Chapter 1, Page 31, Book 13

Not what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.

John Petit-Senn

Today's word:

Abundant

 Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.

Having plenty of something.

Is it possible to have too much of anything?  

We can have lots of stuff and still not enjoy it.  I like to think that what I have in abundance are things I enjoy.  

I enjoy my large family

I enjoy quiet days at home, I have many of those

I enjoy reading, I have many many books

I enjoy painting and have a plentiful supply of things that need painting

I enjoy cooking and always have more than enough food

I enjoy being outdoors and have plenty of space here to do just that

I enjoy sewing and knitting and have lots of time to do those things

I enjoy sharing quotes and poems with others and often do that.  

I enjoy so many things and am thankful for having such an abundance of JOY in my life.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Oprah Winfrey 

Chapter 1, Page 30, Book 13

The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.

William James

Today's word:

Discover

Find something or someone unexpectedly or in the course of a search.

Become aware of a fact or situation.

It has occurred to me that every day is filled with treasures and in order to discover them, we only have to look around us.  So often we whiz right by something so valuable and miss it entirely.  We easily overlook a multitude of things to find simple joy in.

I've had days when I've wondered why I bother with a totally useless task when I know there are many more worthy things I like to do.  I've discovered the things that bring me happiness, yet I'll wind up doing something that makes me terribly unhappy.  I know I'm happiest in the winter time being warm and cozy, yet I'll force my self to go out to events where I find myself cold and miserable.  

Like everyone else, I make mistakes, but I'm am discovering, that I can do better.  We all know deep down there are different things that excite us and passions that we wish we had more time to explore, people we wish could spend more time with. I believe that when we focus on and spend time on what truly matters, it does truly matter.

When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.

Jean Shinoda Bolen

Chapter 1, Page 29, Book 13

Success? Don't you know it is all about being able to extend love to people? Not in a big, capital-letter sense, but in the everyday. Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.

Ralph Fiennes



Today's Word:

Success

 
the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.

 the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like

One of the things I've found myself being thankful for lately is the fact that I'm now living a life I used to dream about.  I was successful in working long enough to retire from work.

I would say I'm a successful person.  Others might think I was crazy to retire in the first place and some have said that they don't understand why I don't find myself a little part time job so I have something to do.  

I think I worked long enough for someone else.  I only worked at the jobs I had over the years in order to live.  I didn't live to work.  I was never career minded other than loving being a mom.  Although I am thankful for the work I did and the pay I received for doing it, that isn't what made my life a success.

A person is a success if they get up in the morning and gets to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.

Bob Dylan

Chapter 1, Page 28, Book 13

The 10 commandments for a long and peaceful life

Thou shalt not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.
Thou shalt not be fearful, for most things we fear never come to pass.
 Thou shalt face each problem as it comes. You can handle only one at a time.
 Thou shalt not cross bridges until you get to them, for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.
Thou shalt not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor pillows.
Thou shalt not borrow other people's problems. They can take better care of them than you can.
 Thou shalt be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own. It's very hard to learn something new when you are talking.
 Thou shalt not relive yesterday, for good or ill it is gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life today.
Thou shalt not become bogged down by frustration, for 50% of it is rooted in self pity and will only interfere with positive actions.
 Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.


 Today's Word

Peace 

Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.

For the most part I do live a peace filled life.  I really don't like it at all when someone or something tries to steal that peace away from me, so I try to make certain that in what ever circumstances I find myself in I can keep peace in my heart.

It's so very easy to become upset over what others say and do.  But I try to never let others control my state of mind.  You can imagine that with a large family like mine, there could be lots of things to fret over or worry about, but knowing that the good Lord is in charge, I do try to leave it up to Him to take care of things.

For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.

Larry Eisenberg

Chapter 1, Page 27, Book 13

You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.  

Author Unknown

Today's  Word

GIVING

Giving may refer to: Gift, the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return

The transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return;

The simple act of giving can improve your health, your relationships, and your happiness.  The joy of giving makes you feel like your living. Not of just for your self pleasure. But for someone else to treasure.  When you give a gift, it makes you feel generous, it makes you feel in control, it's good for your self-esteem and what you give away always comes back to you.

For it is in giving that we receive.

St. Francis of Assisi

Chapter 1, Page 26, Book 13

The watchword for the future: Enjoy yourself.
 

Thornton Wilder

Watchword:

A word or phrase expressing a person's or group's core aim or belief.

