A Ballerina Who Give-up Easily

There was once a young ballerina who had taken ballet lesson all through her childhood. She wanted to be a prima ballet dancer but she wanted to be sure that she had the talent. When a ballet company came to town, she went backstage after the performance she spoke to the ballet master.

“I want to be a great ballet dancer but I don’t know if I had the talent” she said. “Dance for me” the master said. After a minute or two, he shook his head and said “No, no, no, you don’t have what it takes to be a great ballerina.”

The young woman went home heartbroken. She tossed the ballet slippers into the closet and never wore them again. Instead she got married, had children. when the kids are old enough, she took a part time job manning a cash register at a corner shop.

Years later, the same ballet company came into town. She attended it and on the way out, she ran into the same old ballet master who was then in his eighties. She reminded him that they had spoken before. She showed him photos of her children and told him about the corner shop job that she is doing now. And then she asked “There is just one thing that really bothered me. How could you tell me that I don't have what it takes to be a great ballerina?” “Oh, I barely look at you when you danced, that’s what I told all of them who came to me” he said. “But…but, that’s unforgivable! You have ruined my life, I could have been a great ballet dancer!” she cried.

“No, no…I don’t think so, if you have what it takes, you wouldn’t have paid any attention to what I said.” The old ballet master said.

***Well who's fault anyway?Sometimes people tend to judge us not only because they don't appreciate us, but also they want us to realized how to make it more better, that's a constructive criticism. It's a kind of criticism that can boast our pride to make an extra effort to give our best. But sometimes because also of our pride, we tend to be deaf by the true message of that criticism. Instead we run away and give up on things that we want to hold on. Like this story of ballerina, she run away and forget her dream just because of some silly criticism from the ballet master. Criticism could hurt us and tore our pride, which is normal because we're just human. But if you really believe in yourself and the power of your dreams, even a worst criticism can't make you quit, remember "Quitter's never win". And for all the critics out there just don't be so rude, before you judge just try to see the good things about that person. I hope we can learn from this***

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"Being There"

One of the most sought after expressions of love is presence. Not many people realize this but it's true. It is not the gifts of material value, but the thought of being there. This is the most valuable gift we can give. To be there in person for the solemn or joyous occasions of our friends and dear one's, would surely make difference. Not just for the receiver but for the giver as well. For the gifts of the self, the self is renewed. It is something that we owe to one another, whatever the cost.

When we are truly present for other people, important things happened to them and to us. We renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. "Being There" is the ultimate expression of love and it lies at the very core of civility.

What occasions are most important for being there? Surely weddings and funerals head the list, birthdays, christening, anniversaries, family holidays and victory celebrations follow closely. But there are other, less obvious ways to express a sense of caring. Like visiting a sick friend, or one who has just broken off with his or her lover.

How can we bestow the gift of self?Here are some suggestions:

*Be positive about invitations:
Don't immediately think of an excuse, train yourself to say 'yes' instead of thinking of conflicts. Never say no to an invitation! This may not always be practical though there are cases where in saying 'no' is exceptional. It is the attitude that best counts. Be ready to involved yourself. Work things out and find ways to accept invitations, rather than thinking of ways to say 'no'.

*Go out of your way:
Sometimes it is difficult, but when we manage to be there, in spite of the convenience of travel, expenses or schedule. We are often surprised at what a difference our presence make.

*Make amends:
Sometimes a person mises a solemn event, feels embarrassed about it. Don't let guilt compound your absence. If you did not go to the ceremony, you can still go to the person.

***Remember that your presence can be greater gift, than any material thing you could send.***

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"Don't Judge a book by it's cover"

Sometimes I feel like a book on a shelf.
Standing alone, I am all by myself.
People walk by to just pick me up and used me
Or just throw me down and hit or abuse me.
Their cares are my cover, or eye-catching title.
My contents and pages to them are not vital,
They couldn't care less, if I'm torn deep inside.
Just stroll right by with a strut or a stride
I want to just scream to let it all out.
I wish they could see what I'm really about.
I wouldn't care who is dumb or who's smart.
I would open to each with all my heart.

Why is our world so hung up on appearances? Why do we insist on judging people by their "covers" and never bother to find out what they're really about?

Why do we raise our noses, when we pass by someone who dressed wrong? Why do we ignore someone's answer to a question, because of the way he/she talks? Why do we pretend not to see the guy with the glasses and the pocket calculator? Why are we so insecure about ourselves that we have to make an outcast of anyone who is different?

In 1 Samuel 16:7 says that God does not judge by outward appearances, he looks at the heart. Why can't we learn to do the same thing?

It seems so ridiculous that people will shun some guy, because he is "too tall", "too skinny", "too short" or "not muscular enough, but it happens a lot. And girls are discarded because they're "too flat", "too tall", "too chubby", and "too skinny".

This kind of judgment happens at school , at church, at work and in other places. It influences our decisions on who gets to join clubs, who will be a class president, or who gets the promotion. But it gets really bad when we start looking for people to date or even to marry.

There are tons of women who can get operations, starve themselves, get their hair dyed, and so on. Good looking women aren't that hard to find! But it can be very difficult to find a woman who truly has a heart for God. You cannot go out and buy one of those. If you pass up a girl, because she does not fit your taste. Then you may end up the loser.

Women also do this tool if we are passing guys off, just because they do not work out enough or because they cannot gain weight or because they have a crazy looking haircut. Then we're not only being shallow and superficial, but we may be missing out on someone great.

I'm tired of seeing it happened. I am tired of catching myself doing it, and I am tired of having others do it to me. If appearances are what we value in others, then we might as well give up on human beings and spend out time playing with toys! If we only love at surface level well always have a loneliness inside, because well never learn to connect with others on a deeper level.

I think God did intend for us to enjoy and admire beauty and to do the best we can with what we have, but a face and body can only go so far. When you start getting to know other people and seeing beyond their looks, that is what is really beautiful.

Who cares about the beautiful wrapping paper and ribbon around a present? Some of the best present I've seen were wrapped in newspaper and given by loving friend!

I'm not just talking about the way we judge others. Learning to love also means learning to accept ourselves just as we are. To value our "contents" as well as our "cover" and work to be beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside.

If you feel frustrated because you don't feel like you are pretty enough or handsome enough. I hope you can begin to realized that when you get older most people value who you are more. After all the person inside, is the person God loves and he judges our lives by the book, not by the cover.

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