How to be good at life?

  1. Stand up for something.
  2. Remember family comes first.
  3. Know that you are not your job.
  4. Find a mentor.
  5. Mentor someone.
  6. Slow down and take it all in.
  7. Don’t be afraid to let loose.
  8. Let people know you (and if they don’t like you — it’s their loss.)
  9. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
  10. Make mistakes. Learn from them and do things better.
  11. Realize that you do not have all the answers.
  12. Treat people with respect.
  13. Say Thank You along the way.
  14. Have some fun.
  15. Keep breathing.

via How To Be Good At Life – Medium

A master’s masterpiece

A gifted painter was putting the final, finishing touches on his painting on a piece of canvas on an easel in a picturesque spot in a mountainous terrain. His students were assembled near the easel, keenly watching the beauty of nature depicted in the masterpiece with appreciation, admiration and adoration. Having completed his work, the master placed the palette with paints on the ground and slowly moved backwards to assess the painting meticulously. Suddenly one of the students turned back and was shocked to see that the master had reached the extreme edge of a cliff and the next step backwards would lead to a fatal fall into a very deep valley. He did not dare to warn him by shouting for fear of hastening his master’s fall by the shock of his shouting.

He quickly took the palette and threw it at the painting, splashing the paints all over the painting. Shocked at the sight, the painter leaped forward to nab his student who destroyed his masterpiece. He shouted violently and abused the student for causing irreparable damage to his painstaking creation. The student silently suffered the humiliation. When the master had calmed down slightly, he requested the master to turn back and see the dangerous brink where he had reached just before the incident. He explained that his action was the only option to save his master’s life.
Everyone turned to see the spot and praised the intelligent and timely action of the student which saved a valuable life. The master embraced the loving student, begged his pardon for his reckless reaction and thanked him for saving him from a tragic death.

God is our loving father who has a clear plan for the welfare of every one He created. He may expose us to hardships and painful situations in life with a noble intention which we may fail to realize and recognize.
Pain, poverty and illness, ordeals, ridicule and loneliness may cause agony in our life. God provides each of us with the best environment required for optimum spiritual growth. But some experiences may appear to be bitter and unpleasant to us and we may even complain to God about our plight.

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit!