Tell Someone They're Valued.

Post 431 ~~ Thursday, 3rd April 2008.

Hello my friends ~~ I hope you are all doing well and having
nice weather and a good week. It has been quite cold here,
which is still better than too hot ~ in my opinion. As a result
of the colder weather, I made a large crockpot of a beef
casserole. It smells good, so will do a few more vegetables
tomorrow. Salads are off the menu for the time being for me.

Tonight I have a nice story called "Tell Someone They're
Valued. I hope you enjoy it.

The students at Sandy's high school were badly shaken by
the news that a classmate had killed himself. The suicide
note said, "It's hard to live when nobody cares if you die."

Glen, a teacher, realized this was a teachable moment about
the importance of making people feel valued. He asked his
class to imagine they were about to die and to write a note
"telling someone how and why you appreciate them."

Sandy, who had a rocky relationship with her mother, wrote
her mom. Her letter read:

We've had some rough times and I haven't always been a good
daughter, but I know I'm lucky to have you in my life. You are
the best person I've ever known. And even when I disagree with
you, I never doubt you love me and want what's best for me.
Thanks for not giving up on me.

When her Mom read the note, she cried and hugged Sandy
tightly, but said little.

The next morning, Sandy found a note on her mirror :

Dearest Sandy, I want you to know that being your mother is,
by far, the most important thing in my life. Until I got your
note, I thought I had lost your love and respect. I felt like
such a failure. I intended to end it all last night. Your note
saved my life.

Be careful not to underestimate the power of expressed
appreciation. It won't always save a life, but it will always
make someone's life better.
<><>

Time for some jokes ~ ~ ~

The gorgeous new maid had once been a gymnast in Romania.
She was now trying to improve her English by working for
Lord and Lady Spiffleburgson at their mansion in Dorset.

The maid had been with the Spiffleburgsons for only nine
days and found many English habits rather strange. But she
was determined to succeed as she desperately needed her
salary to help support her family in Romania.

Thus it was that at a luncheon party at the mansion she
walked in, carefully carrying a large bowl of salad, but the
guests were rather astonished that she was completely naked.

The gentlemen at the luncheon raised their eyebrows while
secretly admiring her trim, lithe young body, while the ladies
demurely tried to look away.

After the maid had placed the bowl of salad on the table and
was leaving the room. Lady Spiffleburgson rose from her
chair and accompanied the maid to the kitchen.

"My dear," said her ladyship, "why are you walking around
naked?"

"I only obey your orders," said the maid, "I hear you say-
- you say several times -- and you say it important for me to
remember -- I must serve the salad without dressing."
<><>

The Scotsman was visiting London for the day and called
upon a lady of pleasure in Soho and, after he had partaken
of her bodily delights, he gave her $2000.

"Why, that's incredibly generous of you," exclaimed the
surprised lady. "No man has ever before given me so much.
And yet, from your accent, you sound Scottish. Which part
of Scotland do you come from?"

"From Edinburgh," replied the Scotsman.
"How fantastic. My father works in Edinburgh."
"I know, " Said the Scotsman. "When he heard I was coming
to London, he asked me to bring you a share of his lottery
winnings - $2000.
<><>

My friend, Freda, has been writing to a male pen-friend for
eighteen months. He lives 200 miles away.
Gradually their letters grew more and more romantic,
until eventually they felt they had to meet each other.

"Un fortunately," wrote the man, "I am seven feet tall,
have a large nose, and my ears stick out."

"Don't worry," wrote back Freda. "Your letters showed me
your true self. But when you arrive at Paddington Station,
please hold a carnation in your left hand, so that I can
recognize you."
<><>

A friend of mine was in New York and was approached by
a prostitute.
"Would you like a good time ?" asked the woman.
"How much ?" asked my friend.
"What do you think I'm worth ?" asked the prostitute.
" $50 ?" suggested my friend.
"Cheapskate." snapped the prostitute. "You only get ugly
trash for that sort of money."

Later that evening my friend was with his wife, waiting for a
taxi outside the hotel. The prostitute happened to walk by
and as she did so, she hissed, "See, I told you $50 would o
nly get you ugly trash."
<><>

The driver of a lorry loaded with the latest edition of a
thesaurus swerved to avoid a cat and crashed into a tree.
The driver was reported as being stunned, shocked, jolted,
taken abacl by the unexpected, unanticipated, unpredicted,
unforeseeable, unannounced, unheralded event, misfortune,
bad luck accident.
<><>

The plane suddenly seemed to rock about and the captain
turned on the public address system and said, "There's
nothing to worry about. It's just a mechanical problem.
The two engines seem to have lost a bit of power and one
of them is on fire -- so I'm just putting on my parachute
and going for help!!!"
<><>

Albert was disappointed with his wife. Almost every night
she had a headache, or was too tired or made some other
escuse not to make love.

In desperation, knowing how much his wife loved money,
he told her, "I'll put $10 in the top drawer of your dressing
table every time we make love."

Soon, A;bert was happy and his wife delighted in taking the $10
notes from him for her passionate work.

Then one day Albert happened to open the top drawer of the
dressing tablr and saw a bundle of $10 notes, and another
bundle of $20 notes -- plus a number of $50 notes.

"Where did all this money come from ?" asked Albert.
"I only gave you $10 notes."
"Well dear," said his wife, "not everyone is as mean as you."
<><>

I bought a book called the Living Wisdom of the Tao and
will leave a few sayings from it ~ ~ ~

When my work is done, it is forgotten.
That is why it lasts forever.

I know there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the Way.

I work at eliminating all my judgments of others.

I pay attention to my inner callings and apply my
own uniqueness to everything I undertake.

It is through selfless action that I experience my
own fulfillment.

When my cup is full, I stop pouring.
<><>

Well that is it for tonight my friends. Enjoy your
lives and share some smiles with strangers. And
tell someone how much you care. Love and best
wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 431 ~ ~ ~ Thursday, 3rd April 2008
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