The Greatest Happiness

Confined to her hospital bed and wracked with pain, Gloria knew her time was nearly over.

"No-one loved me and my life was sad," Gloria told her Guiding Angel. "Now accept for you, I'm dying alone."

"There is still something you could do to find happiness," said The Guiding Angel. "And not die alone. And you would learn the lesson we Angels want to teach you."

"What is it," Gloria asked.

Life's Greatest Lesson

"You're facing life's greatest challenge," the Rabbi said to Max, who was laying in his hospital bed, his body aching and fear racing through his mind.

Life's Most Valuable Lesson

"What was the most valuable lesson you learned in this life," asked the Guiding Angel, shortly after George passed away.

A Lesson For Buster

Buster is among the gophers that live in my wife Anne's and my backyard.

Two Saturday nights ago, Buster and his friends threw a loud party, making noise that disturbed the squirrels, chipmunks and other creatures that live in our yard.

This wasn't the first time Buster and his friends had done this, and we were tired of warning Buster to stop.

It was time for action.

10 Year Old King Campbell

When he became King of Genovia, King Campbell was just 10 years old.

He became King when his father the King was killed in the most current war of many wars Genovia fought with the surrounding nations.

Each of these wars were supposedly fought for peace and freedom but as always were actually fought for power and gold.

However, all of this would soon change under King Campbell who aside from his youth was different in other ways.

You Don't Control What Others Do

"Life can be so frustrating," Tom complained to his Guardian Angel. "Many people make promises they don't live up to."

"You don't control what other people do," replied the Angel. "But whatever they do, you must release your frustrations."

"How" Tom asked.

A Beacon Of Light

"I love to offer a helping hand to those people who are down on their luck," Tom told his Guardian Angel.

"That's wonderful Tom," replied the Angel. "This world needs more people like you."

"But so your generosity won't burn out, please keep these two thoughts in mind:

Why Can't I Be More Helpful?

"Why can't I be more helpful," Tom asked the Guardian Angel. "I care so much and want to help people solve their problems."

"That you care is admirable," the Angel replied. "But you didn't cause their problems and your attempt to solve them may actually make them worse."

Learning Black From White

"We can't hang out with him," said William, a white butterfly as he motioned with his wing at a black butterfly that was flying around my backyard.

"Why," I asked William.

"Because he's black," whispered William. "I don't trust him."

"Why don't you trust him," I asked.

An Awakening

One day Manny was walking on a winding road when suddenly a car going too fast lost control and sped into him.

Thrust in the air and thrown 50 feet, Manny laid on the road as sirens blared in the background and people gathered around him.

Then oddly, he rose into the air, yet he could see his body still lying on the road, and he watched paramedics starting to work on him.

"Is my life over," Manny asked the Angel next to him, both of them in the air about 20 feet over the scene.

"We'll see," replied the Angel.

"You know my life never amounted to much," said Manny. "No-one's going to miss me."

"I was never close to my family or my friends, and at work, nobody liked me and I was always afraid I'd get fired."

"You know what," said Manny, "I want to die. I'm glad my life is over."

"We'll see if your life is over," answered the Angel. "But first we're going to take a journey."

A Lesson For An Out Of Shape Butterfly

"Oh boy," gasped Oscar, a golden Monarch Butterfly, as he landed with a thud on the leave of a bright green shrub in my backyard.

"I've gotta get in better shape," he said, barely able to speak as he tried to catch his breath.

I'm Gonna Bite You On The Butt

"I'm gonna bite you on the butt," said my neighbor's dog Barry to me.

Barry is a chihuahua, and so little and old, I'd have to lift him up so he could bite me on the butt.

"Why do you want to bite me on the butt," I asked Barry.

Dancing In The Light Of Darkness

For 10 year old Aaron, life was often a struggle.

His parents were divorced and he lived with his mother, whose job paid for their small apartment and put food on the table.

Aaron was short and skinny, and with his lack of self-confidence, sometimes stuttered.

The bullies laughed at him and picked on him. 

He had no friends, but he did have a teacher who cared for him, and began to protect him from the bullies, as she was alert to what was going on with Aaron.

Bubby Thompson And The Giddyups

When Bobby Thompson was little, he couldn't say "Bobby," it came out "Bubby" and the name stuck as everyone called him "Bubby."

Bubby's parents owned a ranch and he grew up riding horses with his friends, with Bubby gently saying "giddy-up" whenever he wanted his horse to go faster.

But what really captivated Bubby was rock 'n' roll and he learned to play the guitar at 10 and formed a boy band at 15.

