InspirEmail No 79 - Look for the Silver Lining

Outstanding leaders appeal to the hearts of their followers - not their minds
Author Unknown

InspirEmail No 79 - February 27, 2006
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Look for the Silver Lining

The sole survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

Exhausted, he eventually gathered what he could from the wreckage and managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. He prayed feverishly each day to be rescued, and everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none was forthcoming.

Then one day he left his fire burning in his hut and went out scavenging for food as was his routine. Upon returning to his makeshift home he found his little hut in flames with the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened and the little that he had was lost in the fire. He was stunned with anger and grief. 'How could this happen to me after all I have been through.' he cried and after a few hours finally fell asleep not far from the charred remains of his hut.

Early next morning he awoke to the site of a ship anchored near the island. He was amazed that it had come to rescue him and when the rescuers arrived on the shore, he asked them 'How did you know I was here?'

'We saw your smoke signal in the sky late yesterday afternoon as the sun set and steered a course towards the island' they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things seem to be going wrong. But no matter what happens, it's 'how you take it' that to a large extent, determines your happiness and your outlook.

One of the great secrets of life is to always look for the 'silver lining' in the smoking remains of adversity.

Author Unknown

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Because I am different

There was a little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes.

Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone. As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her.

As I approached her, she lowered her eyes to avoid my intent stare and I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, 'Hello.'

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a 'hi' after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad.

The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, 'Because, I'm different.' I immediately said, 'That you are!' and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, 'I know.'

'Little girl,' I said, 'you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.' She looked at me and smiled, and then slowly she got to her feet and said, 'Really?'

'Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by. 'She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, and then she said 'I am.'

'I'm your Guardian Angel,' with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless - sure I was seeing things. She said, 'For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.'

I got to my feet and said, 'Wait, why did no one stop to help an angel?' She looked at me, smiled and said, 'You're the only one that could see me,' and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically.

So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you. Like the story says, we all need someone and you are a Guardian Angel in your own way.

The value of a friend is measured in the heart and I am certain that your Guardian Angel watches over you always.

Author Unknown

My sincere thanks to David Freeman for sending this story to me.
David is a long time subscriber to InspirEmail and a good friend who lives in Taree in Northern NSW, Australia.