Secrets to Life
Secrets to Life articles by Chris Emmanuel.
A kid’s kindness
“The children can teach us if we listen” Last year(2010), Collete Kase presented the essays on Kindness she collected from the schools around San Pedro one of the stories that didn’t win really struck a chord in me on the value of kindness and how it can shape the future for our children. I am reprinting it in this column to share with you. Keeping kindness in the forefront not only builds great communities but encourages the young to share so we can enjoy communication with them as they grow into adults.
Wounded Past
“Forgiveness frees you from your own Prison.” A seed of love inside of you This flower waiting to be born When heart strikes joy beyond despair Such ease of life seem to appear Silent spark, a flame sustained Taste of bliss on earthy plane Internal treasure can’t be bought Heartfelt song eternal sought Passion lived is always shown Felt by all the source unknown -Emmanuel
Recipe for Sticky New Year Resolutions
“A resolution is a habit waiting to be made.” It’s the beginning if a New Year and we all start thinking about what we can leave behind and what we can bring in new. New Year’s resolutions are a big deal for many people around the world and we hope to make these lists into real accomplishment. Most people are still working on last year’s list and generally laugh at the idea of new resolutions.
Unique Expressions of Beauty
“You are the offspring of the radiant beloved.” There was a man who lived a miserable life in which he complained about the lot he was given in life who died and went to heaven. He went before God to plan his reincarnation. He asked God to spare him a troubled life on his return to Earth. God said to him sure and he ushered him into the planning room.
What Goes Around
“You get what you give out.” They may laugh at the good you do. Let them laugh. They may see the good you do as self serving. Continue to do good. They may see your generosity as grandstanding. Continue to be generous. They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness. Continue to be warm and caring. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.
Your True Identity
“Identity is the thief of your real self.”
LOVE IS FOOD
Love is sunshine for the soul; the sun shines on all, even on dark days it’s still behind the clouds.
Be kind to Animals
Kindness to animals and to all living things is one good way of expressing true religion. -Joseph F. Smith Many times we are all so wrapped up inside our heads that we don’t notice what is going on around us. And other times we witness something so emotionally charged it jolts us back into the reality outside ourselves. This was the case on this particular day I boarded the water taxi heading to San Pedro from Belize City.
Be Kind to La Isla Bonita
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb
Good Fortune, Bad Fortune
Maybe So, Maybe Not. - Ancient Taoist ProverbOne day, a farmer's horse ran away. His neighbors expressed sympathy, "What terrible luck that you lost your horse!" The farmer replied, "Maybe so, maybe not." A few days later, the horse returned, leading several wild horses. The neighbors shouted, "Your horse has returned, and brought more with him. What great fortune!" The farmer replied, "Maybe so, maybe not."
A Screwy Problem
It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. ~Roy Disney One of my ceiling fans stopped working. A quick trip to the hardware store placed a fan in box on my living room floor waiting to be installed. It all seems easy enough. Taking down the broken fan, I came upon a screw that wouldn’t loosen. After numerous consecutive tries I finally got some movement. I discovered a bolt attached to the screw that kept spinning not allowing me to loosen its’ hold.
Think Now!
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” Last week as we watched the sea boil up and the storm surge crash against the shore; we wondered how much rain is really going to show up here in San Pedro. Earlier on talking with some of the locals I could see how lost we really are to what nature is doing. CNN had us all hooked to the TV as we watched Tropical Storm Matthew. But do they really know what the great mother is doing?
Finding Faith In Hard Times
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Because of the present economic uncertainties, a lot of people are unsure about their future and feel insecure about themselves. These are tough times to be living in, but not as harsh as the past. A key element in surviving turbulent times lies in how much investment we make to our faith.
Suspicion & Mistrust
“When mistrust comes in, loves goes out.” Villagers gone mad? Reading this story in last week’s newspaper left a sickening feeling in my stomach. A community psychic who said the children Onelia and Benjamin Rash were fed to the crocodiles by American couple Vince & Cherie Rose, stirred up villagers who then burned the couple’s home and crocodile Sanctuary.
Feast and Famine
“Contented are those whose joy is not dependent upon the changing nature of the material reality.” Banana trees don’t care about money, they live by the seasons. Rain and sunshine, their power is patience. They know waiting long enough the season will change. We live in a world of opposites, to every turn of the earth there is a season turn, turn, turn. And a time for every purpose, under Heaven.
The Power Within
"People turn to God when their foundations are shaking, only to discover that it is God that is shaking them."
Stress Management Techniques
"Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness." ~Richard Carlson “I don’t care!!” She yells out at the girl behind the counter. It’s always uncomfortable when you walk into a situation where two people are arguing. You know nothing about what’s going on. I wanted to get something in the store, but I am at odds with the shouting. I decide to come back later and leave. No one likes to be around stress. Though, some people enjoy watching confrontation just to see what will happen.
Father Daughter, Son To Father
"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons." ~Johann Schiller
The Power of Apology
"An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything." - Lynn Johnston Most of the time we feel we can control life. This is the illusion we all enjoy called choice. But truth is there is a bigger player orchestrating what we call life. Life happens whether we make plans or not.
Flowers Don't Talk
"Silence is the source of great strength" - Lao Tzu There are beautiful flowers in Belize. Each one a unique variety, it’s hard to remember them all. Orchids are especially astounding some almost extraterrestrial looking show us the brilliance of nature’s simplicity. When you see these flowers you can only stare in amazement, as their silent beauty takes your breath away. That’s why flowers are a great way to show specialness without talking.