After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull's eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. "There," he said to the old man, "see if you can match that!" Undisturbed, the master did not draw his bow, but rather motioned for the young archer to follow him up the mountain. Curious about the old fellow's intentions, the champion followed him high into the mountain until they reached a deep chasm spanned by a rather flimsy and shaky log. Calmly stepping out onto the middle of the unsteady and certainly perilous bridge, the old master picked a far away tree as a target, drew his bow, and fired a clean, direct hit. "Now it is your turn," he said as he gracefully stepped back onto the safe ground. Staring with terror into the seemingly bottomless and beckoning abyss, the young man could not force himself to step out onto the log, no less shoot at a target. "You have much skill with your bow," the master said, sensing his challenger's predicament, "but you have little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot." |
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
a story of the Zen Master
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Villager and the Happy Man
In a small village in the valley, there lived a man who was always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. He always smiled and had a kind and encouraging word to say whenever necessary. Everyone who met him left feeling, better, happier and elated. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.
One of the village dwellers was curious to know what his secret was, how could he be always so kind and helpful? How is it that he held no grudge towards anyone and was always happy?
Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: "Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?"
"When you make peace with yourself, then you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control you become strong and firm. The outer mask of the personality is like a robot programmed to do certain tasks. Your habits and thoughts are the programs. Be free from these programming and then the inner good that resides in you will be revealed."
"But a lot of work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be to climbed. It is not an easy task." Lamented the villager.
"Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise that what you will see and experience. Just quieten your feelings and thoughts and try to stay in this peace. All the abilities and powers awaken spontaneously. You do not work on them directly. They are by-products of your peace of mind. Just try to be calm and do not let yourself be carried away by your thoughts."
"Is that all?" Asked the villager.
"Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love. When you realize that you are one with the Universal Power, you begin to act from a different dimension, not from the selfish, small, limited ego."
"I will try to remember your words," said the villager and continued, "there is another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word to everyone and are helpful. Yet people do not exploit your goodness, and they treat you well."
"Goodness and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good you can also be strong. People sense your strength and do not impose on you. When you are strong and calm inside, you help people because you can and you want to. You then act from strength and not from weakness. Goodness can also go with power and strength, it is not a sign of weakness as some people erroneously think."
"Thank you very much for your advice", said the villager and went away happy and satisfied.
The THREE Trees
Like a lot of things in life, it's much easier said than done but this is where faith and perseverance comes in.
Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said. "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter." and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one" and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and women came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in it's boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said. "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter." and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one" and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and women came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in it's boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Are you a beggar?
An emperor was coming out of his palace for his morning walk when he met a beggar. He asked the beggar, "What do you want?"The beggar laughed and said, "You are asking me as though you can fulfill my desire!"
The king was offended. He said, "Of course I can fulfill your desire. What is it? Just tell me."
And the beggar said, "Think twice before you promise anything."
The beggar was no ordinary beggar, he was the emperors past life master. He had promised in that life, "I will come and try to wake you in your next life. This life you have missed but I will come again." But the king had forgotten completely -- who remembers past lives? So he insisted, "I will fulfill anything you ask. I am a very powerful emperor, what can you possibly desire that I can not give to you?"
The beggar said, "It is a very simple desire. You see this begging bowl? Can you fill it with something?"
The emperor said, "Of course!" He called one of his viziers and told him, "Fill this mans begging bowl with money." The vizier went and got some money and poured it into the bowl, and it disappeared. And he poured more and more, and the moment he would pour it, it would disappear. And the beggging bowl remained always empty.
The whole palace gathered. By and by the rumor went throughout the whole capital, and a huge crowd gathered. The prestige of the emperor was at stake.
He said to his viziers, "If the whole kingdom is lost, I am ready to lose it, but I cannot be defeated by this beggar."
Diamonds and pearls and emeralds, his treasuries were becoming empty.The begging bowl seemed to be bottomless. Everything that was put into it --everything! --immediately disappeared, went out of existence. Finally it was the evening, and the people were standing there in utter silence. The king dropped at the feet of the beggar and admitted his defeat. he said, "Just tell me one thing. You are victorious - but before you leave, just fulfill my curiousity. What is the begging bowl made of?"
