I' ve been slow in composing posts
this week.
The temperatures are rising
its around 110*during the day.
So I get tired easily.
We use the air convector cooler,
( almost everyone I know has
air conditioners but I can 't
afford one).
The cool air of the water cooler
flares up arthritis.
My right hip, left wrist ,
arms and knees have been
quite painful because of that.
I tried to bear the pain, but
it got me so tired and stressed out
I had to take pain killers.
Pain tires me out easily.
I think trees are like
God 's giant sculptures.
I like photographing them.
This one is outside a
shopping mall
I visited with my nephew Ashish
when he was here in February this year.
Its an ancient banyan tree.
(Megan, Sonia, Ashish & Abner)
My adopted sister Sonia, hubby and son Abner
are arriving on Saturday
for a summer vacation with us.
We are so excited.
I am getting the house ready.
(me,Sonia,Ashish & Abner)
Keeping the house dust free is such a task
with strong dust laden winds
blowing most of the day.
We 've had dust storms too.
Last evening we had surprise rain
which cooled us off.
After the rain we sat out
on the patio
enjoying the cool evening
before the mosquito attack.
Trust you all are safe and healthy.
I read the following very instructive
and inspiring story on
my friend Elizabeth 's blog
and I want to share it here.
THE PLANT
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed.He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!"
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
13 Fertilize my soul:
Dear Amrita ~ What a beautiful, inspiring story.
I hope your weekend is wonderful with visiting family.
Sorry you are dealing with arthritis. It is hot here and humid, but not as hot as where you are. We have our a.c. going on low.
Be well ~ Hugs ~ FlowerLady
Dear Amrita,
This was an inspiring history. I wonder if I had been as brave as Jim?
Facing failure is not easy.
I'm sorry for your pains. I only too well know what you are talking about.
You are so right, water cooling is not good for arthritis.
I can see that you are blessed in some ways though. Having Sonja and her family stay with you for summer vacation must be inspiring.
I pray your health will improve till then.
The "good" thing about arthritis, is that the pains come in waves.
Ginger and turmeric are good companions against arthritis, but that must be ld news ro you.
Say hello to Mama from me.
From Felisol
Last time I plant date palm, but I don't know what will grow from them. Yes, trees are wonderful creations of the Lord.
I understand Your pain - last time I had problems with it too.
We also have warm days last time - maybe not so hot - today we had about 26C/78 F.
It's a pity you can't email some of that heat to us here! The weather's turned cold again.
It's a good story:"he that sows to the Spirit, from the Spirit shall reap eternal life", Gal 6: 8.
I saw the story at http://thstanford.blogspot.com/
which has other good stories and not too many visitors.
Hi Amrita -
that's a lovely story.
I can't imagine functioning in the heat (and humidity) you have there! I hope you are able to manage well.
Blessings on you! :)
Dear David, thank you for introducing me to Tom Staqnford 's godly blog. I am following him
Hi Kathryn,
its hard to cope in th e heat. One can get tired easily. but God send bright moments in the day which makes a hot heavby day beautiful. Yesterday there was a 2 minute light shower at 7am and today an estranged cousin and his wife came to visit us after years.That made us so happy. I gave tham a bag of tomatoes and mangoes. God is good.
Sonia and family will also arrive in a few hours - hot lunch ready for them, just have to do some more cleaning.
Dear Amrita,
Hope you are feeling better. I can't imagine having chronic pain, I can't hardly manage a headache. Praying for you.
I'm glad you are having family visiting with you. That's lovely.
The story was beautiful. A great learning for today Sunday, something to reflect about.
Have a wonderful time with your sister and family!!
Doris
I love trees, the one you showed in the first picture looks very special.
Hi Amrita!
me too down with this summer @ NOIDA & Work load at office. Thank god my water cooler is less efficient in mixing water with the hot Air...though I often complain about that but I think dry air is rather healthy :)
Nice post altogether... thanks for sharing :)
Very inspiring story about honesty. It is true. We will surely reap what we have planted. I pray that your pains will be healed in God's time. By the stripes of Jesus you are healed. Amen. Thanks for the inspiring post. God bless you always.
Hi Sharo, Dick, Mel and Doris,thank you so much for stopping by.
Good story-thanks for sharing...trees are magnificient arent they?! :) Enjoy the visit with your friends-God bless you Amrita.
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