Society & Culture - 13 June 2006

HOSPITAL WINDOW

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 color 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 color 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 detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks 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's why it is called the present."

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

2006-06-13 04:44:41 · 11 answers · asked by ••Mott•• 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-06-13 04:44:19 · 16 answers · asked by flyguy03 3 in Religion & Spirituality

If you are an apheist, please tell me whether or not you believe in evolution.

If you are an evolutionist, please tell me whether or not you believe in a supernatural force.

2006-06-13 04:43:43 · 13 answers · asked by chaz 2 in Religion & Spirituality

I saw a pastor this morning. I have confessed my sins, but he says that I need to be a witness. But I still have old habits and afraid I am a bad witness. Also, I don't think it is my job to try and change people. If God wants converts, won't he call them like he called me? I think people will feel critisized if I go around with the attitude that they are going to hell... Please help? I want to do the right thing...

2006-06-13 04:42:44 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

she acts like she is hiding her love for me...i just dont get it

2006-06-13 04:42:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Royalty

What is the best way to interact with people for some one who is shy?

2006-06-13 04:41:56 · 14 answers · asked by mayhemstd 1 in Other - Society & Culture

2006-06-13 04:40:10 · 7 answers · asked by nativeamer 2 in Other - Cultures & Groups

im learning french and i am gettin confused on when to use les, des because although they may be in front of a word, it doesnt mean that it must be read in translation. help me

2006-06-13 04:39:45 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Languages

2006-06-13 04:39:42 · 2 answers · asked by johncollgr 2 in Languages

2006-06-13 04:39:37 · 12 answers · asked by juan m 2 in Etiquette

2006-06-13 04:39:24 · 6 answers · asked by WiserAngel 6 in Other - Society & Culture

Iam Fumbula Kachigwali, P.O. Box 5821, Limbe, Malawi
Tel.: (265) 1 674 739 Cell.: (265) 9 551 160
I am running an association known as Rural Initiative for Development (RIDE) that is aimed at leading communities in the drive towards self attainment. Malawi is faced with all sorts of problems such as hunger, illiteracy, diseases including HIV/AIDS, environmental degradation and all sorts of problems rooting from abject poverty. Efforts to redeem the situation has to be multilateral

Our association is working in seven places of the country whereby people need food, housing, good environment, clothing quality education, health services if they are to live a comfortable life. The target population is close to 300,000.

Any assistance is welcome. Financial assistance are most welcome and moneys can be deposited in the following account: Account Name: GWTR Graphics & Signs, Account Number: 0140052874500, Bank: Stanbic Bank, Blantyre Blanch (Malawi)

2006-06-13 04:39:17 · 4 answers · asked by fumbula4 1 in Community Service

christians always say that they will only go to heaven but i feel if you do good and be honest to your self you will still get into heaven. if that is what people think is wrong without christianity they need to think again since i have been here before in past lives as well. there is more to life than just following a book or a guy named jesus.

2006-06-13 04:38:11 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

I think if the new testament was one of the missing or destroyed books, Christianity might not exist. Is our understanding of God's will incomplete, as we are missing so much of what was recorded?

2006-06-13 04:38:04 · 13 answers · asked by hichefheidi 6 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-06-13 04:37:35 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

2006-06-13 04:37:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Every other question i run across its about race. And its always something negative, why? And the sad part is its not coming from none other then a white person. Wake up people it is not 1940 or whatever we arent seperated anymore!

2006-06-13 04:36:29 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

How gay is this: http://www.viagraring.com/

A gold or silver ring that you wear that contains the little blue pill. Like Underdog had

2006-06-13 04:34:48 · 10 answers · asked by icemanind 3 in Etiquette

I know that it's pretty normal to experiment sexually as a teen and a young adult...... but wasn't sure about it for someone in their mid 30's.

2006-06-13 04:34:38 · 18 answers · asked by blueyedangel71 3 in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

"Good man" should be interpreted as you wish but explain what do you think a good man is.

2006-06-13 04:34:38 · 44 answers · asked by caesareor 2 in Religion & Spirituality

foriegn policy
respect of other cultures
humility with in the world community

2006-06-13 04:33:47 · 11 answers · asked by lecorpseja 1 in Other - Society & Culture

2006-06-13 04:33:36 · 14 answers · asked by K* 2 in Mythology & Folklore

2006-06-13 04:32:45 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

When asked why do you exist? what is the purpose of your life? Most (atheist) would answer by saying to reproduce and pass on genes for the continuation of the species or something like that. But why is that? Why has nature (as you would acredit the system to) create a system to sustain itself for an indefinate amount of time? Why does life propagate and try to reproduce itself? Is life just a series of accidents? Chew on that.

2006-06-13 04:31:57 · 25 answers · asked by Human 2.1 4 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-06-13 04:31:27 · 17 answers · asked by birgeheather55 1 in Religion & Spirituality

2006-06-13 04:31:27 · 21 answers · asked by Flower 4 in Other - Society & Culture

2006-06-13 04:29:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

2006-06-13 04:28:53 · 47 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality

Strip naked grab a sword and find someone to fight?

2006-06-13 04:28:35 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Society & Culture

2006-06-13 04:26:06 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Religion & Spirituality