Beyond the wall

Filed Under Inspiration | 3 comments

Change Your Thinking

It’s been said that it  will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

 

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

 

 

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

 

His bed was next to the room’s only window.

 

 

 

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

 

 

 

The men talked for hours on end.

 

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

 

 

 

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

 

 

 

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

 

 

 

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake

 

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

 

 

 

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

 

 

 

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

 

 

 

Days, weeks and months passed.

 

 

 

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

 

 

 

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

 

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

 

 

 

It faced a blank wall..

 

 

 

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

 

 

 

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

 

 

 

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

 

 

 

 

Epilogue:

 

 

 

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

 

 

 

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

 

 

 

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have money can’t buy.

 

 

 

‘Today is a gift, this is why it is called The Present .’

 

 

 

The origin of this letter is unknown, and I have read it several times.

 

It doesn’t change how my heart feels every time I read it.

 

Hugs.

 

 

 

 

 

May 5, 2012 at 4:43 pm | Inspiration | 3 comments

Dark and Cloudy Days

Filed Under Inspiration | 32 comments

Remember that when we come upon  Dark and Cloudy portions of our life it isn’t necessarily a bad thing…

We might just have to look closer  with real purpose to see the beauty… because whether  we take the time to “look” or not, it’s still there.

Please visit Susan and the  OutDoor Wednesday gang… there are some smashing sites to see.

Also remember Melissa at The Inspired Room where she has a great apple pie neighbor gift idea.

And Stop back tomorrow when we will have a wee bit of a celebration on EARLY Halloween!

TTFN~~  Claudia ♥ ♥

October 13, 2009 at 11:17 pm | Inspiration | 32 comments

Road Less Traveled

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I rounded a curve that brought me here…

As I drove up the canyon last week I came to a bit of a bend in the road that forced me to make a choice.

The majority of “fall viewers” were driving up the wider and less dusty path… so I took the road less traveled…  the serendipitous road  that made all the difference. Which brought to mind one of my life long poems I love.

The Road Not Taken 

Robert Frost
 
 
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

TELL ME… take a minute to re-read that poem and tell me what you think it means?

Do you think it means : the literal (and more common) interpretation, the poem is inspirational, a paean to individualism, to non-conformism?

Or do you think it means: the ironic interpretation, widely held by critics, is that the poem is instead about regret and personal myth-making, rationalizing our decisions?

Or are you with me when I think it means: Not the opportunities foregone or lost – but rather emphasises on choices made and embracing  and celebrating them?

Tell me– really — I would love to hear what your thoughts are!

Or…

Are we all just a bunch of WILD TURKEYS???   Running a muck?

 

*Amie Beck – pink tree cake* (not my photo)

To my darling Sister, SDD– May you have the happiest of Bdays darling! I miss you and hope you have a wonderful day– you are one of the biggest TURKEYS of them all! Smooch!!

As always visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer where she launches her weekly Outdoor Wednesday party!

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

October 7, 2009 at 12:02 am | Inspiration | 9 comments

Best way to get in touch with your feminine side

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Typically I don’t fancy myself very “girlie” or fancy feminine. My style seems a bit more on the traditional side.

~~However~~
the Best way to get in touch with my over the top feminine  side,

 is to step into a delicious Boutique.

Dear Lizzie is one of those fantastic Boutiques!

Even down to the soft drape and very pink touches at the dressing rooms– you will be charmed by every cliche` known to PINK-dom. (yes, I have been known to create my own words- now shoosh!)

Can’t you just picture this feathery wreath atop a polka-dot little ones bed?

~Look at the detail in this Pink Chandelier~

Items of every sort, reminiscent of vintage inspirations, are merchandised perfectly.

Been looking for that illusive gift for the Bride? Or the Mother of the Bride? or even her Brides maids?

I adore charms. Look at the selection !! Ohhh my goodness –I could really get myself in a lot of trouble.

From cotton crisp to velvety plush robes– to Whisper White linens– I can picture myself in this fantastic bed –nuzzled up reading the Latest Danielle Steel Romance Novel.

Or best yet, what a fun place to come with a best friend for tea?

Or just a simple Sweet treat?

Laura, at Dear Lizzie’s is as gracious as you would like any hostess to be; stop by and visit her shop and Bistro. If you can’t drive up to Highland, Utah, stop by her website (click here)

Laura, it was lovely meeting you! Thanks so much for the visit.

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥

Be sure and check out the other Lovelies at Hooked on Fridays– see what they are all raving about. Melissa at the Inspired Room has some very fun things going on as well. And last but never least, check out all the PINK ones at How Sweet the Sound.

July 10, 2009 at 12:59 am | Inspiration | 43 comments

It’s a Beautiful Morning

Filed Under Inspiration | 4 comments

    

Aren’t these clouds and sky just fabulous? I had to share… who would’ve known 4 hours later we would be having “Severe Thunderstorm warnings“?

This morning while visiting some of my favorite blog friends, I found a new one. Check her out…oooooh my goodness its lovely, especially if you enjoy Hydrangeas. Meet, Susan from Southern Daydreamer.

TTFN~~Claudia

June 3, 2009 at 12:03 pm | Inspiration | 4 comments

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