Chapter 3, Page 11, Book 14

You Are

You are strong . . . .when you take your grief and teach it to smile. 

You are brave . . . . when you overcome your fear and help others to do the same. 

You are happy . . . when you see a flower and give it your blessing. 

 You are loving . . . .when your own pain does not blind you to the pain of others. 

You are wise . . . .when you know the limits of your wisdom. 

You are true . . . .when you admit there are times you fool yourself. 

You are alive . . . . when tomorrow's hope means more to you than yesterday's mistake. 

You are growing . . . . when you know what you are but not what you will become. 

You are free . . . . when you are in control of yourself and do not wish to control others. 

You are honorable . . . when you find your honor is to honor others. 

You are generous . . . . when you can take as sweetly as you can give. 

You are humble . . . .when you do not know how humble you are. 

You are thoughtful . . . .when you see me just as I am and treat me just as you are. 

You are merciful . . . .when you forgive in others the faults you condemn in yourself. 

You are beautiful . . . . when you don't need a mirror to tell you. 

You are rich . . . . when you never need more than what you have. 

You are you . . . .when you are at peace with who you are not.

Author Unknown 

Tuesday, March 11th - Today’s Focus

Give up worry----trust Divine Providence.

Who or what can we trust? People have asked this question for centuries.  We are surrounded by so many voices and perspectives. Sometimes it is even difficult to trust what we see and hear with our own eyes and ears!

But this is faith: straining towards something bigger and more powerful than ourselves.

Many people make themselves miserable worrying over the future. The alternative is that we should have more trust in Divine Providence. Do the best we can, and leave the rest to God,

Divine Providence is God’s care for His people.  We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His decree. We find these comforting words in Romans 8:28.

Sometimes it may seem that God does not answer our prayers in the way that we had hoped. All of these things can try our faith. We may find ourselves tempted to doubt or to give up on our prayers.

At such moments we need to trust that God is in control more than ever. Things may not happen in the way that we expect. However God, in His almighty providence, can bring good even from the consequences of evil.

God's power and grace can even bring good out of evil. This knowledge can be a comfort to us in the midst of whatever difficulties life may bring our way.

Matthew 6:25 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

Chapter 3, Page 10, Book 14

Courage to Care 

 Earl Nightingale

    It does take courage to care, to open your heart and react with sympathy or compassion or indignation or enthusiasm when it is easier – and sometimes safer – not to get involved. But people who take the risk, who deliberately discard the armor of indifference, make a tremendous discovery: The more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you become

Monday, March 10th - Today’s Focus

Give up harsh judgments----think kindly thoughts.

Weekly snow report

This is the 2nd. part of my my thoughts on judgements .  I’ve found that when we abstain from something,give it up, we strengthen our our spirits.  So giving up on harsh judgements can make us think more kindly.  

Lent is the perfect time to reflect upon those things that make our life worth living and the kindnesses given by ourselves and others is one thing that makes such a difference in our lives.  As we give up things this Lent, we are to keep our eyes focused on the transformation that happens in our heart.

May this Lent be an experience of a new springtime, a time of renewal. May we grow in our love, enjoy the gifts we have, nurture the Spirit within, and accept the transformation that will be ours.

The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge

Chapter 3, Page 9, Book 14

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up.  

The Reverend Jesse Jackson

Sunday, March 9th - Today’s Focus

Give up harsh judgments----think kindly thoughts.

Remember those who judge others will be judged as well. None of us are perfect.    Don't judge others by how they look, talk, who they love. Be kind.

It's not our place to judge.  That we don't judge does not mean that we have no sense of right and wrong. Rather, it means that we put that aside and listen with compassionate ears. We focus instead on sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, and not turning our back on our family and friends

Lent is forty days of denial to test the resolve of our faith. Lent can be a time of new beginnings; it can also be a time that rudely reminds us of our shortcomings. But, it is a time for possibilities and growth.

Remember:

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.  

Chapter 3, Page 8, Book 14

To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old. 

Oliver Wendell Homes

Saturday, March 8th - Today’s Focus

Give up pessimism----become an optimist.

Optimism maximizes potential as pessimism squashes it.  Optimistic people are noted for their ability to see the good in most every situation.  Remember that while every day may not be a good one, there is something good in every day.

Optimists see the positive side of things.  I call it the BRIGHT SIDE. 

Today, I’m happy to say I’m celebrating being 70 years young.  There are many that bemoan the age they are.  They grumble and complain about just about everything from their aches and pains to the terrible changes in the world today.

