A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich bird behind him.
The waitress asks them for their orders.
The man says, ‘A hamburger, fries and a coke,’ and turns to the ostrich, ‘What’s yours?’
‘I’ll have the same,’ says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress returns with the order
‘ That will be $9.40 please,’ and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change for payment.

The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, ‘A hamburger, fries and a coke’
The ostrich says, ‘I’ll have the same’
Again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.
This becomes routine until the two enter again.
‘ The usual?’ asks the waitress.
‘ No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato and a salad,’ says the man.
‘Same,’ says the ostrich.
Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, ‘That will be $32.62.’
Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places it on the table.

The waitress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer.
“Excuse me, sir. How do you manage to always come up with the exact change in your pocket every time?”
Says the man, “Well, several years ago I was cleaning the attic and found an old lamp. When I rubbed it, a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes.
The first wish I asked was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there.”
The waitress said “That’s brilliant! Most people would ask for a million dollars or something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want for as long as you live. How smart of you!”
“That’s right. Whether it’s a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact amount of money is always there,” says the man proudly.
The waitress asks, “But, what’s that ostrich all about?”
The man sighs, pauses and answers with a heavy heart,
“My second wish was for a tall chick with long legs who accompanies me wherever I go and agrees with everything I say”.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Men’s brains work brilliantly until they start thinking about a woman!!
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My children are the greatest gift I’ve ever received. I love them with all my heart.

‘I love my children beyond all reason. They’re my joy, even when they’re wild with kid energy.’ – Christopher Meloni

‘I’ve never loved anybody the way I love my children.’

‘My greatest wish is that my kids always know how much I love them, and that they walk through the rest of their life knowing I’ll always be there for them anyway I can.’ – Unknown

‘Butterflies have wings, so they can fly. Fish have gills, so they can swim. Bunnies have four legs, so they can run. I have a heart, so I can love you.’ – Unknown

‘Children need at least one person in their life that thinks the sun rises and sets on them, who delights in their existence, and loves them unconditionally.’ – Pamela Leo

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Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man couldn’t hear the band — he could see it. In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

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I’m too old to worry about who likes me and who dislikes me. I have more important things to do. If you love me, I love you. If you support me, I support you. If you hate me, I don’t care. Life goes on with or without you.

Life goes on, and I’m moving on to the next thing, but I hope the soaps that are still running will thrive. They have millions of loyal viewers. ― Susan Lucci

I don’t care what you think of me! Unless you think I’m awesome – in which case, you’re right! Carry on…

If you want to live, stop asking permission – do it now and regret later. What other people think is none of your business.

I don’t have time to hate people who hate me, because I’m too busy loving the people who love me. When you hate you feel miserable, when you love you feel wonderful, it’s your choice. Be happy in front of people who don’t like you. It kills them.

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I love my Daughter with all my heart. She is my Forever Friend. She is my Life.

“Mother and daughter never truly part, maybe in distance but never in heart.”

“A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.”

“Words are not enough to express the unconditional love that exists between a mother and a daughter.” – Caitlin Houston

“Daughters are like flowers that fill the world with beauty.”

“To my daughter. Never forget that I love you. Life is filled with hard times and good times. Learn from everything you can. Be the woman I know you can be. Mom”

“A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.”

“A daughter is someone you laugh with, dream with, and love with all your heart.”

“A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend.”

“Mother & Daughter: It’s a special bond that spans the years. Through laughter, worry, smiles and tears, A sense of trust that can’t be broken, A depth of love sometimes unspoken, A lifelong friendship built on sharing, Hugs and kisses, warmth and caring, Mother and daughter, their hearts as one – A link that can never be undone.”

“One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten is my daughter”

“To my beautiful daughter, always remember: you are brave, you are capable, you are pretty, and you can accomplish ANYTHING your heart desires! I know this because I am your mother.”

“Mothers, look after your daughters, keep them near you, keep their confidence – that they may be true and faithful.” – Elmina S. Taylor

“A daughter is God’s way of saying, “thought you could use a lifelong friend.”

“The love between a father and daughter is forever.”

“The only love between a mother and a daughter can’t be changed and only this love has no limits. It grows with every single day and never fades.”

“My daughter is my biggest achievement. She is a little star and my life has changed so much for the better since she came along.” – Denise Van Outen

“When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug, and everything that’s happened that day just melts away.” – Hugh Jackman

“The love between a father and daughter is forever.”

