Mi Choza De Nipa

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 30-May-2008 edition   The Worth of a Human Being By Dr James Dobson   Once on a family ski trip some years ago, I climbed on the back of a flatbed truck that shuttled skiers back up the mountain. Among the 12 or 14 young people there that day was a girl in her late teens. As she turned to look at me, I saw the unmistakable look of mental retardation in her eyes. She began muttering nonsensical phrases, especially the word “whomever”.   Over and over, she repeated that word, “Whomever, whomever” while staring off into space. I noticed a visible rejection by the others on the truck. They were mostly young people and they looked at each other and sneered as if to say, “Who’s the crazy person we have with us?”   Just then, a large man moved in a little closer toward her, and I realised he was her father. He wrapped his big, loving arms around...

What I Learned Today   I went in to a short meeting on one of the projects I was involved in, and once again, it was proven: 99% of our time, energy and efforts are directed towards 1% of the things that we are doing.   And not without a reason!   One single mistake can render null and void all the other 99 things done right.   And guess what? This applies to work life, and in private life just the same. And many a times making things 100% right will make you unpopular.   Tough? So it is if you want to be beyond blame.   Unpopular? Yes, but beyond reproach.   I’ll give an example to ease up a bit: Ø        A nurse attending to newborn babies in the hospital is NEVER allowed to drop one single baby.   What is your experience?

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 29-May-2008 edition   The Legend of the Taj Mahal By Dr James Dobson   The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built, but there is a fascinating legend behind its beginnings.   In 1629, when the favourite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The Shah placed his wife’s casket in the middle of a parcel of land and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years into the venture, the Shah’s grief for his wife gave way to a passion for the project.   One day, while surveying the site, he reportedly stumbled over a wooden box and he had some workers throw it out. It was months before he realised that his wife’s casket had been destroyed. The original purpose for the memorial became lost in the details of construction.   As legends go, this one may or ma...

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 28-May-2008 edition   Comparing Yourself with Others By Dr James Dobson   Someone once said: “Comparison is the root of all inferiority”. How true that is. When you look at another person’s strengths and compare them to your own weaknesses, there is just no way to come out feeling good about yourself.   I once spoke to a group of teenagers at a conference and I’ll never forget a question posed by one young man. He asked: “It seems that everyone has more to offer than I do. I envy guys who are better-looking, more athletic, or smarter than I am. How can I deal with my own insecurities?”   The problem he was describing is a common one among young men and women. Even at a young age, our self-images are shaped by how we stack up against our peers. It’s not how tall we are that matters – it’s who is the tallest. It’s not how fa...

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 27-May-2008 edition   Love of the Hand Lotion By Dr James Dobson   My friend, Mimi Wilson, tells of a simple experience she once shared with her daughter Kendra.   Kendra was in university at the time, and having a great deal of trouble in her studies. She was preparing for an important exam but just couldn’t seem to concentrate.   Mimi wanted to help, but her daughter had already surpassed her academically. So, she took out a bottle of lotion and began rubbing it into her daughter’s hands, saying: “Kendra, this is my favourite lotion. Tonight, while you’re studying and during the test tomorrow, when you find yourself having trouble, just smell your handles and know that I’ll be thinking of you.”   Well, it was just what Kendra needed. Some years later, Mimi was confiding in Kendra about a very difficult situation in her life. Kendra reach...

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY , Today , 26-May-2008 edition   Dropping In On A Friend By Dr Bill Maier   When was the last time you had friends drop in unexpectedly? For many of us , it has been too long. There was a time when families made a regular habit of driving over to a friend’s home for an afternoon of good food and conversation.   It was one of life’s special little pleasures. I’ll never forget the many times as a child I would hear a knock on the door and scurry to see who was there. The screen would crack open a few inches and a familiar voice would echo through the halls.   “Is anybody home?”   Sadly , that kind of intimacy is difficult to achieve in today’s fast-paced world. The pressures of life have all but destroyed the sense of community that was once common among families and friends.   We seldom – if ever – drop in on friends unannou...