A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his back. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect, and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years, of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream, “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer, “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your effort”, the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pots’ side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you have watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.

Moral? The half empty cup vs the half full cup! Each of us has our own unique flaws—we are all cracked pots. But it is the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding! You have just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Sometimes too, we tend to focus too much on our negative traits (tho it’s definitely good to do a check on ourselves sometimes!), but forget what we are good at, diminishing our self-worth in the process. There’s a lot of good out there—and that includes you! :P

Hihi,

This week we'll be bringing the residents to the nearby coffeeshop! Proposing to bring 10 residents (5 ambulant and 5 non-ambulant).

Schedule:
1400-1430 Arrival of volunteers
1430-1445 Pairing of volunteers to residents
1445-1500 Departure for coffeeshop
1500-1600 Interaction with residents at coffeeshop
1600-1615 Departure for MWH
1615-1630 Debrief and end of session

See you then!

Hi all,

I happened to chance upon a booklet containing inspirational stories which I got from a volunteer camp years ago. Will be sharing some of them over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. :)

The first one up..the optimist creed. Sometimes volunteers need some motivation too.

Dear all,

We’ll be having a session of games with the residents this coming Saturday, including games like our usual fishing, golf and bowling. :)

Schedule:
1400 arrival of volunteers
1430 start of games/interaction
1600 end of games/debrief
1630 Free and Easy

I’ll be raising a few issues during debrief, including the upcoming MWH chalet (pls be ard to cast your “vote” on your availability and location of chalet), camp counselor recruitment, and possibly some item that we can do when the camp visits the home on DAY 1 of the camp (26 June)

See you then :)

Just came across this..sharing it with you all! Hope you fine it a good read :) And dun forget to pump in some action this Sunday. :p

NOT JUST A MOM

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a..."

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'Housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (my whole family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."

Motherhood--What a glorious career!

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!
This Sunday, don't forget the Research Associates.

--Author unknown.

Hi all,

Sessions will resume on 20 May k? Meanwhile, feel free to drop by the home to visit the residents! One of them was hospitalized last week, hopefully she's recovered and discharged :)

Cheers to a great start of the holiday--and may we stay focused on what we want to do for the residents this holiday!

Hello all!

Yay! the exams are finally over! haha..hope everyone's had a good rest after it! We'll be having an informal session this saturday, 6 May (Polling Day--public holiday!) from around 230pm-430pm or so. Those who have to vote, haha..do join us after you have casted your votes! ;p

It'll be an in-house session, and we'll be basically interacting with the residents. If anyone has any idea for activity, do let us all know! ;p Sessions will resume formally on 20 May.

Hope to see you all this sat! :)

Cheers,
Esther