Leading the Way - December 2009
NALS Foundation
This time of year finds me remembering the legend of a desert wanderer who happened upon a spring of cool, crystal-clear water. The water was so delightful he decided to take the king a sample. Barely quenching his own thirst, the wandered filled his leather canteen and began his journey.
When he finally arrived at his destination, the water had become stale because of the old leather canteen in which it had been stored. The king graciously accepted the offered water and tasted it with an expression of delight. The wander left the palace to continue on his journey, filled with joy.
After he had left, others in the king’s court tasted the water to find that it was putrid. Shocked, they asked the king why he had pretended to enjoy it. “Ah,” replied the king, “it was not the water I tasted, but the spirit in which it was given.”
It is the spirit that drives us each day to be thankful for the many blessings that are bestowed upon us. Sometimes we need to step back to realize just how blessed we are to have a roof over our heads, family, friends, food on the table and also, our NALS family. The NALS Foundation has been truly blessed this year by the amazing donations received by our members, by our circle donors, by our partnerships and by the thoughts and prayers that are shared every day by the members of NALS for each other. We thank you for all of our many blessings.