Tag: short stories

A Creative Way to Overcome Relationship Problems

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Once there was a couple, Anna and Ben, who had been married for ten years. They loved each other deeply, but like all couples, they had their share of problems. One of the biggest issues that they faced was that they had different ideas about how to spend their time and money.

Anna was a free spirit who loved to travel and try new things. She was always seeking new adventures and experiences. Ben, on the other hand, was more of a homebody. He enjoyed the comfort and security of their cozy home and preferred to save their money for a rainy day.

As a result, Anna and Ben often found themselves in disagreement about how to spend their time and resources. Anna would get frustrated because she felt like Ben was holding her back from experiencing new things, and Ben would get annoyed because he felt like Anna was too impulsive and reckless.

One day, they decided to try and find a way to resolve their differences. They knew that if they didn’t find a solution, their relationship would suffer.

First, they tried compromising by splitting their time and money equally between their respective interests. However, this approach only led to resentment, as both Anna and Ben felt like they were sacrificing their own desires for the sake of the other.

Next, they tried taking turns choosing how to spend their time and money. This approach worked a little better, as they were both able to experience some of their preferred activities. However, they still found themselves getting frustrated when it wasn’t their turn to make the decisions.

Finally, they hit upon a creative solution. They decided to create a “wish jar” where they could write down their hopes and dreams for the future. This way, they could see each other’s aspirations and find ways to support and encourage each other.

For example, Anna wrote down that she wanted to go on a safari in Africa, and Ben wrote down that he wanted to learn how to play the guitar. They then worked together to find ways to make their respective wishes a reality.

Anna and Ben found that by focusing on their shared goals and supporting each other’s dreams, they were able to overcome their differences and find a deeper sense of connection. They learned that by being open and honest about their desires, they could find ways to grow and evolve as a couple.

As they worked towards their shared goals, Anna and Ben found that they were able to spend their time and money in a way that was meaningful and fulfilling for both of them. They learned that by being flexible and open-minded, they could find creative solutions to their problems and build a stronger, more loving relationship.

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Short Story on Worry

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Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the rolling hills of a faraway land, there lived a man named Jacob. Jacob was a kind and hardworking man, and he was well-respected by all the other villagers.

Despite his many good qualities, however, Jacob had one flaw: he worried excessively. He worried about everything, from the weather to the crops to the health of his family. No matter what was happening, Jacob always seemed to find something to worry about.

One day, as Jacob was tending to his fields, he noticed that the sky was growing dark and ominous. “Oh no,” he thought to himself, “I knew it was going to rain. Now my crops will be ruined, and I’ll have nothing to sell at market.”

As the rain began to fall, Jacob’s worries only grew. He thought about all the time and effort he had put into his crops, and how all of it would now be for naught. He worried about how he would feed his family and pay his bills, and he even began to worry about things that had yet to happen.

As the rain continued to pour, Jacob became more and more anxious. He paced back and forth, muttering to himself and wringing his hands. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He ran to the village square and shouted out to the other villagers.

“Why is everyone so calm?” he yelled. “Don’t you see what’s happening? The rain is ruining everything! We’re all going to starve!”

The other villagers, who had been going about their business as usual, stopped and looked at Jacob in surprise. “Jacob,” said the village elder, “we’ve had rain before, and we’ll have it again. It’s a natural part of life. Worrying won’t change anything.”

Jacob didn’t listen. He continued to worry and fret, convinced that the rain would bring nothing but disaster. But as the days passed, the rain stopped, and the sun began to shine once more. The crops that Jacob had worried about so much flourished, and he ended up having one of the best harvests of his life.

In the end, Jacob learned that worrying was a waste of time and energy. He realized that he couldn’t control the weather or the future, and that the only thing he could control was how he chose to react to the events of life. From that day on, he tried his best to let go of his worries and embrace the present moment, and he lived a much happier and more fulfilling life as a result.

I Made You

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One winter’s day a man came upon a small boy sitting and begging on a windswept bridge. The boy was shivering from the cold and obviously needed a good meal.

