There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon.
One year, a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.
"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.
-Author Unknown-
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.
May we reach out to others and make that difference to our nation, our world, our neighbourhood and most of all, our lives! Have a nice day!
22 comments to HOW DO YOU WANT YOURS TO GROW?
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Cat-from-Sydney Aunty Paula,
And that's why this cat is spreading the love....so that she'll grow up with loads of love too.... purrr.....meow!
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Ummie Your are that farmer - sharing this lovely story.
Happy Mother's Day. Cheers ;p)
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Ex-MCA Man In this Bolehland, you only get a colossal share of goodies & freebies when there are elections or by-elections! Just ask Chua Soi Lek. He sure has the answer.
Sibu residents! Good luck, your turn has come!
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nick Hi Sis,
TDM is the epitome of the greedy and conniving evil schemer who would never help his neighbors but instead spread discord among them so that they will be distracted or blinded from seeing his thievery and traitorous behavior.
His statement about "fanatical chinese attacking malays" is simply evil and with the utmost malice (any right thinking malaysian can clearly see his real intention!). In line with the Penang opposition leaders inflammatory remarks, TDM is trying to pour petrol over a dying ember. He has to do it because UMNO and BN is losing mileage among Malaysian faster than they (the kerbaus) can organize a street demo (Kerbau berkubang di jalanraya is more apt to describe their antics actually). It serves no purpose other than creating a nuisance among us human being and a road hazard too).
Malaysian should be very careful and remain calm these coming weeks. Tension are going to rise as the kerbaus are trying to manipulate the royalty and also the emotion of the still sleepy eyed malays. They are desperate and they are running out of time. The next GE is just around the corner and they know Malaysian mentality is still full of hatred towards them. They can already feel the noose is tightening around their neck and it's panic time....
The frog king is their last hope of securing the malay mind and looks like it's not working or at least very effectively. And there are talks that even Johor "the stronghold" of UMNO is not safe anymore. All we need now is for PR to be vigilant and close their rank. PR need to play it smart and fight dirty tactics with clean governance, honesty and accountability (if there is need to do a state election then don't make excuses).
And if they are defeated, show the people your graciousness in accepting defeat. Remember that malaysian are very polite and humble people with penchant for the underdog. Cater to this mostly untapped virtue of Malaysian (HS is a good example) then you'll have endeared them to you for a long time. PR need to become smart and they have no time to waste. And they need to clean house too or spring cleaning or whatever to strengthen the party. If PR can last until the next GE..it will be a downhill ride all the way.
I'm praying for a brighter future for Malaysia and may the Almight hear all of our prayers and answer it without delay.
Happy mothers day Sis! Wishing you a happy and long life with your family and friends. GOD bless.
Nick
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Justice Dear nick,
We ought to leave that old senile TDM alone. He is just trying to get some attention. You still buy his stuff? Forget it!
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Village Boy Human beings are able to live because of the support of many people.
Let's inculcate the spirit to treasure and value each and every single individual, enabling each and everyone to attain happiness.
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HotDogg Years before, when I was a young executive, I had a male German Shepherd Dog (GSD). His name is Cosmo. He came from a line of decorated and award-winning pedigree parents from the UK. Several months later, I noticed my neighbor had a new dog. It too was a GSD but was a female. May I use the word “bitch” Aunty Paula? Thank you.
One day my neighbor came to me and asked if I would let Cosmo sire his bitch. I said I’m flattered that he thought so highly of my GSD and I’d be glad to. Later that evening, he brought his bitch to meet Cosmo. After the initial doggie suspicions, they soon got off fine. It was a lightning-speed romance and Cosmo did what he had to do. As expected, the bitch was impregnated. After that, my neighbor took her back. She later gave birth to a litter of fluffy puppies. During the time when the bitch was delivering, Cosmo would pace up and down near the fence as if in anticipation of the new arrivals. And when they finally came, they were the most adorable bundle of sweethearts I’d ever seen. My neighbor kept a male and a bitch and weeks later, sold the rest for profit.
My neighbor no longer brings his GSD for breeding as he now had his own. Sometimes as I lounge in the garden with a Pina Colada, I could see my GSD looking over the fence with loving eyes and tail wagging as he watch his brood gleefully playing in the garden. Very often, the little ones would run over to him and they’ll bark excitedly at him as if to see, “Daddy! Daddy! Come and play with us!”
Well, Cosmo has since left us. The pups next door are now full-grown fearsome looking GSDs. Every time I see them, I’m reminded of my dear Cosmo. They’ll sometime come over to the fence and allow me to pat them. They’ll look at me as if to say, “We miss Daddy”.
I missed Cosmo too. Very much.
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Unknown Dear Dr Bala
I am glad this story resonates with you! May you continue to water others in your life for by blessing them, you are also blessing yourself.
Have a lovely weekend, Dr. Bala!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear QQ
Indeed! It is always better to give than to receive. Take care and bless your kind heart.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Angelina
Yes, I can see you have a lot of love to give and Nick and I have been blessed by you, Brad but most
of all by your Mama!
May you always be surrounded by love as you give of yourself.
Salam
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Unknown Dear Ummie
Aww...that is such a sweet comment! Thanks! Happy Mother's Day to you too, Ummie.
I appreciate your readership since way back in 2008!!
And am always touched by your thoughtful comments.
Take care and have a lovely weekend.
Salam
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Unknown Dear Ex-MCA Man
Yup - looks like it will be raining goodies in Sibu...May there be no buy-election there!
Take care and God bless you!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Anon @ 11.09am
Most definitely not! Take care and may you and yours be blessed with love and all things bright and beautiful.
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Catherine
Indeed you are right. In making others happy, we will also derive happiness too.
Take care and God bless you!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Nick
It is really very good to have you back again in cyberspace. Thank you so much for such a timely and important comment in the light of challenging times ahead.
Your take of the current scenario is very analytical and shows you are in touch with the ground. Indeed your call for us to be watchful and vigilant is very very important and I hope readers will take heed.
It is too easy to get burdened and weary and to succumb to attacks in any form so we have to fortify ourselves and increase our defenses.
Thanks for this call, Nick. Take care and have a blessed week.
Salam
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Unknown Dear Justice
TDM is a very crafty and experienced politician...we have to be watchful as there are many unseen hands...
Yet, you are also right because we have to test what he says as more often than not, it is for self-seeking intentions.
Take care and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for us to be watchful and not buy his words.
Have a great weekend!
Cheers
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Unknown Dear Village Boy
Thank you for that inspirational exhortation. If only more Malaysians would just learn to respect one another not just in words, but also in thoughts, actions and everyday living....I am sure our nation will be a better place.
Take care and God bless you for sharing this.
Shalom
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Unknown Dear Little Corgi
Your comment moved me to tears and I am sure your eyes must have been moist while recollecting those precious moments.
While I am touched by your experience and the fact that your Cosmo had a big heart to love because of a master that loves him so much, how come in our land, there are those who do not have that much love and respect to show for their fellowmen?
They need to take lessons from Cosmo and his darlings.
I miss my dogs too :-(.
Take care and thanks so much for this sentimental dose of love for our canine darlings.
Cherish the memories and moments.
Warmest wishes for a wooofderful weekend!
Monyet King It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.
How very true
Have a nice day, MWS