He called the band "Bubby Thompson and The Giddyups."

Everyone thought they were cute and soon Bubby Thompson and The Giddyups were playing at school functions and parties and getting paid to perform.

Then one night a record producer heard the band and said, "I'm gonna make you guys stars." And true to his words, he did.

The End Of The World

"My world is over," said the caterpillar sadly to his friends. "My body is ceasing to function and shortly I'll be gone."

Is Ya Stupid Or Something

"Is ya stupid or something," said Izzy, a little mouse after he watched me give a homeless woman some money.

"You know how hard you worked for that money," Izzy continued. "Money don't grow on trees."

"She needed that money more than me," I replied. "She was hungry."

"Ah, you're just an easy mark," Izzy answered. "People see you coming a mile away and they take advantage of you."

Awakening

As Bill awoke, he felt an incredible sense of peace and joy. Never had he felt so good. Then glancing to his right, he saw an Angel smiling at him.

"Who are you," Bill asked. "I'm your Guardian Angel and I've just awakened you from your dream."

"What dream," asked Bill. "Look behind you," the Angel replied.

Hiding Love

"The love I feel is precious and personal," William said. "I can't just blurt it out any time I like."

"It is like gold," he continued. "I must hide it away." And hide it away he did.

But years later when William was on his death bed, no-one came to visit him.

"Where is everyone," William cried out. "I had love for so many people but none of them come to see me now when I need them."

The News: Two Days Into The Future

Throughout history, people tried to foretell the future, but never had it been done with success. That is until recently, when suddenly the future could be accurately foretold.

Here is what happened:

In the small city of Palos Verdes, the local newspaper, the PV News high technology printing equipment broke down and they couldn't afford to fix it.

In desperation, they found in storage their 60 year printing press, and having no other choice, they put it into use.

But the newspapers that were printed stunned everyone.

Each newspaper published events from two days into the future. Suddenly, there was all the news that was about to happen:

The catastrophes, the political and stock market results, the scores of the sports events and in the obituaries, who died.

The Richest Person

"I am the richest person," Saul often proclaimed, "For I have far more gold than anyone else!"

But then one day, a group of scientists created a duplicate of gold, one exactly the same as what had been real gold.

Soon that artificial gold turned up everywhere as everyone wanted all the wealth gold could bring.

A Talking Tree With A Dancing Bee

"Hey Saul," I called out to a lush green pine tree in my front yard. "What's that little bee doing?"

"He's dancing," replied Saul. "He does this to rejoice in being alive."

"Does it work," I asked. "It must," answered Saul. "Look how happy he is."

"It's been a long time since I've been that happy," I told Saul. "I think I'll join him."

The Magical Music Shop

Once there was a music shop, one that offered musical instruments, records and colorful music boxes all presented by a husband and wife that loved people.

Their shop was an oasis from all of life's stresses and everyone was welcome, whether they bought anything or not.

But Sunday afternoon was the most special of all times, because that was when the shop closed for business and opened its doors to entertain everyone.

Letting Our Children Go

As parents, one of the toughest things each of us face is letting go of our children when they become adults.

Death Is Never Painful

83 year old Fred had had an active life, but his wife of 50 years had passed away and their two children and their families lived far away.

Most of his friends had died and increasingly Fred found himself alone, the television often being his only consistent companion.

One afternoon, Fred turned off the television so that he could take a nap.

As he looked in the mirror, he stared at a tired old man, one whose body was often filled with aches and pains, and one who no longer saw a purpose in his life.

The Biggest Little Heart In The Barnyard

"I cried out in fear," said the little chicken.

"But why," replied the powerful rooster, bold and brave.

"Because I have not your courage," answered the little chicken. "Everyone is bigger and stronger than me."

"Then it is time I teach you one of life's great lessons," said the powerful rooster.

A Chocolate Heart

To celebrate their first weeding anniversary, Gordon bought Grace a chocolate heart.

The young couple had little money but they had enough for a chocolate heart, which over candlelight, they shared together.

As the years passed, the couple prospered.

But Gordon always gave Grace a chocolate heart on their wedding anniversary, for it had become a romantic tradition they would share together over candlelight.

However, just before their 52nd wedding anniversary, Gordon gently passed away and Grace was heartbroken, for she had lost the love of her life.

A Brief Talk With God

"Sit down my son and we will speak," said God in response to Sheldon's prayer. "I will answer your question.

"You asked why I created so many poor people. The answer is:

In The Wisdom Of King Solomon

When two women fought over who was the mother of a baby, King Solomon said that if they couldn't agree, he would split the baby in two so each would have half.

