Chapter 7, Page 31, Book 11

R and R Sunday!

I Hope You Do

by Author Unknown

I hope you woke up this morning with a big smile on your face

I hope the sun is shining just for you and the birds are singing their very best songs...

I hope your coffee is hot and tastes just right and the cats are purring contentedly, and the mailman waves a cheery hello and there are no bills in the mailbox...

I hope just everything goes your way ...

I hope everything is well with your world, a place for everything and everything in it's place...

I hope you can enjoy all you do and you are complimented on the way you look and you can laugh and talk and share to your heart's content

I hope you have all you wish for yourself and those dear to you, and all your dreams come true...

At the end of the day I wish you a perfect moon shining just for you, a snug and cozy bed with the softest of pillows and I hope you sleep like a lamb with a smile on your face...

I hope you have a perfect end to the perfect day and I hope that every day is just as wonderful in it's own way I hope your day is ... filled with love!

R and R SUNDAY

A tip for being a better YOU:

Have you heard the story about the young man that wanted to prove to the Timber boss that he was strong enough to be part of his crew. The boss gave him an axe and sent him to the woods. He cut 8 trees! The next day he went back and he only cut 6 trees, even though he went out early and came in late. The third day, He only cut 4 trees and he had worked harder than ever. The boss just shook his head. Then he told him that the secret was to rest every hour and while you sit, sharpen your axe. The young man never forget the lesson.

Sit and Sharpen your AX. Your chores will wait.

Have a wonderful restful Sunday. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today and always.

'On Ya'-ma

SUNDAY RESOLUTION: Spend a few minutes looking around your house and be grateful for the home you have and remember, a home is more than just a building.

Chapter 7, Page 30, Book 11

I think the purpose of life is to be useful,
to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate.
It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something,
to have made some difference that you lived at all.

Leo Rosten

SUPER SATURDAY

We all have a purpose and a destiny in our lives whether we know it or not.

We can sometimes lose our purpose for living. We can make plans and design our life to achieve our personal goals and ambitions. We can invent our own purpose for living. We can even live our life with no particular purpose in mind. We can live from day to day with no intent and no direction. We can live our life being guided by others and guided by the influences of the world around us.

Believe me, if you're still alive, you still have work to accomplish.

Maybe not everyone feels this way, but I know a lot of people want to be useful. When thinking about life's purpose, they want their lives to be something that will have a good effect on the rest of the world, or at least on those living in their little corner of the world

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

Friedrich Nietzsche

Your life purpose is something that keeps you going day by day. It may be a dream that you had, as a child, that you now feel ready to fulfill. Or it may be something that you envision in your mind but you're not yet sure how it works

The older I get and the more I know, the more I want to take control of my life and be responsible for it. Not only do I want to be accountable for my actions, but I also want to be accountable for the repercussions of my actions. I want to know that what I'm doing is the right thing, that I'm not acting out of selfishness or haste.

Having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life.

Tom Thiss

Some people want to matter in a big, grand way. Some people want to matter only in the lives of those who are closest to them. But either way most of us really seem to want that and to know that our lives count, that we're here for a reason, that we have purpose. And we don't want to matter just to ourselves. We want to matter to others.

Leading a purposeful life is really important because when you have an aim in life, you work hard towards achieving your motive. If you are aimless then you remain idle as you have no aim to achieve or to fulfill.

I believe everyone has a different purpose, some of which overlap and some of which don't. Sometimes it's hard to understand the purpose of others, but there is a purpose for everyone and everything.

My life has been, and is, full of twists and turns. But it has always been full of purpose.

I'm sending LOLAH to you all from my little place in the woods this morning!

I do hope your Saturday is a Super one!

'On Ya'-ma

Saturday resolution: put your wisdom, your experience and even your regrets to positive purposeful use.

Chapter 7, Page 29, Book 11

FANTASTIC FRIDAY/ AN IMAGINARY TRIP TO THE BEACH DAY FOR ME

Summer is always a fun time of year. There's just so many things to do when the sun's shining and the weather's good. Going to the beach to me has always been one of those fun summer things to do. I have said it before and will say it again, the BEACH is my favorite place to be and also a place I rarely get to go.

The only thing about going to the beach is that you have to be prepared. There's a few things we need to take with us in order to enjoy the beach

One of the first things we'll need is protection from the sun. There's so much skin damage we can get if we don't protect ourselves. The sad thing is , we don't even know sometimes we've gotten skin damage until later down the road and are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer.

And one of the most delightful things to do at the beach is digging and playing in the sand. Making sand castles with moats, or for the little ones, just digging in the sand can be just the best of fun. Digging a hole in the sand and just putting your hands deep into it can be the best of sensations.

We wouldn't want to go to the beach without our sunglasses. We not only need them to protect our eyes from the sun's damage, but they also help us to focus. When we don't have them on in the bright sunlight, we tend to squint and not see as clearly.

Let's bring along a bucket or something we can collect our treasures in while we are at the beach. Aren't the shells you can find along the beach just amazing? They are so beautiful and interesting. Having a little activity at the beach is always fun. Playing with a beach ball or Frisbee can be great.

Do you want to join me at the beach today?

Pause, as you come upon this beach, and listen

to the symphony of waves and the chorus of

birds, singing their song, as they glide in the wind

Grab your bucket, shovel, sun screen, and even your beach ball and come relax with me

Have a FANTASTIC Friday everyone!

'On Ya' -ma

Friday resolution: Know your limits, but never stop trying to exceed them.

