The Two-Gallon Pumpkin
Several years ago, a farmer went to the county fair -- a big event in the community -- and won a prize for his pumpkin, which was in the exact shape of a round, two-gallon jug. When he was asked how he managed to grow a pumpkin in that shape, he explained that when the pumpkin started to grow, he placed it inside the jug and it grew as only it could, which was to fill in the allocated space.
It's well known that if you put a young fish that normally will grow to be reasonably large in a small aquarium, its size will be seriously restricted because of the limited space.
People are very much the same way. They need not only room to grow, but also the encouragement to grow and develop to their full potential. Growth is required in all areas of life -- the physical, mental and spiritual -- if we're going to develop to our fullest potential. Unfortunately, very few people develop a plan of action to enjoy a high quality of life.
This thumbnail sketch of a plan might help you get started. First, these three simple rules are enormously helpful from a physical perspective: No. 1, get an adequate amount of sleep; No. 2, eat sensibly and exercise regularly, and No. 3, avoid the poisons present in drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Second, we need to grow mentally. Again, three simple rules: Read at least 20 minutes each day; learn one new word every day; and listen to inspirational/educational cassette recordings in your automobile.
The third area of life has to do with our spiritual -- regular attendance at worship services is the key.
These three things produce a balanced lifestyle and will enable us to be more productive as citizens and happier in the process. So, take the balanced approach to life and I'll see you at the top!
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Courage After Dark
In all probability, the safest place to be when there's no moon and it's pitch dark is a cemetery. Theoretically, no one is there except those who are 6 feet underground. Yet the odds are good that most of us would feel better walking through that cemetery in broad daylight. This really has nothing to do with the fear of stumbling over tombstones and everything to do with our imagination.
I love the story of the hobo who traveled on freight trains and was not a welcome passenger. He climbed aboard a car just at dusk, and in a moment or two one of the railroad personnel came by and closed the door, locking it from the outside.
Later, the unwelcome guest discovered he was in a refrigerator car, and he was deeply concerned. As the train started to move, his voice could not be heard from outside. As the car got colder and colder, his imagination started to work overtime. He started to shiver and grew colder and colder.
The next morning in a distant city, when the refrigerator car was opened to load cargo, the dead tramp was discovered inside. The interesting fact is the lowest temperature that had been reached in the car the night before was 55 degrees. Chilly enough to be uncomfortable, but not a life-threatening temperature for one night. The refrigeration element in the car had been turned off, but the tramp's imagination is what did him in.
Unfortunately, too many people use their imaginations in negative instead of positive ways. Imagination is fueled by the input into our mind. The more optimistic, upbeat, positive input in our mind, the more upbeat, positive and creative we will be as our imagination goes to work at solving problems and not being frightened by them. Think about it. Take the creative approach, and I'll see you at the top!
Solidaritas Sosial dalam Krisis
Ketika krisis dunia dibahas di Toyako, Jepang, pada saat yang sama Indonesia bergelut dengan krisis pangan, listrik, dan sebentar lagi air.
Permintaan Presiden RI Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agar Negara-negara petrodollar lebih serius membantu Negara-negara yang mengalami krisis pangan tentu tidak dalam konteks ajakan berbagi belas kasih. Seruan karitatif, “ Anda kaya, kami miskin, tolonglah kami!” tidak lagi relevan.
Lingkup masalah krisis pangan saat ini tidak lagi mengenai kaya dan miskin, tetapi menyentuh keduanya, baik yang kaya maupun yang miskin. Perkiraan Bank Dunia yang memperkirakan kelaparan mengancam 33 negara, dengan potensi terjadinya konflik dan kerusuhan semakin besar, semakin dekat, bahkan sporadis di Indonesia sudah terjadi.
Dibanding Negara lain, sesama kelompok dalam 33 negara itu, kondisi Indonesia mungkin jauh lebih parah. Sebab, dalam kondisi krisis dan kesulitan hidup yang semakin mendera sebagian besar warga masyarakat, pada saat yang sama ingar-bingar pascareformasi terus berkobar.
