Dedication.......

Selling tips....

Jean is our staff working at our main office. For the past few months, towards the end of the month, she would call me personally. Checking with me those endowment and educational policies which I had sold more than twenty years ago and are maturing now. She would ask whether those maturing cheques be dispatched to me or to be sent directly to our policy holders. My instruction is always to let me have them, so that I would hand personally to my clients myself.

Out of curiosity, yesterday when I had a long chat over the phone with Jean, I managed to gather some surprised information from her. Though we don't market anymore endowment plan today, there are many endowment policies sold previously are maturing currently. According to her, 90% of these maturing policies are no longer served by the attending or servicing agent. Either the agents have passed away or they had left the business with our company. Jean's responsibility is to locate these customers' where about. Their address could be incomplete or they have moved. Her job is never easy. Unclaimed payment would be sent to our Central Bank for same keeping. The agents who sold the balance of the 10% maturing policies are still around. They numbered less than 10 of us. Out of these 10 agents who have been with the company for more than 25 years, only one agent is willing to receive these payments from the head office and later handover these cheques to his clients. Jean said these old timers insisted payment should be mailed or they are not sure where their clients are staying now. Jean felt that this only one agent who is willing to accept the responsiblity to hand deliver payment to his clients is truly a very special person. Though he no longer earns any more commission from these old policies, he is still so eager to meet up with his customers. This special agent is RF.

Jean asked me where I got my energy to last so long in this business. I told her.. Talking is my hobby. As long as I could see my friends are smiling and happy, I know my hobby works. Thanks God! Selling life insurance allows me to talk endlessly. I waited 20 or more years to see these policies matured. I will never trade for anything but the pride and honour to hand deliver these payments to my deserving clients who also have waited this long for their savings.

My strongest belief- "Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others."

THE PREACHER SAID.....

"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take
it and throw it into the river."

The congregation cried, "Amen!"

"And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take
it and throw it in the river."

And the congregation cried, "Amen!"

"And if I had all the whiskey and rum in the world,
I'd take it all and throw it in the river."

Again the congregation cried, "Amen!"

The Preacher sat down.

The deacon then stood up & said: 'For our closing
hymn, let's turn to page 126 of our hymn books and
sing:

'We shall drink from that River'

The congregation screamed "HALLELUYAAAAAA!!!"

Apple and Jobs........

The pictures speak it all........................

Do you know... "A lot of people thought Steve Jobs was a CEO of Apple but he never was until he came back to Apple in 1997" - Andy Hertzfeld

Be faithful and loyal in selling....

Selling tips...

Faithfulness and Loyalty are important ethics. All life insurance agents must have, in order to sell successfully and permanently in our career.

As an agent, you play two roles. One to represent your clients, and the second to represent your principle company. Be responsible to our clients, we have to make sure all benefits and terms are rightfully given. Protection and covers are to be charged fairly. Keep customers well informed. Be reasonable and treat all policy holders fully satisfied at all time. I guess this role is easy because all agents definitely want sales and businesses. Without their clients and their premiums, no agent could survive in this profession. Yes! Be faithful to our clients.

However most agents forget to be loyal to their companies they represent. Reasons could be as follow. Are you truthful to your company? Each time when we submit new cases, we need to declare our clients medical background for the underwriting purposes. Did you cheat or under declared information, in order to secure sub standard cases which should not be taken in the first place. You could gain a sale for yourself but unfair to the client and the company. Sometimes company could make mistakes, or I should say is human error, when accidentally extra payment is issued to our clients. Would you keep silent and quickly hand over cheque to benefit your client? No joke! This can happen. I was issued an extra hundred thousand dollars on a claim for a sickly client. I could benefit my client if I were to give him this payment. By doing so, I consider myself as not loyal to my company then. Sound silly to most friends of mine when I returned payment to my company. On the other hand, I earned so much trust and creditability from my company ever since the wrongful cheque was being returned.

Conclusion: Faithfulness draws attention and loyalty pays in the long run. We need both to survive in selling life insurance.

How true.... "If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything" Claude McKay quote.

There is no woman chef....

