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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2011 16:33:41 GMT -5
Please note, I heard this story second hand. I can't verify it's facts because I don't remember where my pastor got it from, sorry.
A Miraculous War
3rd of February, 2011
My pastor once told me a story he had read when he was younger. It continues to fill me with hope and wonder even to this day.
In the Vietnam war, a small squad of US soldiers got cut off from their platoon. Lost in the mountains, surrounded by nothing but snow and ice, the soldiers began to get hungry and very cold. They were there for two days, every one of them praying for a miracle, when out of the forest came charging a large boar. They raised their weapons ready to fire, but before they could get off a single shot, the beast just dropped dead right in front of them.
That night they made a fire and feasted on the meat, and when the stars came out, a young Vietnamese man wandered over to their camp. He spoke perfect English and told them to follow him, that he would show them the way through the mountains. They followed, and some time later emerged back into an area of the jungle they knew. When they turned to thank the young man, he had gone.
Maybe it's a miracle, maybe it's just pure dumb luck. Who really knows?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2011 16:07:21 GMT -5
Smile!
4th of February, 2011
Smile!
Buzëqeshje
ابتسم
Ժպտալ
Təbəssüm
Ўсмешка
Усмивка
微笑
Úsměv
Smil
Glimlach
Naeratus
Ngiti
Hymy
Sorriso
ღიმილი
Χαμόγελο
Souri
לחיך
मुस्कान
Mosoly
Bros
Senyum
笑顔
미소
Risu
Smaids
Šypsena
Насмевка
Senyum
لبخند زدن
Uśmiech
Zâmbet
Улыбка
Смиле
Úsmev
Tabasamu
รอยยิ้ม
Gülümseme
Посмішка
مسکراہٹ
שמייכל
Lachëln (Thanks Poldon)
Sonrisa (Thanks Ginz)
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Feb 3, 2011 16:16:48 GMT -5
I see you missed Spanish, so... Sonrisa.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2011 16:18:34 GMT -5
I see you missed Spanish, so... Sonrisa.  ! I tried, but I couldn't find an accurate translation! I find this shocking considering the prevalence of Spanish. -_- Thank you anyways.  |
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Feb 3, 2011 18:03:22 GMT -5
I see you missed Spanish, so... Sonrisa. ! I tried, but I couldn't find an accurate translation! I find this shocking considering the prevalence of Spanish. -_- Thank you anyways. No worries! I do understand why it was hard. "Sonrisa", which is the word I said, is actually smile as the noun. If you want the verb (non conjugated) it would be "Sonreir." But if you want to tell someone to smile, then it would be "Sonríe." So yeah, if I didn't know better, it would be so confusing for me too. XD I love you, Sarn. =D I just wanted to contribute. <3 |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 16:45:04 GMT -5
Birds
6th of February, 2011
For those of you who don't like them, this post really isn't for you, but as for me, I'm in love with birds! I love them so much that I make Scar shush whenever we're on Skype and I hear them chirping away. When I visit gardens and parks, I look at the flowers, but my ears are always perked for the sounds of those beautiful creatures.
There's just so much about them that is enchanting and fantastic. Flight alone is a miraculous thing, and the ease with which they dart and soar and flutter is a marvel to behold. Gravity seems to have relented and let them be free of its confines.
Their songs are so beautiful, from the clear and sharp calls to the soft tinkling chirp or the gentle and melodious melodies. Even the harsh cawing of carrion birds has its own story.
And the way they look, with their tiny little legs and their outstretched wings that fold so neatly and snugly by their sides. Their tiny little eyes that work so much better than ours. The soft downy feathers that trail down to the long patterned feathers spreading out in a perfect fan-like arrangement.
Truly, birds are wonderful creatures. ^_^
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 17:58:14 GMT -5
The Race
7th of February, 2011
Attributed to Dr. D.H. "Dee" Groberg.
Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.”
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”
But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!”
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try?
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.
“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”
And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2011 19:18:03 GMT -5
Thanks to Sen for finding this for me. ^_^
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
8th of February, 2011
By Emily Dickenson
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 17:58:32 GMT -5
All I Want is You
10th of February, 2011
By Barry Louis Polisar
If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves
If I was a flower growing wild and free
All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.
And if I was a tree growing tall and green
All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were a river in the mountains tall,
The rumble of your water would be my call.
If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow
Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were a wink, I'd be a nod
If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod.
If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug
And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
If you were the wood, I'd be the fire.
If you were the love, I'd be the desire.
If you were a castle, I'd be your moat,
And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.
All I want is you, will you be my bride
Take me by the hand and stand by my side
All I want is you, will you stay with me?
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2011 23:41:08 GMT -5
I haven't been able to keep up with this thread very well owing to my busy days and quite a bit of stress, but I will keep on trying. ^_^ Today's Smile is a little stranger than usual, since I'm actually going to give advice. Take from it what you will.
A Special Someone
14th of February, 2011 (Valentine's Day!)