Not me, I’m an optimist.  There are things I could complain about but I don’t.  I’m happy to be the age I am and so thankful to still be here too.  I figure the good Lord has some work for me still to do.  And I’m willing to do the best I can with His help.

The good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise…is a saying I learned from my grandmother.  

It is not my choice just how long I’ll be here.  I believe that it is His will not mine that decides that for sure.

Looking on the bright side of life is easier said than done sometimes, but it is there if you take the time to look.  Hope doesn’t come out of nowhere. Hope is the fruit of remembering and calling to mind the ways that God has got you out of the manure many, many times before. This is just one of the reasons why it’s great to be old. You’ve got a lot of experience to recall.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. 

Chapter 3, Page 7, Book 14

Another day is dawning

Another day's begun

Another day to turn to God

And pray, Thy will be done

A day to slay doubt's dragon,

To know within your soul

That as you give yourself to Him

He'll bless and make you whole.

A day to live with purpose

A day to show you care

When others turn to you distraught

Confused or in despair

A day to share God's blessings

In quiet countless ways

That touch the heart with hope and joy

And brighten cloudy days

A day for sweet rejoicing

For gratitude and praise

Because His love enfolds you

Both now, and all your days.

Author Unknown

Friday, March 7th - Today’s Focus

Give up complaining----focus on gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.

Stopping for a minute and thinking of all the great things and amazing people in your life will probably put any silly complaints you had to rest.

Be greatful for the things you do have, many in the world have nothing . Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. Complaining only spreads negativity to others and increases it in ourselves..  

People who complain that they don't get all they deserve should congratulate themselves.

The simple act of acknowledging things to be grateful for can change our thoughts, actions, and mood.  Cut out complaining, and you're much more likely to see the world with optimism and gratitude

REMEMBER:

 When things go wrong, don't go with them. 

Elvis Presley 

Chapter 3, Page 6, Book 14

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.  I have responsibilities to fulfill today.  I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or... I can be thankful the grass is getting watered for free. 

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or... I can be glad my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. 

Today I can grumble about my health or... I can rejoice that I am alive. 

Today I can lament over all my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or... I can feel grateful they allowed me to be born. 

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or... I can celebrate that thorns have roses. 

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or... I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships. 

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or... I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. 

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or... I can feel honored because God has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul. 

I get to play a big part into what kind of day I will have!

Author Unknown 

Thursday, March 6th - Today’s Focus

Give up complaining ....focus on gratitude

Philippians 2:14,15 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure…

We all complain and even if you argue that you are the happiest person in the world, you still complain sometimes.  Sometimes we complain without even realizing it, but rarely is it ever helpful.   I used to get caught up in what I didn't have, but now I try to focus on what I do have. 

Today I’ll be looking on the bright side and counting all the blessings in my life.  Being grateful for them is something I do every day.  When you count your blessings you quickly forget what ever you thought you had to complain about.  

The most important thing is to find JOY in your life!  Joy, laughter, happiness and love create a positive and positive feeling.  Being grateful for what I have makes me very happy indeed.

Note:  When I first made up my mind to focus on this list of things I’m striving to give up for Lent, I thought it would be easy but as I’m jumping ahead to write a post for each day, I’m discovering that there will be many subjects that will over lap and I will probably be repeating more than one time my thoughts on a certain subject, so please forgive me if these days ahead are repetitious. 

Chapter 3, Page 5, Book 14

Looking outside at the snow through a wreath of of forsythia with hopes of Spring

Today is Ash Wednesday and for me that means the beginning of Lent.  It’s a 40 day period of preparation before Easter.  During Lent I’ll be giving up some things in my life.  I keep this list and try to use it every year during Lent.  It’s something I’ve found to be a help to me as I prepare for Easter.

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining----focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism----become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments----think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry----trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement----be full of hope.

Give up bitterness----turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred----return good for evil.

Give up negativism----be positive.

Give up anger----be more patient

Give up gossiping----control your tongue.

Give up pettiness----become mature.

Give up gloom----enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy----pray for trust.

Give up gossiping----control your tongue.

Give up sin----turn to virtue.

Give up giving up----hang in there!

Unknown

For the next several weeks leading up to Easter I thought I’d focus my thoughts toward the points on my list.  They’ll be what I call my Lenten meditations.   Hopefully you all find something along the way that might be helpful to you to.

We’ll see as the weeks go by.