The beggar laughed and said, "It is made up of the human mind. There is no secret. It is simple made up of human desire."
This understanding transforms life. Go into one desire -- what is the mechanism of it? First there is a great excitement, great thrill, adventure. you feel a great kick. Something is going to happen, you are on the verge of it. And then you have the car, you have the yacht, you have the house, you have the woman, and suddenly all is meaningless again.
What happens? Your mind has dematerialized it. The car is standing in the drive, but there is no excitement anymore. The excitement was only in getting it. You became so drunk with the desire that you forgot your inner nothingness. Now the desire is fulfilled, the car in the drive, the woman in your bed, the money in your bank account - again excitement disappears. Again the emptiness is there, ready to eat you up. Again you have to create another desire to escape this yawning abyss.
That's how one moves from one desire to another desire. That's how one remains a beggar. Your whole life proves it again and again -- every desire frustrates. And when the goal is achieved, you will need another desire. The day you understand that desire as such is going to fail comes the turning point in your life. The other journey is inwards. move inwards, come back home.
The king was offended. He said, "Of course I can fulfill your desire. What is it? Just tell me."
And the beggar said, "Think twice before you promise anything."
The beggar was no ordinary beggar, he was the emperors past life master. He had promised in that life, "I will come and try to wake you in your next life. This life you have missed but I will come again." But the king had forgotten completely -- who remembers past lives? So he insisted, "I will fulfill anything you ask. I am a very powerful emperor, what can you possibly desire that I can not give to you?"
The beggar said, "It is a very simple desire. You see this begging bowl? Can you fill it with something?"
The emperor said, "Of course!" He called one of his viziers and told him, "Fill this mans begging bowl with money." The vizier went and got some money and poured it into the bowl, and it disappeared. And he poured more and more, and the moment he would pour it, it would disappear. And the beggging bowl remained always empty.
The whole palace gathered. By and by the rumor went throughout the whole capital, and a huge crowd gathered. The prestige of the emperor was at stake.
He said to his viziers, "If the whole kingdom is lost, I am ready to lose it, but I cannot be defeated by this beggar."
Diamonds and pearls and emeralds, his treasuries were becoming empty.The begging bowl seemed to be bottomless. Everything that was put into it --everything! --immediately disappeared, went out of existence. Finally it was the evening, and the people were standing there in utter silence. The king dropped at the feet of the beggar and admitted his defeat. he said, "Just tell me one thing. You are victorious - but before you leave, just fulfill my curiousity. What is the begging bowl made of?"
The beggar laughed and said, "It is made up of the human mind. There is no secret. It is simple made up of human desire."
This understanding transforms life. Go into one desire -- what is the mechanism of it? First there is a great excitement, great thrill, adventure. you feel a great kick. Something is going to happen, you are on the verge of it. And then you have the car, you have the yacht, you have the house, you have the woman, and suddenly all is meaningless again.
What happens? Your mind has dematerialized it. The car is standing in the drive, but there is no excitement anymore. The excitement was only in getting it. You became so drunk with the desire that you forgot your inner nothingness. Now the desire is fulfilled, the car in the drive, the woman in your bed, the money in your bank account - again excitement disappears. Again the emptiness is there, ready to eat you up. Again you have to create another desire to escape this yawning abyss.
That's how one moves from one desire to another desire. That's how one remains a beggar. Your whole life proves it again and again -- every desire frustrates. And when the goal is achieved, you will need another desire. The day you understand that desire as such is going to fail comes the turning point in your life. The other journey is inwards. move inwards, come back home.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
It’s so funny why we don’t talk anymore
Used to think that life was sweet
Used to think we were so complete
I can’t believe you’d throw it away
Used to feel we had it made
Used to feel we could sail away
Can you imagine how I feel today?
Well, it seems a long time ago
You were the lonely one
Now it comes to letting go
You are the only one
Do you know what you’ve done?
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
But it ain’t losing sleep
And I ain’t counting sheep.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore.
Oh, we don’t talk.