On seeing him the man got very angry, and prayed to God and said, “Lord, why don’t you do something about this boy?”

To his astonishment he heard the voice of God speaking to him, saying, “I have already done something about him.”

This surprised the man, so he said, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but whatever you have done doesn’t seem to be working.”

‘I agree with you there,” replied God.
“By the way what did you do?” asked the man.
“I made you”, came the reply.

The man could see the young boy in distress but expected someone else to help him. A small act of kindness was all that was needed.

It’s so easy to ask for things to be better in our world but sometimes it’s our responsibility to do what we can to help.

Often we can be praying for things that are in our control to solve.

The Only Thing That Can Stop You From Fulfilling Your Destiny?

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Recently I was watching an old western. There was a man in prison, he was going to get hanged the following day, and he was praying hard.

I’m sure I would be too.. if I was in that position. 

Anyways, when he finally settled and accepted his fate, the guard fell asleep. The camera zoomed in on the table, and there were the keys. The man paced up and down his cell without speaking, but you knew what was going through his mind.

“How can I get the keys, and get out of here?”

He looked up to the heavens for a few seconds, and when he lowered his head, he swiftly put a plan into place, taking the sheet off his bed and swirling it around until it formed a long thick type rope—proceeding to use the sheet to try to get the keys off the table. After several attempts, the keys fell on the floor… almost waking the guard.

Who to the relief of the prisoner went back to sleep.

He kept looking up at the clock, showing ten minutes to 12, which didn’t make much sense at first but then the film cut to the replacement guard drinking in the local saloon also looking at the clock on the wall.

It became clear the change over happened at midnight.

When the film cut back, the prisoner’s face was covered in sweat knowing that the guard was coming soon, and his chance to escape would be gone.

Within a few minutes, he got the keys and opened the cell door. Cleverly, he put the sheet back on the bed, using the pillow and blanket to make it look like he was sleeping.

He locked the cell door behind him, quietly leaving the keys on the table, and ran out the back entrance into the night.

When the replacement guard came on duty, with the dimly lit cell, it looked like the prisoner was asleep. So the guard put his feet up, tilted his hat over his face and relaxed.

They didn’t notice the prisoner gone until the morning. The prisoner got a great start on them, but soon there was a price on his head, $1000 dead or alive.

Now, no matter where he went, he lived with the fear of being caught. So even though he had escaped from prison, he was still in the prison of fear.

The film reminded me of the current situation in the world. Most of the world is free, but they still live in the prison of fear. Living unhappy as they never fulfil their dreams.

The Only Thing That Can Stop Your Divine Destiny is Fear— As fear stops the natural unfoldment of life

Until we get rid of all the negative chatter going on in our heads, we will always be a prisoner of fear. Fear will keep gnawing away at our faith.

However, a true believer believes that God is in control, and their destiny is laid out for them. There is no need to worry. There is no need to doubt. If something is destined to happen, it will happen. No amount of worry or doubt will change that fact.

When you’re in the grips of fear and not facing the world with faith, it’s like taking a plant and putting it in a dark room. If you leave the plant there for too long, it will die.

When you live in constant states of worry, doubt and fear, you won’t die, but without divine light, your spirit will get weaker and weaker until fear has complete control. Meaning you will live a very limited life.

If you’re feeling fear at this time, that is perfectly natural, but please don’t feed that fear by watching more news, or reading more stories on social media.

Instead, can I encourage you to take your mind back into faith?

Now there are many ways to do this, praying daily, reading from scripture, taking walks, connecting with the great power of mother nature.

Now, don’t get the wrong idea, you have to be careful, and take all recommended precautions, wear a mask on public transport, wash your hands regularly, limit travel to essential journeys. But please don’t let fear stop you from living your life.

Move forward with expectancy that all will be ok. You might not realise it, but your faith will instil faith into the people around you.

Be a leader for your family, a leader for your friends, and a leader to your children.

Don’t be a prisoner of fear; walk forward in faith and fulfil your destiny.

