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Friday, November 20, 2020

Three Questions

 

Three Questions

by 


Three Questions was first published in 1885 as part of Tolstoy's collection, What Men Live By, and Other Tales. "There is only one time that is important—Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power."
An illustration for the story Three Questions by the author Leo Tolstoy
Michael Sevier, Tolstoy for the Young, 1916

It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to anyone who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that, one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.

Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.

All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit's cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: "I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?"

The hermit listened to the King but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

"You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."

"Thanks!" said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no answer, but rose stretched out his hand for the spade and said:

"Now rest awhile-and let me work a bit."

But the King did not give him the spade and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the King, at last, stuck the spade into the ground and said:

"I came to you, a wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home."

"Here comes someone running," said the hermit, "let us see who it is."

The King turned around, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man's clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King, again and again, removed the bandage soaked with warm blood and washed and rebandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile, the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit's help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet, but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep--so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.

"Forgive me!" said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.

"I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for," said the King.

"You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out of my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!"

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees, sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.

The King approached him and said:

"For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man."

"You have already been answered!" said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.

"How answered? What do you mean?" asked the King.

"Do you not see," replied the hermit. "If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds, and I was the most important man, and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards, when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then: there is only one time that is important-- Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with anyone else: and the most important affair is, to do him good because for that purpose alone was a man sent into this life!"

Thursday, July 16, 2020

My Day by Jermaine Gordon Available now





Listen now on YouTube









Jermaine Gordon announces new album ‘Get Dressed’ and shares a track


Jermaine Gordon Music
PRESS RELEASE
July 15, 2020

Jermaine Gordon announces new album
‘Get Dressed’ and shares a track

His second the album is on the way.
By Maureen Hamilton


Jermaine Gordon has shared the track ‘My Day’, one of the inspiring and easy listening songs from his upcoming second album. Describing his latest effort, Gordon explained that he wrote it while he was battling “one of the darkest periods of my life”.
He says, “The whole album is my journey towards becoming the ready bride of Christ – with stories of change, resilience, hope, forgiveness, sincerity, healing, worship and love. It also includes a stirring reminder about hell and the need to avoid sending our souls to hell”
“It is so amazing how as human beings we can alter our day by the words we believe and the pictures we hold in our minds. My golden rule in life is that once you have the right attitude, you are powerful beyond your wildest imagination. It is our attitude towards life that shapes and determines life’s attitude towards us.” Gordon continued.
The single ‘My Day’, is an acknowledgement that we have been given 24 hours to make the most effort to live our best life. The graphic design, done by Gordon’s own organisation, Colour Your Thoughts Media, is a bright gold display of an egg beaming out a brilliant light. Gordon says an egg symbolises new life, fertility, rebirth, resurrection and eternal life.

“It’s my day to be great, my day to show love, it’s my day to show someone the light...” It is set to be available on all online platforms on July 17, 2020.
The past two years have also seen Gordon release standalone singles ‘Heal Our Land’, ‘You Are God – Children’s version in Spanish and English,’ and ‘Holy Ghost Fire Medley’.

Gordon believes Jamaicans should not allow COVID-19 to rob them of their indomitable and excellent spirit. We should dance, celebrate and be happy with each other in our homes for all the Lord has done regardless of the circumstances.

For further information, fans can check his official website: www.jermainedgordon.com and his YouTube TV.




Tuesday, June 9, 2020

I Love Music


What is that one thing you are known for?

Do you enjoy doing it?
A few years ago I realised that we often cheat ourselves in saying we love something yet we hardly spend any time doing it, we don't protect our time with it and rarely do we plan for it. 
I was so convinced of this that I decided to conduct a simple survey in my office.

So one weekday morning I went around the office interviewing my managers, colleagues and just about anyone who made themselves available. 

It was easy for me to conduct the survey without being questioned why as I was always seen as the one who planned social and interactive activities for our staff and team. You can call it that I was that guy, the guy who stimulated everyone's emotional intelligence.

My findings were more than I ever thought or imagined. 
I asked three simple questions:
  1. What is it that you absolutely love and enjoy doing?
  2. How often do you engage in this habit, activity etc?
  3. What do you believe is the reason you do spend more time doing what you love?
One of my respondents confessed that she loves going to the beach and hadn't done so in twelve years.
I occasionally had to just tell people the truth, 'You don't love it, stop lying to yourselves!'
I believe we allow too much room for love to be confusing to us and others. 
When you love it, it shows, 'a blind man can see it from afar', a figure of speech. 

Let's simplify our lives some more. 
The pandemic has certainly helped some of us so far. 
You know you are already living your best life when you don't have to make too many personal adjustments when it comes down to a matter of life or death such as a pandemic.
Live your best life now!
Start today.
Too many say they will start living tomorrow, don't be that guy.


Monday, May 18, 2020

No More Stress: Help Yourself

Here are three key questions to ask yourself if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

  1. What is the source of my pressure or stress?
  2. Why is it impacting me the way it is?
  3. What can I do about it?
It's always important to identify the source of our stress (stressors) and be honest and accurate in defining it, otherwise resolving it becomes more complicated than it really should be. Looking at how others are dealing with similar situations is also a great idea to help you to be more creative, hopeful and at ease.

After you have clearly identified the true source of your stress, then the next step is to consider whether you want to give so much power to this thing or person etc. If it is one of your 'necessary evils' then begin to dialogue with someone trustworthy how you can better deal with it. Sometimes too, we just need to give ourselves a break and rest up and come again.

