Chapter 3, Page 31, Book 13

EASTER 2013

The sleepy colors of winter
Fade fast in the dawn of Spring.

The joy of Easter's promise,
Delivers sweet reason to Sing

Refreshed from her snowy slumber,
Mother Earth exalts her worth.
In a colorful burst of glory,
She blazons her wondrous Rebirth

Renew your spirit, refresh your soul,
Rejoice with all humankind.
Celebrate life everlasting.
Peace and wonder are
Yours to find.

Author Unknown

Easter is the fuel, the energy and the reason why we keep going each day. It makes today possible. It gives hope when it might be easier to give up. Without Easter we would have absolutely nothing but with Easter we have indeed everything

I hope your day is filled with many blessings!

Happy Easter !  

Chapter 3, Page 30, Book 13

Consider the postage stamp:  its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.  

Josh Billings

WORD FOR TODAY

Determined

Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.

I'm a very determined person.  I want to enjoy every day and sometimes that is not easy at all.  I've made up my mind that although every day may not a good one, there is something good to be found in every day.

I look for all the good things life holds and make it a point to enjoy them.

Little things like a bird singing or a ray of sunlight on the kitchen floor can be the highlight of some of my days.  But those little things can make such a difference.  They can turn a miserable day into a happy one.  I'm always looking and always finding a reason to be thankful and being thankful makes me happy.

Determination is one thing I don't want to ever loose.  We need to always look on the bright side of life. It's about being positive and determined to get through things everyday. 

Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than be fair: be kind.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.

William Arthur Ward

Chapter 3, Page 29, Book 13

A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it. 

Author Unknown 

WORD FOR TODAY

Powerful

having great power, force, potency, or effect
Most of don't realize the power of a smile. A smile can work wonders, it can heal emotional pain, and it can remove physical pain. When you smile at another person you not only let them feel that they are wanted, accepted and appreciated, but smiles also offer encouragement too.

The remarkable thing about a smile is that when you give it to someone, it causes them to reciprocate by giving one back.   One powerful thing you can achieve with your smiles is making somebody's day, and I bet you will never be forgotten for simple that act.  It's also one of the best ways to handle stress by smiling through your adversity.  I'm always laughing at myself.  Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh or even simply a smile can go a long way.

Remember, true power doesn’t need to shout to prove itself. It can whisper and still be heard.

Focus on giving smiles away and you will always discover that your own smiles will always be in great supply!

Joyce Meyer

Chapter 3, Page 28, Book 13

Peace means far more
than the opposite of war!

Fred Rogers

WORD FOR TODAY

Tranquility

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

an untroubled state; free from disturbances

a state of peace and quiet 

Some of my most tranquil moments have been when I've been rocking a sleeping baby.  For me it is a time of complete peace.

I have also found that being outdoors in nature makes me feel very serene.  There is nothing like being in the woods on a hot summer day and relaxing in the shade.

The beach is another of my peaceful places.  Laying on the sand and listening to the waves crash on the shore is very calming.  When ever I'm having a tough day, my mind can take me to the beach in just a matter of seconds.  I often say I'm having a beach day, when in truth, the beach is only in my mind.

When life has repeatedly dragged you down, that’s a great time to remind yourself of how beautiful and joyful life can be.

Ralph Marston

Chapter 3, Page 27, Book 13

When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age. 

Victor Hugo

WORD FOR TODAY:

 Grace

Unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

 a virtue coming from God

a special favor

I've been the recipient of grace and I've also met a lot of grace filled people.  There is grace in disposition or acts and there is physical grace.

When we think of something or some one as graceful, we often think of beauty and elegance.  Gracefulness is to me a thing of beauty. 

When I hear the word graceful, my thoughts turn to being full of grace. Being full of grace has it's own unique beauty. The fact that I've been the recipient of grace, that is  beautiful.

I think that for me, being graceful is when I am living life to the fullest and being thankful for the graces I've received.

Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It ’s a way to live. 

Jackie Windspear

Chapter 3, Page 26, Book 13

Releasing the pressure, it's good for the teapot and the water.  Try it sometime.  

Jeb Dickerson

WORD FOR TODAY:

 Release

To set free from confinement, restraint, or bondage: released the prisoners.

 To free from something that binds, fastens, or holds back; let go

To release and let go of the stresses in our lives takes a lot of faith and trust.  We too often try to solve our problems by ourselves.  We like to think that we are in control and wind up trying over and over again to right which was wrong.

Worries can make life very difficult and painful. It’s hard to live life fully and share the best of yourself with the people and things you care about when you feel fear and are stressed out.

Over the years I have learned to stop saving myself and let go, to allow God to help me. Letting go of controlling situations to allow God to guide me with trust. He does a much better job of it than I can.

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith.

Author Unknown

Chapter 3, Page 25, Book 13

One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.

 William Feather

WORD FOR TODAY

Adventurous

to take the risk involved

The older I get the more I realize that we need new experiences to keep our minds fresh. We need new opportunities to feed the creativity of our souls. We need new adventures for personal growth.

Although I have not circled the globe or visited exotic places, I still feel like my life is one great adventure.  It's been a brilliant, amazing and beautiful life so far and it's not over yet.  At least I'm still here today, we don't know yet about tomorrow.

