Bisdak member of the MOnth

I was just surprised to be awarded as Bisdak Member of Month. Thanks to Twinkletoe for letting me know in my tag-board. I also would like to thanks the bisdak family especially to the great people behind it, the admin who organized it. Bisdaks around the world gather and talk together in this site sharing together their ideas, opinions, talents and even their personal lives when there is nobody to share with and talk to.

Once again thank you very much Bisdak family!!! I am proud to belong there...here is my award!!! I really appreciate it!!

Talking and Listening

This story from Kyregma just touched me. This is regarding talking and listening. This always happens in our daily life. We utter thousands of words everyday. Everyday we talk and talk, but my question is??Are we also listening???

I might not be a good listener but I tried my best to listen to somebody who is talking to me, especially if that somebody have some good thoughts, ideas, opinions or informations which I can be used. I admit, I also I argue especially if the things or matter which I believed and knew is true and reliable and worthy of arguing.

I can respect other persons' opinions, ideas or beliefs even if it doesn't confirm with what is right and correct. Besides that's how he/she believed in it. Honestly speaking, the only thing I don't like is when you are sharing or giving the right opinion or advise to a person esp. based on your experience and still that person argued and even don't believe on you. It's really quite frustrating especially if you hear the same story again and the person seems don't want to listen.

Some people can be good talkers but not good listeners. Some can be good listeners but not good talkers. Some can be both. Which one you belong too???

Here is the story below, hope we can get some lessons from it. I already have some. How about you???


IN PROPORTioN

He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you...” – Mark 4:24

I have a friend named Danny. When he talks, people listen. Once he steps up to the podium, people are suddenly silent. He has this presence and personality that makes you want to hear what he’s going to say. He’s also very humble, and I believe He’s truly anointed. He’s a fantastic leader. I believed these were the reasons why people responded to him. But his theory was much simpler.

I told him once, “Bro, when you talk, people listen.” He answered, “I believe it’s because I also listen when people talk. It comes back to you.”

Basic principle. What you give, you receive in the same measure. What I realized then and there was that, too often, I myself do not give my full attention when someone is speaking. I was convicted, especially after recalling all the times when I felt people didn’t listen to me. And that’s happened a lot.

It’s the same with time and effort. What we put into our relationships is what we will receive. I’ve failed occasionally in this area as well. But I know that there’s always hope for improvement.

My resolution? Give more.

sharing by: George Gabriel

REFLECTION:
Are you getting little? How much do you give?

Lord, You gave all of Yourself. Help me to be more generous.

St. John BosCo – Model of a Christian Educator

Every January 31, the Church honors St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, whose good work we also appreciate very much here in our country. His father died when John was only two years old. Because of financial difficulties it was not easy for his mother to bring him up and give him an education that would guarantee a successful future. But she was a pious woman and gave him a good humanistic and Christian education. What mothers can do – even in times of poverty.

John was ordained a priest at the age of 31 years old. Because of his difficult youth, he focused on the education of young men in a time when industrialization caused many problems especially for young people. As a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which today is still very helpful for our younger generation. For his motto was “Reason, Religion, Kindness.” He summarized his program for the youth with a brief sentence: “The young should know that they are loved.”

Unfortunately, many parents and educators today are not always present and so lessen their impact on the young. Don Bosco once told his boys: “Remember, whatever I am, I am all for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.” He advised educators to love the young as they would love their own sons. One of his students became a saint, St. Dominic Savio, who once told a companion, “Here we make holiness consist in being very happy and in performing our duties as perfectly as possible.”

Don Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America. He was known for his humor and inner joy.

We thank God for such a great saint, educator and model for all educators and especially for parents. Fr. Rudy Horst

Reflection Question:
What can I do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among my relatives and friends?

Lord, today I pray for our educators, especially for all parents. May they realize their great responsibility and privilege to form their children for a better future. May they do it with love and kindness, as St. John Bosco did so well.

There's Something Crooked About 'Change'

The word "change" clings like ChapStick to the lips of presidential candidates these days. But if Hillary and the chaps knew the origin of the word "change," they might not stick with it.

"Change" first appeared as both a verb and noun in Middle English during the 1200s. In 1300, for instance, a piece of writing dubbed "Cursor M." (which would make a really cool screen name) included this sentence: "He chaunges crun or wede." After rummaging around in a Middle English dictionary, I discovered this means something like, "He changes gully and weed," a skill that might have come in handy during the Dust Bowl era.

In 1340, someone named Hampole wrote that "he ofte chaunged to and fra," which pretty much describes the shifting policies of today's presidential candidates. (Could "fra" be a prescient reference to Rudy Giuliani, who has changed his frau twice? Hmm ... ) The word "chaunge" was imported into Middle English from the Old French "changier," which, in turn, had been derived from the Latin "cambiare," meaning "to exchange."

But here's the game-changer: There's strong evidence that "cambiare" came from the Old Irish "camm," which meant -- get ready to wince, politicians -- "crooked."

So, over the course of 1,200 years, a humble Irish word meaning "crooked" went through a few changes itself, migrating from Old Irish to Latin to French and then back again to the British Isles, where it entered Middle English meaning "change." Perhaps the presidential administration of the change-loving candidate who wins should be dubbed "Camm-elot."

The candidates, of course, can choose among any number of synonyms for "change," but the trendiest terms related to mutability seem to be the adjectives "transformational" and "transformative."

