The greatest Man on Earth

Here are five of the best passages/readings about the greatest Man to have ever walked the earth - Jesus Christ.  Happy Easter everyone and regardless  of what faith you belong or don't belong to - have a read and enjoy.He became like us - that we might become like Him.

He was rejected - that we might be accepted.
He was condemned - that we might be forgiven.
He was punished - that we might be pardoned.
He suffered - that we might be strengthened.
He was whipped - that we might be healed.
He was hated - that we might be loved.
He was crucified - that we might be justified.
He was tortured - that we might be comforted.
He died - that we might live.
He went to hell - that we might go to Heaven.
He endured what we deserve - that we might enjoy what only He deserves. Dr Peter Hammond

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him... He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

 Annonymous, Retireved off facebook
 

Christ chose to be a teacher. It is highly significant to realise that the greatest intellect in human history - the most talented individual ever to grace this globe - chose to be a teacher! He chose this way of carrying out part of this awesome assignment. Spencer W. Kimball

The best of men
That e'er wore earth about Him was a Sufferer,
A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit;
The first true gentleman that ever breathed.Thomas Dekker

Do we find it a burden to give of our time to others? Did Christ not heal all those who were brought to him even though many a day and a night it seemed like the whole city was gathered around him? Are we sometimes asked to do for others what may seem to be beneath us or what is tiresome and monotomous? Was not the Son of God born in a stable? Did he not make himself a servant, even to washing the feet of his Disciples, saying to them, "the servant is not greater than His Lord?" Love One Another. Serve your fellowman. The example has been given you. Ezra Taft Benson

Yours in friendship,

Mxox

Don't sweat the small stuff

I have a book written by Richard Carlson, called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work". Without reading the full title - I picked it upm purchased it, and thought about putting it beside my bed so that I could flip through its pages and pick up some bits of inspiration.... only to find when I got home - it was about work! And the whole title of this little book was "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work: Simple Ways to Minimize Stress and Conflict While Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and Others"... OK - so it has the longest title in the world..... but almost two years after buying it I opened it to find that it also has some good tips....

Here are my top five (of 100 ;-)):

Learn to Say No Without Guilt
I have a classic example of this just recently. I was part of this group of individuals who were part of a wonderful concept to give young people the greatest opportunity through offering a business type programme with mentors. I was getting despondent because of some of the people that I had to work with - not the participants/students - drove me crazy and it was getting harder for me to attend the classes.

So one day while sharing my frustration and my unwillingness to go to the next lesson -my friend asking me a simple question - "why can't you tell them you don't want to attend anymoret". It was like a great big lightbulb went off in my head! It was just so simple. It wasn't a calling, it wasn't my job, it wasn't adding to my family life - so why was I doing it? I enjoyed meeting the students, listenting to the travelling lectures - and I was asked by someone I respected - but that was all..... so I wrote to the person who invited me and he graciously accepted my withdrawal from the programme.... and guess what? No one died, or was hurt - and I lived ;-) I don't know why I haven't done this earlier. Say no without the guilt!

Learn to Delegate
The best advice I ever got was from my husband whenver I would tell him about how hard my job was, and how busy I was and so on and so on was something someone had told him -  "Delegate or die". To this day I am not very good at it but I am much better at it. Carlson says "when you allow others to help you, when you put your faith in them and trust them, it frees you up to do what you do best" - brilliant advice!

Stop Procrastinating
I am the perfect procrastinator - and may even be perfect at it ;-( Carlso suggests, and I think he was talking directly to me, that if you struggle to be on time for things that we should try being a little earlier next time so that you are on time... and throw away the excuse of "I ran out of time" because as he suggests - we are all capable of calculating the time it is going to take to complete a task at the time we were given it. To think otherwise - doesn't look good...

Strengthen your Presence
We know this as being in the moment.... Carlson says that "the way to strengthen your presence is to understand its value. Make an ongoing effort to stop your mind from wandering. When you are with someone, be with them. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back. When you are doing something, don't be thinking about something else." He also add that when we are 'present' the people around you will be more relaxed and you will be seen as more trustworthy.... interesting. I have a talent of listening to people, but am I present? Something to work on.

Remember the Motto, "You Catch More Flies with Honey"
All I have to add here is AMEN. Carlson shares that there are times to be agressive and pushy but when we are kind and loving and patient, fair, a good listener and when we genuinely care about others - our attitude comes across in all that we do. As a result, people will side ith us, share their secrets of success, and want to assit us in any way they cant. Very simply, they will delight in our success. Have a go and see what it does for you. Its something that employ already but never really thought about it much.... now I know what I can do to improve myself... how about you?

Well - that was five quick ways to minimise stress and conflict while bringing out the best in yourself and others.

Good luck with your quest to stop sweating the small stuff at work.

Yours in friendship,

Mxox