Sometimes it is a good idea to have a watchword.  A word we that permeates our lives because we are looking at it every day. The fact is that as we think, we do.  For years I had a little sign on my desk that simply said 'SMILE'.  And every time I looked at it, I did smile.  Sometimes we let our minds go off track and if we have a WORD, like this it helps us to refocus and get back on track.

Today my word is ENJOY.  Tomorrow I'll probably choose another one. But you can be sure it will be a good one.  One that encourages, inspires, or delights!

Chapter 1, Page 25, Book 13

Did Anyone Ever Tell You?

Did Anyone Ever Tell You
Just How Special You Are?
The Light that You Emit
Might even Light a Star.


Did Anyone Ever Tell You
How Important You Make Others Feel?
Somebody out here is Smiling
About Love that is so Real.


Did Anyone Ever Tell You?
Many Times When They were Sad,
your E-mail made Them Smile a bit,
In Fact It made Them Very Glad.


For the Time You Spend Sending Things
And Sharing whatever You Find,
There are No Words to Thank You,
But Somebody Thinks You're Truly Fine.


Did Anyone Ever Tell You
Just How Much They Love You?
Well, My Dear Online Friend,
Today I am Telling You.

Author Unknown 

I've been blogging for 8 going on 9 years now and I have to say I've met so many wonderful people.  When I started out I thought that I was just writing for my family.  I was amazed the first time I got a comment.  That comment lead to meeting lots of new friends.  We share our thoughts and feelings and often pray for each other.  And yes, there have been many a time I've been thankful for the SMILE that someone gave me through their post.  

I've also got a few friends that leave comments all the time that don't have a blog and since I've no way to leave a comment of my own for them, this is a perfect day to say a special thank you to them because I do appreciate the comments they leave.  

Thank you so much my friends, you often make my day a whole lot brighter !

Chapter 1, Page 24, Book 13

A healthy mind has an easy breath.  

Author Unknown

As I took a deep breath the other day, I thought about how good it made me feel.  And very often if I breathe deeply when I'm up set, it will calm me down.  To take a breath is to live, yet we very often forget about what a blessing it is.

More than one time in my life I've almost forgotten to breathe.  Those moments when the air seemed to be sucked right out of me.  There've been times too that I couldn't simply get enough air.  The fresh air in the country on a spring morning smells so good you just cannot breathe it all in.

There are some days that my breathing is more huffing and puffing when I've made too many trips up and down the stairs here.  But I'm still breathing and I'm so thankful for it.

He lives most life whoever breathes most air.  

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Chapter 1, Page 23, Book 13

It snowed and snowed, the whole world over,
Snow swept the world from end to end.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.

Boris Pasternak, Dr. Zhivago 

I don't know if you ever saw the movie, Dr. Zhivago or not, but if you did you couldn't forget the snow they had.  It was way above and beyond anything I've ever seen.   

I'm so thankful that although we've had some new snow and bitter cold temps it hasn't been that bad.  The sunshine has even, on occasion, peeped out from behind the clouds and lent us a little warmth.  A very little I might say.  

These days of winter the sunshine gives us a optimistic feeling much more than actual warmth.  

Chapter 1, Page 22, Book 13

Life is Good!

Life is a miracle!

Life is beautiful!

Life is precious!

Life is a gift.

It seems to me that there must be hundreds of descriptions about what life is.    Some say that life is hard, or life is a journey or even that life is like a roller coster,  I'd have to agree with them all .  Life is ever changing, it is a circle that never ends.  What we think is difficult today is often something we can laugh about tomorrow.  

One person dies, another is born.  We celebrate new life and we mourn when we loose those we love.  At times we seem to exist just for others, then we find that with life still goes on without them.  

I think that if we just take time to consider the blessing of each day we're given,  life can be good, a miracle, beautiful, and a precious  a gift to be enjoyed.  I am thankful for each ride on the coaster, each bump on the highway, and every fork in the road.

Chapter 1, Page 21, Book 13

The problems of the world
cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics
whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities.
We need men who can dream of things that never were
and ask why not?
John F. Kennedy

Here in the US, January 21st is the day we celebrate Martin Luther King Day.  He is most famous for his I HAVE A DREAM speech.  Brave men like him and many others like John Kennedy made a difference in so many lives because they dared to dream.  And they inspired many of us to have them too.

We've had the privilege to have had many such men throughout history.  Those that have gone before us, forging the way with truth and justice.  Those that made lives better for so many.  For those few brave men that cared so much we owe a debt of gratitude.  

Right has ever fought against evil, and the wonderful thing is that it wins!  We may not be great men or women,  but every little step we take to make life better for others is worth it.  