Talking of equal rights, women have sounded their voice worldwide effectively. Today you could almost see them in every field and profession which were dominated by men many years ago. Thirty years ago, there was no lady life insurance agent. Today there are more female agents than male. I had seen taxi driven by women, buses drivers are quite noticeable and the other day I saw a rough female lorry driver too. Those day, only males took up engineering or surveying because the jobs were considered as heavy and out going. Today women are equally good at these profession too. Forget all these work or professional careers, let's go further than these. The highest paid job for a country is the Prime Minister or The President... Right? Look around, women had by passed the gentlemen. There are many ladies who are elected as leaders for their countries. The latest is Miss Cristina Fernandez, the first elected female President of Argentina. Wow! Great of her to play this important role for her nation.

BUT! Something is puzzling my mind! Woman has done well, or I should say extremely well in progressing. They have taken the challenge to undertake all employments and work, which man can do... They can do better. My question now is... How come there is no female chef. To me... A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Woman is the best cook in the house. Being the mother, they cook passionately at home to serve their families. I myself love my mother's food. All my children loves their mother's food too. But when you eat out, whether is a small eating outlet, a restaurant or a five stars hotel, all cooks and chefs are males who are being employed. Funny isn't it? I really don't understand. Perhaps some of my lady readers might be able to enlighten my doubts.

Alice Hawthorne said "What is home without a mother?" and Gael Greene quoted "Great food is like great sex. The more you have the more you want"

Intelligence or smart?

Everyone likes to be intelligent and smart but when you ask what are intelligence and smart, not many could really explain and define their meaning. Funny isn't it? How could one be intelligent or smart, when you find it so difficult to tell the differences.

In simple explanation... Intelligence is the ability to learn and smartness is the ability to apply what we have learned. If you still could not understand, I think you don't have both either.

Personally I think there are two types of intelligent people. The first type has high IQ to learn but they are selfish, reserve, boastful and like to criticise and condemn others. The second type with similar brain, are usually kind hearted, willing to share, humble and love to compliment and appreciate others. The upper is only intelligence, whereas the latter is smart. If you have both, then you are wise.

What are you?

Food for thought -“Knowing a great deal is not the same as being smart; intelligence is not information alone but also judgment, the manner in which information is collected and used”
Dr. Carl Sagan quotes

"Smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether" - Roy H. Williams

Husband is not ATM machine!!!!

A good friend sent me a text message. Please write in your blog. Husband is not ATM machine.


That statement sounds negative to me. With some soul searching and pondering, I gathered a little of facts and understanding and wish to share them with this friend and the rest.



To me, wives who don't work outside and strictly a full time housewife, it's the responsibility of the husbands to provide for the families entire financial needs then. However the current modern days when husbands & wives work together, it might be a bit different. Normally they share the family expenses or perhaps if the man earns more, he should be willing to part more for the family spending.



My experiences in selling life insurance tells me that money is always the most sensitive issue in a family. What belongs to the women, its always remain to be for the women! Whereas what belongs to the men, are to be shared between the spouses themselves. I have not seen women who are willing to part all their savings for their men.



As for me, a man should provide for the family, no matter whether his wife earns or not. A man should be proud to earn and spend on his family. Seeing his family lives comfortably and in style could possibly earn the respect from others. A happy family is a drawing attention and it creates an inner strength for the man to work and strive even harder.



Finally to my dear friend there, who is reading my blog... "A successful man is one who could flower happiness endlessly to his wife. A successful man is one who allows his wife spends as much as she likes and yet he doesn't feel the pain".

Simplicity.........

Chong was one of my Master who thought me the facts of life thirty years ago. I was in the mid thirty and he was in his sixties then. One day over a cup of coffee, I asked him a casual question. If you are to be richer and more successful, Master Chong which new model of Mercedes are you going to change?

A reply I won't forget. He said if I am going to be successful and wealthy, I would change my present old Mercedes to another much older car. Perhaps a Proton is good enough!

I was puzzled and confused! If you have all the money why are you not changing to a brand new car!!! Everybody has dreams to drive an expensive vehicle if they can afford them.

With his wisdom he enlightened my simple mind. Only those who aren't really rich and successful, are crazy to owe branded and expensive cars. The purpose is to show to their surrounding that they are successful and have the creditabilities. This value allows them to conduct business. However when one has reached the highest level of success and wealth, he need not has to prove his value to others anymore. At that point of achievement, his symbol of success doesn't come in with brand or fashion, but rather in simplicity and humbleness. Now I am driving the Mercedes because I haven't reached there yet, but when I'm at the top, any old vehicle is sufficient for me.

