Thursday 15 November 2007

STOP...in the name of love!

Not sure who saw this story today in the papers...

A mayor in Chicago has put up customised stop signs to try to halt the number of people that just drive through them without stopping. So the new signs say 'STOP' and then things like 'In the Naaaame of Love' underneath. The idea is that it will catch people's attention, make them laugh and make them stop.

During the TV launch, a car was seen in the background driving straight across the junction...without stopping!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Morning all,

Well it is Friday again, they do seem to be closer together than I seem to remember! Sorry this post is long.....

Moose, I am not sure about coaching. I do think at times that I could o with some coaching if not for anything else to help me focus on what it is I really want out of life and which direction I would like to go next. I still look through the job pages and keep talking myself out of applying for jobs as the one I have is very secure just quite mundane (although very busy) these days. I think it is that I have done the same thing for too long and could do with a change. Could your coaching help me with this or do I need to contact the Samaritans and see if they can help me! ;-)

Lyndyloo, I do hope your mum is feeling better soon and ready to take you up on your slap up lunch!

Hazel get well soon, I am available (Not trained) to rub in some essential oils to the affected area if you think it would help? XX :-))

I am off to do a 10 mile charity cycle ride on Sunday morning and the weather forecast is not very good, cold wet and windy so I will have to wrap up warm.

If all goes to plan this weekend I will be letting you all into just how much weight I have lost so hold onto your britches for Monday! You could always have a guess bearing in mind that I have only been on a mission since June and we could see who is the closest?

Keep smiling everyone!

Keith the BigUn
xx

I read this recently and every time I revisit it I think it is very apt to what goes on with this blog at times

It will take just over 30 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift that is why it is called The Present.'

Anonymous said...

Keith,

What an incredible story from you today. Honestly, I am shaking just typing this message. I wish I had the words to say how I'm really feeling, but I'm so blown away with what I've just read, I don't know what to say. Thank you xxx

I think you have lost 2.5 stones (I don't know what that is in real money!) and the reason I think you have lost so much, is just because you have said the weight is dropping off you! Looking forward to Monday!

To everyone else - hiya - hope to see you here later.

C xx

Anonymous said...

Morning all!

I like the Chicago story, there is a moral somewhere in it!

Keith - I have seen the story before but thankyou so much for reminding me of it. It is totally beautiful and true too.

I cannot begin to guess on your weightloss as I wouldn't want to over estimate or under estimate for fear of offending you. Just wanted to say a huge well done to you and good luck for the bike race.

So it is Friday again - where did this week go! Why does time always fly by so much faster the nearer we get to C*******s? I am ill prepared and beginning to worry now about getting it all done on time!

Anyhow cyber-friends, have a wonderful weekend and if I do not get back today I will meet you all again on Monday!

A x

To follow on from Keith's thoughtful prose:

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl! When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.


On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Mammy, Daddy, (as we say in Glasgow!) I'm now in tears reading Amanda's offering! Beautiful and so true. I remember when my lovely dad was in hospital we took him to the canteen for dinner. What a mess he made - food all over the floor, the table was a disaster. Bless him. When we took him back to the ward, I went back to the canteen to apologise for the mess and the lady there said to me - don't even think about it, the most important thing is, you got to sit with your dad while he was eating.

Good grief, I am just in tears and tears now!!!

And another thing - Keith, I really hope I haven't offended you by my guesstimate! I sort of gulped when I read what Amanda had said - and of course she's right!

I'm going now - where's my Kleenex?

C xx

Anonymous said...

Chrissie, I promise I am not offended at all. After all I asked so should expect to be guessed at! ;-) Your guess was on the low side. ;-) Just remember I started from a great weight (hence the name Keith the BigUn) so when things are dropped from such a great height the fall is faster! As I have said hold on to your britches! ;-))) My reason for waiting until Monday is that I weigh in after I have been swimming on Sunday evenings (Only weigh once a week) and yes I will still be swimming even after the bike ride in the morning! I must be mad. ;-(

I am certain that neither Amanda nor I had any intention to get you weeping onto your keyboard today. I also enjoy both stories so thank you Amanda. Xx

It has been rather quiet on the moose blog this week

Keep smiling

Keith the BigUn
xx

jollygit said...

Dear all

Apologies for my prolonged absence - yet again!

Work has been busy, busy and there has been one setback after another, followed by the odd disaster here and there! Needless to say, 5pm cannot come soon enough, even though I do not like wishing my life away!

News from la Love: Hazel has had a nasty virus as well as a sore back and has been well and truly under t'weather. I've been passing on your good wishes and she is very appreciative of them all. She's been reclining on the sofa, resting, as she's been told to do, and she is hoping to be back with us next week.

Have a good weekend everyone.

jollygit xx

Anonymous said...

Heavens to Murgatroyd - you chaps know how to reduce a grown woman to tears (almost). What lovely stories this morning.

Sorry to have been a bit of a flibbertigibbet this week - work keeps getting in the way and I don't think it's going to be much better next week either.

Keith, like Amanda I wouldn't want to offend with a totally inappropriate guess about your weight loss but congratulations anyway. It sounds like a cause for celebration. Will we be calling you Little 'un next week??

Talking of celebrations - how are the preparations for HL's birthday party? Is there anythign I can do to help?

Jo said...

Hello chaps :o)

Just popping in to wish you all a happy weekend... George is asleep so am taking the opportunity to catch up on stuff! Hope you are all well and fingers crossed I can come back a bit more frequently soon. Love to all, get well wishes and happy vibes to those who need them

:o Jo

Anonymous said...

Well, I did eventually manage to pull myself together and dry my tears from earlier today!

I know it is hard to believe, but both Keith and Amanda's stories applied to me. What I had said about my dad, but also the story from the hospital. My gorgeous brother was (just over a year ago) transferred to a fantastic hospital in Canada, to be looked after as he was dying from cancer. Apparently he was in a beautiful room and the view from his window of the grounds was absolutely stunning. Except he never got to see it.

So .... you see why I was looking for Kleenex earlier?!

It never ceases to amaze me the stuff the bloggers come up with, that one can totally relate to.

Thanks for this week Moose, good to see you back.

Everyone else: have a lovely weekend, see you Monday.

C xx

Anonymous said...

Dear All

Gosh the flood gates opened for me today - actually it started before I left home this morning. I have a favourite photo of my Mum and Dad in my bedroom and I was sitting on the bed looking at them, sometimes the pain of being without them is just too much to bear.....I was in floods of tears. Then reading today's posts I just couldn't stop!

Today's post on the blog are beautiful, thanks Keith, Amanda and Chrissie for sharing xx

Hazel - we miss you, I do hope you are better soon xx {{{{{{hug}}}}}}

Jollygit - thanks for letting us know about Hazel. xx

Jo - Lovely to see you on the blog xx

Keith - I do agree with Amanda about not wanting to offend you but from reading your previous posts you sound very pleased and proud of your achievement. So "to encourage you" I'm going to have a guess......

If Chrissie was on the low side with 2.5 stones, I'm going to guess 6stones. What an achievement Keith more than 2.5 is fantastic! I have an enormous amount to lose myself and really need to give myself a good kick up the backside!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Mary xx