I
KNOW IT ALL. IS THERE ANYTHING
ELSE TO LEARN? YES, JUST A FEW MORE LESSON…..
FIRST
LESSON:
All
are significant.
During
my second month of nursing school, our professor gave
us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had
breezed through the questions, until I read the last
one: “What is the first name of the woman who
cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind
of joke.
I
had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was
tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I
know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.
Just before class ended, one student asked if the
last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,”
said the professor. “In your careers, you will
meet many people. All are significant. They deserve
your attention and care, even if all you do is smile
and say “hello.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned
her name was Dorothy.
SECOND LESSON:
Pickup
in the Rain
One
night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African-American woman
was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying
to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken
down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet,
she decided to flag down the next car. A young white
man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those
conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety,
helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi
cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down
his address and thanked him.
Seven
days went by and a knock came on the man’s door.
To his surprise, a giant console colour TV was delivered
to his home. A special note was attached. It read:
“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway
the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes,
but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because
of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s
bedside just before he passed away. God bless you
for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat king Cole.
THIRD
LESSON:
Always
remember those who serve you
In
the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,
a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and
sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in
front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?”
he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is
a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.
By
now, more people were waiting for a table and the
waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five
cents,” she brusquely replied.” The little
boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have
the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress
brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and
walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid
the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she
wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside
the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.
You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because
he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
LESSON FOUR:
The
Wooden Bowl
A
frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,
and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands
trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly
grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight
made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto
the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled
on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with
the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,”
said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled
milk, noisy eating and food on the floor.
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the
family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken
a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction,
sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were
sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled
food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening
before supper, the father noticed his son playing
with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child
sweetly, “What are you making?” just as
sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making
a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food in
when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and
went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were
speechless. Then tears started to stream down their
cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what
must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s
hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with
the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor
wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped,
milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Yes, a few more things to learn…..
On a positive note, I’ve learned that, no matter
what happens how bad it seems today, life does go
on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a
person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy
day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I’ve learned that, regardless of your relationship
with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re
gone from your life.
I’ve learned that making a “living”
is not the same thing as making a “life.”
I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a
second chance.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through
life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You
need to be able to throw something back.
I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it
will elude you. But, if you focus on your family,
your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing
the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I’ve learned that whenever I decide something
with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I
don’t have to be one.
I’ve learned that everyday; you should reach
out and touch someone.
People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm
hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.
The
greatest commandment: - “To love God with all
your heart, with all your understanding and with all
your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself
is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Mark12:32.
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