Beginnings

Each morning is the open door to a new world - new vistas, new aims, new plans and new thoughts. Each new day will bring new experiences - some not to our liking, some we could well do without. Others will challenge and inspire us. We wake to new ideas, friendships, opportunities and to the knowledge that we never face a day alone for God is with us every moment of every day. So we should leave behind our fears, failures, anxieties and disappointments when the dawn breaks and step out with God in faith and anticipation.

from In God's Presence by Joan Stott

Life

I want it, I fight for it, it's only given once. You!, You take it for granted, you even by choice put yourself at risk. Some even take it completely. Why then? Why should I undergo pain, tears, agony to keep it, when you, you use it like a tissue, use it, throw it away. You don't even think of us, the people who want it most, who would use it, who would cherish it. It's so precious, yet you don't know, it's so wanted but you don't care.
Think about it. Think next time you want/wish to be dead. Think! There's someone out there that just died who wanted to live.
LIFE….IT'S SOO PRECIOUS

(written by April Shewan, aged 14 1999 - as she shared her grandmother's struggles with a brain tumour).

Working Together

An out-of-towner in a desolated area drove his car into a ditch. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.
He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.
Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!"
And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times. The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind. If he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"

Serve God Where You Are

The essential assignment of God's children is
To love their fellow-beings and to demonstrate that love and concern in their daily lives.
Whereas some of you may be compelled
to leave your family and homeland
in order to carry out God's global purposes,
most of you will find your arena of service
on your own street or in your own neighbourhood.
The elderly lady next door,
a sick child down your street,
an oppressed minority community in your city,
the victims of injustice, poverty, crime and violence
these may well be the people you are to serve,
the situations in which you are to witness.
It is not enough to proclaim God's presence;
you are to be that presence.
He may not be able to touch those people except through you.
Do not measure your success
by the visible response, or results that may or may not be the consequence of your ministry.
You know well that Jesus' ministry
among the people He physically related to in this world could hardly be statistically ascertained.
Our Father in heaven will keep accurate records.
His concern for you is not that you be successful, but that you be faithful.
Keep the lines of communication open between you and God.
Allow Him through His Spirit within you to accomplish His purposes through you.
As your feet run His errands,
and your hands perform His deeds of love among your fellow-beings,
may your tongue be ready to express the joy of God's life and Word that is in you.
This is your assignment as God's children and servants in your broken world.

Luke 10:1-9 (Taken from Jesus/Now)

Remember the Y2K problem?

TRANSLATED FROM LATIN SCROLL DATED 2BC...
Dear Cassius
Are you still working on the Y zero K problem? This change from BC to AD is giving us a lot of headaches and we haven't much time left. I don't know how people will cope with working the wrong way around. Having been working happily downwards forever, now we have to start thinking upwards. You would think that someone would have thought of it earlier and not left it to us to sort it all out at this last minute.
I spoke to Augustus the other evening. He was livid that Julius hadn't done something about it when he was sorting out the calendar. He said he could see why Brutus turned nasty. We called in Consultus, but he simply said that continuing downwards using minus BC won't work and as usual charged a fortune for doing nothing useful. Surely we will not have to throw out all our hardware and start again? Macrohard will make yet another fortune out of this I suppose.
The money lenders are paranoid of course! They have been told that all usery rates will invert and they will have to pay their clients to take out loans. It's an ill wind ......
As for myself, I just can't see the sand in an hourglass flowing upwards. We have heard that there are three wise men in the East who have been working on the problem, but unfortunately they won't arrive until it's all over.
I have heard that there are plans to stable all horses at midnight at the turn of the year as there are fears that they will stop and try to run backwards, causing immense damage to chariots and possible loss of life.
Some say the world will cease to exist at the moment of transition. Anyway, we are still continuing to work on this blasted Y zero K problem. I will send a parchment to you if anything further develops.
If you have any ideas please let me know,
Plutonius

