“Shaping Life with a Positive Attitude”

Once a little girl was born into a very poor family in a shack in the backwoods of Tennessee. She was the 20th of the 22 children, prematurely born and frail. Her survival was doubtful. When she was four years old she had double pneumonia and scarlet fever - a deadly combination that left her with a paralyzed and useless left leg. She had to wear an iron leg brace. Yet she was fortunate in having a mother who encouraged her.

Well, this mother told her little girl, who was very bright, that despite the brace and leg, she could do whatever she wanted to do with her life. She told her that all she needed to do was to have faith, persistence, courage and an indomitable spirit.

So at nine years of age, the little girl removed the leg brace, and she took the step the doctors told her she would never take normally. In four years, she developed a rhythmic stride, which was a medical wonder. Then this girl got the notion, the incredible notion, that she would like to be the world's greatest woman runner. Now, what could she mean - be a runner with a leg like that?

At age 13, she entered a race. She came in last - way, way last. She entered every race in high school, and in every race she came in last. Everyone begged her to quit! However, one day, she came in next to last. And then there came a day when she won a race. From then on, Wilma Rudolph won every race that she entered.

Wilma went to Tennessee State University, where she met a coach named Ed Temple. Coach Temple saw the indomitable spirit of the girl, that she was a believer and that she had great natural talent. He trained her so well that she went to the Olympic Games.

There she was pitted against the greatest woman runner of the day, a German girl named Jutta Heine. Nobody had ever beaten Jutta. But in the 100-meter dash, Wilma Rudolph won. She beat Jutta again in the 200-meters. Now Wilma had two Olympic gold medals.

Finally came the 400-meter relay. It would be Wilma against Jutta once again. The first two runners on Wilma's team made perfect handoffs with the baton. But when the third runner handed the baton to Wilma, she was so excited she dropped it, and Wilma saw Jutta taking off down the track. It was impossible that anybody could catch this fleet and nimble girl. But Wilma did just that! Wilma Rudolph had earned three Olympic gold medals.

Wilma realized she was born with a unique gift – the gift of Positive Attitude and that was enough to overshadow all the defects her leg had. In return she was determined by her attitude to make her life an inspirational one for many, so that they start striving with all what they have.

Make your talent a gift to the world! Have a great week with a positive outlook to life!

"King Alexander’s last wishes"

There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander, the great Greek king.

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears flowing down

their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that,” said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury." The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin." The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world." With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last.

“One more chance"

It’s another morning! Again I have to go to office. Oh, this is me I shouted having a glance on my snap in today’s news paper. But what is it doing in the death column? Strange…

One second, let me recollect, last night when I was going to bed I had a severe pain in my chest, but I don’t remember anything after that, I think I had a sound sleep.

It’s morning now, ….. It’s already 9:00 AM, where is my coffee? I will be late for office and my boss will get a chance to irritate me.

Where is everyone? I screamed. “I think there is a crowd outside my room, let me check.” I said to myself.

So many people….. not all of them crying… but why are some of them crying? My wife was crying… she was really looking sad. My little son was not sure what happened, but he was crying just because his mom was sad.

What is this? I'm lying there on the floor…“I am here” … I shouted! No one listened. “Look, I am not dead” I screamed once again! No one is interested in me.

How can I go without telling my son that I really love him, I really do care for him?

How can I go without telling my wife that she is really beautiful and the most caring wife in this world?

How can I go without telling my parents that I really do love them?

How can I go without telling my friends thanks for being there ?

I can see a person standing in the corner and trying to hide his tears. Oh… he was once my best friend, but a small misunderstanding made us part.

I went there.. And offered him my hand, “Dear friend… I just want to say sorry for everything, we are still best friends, please forgive me.” No response from his side. He is still preserving his ego? I am saying sorry… even then!” But it seems he is not able to see my extended hand!

I just sat down; I too felt like crying! “Oh almighty! please just give me a few more days. I just want to make my wife, my parents; my friends realize how much I love them. ”

"Stop shouting" said my wife as she gently woke me up. "Did you have a nightmare?"

I was sleeping….oh that was just a dream….My wife was there… she could hear me…that was the happiest moment in my life…I hugged her!

“Thank you God for this second chance.”

So, Now it’s not late. Forget your ego, your dead past and express your love to others. Be friendly, keep smiling and be happy for ever !