<> Todays Lesson <> >A great note for all to read it will take just 37 seconds to read this >and change your thinking > >Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man >was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help >drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only >window. The other >man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for >hours on >end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their >involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. > >Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he >would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he >could see outside the window. > >The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his >world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the >world outside. > >The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played >on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers >walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the >city skyline could be seen in the distance. > >As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the >man on >the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque >scene. > >One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. > >Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his >mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive >words. > >Days and weeks passed. > >One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only >to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died >peacefully in >his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take >the body away. > >As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be >moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and >after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone > >Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first >look at the real world outside. > >He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. > >It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have >compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things >outside this window. > >The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. > > >She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you." > >Epilogue: > >There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own >situations. > >Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. > >If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money >can't buy. > >"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present." Here endeth the lesson - The Man of Science has spoken
I can't believe I just wasted a portion of my life reading that guff. It's a bit early for dropping aint it MoS!!?!
