Winning the Race
A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics,
nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled,
assembled at the starting line for the l00-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash
but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt,
tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry.
They slowed down and looked back.
Then they all turned around and went
back.
Every one of them.
One girl with Downs Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said,
"This will
make it better."
Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood,
and the cheering went on for several minutes.
People who were there are still telling the story.
Why?
Because deep down we know this one thing...
What matters in this life is helping others win,
even if it means slowing down and changing our course.
"The Seven Wonders of the World"
A group of students was asked to list what they thought
were the current Seven Wonders of the World.
Although there were some disagreements,
the following received the most votes:
1.
Egypt's Great Pyramids
2.
The Taj Mahal
3.
The Grand Canyon
4.
The Panama Canal
5.
The Empire State Building
6.
St. Peter's Basilica
7.
The Great Wall of China
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished
her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.
The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because
there were so many."
The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read,
"I think The Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love."
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we
take for granted are truly wondrous!
A gentle reminder -- that the most precious things in life
cannot be built by hand or bought by man.