Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Another Visit To Inspirational Point

And now another visit to a place I like to call Steve's Inspirational Point. Here friends is our very own Brother Steve.

Thank you Steve. Friends, I was reminded recently of a lovely story that was told to me personally by a close friend who had returned from a trip to Africa. My dear friend swears that the story is the absolute truth. Whether it is or not, it certainly contains a message that each and every one of us should take seriously to heart. Can you say, "Yaaess, Brother Steve. I am ready to take your story to heart"?

It seems that these two cannibals took a little walk after dinner. And, let me interrupt myself for a moment to say how important it is for us to walk with our friends, to talk with our friends. If we were to take the time from our schedules to do that, we would be much happier people.

Anyway, these two cannibals, and just a quick side point, isn't it heartwarming to know that even our cannibal friends have friends? But, I do digress. Can you say, "Yaess, Brother Steve, you surely do"?

Back to the story...these two cannibals decided after enjoying a refreshing, wholesome meal together, that they would take a little walk, perhaps they wished to commune with nature. I surely do not know the real reason for this stroll. But, I have heard previously that cannibals are wont to walk into the woods after a meal. Another dear friend tells me of a cannibal who finished a particularly delightful meal and took a walk in the woods. It seems that while on this walk he passed his best friend.

But, that is a totally different story than the one I am telling you today. These two cannibals were strolling through the woods and one of them turns to the other. In other words, friends, he looked at his cannibal acquaintance as he spoke to him. So often in today's world, we simply do not take the time to look at our friends. Eye contact is so important. Can you say, "Yaaess, Brother Steve. I believe! I believe in eye contact"?

The first cannibal looks at the second and then he says, "Your wife sure does make good soup." How kind of that cannibal. Perhaps you have been laboring under the delusion that cannibals do not take the time for such niceties. You must remove such harmful thinking. Get it out of your head. Say to yourself, "Harmful thinking, I command you to come out of my head." Be sure to shout when you say, "Out!" It's that shout that really gets the harmful thinking thinking about coming out.

So, when we left our two cannibal friends, one had just told the other that his wife made good soup. The second cannibal looks at his friend for a moment, as if contemplating just what he should say. Finally, after what may have seemed agonizing minutes, when, in actuality it was probably only a few seconds, the second cannibal says, "Yes, she does. But, I'm going to miss her."

Do you get the point, friends? Do you see the reason I have taken my time to share this story? The second cannibal was more concerned with his own personal loss than he was with the feelings of his friend. Let me tell you, my friends...if someone compliments you, you should always say, "Thank you." That should be number one.

Before you start whining about how much you'll miss your wife, or whatever else is bothering you in life, before you start feeling sorry for yourself, you should always remember to say, "Thank you."

My daddy, God rest his soul, once told me, "Son (he always called me 'son'), if you want a friend, you have to be a friend." Do you understand that. If not, say it to yourself, but emphasize the word "be." That's what my daddy got me to do, because when he told me I didn't understand it at all. Go ahead try it. Can you say, "Yaaess, Brother Steve, you have opened my eyes to greater understanding'?

I hope so. I hope that you feel these few moments we have spent together, here at Inspirational Point have helped you to deal with whatever problems you may be facing in your personal life. And, if I have helped you in some small way, all I can say is that it sure would be nice for you to say, "Thank you, Brother Steve." And, friends, what better way to thank me than to send me a small love gift, if you will (and you should).

It doesn't matter how small. I will tell you I can't break a twenty, but send what you can. And, before I go, I just want to say to each and every one of you..."Thank YOU."