The Fresh Fish

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, Fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.
 
The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste.
 
To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats.
 
They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.
 
However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish.
 
The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin.
 
After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving.
 
They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste.
 
The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish.
 
So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan?
 
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks.
 
But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.
 
Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired & dull,
 
So we need a Shark in our life to keep us awake and moving?
Basically in our lives Sharks are new challenges to keep us active and lively.....

The Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor didn't know what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'.

It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming... Like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance. So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them : "Keep your fork...the best is yet to come".

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman the last time he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the pastor told  the people of the conversation he had with the woman about what it symbolized to her.

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

Duck or Eagle (Another version of "Cab Driver")

Are you Quacking like Ducks or Soaring like Eagles
 
No one can make you serve customers well.
 
That's because great service is a choice.
 
Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport.
 
When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine.
 
Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.
 
He handed my friend a laminated card and said:
 
"I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement."
 
Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said:
 
Wally's Mission Statement:
 
To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.
 
This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!
 
As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."
 
My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink."
 
Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice."
 
Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke."
 
Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today."
 
As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio."
 
And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. 
 
Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day.
 
He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.
 
"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?"
 
Wally smiled into the rearview mirror. "No, not always.
 
In fact, it's only been in the last two years.
 
My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do.
 
Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. 
 
He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It.
 
Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself.
 
He said, `Stop complaining!  Differentiate yourself from your competition.
 
Don't be a duck. Be an eagle.
 
Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'"
 
"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me.
 
I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle.
 
I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers.
 
The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy.
 
So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."
 
"I take it that has paid off for you," Harvey said.
 
"It sure has," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year.
 
This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore.
 
My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine.
 
If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action."
 
Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab.
 
I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it.
 
Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call.
 
The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.
 
Johnny the Bagger and Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice.
 
They decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.
 
How about you?
 
Apply it in your own businesses and homes and see the prosperity around you.

Cab Driver

A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.
 
I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A spotless cab pulled up.
 
The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.
 
Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."
 
"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be.
 
I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluate my personal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver.
 
One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply just meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer's expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being 'great' better than just getting by on 'average'"
 
Did I tip him big time? You bet! Corporate America's loss is the traveling folk's friend!
 
Lessons:
 
* Go an Extra Mile when providing  any Service to others.
 
* There is no good or bad job. You can make any job good.
 
* Good service always brings good return.

Honesty

Once a general manager wanted to test his people who had come from all over India, about their values of life.
 
He announced that in their seminar folder, there is PVC pouch and in it there is a seed. When they return, they must put it in a good soil in a pot and look after it very well.
 
He would hold a competition in the next year's seminar and that the best plants would be awarded suitably.
 
Everyone did what was told to him. A year passed quickly. And next year in a big hall, there were hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants-a great scene.
 
Except one pot in which the soil was there and no plant! The owner was standing quietly and seemingly ashamed of himself!
 
The general manager called him on the stage. He asked him what happened and he told him the truth. He planted the seed which he was given – and did that was to be done - but nothing happened!
 
The general manager declared him the winner!
 
Everyone was shocked. It was announced, "Gentlemen! The seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened! You acted smartly and used some other seeds.
 
This man was honest to his work and, therefore he did not cheat me or himself! And we respect honest people even today."
 
That man later became the Vice-President of the company.
 
Honesty is still the best policy.

Five more minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

"He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my daughter on the bike in The white dress." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter.

"What do you say we go, Melissa?"

Melissa pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes."

The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content.

Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. "Time to go now?"

Again Melissa pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes."

The man smiled and said, "O.K."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, "Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?

Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today

Love and Life

This story tells us something about LOVE & LIFE. 

My husband is S/W Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. 

Two years of courtship and now, five years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness.

I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings. I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband is my complete opposite; his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about LOVE. 

One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce. 

"Why?" he asked, shocked. 

"I am tired. There are no reasons for everything in the world!" I answered. 

He kept silent the whole night, seemingly in deep thought. My feeling of disappointment only increased. Here was a man who was not able to even express his predicament, so what else could I expect from him? 

And finally he asked me: "What can I do to change your mind?" 

Somebody said it right... It's hard to change a person's personality, and I guess, I have started losing faith in him. Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered: "Here is the question. If you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind.  Let's say, I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death. Will you do it for me?" 

He said: "I will give you your answer tomorrow...." My hopes just sank by listening to his response. 

I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes.... 

My dear, "I would not pick that flower for you, but....please allow me to explain the reasons further..... 

This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading. 

"When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen. I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs. 
You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you. 
You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city. I have to save my eyes to show you the way. 
You always have the cramps whenever your "good friend" approaches every month. I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. 
You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom. 
You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes. I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand...and tell you the colour of flowers, just like the colour of the glow on your young face... 
Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do... I could not pick that flower yet, and die ... " 

My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting... and as I continue on reading... "Now, that you have finished reading my answer, and if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk... 

I rushed to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread....Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone... 

That's LIFE, and LOVE. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness. 

Love shows up in all forms; even in very small and cheeky forms. It has never been a model. It could be the dullest and most boring form ... 
Flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands... AND THAT'S LIFE