LOVE LIFE

Gift hampers on display - “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.”

A man had just taken his annual physical exam and was waiting for the doctor's initial report. After a few minutes the doctor came in with his charts in hand and said, "There's no reason why you can't live a completely normal life as long as you don't try to enjoy it."

One of the great keys to successful living is to ignore the doctor's recommendation and enjoy life as much as possible. Living is difficult. Learn to enjoy it. Decide to be happy. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale used to tell about a time when Branch Rickey, former general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Brooklyn Dodgers, was managing the St. Louis Browns baseball team. The Browns happened to be playing against the Detroit Tigers and the immortal Ty Cobb came to bat with two outs and the bases empty in the last inning of a tie game. Cobb drew a base on balls. Once at first, Cobb took a risky lead. His daring, his pure desire to make the most of the moment, rattled the pitcher. The pick-off throw was wild and Cobb dashed. He made a defiant turn at second, forcing another wild throw, slid 10 feet into third and watched as the dazed third baseman muffed the catch. Cobb sprang to his feet and sped for home. By sheer adventure and skill he made what amounted to a home run out of a base on balls!

Unfortunately, the Browns lost as a result. But, Branch was thrilled. He had the privilege of witnessing Ty Cobb's irrepressible love of the game, that quality of zest that set him apart from most other players. Branch commented, "If a player really loves this game, it'll love him back."

So it is with all of life. If we really love life, it will love us back. If we learn to enjoy it, even when it is difficult, we will live well. Henry Van Dyke said, "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars."

Be glad. Enjoy! Love life...and it will love you back.

From Lifesupport.

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