Well, it really doesn’t matter to me
I guess your leaving was meant to be
It’s down to you now you wanna be free
Well, I hope you know which way to go
You’re on your own again
Don’t come cryin’ to me
When you’re the lonely one
Remember what you’ve done.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
It’s so funny why we don’t talk anymore
But it ain’t losing sleep
And I ain’t counting sheep.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore.
Oh, we don’t talk!
Used to think we were so complete
I can’t believe you’d throw it away
Used to feel we had it made
Used to feel we could sail away
Can you imagine how I feel today?
Well, it seems a long time ago
You were the lonely one
Now it comes to letting go
You are the only one
Do you know what you’ve done?
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
But it ain’t losing sleep
And I ain’t counting sheep.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore.
Oh, we don’t talk.
Well, it really doesn’t matter to me
I guess your leaving was meant to be
It’s down to you now you wanna be free
Well, I hope you know which way to go
You’re on your own again
Don’t come cryin’ to me
When you’re the lonely one
Remember what you’ve done.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore
It’s so funny why we don’t talk anymore
But it ain’t losing sleep
And I ain’t counting sheep.
It’s so funny how we don’t talk anymore.
Oh, we don’t talk!
That old wheel will roll around again
That old wheel is gonna roll around once more
When it does it will even up the score
Don’t be weak: as they sow, they will reap
Turn the other cheek and don’t give in
That old wheel will roll around again
When love is gone and the one you thought would stay
Does you wrong, and you’re left alone to pay
The price is high
But somehow you’ll survive, don’t give in
That old wheel will roll around again
There’ll be times, hard to control
you’ll hurt down in your soul!
There’ll be those who’ll be glad to see you down
But don’t give in, that old wheel will roll around again,again and again
When it does it will even up the score
Don’t be weak: as they sow, they will reap
Turn the other cheek and don’t give in
That old wheel will roll around again
When love is gone and the one you thought would stay
Does you wrong, and you’re left alone to pay
The price is high
But somehow you’ll survive, don’t give in
That old wheel will roll around again
There’ll be times, hard to control
you’ll hurt down in your soul!
There’ll be those who’ll be glad to see you down
But don’t give in, that old wheel will roll around again,again and again
When will I be loved?
I've been cheated,
Been mistreated.
When will I be loved?
I’ve been put down,
I’ve been pushed 'round.
When will I be loved.
When I find a new girl,
That I want for mine.
She always breaks my heart in two,
It happens every time.
I’ve been made blue,
I’ve been lied to.
When will I be loved?
When I find a new girl,
That I want for mine.
She always breaks my heart in two,
It happens every time.
I’ve been cheated,
Been mistreated.
When will I be loved?
Tell me, when will I be loved?
Been mistreated.
When will I be loved?
I’ve been put down,
I’ve been pushed 'round.
When will I be loved.
When I find a new girl,
That I want for mine.
She always breaks my heart in two,
It happens every time.
I’ve been made blue,
I’ve been lied to.
When will I be loved?
When I find a new girl,
That I want for mine.
She always breaks my heart in two,
It happens every time.
I’ve been cheated,
Been mistreated.
When will I be loved?
Tell me, when will I be loved?
Precious memories, how they linger
As I travel down life's pathway
Know not what the years may hold
As I ponder, hope grows fonder
Precious memories flood my soul
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious father, loving mother
Glide across the lonely years
And old home's scenes of my childhood
In fond memories appears
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Know not what the years may hold
As I ponder, hope grows fonder
Precious memories flood my soul
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious father, loving mother
Glide across the lonely years
And old home's scenes of my childhood
In fond memories appears
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Monday, September 13, 2010
This is where I ride away......
I knew the stakes were high right from the start
When she dealt the cards I dealt my heart
Now I just found a game that I can't play
And this is where I ride away
And my heart is sinking like the setting sun
Setting on the things I wish I'd done
It's time to say good bye to yesterday
This is where I ride away
We've been in and out of love and in between
And now we play the final showdown scene
And as the credits role a sad song starts to play
This is where I ride away
And my heart is sinking like the setting sun
Setting on the things I wish I'd done
Oh the last good bye's the hardest one to say
This is where I ride away
Oh the last good bye's the hardest one to say
This is where I decided to ride away!
