Inspirational page

Yin and Yang, Dark and Light, a Little Laughter to Make it Right
Two religious leaders were taking the evening meal together at Brother
Host's home in a festive manner. At the end of the meal Brother Guest
noticed the attractive housekeeper clearing the table. He'd drunk "not too
little" from the wine cup and so was a trifle indiscrete in addressing his
friend, "Dear Brother Host, we are colleagues for many years so please tell
me the truth. Are you "enjoying" the finer aspects of this sweet lady?"
Bother Host took it personally, " What are you suggesting? Never and never
again cast doubt on my chastity!" And soon after they parted company. The
next morning, Brother Guest received the following note from his friend and
colleague, "Dear Brother, Now, I'm not accusing you of being a thief but
there's a precious silver spoon missing from the dining room. If you should
find and return it, I'd be much obliged. " And Brother Guest responded
with a note of his own, " Dear Brother Host, Now I'm not accusing you of
being a liar but if you had slept in your own bed last night you'd have
discovered your silver spoon!"

BUTTERFLY COURAGE
by David L. Kuzminski

Walking down a path through some woods in Georgia in 1977, I saw a water
puddle ahead on the path. I angled my direction to go around it on the part
of the path that wasn't covered by water and mud.

As I reached the puddle, I was suddenly attacked! Yet, I did nothing, for the
attack was so unpredictable and from a source so totally unexpected. I was
startled as well as unhurt, despite having been struck four or five times
already. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Instead of
attacking more, he hovered in the air on graceful butterfly wings in front of
me.

Had I been hurt I wouldn't have found it amusing, but I was unhurt, it was
funny, and I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly!

Having stopped laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again.
He rammed me in the chest with his head and body, striking me over and over
again with all his might, still to no avail.

For a second time, I retreated a step while my attacker relented in his
attack. Yet again, I tried moving forward. My attacker charged me again. I
was rammed in the chest over and over again. I wasn't sure what to do, other
than to retreat a third time. After all, it's just not everyday that one is
attacked by a butterfly. This time, though, I stepped back several paces to
look the situation over. My attacker moved back as well to land on the
ground. That's when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments
earlier.

He had a mate and she was dying. She was beside the puddle where he landed.
Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her. I
could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for
his mate. He had taken it upon himself to attack me for his mate's sake, even
though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her
those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough
to step on her.

Now I knew why and what he was fighting for. There was really only one option
left for me. I carefully made my way around the puddle to the other side of
the path, though it was only inches wide and extremely muddy. His courage in
attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just
for his mate's safety justified it. I couldn't do anything other than reward
him by walking on the more difficult side of the puddle. He had truly earned
those moments to be with her, undisturbed.

I left them in peace for those last few moments, cleaning the mud from my
boots when I later reached my car. Since then, I've always tried to remember
the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge obstacles facing me. I use
that butterfly's courage as an inspiration and to remind myself that good
things are worth fighting for.

THE LITTLE GIRL
author unknown

Barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never
tried to speak, she never said a word. Many people passed, but never did one
person stop.

Just so happens, the next day I decided to go back to the park, curious if
the little girl would still be there. Right in the very spot as she was
yesterday, she sat perched on high, with the saddest look in her eyes. Today
I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl.

As we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young
children to play alone. As I began walking towards her, I could see the back
of the little girl's dress indicated a deformity. I figured that was the
reason the people just passed by and made no effort to help.

As I got closer, the little girl slightly lowered her eyes to avoid my intent
stare. I could see the shape of her back more clearly. It was grotesquely
shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK, I was there
to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple Hello. The
little girl acted shocked and stammered a "hi" after a long stare into my
eyes.

I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the
park was completely empty. Everyone was gone and we at once was alone. I
asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and with a
sad face said, "Because I'm different." I immediately said "that you are!"
and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder, she said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent." She
looked at me and smiled, slowly she stood to her feet, and said, "Really?"
"Yes, dear, you're like a little guardian angel sent to watch over all those
people walking by." She nodded her head "yes" and smiled, and with that she
spread her wings and said, "I am. I'm your guardian angel," with a twinkle in
her eye. I was speechless, sure I was seeing things.

She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself, my job here
is done." Immediately I stood to my feet and said, "Wait, so why did no one
stop to help an angel?" She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one who
could see me, and you believe it in your heart." And She was gone. And with
that my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you're all you
have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Mine was.