Roy Exum
As the month of January is almost out the door, I am opening my email today to share a marvelous story that legend has it was printed on piece of paper found in Bear Bryant’s wallet when he died in 1983. While I don’t know that the famed Alabama football coach had this lesson in his wallet, chances are he might have if he’d read it.
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THE BANK ACCOUNT & RULES
Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has strict rules.
The set of rules:
1.
Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.
4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that
day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “Game Over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the
morning, right?
Actually this “game” is very real.
Shocked? Sure you are.
Better still, each of us is already a winner of the prize. We just can't seem to see it.
The prize is Time.
1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.
3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the “bank” can dissolve your account at any time without warning.
So, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds?
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply, and enjoy life!
Here's wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.
Start “spending.”
And never complain about getting older. Some people don’t get the privilege.
* * *
THE THREE C’S OF LIFE
Choices, Chances, Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.
* * *
SAD NEWS ABOUT BELA
On Christmas Day I wrote a story about Bela, a beautiful German shepherd whose life had been spared after his owner had died. A lot of remarkable people took part in the rescue and the dog was very happy at the Best Friends Animal Society compound in Kanab, Utah.
Now comes a statement from society spokesperson Barbara Williamson:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bela, the German shepherd whose story captured our hearts over the holidays, was euthanized at our sanctuary on Sunday.
“On Sunday morning Bela’s abdomen was distended and he was breathing fast. Because of this, he was brought to our clinic to get checked by our veterinarians. Tests were conducted that revealed fluid in his abdomen and around his heart and nodules in his lungs. Based on these facts our medical director diagnosed Bela with a very fast progressing cancer. There was very little likelihood he would have lasted more than a day or so.
“Because of this diagnosis, we felt euthanasia was the right option. While this was a very difficult choice, we approached the decision from the perspective of what was in Bela’s best interest. It is our custom to bury sanctuary animals who have passed away at Angel’s Rest, the permanent resting place on our grounds in Angel Canyon.
“However, in this case we felt the right thing to do was to fulfill Bela’s owner’s last wishes. Therefore, we are cremating Bela and sending his ashes to Indiana so he can be buried with his owner who passed away in November. In addition, as part of Best Friends’ Monthly Blessing of the Animals at Angels Rest, there will be a special honoring of Bela in addition to the regular ceremony.
Bela had made many friends and was quickly became one of the most popular dogs at the sanctuary. Our staff had grown to love him as the sweet and wonderful dog he was and every one of us who knew him is devastated by this news. Bela will be greatly missed.”
royexum@aol.com