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"Bear Hugs Kettle"

There is an anecdote of the Far West that carries a wonderful lesson. It appears that a party of hunters, being called away from their camp, left the campfire unattended, with a kettle of water boiling on it. Presently an old bear crept out of the woods, and, seeing the kettle with its lid dancing about on top, promptly seized it. The boiling water scalded him badly; but instead of dropping the kettle instantly, he proceeded to hug it tightly - this being a bear's idea of defense. Of course, the tighter he hugged it the more it burned him; and the more it burned him the tighter he hugged it; and so on in a vicious circle, to the undoing of the bear.

This illustrates perfectly the way in which many people hug their difficulties to their bosoms by constantly rehearsing them to themselves and others. Whenever you catch yourself thinking about your grievances, say to yourself sternly: "Bear hugs Kettle," and think about God instead. You will be surprised how quickly some long-standing wounds will heal.

 

"Around the Year with Emmet Fox"

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"Hiding In The Shadows"

In life sometimes we lose our place,
And in our hearts we are left with just an empty space.
We only concentrate on the loneliness and pain,
And a glimpse of our reflection reveals
a person ordinary and plain.


We forget about all the people's lives we have touched,
And instead think that our own life doesn't amount to much.
But it's amazing what the mind hides when the soul is lost,
And how many excuses to avoid achievement that we can exhaust.


For a person such as you harbors so much potential,
But in order for it to flourish self confidence is essential.
You possess charisma and compassion that is shared so freely,
And a radiant beauty that only you cannot see.
And when the time comes and you finally appreciate who you are,
This will be the day the world inherits it's most brilliant star.
So my friend never lose yourself in another's shadow,
Let your own talents and abilities allow you to grow,
And that empty space in your heart will overflow.

---

"Anyway"

People are often unreasonable,

Illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway

If you are kind,

People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,

You will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

People may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,

Someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

They may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

And it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,

It is between you and God;

It never was between you and them anyway.

~Anonymous