Chapter 7, Page 6, Book 20

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by enjoying it well.  Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets and life will become a beautiful success

Louisa May Alcott

July 6th - All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

Live a life that is well balanced; don’t do things in excess.

Daniel Smith 

My life seems to be a little out of balance these days.  I’m not doing much work at all. And I’m feeling very lazy.  But I think we need both in our lives to make life feel worthwhile.

Happiness is usually the result of having a meaningful life, not what makes life worth living in itself.  People’s health and well being are important if they are able to engage in activities that are meaningful and pleasurable and that health is a balance of work, play and leisure.

Playfulness enables adults to incorporate play in both work and leisure activities.  If someone fails to gain meaning or pleasure in their work, they may become burnt out or their performance my be affected.  It’s finding the balance that is important.

One normally has to work for a living.  To live a full life , one also needs pleasure and leisure.  Leisure time is important because it gives us the opportunity to discover ourselves and grow.  Taking time off to indulge in what makes us a better person. 

We should all know the importance of the three R’s .relaxation, recreation and rest.  They help us have positive attitude to life and make us look at situations in a new way.But I also  think you’ve also got to keep moving if you want a balanced life.

Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Eistein

Chapter 7, Page 5, Book 20

Wholeness does not mean perfection, it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life. 

Parker Palmer

July 5th - some things have to get worse before they get better

You don’t need another person, place or thing to make you whole.  God already did that.  Your job is to know it.

Maya Angelou

Life as we know it is not all sunshine and rainbows, bad things happen and we’ve all been broken at one time or another.  I thought it was the end of my life, when the better part of me, my husband, died.  But I found life could go on and even though I didn’t have my other half to lean on , life still went on and I could make it on my own.  Of course I had a large supportive family, but at the time but they were all children.  

We don’t know how much we can do until we have to do it. I learned to be all that I could be.  I leaned to stand on my own and do what was needed.  We can’t expect others to do what we need to do.  

It gets easy to be trapped in a downward negative spiral and when I got to the bottom and really got tired of feeling down, is when I decided that was no way to live.  I wanted to be happy and live a good life.  I was tired of being sad and choose to be glad instead.  

I found and made a way for life to go on. I really had all I needed, but didn’t know it until I tried. In the end, I had the power within me.  

Good and bad things are going to happen We’re all broken and that’s okay.  The world breakes everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.

We are all broken.  That’s how the Light gets in.

Ernest Hemmingway

Chapter 7, Page 4, Book 20

Where there is freedom, there is my country.

Benjamin Franklin

July 4th - I’m proud to be an American

… we learn to prize freedom when we are in danger of losing it.

Robert Schuller

Each 4th of July the nations takes a moment to reflect on those ideals and celebrate the countries independence. It’s important to remember the people that who have sacrificed to make this a great nation. We have a more just, more free land and it important to remember the different groupies of people granted their freedoms and liberties in this country.  One of the most patriotic acts we can do this 4th of July is look around and reflect on our own privileges and make active choices to ensure that America exists in reality that exemplifies the value and moral fortitude of all it’s people.

It’s a day for us to recognize we are privileged to live in the land of the free.  Remembering that freedom is never free.

American was not built on fear, American was built on courage, on imagination and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.

Harry S. Truman

Chapter 7, Page 3, Book 20

Don’’t be afraid to start over. It’s a chance to build something better.

Author Unknown

July 3rd - a fresh start

Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

Carl Bard

There have been  a few times in my life when I’ve had to start over again and for the most part. life was better.

I figure every day is a chance for a fresh start.  Letting go and starting over can be the best thing for you.  When you let go of what didn’t work, what held you back previously, or wipe out those fears that don’t deserve to rule you anymore, you create room to become a more passionate, engaged and inspiring individual.

If there are habits, relationships, or activities that don’t work for you anymore.  It’s best to leave them out of your life altogether.  After you’ve made some room, develop some new customs in your life and follow through with them.

Since none of us knows what the future holds, the idea of new beginnings can be terrifying at times.  However, if you can focus on that which is optimistic and encouraging, starting afresh can be an exciting time.

 Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently . 

Henry Ford

Chapter 7, Page 2, Book 20

The only limit is you.

Author Unknown

July 2nd - give yourself a push

 You will never know your limits unless you push yourself to them.

Anonymous

Limitations only exist if you impose them upon yourself within your mind.  Many limit themselves on what they can occomplish in life because they are not aware of what is possible. We need to set no limits and go after our dreams.

If we feel we are limited in what we can do, we give up on our hopes and dreams.  If we can stop focusing on the lack in our lives and switch our focus to the good, those limits you set for yourself will start to dissolve.

When we are striving, thinking endlessly about what we want, we’re usually not thriving.  So stop and switch your focus to the what you have instead.  Focus on what what makes you feel good.  Don’t doubt yourself, Change your thinking to the beauty and happiness you already have. Trust that things will work out, Don’t limit yourself because your the only one who is able to pull yourself out.

You are the only one that can find the solutions to your problems. What you do now will have an effect in your future.  Have a goal that will motivate you and focus on the positive side of the outcome.

Just keep dreaming that one day you’ll be able to do whatever you want to do.  Our bodies may have limits. We can only stand certain temperatures, we can only go so long without air.  But our minds forge their own limits.  Those with limited mindsets will work pithing their limits.  But pushing our limits can give us and indescribable sense of joy by showing us how limitless we truly are.  We are what we think we are.

Doing what you want starts with believing it’s possible, no matter how difficult it seems..

One extends one’s limits only by exceeding them.

M. Scott Peck

Chapter 7, Page 1, Book 20

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain

July 1st- I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Life always has its ups and downs.  Nevertheless less,  its not easy seeing someone we care about with a frown.  We may not be able to cheer them up with an all expense paid vacation but it is as simple as hugging someone to truly relieve stress and make another feel a lot better.  Hugging is a great stress reliever for both parties and is very helpful when there are no words.

Hugs and smiles are a sure way to brighten anyones day.  They are gifts you can give without making yourself any poorer.  So be generous with them.  Sometimes all people need is to know that people care. 

When we cheer someone up with a smile, they usually give one back and se we feel better in return.  Make someone happy and you will be happy too.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up.

Author Unknown

Chapter 6, Page 30, Book 20

We learn the rope of life by untying its knots’ 

Jean Toomer

June 29th -  untie the knots

Men tighten the knot of confusion into perfect misunderstanding.

T.S. Eliot

Life as we all know can be unpredictable and uncertain at times.  The last few months of Covoid 19 pandomenic have reminded us so much of this.  We’ve had to adapt and adjust our lifestyles Life has been described as a shoe lace or a piece of string that can get twisted  in knots.

I came across this  knot prayer that seemed to fit the subject

Dear God, please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart, my life.  Remove the have not, the cannot and the do nots that I have in my mind.my heart, and my life. Erase the will not, may not and should not that may find a place in my heart  Release  me  from the could not, would not and should nots that obstruct my life and most of all dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my life and my life all of the will nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especiolly the thought that I am not enough.  Help me to be the beautiful person you have created. Amen

When a knot gets too tight, you can always cut the rope 

Dean Koontz