Disagreement and misunderstanding frequently happens not only among friends and  acquaintances but also among family members. Disputes are usually the result of human desire to take control, to be important, selfish-expectation, envy, jealousy, greed and many of those egotistical aspirations.  Ultimately, they fuel resentment and anger. Unkind words, false accusation and betrayals make the conflict even worse and eventually destroy the relationship.

It is very easy to allow bitterness and resentment to fester inside us, but it will make our relationship guarded and unsatisfying. The more we close down to others, the more we become stranger to ourselves. By letting go of sorrow and negativity, we can keep ourselves open and loving. It is when we remain open to life, with its constant adventures and opportunities to grow, that we reach our full potential.

When we keep on working to change ourselves instead of others, our world changes for the better. Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless the giver too.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

As the story goes, once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.

Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence  - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand out stretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

Eventually you will come to realize that love heals everything, and love is all there is.-Gary Zukav

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more love bridges to build."

Miracles come from our love. If we are willing to open our hearts, to love ourselves and others, life will always be a miracle. The degree to which we are open and loving is the degree to which miracles will come our way.

By Tim Pedrosa


There is no need to go searching for a remedy for the evils of the time. The remedy already exists—it is the gift of one’s self to those who have fallen so low that even hope fails them. Open wide your heart. – Rene Bazin