cannyben

I know a song writer who often gets his hit tunes while he is asleep. His subconscious mind works on the tune while he is asleep. It then comes to him as though he were in a dream. After heaving it in this sort of dream state, he awakens himself and puts the tune down on paper. It is like recording a dream that you want to remember. The utilization of the subconscious in this manner is an integral link in the chain of success. There are thousand approaches to the road that ultimately lead to success, but once the approaches have led you to the proper road, one must travel the “straight” and “narrow” the rest of the way. It is marked along the way with difficulties, and each milestone brings you closer to the goal, and each milestone is charged with a deep and gratifying reward of its own. Eventual success is the sum total of all these rewarding experiences merged into one glorious sensation of achievement. We now have a reasonable and logical question, can each of us do this by ours

A young boy was fascinated to see the stirrings of life in a cocoon. The moth inside was struggling to free itself, but the process was slow and tedious. Thinking he would help the moth, he slit the cocoon with his pocketknife, and the insect emerged freely. But it had none of the expected colour, it couldn’t fly, and it soon died. The boy later learned that a moth’s struggle to free itself is a necessary part of its development, and that the process stimulates body fluids that give luster to its wings. Most of us must confess that we find it difficult to endure times of suffering and trial patiently. However, bitter disappointments, painful suffering, and shattering sorrow can be a means of strengthening our character.

We think about our critics that they are prejudiced and their remarks arouse a natural antagonism in us. But, they may contain more than truth. If nothing else, their criticism should remind us that perhaps our actions and motives do not appear to be as pure and worthy to others as we think they are. We all have a natural tendency to retaliate when someone questions our motives and actions. If you are wise, listen to your critics. Adverse remarks could be a blessing in disguise – if you take a positive attitude and derive from them a new understanding of your own shortcomings. The response we make to our critics is really a judgment on our own character.

In the olden times, inns/rest houses were available, but were often unsafe and uncomfortable. Travelers had to rely on relations or acquaintances to get a night’s lodging. Our homes are a very private part of our lives; home is where we go when we want to escape some of life’s pressures. We feel safe and secure there. To open our homes to others opens part of ourselves to them. By offering hospitality, we invite others to enjoy the blessings we enjoy. It takes a little work, but it is well worth the effort. In our busy lives, we may think hospitality is too time consuming. But we need to take the time to welcome others to enjoy our food and fellowship. If we do it with joy, we may be surprised by the joy we receive.