Kenaikan harga BBM yang berdampak ibarat terbakar bergulirnya bola panas tidak juga merangsang gerakan bersama. Ditingkahi maksud memanfaatkan untuk kepentingan politik praktis, direcoki perilaku korup beberapa pejabatnya yang sampai hati (tega) melakukan korupsi ditengah serba krisis, Indonesia-negara dan bangsa kita-berada dalam keadaan serba krisis.
Menurut teori menejemen, kepemimpinan diuji pada saat keadaan serba krisis. Pada saat keadaan serba krisis, demokratisasi politik bisa ditaruh di belakang untuk membangun solidaritas social. Ketika masih ada rakyat miskin, menderita kelaparan, dan merasa tidak aman, di sana belum berkembang hidup yang demokratis. Demokratisasi politik mestilah berbuah pada penghargaan kehidupan, yakni tercukupinya kebutuhan dasar.
Ketika harapan zaman akhir (eskatologis) menjadi milik semua agama, harapan itu mesti ditukikkan ke bumi riil yang kontekstual. Kesalehan ritual diubah menjadi kesalehan sosial. Membangun optimisme eskatologis diwujudkan dan dikembangkan untuk membangun optimisme yang kontekstual.
Best Education Site :
http://presidenlink.blogspot.com/
Ketika krisis dunia dibahas di Toyako, Jepang, pada saat yang sama Indonesia bergelut dengan krisis pangan, listrik, dan sebentar lagi air.
Permintaan Presiden RI Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agar Negara-negara petrodollar lebih serius membantu Negara-negara yang mengalami krisis pangan tentu tidak dalam konteks ajakan berbagi belas kasih. Seruan karitatif, “ Anda kaya, kami miskin, tolonglah kami!” tidak lagi relevan.
Lingkup masalah krisis pangan saat ini tidak lagi mengenai kaya dan miskin, tetapi menyentuh keduanya, baik yang kaya maupun yang miskin. Perkiraan Bank Dunia yang memperkirakan kelaparan mengancam 33 negara, dengan potensi terjadinya konflik dan kerusuhan semakin besar, semakin dekat, bahkan sporadis di Indonesia sudah terjadi.
Dibanding Negara lain, sesama kelompok dalam 33 negara itu, kondisi Indonesia mungkin jauh lebih parah. Sebab, dalam kondisi krisis dan kesulitan hidup yang semakin mendera sebagian besar warga masyarakat, pada saat yang sama ingar-bingar pascareformasi terus berkobar.
Kenaikan harga BBM yang berdampak ibarat terbakar bergulirnya bola panas tidak juga merangsang gerakan bersama. Ditingkahi maksud memanfaatkan untuk kepentingan politik praktis, direcoki perilaku korup beberapa pejabatnya yang sampai hati (tega) melakukan korupsi ditengah serba krisis, Indonesia-negara dan bangsa kita-berada dalam keadaan serba krisis.
Menurut teori menejemen, kepemimpinan diuji pada saat keadaan serba krisis. Pada saat keadaan serba krisis, demokratisasi politik bisa ditaruh di belakang untuk membangun solidaritas social. Ketika masih ada rakyat miskin, menderita kelaparan, dan merasa tidak aman, di sana belum berkembang hidup yang demokratis. Demokratisasi politik mestilah berbuah pada penghargaan kehidupan, yakni tercukupinya kebutuhan dasar.
Ketika harapan zaman akhir (eskatologis) menjadi milik semua agama, harapan itu mesti ditukikkan ke bumi riil yang kontekstual. Kesalehan ritual diubah menjadi kesalehan sosial. Membangun optimisme eskatologis diwujudkan dan dikembangkan untuk membangun optimisme yang kontekstual.
Best Education Site :
http://presidenlink.blogspot.com/
