Lessons ............
 
A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified
life.  When she met God, she asked Him something that had really
bothered her for a very long time.  "If Man was created in God's
image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat
each other so badly?"

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique
lesson to teach us.  It is only through these lessons that we
learn about life, people and our relationships with God.
This confused the woman, so God began to explain:

"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not
always what they seem.  The truth is often far beneath the
surface.  Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know
what is in their hearts.  Remove your own masks to let people
know who you really are.

When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is
forever.  Always appreciate what you have.  You never know when
you might lose it.  Never take your friends or family for
granted, because today and sometimes only this very moment is
the only guarantee you may have.

When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the
human state is a very fragile one.  Protect and take care of
your body as best as you can, it's the one thing that you are
sure to have forever.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are
alike.  When you encounter people who are different from you, do
not judge them by how they look or act, instead base it on the
contents of what is in their hearts.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving
someone does not always mean that the person will love you
back.  But don't turn your back on love, because when you find
the right person, the joy that one person brings you will make
up for all of your past hurts.  Times a thousand fold.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that
everyone makes mistakes.  When you are wronged, the most
virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without
pretence.  Forgiving those who have hurt us is often the most
difficult and painful of life's experiences, but it is also the
most courageous thing a person can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that
resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge.  Be vigilant
in your resistance against all temptations.  By doing so, you
will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far
greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root
of all evil.  Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter
how lofty they may be.  Do not feel guilty about your success,
but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to
engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is
perfect.  Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of
their flaws.  Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over
which they have no control."

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned
that there are no lessons to be learned from man's good deeds.
God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift He
has.  At the root of kindness and love, and each act of love
also teaches us a lesson.
The woman's curiosity deepened.
God, once again began to explain:

"When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity,
honesty, humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can
counteract all the evil in the world.  For every good deed,
there is one evil deed.  Man alone has the power to control the
balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love
are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or
coincidence, consider what your lesson will be.  Will you teach
love or a harsh lesson of reality?  When you die, will your life
have resulted in more loving or more hurting?  More comfort or
more pain?  More joy or more sadness?  Each one of us has the
power over the balance of the love in the world.
Use it wisely!"

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the
right direction!

Pass this lesson of love on to those you love and those you have
hurt, and those that have hurt you, hopefully with each person
that receives this, there will be far less evil and a great deal
more love!