Learning to Affirm One Another…

(we don't have to limit this to children!)
If affirming words were something rarely spoken in your home growing up, let me give you some tips on words and phrases that can brighten your own child's eyes and life. These words are easy to say to any child who comes into your life. I'm proud of you, Way to go, Bingo ... you did it, Magnificent, I knew you could do it, What a good helper, You're very special to me, I trust you, What a treasure, Hurray for you, Beautiful work, You're a real trooper, Well done, That's so creative, You make my day, You're a joy, Give me a big hug, You're such a good listener, You figured it out, I love you, You're so responsible, You remembered, You're the best, You sure tried hard, I've got to hand it to you, I couldn't be prouder of you, You light up my day, I'm praying for you, You're wonderful, I'm behind you, You're so kind to your (brother/sister), You're God's special gift, I'm here for you.

John Trent, Ph.D., Vice President of Today's Family, Men of Action, Winter 1993, Page 5

Past, Present and Future

* Eternal God, Alpha and Omega, you have called us to be a part of Your story of grace at work in the world.
We thank you for the history of faith which affirms your presence for people in all walks and every station of life.
We praise you for the life of Jesus, demonstrating your empathy with us in life's journey, your willingness to suffer as a human being, still offering the way of hope.
As we look back, Lord God, remind us that your mercies are as fresh as the morning dew, renewed in each time, fresh for each new moment.
** Living and eternal God, we are reminded of your ongoing presence in our world.
By your spirit you walk with us each day, bringing guidance, giftedness and strength to continue the work of faith which we celebrate.
Keep us from consigning your work and your presence to the pages of history. Keep us alive to the fresh opportunities to experience and share your mercy and grace in the midst of contemporary life.
Grant that life each day might be shaped in purpose by our desire to live as Jesus would live, to steward our time, talents and resources in ways which demonstrate your priority in our lives.
*** Coming Lord Jesus, you call us not only to be part of your coming kingdom, but also to be part of creating a new future.
Though at times we struggle to adapt to and understand the changes which rage about us, teach us to keep our eyes fixed to you.
Teach us to shape our home lives, our work practices and our leisure experiences as an expression of your mission in and through us.
Let the full creativity of your Spirit be found in us, that our whole lives might be transformed by your renewing of our minds.
* Lord God, in a rapidly changing world, help us not to be swept away in the stampede of our consumer society.
Instead, help us to consciously choose the way of Jesus, echoed in the prayer he taught his disciples to pray...

Study the Horse

Ancient wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However in organisations we often try many other strategies, including the following:
1. Changing riders
2. Buying a stronger whip
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse
4. Arranging a visit to other sites to see how they ride dead horses
5. Increasing the standards for riding dead horses
6. Creating training sessions to improve riding skills
7. Comparing the state of dead horses in today's environment
8. Changing the requirements so that the horse no longer meets the standards of death
9. Hiring an outside consultant to show how dead horses can be ridden
10. Increasing funding to improve the horse's performance
11. Declaring that no horse is too dead to beat.

The Guide Book

On the table side by side, the Holy Bible and the TV guide.
One is well worn but cherished with pride - (not the bible, the TV guide)
One is used daily to help folks decide -
No it isn't the Bible, it's the TV guide.
As pages are turned, what shall we see -
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV
So they open the book in which they confide - (no not the Bible, it's the TV guide).
The work of God is seldom read, maybe a verse as they fall into bed, exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be.
Not from reading the bible, from watching TV.
So then back on the table side by side, is the Holy Bible and the TV guide.
No time for prayer, no time for the word,
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness for sin so full and free, is in the BIBLE, not on TV!!

(From Church News Services)

What About Abstinence?

