Striving for Meaning in Life - Reasons Why We Should Strive to Find Meaning in Our Lives

Striving for Meaning in Life -  Reasons Why We Should Strive to Find Meaning in Our Lives

Below is an except of an article from The Straits Times.

Many people who are saddened or disquieted by a nagging sense that life in general, or their own lives in particular, lack meaning. The Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl believed that a sense of meaning and purpose is essential to mental well-being. 

His experiences in the Nazi concentration camps during World War II, along with his professional dealings with scores of depressed and suicidal men and women, convinced him that without a deeply felt sense of purpose, even the most comfortable lives can feel sad and empty. 

But if there exists such a sense of purpose, even the most outwardly wretched lives can feel worthwhile.

- Gary Hayden article in the The Straits Times

Life Lessons - THE THIRTY SECOND QUIZ

Here is a little quiz with a big lesson to teach us :

THE THIRTY SECOND QUIZ
(Author Unknown)

Don't bother getting a pen and paper... just read... if you can't
answer them, just keep going.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.

5. Name the last five Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They're the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Now here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. Name three teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are rarely the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They're the ones who care.

Are we appreciating our life and the things around us?

Are we appreciating our life and the things around us?
Or are we taking these things for granted and not treasuring them.
Check out the article below.
Stories inspires people.

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Subject: A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree...


Hey Fellow Success Citizen's,

There's this great story that i read. Its from this great children's book called the "Giving tree". I'm sure this story will touch your heart or maybe even make you tear when you read it.

It teaches us about the power of giving. and the best way to give my friends, is to give, give, give without expecting anything in return.

Read on and let me know what you think....

Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it everyday. He climbed to the tree top, ate the apples, took a nap under the shadow. He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.

Time went by. The little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday. One day, the boy came back to the tree and he looked sad.

"Come and play with me," the tree asked the boy.

"I am no longer a kid, I don't play around trees anymore." The boy replied, "I want toys. I need money to buy them."

"Sorry, but I don't have money. But you can pick all my apples and sell them. So, you will have money." The boy was so excited.

He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily.

The boy never came back after he picked the apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy returned and the tree was so excited. "Come and play with me" the tree said.

"I don't have time to play. I have to work for family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?"

"Sorry, but I don't have a house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house."

So the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot summer day, the boy returned and the tree was delighted. "Come and play with me!" the tree said.

The boy said, "I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?"

"Use my truck to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy."

So the boy cut the tree truck to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years. "Sorry, my boy. But I don't have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you." the tree said.

"I don't have teeth to bite" the boy replied.

"No more truck for you to climb on"

"I am too old for that now" the boy said.

"I really can't give you anything. The only thing left is my dying roots." the tree said with tears.

"I don't need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years." the boy replied.

"Good! Old tree roots is the best place to lean on and rest. Come, come sit down with me and rest."

The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears.

There are a number of ways we could choose to interpret this story. But its mainly about giving. We could also think of this tree as tree as our parents.

When we are young, we love to play with Mom and Dad. But as we grow up, we leave them, usually we only return to them when we need something or when we are facing some form of difficulty.

Regardless of any situation, our parents will always be there for us and give us everything they can to make us happy. In the story, it may appear that the boy is cruel to the tree but my friends, that's how many of us are treating our parents.

Be grateful and treasure everything that we have my friends.

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Noor Mohammed Juzer
http://www.successnation.org/

Don't Hope...Decide (Inspirational story on Marriage, Family, Love)

Hey fellow friends,
Below is a story that I received from a friend few days ago.
I find it meaningful for those who have families, so I thought I just post it her to inspire more people.

Enjoy!
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This story was from a guy who told about his amazing story that he experienced one day.

I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about -the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jetway, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags.

He stopped right next to me to greet his family. First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!"

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father.

The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last!" and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing.

He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be.

I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?" "Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those." he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. "Well then, how long have you been away?" I asked the man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile."Two whole days!"

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least several weeks - if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!"

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope, friend... decide!" Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and strode away together.

I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?" Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

Don't hope my friends, Decide !! Decide how you want your life to be and just take action and live it !

10 May Mother's Day - Getting many material wealth is worth nothing when you can't share it with your loved ones

10 May Mother's Day
It's been a while since I last posted on my blog. More updates to my path and goals of starting and running businesses and working my way financial freedom.

Well, one may have all the wealth in the world. But forgetting to celebrate and spend time with your family and loved ones is a big NO-NO.

Everyone needs to live a well-rounded life and in order to enjoy a happy and fulfilling life.
Today, my family brought my grandmother to have nice western steak, with mashed potatoes, with coffee/tea and dessert, plus a salad buffet. It's at Maritime House. I was hesitating whether to tell you or not. Because they sell one of the most value-for-money western food in a restaurant. Shan't tell you more. If not, next time I can't find seats when I go there. haha.

Well, the moral of the story is: to take the time to nourish your body with nice food and spend bonding time with your loved ones, not forgetting your grandparents too!