One woman said to split the baby while the other said the first woman could have the baby. Solomon then ordered the baby given to the second woman, for in her loving response it was was clear to him she was the real mother.

This is a well known story, but there is another King Solomon story that is not so well known.

That Elusive Pot Of Gold

Freddy had a seemingly wonderful life, one with love, health and happiness that often brought him joy. But yet he wasn't satisfied.

"My life would be perfect if only I had a pot of gold," he proclaimed each night.

Then one night, an Angel replied, "Freddy, we are going to grant your wish," and as she vanished, a pot of gold shined brightly in her place.

The Counterfeiter

In his job, Harold was a prominent accountant, but it was on the weekends he did his best work.

For Harold was a counterfeiter, his work a near perfect match for any nation's currency. And never did he profit by that work.

The Wisdom Of My Dog Butch

The other day my dog Butch asked if we could have a talk. Of course I agreed as he and I are best friends.

The Day My Childhood Innocence Ended

I'm 70 now and my boyhood in the 1950's is so long ago.

That is until I recall the day when my childhood innocence ended. Suddenly I'm living that day this very moment.

Poppa drove home and slowly got out of his gray Plymouth. His shoulders were slumped and his head seemed to hang down to his chest.

As I looked more closely, he appeared to be crying, as he tried to gather himself before coming in the front door.

Mamma saw it too as she watched from our living room window. I could feel her fear, as she rushed to the door to greet him.

The Richest Man

Long ago in the Greek Isle of Rhodes ruled King Thebus, renowned in the ancient world for being the richest man, for his ornate palace, giant stadium, vast army and the greatest collection of gold.

"I am the richest man," he often proclaimed.

Among the thousands of people that would arrive at King Thebus' palace each week to serve this powerful King was Archemedes, a shoe maker everyone called Archy.

Being Remembered

"How would you like to be remembered after you're gone," Jack asked his friends Rolly and Mike.

"I'd like to be remembered as a great lawyer," Rolly replied. "As young lawyers admire how I won my cases. And as a result, maybe my law school will name a building for me."

"I'd like to be remembered as a great architect," said Mike, "As people admire the homes I designed. And maybe my university will name a building for me."

"What about you Jack," asked Rolly. "How would you like to be remembered?"

A Dialogue With God

Jerry didn't believe in God. "If You exist," Jerry would say, "Why is the world such a mess?"

"Why are there wars? Why is there so much brutality, poverty and ignorance, fear and heartache?

Why do You allow these things to happen?" But all Jerry ever heard in response was silence, from what he called, "The invisible God, the make-believe God."

Then one day when Jerry was in meditation, suddenly he heard a Voice.

The Weather Is Crazy

"The weather is crazy," I said to my friend Bebe, a bright yellow butterfly. "It can't make up its mind what it wants to do and it sure frustrates me sometimes."

A Dog, A Hog And A Blog

Dogs and hogs are highly intelligent and able to communicate with us as people.

But until now, they couldn't express themselves on the Internet. That is until my dog Dodo and my miniature hog Herbie had their ideas and feelings put online.

What ideas and feelings did they have to share? Love, compassion, forgiveness, joy, spontaneity and a bark and a snort, all of which I was happy to post.

But my neighbor Sid said, "This is ridiculous. Of what value is anything a dog and a hog have to express.

A Hummingbird Told Me

This Spring, I've been watching a very happy hummingbird family in a nest just outside my kitchen window, and I asked the father hummingbird what makes them so happy together.

The Hummingbird Wars

Many years ago, the hummingbirds in my neighborhood, as they often do, were fighting a brutal war.

But the hummingbirds in my backyard concocted the top secret Manhattan Beach Project in which hummingbirds learned to light firecrackers and then drop them on their victims.

This horrific weapon was the worst any hummingbirds had ever created.

But it was argued this weapon of mass destruction would end the war with my neighbor's hummingbirds with less loss of life then without this terrible weapon.

"Bomb 'em," shouted Give 'Em Hell, the then president of the hummingbirds in my backyard, and soon the firecracker bombs from Hell exploded.

One side of my neighbor's backyard was set ablaze by the firecrackers, killing everything in sight.

When the enemy hummingbirds didn't immediately surrender, "Bomb 'em again" shouted the president, and soon another part of my neighbor's backyard was ablaze, as my neighbor Sid ran around with his garden hose putting out the fires.

Sid's backyard hummingbirds surrendered.

