When Are You Going To Die?
Richard Carlson, Ph.D., was an author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker, who became famous with the success of his book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff... and it’s all Small Stuff (1997). The book became one of the fastest-selling books of all time. It is divided into 100 brief chapters. The last chapter is entitled, “Live This Day as if It Were Your Last. It May Be.” Carlson lived his last day on December 13, 2006. He died of a pulmonary embolism during a flight from San Francisco to New York, leaving his wife and two teenage daughters.
Carlson said that he ended his book with this chapter as a reminder of how precious life and loved ones are. He wrote: “I often wonder, when listening to the news, did the person who died in the auto accident on his way home from work remember to tell his family how much he loved them?” Carlson started the 100th chapter asking, “When are you going to die? In fifty years, twenty, ten, five, today? Last time I checked, no one had told me.”
He died suddenly and unexpectedly nine years later at the age of 45.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).
Donning True Beauty
Despite being mistakenly declared the winner of the 2015 Miss Universe contest, having the crown placed on her heard, and accepting the adulation of the crowd for almost four minutes, Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had to give it all back. In arguably the most awkward moment in beauty contest history, the host, Steve Harvey, came on stage as Miss Colombia was about to begin her victory walk, to apologize to the audience for mistakenly announcing the wrong winner.
In a brief interview as she exited the stage, Miss Gutierrez thanked her supporters and said, "Everything happens for a reason. So I'm happy. I'm happy for all of what I did for becoming this … I'm so happy. Thank you for all. Thank you for voting for me."
Follow this link to view the gracious departing response of Miss Colombia.
If you tuned in to see a beauty contest you weren't disappointed. That's because more than seeing the 80 most beautiful women in the world, you witnessed the inner beauty of one very disappointed contestant by the gracious way she responded to being de-crowned. It just goes to show that no matter what has just happened, real beauty dons the crown of a grateful attitude!
Additional Application:
Few things in life are as disappointing as falling just short of a lifetime goal. But something far worse happened to Miss Colombia. She actually seem to achieve her dream, only to have it snatched away moments later. But rather than respond as one might expect, in anger or in bitterness, she expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity and the support, winning an outpouring of love and respect from around the world. Miss Ariadna Gutierrez showed the world that it isn't what happens to us, but how we respond that really matters.
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT).
A Most Generous Christmas Bonus
For a third year running, FORTUNE Magazine has named Hilcorp one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." This year, they certainly proved themselves worthy by awarding each of their 1,380 employees a $100,000 Christmas bonus. That’s right—$100,000 per employee, regardless of their position in the company! The bonuses allow the entire Hilcorp team to share in the company’s success.
This is not the first time Hilcorp has offered extravagant bonuses (a few years ago it offered its employees the choice of a $50,000 car or $35,000 in cash), and no doubt it won’t be the last. The recipients seem to be truly grateful. “It’s just a true gift, and I think myself, along with everyone, is not going to give less than 100 percent each day,” receptionist Amanda Thompson told Fox 4 News in Houston.
Hilcorp's generosity really is a “true gift.” But what about the original Christmas bonus program?!
Two thousand plus years ago, God presented Himself to all mankind as the truest of all true gifts. He came to live for us and to die for us so that He could offer us the bonus of all bonuses—eternal life, offered equally to each one, regardless of our position, rank, or status.
If the employees of Hilcorp can be so motivated by $100,000 to give “100 percent each day” back to the company, how much more ought we give of ourselves 100 percent in service and gratitude to the One who gave it ALL for us!
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).