“Don’t smother each other. No one can grow in the shade.” – Leo Buscaglia
The Stolen Turkey
Ducking into confession with a turkey in his arms, Brian said, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I stole this turkey to feed my family. Would you take it and settle my guilt?”
“Certainly not,” said the Priest. “As penance, you must return it to the one from whom you stole it.” “I tried,” Brian sobbed, “but he refused. Oh, Father, what should I do?”
“If what you say is true, then it is all right for you to keep it for your family.” Thanking the Priest, Brian hurried off.
When confession was over, the Priest returned to his residence. When he walked into the kitchen, he found that someone had stolen his turkey.
Everyone Has a Load to Carry
“Everyone has a load to carry in this life, and if you have enough strength to help someone else out with their load, great. But don’t get roped into being someone else’s pack mule. If you’re doing what is best for you, and they get mad at you about it, that’s their issue. Give it right back and tell them to carry it because you don’t have room, and carrying their load ain’t your job.”
Beloved Imperfections
“No human face is exactly the same in its lines on each side, no leaf perfect in its lobes, no branch in its symmetry. All admit irregularity as they imply change; and to banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality. All things are literally better, lovelier, and more beloved for the imperfections which have been divinely appointed, that the law of human life may be Effort, and the law of human judgment, Mercy.” – John Ruskin