The document contains two short stories about wisdom and humor. The first story is about an older wife looking in the mirror and only seeing her flaws. When she asks her husband to say something positive, he remarks that her eyesight is very good. The second story is about a new CEO who fires a man he sees leaning against the wall, assuming he is a slacker, without investigating further. It turns out the man was just delivering a pizza. Each story is followed by short reflections on being mindful of one's speech, avoiding assumptions, and applying Buddhist teachings of investigation and wisdom.

1. Wisdom
From A
Laugh 67
Something Positive
A husband and wife in their fifties were getting ready for
bed. The wife approached a full-length mirror and looked at
herself.
“Well, my dear,” she said to the husband. “When I look into
the mirror, all I see is an old woman with gray hair, a
wrinkled face; her shoulders are hunched, her breasts are
sagging, her body and legs are flabby. Oh dear, please tell
me something positive about myself to cheer me up.”
“Honey,” the husband remarked from the bed, “I can say for
sure that your eyesight is very good.”
Reflection
* The words one uses can hurt the feelings of
another even though the insult or ridicule may not
be direct.
* One has to be mindful of the words one uses
with others -- different people react differently and
relationships may be strained through the use of
wrong speech.
* Right Speech must have the following elements:
1. the absence of lies that bring about hurt, pain
and suffering.
2. the avoidance of slander that brings down a
person's dignity, integrity or reputation.
3. the avoidance of harsh speech that hurts the
feelings of others.
4. the avoidance of gossip and empty talk which
can through carelessness or a lack of mindfulness
cause another suffering or bring about negative
mental states in others.

2. Wisdom
From A
LAugh 68
‘ You are fired’
A company, feeling it was time for a shake-up, hired a new CEO.
This new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.
On a tour of the facilities one day, the CEO noticed a guy leaning
against the wall. The office was full of workers and he thought
that this was his chance to show everyone he meant business.
The CEO walked up to the guy and asked, “And how much
money do you make a week?”
Undaunted, the young fellow looked at him and replied, “I make
$200 a week. Why?”
The CEO then handed the guy $200 in cash and shouted,
“Here’s a week’s pay. Now GET OUT and don’t come back!”
Feeling pretty good about his first firing, the CEO looked around
the office and asked, “Can anyone tell me what work that slacker
did here?”
With a grin, one of the office workers muttered, “Pizza delivery
boy.”
Reflection
* Jumping to conclusions without proper investigation can bring
embarrassment or negative consequences to a person.
* How often have we made assumptions without a clear logical
basis? This can cause suffering mental states and interpersonal
conflicts.
* People who are of a suspicious nature, the cynic, and people
with minds greatly defiled by greed, anger, hatred and
delusion/egoism often make assumptions (negatively) about
other people and happenings that bring about much pain.
* One should try to apply the Teachings of The Buddha in 'The
Kalama Sutta' ( The Charter of Free Inquiry ). One's mind will
then attain more and more peace, compassion, wisdom and
freedom.