It took me thirty years to accept his wise teaching. A lousy student finally follow his advices. Yes! I don't need that dream car anymore.

Food for thought - “Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art” - Frederic Chopin quotes

Always be punctual......

A Priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in
the parish.

A leading local politician and member of the congregation
were chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at
the dinner.

However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say
his own few words while they waited.

"I got my first impression of the
parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been
assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my
confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when
questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had
stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an
affair with his boss's wife, taken illegal drugs and gave VD to his
wife. I was appalled. But as the days went on I learned that my people
were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full
of good and loving people."

Just as the Priest finished his talk, the
politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately
began to make the presentation and gave his talk: "I'll never forget
the first day our parish Priest arrived", said the politician. "In
fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for
confession."

Moral: Never, Never, Never Be Late

What is a Financial Bail-Out ?

It is a slow day in a damp little Irish town. The rain is beating down harshly, and all the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt and everybody lives on credit.

...On this particular day a rich German tourist is driving through the town, stops at the local hotel and lays a €100 note on the desk, telling the hotel owner he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the night.

The owner gives him some room-keys and, as soon as the visitor has walked upstairs, the hotelier grabs the €100 note and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher.

The butcher takes the €100 note and rushes down the street to repay his debt to the pig farmer. The pig farmer takes the €100 note and heads off to pay his bill at the supplier of animal feed and fuel.

The guy at the Farmers' Co-op takes the €100 note and runs to pay his drinks bill at the friendly neighbourhood pub. The pub owner slips the money along to the local prostitute drinking at the bar - who, in spite of facing hard times, has always gladly offered him her ‘services’ on credit.

The hooker then rushes over to the hotel and pays off her room bill to the hotel owner with the €100 note.

The hotel proprietor quietly replaces the €100 note back on the counter, so that the rich traveller will not suspect anything.

At that moment the traveller comes down the stairs, states that none of the rooms are satisfactory, picks up the €100 note, pockets it and leaves town.

...No one has produced anything. No one has earned anything. However, the whole town is now out of debt and looking to the future with a lot more optimism.

And that, dear ladies and gentlemen, is how a basic financial bailout package works !

China toddler run over.....

Beijing (CNN) -- Money rewards are coming in for a woman who rescued a bleeding toddler left for dead last week by multiple passersby in southern China.

Two hit-and-run drivers rammed into Wang Yue, 2, one after another, as she walked on a narrrow street in Foshan.

More than a dozen people walked, cycled or drove past as she lay bleeding in a busy market, sparking a global outcry on the state of morality in a fast-changing society.

Wang is in critical condition, her brain showing little activity despite earlier subtle movements in the lower body, said her mother, Qu Feifei.

China: Hit-and-run video sparks outcry

Good Samaritan laws in China But despite the many villains in the story, it has also turned the spotlight on an unlikely hero: A 58-year-old scavenger.

In the video that has sparked outrage globally, Chen Xianmei moves the baby to safety, becoming an instant symbol of understated decency in a nation analysts say is obsessed with climbing the economic ladder.

"I didn't think of anything at the time," Chen said Sunday. "I just wanted to save the girl."

Two government offices in Guangdong province, where the hit-and-run occurred, offered the Good Samaritan a total of 20,000 yuan (US $3,135), according to state-run Xinhua news agency.

Wang's mother has said she does not understand the behavior of the passersby, but wants to focus on the positive.

"Granny Chen represents the best of human nature," she said of her daughter's rescuer. "It's the nicest and most natural side of us."
...............................................................................

My view... The above story has captured much attention worldwide. Believe me, this could happen in any part of our world. The fact of life is... The rich has no time for others, while the poor still has empathy and concern.

As Malaysian we claimed to be kind but when we see accidents on the road, you could observe few motorists who would be willing to give a hand to the injured. The one who would stop to assist are normally the motor cyclists. The expensive driven cars would never be bother to look at them. Reasons... They are afraid too much time could be incurred, or their beautiful cars might be subjected to blood stains which might be difficult to remove later. Either the injured have to wait for the ambulance to come or lucky enough to have a Samaritan who would stop his motor car and fetch the needed victims to the nearest hospital. I darn to write this because I had experienced two times when I saved two lives who were badly hurted on the road.