Free eBook To Strengthen Your Faith

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Firstly Happy Independence Day to all my American readers.

It’s been a challenging 2020 so far. With so much fear in the mainstream news and on social media, we must feed our faith daily.

I guess that is the main message that I want to instil in everyone that reads my blog, the best that any of us can do is live today with faith.

We cant change the past, and all we can do about the future is prepare for it.

What has happened in the last 3-4 months is very hard to get our head around. There is so much to worry and be anxious about. And people seem to be realising that the mainstream news and social media are doing nothing more than making their worry and anxiety worse.

So what’s the solution?

During uncertain times what we need is content that gives us hope, encouragement and faith, the only problem is if you’re waiting for that information to come to you…

You will be waiting a long time.

It’s up to us to consume the content that makes us stronger, content that builds us up, content that makes us think of a brighter tomorrow.

Yes, we are living in unprecedented times, but it’s nothing compared to what our grandparents faced. A depression and two world wars.

In the past, the older generation was respected and during difficult times were turned to for wisdom and knowledge. But sadly now the older generation is almost dismissed mainly due to the Internet.

The Internet is an amazing tool, of that there is no doubt, it can give you a wealth of information, all the information you will ever need, but what the Internet can’t give you is…. experience.

To find out how to move forward, you must learn how people in the past got through similar situations.

Feed Your Faith

In my new book, look up, I share the wisdom that I learnt from my grandparents and the Bible, that will diffuse any feelings of worry, doubt or anxiety that you might be facing.

Scripture documents probably the hardest time in human history, giving us the knowledge and wisdom to overcome whatever problems may come our way.

As it’s easy to become stressed or anxious over current events, I have included a guided meditation with the book to calm your racing thoughts allowing you to think more clearly. Enabling you to pray from a place of faith.

Look Up is currently available on FREE promotion on Amazon.

To download the book, click on the image below.

Wishing you health and happiness.
RJM

How to Stop Worrying Clear Your Head from Anxious Thoughts and Get Through This Difficult Time

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lockdown

Not too long ago, we all had busy lives, unable to find the time to do anything. So busy chasing happiness.

If you enjoyed your job, you might have been looking for a promotion, if not, probably looking for another position or something better.

Social media can make our friends look like they’re having more fun and more success than we are. It’s so easy to look at others to see how our life compares—making us feel that we should have a similar level of success.

It’s so easy with disappointments and setbacks to become upset, annoyed or even depressed.

Then you can start to play the blame game, “if only I had more time if only I had no pressure at work if only I had the energy, “why am I so tired all the time.”

You turn to God for help, but nothing happens. So, you pray for the remainder of the month. Still nothing

Soon you become angry, as you want a quick fix.

Quick fix

Your anger turns to frustration. You begin to wonder whether God is listening at all. You start to wonder whether to continue to pray or not.

Your patience is tested, so you give up.

Why do you think your prayers are not answered?

Could it be partly that you only pray in times of crisis?

Could it be that you don’t realize that God likes to work at a much slower pace than our 24/7 world?

Could it be that you have allowed the distraction of life to pull you away from what really matters?

Living stressed or worried is not what life is about. It may be unknown to you, but God has already given you many daily blessings?

There are hundreds of miracles you receive every day, but you can easily take them for granted. The main ones would be our health unless we are sick. We can take for granted all the food, services, and information that is available to us until it’s not available.

You may not feel rich, but when you have a loving family, good friends and your basic needs met what else do you need?

gratitude 2

A Short Story

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”
There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.

Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but differently.” I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”

Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see.

There are so many special moments happening in our life to celebrate each day.

grateful

How many time have you counted your blessings?

A few years ago, I did a 30-day gratitude challenge. The challenge was to write down ten things you were thankful for each day. I thought I would run out of things to write after a week but what the exercise did was open up my mind to all the people, services and resources that I take for granted.

Gratitude is a powerful virtue.

The Roman philosopher Cicero once declared: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.”

I wish yourself, family, and friends health and happiness during this difficult time.

thank you