The Red Ribbon

Written by Staci Stallings


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I still remember that moment, and I still have that little red ribbon. When we graduated 13 years later, I stood on that stage and gaverepparttar Valedictory address to that same group of students, none of whom even remembered that moment anymore. So, I told them about that little boy who had made a split-second decision that helping a friend up was more important than winning a blue ribbon. In my speech I told them that I wouldn’t tell which ofrepparttar 122966 guys sitting there on that stage wasrepparttar 122967 little boy although he was up there with me. I wouldn’t tell because in truth at one time or another all of them had been that little boy—helping me up when I fell, taking time out from their pursuit of their own goals to help a fellow person in need.

And I told them why I’ve kept that ribbon. You see to me, that ribbon is a reminder that you don’t have to be a winner inrepparttar 122968 eyes ofrepparttar 122969 world to be a winner to those closest to you. The world may judge you a failure or a success, but those closest to you will knowrepparttar 122970 truth. That’s important to remember as we travel through this life.

You may not have a red ribbon to prove it, but I sincerely hope you have at least a few friends who remember you for taking time out from your pursuit of that blue ribbon to help them. I’m thinking those will berepparttar 122971 ones that really count—I know it’srepparttar 122972 one that countedrepparttar 122973 most to me.

Copyright Staci Stallings 2003

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Mindfulness: You're Soaking In It!

Written by Maya Talisman Frost


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2) Before you can soften your heart, you've got to cleanse it of anger, frustration, or resistance. So, when you squirt that first blob of colorful liquid soap, say "Cleanse." 3) As you wipe your dishes, swab your glasses, and scrub your pans, focus onrepparttar act of each stroke, every circular caress, andrepparttar 122965 repetitive and rhythmic series of motions. Scrub, rinse, drain, repeat. 4) Visualizerepparttar 122966 scouring of your heart, scrubbingrepparttar 122967 crusty residue of your overcooked stew of negative emotions and thoughts. Watch as your heart becomes pure again, sparkling clean and ready forrepparttar 122968 world. We often get stuck in thinking that mindfulness is something we can develop only if we sit in meditation on a regular basis. Meditation is powerful, but so isrepparttar 122969 purposeful awareness cultivated inrepparttar 122970 most mundane moments throughoutrepparttar 122971 day.

You won't missrepparttar 122972 thoughts you would've had while doing dishes, but you will definitely benefit fromrepparttar 122973 focused attention on your heart and this remarkably simple way to restore equilibrium.

Madgerepparttar 122974 Manicurist encouraged us to soak in order to soften. By taking it one step further, you can ease into your dishwashing task with intention and emerge with a sense of lightness--as well as gleaming dishes.

Think of it as mindful multitasking, and scrub your way to a more balanced day.

Passrepparttar 122975 sponge.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 100 countries. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.massageyourmind.com.


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