Food for thought - "Anyone who has experienced a certain amount of loss in their life has empathy for those who have experienced loss" - Anderson Cooper

Love has got magic... Even in selling.

Selling tips...

RF... Do you love me darling?

Little darling (LD)... Yes sweetheart.

RF... Tell me why you love me.

LD... I love you because you are intelligence, kind, fun, good hearted, understanding, motivated and lovable.

RF... Wow! Really!

LD... Love alone isn't enough. The man can be intelligence but can he creates fun and excitement and offer humour to make me laughs when I'm sad. The man can be smart but does he cares and has concern for me. He can be rich but does he understands me. Has he got the confidence to motivate and to advise. Is he an all rounder of a likable and lovable person.

RF... U make me float in air darling.

LD... I love you because you are generous, adventurous & out going, not selfish and willing to share, inspiring and creative, healthy and have a marvellous personality.

RF... One last question darling. Am I replaceable?

LD... Is going to be difficult sweet. Because you are almost like God send love to me. You better out-live me in life.

RF... I love you as much too darling. A warm tight hug for you.

Moral of the story... Selling is the same. If you truly want to be the most ideal salesperson, especially as a life insurance agent, do you have the same qualities of the above to charm your love mate. Our clients would also expect to have an ideal agent who is intelligent, smart, knowledgeable, kind, understanding, inspiring, motivating, generous, humorous, honest, sincere, fun and a healthy person.

Conclusion... I believe if one cannot be a lovable and a likable person to his or her companion, the chance is... selling as a career is going to be tough for them.

One of my best collection quote... “Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice. ”

High expectation causes conflict....

In our recent local news, it was mentioned that Cambodian had announced a ban of not sending their maids to work in Malaysia. Their Prime Minister Hun Sen was disappointed with alleged incidents of beating and rape of their maids by our Malaysian employers. According to feedback, their embassy had been receiving complaints of abuse on an almost daily basis, alleging that three maids had died within a week.

It was shameful for me to read these news as it is happening in my country. I feel so terribly sad too. A third world country of the past but turning to be fully developed by 2020 we are. The reason I could possibly access is ,we are growing and learning too fast when we have lost our moral and humanity. Our progress and development have changed our thought and aspiration. Originally we were simple and humble Malaysian but with the added knowledge and intelligence, today our expectation and demand in thought is much greater than before. We expect perfection and we demand satisfaction in almost everything in life. We are no longer considered as simple in living and humbleness is practically out of our mind. Naturally when those foreign maids who came from a poorer country could not be able to cope up with our expectation and satisfaction of their work. Under such unforeseen circumstances, there bound to have frustration and anger between employers and workers. The prideful employers turn violent and the poor workers are subjected to abuse and torture. This conflict could be avoided if only the intelligent mind has the wisdom of understanding the facts of life.

What's the point of being rich and wealthy, when one is arrogant and abusive. What's the point of being intelligent and educated, when you are not smart to understand another soul. What's the point of being a fully developed nation, when we bully and victimise the weak. My mind is still pondering.....

Humiliation makes one stronger....

An incident I won't forget...

It was a rookie's nite when I first qualified for the company yearly sales award thirty years ago. I had a chance to mix freely with all the top sellers and I was excited to meet the President of our prestigious Star Club. The President is one who achieved the highest sales of the year. Hearing so much of The President's position and glamour, I was eager and keen to meet up and shake his hand. Seeing him from far, I took up the courage to approach this great insurance agent, hoping I could rub shoulder with him. He was laughing and drinking with many of his friends. Upon reaching him, I introduced myself and congratulated him for his achievement.

In between our conversation, I asked him this question... "Mr President! Can you share one of your finest point to be a good life insurance agent?"

A deep thought was in his mind. With a loud tune he said, "Drink my glass of whisky and I would tell you my secret!!"

I thought he was joking. Politely I told him I am a non drinker but I'm prepared to undertake other requests and obligations.