I know everyone says it, but those who haven't experienced it can't really know the truth of the cliche; relationships are hard work. They're well worth the effort, but it truly is a day-by-day struggle. When the honeymoon period is over and you begin to fall back into the normality of life, the universe and everything, cracks will inevitably begin to show. In this case, it truly is a matter of "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger", as every couple who have gone through hardship together will tell you. But what can really make or break a relationship is not how much love you have, how many kisses you exchange, how often you see each other or how compatible you are, it's how you deal with it when things turn rough.
Bit of a disclaimer here: No couple is perfect, owing to the fact that no human is perfect. Scar and I are no exception, and we have made plenty of mistakes, some of which nearly cost us what we have together, others merely causing a bit of ruffled feathers. What I'm about to share with you comes from personal experience. It is not, and should never be taken as holy writ, merely something to ponder and perhaps even to take on board and use in the future. I am no pro at relationship advice. xD;
I do, however, have a measly year and a half of partnership with Scar, and if you know anything about me then you'll know that both he and I went through some very difficult situations, both individually and together. From Scar being laid off to my being attacked, depression, long distance difficulties, and I even broke up with him for two weeks. I won't share more than that, but I will share the three things that can really make or break you, not just in the hard times, but in everyday life as well.
1. Always think the best of each other
Innocent until proven guilty. Give them the benefit of the doubt. It's as simple and easy as that. You cannot uphold a healthy relationship if you are constantly suspecting and doubting your partner's actions, intentions and words. Maybe a situation looks suspicious, maybe he says he's working late, or she says she's been acting strange, so think the best of each other. Respect you partner as much as you love them. Trust them so that they can trust you, and thus you can trust them more, even if there seems to be no other alternative, trust them. It is better to trust and have your feelings hurt than to tear yourselves apart from mistrust.
2. Forgive quickly
I'm very good at getting irritated and then forgetting about it in the space of a few milliseconds, much to Scar's frustration, but I am awful at truly forgiving. You see, part of forgiving someone is choosing to get hurt rather than get even, and the other part is forgetting. Not turning a blind eye, but actively choosing to forget what was done or said that made you upset. Many times people (myself included) forgive their partner for some small wrongdoing, but then bring it up at a later date as evidence in another argument. Friends, this is not true forgiveness. What you must do is set aside what you've chosen to forgive and then never mention it again. Making your partner feel guilty is both cruel and unproductive, so just let it go and move on.
3. Don't compare your partner to others
You've all done it at some stage or another. "Why can't you be more like ____?" or "____ gives his/her partner flowers! T_T" and there are just so many reasons why this will spell disaster. No matter how close you are to someone else, you won't know them as intimately as you do your partner. You will always find people who posses traits you find appealing. Perhaps these traits are not ones your partner possesses, but you must also remember that you choose each other for a reason, and that reason is far stronger than a personality trait that thousands of others also have. Remember that you love each other for many reasons, but also for the sake of love itself, which needs no reason. And you've also got to realize that there are things your partner wants that you lack. No one is perfect, and no one will match you perfectly.
And one last bit of advice that isn't included in these three, but which is utterly essential ... do not under any circumstances forget how lucky you are. If you are in a loving and committed relationship, then you should always remember that there are plenty of other people in this world who are single and lonely, or with someone who is unloving or abusive, or who was forced to marry at a shockingly young age, or who is treated like a possession by their significant other. You are so darn lucky, and the best way for you to remember that and honour the people who aren't as fortunate is to make your relationship, that blessed and beautiful companionship, work! Make it flourish for the sake of everyone who can't have what you've got.
And one last thing, something Leoness told me a long time ago, and which has stayed with me; Love is taking someone imperfect, and loving the perfectly.
Happy Valentine's Day.
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Post by Terra on Feb 16, 2011 14:06:02 GMT -5
Beethoven's 5th Symphony
16th of February, 2011
Look at this kid's joy and enthusiasm. XD
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2011 5:53:47 GMT -5
Silly Cats!
23rd of February, 2011
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Post by Lizzie on Feb 23, 2011 20:04:25 GMT -5
Baby Snow Leopard
February 23rd, 2011 Have a 6 week old snow leopard that lives at a zoo in Tennessee. <3
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2011 17:02:17 GMT -5
Hey, Jude.
February 25th, 2011I think some Beatles fans might like this. It made both of my parents smile. ^_^
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2011 7:04:05 GMT -5
I've been awful at updating this for various reasons; illness, earthquakes and laziness. xD
Being Human
6th of March, 2011
Often I hear phrases commonly used - or thrown about carelessly - that demean what it is to be human. Ever said "I'm only human", as if it's a bad thing! Whether unconsciously or not, people seem to think that being human is tantamount to being weak, worthless ... to being hurt. I am guilty of this phrase too.
And yet, what does it mean to be human? Humans are silly, sure, and sometimes we're weak, but that isn't all we are. We are plenty of other things too. We're childhood and first steps, running, potty training, learning, growing, evolving, thinking, feeling, jumping, singing, dancing, laughing. We are rolling down hills, grass stains in pants, muddy hands and eating bugs. We are pretty frilly dresses and silly jokes and secrets whispered in the ears of trusted friends. We are companionship and warmth, welcome and delicious food, we are travel and adventure and great feats of daring and bravery, and we are friendship and love, kisses and hugs, glowing eyes and adoring hearts and affectionate hands.
We are human. And that is amazing.
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