What makes life adventurous is often a stumbling block to some.  Adventurous people have a mindset to seek out new things.  But you can't have adventures if your don't try new things.

I've tried out 1000's of new things in my life time and when you think about it most of us have.  We were born knowing little of nothing, so we had to try talking, walking, and falling down for the first time.  I've been on an adventurous journey all my life it seems.  No doubt about it, adventure came my way raising a large family like mine.   I never get tired of trying out something new and different.  

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming – WOW – What a Ride!

Anonymous

Chapter 3, Page 24, Book 13

Friendships come and go, but families are forever. 

Kenny Rogers

WORD FOR TODAY:

 Family

a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head

the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children

I am a mom and a grand'ma' to a very large family so today I'm telling a little bit about my family. Only a few of them live close by, but 5 of my children do live in Ohio and the other 2 live out of state.  Sometimes Ohio seems like a very big state.  It's hard being so far away from my children and I'm very thankful that some live nearby.  My family has grown to include 7 spouses,  all of my children are married, and 18 grandchildren.  As of right now we aren't expecting any new ones, but I've found that that can change.  

Even though some of my children say that I've forgotten every thing bad they've ever done, I do know that families are not perfect,  we all have skeletons.   I know mine does,  still they are truly the people in my life that tell me the honest truth when something is not right and I can count on them whenever I need help.

One of my son's asked me once how it was possible to love so many.  There is a little bit of magic in having a large family, your love just grows and grows.  They say that too much sun will burn you, too much rain, you’d drown, too much cold will freeze you, too much wind would blow you down. But love is something different, it disregards the rules.

 Whether you have ten children or one, as a mother, you will always give 100% of yourself.  Being a mom of adults is very different from being a mom of young children, just as being a grandmother is far different from being a mom.  Still I give 100 percent of my self to them all.  

All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. 

Leo Tolstoy

Chapter 3, Page 23, Book 13

The language of flowers: if you need to reconcile with someone, lily-of-the-valley proclaims, let's make up.

TODAY'S WORD:

Reconciliation

The action of reconciling : the state of being reconciled

to restore to friendship or harmony. to settle, to resolve

During Lent I always follow an on line devotional and this past week they focused on reconciliation. So for my word today I'm sharing some of the thoughts from this devotional.

Reconciliation is nothing short of a miracle. Reconciliation preserves a relationship that could have just as easily been flung aside. Reconciliation is always a good reason for celebration. It is life-giving.

The first step in reconciliation is letting go of the past. The more we hold on to the way we think things should have been, the less likely we are to see the opportunity emerging for a brand new way

No matter how bad it has been, there is always an opportunity to turn our failures into success, especially if we can learn from our mistakes and grow in wisdom.

Those who refuse to seek reconciliation starve themselves, but those who freely offer forgiveness give the best gift.

Love makes the difference.

Chapter 3, Page 22, Book 13

A redwing black bird another harbinger of Spring

TODAY'S WORD

Renew 

to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection

When you feel stuck in a sluggish afternoon of the soul, it's time to recharge those batteries and Renew and Rejuvenate 

We all need to take time out from all the daily distractions, and the frustrations we deal with every day. Taking a few quiet moments to breathe and to be grateful will renew and refresh much like a vacation does.  I probably say it way too many time, but counting your blessings is a wonderful thing.

Sometimes that blah feeling can mask major doubts. Doubts can feel scary, but if you're wrestling with something, take the time to look for some answers.  You can find little helpful hints when you go searching.

What ever you do, don't bury your doubts and frustrations. Find a friend who'll listen. A good friend is one who can listen without giving an opinion, but instead will quietly sit by your side and offer encouragement.

Renewal can be as simple as breathing or as difficult as sharing, but it can happen for us all if we choose to let it.

Take a few deep breaths and hold on to your friends !

Chapter 3, Page 21, Book 13

Nine-tenths of wisdom is appreciation. Go find somebody's hand and squeeze it... while there is still time. 

 Dale Dauten

Today's Word:

Appreciate

an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude

We have hundreds of ways to express our feelings, through words and gestures both large and small. All too often, however, we keep our feelings to ourselves assuming that those we care for know how much they mean to us. The truth is, they often don’t.

We need to show our appreciation for one another.  Kind words, a hug and a SMILE usually do the trick.

Remember:  You can't pick someone up by putting them down.

Chapter 3, Page 20, Book 13

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.  

Confucius

TODAY'S WORD

Knowledge 

The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association 
I read a story about wood pecker not long ago and as they are often visitors here at our bird feeders, I found it interesting enough to share with you all.  The story not only tells a lot about woodpeckers but about knowledge too. 

The story goes that the person heard the distinct rat-a-tat of what had to be a woodpecker. They thought the bird they saw was drilling in a light pole for insects to eat. But as they watched, they discovered that the busy bird was pecking on the plastic globe of a street light.

 What a dumb bird, I thought. There would be no bugs to gain where it was pecking. After researching woodpeckers on the Internet, it was discovered that what they saw was probably a downy woodpecker whose drumming wasn’t for food but was actually a mating call and an announcement about the bird’s territory. The bird wasn’t dumb after all.  We were the ignorant ones. 

I've found that no matter how old I get there is always more to learn.  We cannot judge things due to their appearance.