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When you think of your grandmother you probably remember the grey hair she used to wear tied in a bun, the smell of her delicious meals that she always prepared with love, her soft voice that felt like music to your ears when she sang or read you a story. Sometimes even the memories of your parents aren’t that vivid as those of your grandparents.

Nostalgia is not the only reason why you always feel warmth in your chest when you think of your grandma. However, the memories and nostalgia aren’t the only reasons why you still love your grandma so much. There are a lot more things to it that connect us to these old ladies who are our second mothers, our best childhood friends and the ones we could always rely on. Nobody else can be like grandma and there are 7 particular reasons why we love them so much and how special they are in every child’s life.

1. She loves you more than she loves her own children

It is true. The love grandmas feel for their grandchildren is sometimes even bigger than the love they feel for their own child. She will go above and beyond to make them happy because her love is so pure and unconditional that nothing can stop her.

2. She cooks the best meals

Why is it that most people remember how tasty the meals grandma made were? It is probably because of the long traditions that were passed down from generation to generation. Or maybe because of the patience and love she invests when preparing the meals for those she loves most.

3. Nobody cleans up a mess like she does

Mom is furious when she sees your messy room, but grandma is here to save the day. Grandma’s know how to take out even the most stubborn stains and will even teach you how to properly organize and clean your stuff. She also knows how to quickly put you in bed without any resistance.

4. She is a woman with style

Even though the clothes your grandma wears right now seem outdated, they were very stylish at some point in the past. She no longer worries about the latest fashion trends so she is not that into keeping up. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have any sense of style. She can give you advice on what clothe suit you well or how to combine certain clothes.

5. She is always there for the family

Grandmothers are usually the ones who clean up the tables after a family meal. They are also the ones who work the hardest during the preparation of those meals. And regardless of everyone’s insisting on helping her, she will always be glad to do most of the work.

6. She listens to you

Your parents might be too busy with their careers so that they can’t pay enough attention to you. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you, but they will never listen like grandma does. She will be the one you go to when something great happens or when you had a bad day. She will never be annoyed by anything you say because she understands it is something you can’t control and that it will go away. She will support you and also give you great advice.

7. She spoils her grandchildren

Grandmothers might have been very strict parents but once they get grandchildren they turn into a spoiling machine. They immediately fulfill any wishes their grandkids have such as making their favorite meal or buying the favorite toy. This will not stop even when you get older because in her eyes you will always be her sweet young grandchild.

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Life is hard and even though Hollywood movies usually have a happy ending, the reality is much more different. Life never stops being difficult and we can never be prepared for certain difficulties that may arise. So, there are some universal truths that you need to acknowledge unless you want to remain miserable for your entire existence.

These are the 13 truths you always need to be aware of.

1. Happiness is when you do something for others

You need to ask yourself if you are genuinely happy right now. If you are, think of the things that made you happy. And if you aren’t, try to remember the last time you felt happy and why. All these important questions will give you answers to understand that your actions result in your happiness or misery, so always choose them wisely.

2. Everything and everyone you love will be lost

This is an eye-opening truth that you should never deny. One day the people you love will be gone as well as the things you worked hard to get. There is nothing you can do to stop that. Appreciate your relationships and the things you have because you may lose it all tomorrow.

3. Even if you are a good person bad things will happen to you

No matter how good person you are you will not be immune to bad things. Good and brave people may die young and it is just how life is. What you can do is never allow those people to die without a purpose or cause.

4. Life is unfair

Life will always be unfair. Good people don’t get what they deserve and sometimes bad ones do. You should have a positive mind and just enjoy the things you are given.

5. Don’t expect people to be nice

There will always be rude people who will mistreat you no matter how nice you are to them. You can expect them to change and you shouldn’t change yourself either. Keep being kind because it is something within you that will bring you positivity.

6. We are never going to be perfect

Nobody is perfect, neither you, your partner or anyone else you know. Stop chasing perfection. Accept your weaknesses and work on improving them to make your life easier.

7. Things will change whether you want them to or not

Nothing will remain unchanged or stable. Some things that seem permanent might change completely in just one moment. Change is something you can’t avoid, so accept it when it comes.

8. Time wasted is lost forever

You will never get back the time you have wasted. Time goes by and it will never stop or come back. Every second of your life counts and once you grow old you will only have regrets for the things you didn’t do. Manage your time better to avoid feeling regret when you are at your death bed.

9. Things will not always turn out the way we expect them to

You can make plans as hard as you can, but life is so uncertain that your plans can go to waste in seconds. Those experiences teach us to pick ourselves up and move on into the uncertain future.