I hate everything
He was sitting there beside me
Throwin' doubles down when he ordered up his third one
He looked around, then he looked at me
And said I do believe I'll have one more
Said I hate this bar and I hate to drink
But on second thought, tonight I think I hate everything
Then he opened up his billfold and threw a 20 down
And a faded photograph fell out and hit the ground
And I picked it up he said, Thank ya bud
I put it in his hand
He said I probably oughta throw this one away
'Cause she's the reason I feel this way
I hate everything
I hate my job, and I hate my life
If it weren't for my two kids, I'd hate my ex-wife
I know I should move on and try to start again
But I just can't get over her leaving me for him
Then he shook his head and looked down at his ring
And said, I hate everything
He said, that one bedroom apartment where I get my mail
Is really not a home, it's more like a jail
With a swimming pool and a parking lot view
Man, it's just great
I hate summer, winter, fall, and spring
Red and yellow, purple, blue and green
I hate everything
I hate my job, and I hate my life
If it werent for my two kids, I'd hate my ex-wife
I know I should move on and try to start again
But I just can't get over her leaving me for him
Then he shook his head and looked down at his ring
And said, I hate everything
Throwin' doubles down when he ordered up his third one
He looked around, then he looked at me
And said I do believe I'll have one more
Said I hate this bar and I hate to drink
But on second thought, tonight I think I hate everything
Then he opened up his billfold and threw a 20 down
And a faded photograph fell out and hit the ground
And I picked it up he said, Thank ya bud
I put it in his hand
He said I probably oughta throw this one away
'Cause she's the reason I feel this way
I hate everything
I hate my job, and I hate my life
If it weren't for my two kids, I'd hate my ex-wife
I know I should move on and try to start again
But I just can't get over her leaving me for him
Then he shook his head and looked down at his ring
And said, I hate everything
He said, that one bedroom apartment where I get my mail
Is really not a home, it's more like a jail
With a swimming pool and a parking lot view
Man, it's just great
I hate summer, winter, fall, and spring
Red and yellow, purple, blue and green
I hate everything
I hate my job, and I hate my life
If it werent for my two kids, I'd hate my ex-wife
I know I should move on and try to start again
But I just can't get over her leaving me for him
Then he shook his head and looked down at his ring
And said, I hate everything
Sunday, September 12, 2010
I’m just trying to find some balance in a world gone totally insane!
I turned forty-five some Wednesday(dont ask which year);
my gray hair is getting thin(now I shave my head regularly)
But I’m still hanging in there; don't feel too bad for the shape I’m in.
I’m seen yuppies in the White House but I think they're gonna fail
as I just don't trust a President that never has inhaled!
I pray to God to stop his crime but it seems to no avail
Well, I still love country music, but I’ve been left out in the dark
'Cause they don't play Merle and George no more
I don't know Billy Ray from Garth
And I’ve heard of Woodstock two but it never could compete
'Cause I was there the day that Hendrix played the Anthem with his feet
Back when all those grunge bands couldn't even keep a beat
I’m an old hippie, even older than before
Wondering what to pay attention to and what should I ignore
I’m an old hippie, still adjusting to the change
I’m just trying to find some balance in a world gone totally insane
I still think back on the sixties but not in the same way
Cause they built a wall to my war then forgot the MLAs!
I’m trying to be a nice man but it's too much of a bore
Cause fax machine and cell phones ain't what I was put here for
And in a world selling sex and youth I’m one of the last old dinosaurs
Yeah, I’m an old hippie, even older than before
Wondering what to pay attention to and what I should ignore
I’m an old hippie, still adjusting to the change
I’m just trying to find some balance in a world gone totally insane
Well, I come home from work now, take some time off with the kids
I try to teach them right from wrong, hope they don't learn it the way that I did
My eyes are on the future but it's looking pretty sad
With every day that passes I become more like my Dad!
just hope that when this decade turns around, things won't be so bad
Yes I’m an old hippie, even older than before
Wondering what to pay attention to and what I should ignore
I’m an old hippie, still adjusting to the change
I’m just trying to find some balance in a world gone totally insane!
