Brother Baku entered the 'Monastery of Silence' and the Head Friar
said, "Welcome Brother, this is a silent monastery. You are welcome
here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you
to do so."
Brother Baku lived in the monastery for 5 years before the Head
Friar said to him: "Brother Baku, you have been here 5 years now,
you may speak two words."
Brother Baku said, "Hard Bed."
"I'm sorry to hear that," the Head Friar said. "We will get you a
better bed."
After another 5 years, Brother Baku was called by the Head Friar.
"You may say another two words Brother Baku."
"Cold food," said Brother Baku, and the Head Friar assured him that
the food would be better in the future.
On his 15th anniversary at the monastery, the Head Friar summoned
Brother Baku to hear his allowed two words.
"I quit," said Brother Baku.
"It is probably best," said the Head Friar. "You've done nothing
but complain since you've been here."
--Author unknown; selected from Good, Clean Funnies List.
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The
world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day
will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.
The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day.
The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the
human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by
decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve
hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must
make a choice. And so I choose:
I CHOOSE LOVE...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I
choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the
temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will
refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by
God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an
opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Rather than
complaining that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment
to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face
them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone; kind to the rich, for
they are afraid; and kind to the unkind, for such is how God has
treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will see
the good in others when it is hard to find. I will confess before I
will accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their
trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not
question my love. And my children will never fear that their father
will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice,
may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in
prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let that which will turn to dust rule the eternal. I
choose self-control.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS,
GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL...
The Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. To these I commit
my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek
God's face.
And then when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and
rest.
Amen.
-- Author unknown.
A Fun, Faith 'n Funny Bone Feature 