But soon firecracker technology spread throughout my block, and in several yards, the hummingbirds began building stockpiles of firecrackers.

In The Light Of An Angel

"I'm lost," said Jacob. "What am I going to do?"

It was 3 am and Jacob hadn't been able to sleep. That afternoon, he had broken the news to Molly that after 23 years with his employer, he'd been laid off.

Jacob was 52 years old, a time in life when employers can often hire young people for far less money, and Jacob knew in competition with young people, his job prospects were bleak.

Jacob had been laid off along with 11 other employees because their employer had shifted their jobs to China to save money,. 

He and the other laid off employees were declared "surplus" and given severance checks and short-term medical insurance coverage.

When the layoff took place, Jacob and Molly had been married for 26 years, and their son and daughter were both in college, a very costly investment for Jacob.

After having been a stay at home mom for 15 years, Molly had been attending community college to bring her skill set up to date and to take an art class, something she had always wanted to do.

Between house payments, car payments, insurance costs, medical expenses and college tuition, Jacob and Molly were like most families, they had little savings.

That night, feeling his heart pounding under the stress, Jacob quietly got out of bed and walked into the kitchen and sat down at the dinner table to try to calm himself, 

But as he sat in the dark, tears began running down his cheeks. What were he and Molly going to do? Would they lose their home? How would they pay their bills? Could they keep their kids in college?

Just then, the dark kitchen began to glow in a soft white light.

The Ladybug Wars

It was a beautiful September day as I sat on a green lounge chair in my backyard basking in the sunshine and enjoying all the flowers in bloom.

But suddenly 20 ladybugs from my neighbor's yard flew in a cluster into my two foot tall snapdragon plants and leveled twin red flowered snapdragons with a crash, killing themselves, other ladybugs...

It was tragic.

As I was still absorbing what happened, a ladybug from the western side of my yard known as "The Decider" began calling for war against the ladybugs in my neighbor's yard.

Soon thousands of ladybugs were off to the nearby cement quarry, lifting tiny particles of sand and heading to my neighbor's yard, where they bombarded the ladybugs there.

After many flights to the quarry, large numbers of my neighbor's ladybugs including their children lay dead and my neighbor's yard was a mess.

"The Decider" called this "Operation Enduring Freedom" but all I saw was many ladybugs from my yard occupying my neighbor's yard. There was no freedom.

And soon some of my neighbor's ladybugs were picking up some of the sand around them and from high in the air dropping it on my ladybugs, as the war continued.

This was bad, but the next day it got much worse.

"The Decider" was flying in circles and at the top of his lungs, claimed the ladybugs on the east side of my yard had "Weapons of Mass Destruction," all the while scaring the ladybugs on the west side of my yard.

Life's Greater Purpose

As I sat outside reviewing my workload and sending texts on my cell phone, a little white winged butterfly set down on the petals of a round red rose next to me.

"Hi, I'm Andy," the butterfly said. "I'm Dick," I replied. "It's nice to meet you. I'll send this next text and then we can talk." He waited patiently for me, and after I sent my text, I turned to him.

"I'm trying to understand you humans," said Andy. "Please help me.

"My life span is just 7 days," Andy continued. "Your human lifespan is typically 75 or 80 years. I make the most of the brief time I'm here, as I sway in the gentle breeze, smell the roses and bask in the sun, while nature provides plenty to eat.

"But it seems to me you humans don't focus on living your lives. So many of you are stressed and appear to be doing things you really don't enjoy doing."

"That's true," I replied. "But we humans serve a greater purpose."

The World's Ugliest Dog

It was a very happy day in the Banyon household when their beloved dog Mabel gave birth to pups.

Little Ralphie was the last pup born, and the runt of the litter, and he was often the last to suckle any milk, sometimes unable to get any..

While his brothers and sisters had rounded faces and glossy tan coats, Ralphie was black and gray, with a squared off snout.

As the other puppies grew strong and healthy, Ralphie was thin and frail and seemed to stumble over his own feet. Mr. Banyon couldn't take it anymore.

One day during a car ride, Mr. Banyon lifted Ralphie up by the scruff of his neck and said, "Ralphie, you're the world's ugliest dog and you're a loser.

"I doubt you're going to survive and we can't waste anymore time and money on you."

Hannah The Healer

You may have heard of Hannah, for she was renowned to people all over the world who journeyed to her Malibu Canyon cottage to be healed from many of mankind's worst illnesses

If it was within their karma to be healed, she acted as a conduit, as the Creator's energy came through spiritual beings to heal them. But if it was not in their karma to be healed, she would tell them why she couldn't help them.

