Words of Power

The other day I received an email that contained a list of ten words that were described as “powerful” and the advice that came along with it.  I would like to share them with you.

Each word contains letters in ascending order, the first with only one and the last with ten.  Out of the ten words, six are considered to be of value to us while the rest are best avoided.

 We are aware that words have the power to either build or destroy.  Words once uttered cannot be taken back and hurtful words damage and destroy.  No amount of apologies will ever repair the damage.

On the other hand, encouraging words that build can make a difference to someone’s life.

The first word is “I” and the email indicated that this word is the most selfish and should be avoided.  It rings true as how many people like to listen to someone whose sentences always begin with “I” ?

The second word, “we” is considered most satisfying as it connotes many things, not least the idea of togetherness, being a team, etc. 

The third word is “ego”, which is considered to be “poisonous”.  We are a advised to overcome it.  Ego has led one too many to one’s downfall. 

The fourth is “love” which Is considered to be most used and should be valued.  This needs no elaboration for love works wonders.

The fifth is “smile” which is said to be most pleasing and we should keep it.  Smiles are very becoming and often lead to friendships.  Smiles light up a person’s face and make a great difference.

The sixth word is “rumour” , said to be the fastest spreading 6 letter word and we are told to ignore it.  How many times has a rumour spread so swiftly that it has caused harm even though it is later proven to be unfounded?

The seventh word is “Success”, the hardest working seven letter word.  We are advised to achieve it.  Success is only achieved by dint of hard work and there is no short cut to it.

The eighth word is “jealousy”, and we are told to distance ourselves from it.  It is also referred to as the green-eyed monster that consumes one’s well-being and many a relationship is destroyed by this monster.

The ninth word is “Knowledge”, the most powerful 9-letter word and we should acquire it.  No one can take the knowledge you have acquired, away from you and it is well-known that “Knowledge is Power”.

The tenth word si “friendship”, the most valued 10-letter word.  We are told to maintain it.  Friends, especially your close friends stand by you and support you in times of need.  They are an invaluable network so maintain friendships and nurture them.

So what is your view?  Do you agree that these are the most powerful words and would you accept the advice that came along with them?

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The Ugly Homo Sapiens

Homo Sapiens is a species superior to all others with his ability to think and reason, his capacity for understanding and learning plus an intellect that distinguishes him from other mammals.

Yet there is an ugly side to man. Man is territorial, like other species. Crowd his space and watch what happens. This is well illustrated along the highways. Have you ever witnessed the rage that takes over the rational mind when someone cuts into his right of way? There have been cases of aggravated assault leading to serious injuries.

The green-eyed monster that rears its head has instigated crimes of passion often  ending in the death of one or even both parties.

What makes an apparently mild person turn into Mr Hyde?  The seeds of violence are possibly inherent in man, bursting forth under provocation. Some of us tend to be more volatile than others.

Those who are less inclined to an outburst of temperament may be genetically primed to a calmer predisposition. On the other hand, some may have tremendous will power to keep their emotions at bay and thus practise restraint.

The bestial nature of man is never far from the surface and the media has of late reported cases of  fathers raping their young daughters.  Grandfathers have also been reported to unleash their lust on  young relatives.   Abduction of young children especially girls who end up sexually abused and dead also make headlines. Mothers who abet their lustful partners in the sexual abuse of their daughters go against the order of nature. Such people do not deserve to be regarded as human beings as they have no humanity in them when they can perpetrate such evil against their offspring.

Do other animals abuse their young?   
Why is there such moral decadence? 

Is it because we have ignored spirituality? Are we overly focused on material pursuits? Where is the fear of God?  Maybe it’s time to step back and evaluate the status quo.

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Little Things In Life Make a Difference

“Little stones make big mountains,
Little steps can cover miles,
Little acts of loving-kindness,
Give the world its biggest smiles,
Little words can soothe big troubles,
Little hugs can dry big tears,
Little candles light the darkness,
Little memories last for years,
Little dreams can lead to greatness,
Little victories to success,
It’s the little things in life,
That brings the greatest happiness .”

I don't know where this came from but I thought it is too valuable not to share

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Carrots, Eggs & Coffee

It's been a long while since I last posted here. Someone sent me an email which I would like to share here as it is very relevant to all of us.


A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

 A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.          

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked,

'What does it mean, mother?'

  Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. However, each reacted differently.

  The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

 The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they  had changed the water.
 
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavour. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?  

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. 

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

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