Inspiration

When the subject of heaven and hell was broached in conversation one day, Ernest Hemingway politely declined to offer any opinion.

"Excuse me for not answering," he said. "I have friends in both places."

You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.

Irv and Sol, are walking down the street when Sol turns to Irv and says, "Irv, if you had two of those top-of-the-line Mercedes Benz cars, with all the gear, electric windows, CD player and all of that, exactly the same, would you give me one?"

Irv says, "Sol, how long do we go back? Thirty years? We've been best friends since school, and if I had two of those Mercedes, top-of-the-line cars with all the trimmings, exactly the same, yeah, I would give the other one to you."

So, they keep walking. After a couple of minutes, Irv turns to Sol and says, "Sol, if you had two of those luxury, millionaire-type yachts, you know, with all the modern conveniences, and they were exactly the same, would you give one of them to me?"

Sol says, "Irv, you and me are like brothers, you were best man at my wedding, you attended my son's Bar Mitzvah, we have gone to the same shul together for all these years. If I had two of those luxury playboy yachts, exactly the same with all the modern conveniences, then yeah Irv, I really would give the other one to you."

They keep walking. A couple of minutes later, Sol turns to Irv, "Irv, if you had two chickens..."

"Now hold on there! Sol, you KNOW I've got two Chickens!"

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, "No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, "No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience."

God said, "No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned."

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, "No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, "No. You must grow on your own! , but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, "No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things."

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.

God said, "Ahhhh, finally you have the idea."