Twenty Bucks

Good Morning,

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20
bill. In the room of 200, he asked, What is this piece of paper & is
it worth any thing ?
It is a $20 bill, replied one of the many participants who raised
their hands.

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up using both his hands till
it became a bundle of wrinkled paper. He then unfolded it again and
making an unsuccessful attempt to keep it straight he asked, Would
you still be able to negotiate it for it's quoted value? Yes !! was
the echoing reply from the participants.

Well, he said, Looks like I haven't done enough! What if I do
this?"And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into
the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, which was now all crumpled,
dirty, defaced & not easy to recognize from a distance. Now will some
one like to trade it for its quoted value? Many hands went in the air.
I think this piece of currency is still holding its quoted value
replied a participant in a slightly unsure voice.

This bill can still fetch goods worth 20 Dollars said the other
participants. Every one agreed.

There is a very valuable lesson in this exercise that we are just
through with. It may have appeared to some of you, that I was able to
deface, mutilate & alter the $20 bill during the process as the
effects were quite visible. However, No matter what I did to this
piece of paper, you still upheld its negotiability because you were
sure in your mind that my actions did not actually decrease its
value. It was still a currency note worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we feel like as if we are dropped, crumpled,
and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and/or the
circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we have no
worth. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, remember
you never lose your value.

Values that you cherish are indeed devoid of worldly disturbance &
always are worth your time, attention and devotion.

Have a beautiful day and carry this thought - Happiness is that state
of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.

Peace and Love, Jim