Sounded unhappily he continued to say.."How can you be a life insurance agent when you don't drink. All my buddies are drinkers. If you want to be my buddy you have to drink my whisky here. Or let me pour this glass of whisky over your head as a non drinker!!!"

Everyone around him was giggling and bursting with laughter over me. They shouted, "Drink! Drink! Drink!" Rookie!!!"

I was firm with my words, insisting that I am a non drinker. Since The President gave me two choices, one to bottom up his glass of whisky or to let him pour the whisky over my head. I chose the latter bravely. The next second without hesitation, The Man I respected so much before I met him, really poured the full glass of expensive alcohol over my head. Together with his friends and colleagues, they were laughing over at my stupidity and foolishness. Yes! I was humiliated and insulted. The President was enjoying his fun and he didn't share his wisdom either.

Little did they know, that particular humiliation made me even stronger and more determined in my career. I reminded myself I have to be self reliance, independence and motivated at all time. I promised myself, I will never be like those selfish, unscrupulous and unfriendly agents who would take advantage of the weak. Thanks to The Universe, the unseen force has assisted me to retain my career for the past thirty years successfully. I have my belief... "The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out." I choose to serve rather than to be served. Those bunch of drinkers are no longer to be seen in our company too.

Perfectionist might not be happy people.

Are you a perfectionist? Think twice before you say Yes!

I believe nobody could be perfect. I don't think perfectionists are happy people. I have a lady friend who preaches perfectionism in her life. She speaks perfect language and expects to hear perfect replies from her friends. The slightest pronunciation or grammar spoken wrong, she would correct you immediately. She loves to dress at her best in colour and matching. Each time when she sees her companions clothed with a minor defect, she would not hesitate to correct them. She expects good food and drink to be served. Her home is in tip top presentation. Look at her bathroom and you could see how clean it is at all time of the day. She professes well professionally in her career and serves efficiently to her clients. She treats her parents better than her siblings, offering financial support ever since she started to work years back.

She seems a great admirable lady to her friends, clients, relatives and parents. However looking at her face, especially through her eyes, I could feel she isn't truly a happy person inside. Reason... Being a perfectionist she is, her expectation in life is extremely high in nature. She could be very stressful when she doesn't get the expected returns. Emotionally she could be sensitive and overreact, turning her feminine character to be arrogance and violence at time. Finally the unfriendly attitude and behaviour lead her to be lonesome when no compatible partner is able to cope up with her strong personality.

I like this proverb - “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson quotes.

A WOMAN WITH HATTITUDE....

I LOVE THIS WOMAN
An elderly lady was standing at the railing of the cruise ship
holding her hat tight so that it would not blow away in the wind.
A gentleman approached her and said,
"Pardon me, madam...
I do not intend to be forward but did you know that your dress
is blowing up in this high wind?"
"Yes, I know," said the lady.
"I need both my hands
to hold onto this hat."
"But madam, you must know that you are not wearing any panties
and your privates are exposed!" said the gentleman in earnest.
The woman looked down, then back up at the man
and replied, "Sir, anything you see down there is 75 years old.
I just bought this hat yesterday!"

Capital Punishment.......

Capital punishment in Malaysia applies to murder, drug trafficking, treason, and waging war against Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the King). Recently, the law has been extended to include acts of terrorism. Any terrorists, and anyone who aids terrorists, financially or otherwise, are liable to face the death penalty. Ours is by the rope!

The infamous lime green gas chamber at San Quentin, where all of California's death sentences are carried out. Today the room is used for lethal injections; California abolished execution by poison gas in 1995.

But I was told the worst Gas Chamber Execution is in Mexico.....
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Would you agree?

Standing Ovation......

The above photo came at the right time when it captures my attention.

The facts of life is.. when our mind isn't at peace, our heart fumble and the lower bottom tumble. Creativeness not working, affection is shallow and erection is difficult. BUT! When the mind is firm with confidence, the heart rolls with joy and excitement. That little John stands bold and unbeatable.

See! When the couple is at Standing Ovation, the time when they are being enthusiastically recognized and accompanied by loud applause, The Male Dancer could still hold his erection over his partner. Amazing! A feat not many could hold. Since I am back into action again with all my confidence and excitement, I believe I too can stand on this ovation again.