I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students.
When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing.
When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material. There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand.
The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say. The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach "facts" and the home was responsible for moral training. I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.
"Donuts at the back," announced the teacher during the break. "I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared. They're right by the donuts and mingle with the other parents." Everyone moved to the back of the room. As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials.
I uttered a silent prayer for guidance. My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder. "Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at me. "The donuts are good."
"Thank you, no," I replied. "Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet you." "Somehow I doubt that," I replied. "Won't you please join them?" she coaxed.
Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, "Don't go." The instruction was unmistakable. "Don't go!"
I said, "I'll just wait here."
When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags. She ignored me. Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children.
Everyone please peel off your name tags." I watched in silence as the tags came off. "Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?" The gentleman across from me held it up. "Here it is!"
"All right," she said. "The flower represents disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?" He pointed to a couple of people. "Very good," she replied. "The handshake in this case is intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease."
There was laughter and joking among the parents. The teacher continued, "And with whom did the two of YOU shake hands? "The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread. "Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease"
It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now," it said, "but be humble." I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair. I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.
"Not all of us were infected," I said. "One of us .... abstained."

by Robert Layton

The Book

Announcing the new Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge device, otherwise known as the BOOK. It's a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use even a child can operate it. Just lift its cover. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disk.
Here's how it works: each BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. These pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. By using both sides of each sheet, manufacturers are able to cut costs in half.
Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. The BOOK may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. The "Browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward or backward as you wish. Most come with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.
An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open the BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers.
Portable, durable and affordable, the BOOK is the entertainment wave of the future, and many new titles are expected soon, due to the surge in popularity of its programming tool, the Portable Erasable-Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus...

Remember to Count your Blessings

A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels.
St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here all the petitions to God said in prayer are received. The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous sheets of paper from all over the world.
They walked again until they reached the second section. "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here the graces and blessings asked for are packed and delivered to those who asked for them down on earth". Oh, how busy it was! There were many angels working in that room, since so many blessings were being packed and delivered to earth.
Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel was there, hardly doing anything. "This is the Acknowledging Section," St Peter told the soul.
"How is it that there is no work here?"
St. Peter answered, "That's the sad thing. After people receive their blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments".
"How does one acknowledge God's blessing?".
"Simple, St. Peter answered, "Just say, "Thank you, Lord".

Growth and Change

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. It may mean a giving up of familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in relationships that have lost their meaning. As Dostoevsky put it, "Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most". The real fear should be of the opposite course.

- Gail Sheehy -

Things my mother taught me

My Mother taught me LOGIC... "If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."
My Mother taught me MEDICINE... "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way."
My Mother taught me TO THINK AHEAD... "If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"
My Mother taught me ESP... "Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?"
My Mother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE... "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"
My Mother taught me HUMOR... "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT... "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.
My mother taught me about GENETICS... "You are just like your father!"
My mother taught me about my ROOTS... "Do you think you were born in a barn?"
My mother taught me about the WISDOM of AGE... "When you get to be my age, you will understand."
My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION... "Just wait until your father gets home."
My mother taught me about RECEIVING... "You are going to get it when we get home."
And my all time favourite thing- JUSTICE... "One day you will have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU.. then you'll see what it's like."

It Could be Worse

Next time you think you are having a bad day, remember ......
1. The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were released back into the sea amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later they were both eaten by a killer whale.
2. Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet, didn't pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with "return to sender" stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb, he opened it and was blown to bits.

Valuing One Another

At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America. He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him. In those days a millionaire was a rare person; conservatively speaking, a million dollars in his day would be equivalent to at least twenty million dollars today.
A reporter asked Carnegie how he had managed to hire forty- three millionaires. Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result.
The reporter's next question was, "How did you develop these men to become so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?" Carnegie replied that men (people) are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt -- one goes in looking for the gold.