Old hippie
He turned thirty-five last Sunday
In his hair he found some gray
But he still ain't changed his lifestyle
He likes it better the old way
So he grows a little garden in the back yard by the fence
He's consuming what he's growing nowadays in self defense
He gets out there in the twilight zone
sometimes when it just don't make no sense
He gets off on country music
cause disco left him cold
He's got young friends into new wave
buts he's just too freakin old
And he dreams at night of Woodstock
and the day John Lennon died
how the music made him happy
and the silence made him cry
Yea he thinks of John Lennon sometimes
and he has to wonder why
Cause he's an old hippie
and he don't know what to do
should he hang on to the old
should he grab on to the new
he's an old hippie
his new life is just a bust
he ain't trying to change nobody
he's just trying real hard to adjust
He was sure back in the sixties
that everyone was hip
Then they sent him off to Vietnam
on his senior trip
And they forced him to become a man
while he was still a boy
and behind each wave of tragedy
he waited for the joy
Now this world may change around him
but he just can't change no more
Well he stays away a lot now
from the parties and the clubs
And he's thinking while he's joggin' 'round
Sure is glad he quit the hard drugs
Cause him and his kind get more endangered everyday
And pretty soon the species
will just up and fade away
Like the smoke from that torpedo
just up and fade away..................
In his hair he found some gray
But he still ain't changed his lifestyle
He likes it better the old way
So he grows a little garden in the back yard by the fence
He's consuming what he's growing nowadays in self defense
He gets out there in the twilight zone
sometimes when it just don't make no sense
He gets off on country music
cause disco left him cold
He's got young friends into new wave
buts he's just too freakin old
And he dreams at night of Woodstock
and the day John Lennon died
how the music made him happy
and the silence made him cry
Yea he thinks of John Lennon sometimes
and he has to wonder why
Cause he's an old hippie
and he don't know what to do
should he hang on to the old
should he grab on to the new
he's an old hippie
his new life is just a bust
he ain't trying to change nobody
he's just trying real hard to adjust
He was sure back in the sixties
that everyone was hip
Then they sent him off to Vietnam
on his senior trip
And they forced him to become a man
while he was still a boy
and behind each wave of tragedy
he waited for the joy
Now this world may change around him
but he just can't change no more
Well he stays away a lot now
from the parties and the clubs
And he's thinking while he's joggin' 'round
Sure is glad he quit the hard drugs
Cause him and his kind get more endangered everyday
And pretty soon the species
will just up and fade away
Like the smoke from that torpedo
just up and fade away..................
dedicated to all the educated & confused people in the world
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well theyd be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.
There are times when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what weve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.
Now watch what you say or theyll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Wont you sign up your name, wed like to feel youre
Acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable!
At night, when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what weve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am !
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well theyd be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.
There are times when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what weve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.
Now watch what you say or theyll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Wont you sign up your name, wed like to feel youre
Acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable!
At night, when all the worlds asleep,
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Wont you please, please tell me what weve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am !
A Couple More Years
A Couple More Years
I've got a couple more years
On you baby, that's all
I've had more chances to fly
More places to fall.
Ain't that I'm wiser it's only that I've spent
More time with my back to the wall
And I've picked up a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
I've walked a couple more roads
Than you baby, that's all
And I'm tired of running while
You're only learning to crawl.
And you're goin' somewhere but I've been to somewhere
And found it was nowhere at all
And I've picked up a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
Now saying goodbye girl
Don't ever come easy at all
But you've got to fly
'Cause you're hearing those young eagles call.
Someday when you're older
You'll smile at someone younger and eager to fall
You'll say I got a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
And you'll say I got a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
You'll say honey I've picked up
A couple more years on you baby, that's all...
On you baby, that's all
I've had more chances to fly
More places to fall.
Ain't that I'm wiser it's only that I've spent
More time with my back to the wall
And I've picked up a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
I've walked a couple more roads
Than you baby, that's all
And I'm tired of running while
You're only learning to crawl.