The X Factor.....

Maram is a wonderful friend. While I was in a limbo mood these few days, he wrote to me.

Hi Bob,
Still on forced leave from blogging?
GE is at the corner. Wud you consider a candida of the calibre below?

Finally, a candidate who has d X Factor ...
At first glance, he might seem unsuitable .....but upon closer look ... !
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I was frank to tell Maram... Yes! I was almost like him the other day..

Bro Bob,
I m shocked at your revelation that you are almost like that 'guy' in the photo!! I thought that you wud never confessed it man!
If it is true, you are d most 'wanted' man in the Universe! They hv been looking for you all this while, but what they got were all only pretenders. Bob, you are at the verge of history!
Cud they Hv finally found the true ... 'Missing Link!!!'
Perhaps this cud b the next interesting article???

Maram.

Specially for Maram - "Many people will walk in and out of you life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." ~ Unknown

Hacking of email account.....

To all my friends and readers,

Yes! I am back here on my blog again. On 29th Sept, my personal email account was badly hacked by The South African Hijacker. Since my blog is also linked to this account, I could not access and manager my own website too. Though I reported to Google the very same day, nothing much they could do then. I was terribly upset and frustrated. All my files were lost and I felt like naked from top to bottom knowing someone out there were peeping at my accounts and at my blog. I had been blogging since 2007, writing almost everyday to share my experiences to the world. All of a sudden, the popular blog of mine just disappeared from my hand. My heart was in pain and my mind was disorientated then. Thanks God! I had some few great friends and readers, like Maram and Wan who constantly wrote to give me support and encouragement.

When my gmail account was hacked, spam mails were sent to all my contacts. The intention was to cheat the innocent and the ignorant one. Immediately I registered another special email account to inform my friends about the hacking.

For those who have not seen a spam email to cheat, let me show you how the letter was written to my contacts. Read on please.....
................................................................................................................................

Hi,

How are you faring? I'm optimistic this email reaches you well. I'm so sorry for this emergency and urgency. I'm presently in Spain for a Project but I want you to be aware of my present predicament here because I have thought it expedient for me to confide this in you and I will be glad to have it confidential between us.. Everything was fine from the day I got here until I was attacked on my way back to my hotel last night. Though I wasn't hurt, I'm physically ok and fine but I lost my money, bank cards, mobile phone and my bag in the course of this attack. I have immediately contacted my bank in other to block my cards and also made a report at the nearest police station.

But I'm urgently in need of money to complete my major aim of being here and to balance my bills till my departure next weekend. Can you please lend me a sum of 2550euros [approximately $3500 us dollars] or any amount you can afford to lend out? I will refund you even with interest upon my arrival next weekend.

Kindly let me know if you would be able to help me out with the money or any amount you can afford, I can then forward you the details require for a wire transfer via the western union money transfer service. I don't yet have a local phone (still gathering my bearings and such), kindly contact me back via my email. Looking forward to read from you soon.

Warmest Regards,

Robert Foo
...................................................................................................................

This was the exact words sent. Sound silly and stupid. Though the hackers had the brain to manipulate the system but they were not smart enough to outwit my clever friends. I am glad not one got carry away by them.

For anything to happen, there ought to have a reason. Because of the hacking, today I know I have many friends who are truly my friends. Most of them called and phoned me to check on my well being because they were worried and had concern for me. At the same time, I took leave for the past two weeks off on blogging. Allowing my mind to soul search for the extra ideas and thought to write. Yes! I am ready to offer more laughter and smiles to all my supportive readers. To The Google Account - Support... Thank you for restoring my account and letting me to continue posting on Wisdom of Life.

Husbands are husbands....

Sunday's laugh...

A man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him round the head with a frying pan.
' What was that for ? ' the man asked.

The wife replied ' That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny on it that I found in your pants pocket '.

The man then said ' When I was at the races last week Jenny was the name of the horse I bet on '.

The wife apologized and went on with the housework.

Three days later the man is watching TV when his wife bashes him on the head with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him unconscious. Upon re-gaining consciousness the man asked why she had hit again.

Wife replied: ' Your Horse phoned!!! '

Thanks for your time....

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture... .Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

To everyone I sent this to "Thanks for your time in reading my blog".