziness. It gets such a bad rap, doesn’t it? Here’s some quotes to NOT inspire you!

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.  ~Jules Renard

I like the word “indolence.” It makes my laziness seem classy.  ~Bern Williams

All of the biggest technological inventions created by man - the airplane, the automobile, the computer - says little about his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his laziness.  ~Mark Kennedy

Efficiency is intelligent laziness.  ~David Dunham

People who throw kisses are mighty hopelessly lazy.  ~Bob Hope

Tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man.  ~Jimmy Lyons

It’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?  ~Ronald Reagan

What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient.  ~Bodie Thoene, Warsaw Requiem

There is no cure for laziness but a large family helps.  ~Herbert Prochnov

Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy.  ~Charlie McCarthy

We have produced a world of contented bodies and discontented minds.  ~Adam Clayton Powell, Keep the Faith, Baby!, 1967

The time will come when winter will ask you what you were doing all summer.  ~Henry Clay

How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?  ~Paul Sweeney

The present generation, wearied by its chimerical efforts, relapses into complete indolence.  Its condition is that of a man who has only fallen asleep towards morning: first of all come great dreams, then a feeling of laziness, and finally a witty or clever excuse for remaining in bed.  ~Søren Kierkegaard

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.
Sam Keen

A touching story about one girl’s vision to make many children happy:

Ana’s Vision

“Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.

- Eliza Tabor

We’ve all dealt with dissapointment in one form or the other. Often we shoulder the blame in one form or the other, prolonging our time in pain.

I like the basics that this piece has to offer.

Disappointment is the feeling that results when someone is let down or left with unfulfilled expectations. It can be something as simple as being stood up for a lunch date or as serious as a being deserted by a friend in the darkest hour of need. If not dealt with in an appropriate manner, disappointment can lead to bitterness and a host of other damaging emotions and behaviors.

Recognizing Disappointment

The world we live in is far from perfect and disappointment is easy to recognize. It manifests as a hollow feeling inside; the feeling of being let down and even betrayed. Feelings of hurt, disbelief and shock often accompany disappointment and the stronger the relationship to the person involved, the greater the disappointment.

Understanding Disappointment

Disappointment is a natural reaction, a normal response to being let down, especially by those who seemed trustworthy. In fact disappointment can be described as a breach of trust; the failure to fulfill a promise or an expectation. It is not something that should be laughed off or disregarded but rather something that needs to be worked through until healing comes.

Dos and Don’ts

· Don’t be eager to make new plans, change jobs or cut off relationships

· Don’t lay the blame entirely on the other person

· Don’t lash out and try and inflict pain as revenge

· Don’t say “I don’t care” when you really do

· Don’t assume that you know the whole truth behind what happened

· Don’t allow disappointment to develop into bitterness

· Do ask questions and try and understand the situation better

· Do examine your actions and see if you contributed in any way

· Do talk it over with a friend or counselor

· Do offer forgiveness even if it is not warranted

Long Term Effects of Disappointment

Repeated disappointments or even one big disappointment can lead to a miserable life if not dealt with. The important thing to remember is that disappointment is probably harming the victim more than the person who caused it. People who are unable to forgive are often bitter, self-centred people who trust no one. They are unpleasant to be around and their behavior perpetuates the problem. No one likes to be around people who ooze resentment and self pity.

How to get over Disappointment

After working through the dos and don’ts above, recovery is basically a decision. A choice has to be made to forgive and emotionally release the one who disappointed. The decision won’t necessarily remove negative feelings, but if stood by, will eventually bring healing and release. It does not mean trusting that person again, or doing business with them, but forgiveness will bring personal freedom.

Disappointment affects everyone from babies up to old people and it is important to deal with it in a constructive manner. When struggling with a particularly big disappointment, remember that forgiveness and mercy are essential for healing. Finally, remember that dealing with disappointment is a process and something that crops up in life on an ongoing basis. Victorious people are those who have learned to deal with it.

Read more at Suite101: Dealing with Disappointment: How to Overcome the Disappointments that Plague us in every day Life http://personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/dealing_with_disappointment#ixzz0y6r451rn