Never Give Up

On September 29th, a glimmer of hope shone through the bleakness of recent days. As I stepped out of my abode, the scent of fresh air enveloped me, and the promise of a new day filled me with a sense of well-being. For the first time in a long while, I was reacquainted with the beauty of each day and its boundless potential.

As I sauntered up the road, I encountered a familiar homeless man, whom I had seen many times before. Despite his repeated requests for money, I had always been unable to assist him, as I, too, was in dire straits. Nevertheless, his persistent pursuit of my help touched my heart, and I longed to extend a helping hand.

I stopped in my tracks and turned back, offering the destitute man a five-pound note. As we sat down on the pavement together, a moment of understanding and shared experience ensued. He confided in me that he was not a drug addict, but rather someone who had once lived a life similar to my own. However, he had lost everything, and his current situation was a result of that tragedy.

During our conversation, we both acknowledged the pain of being subjected to disapproving looks from passers-by. Yet, our human connection and the ability to share our experiences with each other was worth far more than any amount of money.

On that fateful day, I learned that never giving up can lead to extraordinary moments of connection and understanding.

Navigating Grief: The Loss of My Kids and Best Friend

Becoming a father was the most significant decision of my life. I grew up not knowing my own dad and haven't seen or spoken to him in over twenty-five years. My stepfather was an admirable man who raised me as his own. He did everything he could for me; he was the most selfless person I have ever known. I couldn't have asked for a better role model as a father. However, the love, respect, and admiration I felt for him could not cover the emptiness of not knowing my biological father.

I often wondered why my father didn't want to see me. Did he hate my mother or do something terrible to her? Maybe I was a mistake he wished he could forget. The truth is, I don't know, and I don't think I ever will. Whatever the reason, I always felt like I had done something wrong. Even though I had a happy childhood, I knew something was missing.

Growing up, I saw that relationships come and go, and it's rare for a couple to stay together forever. Most of my friends' parents were divorced or separated, and I didn't want my children to grow up without both parents. I knew the impact that could have, and I didn't want my kids to feel the way I did. So, I took the responsibility of parenthood very seriously. I spent my twenties in a happy relationship but didn't start a family. I knew the person I had children with had to be special.

After three years of being with Natascha, I knew she was that person. We were friends for a long time before things got serious. She was much more than my girlfriend; she was my best friend. I trusted her, and that was why I wanted her to have my children. It wasn't because she was pretty, talented, kind, or strong; it was because we had something deep, meaningful, and strong. I knew I had a friend for life, and she felt the same way. We were not rushing things, and we had something special that went beyond love.

However, eight weeks after the birth of our second child, Natascha fell out of love with me and destroyed our friendship. I am not angry with her; I am a realist, and I know falling out of love can happen. But, I am upset that she insisted we never see each other again. Becoming a parent isn't easy, and if she loved me, wouldn't she give it a little bit longer than eight weeks? Especially when our children's futures depend on it?

I still love her, and I always will. I thought I would love her for the rest of my life. I loved her not because she was gorgeous or loved me more than other girls had, but because of how I felt when I was with her. Being with her felt right, and we fit together perfectly. We used to call each other 'puzzle,' and I long for her company now. Even though she doesn't love me anymore, it doesn't stop me from loving her. I wish it would sometimes, but it doesn't.

If she doesn't want to be with me, I accept that, but I don't understand why we can't be friends. I can't force her to be with me, and I don't want to be with a woman who doesn't want to be with me.

Difficult

I’m often difficult to love.

I go through dark periods like the moon and I hide from myself.

But I promise I will kiss your wounds when they’re hurting. 

Even if they’re in your soul,

I can find them with the light in my fingertips.

I will lead you to the river so you can remember
 How beautiful it feels to be moved by something that is out of your control.

And when our dark periods match, we can breathe with the grass and look at the night sky.

The stars will remind us of the beauty in our struggles,
And we won’t feel lost anymore.

Einstein's Riddle

Albert Einstein reckoned that only two percent of the population would be able to solve this riddle.

Can you?

1. In a street there are five houses, painted five different colours.
2. In each house lives a person of different nationality.
3. These five homeowners each drink a different kind of beverage, smoke different brand of cigar and keep a different pet.

The question is: Who owns the FISH ?

Hints

1. The Brit lives in a red house.
2. The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
3. The Dane drinks tea.
4. The Green house is next to, and on the left of the White house.
5. The owner of the Green house drinks coffee.
6. The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7. The owner of the Yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8. The man living in the centre house drinks milk.
9. The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10. The man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11. The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12. The man who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13. The German smokes Prince.
14. The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15. The man who smokes Blends has a neighbour who drinks water.


Click HERE for the answer, but only when you're ready!

The Paradoxical Commandments

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Kent M. Keith

• People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centred. Love them anyway.

• If you do good people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

• If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

• The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

• Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

• The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

• People favour underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

• What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

• People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

• Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.