tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post8168944711375451732..comments2024-03-27T13:06:58.438-06:00Comments on Harry Tucker - Observations and Musings: The Giving SpiritHarry Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-24206317290375655092008-12-20T14:59:00.000-07:002008-12-20T14:59:00.000-07:00Gary,If I may add one thing, my friend.You have gi...Gary,<BR/><BR/>If I may add one thing, my friend.<BR/><BR/>You have given unselfishly to others this Christmas season. You participated with us during our Christmas gift drive for battered women and their children.<BR/><BR/>You and some other folks who helped us with this drive have demonstrated the true gift of Christmas - giving at personal sacrifice. Some gave knowing that by doing so, they would have no money to buy things for themselves.<BR/><BR/>To you and others who I have worked with this year who sacrificed things for themselves so that they could give to others, I thank you with all my heart.<BR/><BR/>Those who give unselfishly will be rewarded.<BR/><BR/>As I said earlier, if there is anything we can do for you and Denise, please let me know.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you - my family is also headed towards the greatest Christmas we have ever experienced.<BR/><BR/>Take care and thank YOU for everything that you do, Gary.<BR/><BR/>HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-31869748001403723902008-12-20T14:58:00.000-07:002008-12-20T14:58:00.000-07:00Hey Gary,I think the greatest thing I have been gu...Hey Gary,<BR/><BR/>I think the greatest thing I have been guilty of is buying whacks of stuff every year for the family, looking at it on Christmas morning and saying "that's too obscene - let's not do that next year" and then repeating the process year after year.<BR/><BR/>As I noted, this event is of extremely short duration for me but the message to me, loud and clear, is "You keep saying you are going to do better next year and you don't - so here's a little help keeping your promise to yourself".<BR/><BR/>After hearing the story of the 3 little children who died on Bell Island this morning, my message to the universe is "Ok - I am listening, this time - now you REALLY have my attention". <BR/><BR/>I continue to explore these lessons so that the opportunity to learn is not lost.<BR/><BR/>God bless you and Denise this Christmas. If we can help in any way, please reach out to me.<BR/><BR/>HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-82233513016409348492008-12-20T13:48:00.000-07:002008-12-20T13:48:00.000-07:00Harry:It's interesting that we are going through a...Harry:<BR/>It's interesting that we are going through a similar financial crisis this holiday season leaving us without many of the "amenities" of Christmas. But what we have been left with is the beauty and purity of a Christmas without commercial trappings. I think it's going to be the best Christmas ever.<BR/>GaryGary Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07928861757460245871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-7368416239428569272008-12-19T12:15:00.000-07:002008-12-19T12:15:00.000-07:00Hey Keith,Great wisdom, my friend. I know Freecyc...Hey Keith,<BR/><BR/>Great wisdom, my friend. I know Freecycle well - I was the first moderator for the Freecycle group in Newfoundland and Labrador about 5 years ago.<BR/><BR/>The Baha'i writing is powerful. Thank you for sharing it. I know it will resonate with others as well!<BR/><BR/>Best wishes to you, your wife and your newest family member for a wonderful holiday, my friend.<BR/><BR/>HarryHarry Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329922320940535781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005196875375123554.post-8811672419174486222008-12-19T10:02:00.000-07:002008-12-19T10:02:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry...Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry to hear about your challenges, but it is funny in a way: reminder to us all. Prior to my current company, I was laid off twice in M&A and felt the pain that many do today. My little way to help is that we use http://www.freecycle.org/ to give items away instead of Goodwill and I try to pay the toll for the person behind when possible. <BR/><BR/>I would like to share this passage from a Baha`i writing:<BR/><BR/>The more difficulties one sees in the world, the more perfect it becomes. The more you plough and dig the ground, the more fertile it becomes, the more you cut the branches of a tree, the higher and stronger it grows. The more you put the gold in the fire, the poren it becomes. The more you sharpen the steal by grinding, the better it cuts. Therefore, the more sorrow one sees the more perfect one becomes. That is why in all the tomes the Prophets of God have had tribulations and difficulties to withstand. The more often the captain is in the tempest and difficult sailing, the better his knowledge becomes. Therefore, I am happy that you have many sorrows, strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrows..<BR/>-Abdu`l-Baha, West vol 14; 1923Barakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11752823389702781830noreply@blogger.com