Finally, we are not only responsible but we are also response-able. 
We should always aim to act or respond, and avoid reacting. As I plan and pray for each of my daily activities, it also helps me to grow in strength and drive to face the challenges of the coming day. Spend thoughtful time planning and strategising over what needs your attention, avoid negative energy, talk and thinking, in the end, it will only hurt you more.

Ask yourself what works for you in relieving your stress. Is it conversations, is it music, praying, reading, playing, walking etc? 
It is important to know yourself and know what works for you in these challenging times.

You are loved and appreciated. 


Sunday, May 3, 2020

Author Brings 360 Degrees Of Influence, Inspiration For Jamaica's Children

Author Brings 360 Degrees Of 

Influence, Inspiration For Jamaica’s Children

Published:Sunday | November 17, 2019 | 12:40 AMChristopher Thomas - Gleaner Writer -











WESTERN BUREAU:
While Jamaica has had several intervention programmes for steering children away from negative behaviours and influences, author and publisher Dr Jermaine Gordon has aspired to positively influence children, their parents and teachers through his Inspiring Our Future 360 Degrees programme since its launch in 2015.
The programme, which has been taken into some 65 schools across Jamaica over the last four years, uses music and journaling activities for students up to the high-school and college level as a way of allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings. Parents and teachers are also targeted with the aim of helping them to better understand how to relate to the children under their care.
Gordon told The Sunday Gleaner that the programme started out of his desire to address society’s decrease in morality. According to him, he was inspired to create Inspiring Our Future after seeking divine wisdom on how to resolve that concern.
“I started this programme about four years ago, in response to some concerns I had when I looked at the society’s decaying morals and values. I asked myself, ‘What kind of intervention is necessary to fix some of these issues that we’re seeing coming from our young people’?” Gordon recalled.
“I sought the Lord and asked Him what I could do to help the society, and He said to me, ‘Use what I have given you, the arts.’ I am gifted in the arts, as I play various instruments, I do painting, and I am the author of colouring books and journals through a publishing company that I have.”
For this year, Gordon and his associates want to take the Inspiring Our Future programme to 200,000 children across Jamaica. Since January, they have gone to 24 schools in three different parishes, encouraging students to focus on forgiveness instead of taking revenge and acting violently against persons who have wronged them.

200,000 CHILDREN TO BE EXPOSED

“We want to expose at least 200,000 children to the programme this year, and we want to just go in and make presentations, use storytelling with music, and bring home our points and messages. We encourage forgiveness, and we talk about the fact that we’re advocates of forgiveness because that is playing a key role in how our society behaves, where there’s a never-ending saga in which we retaliate,” Gordon explained.
“Since this year alone we have done about 24 schools in St James, St Catherine and Kingston. The feedback has been quite positive and tremendous, and even now we’re looking at how we can do more. The tools we use are both preventative and corrective, in terms of preventing potential violence and correcting it as well.”
Students who take part in the programme are encouraged to write in journals and play music as a means of redirecting their energies from violence and other negative outlets. The programme also analyses and provides assistance in developing the relationships students have with parents and teachers.
“We give the children journals that are for 40 days in which they are supposed to journal their issues. We encourage them to vent on the pages of their journal, so whatever is bothering you, instead of venting on another student, you vent on the page of your journal,” Gordon explained.
“When we say 360 degrees, we’re also looking at it from the parenting perspective, from the home perspective, from the school perspective, and in other areas where children interact,” Gordon added. “We want to impact parents and also teachers, those persons who impart information to children, because how many teachers know how to identify a gifted child versus thinking the child talks too much and needs to sit down?”
The objective of Gordon’s programme is similar to the Violence Prevention Alliance’s (VPA) Child Resiliency Programme, which began in 2006 as an outreach arm of the Hope United Church. That programme, which began operating out of the VPA in 2014, promotes the physical, social, cognitive, vocational, and moral competence of pre-adolescents.
There are also parallels to the Ministry of Justice’s child diversion programme, which is scheduled to be rolled out this month and is designed to steer children away from wayward activities.

See Story In The Jamaican Gleaner

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

I am happy that I have come to the place where I can agree that, ‘there is nothing wrong with making mistakes, but one should always make new ones.


Tuesday, April 21, 2020

A COVID-19 Prayer and Other Sicknesses


I have asked the Lord to do this for you:

If you’ve got an *unwanted guest* in your body such as an infection, virus, inflammation or disease of any sort. 

I pray that without hesitation your immune system will step in, like a bouncer who means business. 

I command your body to release white blood cells and other chemicals that will destroy these threats right now in the name of His son Jesus Christ.

That elite squad of agents that zap invaders in your body -- like bacteria, viruses, and fungi -- In this hour, we come into agreement that they must now zoom through your entire body and defend you, powered by the blood of Christ Jesus. 

We close all ports of entry into your body by these viruses and activate the wisdom needed to stay well and healthy in this hour.

If you are not ill, as these aliens position themselves to attack your body they will not be able to get in through a cut, ride in on something you ate, filter through the air, or wait on a coin for you to touch it and then rub your eyes.
It shall not happen in Jesus' name.

In the time of trouble, God promises He will hide you in His Pavillion.

Say with me:
White blood cells, do your work now in my body as you aim to destroy these unwelcome guests.
Hack the germs code and destroy them.
My body will not fight against itself. 

I thank God for His supernatural power at work in me right now. 

Amen 🙏 

~ Dr. Jermaine Gordon