And you're goin' somewhere but I've been to somewhere
And found it was nowhere at all
And I've picked up a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
Now saying goodbye girl
Don't ever come easy at all
But you've got to fly
'Cause you're hearing those young eagles call.
Someday when you're older
You'll smile at someone younger and eager to fall
You'll say I got a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
And you'll say I got a couple more years
On you baby, that's all.
You'll say honey I've picked up
A couple more years on you baby, that's all...
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be!
Who will love a little Sparrow?
Who's traveled far and cries for rest?
"Not I," said the Oak Tree,
"I won't share my branches with no sparrow's nest,
And my blanket of leaves won't warm her cold breast."
Who will love a little Sparrow
And who will speak a kindly word?
"Not I," said the swan,
"The entire idea is utterly absurd,
I'd be laughed at and scorned if the other Swans heard."
Who will take pity in his heart,
And who will feed a starving sparrow?
"Not I," said the Golden Wheat,
"I would if I could but I cannot, I know,
I need all my grain to prosper and grow."
Who will love a little Sparrow?
Will no one write her eulogy?
"I will," said the Earth,
"For all I've created returns unto me,
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be."
Who's traveled far and cries for rest?
"Not I," said the Oak Tree,
"I won't share my branches with no sparrow's nest,
And my blanket of leaves won't warm her cold breast."
Who will love a little Sparrow
And who will speak a kindly word?
"Not I," said the swan,
"The entire idea is utterly absurd,
I'd be laughed at and scorned if the other Swans heard."
Who will take pity in his heart,
And who will feed a starving sparrow?
"Not I," said the Golden Wheat,
"I would if I could but I cannot, I know,
I need all my grain to prosper and grow."
Who will love a little Sparrow?
Will no one write her eulogy?
"I will," said the Earth,
"For all I've created returns unto me,
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be."
Thursday, September 9, 2010
I've spent a lifetime looking for you
Single bars and good time lovers, never true
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again.
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Hopin' to find a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
Another heart, lookin' for love
I was alone then, no love in sight
And I did everything I could to get me through the night
Don't know where it started or where it might end
I turn to a stranger, just like a friend
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Hopin' to find a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
Another heart, lookin' for love
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Now that I found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin' for love
In all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Now that I have not found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, still lookin' for love...........
Single bars and good time lovers, never true
Playing a fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and losing again.
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Hopin' to find a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
Another heart, lookin' for love
I was alone then, no love in sight
And I did everything I could to get me through the night
Don't know where it started or where it might end
I turn to a stranger, just like a friend
I was looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Hopin' to find a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
Another heart, lookin' for love
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Now that I found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, lookin' for love
In all the wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...
Now that I have not found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you, still lookin' for love...........
take a step forward..dont turn back....
Honey, don't go right now
Now that you've come this far
Honey, you don't know how
Close you really are
There's nothing you can't do
It's up to you to let it go
Put the past behind
Out of sight and out of mind
Honey, you're never gonna see
Behind the untried door
You know it doesn't have to be
The way it was before
You're not the only one who found too soon
The more you care
The more you stand to lose
I've been inside your shoes
So Honey, don't go right now
I know you just take anything on trust
Why don't you open up and show the way you feel?
What's there to hide?
What is it that's inside of you
That you seem so unwilling to reveal?
So let's just take it slow
It's not as though
I'm asking for your secrets or your soul
You need a hand to hold
So Honey, don't go right now
Honey, don't go right now !
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
This is the power of love.
When you can't sleep nights and you wonder why,
Without a friend and you wanna die.
Situation desperation, all you want is sympathy,
And sympathy is all you'll get,
Enough!!!!! - you ain't found nothing yet,
Till you found the power of love.
Your beauty ain't so hard to see,
Your looks can make a fool of me,
You say the things I want to hear,
And tell me it won't disappear,
But I won't know until I find if there is any truth behind,
What you call the power of love.
It takes you, it makes you and sometimes it breaks you,
It fills you and thrills you and sometimes it kills you,
But I've been looking so hard to find it,
I ain't giving it any more time,
There's nothing you can do about this,
You will never live without it,
This is the power of love..................