10. Time is precious, not money

Money is a necessity, but time is much more valuable. If you manage your time properly you will always achieve the things you wanted to and that will bring you the true happiness.

11. Stop trying to make everyone happy

It is impossible for you to make everyone feel happy. You will meet people who will try to stop you or criticize you. Just be yourself and work on your own happiness instead of trying to please others.

12. Be productive if you want to live comfortably

You need to have a purpose in your life. Setting goals that you will work towards brings meaning to your life. If you want to live comfortably you need to be productive and try hard to reach your goals. And once you reach your goal set another one.

13. Start living, not just existing

Existing and living are two very different things. To live means to experience things. If you are having trouble in your life it is difficult to focus on enjoying the ride. However, try to set time aside for yourself and for your enjoyment. Beauty is all around you and you can always appreciate being alive and here.

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We are often deceived by media when it comes to what it really looks like when you are rich. Most people think it is about having a huge mansion, an expensive car, designer clothes etc. And if you follow that image, that becoming rich will only remain an impossible dream for you.

However, most rich people actually live ordinary lives. The only thing that separates them from people who are trying too hard to become rich is that they live by certain money-saving rules. Here are those 12 rules that rich people follow.

1. The 24-hour rule

Before making a non-essential purchase rich people wait 24 hours to reconsider it thoroughly.

2. An all-cash diet

Credit cards trick you into thinking you have money so it is easy to get into debt. Rich people avoid debts as much as possible and they prefer to pay with cash.

3. Set a budget and stick to it

There is a rule rich people follow which is called ‘50/30/20’. The 50% refers to the income you spend for necessities, the 30% for the income you spend on wants and the 20% for the income you save or use for paying off debt.

4. Spend on things that help you earn

Rich people are aware that even though they should save money they can also buy things. But the difference from other people is that they only spend money wisely to buy things that are a long term investment such as a reliable car or a good lap top.

5. Invest in services that save you time

Rich people value their time the most so they would never hesitate to spend money on services that can save them mental distress and their precious time.

6. Experiences are valuable

Even though they can afford plenty of things, rich people value experiences a lot more than material things. Instead of spending money on shiny things they would rather take personal trips, have life-changing treks, try skydiving etc.

7. Bills first, rest later!

Rich people tend to pay fixed expenses as soon as possible because that way they have a clear view of the money they have left for other less important things.

8. Make a shopping list for annual sales

You don’t have to be rich to buy on sales, but rich people tend to avoid spending more money on things that will get discounted eventually. They also make shopping plans and schedule their big purchases.

9. Invest in things that make you happy and healthy

Rich people don’t buy things unless they add meaning to their lives. They will not think twice before spending money on something they are passionate about, but only if they can really afford it.

10. Start “no spending” days or weekends

This rule is very simple. You should set your limit and avoid spending money on certain days or weekends unless there is an unavoidable emergency.

11. Save your change and use it

Loose change should never be underestimated; it is still money. Save your change and use it to buy a coffee or snack.

12. Repair things before getting rid of them

Even though rich people love investing in themselves, they also commit to the things they have purchased. Instead of immediately throwing away something that is broken, they first try to fix it and they will buy a new one only if it can’t be repaired.

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Toxic people can come in different forms including manipulators, gossipers, sociopaths, narcissists, compulsive liars and negative people who can affect the aura of people around them. No matter how much we want to work on our energy and positive vibes, it often impossible to avoid these people who suck out the positivity out of you. Toxic people are in desperate need of healing so just avoiding them will not help the world as they will keep spreading their negativity.

Sometimes it is difficult to completely remove toxic people from your life as it can be someone from your family, a neighbor, coworker etc. In fact, you don’t even need to avoid them if you learn how to become unaffected by their negativity.

If you are unaware of their actions, you can easily get dragged down and be overwhelmed with bad vibes. But, you can learn how to remain in their company but become completely bulletproof to anything they say or do.

10 Best ways to become immune to negativity and toxic people

1. Deprive them of the attention they crave

Toxic people want attention and they try to get it any way possible, especially at parties or similar gatherings. They often talk or laugh loud. Spend your time with quieter people and avoid wasting your precious time on toxic ones.

2. Avoid being around those who talk bad about others

If someone shares intimate information or secrets about someone else with you, don’t think they trust you. They are very likely to betray you the same way. They can even use your words against you so that you will be the one to blame.

