Friday, April 5, 2013

The circle of joy

And old story tells that one day, a countryman knocked hard on a monastery door. When the monk tending the gates opened up, he was given a magnificent bunch of grapes.

- Brother, these are the finest my vineyard has produced. I’ve come to bear them as a gift.

- Thank you! I will take them to the Abbot immediately, he’ll be delighted with this offering.

- No! I brought them for you. For whenever I knock on the door, it is you opens it. When I needed help because the crop was destroyed by drought, you gave me a piece of bread and a cup of wine every day.

The monk held the grapes and spent the entire morning admiring it. And decided to deliver the gift to the Abbot, who had always encouraged him with words of wisdom.

The Abbot was very pleased with the grapes, but he recalled that there was a sick brother in the monastery, and thought:

“I’ll give him the grapes. Who knows, they may bring some joy to his life.”

And that is what he did. But the grapes didn’t stay in the sick monk’s room for long, for he reflected:

“The cook has looked after me for so long, feeding me only the best meals. I’m sure he will enjoy these.”

The cook was amazed at the beauty of the grapes. So perfect that no one would appreciate them more than the sexton; many at the monastery considered him a holy man, he would be best qualified to value this marvel of nature.

The sexton, in turn, gave the grapes as a gift to the youngest novice, that he might understand that the work of God is in the smallest details of Creation. When the novice received them, he remembered the first time he came to the monastery, and of the person who had opened the gates for him; it was that gesture which allowed him to be among this community of people who knew how to value the wonders of life.

And so, just before nightfall, he took the grapes to the monk at the gates.

- Eat and enjoy them – he said. – For you spend most of your time alone here, and these grapes will make you very happy.

The monk understood that the gift had been truly destined for him, and relished each of the grapes, before falling into a pleasant sleep.

Thus the circle was closed; the circle of happiness and joy, which always shines brightly around generous people.

Isabel Marant Shoes Are Trending At The Edge Of Fashion

Cultural researchers label this spinning associated with nationalities as well as your resurgence regarding Isabel Marant baskets in a stylish shoe is a great example only for video occurrence isabel marant shoes.Bodily contemporary culture, results, convenience together with easiness patient philosophy is likely to make this unique higher optimization model appreciated from virtually all isabel maranters. isabel marant Shoes are simply among the traditional model. It memorable isabel marant intent fits isabel maranters want on passion in addition to trench. Of which functions jointly most important detail if oriented towards contest.

However, most of the sneakers are in old styles and not fashionable enough. But, this is not across with the jeffrey campbell shoes. It is well known that Isabel Marant shoes are popular for their high quality and unique design. Therefore, the sneakers designed by Isabel Marant are close to the trend and get more and more favor nowadays. One of these sneakers we have to pay more attention to is the Isabel Marant Bekket High-Top Sneakers.

The fashionable and individualized Isabel Marant boots have been designed with the high-top. The suede high-top Isabel Marant boots are vey cool and comfortable. They are well matched with the casual style. The Isabel Marant boots are very suitable for both day-to-day shopping and the sports. They enjoy a good reputation among the young ladies. The unique shaping and novel design concept have been pursued by many pop stars. Now you can get the lordly Isabel Marant sneakers with the best price in our online store.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Don’t Hope,… Decide!

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?

“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.

I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”

The man suddenly stopped smiling.

He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”

Cheap Chrome Hearts Sunglasses Are Sale Online

Are you traveling to buy chrome hearts sunglasses? It’s an acceptable abstraction to anticipate of chrome hearts sunglasses for all Seasons. Not alone do you wish chrome hearts sunglasses that attending fashionable, but you wish some that fit accurately and are abundant in any affectionate of acclimate or for all seasons. Your eyes charge to be adequate all year long, not just in the summer. So if you choose, your Designer chrome hearts sunglasses, Authentic chrome hearts sunglasses, Designer Eyewear, Fashion Eyewear, chooses some that you’ll be able to adore for all Seasons.

A pair of sunglass can be used to play it cool. At the same time, it is a way to block the sun's rays glasses. Chrome Hearts Sunglasses, it is also known as the Labor Insurance supplies to protect the eyes in bright light. Wearing such lenses can block ultraviolet and infrared, while the color of the external environment does not change, it is only the change in light intensity, as if cloudy, cool, comfortable feeling.

Chrome hearts is an iconic fashion giant and one of the most famous fashion brands in the world. When you own a new pair of chrome hearts glasses buy chrome hearts, you get a key to open the world of fashion. People understand what chrome hearts sunglasses say they know who wears chrome hearts sunglasses is someone who has a high sense of fashion and high quality standards. Their style remains true to its roots as a traditional Italian saddle horse and the leather working.

If ordinary chrome hearts sunglasses just don't fit, Fives chrome hearts glasses Squared is the answer. Unlike conventional chrome hearts sunglasses that stick out at the sides, this frame uses Condensed Cranial Geometry for a tapered architecture that feels as good as it looks. Dimensional reliefs, metal icons and sculpturally integrated hinges take the whole idea of street-smooth style and amp it with attitude.