Mother Teresa said it well

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love

Chapter 1, Page 20, Book 13

A Creed to Live By

Don't determine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what others deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart;
cling to them as you would your life, for without them life
is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past or for the future.

By living your life ONE DAY AT A TIME
you will live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give.

Nothing is really over... until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect;
it is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks,
It's by taking chances we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut LOVE out of your life
by saying it's impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive LOVE is to give LOVE,
the fastest way to lose LOVE is to hold it too tightly
and the best way to keep LOVE is to give it wings.

Don't dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without HOPE;
To be without HOPE is to be without purpose.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only
WHERE YOU'VE BEEN -- but also -- WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

Life isn't a race, but......
IT'S A JOURNEY -- TO BE SAVORED EACH STEP OF THE WAY.

Author Unknown

I try to live every day with joy in my heart.  To help me I've created a chest full of happy memories.  You'll often see pictures, poems and stories that make me smile and inspire me, and notes on things I've done or want to do.  I choose items that delight and excite me.   These are the things I put in my daily posts.  Sometimes I've repeated verses and quotes, but they are the ones that meant something special for that particular day.

If I am not feeling joyful, I tap into my memory chest and remember everything that brings me happiness. Life is meant to be savored.

Chapter 1, Page 19, Book 13

The Chance for Change

The New Year brings the chance for change.
All of the things we can rearrange.
We start off fresh and eyes aglow.
We can make a new start is what we know.

We'll lose the weight, we say at last.
Trying to forget we've said that in the past.
I'll save some money is the new resolve
Anyone know what I'm speaking of?

More time with the kids, less time with TV.
This year I'm really going to work on me.
I'll tighten it up and get it in shape
My what a difference this year will make.

It's not really the resolution
That's not at all the real solution
It's not even the coming year
That will help you cut down on your beer.

The secret does not lie in January
The day of the year is not your adversary
The season does not make you pass or fail
You could do it in June just as well.

How many New Year's resolutions do we keep?
Most don't survive the second week.
If you want to succeed at whatever you say
You must make up your mind no matter what the day.

New Year or not, set your resolve
Show the world what you're made of
Set your goals and start them now
Get to pushing, get behind the plow.

You may not succeed at all the first time
You may fall off the wagon and get behind
The key is to try again, and try it soon
Whether it's January or whether it's June.

The chance for change is always there
As long as we're breathing God's precious air
Little is really out of your range
Just don't miss the chance, the chance for change.

Author Unknown

Little changes are being made here at my house this year.  The most important change is my budget.  That needs tightening up for sure!  The other changes, small as they seem, will hopefully help to make my life easier in the long run.  

Every day brings some changes into our lives.  Those little things that we don't plan on can make a big difference in our lives.  If something isn't working, we need to get rid of it and plan a new approach.  

I know that when the sun sets on one side of the world, it is rising on the other.  And when  I consider my life in this way, I can see my own sunsets from a new perspective. I can accept the changes in my life and allow what was once part of my life to pass and wait patiently for what is next.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.  

Mary Engelbreit

Chapter 1, Page 18, Book 13

Life is a miracle
Don't let it slip away,
Open your heart to others
Give of yourself each day.

See the beauty in everyone
Regardless of where they've been,
Some have a difficult journey
And really need a friend.

Share your gifts and talents
Listen with your heart.
Do the things you dream about
But don't have time to start.

Pick a bouquet of flowers
Show someone that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving
Life is never fair.

Hold on to your courage
You may need it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear
It could be a heavy load.

If you practice all these things
No matter where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain
But you'll never feel alone!

Author Unknown

I've found that living by myself at my age isn't an altogether bad thing at all. I've grown to appreciate the quiet times I have.  There are whole days when I do nothing much but read a good book.  There are also days like yesterday when I set myself goals and find myself on a completely different track.  I said that I wanted to clean the countertops off, what I wound up doing was cleaning a closet out.  This closet is supposed to be a coat closet but because it is in the kitchen, lots of things are stored there besides coats.  My larger pots and pans that don't fit in the cupboards are stored there along with light bulbs and paper towels and tissues.  

The good news is that I found I have an abundant supply of paper towels that I didn't even know were there.  The bad news is the countertops still need to be done.  But I do have plenty of paper towels now to get the job done!

I keep busy and life continues to throw me off track, sometimes more so than others. Thankfully there are days when my world is filled with good times with family and friends to keep me accountable.  I love those days too, but am thankful also for the days to muddle about in my own little world.

The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude.  

Voltaire