“Strangers in the Night” – Frank Sinatra
Strangers in the night exchanging glances,
Wond’ring in the night what were the chances
We’d be sharing love before
the night was through
Something in your eyes was so inviting
Something in you smile was so exciting
Something in my heart told me I must have you
Strangers in the night
Two lonely people, we were strangers in the night
Up to the moment when we said our first hello little did we know
Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away
and
Ever since that night we’ve been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right for strangers in the night
[instrumental-first three lines of chorus]
Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away
Ever since that night we’ve been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right for strangers in the night.
Well, another year has flown by and we’ve arrived yet again to February 14 – Valentine’s Day, haven’t we?
Today’s blog is a Valentine’s Day Special.
<Quote: “Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that happens on February 14. It is the day of the year when lovers show their love to each other. This can be done by giving flowers, chocolates, Valentine’s cards or just a nice gift. Love notes can be given to one another. These notes are called valentines. Some people pick one person the call there “Valentine” as a gesture to show love and appreciation.
Symbols of Valentine’s Day are heart shapes, roses, and Cupid with his arrows.
Valentine’s Day is named for two martyred Christian saints named Valentine.
Since the 14th century Valentine’s pairs are formed in England. English emigrants took the Valentine’s custom to the United States. After the Second World War, US soldiers brought this festival to Europe.
Legend
In the third century after Christ, Valentine was the bishop of Terni (Italy). He performed weddings for couples who were not allowed to get married. They may not have been allowed to get married because the parents did not agree with the connection or because the bridegroom was a soldier or a slave, so the marriage was forbidden. Valentine gave to the married pairs flowers from his garden. That’s why flowers play a very important role on Valentine’s Day. This did not please the emperor. On February 14, 269 AD, Valentin was beheaded because of his Christian faith.
An expansion of the legend combines the day of death of Valentine with the Roman festival Lupercalia. It was the festival of the great goddess Lupa. The martyr Valentine became the patron saint of the lovers. Still in the Middle Ages, as in France or in Belgium, people were chosen by the lottery to live a year with each other and people prayed to Saint Valentin to make love potions and charms.
United States and Europe
In the 19th century, the custom of sending Valentine’s Cards became very popular. The cards usually have pictures of hearts or flowers and contain some sort of poem, message, or code. Codes and simple messages give some people the courage to show their true feelings to the person they love. Today, some people still use mysterious codes to show their love. People can use newspapers to give a coded message to their loved one, giving other readers a view of the couples’ intimacy with one another.
Famous for the popularity of the celebration is the folk song called “Die Vogelhochzeit” (“The Birds’ Wedding.”)” Unquote>
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Now read the 2 heartwarming stories, mentioned below (whose author is anonymous) and you’ll soon understand why I find it so important to share the message of these stories with you. When you’ve reached the end of both the stories, I’m sure that the majority of people in the world will agree with me that these touching stories form the true essence of love and kindness.
Please try to emulate wholly this same benevolence in your lives – for just one single random act of kindness and love, you’ll receive unequivocal blessings from people who are relative strangers to you. These heart warming blessings are always immensely warm and sincere in their goodness – they never fail to bring “sunshine through the windows” and joy into the lives of all the people that this love and kindness touches.
KINDNESS AND LOVE ARE MEANT TO BE SHARED UNSTINTINGLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY – let unknown people in the world bless you for your caring and sharing – that is the VERITABLE, UNFORGETTABLE ESSENCE OF VALENTINE’S DAY. Unfortunately, very few people, around the globe, are aware of this simple truth and fact.
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Story 1: There was once this man who was very much in love with his girl. Although, at that time he was just a “small fry” in his company, his Heartbroken, the man agreed. But when he regained his confidence, he Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this man had One rainy day, while this man was What he saw next confused him, the couple was walking Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They Just because The man just wept…..The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting (Author: Anonymous) —————————————————————————— |
Story 2
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his
way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.
However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.
She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large
glass of milk He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied “Mother has taught us never to
accept payment for a kindness.”
He said… “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt; stronger physically,
but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors
were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.
When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled
his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her
room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her.
He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation
room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave
special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the
business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.
He looked at it then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent
to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for
it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side as she read these
words……
“Paid in full with one glass of milk.”
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: “Thank you,
GOD, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands.”
(Author: Anonymous)
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Take a moment now to read carefully the essence of these very beautiful quotes of unparalleled wisdom that come from Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa (born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu) (August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997), was a Roman Catholic nun who started the Missionaries of Charity and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with people. For over forty years, she took care of the needs of those without money, those who were sick, those without parents, and those dying in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, guided in part by the ideals of Saint Francis of Assisi.
She was a simple and humble human being who devoted her entire life to the service of the poor, the underprivileged and the downtrodden people of the world. She is remembered to this day for her selfless love, unconditional charity and extreme humility.
What better way is there to express the true meaning of Valentine’s Day than with these wise and beautiful words? Please do read and appreciate the essence of these quotes of exceptional wisdom.
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa
“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
― Mother Teresa
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
― Mother Teresa
“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
― Mother Teresa
“God doesn’t require us to succeed, He only requires that you try.”
― Mother Teresa
“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”
― Mother Teresa
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”
― Mother Teresa
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
― Mother Teresa
“I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”
― Mother Teresa
AT THE END OF IT ALL, THE FOLLOWING FACTS REMAIN IRREFUTABLE:
(i) Valentine’s Day is NOT ONLY on February 14 of any given year – YOU OUGHT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN SUCH A WAY THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT YOU SPEND LIVING AND BREATHING ON THIS EARTH IS A CELEBRATION OF LOVE, KINDNESS, HUMILITY AND CHARITY TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE.
