No 15 Changing Lives through Dancing
By David Earl Woodbury

Friday, April 14, 2017

Things to Ponder!

These two questions were sent to me by Mr. Jacques DeBeve.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.

Here are the two sets of questions.

First Set:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor &  actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies.

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s the second quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. Think of a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
The lessons learned:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money…or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most!

This wonderful test was sent to me by one my best friends in the whole world, Mr. Jacques DeBeve. Jacques contacts me weekly and many, many of his emails leave me in tears from their deep emotional impact and powerful messages.

As Steve Platt says, “Life changes more when we help others to make their own lives better”. This is so true in life.

This Easter Sunday, I am a part of a team of several hundred, serving a total of 11 masses on Easter Sunday, welcoming over 12 thousand visitors to St. Monica Parish. I am honored to be serving three of these great masses with an amazing team of leaders and mentors. Many of my friends are serving 5 or 6 masses that day. Of the 11, we have three masses at the same time at 9:30 and 11:15 in three different venues on our campus.

Last Easter, I walked outside as Team Leader and listened to the music from the three 9:30 masses, in the church, the Grand Pavilion, and the Gym, all being celebrated at the same time. We had about 3 thousand guest on the campus and more arriving. The music sounded like angels to my ears.  After all three masses let out, many more were guests were entering for the next three 11:15 masses. I felt a wonderful blessing seeing so many hundreds of happy people all celebrating the season together. What great energy!

So, for Points to Ponder, I give you a challenge. Become the mentor that others will remember, the leader that others want to spend time with, the teacher who will guide others, the friend who is there in a rough time, and the one who will make others feel appreciated, loved, and special. Be unforgettable and be the person who will make a difference in the lives of others.

Feeling a bit low? Are you lonely and out of sorts? Are you lacking direction? Try this, find a place you can give back. Work at a shelter, clean the beach, offer your time to a sick friend or visit a shut-in. Find a group that gives back and ask them if they need some help. You’ll be shocked at their reaction and the huge “Yes” that you will hear from them.

It’s hard to be sad when you are helping others and it’s even harder to be down in the dumps when you are busy guiding, inspiring, and giving time to a great and worthy cause.

My mom, J. Clair, always said, “Keep a little song in your heart”. The key is to share and get others to sing along with you!

Thank you for reading!

David Earl Woodbury

davidearlwoodbury@gmail.com

Keep on Dancing!