3. Never put your guard down

Manipulative people are extremely good at deceiving people and tricking them into liking them. They can appear excessively charming and kind but it is usually a sign that something is wrong. Be careful around such people and follow your gut instinct because it is rarely wrong.

4. If you notice someone is lying, make it fun

Wait a bit before confronting someone when you realize they are lying. Instead, play with them by using their facts against them. No matter how perfect and flawless their stories seem, every time they recall them you will notice flaws and contradictions. So, pay attention and collect the facts so that you will eventually use to trap them in their own web of lies.

5. Ignore the negative words and insults

The vocabulary of toxic people is full of negative words and insults, but they are not powerful if you don’t let them be. Avoid getting down on their level and always remember that their words say more about them then they do about you.

6. Don’t fall for the self-pity

Self-pity is a common conversation starter for toxic people. They think that by acting as a victim they will get everything they want. No matter what they are going through, they are in power of their life and they should not feel sorry about themselves. Instead, they need to work on improving themselves and their life. Avoid listening talks about self-pity and if you can’t stay away from them, try not to participate. Once they realize you are just a listening ear, they will pick up the cue and might even stop complaining.

7. Avoid mind games

Toxic people can’t even be honest with themselves so they often respond indirectly, usually with playing mind games. That’s how they trick people without being in the spotlight. Always be direct and when you want an answer don’t give up until you hear what you are asking them. You can do that by asking questions that can only be answered with yes or no.

8. Be aware of false kindness

Nobody is kind all the time because if they are they are just dishonest with you or their emotions. No matter what the cause or reason is, it is false kindness. If you think someone is extremely kind to you, you might get the feeling something is wrong even if you don’t have a particular reason for it.

9. Control your emotions

Toxic people know how to draw negative emotions out of you, but only if you fail to control your vibes. You always need to keep your emotions in check especially around toxic people. Don’t bring your emotions in your conversation. If someone is provoking you with the intention of making you negative, just step aside.

10. Focus on constructive solutions rather than problems

Toxic people always look someone to point their fingers at when problems arise because that is easier for them instead of looking for solutions. If you find yourself in such situation focus on the solution rather than letting toxic people draw negativity around you.

The post 10 Smart Ways to Avoid Negative Vibes of Toxic People appeared first on Useful Gen.

Positive mind raises your vibration which helps you get in touch with your higher self and your purpose. But, being positive constantly is not as easy or simple as it sounds. There are plenty of things that can prevent you from focusing.

You don’t have to be directly affected by negative forces. Sometimes your past behavior is enough to catch you off guard. You might drain your energy by focusing on thoughts you are not even aware of.

The key is to be aware of your thoughts which requires a lot of effort. Don’t worry because there are tricks that can help you achieve this faster and you can quickly learn how to create a positive mindset. One trick is just enough for some people, but you can always try more of them. Use the tricks until they become a habit and then you will learn how to remain grounded no matter what you are going through.

1. Notice the beautiful sights around you

Appreciating the beauty around you such as by looking at the sunrise or sunset can help you become more positive. You can always find something beautiful to enjoy looking at such as your favorite color, a beautiful flower or just a cute old couple. You can raise your vibes and change your perception with the help of anything that touches your soul.

2. Recall happy moments

When you find yourself feeling negative emotions, just try to recall happy memories. It can be anything such as the moment you saw your first pet, the first time you climbed up a tree, an embarrassing situation you find hilarious now. Anything works as long as it helps you put a smile on your face.

3. Look forward to future exciting activities

Making future plans is exciting and fun and just thinking about it will help you feel the thrill. So, if you are overwhelmed by negative emotions, just think about your future plans. You can always plan your next vacation which will bring excitement starting from the moment you decide your destination.

4. Make a list of things you are grateful for

When you are feeling down your mind focuses on things you want to avoid or those you don’t have. This makes you forget about all the good things you have and you should be thankful for. Just make list of things that you are grateful for and you will realize you have a lot to be happy about.

5. Imagine hugging with the people you love

Hugs are one of the best ways to express your feelings for someone. It doesn’t have to be a partner, hugs from people you love such as family members or friends can provide you the warm feeling of acceptance and appreciation.  Think about how you feel when you are hugging someone you love and your thoughts will easily become more positive.

6. Focus on the present moment, stop everything and just breathe

The moment you feel the negativity is becoming stronger in you, stop everything you are doing and look around. Breathe deeply for a minute. This will bring you back to the present moment and you will remind yourself of your power that you can use to make your emotions positive. You don’t always have the power to control your thoughts, but you can always choose which ones you will focus on.

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