Remember this truth and remember it well and always: “CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME” – LEARN TO SHARE THE GOODNESS OF LOVE AND KINDNESS WILLINGLY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YOU CAN NEVER EVER BE TOO EXTRAVAGANT IN THE GIFT OF YOUR LOVE AND KINDNESS TO ANOTHER – REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THIS LOVE AND GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT IS SHARED WITH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING OR WITH AN ANIMAL. CHARITY IS NOT ONLY ABOUT AIDING THE NEEDY, SICK AND POVERTY-STRICKEN TRILLIONS OF THE WORLD THROUGH FINANCIAL AND MONETARY MEANS – SOMETIMES JUST A SMILE, BASIC COURTEOUSNESS &/OR A GESTURE OF RANDOM KINDNESS IS A TRUE EXPRESSION OF LOVE THAT WORKS JUST AS EFFECTIVELY.
(ii) LOVE IS A VERY WIDE CONCEPT – IT IS A POWERFUL EXPRESSION OF IMMENSE GOODNESS, AFFECTION AND GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT THAT TOUCHES A NUMBER OF LIVES. LOVE HAS THE PROPENSITY TO CREATE A TREMENDOUS HALO OF WELL-BEING, SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LIVES OF EACH PERSON OR ANIMAL THAT IT TOUCHES – HOWEVER FLEETING AND TEMPORARY SUCH AN EXPERIENCE OF LOVE AND KINDNESS MIGHT BE.
LOVE TOUCHES A VARIETY OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH INTENSE JOY AND MAKES THEM EVER MORE MEANINGFUL AND ENDURING:THE LOVE THAT HUSBAND AND WIFE SHARE FOR EACH OTHER; THE LOVE BETWEEN PARTNERS OF THE SAME SEX; THE LOVE THAT PARENTS SHARE FOR EACH OF THEIR CHILDREN; THE LOVE BETWEEN SIBLINGS THEMSELVES; THE LOVE THAT IS SHARED BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLOSE FRIENDS; THE LOVE THAT A MASTER/MISTRESS SHARES FOR HIS/HER PET AND VICE VERSA, ETC.
WHEN LOVE IS NARROWED DOWN SO MUCH THAT IT EXTENDS ONLY BETWEEN LOVERS, IT IS ESSENTIALLY A DILUTION OF THE WIDER CONTEXT OF LOVE ITSELF! I think you’ll agree with me on this fundamental point.
When you read the quotes from Mother Teresa, I’m sure that a lot of you sighed and said inwardly that the author is suffering from a serious case of having “gone crackers,” since she now wants us all to enter the nunnery or the priesthood, for leading a virtuous life. Well, the fact is that of course I don’t!
You don’t need to be a nun or a priest to be spiritual. I’m certain that a number of you must be silently snickering at the thought of the author having the fervent ambition to change the world into a better and more peaceful place to live in.
Let me put forth this simple truth, to you, very candidly – you ought NOT to mock people who have taken the initiative to make changes in the world for the better, especially when YOU are NOT doing anything yourself to help the situation at all. THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN DO, IN SUCH A CIRCUMSTANCE, IS TO SUPPORT WHOLLY THE EFFORTS OF A VALIANT, LONE SOLDIER WHO HAS THE COURAGE, STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND THE CONVICTION TO DO SO. DO NOT SCOFF AT THE EFFORTS OF YOUR AUTHOR WHO IS ONE OF THE SOLDIERS WHO STANDS FEARLESSLY ALONE AMONG ‘THE TENS OF TRILLIONS’ OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD – WHO STANDS FIRM IN THE FACE OF MUCH CRITICISM.
YOU COULD DO EVEN BETTER BY SPREADING THE WORD OF BENEVOLENCE AND THE ESSENCE OF GOODNESS TO EVERY NOOK AND CORNER OF THIS PLANET. If you won’t take the initiative to do it, you can at least help me to make a visible change in the world for the better!
Well, you won’t be too happy to have me burst your bubble – I’m sure. Have you ever thought why, all of a sudden, there is a noticeably increased spurt, worldwide, in the celebrations of “Valentine’s Day,” “Mother’s Day,” “Father’s Day,” “Children’s Day,” “Friendship Day” etc.? In contemporary times, where people can avail of all sorts of “online chat” services like emails; Google Talk; Windows Live Messenger; Skype; Blackberry Messenger; “WhatsApp”, etc who needs the old-fashioned, paper greeting cards? The Greeting Card companies, all over the world, have managed to boost tremendously their flagging businesses with the ever-increasing promotional hype of such “days” as Valentine’s, etc. The public is so easily falling prey to this over-hyped, commercialized gimmick, that it’s not even funny!
IN CONCLUSION: LET EACH DAY OF YOUR LIFE BE A CELEBRATION OF LOVE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, HUMILITY AND GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT FOR ALL YOUR FELLOW-BEINGS. THE JOY OF SHARING LOVE OUGHT TO BE THE VERY SPIRIT THAT MOTIVATES YOU TO WAKE UP EACH MORNING AND GO ABOUT YOUR WORK AND LIVES.
SUCH A CARING LIFESTYLE IS INDEED A TRUE CELEBRATION OF LOVE – “a celebration of Love for Love’s Sake!”
IMPORTANT NOTE: The title of this blog is taken from the beautifully emotive song called, “The Last Farewell” – a song that is sung eloquently by Roger Whittaker, a world -renowned musician.
“…………………..For you are beautiful
And I have loved you dearly
More dearly than the spoken word can tell…………”
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