Without a friend and you wanna die.
Situation desperation, all you want is sympathy,
And sympathy is all you'll get,
Enough!!!!! - you ain't found nothing yet,
Till you found the power of love.
Your beauty ain't so hard to see,
Your looks can make a fool of me,
You say the things I want to hear,
And tell me it won't disappear,
But I won't know until I find if there is any truth behind,
What you call the power of love.
It takes you, it makes you and sometimes it breaks you,
It fills you and thrills you and sometimes it kills you,
But I've been looking so hard to find it,
I ain't giving it any more time,
There's nothing you can do about this,
You will never live without it,
This is the power of love..................
It's Your Life
Who said the web of life is woven in a dream,
'Cause your life is filled with dreams you can't believe.
So the only way you live with it is acting every scene,
And you play the part so well, but who deceived
Now and again I find you ain't got a friend
Who knows, I come and I go, but it's your life...
Though the world is overcrowded you still found an empty place,
And I know he leaves you helpless and confused.
And your search for love has often left you staring into space
Just another broken heart, so what's the use?
How many times have I been so hard to find?
You know I come and I go, but it's your life...
How does it feel when he's not around?
Can he be real when he can be found nowhere?
Who lit the flame upon the candle tonight?
And who let herself be lit so easily?
And who let it burn until the early morning light
And in the early morning gave herself to some one?
And so, you know that it's your life...
'Cause your life is filled with dreams you can't believe.
So the only way you live with it is acting every scene,
And you play the part so well, but who deceived
Now and again I find you ain't got a friend
Who knows, I come and I go, but it's your life...
Though the world is overcrowded you still found an empty place,
And I know he leaves you helpless and confused.
And your search for love has often left you staring into space
Just another broken heart, so what's the use?
How many times have I been so hard to find?
You know I come and I go, but it's your life...
How does it feel when he's not around?
Can he be real when he can be found nowhere?
Who lit the flame upon the candle tonight?
And who let herself be lit so easily?
And who let it burn until the early morning light
And in the early morning gave herself to some one?
And so, you know that it's your life...
she'll fake it for a few dollars more
Rich girl she buys her dreams.
It's a rich world behind the scenes.
The more she takes the harder they fall
She ain't easy and she ain't tough
She's had it good, but then she's had it rough
And I guess it don't come to much
With all she's got she ain't got enough
So she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
Strange things can happen to you
When you've got so much and you've got nothing to do
Oh oh oh what do you know
How do you get there when there's nowhere to go
And so you wonder just what she'll do
She's never known love but then she's never known you
And it's too bad those sad eyes
Are so full of questions and so full of lies
And she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
And she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door............
It's a rich world behind the scenes.
The more she takes the harder they fall
She ain't easy and she ain't tough
She's had it good, but then she's had it rough
And I guess it don't come to much
With all she's got she ain't got enough
So she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
Strange things can happen to you
When you've got so much and you've got nothing to do
Oh oh oh what do you know
How do you get there when there's nowhere to go
And so you wonder just what she'll do
She's never known love but then she's never known you
And it's too bad those sad eyes
Are so full of questions and so full of lies
And she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
And she'll cry just a little for a few dollars more
She'll lie just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door
You know she'll die just a little for a few dollars more
Even fly just a little like she's done it before
She'll take it, she'll fake it for a few dollars more
She'll show you her heart, then show you the door............
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Don't Spend Too Much of Today on Yesterday
Don't Spend Too Much of Today on Yesterday
Too many people spend too much of their day Looking over their shoulder at what they did some other day
It may have been good it may have been bad whichever way it's kinda sad
They can't learn to look some other way
Don't spend too much of today on yesterday
Cos you can't change the past anyway
Just love to live and live life today
Don't spend too much of today on yesterday
There are so many things to do that haven't been done
There are so many ways to go
That you don't have to run
So try on a few and see how they fit
I think you'll find that they won’t hurt a bit
Look at things you can do Instead of what you have done
If you feel life has done you wrong
Just accept it and move on along
Today is too short it won't last
Live life now don't live in the past
Let's call it just friends And keep it that way!
