"The fundamental weakness of a democracy is its inability to recognize the long-term consequences of what it does and fails to do."
Author Unknown

"The early bird gets the worm … the second mouse gets the cheese."
Billboard

"The only thing new in the universe is the history you don’t know."
Harry S. Truman

"Pain is weakness leaving the body." --

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears,
they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?", asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is no God, and that He never speaks to us anymore. But perhaps they can't see or hear Him
because they aren't listening for Him. They are living for themselves, not for God.

If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work in your life and in the world. And you'll be able to hear Him when He speaks.
"The Cricket", Author Unknown

"When the mind is polluted by error and shame, It can only be cleansed by the love of the Name."
Guru Nanak - Japji Sahib, The Peace Lagoon

"May we always be grateful to the Creator for the greatest gift, which is our body. For to have raised up this temple from a single cell to such a splendid form, without our ever once being required to think about it, is an accomplishment and a wonder beyond words."
Hari Singh Bird Khalsa

Bumper Stickers ...
"Forget about world peace ... visualize using your turn signal!"

"All generalizations are false."

"Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine."

"Time is what keeps everything from happening at once."

"As long as there are tests there will be prayer in public schools."

"The gene pool could use a little chlorine."

"I get enough exercise just pushing my luck!"

"Sometimes I wake up grumpy. Other times I let her sleep."

"Montana - At least our cows are sane!"

"Friends don't let friends drive naked."

"Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs."

"I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it."

"It's lonely at the top, but you eat better."

"According to my calculations the problem doesn't exist."

"A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory."

"Warning: Dates in calendar are closer than they appear."

"Give me ambiguity or give me something else."

"Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot."

"He who laughs last thinks slowest."

"Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else."

"Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math."

"Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies."

"Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes."

"Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy."

"Consciousness: That annoying time between naps."

"We Are Microsoft. Resistance Is Futile. You Will Be Assimilated."

"Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home."

"Three kinds of people: Those who can count and those who can't."

"Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?"

"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

"I killed a 6-pack just to watch it die."

"Auntie Em. Hate you; Hate Kansas; Taking the dog. - Dorothy."

"Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself."

"I'm out of bed and dressed. What more do you want?"

"It's too bad God didn't make ignorance painful!"

"God is too big to fit into one religion."

"I am still missing my Ex, but my aim is improving."

"Flying saucers are real, the Air Force doesn't exist."

"Jesus is coming, and boy is he pissed."

"Jesus is coming. Look busy!"

"I just can't stand people who are intolerant!"

"We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse."

"Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot."

"It's not over until your brother counts the votes!"

"I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian."

"The more you complain the longer God let's you live."

"When in doubt, empty the magazine."

"Help clean up the environment ... Plant a Bush back in Texas."

A Florida Survivor's Perspective ... "1 Charley, 2 Frances, 3 Ivan, 4 Sale!"

And, appearing on the spare tire cover of a new Land Rover ... "Hummer Recovery Vehicle."

What Goes Around Comes Around
"His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of."

And that he did. Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name?
Sir Winston Churchill."
Author Unknown - Submitted by Graham Wells

"Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like its Heaven on Earth."
Author Unknown - Submitted by Graham Wells