Kids' Instructions on Life

Never trust a dog to watch your food. Patrick, Age 10
When you want something expensive, ask your grandparents. Matthew, Age 12
Never smart off to a teacher whose eyes and ears are twitching. Andrew, Age 9
Sleep in your clothes so you'll be dressed in the morning. Stephanie, Age 8
Never try to hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Rosemary, Age 7
Never ask for anything that costs more than five dollars when your parents are doing taxes. Carrol, Age 9
Don't ever be too full for dessert. Kelly, Age 10
When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him. Heather, Age 16
Never tell your mom her diet's not working. Michael, Age 14
When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone. Alyesha, Age 13
Never try to baptise a cat. Laura, Age 13
Never spit when on a roller coaster. Scott, Age 11
Never do pranks at a police station. Sam, Age 10
Beware of cafeteria food when it looks like it's moving. Rob, Age 10
Never tell your little brother that you're not going to do what your mom told you to do. Hank, Age 12
You're never too old to hold your father's hand. Molly, Age 11
Listen to your brain. It has lots of information. Chelsey, Age 7
Never dare your little brother to paint the family car. Phillip, Age 13
Forget the cake, go for the icing. Cynthia, Age 8

Genuine Community is built when

...instead of complaining that people don't call us, we take a moment to call someone else and show that we care.
...instead of wondering why someone doesn't invite us to their home, we invite another to ours and enjoy sharing together
...we affirm the good things we see in others, and do not focus on other's (or our own!) shortcomings
...we are prepared to take risks in order to get to know others at more than a superficial level, rather than hold back and wonder what others are thinking.
...we are prepared to be a friend in order to make a friend.
...forgiveness and grace are central features of our life together, while judgment and condemnation are left outside.
...we are happy to share a meal with someone else, without undue concern for the fare we eat.
...everyone sees that they have a part in building community, so it is not always left to "someone else"
...we reach out because we care!

Warning signs

Dan Reiland, who serves as vice-president of leadership development at INJOY, has shared seven warning signals that can be used to see that loyalties are shifting from God to possessions.
1. When you go from managing your money to being anxious about it.
2. When envy and jealousy creep into your life.
3. When you lose appreciation for what God has already given you.
4. When you lose the joy of cheerful giving.
5. When you seek things more than God.
6. When you think that things will make you happy.
7. When enough is not enough.

World Elections

It is time to elect a world leader, and your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three leading candidates:
Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologers. He's had two mistresses and was not discrete about it. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: Was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.
Candidate C: Is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, politically conservative, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs.
Which of these candidates would be your choice??

World Elections: Candidates revealed

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
Candidate B is Winston Churchill
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler
Hmmm! Something to ponder on. Isn't it?

Mergers

You might remember the failed merger between Yahoo and Netscape - Net'n'yahoo. It didn't work out because they were afraid they would have to relocate the headquarters - Intel Aviv. There is a new merger in the works involving Polygraph Records, Warner Brothers, and Arnotts. It will be called Poly-Warner-Cracker.

The Conquerors

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three!
One lived and died for self, One died for you and me.
The Greek died on a throne; the Jew died on a cross.
One’s life a triumph seemed; the Other — but a loss.
One led vast armies forth the Other walked alone.
One shed a whole world’s blood; the Other gave His own!
One won the whole world in life and lost it in death;
The Other lost His life — to win a whole world’s faith.

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three!
One died in Babylon, and One on Calvary.
One gained all for himself; and One Himself He gave.
One conquered every throne; the Other — every grave!
The one made himself god; and God made Himself less;
The one lived but to blast; the Other but to bless.
When died the Greek — forever fell his throne of swords;
But Jesus died to live forever — King of kings and Lord of lords!

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three!
The Greek made all men slaves; the Jew can make all free!
One built a throne on hate; the Other built on love.
The one was born of earth; the Other from above!
One conquered all the earth to lose all earth and heaven;
The Other gave up all — that all to Him be given.
The Greek forever died; the Jew forever lives,
And to all who trust His finished Word — Eternal Life He gives!