Writing in the Atlantic Monthly, for instance, Andrew Sullivan described Barack Obama's candidacy as "potentially transformational." Last Thursday, Washington Post columnist George Will described the interval between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary as "six transformative days."

And BBC reporter Justin Webb recently wrote, "The buzzword here on the subject of the 2008 presidential election is that it will be 'transformative.' ... I am at a disadvantage though: I am not sure what 'transformative' really means."

Maybe we should just stick with "change."


story by Rob Kyff

I am not happy today???

I just wondered about my Rankwidgets today especially my Alexa Traffic rank which is now 6.977,299..The last days, it was Rank Number 12...and now what happened???? I hope it will go back to normal 12 as this is just quite depressing...I am not happy guys..!!!

Thanks to Technorati my Rank is getting higher from 6million something to 121,630...really good job!!...I'm just doing my best!!! Wish everyone a great evening!!!

Words -- Just Words

Several years ago, while on a long flight, I was seated next to a flight attendant who had broken her leg in an accident. Eventually, we started talking, and I found her language to be shocking. It seemed so inappropriate; she was a vivacious, personable young woman. Frankly, filthy language offends me, so I commented on her choice of words. She, in turn, expressed amazement that I was offended and said they were "just words." I responded, "You're right. And I'm sure this is the way you talk in front of your parents." She responded, "Absolutely not!" So I commented, "Well, why not? They're 'just words.'"

The truth is that our language does betray us. Our words are a direct reflection of our thoughts, and anyone who is incapable of expressing himself without the use of profanity is becoming handicapped to an incredible degree.

It has been my observation that improper language bars individuals from certain jobs, organizations and social situations. In my lifetime, I have never heard of an employer instructing a personnel manager to hire an individual because of his filthy, vulgar language. I've never heard of a young girl going home and telling her parents that they must meet her date for the evening, pointing out that he has the "filthiest language" she has ever heard or that he tells the dirtiest jokes you can imagine. I frequently advise wannabe speakers to be very careful of their language, warning them that they never will get engagements because of vulgar, racist or sexist language but that inappropriate language will frequently crop them from consideration.

What all of this really means is that vulgar, violent, improper language or coarse, racist, sexist jokes will limit opportunities in the choice of a mate, the selection of a job, the building of a career and the establishment of friendships.

The message is clear: Learn the language rules. Practice them in your everyday life, and I will see you at the top, Zig Ziglar said!

----

Grow/Swell

As a rookie salesman, I had a very difficult time getting started. However, once the ball started rolling, I enjoyed a spectacular four-year run of success. This led to a career change and a new job in New York City. It was exciting and rewarding but required that I leave home each morning before my two little girls were awake, and most of the time, when I returned at night, they were asleep already. I could not handle that style of parenting, so in just three months' time, we moved back to Columbia, S.C.

I got into a promotional-type business and temporarily enjoyed some success, which quickly evaporated. At that point, I stopped growing and started swelling, which led to 15 additional job and career changes within the following five years. I became a super-critic, a know-it-all and a very difficult person to work with. One of the companies I briefly worked for was an insurance company that had been in business for many years. This astonished me because they were obviously way behind the times, and I had some absolutely brilliant ideas that would revolutionize their business and expand their market share. They rejected these very significant ideas. I left in a huff, wondering how they ever would survive -- which, incidentally, they did.

After five frustrating years, I finally had a reality check and realized that the success I enjoyed earlier had come because I had committed myself completely to improving what I did instead of assuming I knew it all. I made a strong commitment to the new company I represented and worked hard and enthusiastically while continually acquiring new information from those who had beaten many paths before I came along. Interestingly enough, results were excellent and progress was steady, and just two years later, I was on a career path that has been most rewarding and satisfying.

I hope the message is clear. Keep growing. Don't start swelling. Listen to those who have had successful experiences.

by Zig Ziglar

Wake-Up Call

I always get-up in the morning by wake-up calls. Last Monday, I woke up by a friend's call... Tuesday by a telephone advertisement call.. Wednesday by my own alarm since I had an appointment with my dentist. Today, I woke-up by my friend from VHS Neumarkt who called me around 8:00 am.

I am very happy to wake-up everyday, facing my day to day tasks and activities. For all those who wake me up by their calls, thank you very much. I am thankful to God that I always wake up everyday, healthy and have the chance to face again the daily challenges in life.

Today's call was different because it is regarding a person who needs help very badly. My friend in VHS explain to me about it and I am also willing to help whatever help I can give. It is always a very wonderful feeling when you help someone especially help and support that comes from the heart without asking for any return. I also really admired the extra effort, help and support extended by VHS team to all Integrations Course participants.

I really appreciate the excellent jobs that the VHS Neumarkt are extending to the Integrations Course students or participants not only with helping them to learn German language, its culture and history but also any personal help they can offer.

I already witnessed and experienced the excellent service provided by VHS Neumarkt as I was also a participant before in the German Integrations Course.

I would advise Auslaenders or Foreigners who want to take the Integration Course to visit Volkhochschule (VHS) Neumarkt at Gartenstrasse 1, 92318 Neumarkt or contact them at tel.# 09181-25950 or write them at info@vhs-neumarkt.de. You can also visit their homepage here.

To all VHS Team especially to Ms. Claudia Z., Mr. Rainer H. and to my previous teachers...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!