Archives at Zinester: "small". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "small" - April01, 2006

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

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Hello, my friend!

I have safely returned home after my trip to New York City. I am working on a project with BeliefNet. They asked me to record 20 of my own stories so that visitors can listen to me on their website.

I was honored to be chosen for this new venture.

I will let you know when you can hear me.

I pray that you are well my friend. Make this weekend great and don't let the time slip away without smiling.

Love always and all ways...

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"To have a good day one needs to be the goodness in it." Bob Perks

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Maybe you can help us in 2006?

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These messages are f r e e.

Writing and speaking is the way I make a living.

If you enjoy reading and sharing my work, you can help us continue

our "Ministry of the Heart" in 2006 by making a donation:

http://www.bobperks.com/donations.htm

If you can't help at this time there is something you can do...an even greater need...

please pray for our mission to "touch the world one person at a time."

Thanks, my friend!

Bob and Marianne

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Today's Message:

"small"

by Bob Perks

I am never more aware of my own self then when I am in a crowd.

I have often written that I can feel alone in a crowded elevator. It's a sad fact, indeed.

I love the big city, but I hate how insignificant it makes me feel. One visit to New York and I come away with a better understanding of how big a challenge my personal mission is in life.

I want to touch the world one person at a time.

I was one person in the middle of an ocean of people. As the opposing flow rushed toward me, around me and sometimes over me, I tried to see individual faces.

They were just flashes, still images bombarding my senses.

The few times I was able to make eye contact with someone, I got this sense that they were uncomfortable with it.

So, I just stayed within myself.

I love the idea of the big city. On the surface I was dazzled by the lights, in awe of the mountainous buildings and excited by the possibility that someone "famous" might walk by.

I left my home at 8 a.m. and never returned until 10 p.m.

I walked from around 8th Ave and 42nd St. to East 23rd near Park Ave. Doesn't sound like a great distance, but my feet, legs and hips would disagree.

I stood for about 2 1/2 hours in the recording studio and walked back to 8th ave.

It was during that final part of my journey that I really lost touch.

I could not keep up with anyone around me. They were now leaving work and wanted desperately to get home. I was like a log in the river that would jam the flow.

So, I stopped periodically and stood off to the side along a wall or building.

It was then I discovered how really disconnected I was within that environment.

I looked around and saw massive billboards that ran the length of a building and stretched at least 15 stories high.

I suddenly felt small. Small enough to feel insignificant. I wondered about the "famous" people depicted on the billboards and asked myself, "Is this what they wanted out of life, to be so big, to become untouchable, to rise so high that most everyone passing by, would become oblivious to them being there?"

I stepped back into the flow.

There were times when, in an effort to watch where I was walking, I found myself head down and aimlessly wandering.

But even in this strange, sometimes unyielding environment, I found pure joy.

It wasn't while I was looking up in awe. It wasn't while I was trying to make eye contact. It was when, in my most empty moments, looking down, that I found it.

It was the one thing that I connected with, the one thing that brings me joy wherever I am.

Dogs. I saw dogs. Only three in my entire journey, but I realized that I was smiling brilliantly at the very sight of one.

Like seeing an old friend. Like discovering a touch of home in a far away place. Like realizing there was a common language in a foreign country.

Our eyes connected. My smile said I appreciated them. My touch was welcome and as they continued on their walk, they each turned back to look at me, as if to say, "Nice meeting you!"

Ah, I love the big city in a "small" way!

"I believe in You!"

I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when

copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information

attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this

story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission

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Your Comments... If you would like to share brief comment

about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com

I will use only first names and no email addresses.

RE: "The one that got away"

Hey Bob,

When I read, "The one that got away," in Prose'n'Poems today it brought back memories of such good times with my family. We are people watchers, too. Baskin & Robbins was a weekly treat and we would sit in the car and "people watch" while we enjoyed our ice cream. We would make up little stories about each person based upon facial expression or whether they seemed in a hurry or not or other characteristics that they seemed to have; always keeping the stories nice, not derogatory.

I have read other pieces that you have had in Prose'n'Poems and enjoy them.

Thank you,

Shirley M. L.

Right on, Bob. God bless you. Glad you're fishing, and glad you're catching!

Love in Christ,

Richard

Good Morning Bob.. I just finished reading your powerful story " The one that got away." I have felt like the lady in your story, at times and really hit home to me. As a Christian, I like to try and make a stranger smile, and I love to talk to people and try to lift them up, or sometimes willing to sit and cry with them. I have felt that sadness when one got away, but your message was what I needed. Thank You so much. May God Bless you and Marianne many times over. Mary J.

Good morning Bob,

Many times I can relate and feel your stories. Today's really hit home. I made a couple 'stupid' business decisions with the end result, my wife divorced me. Our marriage did have it's ups and downs, and I worshiped the ground she walked on. Evidentially her love was not there and my 'stupid' decision was the straw that broke the back. My business has survived and I have been able to move on. As I look back, I see her as loosing not only the opportunity to grow from this, but the marriage vow of "For better or worse, rich or poor" must not have been a part of her and for that I am sorry for her. Keep them coming.

Dick

Dear Bob.....

This message today is awesome! (One that got away) You must be a quick thinker to come up with things on the spur of the moment.

Sounds like you are getting more and more well known......now on HBO.

Glad to hear you seem to be well(and Marianne too) ...

Love to you both

Thanks always for your stories.

Tina V

Bob,

good story. i like it. i am a believer too.

Dianne C.

Dear Bob,

Well, you did it to me again!!!!!!!! Every time I get a little too complacent, one of your "insights" comes along.....and whammy! Up side the head! Thank you! I needed that! Daddy's a preacher....a "fisher of men." I needed that reminder of what's important in this life. Daddy always said that material things are of no importance whatsoever and to beware the accumulation! I grew up hearing that in numerous sermons....today, I needed the reminder and you delivered! My spirits are lifted and my soul is again at peace. Love is always the answer. Thank you for all you do and keep on keepin' on!

Connie ><>

Bob,

Good story and something to really think about. Thanks True too I imagine. LOL Eloise in Franklinville NYS

Bob,

OOKKKKKAAAAAYYYYYY. Now I am all full of Goosebumps -inside and out. What a difference you made in that life while you were getting away from life. What a blessing I see in your words. What a blessing in the calm from within that allowed you to have that conversation. God is working through you for sure.

My daughter was in NYC just last week. Her story she wrote is amazing. I could send it to you to read if you wanted. Very poetic and prosey.

Blessings of peace to you this day and all days, Fran

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"I wish you enough!"
Bob

Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.
Member National Speakers Association.
Visit http://www.BobPerks.com

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"I wish you enough!"
written by Bob Perks (c) 2001

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."