There's no need to lie
Without me half trying, I could love you
It shows in your eyes
That you feel the same way I do
But wherever I go, my conscience goes
What more can I say
It's only desire, not yet a fire
Let's keep it that way
When I get back home
'Cause it would tear apart her fairy tale world
If I did her wrong
And lying to her would hurt me more
Than leaving you this way
So before we forget, we're not cheaters yet
Let's keep it that way
Let's finish this wine
'Cause I'm not thinking too clearly tonight
And the touch of your hand
Makes it so hard for me to tell wrong from right
she waits at home and she's there alone
And though I'd like to stay
Before I give in
Let's call it just friends
And keep it that way
Sunday, September 5, 2010
For Doers
For Doers
Young people generally fall into three categories:
Those who Do More; those who Do Less; and those who Do Nothing.
Do more than exist: Live
Do more than look: Observe.
Do more than read: Absorb
Do more than hear: Listen.
Do more than listen: Understand.
Do more than think: Ponder.
Do more than talk: Say something.
Do more than desire: Do something about it.
THE SCOTSMAN
THE SCOTSMAN
Well a Scotsman clad in kilt left the bar one evening fair
And one could tell by how he walked that he drank more than his share
He fumbled around until he could no longer keep his feet
Then he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
About that time two young and lovely girls just happened by
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
See yon sleeping Scotsman so strong and handsome built
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt
She crept up on that sleeping Scotsman as quiet as could be
And lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold unto their view beneath his Scottish skirt
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth
They marveled for a moment than one said we must be gone
Let's leave a present for our friend before we move along
As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon tied into a bow
Around the bonny star the Scot’s kilt did lift and show
Now the Scotsman woke to nature's call and stumbled towards the trees
Behind the bush he lifts his kilt and gasps at what he sees
And in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes
Och lad I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Andy Williams - Love Story
Where do i begin
To tell the story
Of how greatful love can be
The sweet love story
That is older than the sea
That sings the truth about the love she brings to me
Where do i start
With the first hello
She gave the meaning
To this empty world of mine
That never be
Another love another time
She came into my life
And made a living fine
She fills my heart
She fills my heart
With very special things
With angel songs
With wild imaginings
She fills my soul
With soo much love
That anywhere i go
Im never lonely
With her along who could b lonely
I reach for her hand
Its always there
How long does it last
Can love be measured by the hours in a day
I have no answers no
But this much i can say
I know ill need her till the stars all fade away
And she'll be there...
To tell the story
Of how greatful love can be
The sweet love story
That is older than the sea
That sings the truth about the love she brings to me
Where do i start
With the first hello
She gave the meaning
To this empty world of mine
That never be
Another love another time
She came into my life
And made a living fine
She fills my heart
She fills my heart
With very special things
With angel songs
With wild imaginings
She fills my soul
With soo much love
That anywhere i go
Im never lonely
With her along who could b lonely
I reach for her hand
Its always there
How long does it last
Can love be measured by the hours in a day
I have no answers no
But this much i can say
I know ill need her till the stars all fade away
And she'll be there...
Lets Fall To Pieces Together
Pardon me, you left your tears on the jukebox,
And I'm afraid they got mixed up with mine.
I don't mean to pry,
It's just that I noticed you going out of your mind.
Looks like we're two of a kind.
Let's fall to pieces together.
Why should we both fall apart?
Let's fall to pieces together
Right here in each other's arms.
Alone is much better together,
And the worst is still yet to come.
So let's share the rest of the tears
That are left from two hearts that just came undone.
Why should we go crazy alone?
Let's fall to pieces together
Right here in each other's arms.
And I'm afraid they got mixed up with mine.
I don't mean to pry,
It's just that I noticed you going out of your mind.
Looks like we're two of a kind.
Let's fall to pieces together.
Why should we both fall apart?
Let's fall to pieces together
Right here in each other's arms.
Alone is much better together,
And the worst is still yet to come.
So let's share the rest of the tears
That are left from two hearts that just came undone.
Why should we go crazy alone?
Let's fall to pieces together
Right here in each other's arms.
courtesy -George Strait
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