@RitaWirtz Red Boat, an inspiring story. A simple tale of giving to others, a gift of life! What a wonderful world!
It’s been awhile since I was last at Disneyland with kids, but I always remember ‘Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride’. That’s what my life has felt like lately. Mostly highs, but some really bummer unexpected lows. Life. Stuff just happens. Some things we are simply not in control of. So we wait it out. We worry. We put ourselves in a kind of “Groundhog Day” over and over, can’t get out of the cycle rut, or trap, even. When my life gets tough I make extra effort to regroup, to find and focus on only the good, to give gratitude for what I have and know everything will work out ok. If it isn’t ok, then it’s simply not done yet. This too shall pass generally means just that.
But while I wallow in depths of despair, (drama) I get out of that negative space by reading. I read my Kindle, grand books waiting for me. I wade through social media and then, voila! A picture of a really old tortoise, mama sloth and a baby, silly monkey, a wonder pig, you know what I mean. I feast on broad vistas, climb that beautiful mountain in my mind. I laugh at corny jokes. I call or write a friend. I make sure to do something for someone else, that helps me grow.
YouTube beckons. I listen to “What a Wonderful World” a bunch of times. A lot of Steven Halpern, to quiet and reframe my intention to a positive, even it if looks impossible. Take the prefix im out, and anything is possible! I get up and dance, to old time Blues, Cuban, Reggae, mixing it up. Then I do Pilates on my floor mat. Meditate. Breathe Pause Breathe.
And always back to reading. I know there’s something motivational beckoning. I know I will get teary. Then there it is, a great human interest story. And another. And another. I kept coming back to this story. The story of a red boat. This simple, yet engagingly profound story. So here it is, please read, then I’ll add a few comments. It stands on its own, really.
Everybody has stories to tell. I like to think this one is true, but if it isn’t, it’s still a great story about life.
“A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him. While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When he finished painting, he received his money and left. The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting. The painter was surprised and said “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat Sir!” “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.” “Ah! But it was such a small service… certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.” “My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened: “When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.“When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.“They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time.“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. “Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. “Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! “You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your ‘small’ good deed.”
So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the ‘leaks’ you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.Along the way, you may have repaired numerous ‘boat holes’ for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve save. Make a difference….be the best you… Have a blessed day “
NOTE: This story is credited to Sharing is Caring, Sweden.
It’s been awhile since I was last at Disneyland with kids, but I always remember ‘Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride’. That’s what my life has felt like lately. Mostly highs, but some really bummer unexpected lows. Life. Stuff just happens. Some things we are simply not in control of. So we wait it out. We worry. We put ourselves in a kind of “Groundhog Day” over and over, can’t get out of the cycle rut, or trap, even. When my life gets tough I make extra effort to regroup, to find and focus on only the good, to give gratitude for what I have and know everything will work out ok. If it isn’t ok, then it’s simply not done yet. This too shall pass generally means just that.
But while I wallow in depths of despair, (drama) I get out of that negative space by reading. I read my Kindle, grand books waiting for me. I wade through social media and then, voila! A picture of a really old tortoise, mama sloth and a baby, silly monkey, a wonder pig, you know what I mean. I feast on broad vistas, climb that beautiful mountain in my mind. I laugh at corny jokes. I call or write a friend. I make sure to do something for someone else, that helps me grow.
YouTube beckons. I listen to “What a Wonderful World” a bunch of times. A lot of Steven Halpern, to quiet and reframe my intention to a positive, even it if looks impossible. Take the prefix im out, and anything is possible! I get up and dance, to old time Blues, Cuban, Reggae, mixing it up. Then I do Pilates on my floor mat. Meditate. Breathe Pause Breathe.
And always back to reading. I know there’s something motivational beckoning. I know I will get teary. Then there it is, a great human interest story. And another. And another. I kept coming back to this story. The story of a red boat. This simple, yet engagingly profound story. So here it is, please read, then I’ll add a few comments. It stands on its own, really.
Everybody has stories to tell. I like to think this one is true, but if it isn’t, it’s still a great story about life.
“A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him. While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When he finished painting, he received his money and left. The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting. The painter was surprised and said “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat Sir!” “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.” “Ah! But it was such a small service… certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.” “My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened: “When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.“When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.“They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time.“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. “Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. “Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! “You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your ‘small’ good deed.”
So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the ‘leaks’ you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.Along the way, you may have repaired numerous ‘boat holes’ for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve save. Make a difference….be the best you… Have a blessed day “
NOTE: This story is credited to Sharing is Caring, Sweden.