The Balloon

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

We have been preaching brevity over longevity when it comes to talks and speeches….weight of prayers over length…well, this little story made a big impact on me. I hope it does the same for you.

“The Balloon”

(Find Happiness)

Once a group of 50 people were attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started giving each attendee one balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.

Sometimes later these delegates were let into that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written on it within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for his/her name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon. Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker then began, “This is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life…the pursuit of happiness.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

So until tomorrow…What a great lesson…I will always remember that story every time I see a balloon now. Since the story was so short today…take advantage of the extra minutes and have a talk with God, walk in a garden, go kiss your spouse and perhaps give her or him a balloon…make the most of the moments you have been given.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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6 Responses to The Balloon

  1. isaiah46ministries says:
    May 10, 2018 at 10:09 am

    Thank you for a bit of happiness today.

    Reply
  2. bcparkison says:
    May 10, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    another good story, but please don’t set the balloon free. They are endangering wildlife.

    Reply
  3. Lynn Gamache says:
    May 11, 2018 at 7:55 am

    Hi Becky….and Happy Mother’s Day a few days early! Many thanks for all the wisdom you share with us as a mother and grandmother. Really did love this short story today….the balloon story! Yes, such fun to be one who the Lord fills with joy…and when filled with His love, joy and peace we can soar high, far up in the sky! And hopefully today we can help others soar a bit higher too. Let’s look for a few balloons that need finding and filling with the warmth of His presence as we speak words of truth, life and affirmation into their lives by a smile and deeds of love large and small.
    Blessings and love, Lynn Gamache, Beautiful British Columbia, Canada

    P.S. We love balloons in our family and use them often for special occasions. Have you ever blown up a balloon and written a message on it…a short message using your felt tip pen. Then release the air from the balloon and send the balloon to a loved one far away. When they receive your envelope with balloon inside, make sure there are some simple instructions…”Please blow up your balloon and prepare to be blown away…””(just an example of directions to give…be creative)
    OR, we sometimes write out short little messages on small pieces of paper (like one inch by two). So say you write: “We love U…Bcause you are very special.” or “Grandpa and Grandma are so proud of the way you obey your parents” etc. Then tightly roll up these little papers with messages and stuff them into a limp balloon. Sent thru the mail and again, instruct them to blow up their balloon and tie it off. Enjoy it as a balloon for a bit, but be sure to pop it before too long and read the message inside. We have also sent along some paper $ bills this way too…or tuck in a couple of tiny wrapped candies or…..?!! Just have fun!! (Sorry this ended up being not so short & sweet!!

    Reply

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