How We Affect Others

We may not always realize

that everything we do,

affects not only our lives,

but touches others too.

A single happy smile

can always brighten up the day,

for anyone who happens

to be passing by your way.

And a little bit of thoughtfulness

that shows someone you care,

creates a ray of sunshine

for both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer

someone a helping hand,

every time you show a friend

you understand.

Every time you have a kind

and gentle word to give,

you help someone to find beauty

in this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness

and loving ways bring love,

and giving is the treasure,

that contentment is made of.

-Author Unknown-

The Christmas Story

As a LifeCycles Christmas tradition, we share the story of one of America's most loved Christmas carols. The spirit of our nation lies deep within this song.

When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow composed this poem, which became the lyrics of a much-loved Christmas carol, America was still months away from General Robert E. Lee's surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Longfellow had long despaired over the Civil War, as it reflected his own darkest personal despair. His beloved wife Fanny had died two years earlier. His oldest son Charles, a Lieutenant in the Army of the Potomoc, had been seriously wounded in the war.

Thankfully, Charles survived. It was the start of the hope for a future without war for Longfellow. He awoke on Christmas Day 1863, and felt the inspiration to write a poem looking forward toward better days. Longfellow captured the nation’s awakening as well, as the poem ends with a confident hope of triumphant peace.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the entry.

The Bank Account

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:

Each morning your bank will deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use. However, this prize comes with rules just like any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:
1. The money that you do not spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.

Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:

1. The bank can end the game without warning. At any time it can say, “It’s over, the game is over!”
2. It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?

Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and your friends as well, right?

Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?

You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS LIFE!!

Each of us is in possession of such a “magical” bank.

We just can’t seem to see it.

THE MAGICAL BANK IS TIME!

Each awakening morning we receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us.

What we haven’t lived up to that day is forever lost.

Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time…….

WITHOUT WARNING.

WELL, what would you do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren’t they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, and enjoy life with your loved ones & friends as well!

Here’s wishing you a Wonderful MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

*Thanks to Angela who sent me this post.

A Good Habit

In 1912, efficiency expert Ivy Lee met with his prospective client, Charles Schwab
who was President of Bethlehem Steel, and outlined how his organization could benefit the company. Lee ended his presentation by saying:

"With our service, you'll know how to manage better."

Schwab then stated: "We don't need more 'knowing' but need more 'doing.' If you can give us something
to help us do the things we already know we ought to do, I'll gladly pay you anything within reason you ask."

"I can give you something in twenty minutes that will step up your doing at least fifty percent," Lee answered.
"Okay", Schwab said, "show me."

Lee then handed Schwab a blank sheet of paper and said:

"Write down the six most important tasks you have to do tomorrow in order of their importance. The first thing tomorrow morning look as item one and start working on it until it is finished."

"Then tackle item two in the same way; and so on. Do this until quitting time. Don't be concerned if you have only finished one or two. Take care of emergencies, but then get back to working on the most important items. The others can wait."

"Make this a habit every working day. Pass it on to those under you. Try it as long as you like, then send me your check for what you think it's worth."

In a few weeks, Schwab sent Lee a check for $25,000 with a letter stating that he learned a profitable lesson.

After five years this plan was largely responsible for turning the unknown Bethlehem Steel Company into the biggest independent steel producer.

Schwab purportedly made a hundred million dollars and became the best known steel man in the world.

~ Author Unknown ~