- Charles Ross Weed

Unlock Your Potential

Michaelangelo worked on forty-four statues and completed fourteen of them. The unfinished ones are in a museum in Italy - the unfulfilled potential of a great genius. What's sadder to see are people who could become masterpieces - if only they were developed. You say, "How do I discover and develop my gifts?" First , look up. Find somebody who's a little bigger and a little better than you are, then spend time with them. That's what Joshua did with Moses and Timothy did with Paul. It's still God's way.
Next, give up. You've got to be willing to give up what you are, in order to be what you can become - Abraham gave up his home to seek a better country. Moses gave up the riches of Egypt to identify with the people of God. Paul gave up the comfort of being a Pharisee to pay the price of being an apostle. Every achiever has a 'give up' story - nothing comes free!
Finally, show up. If you want to win the game, you must face your opponent! Jephthah said, " . . . I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back." (Judg 11:35) In spite of his terrible family background and his personal problems, he became Israel's youngest judge and finished up with the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. God can do it for you too - if you'll let Him!

Character: Who you are when no-one’s looking

A scenario, from a 1995 poll of 198 sprinters, swimmers, powerlifters and other athletes, most of them U.S. Olympians or aspiring Olympians: You are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance, with two guarantees: (1) you will not be caught, and (2) you will win. Would you take the substance? 195 athletes said yes; 3 said no.
Scenario II: You are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance that comes with two guarantees: (1) you will not be caught, and (2) you will win every competition you enter for the next five years, and then you will die from the side effects of the substance. Would you take it? More than half the athletes said yes. from Sports Illustrated (April 14, 1997)

Character

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

- Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) -

What is Maturity?

• Knowing myself.
• Asking for help when I need it and acting on my own when I don't.
• Admitting when I'm wrong and making amends.
• Accepting love from others, even if I'm having a tough time loving myself.
• Recognising that I always have choices, and taking responsibility for the ones I make.
• Seeing that life is a blessing.
• Having an opinion without insisting that others share it.
• Forgiving myself and others.
• Recognising my shortcomings and my strengths.
• Having the courage to live one day at a time.
• Acknowledging that my needs are my responsibility.
• Caring for people without having to take care of them.
• Accepting that I'll never be finished -- I'll always be a work-in-progress.

from Courage to Change: One Day At a Time in Al-Anon, p 63

Real life begins...

For a long time it seemed to me that real life was about to begin, but there was always some obstacle in the way. Something had to be got through first, some unfinished business; time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

- Bette Howland -

The Rules for Being Human

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for the entire period this time around.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full time informal school called life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error, experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiment that ultimately "works."
4. A lesson is repeated until learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive there are lessons to be learned.
6. "There" is no better than "here." When your "there" has become a "here" you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."
7. Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
9. Your answers lie inside you. The answer to life's questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
10. This will often be forgotten, only to be remembered again.
(Author unknown)

Three Animals and an Argument

Three animals were having a huge argument over who was the best: The first, a hawk, claimed that because of his ability to fly, he could attack anything repeatedly from above, and his prey had nary a chance. The second, a lion, based his claim on his strength, and none in the forest dared to challenge him. The third, a skunk, insisted he needed neither flight nor strength to frighten off any creature. As the trio debated the issue, a grizzly bear came along and swallowed them all: hawk, lion and stinker!

Ever Wondered Why?

WHY DO MEN'S CLOTHES HAVE BUTTONS ON THE RIGHT AND WOMEN'S ON THE LEFT?
This custom began for practical purposes. Since most people are right-handed it's easier to push a button through its hole with the right hand. Thus, men's clothes have buttons on the right side.
But when clothes with buttons were first introduced, women who could afford to buy them were dressed by servants. Since the servant would be facing the woman, the buttons were put on the servant's right side, which of course is the woman's left side.

The Rogue Warrior's Leadership Code

* I will test my theories on myself first. I will be my own guinea pig.
* I will be totally committed to what I believe, and I will risk all I have for these beliefs.
* I will back my subordinates all the way when they take reasonable risks to help me achieve my goals.
* I will not punish my people for making mistakes. I'll only punish them for not learning from their mistakes.
* I will not be afraid to take action, because I know that almost any action is better than inaction. And I know that sometimes not acting is the boldest action of all.
* I will always make it crystal clear where I stand and what I believe.
* I will always be easy to find: I will be at the centre of the battle.