In any case, her services were always free.

Hannah treated each patient by gently placing her hands on them. When she touched them with one hand, there was no effect.

But when she placed both hands on them, energy surged throughout their bodies.

What Makes You So Beautiful

"What makes you so beautiful," I asked a magnificent red flower on a bright sunny day.

"You do," she replied. "And this is true for everyone else who sees me, because it is in the mind that all beauty exits.

"My purpose is to beatify the world," she continued, "And if no-one sees me, my purpose is lost, for I become invisible.

And The Bread Said

And the rye bread said, "Buy me," as I walked by it in a busy grocery store. I stopped my cart and stared at the bread.

"You can't be serious," I replied. "You contain too many calories." "I do," the bread answered, "But I taste delicious and I'm a good buy at this price."

The Wisest One Of All

At one of the premier private universities in the world, there was a huge celebration to open the new Great Hall, which from then on would be the center of learning for its many students.

It was an ornate, towering facility magnificent to the eye, and built at enormous expense.

After the formal dedication, the university staff and professors mingled with the attendees, one of whom was a soft spoken, humble man of 90 years of age.

Looking Where It Is Most Convenient

Yesterday my neighbor Raymond was crawling around on his front lawn looking for something.

"Can I help you," I asked. "Sure," he replied. "I'm looking for my car keys."

Gordon, Sady And Me

In the far corner of my beautiful backyard, there is a lovely patch of green grass, as smooth as a putting green. But last week, that patch suddenly had three little holes.

"Who did this to my grass," I cried out.

A Lady In Love

35 year old Anita, was a kindergarten school teacher and a would be writer who was desperate to find the right man.

For loneliness gripped her spirit and Father Time would soon prevent her from having the children she had always hoped to have.

One night in her bedroom, Anita wrote a description of the man she wished for. He would be 40 ish in age, and a doctor, one who loved children so much that as a doctor, he would be a pediatrician.

The man she wished for would devote himself to his wife and children, and would buy a pretty white cottage for everyone to live happily in.

That night, the light of a full moon lit Anita's bedroom and in that light, she softly prayed that this story book man would come true.

But as the weeks passed, there was no sign of such a man, and sorrowfully Anita let go of her wish.

Then one day, her school hosted a "Career Day," in which people of various professions spoke to the students about their professions.

To Anita's surprise, a doctor appeared. As he spoke warmly to the students, Dr. Tom turned out to be a 40 year old pediatrician, single and with a great sense of compassion and humor.

Will Santa Close His Toy Factory?

This year, the North Pole was abuzz with rumors that Santa would close his toy factory, layoff most of his elves and ship toy production to foreign sweat shops.

What began the rumors was a recommendation from Chief Operating Elf, Elvin to Santa saying they could save a fortune with layoffs and foreign production.

After reading the recommendation, Santa called Elvin into his office. "Why would you recommend such a thing," he asked Elvin in earnest.

The Balloon Of Happiness

Once upon a time in the little town of Snedville there was a big golden balloon of happiness, one that everyone called "Ernie."

When people around Ernie were happy, he inflated until he was as big as a house, and he would float gently in the breeze, a signal of joy to everyone.

When people around Ernie were sad, he would deflate until he was no bigger than a marble, and he would often roll onto the floor with a thud, a signal of sorrow to everyone.

Mario's Magical Chocolate

You may have heard of Mario's Magical Chocolate, for it was renowned across the world.

And when people cane to this city, they joined the local people in standing in a long line to buy Mario's Magical Chocolate, for there was nothing else as good.

But few people have known Mario's story and today, I'd like to share that story with you.

The Year Christmas Was Cancelled

It began like every other Chritsmas Eve, Santa loaded his sleigh with toys and beckoned to his reindeer as he was quickly whisked away.

But when he landed on his first American rooftop, abruptly he was seized by eight heavily armed men wearing dark suits and ties and with stern, humorless faces.

The Heaviest Ping Pong Ball

Stuart had serious health issues. His body ached, he had frequent headaches, he tired easily, suffered from severe mood swings and then suddenly he could even feel his heart race.

Desperate, he went to his doctor, Dr. Lois Vakouvian, seeking answers.

After a thorough exam, Dr. Lois said, "I found the problem and we can solve it."

"What is it Doc," he asked, his body tense as can be.. "I'll show you," she replied. "And it's going to surprise you."

Why Irving Became One Of Santa's Elves

After careful soul searching, Irving became the first of Santa's Jewish elves. Why he chose to become an elf is a compelling story.