The Value Of Time
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
> To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a
premature baby.
> To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly
newspaper.
> To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to
meet.
> To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
> To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an
accident.
> To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a
silver medal in the Olympics.
> Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because
you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.
> And remember that time waits for no one.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer
--Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
--Mark Twain
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
--Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.
--Mark Twain
You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
--Mark Twain
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.
--Mark Twain (1835-1910)
First, God created idiots. That was just for practice. Then He created school boards.
--Mark Twain
Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
--Samuel Johnson
I've lived a long life and seen a lot of hard times...most of which never happened.
--Mark Twain
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
--Mark Twain
Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.
--Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Suppose you were an idiot... And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself.
--Mark Twain
Always do the right thing. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
--Mark Twain
Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid.
--Mark Twain
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
--Mark Twain
Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth.
--Mark Twain
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man
--Mark Twain
If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything
--Mark Twain
Such is the human race. Often it does seem such a pity that Noah... didn't miss the boat.
--Mark Twain
Adam was the only man who, when he said a good thing, knew that nobody had said it before him.
--Mark Twain
Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense.
--Mark Twain
When angry count four; when very angry, swear.
--Mark Twain
There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice.
--Mark Twain
Most writers regard truth as their most valuable possession, and therefore are most economical in its use.
--Mark Twain
Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.
--Mark Twain
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education
--Mark Twain
Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.
--Mark Twain
Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
--Mark Twain
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.
--Mark Twain
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting start is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.
--Mark Twain
Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.
--Mark Twain
Happiness is a Swedish sunset; it is there for all, but most of us look the other way and lose it.
--Mark Twain
Sacred cows make the best hamburger.
--Mark Twain
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries of life disappear and life stands explained.
--Mark Twain
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
--Mark Twain
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
--Mark Twain
The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
--Mark Twain Pudd'nhead Wilson
Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thought that is forever flowing through one's head
--Mark Twain
To cease smoking is the easiset thing I ever did. I ought to know, I've done it a thousand times.
--Mark Twain
The old man laughed loud and joyously, shook up the details of his anatomy from head to foot, and ended by saying such a laugh was money in a man's pocket, because it cut down the doctor's bills like anything.
--Mark Twain
When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
--Mark Twain Bringing Up Father
The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.
--Mark Twain
Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
--Mark Twain
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
--Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either.
--Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this it the ideal life.
--Mark Twain
The difference between truth and fiction: fiction has to make sense
--Mark Twain
We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it - and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again - and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
--Mark Twain
One of the striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.
--Mark Twain
Etiquette requires us to admire the human race.
--Mark Twain
I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.
--Mark Twain
The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
--Mark Twain 

Don't find fault with the man who limps
or stumbles along the road,
unless you have worn the shoes he wears
or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
thought hidden away from view,
or the burden he bears, placed on your back
might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today
unless you have felt the blow
that cause his fall or felt the shame
that only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
that were his if dealt to you,
in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time,
might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
or pelt him with word or stone,
unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
that you have no sins of your own-
for you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
should whisper as softly to you
as it did to him when he went astray,
it might cause you to stumble too.

LIFE - Author Unknown...
We are all born to die. What is important is what we do in between. The follow advice should make life enjoyable, as well as for those around you.
Say "Hello" to people. It's amazing what a hello from you can do for individuals.
Say "Please" and "Thank you", even when you don't really have to. Instead of saying something crude, like "Get out of here and don't come back" Notice the difference? Sure you do.
To live a life in fear is cowardly. Learn to face your fears head on.
Look after your teeth even though they can be replaced.
Look after your eyes they can't be replaced.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do or want out of life when in your twenties. The interesting people I know still don't know what they want to do with their lives and they're in their forties!
Don't worry about the future. You cannot plan or change what's coming.
Be on good terms with as many people as possible.
Make your point quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant: they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive people.
Avoid people with negative outlook or opinion.
Don't except anyone else to support you. You may have an inheritance, or you may have a wealthy spouse. Buy one day either could run out on you.
Don't compare yourself with others, you may become bitter or vain, there will always be greater and lesser people than yourself.
Decide for yourself what's important to you in your life.
Keep interested in your chosen career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortune of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; the world is full of con men, get rich quick schemes, deceit and fraud.
Be yourself. Let your personality shine through.
Accept that other people will always appear to have more luck than you in health, jobs, love, wealth, friends and life in general. However, it's all half chances. So don't feel bad or aggrieved. Be happy with your lot, it's your life and no one else's.
Enjoy your achievements and look forward to your plans.
Don't waste time, it's a precious commodity. Life is short, enjoy it to the full; it is not dress rehearsal.
Hang onto your dreams whatever they may be. Ignore the doubters; they're just jealous because they don't have any.
Don't work too hard for your employers; they only care about what you can do for them.
There's more to life than a job. When it gets you down, get a new or better one, even if it's at a lower salary. Money isn't everything.
Don't vote for the same politician twice; make them work for a change. Voting for them only encourages arrogance.
You can't buy happiness or love, so don't even try. It can only buy material goods. Some of the best things in life are free.
To be loved and wanted is one of life's greatest feelings. Return the favor in equal measure.
Do not fake affection, be honest and truthful about your feelings.
If you love and care about someone, tell them before it's too late. It's the things you don't say you regret the most.
In a loving relationship, do not count the years, count the moments.
Keep all of your love letters. Read them when you are down and feel unloved.
Get to know your parents. You'll miss them when they've gone for good. Do it before it's too late.
Be nice to your siblings. They are best your link to your past and your future.
You're not going to get much out of life, if you only ever do what's safe.
A person ho dies rich, dies in disgrace. Donate money to worthy causes, you'll feel better for it.
Make the best possible effort in everything you do in your life while you can. Be part of life and participate.
Enjoy your freedom; you'll appreciate it more if it's taken away from you.
Pass on your wisdom, and learn from others.
Cherish every moment with your children, they are young only once in their lives.
Do not criticize your children too much, as they could be bitter forwards you afterwards. Praise them more than you criticize.
If you don't have anything good to say about someone, don't say anything at all.
Practice the Teflon technique, where others' negativity slides off you. Everybody suffers insults and put-down.
Fear of failure is excuse for not trying. There are only two failures in life: not trying and giving up. Nothing comes to those who will not try.
Quit moaning. Put your energy in to doing something positive about the problem instead.
Learn to cancel and continue. When actors make a mistake they instantly have to put it behind them and give their all to the next part. So when things go wrong, just try again. Don't fear future mistakes or hang on to past ones.
When you are angry with someone, do noting until you've cooled down or you'll say something you'll regret.
Try to be calm, you'll have a better chance of being heard. If you shout, the person you're telling off will hear your anger- rather than the point you're trying to make.
Dance or sing on a regular basis. By yourself, with your spouse or in a group, but just do it. Either will make you feel good.
Every year make 5 promises. Try to accomplish one of them.
Exercise on a regular basis. It's good for your body as well as your mind, so exercise, by running, playing sports or in the gym.
Never trust a skinny cook.
-unknown 

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said,
"As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste!

Author Unknown
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one UGLY cat!!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.
Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever picked up, he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor's huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end. Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.