Chapter 7, Page 28, Book 11

God of love and abundance, fill me with a perspective of gratitude. Help me, even when life is tough, to recognize your abundant love and provision for my life. Adjust my attitude this day. Amen.

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Gratitude is one of those special forces in life that increases as we give it away. Most things in life diminish as we give them up. For instance, if we have a cherry pie and give away a quarter of it, we are obviously left with less than our original whole. Gratitude, though, is different.

Every day brings new joy and blessings with my friends and family. I'm so grateful for the gift that each day brings, for I know, rain or shine, all will unfold as God, in his infinite greatness, knows best

This week I'm thankful for:

A hot shower in the morning, my hot water tank is getting old and thankfully it continues to work

For fresh water to drink, we really need to keep hydrated in the heat wave we are experiencing

For air conditioning on hot days, I really don't think I could endure with out it.

For friends and family that love me, each and every one of them has truly blessed my life

For a good laugh, I know when things get tense or things aren't going the way we think they should laughter is always the best medicine.

For an inspiring movie, I watched the movie of the life of J.K. Roling and that was inspirational. What a success she has made of her will to write.

For a lesson learned and a great book to read, I did learn a valuable lesson in turning things around for the good and was able to finish up a Bible Study on the Book of Esther by Beth Moore that was just wonderful. I've done many of her studies and have never been disappointed in the way she delves into the Word.

Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty

Doris Day

I think that we can also show gratitude through giving to the poor and needy, helping the elderly cross the street, visiting the sick in the hospital; and through words: telling others we love them, expressing our appreciation to friends and speaking kindly toward others. What we have much of we should also share with others.

I am richly blessed and am very thankful for the blessings in my life.

I hope that this Thursday you'll find some things in your life that are blessings and that you'll be thankful too.

'On Ya'-ma

Thursday resolution: When in doubt, choose gratitude

Chapter 7, Page 27, Book11

Everything has its wonders,even darkness and silence,and I learn, whatever state I may be in,there in to be content.

Helen Keller

It's WONDERFUL Wednesday and I'm feeling WONDERFULLY rich today

There are people who have money and people who are rich.

Coco Chanel

Prosperity isn’t about money anyway. It’s about feeling rich in happiness, love and positive experiences.

True Wealth is a topic that’s been on my mind lately.

I think it’s because I have been challenged over and over again in my life by this and have been trying to sort through my own definition of true wealth and its implications for my life.

The greatest wealth is contentment with a little.

English Proverb

True Wealth is not defined by commas or net worth – it is characterized by the quality of relationships; pursuing your passions and living life with a purpose.

In other words – it’s the pursuit of People, Passion and Purpose!

Live this way and you’ll end up with a wealth of prosperity that all the money in the world can't buy

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money

Thomas Jefferson

I am rich in the important things in life - My faith, my family and my friends.

So that is my journey. A long road, but a good one. And a lesson that I hope I continue to learn and hope you do too.

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday everyone!

'On Ya'- ma

Wednesday resolution: Celebrate the beauty all around you!

Chapter 7, Page 26, Book 11

TERRIFIC 2'S TUESDAY

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE

Falling in love.

Laughing so hard your face hurts.

A hot shower.

A special glance.

Getting mail.

Taking a drive on a pretty road.

Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

Hot towels out of the dryer.

Chocolate milkshake.

A long distance phone call.

A bubble bath.

Giggling.

A good conversation.

The beach.

Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter.

Laughing at yourself

Running through sprinklers.

Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

Laughing at an inside joke.

Friends.

Falling in love for the first time.

Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

Your first kiss.

Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

Playing with a new puppy.

Sweet dreams.

Hot chocolate.

Road trips with friends.

Swinging on swings.

Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog.

Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.

Going to a really good concert.

Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.

Making chocolate chip cookies!

Spending time with close friends!

Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.

Holding hands with someone you care about.

Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger than time.

Hugging the person you love.

Watching the expression someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.

Watching the sunrise.

Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.

I think we need to know how to separate the majors and the minors in life. A lot of people don't do well simply because they major in minor things. I like to major in only the best things in life like the things in the list above

Whatever the reason I've learned that it's a pure waste of energy and precious time to major on the minors. Many times we can major so much on the minors that we neglect the major issues in our lives. Don't let the little things take over your life.

We are all human and sometimes just say the wrong thing, knock something over, show up late... But if we get upset by these events, they can actually negatively impact our health.

Day in and day out little nuisance things happen to us, little things, you stumble, drop some papers, take a wrong turn, spill a coffee or lose your cell phone connection and you have a melt-down. In our busy and over-scheduled lives, little events have become big events. And when already frazzled, a truly large event now becomes completely unmanageable.

Take an inventory of what your major is in life. Just as we have our major subjects and minor subjects in college so it is in The University of Life. You can graduate with HONORS! It is up to you. Your grade will be given by your family, friends and last but definitely not least God our Father.

Life throws out small tests to get us ready for larger ones. There are just some things that will always be out of your control, no matter what you do. Learning to accept this and not try to control everything will help ease your stress.

Learn to LISTEN more. God gave us two ears and one mouth....hmmmm....mmmm.

Remember that the only thing you really have control over is the way you react to things that happen to and around you.

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time.

You've heard the saying pick your battles. Things go wrong and getting upset about them doesn't solve the problem or make your day any smoother.

That's my 2 for this Tuesday - the best things in life and letting go of the small stuff.

Life is full of plusses and minuses, but my minuses are mostly plusses and my hardships are really no problem. And tomorrow, well, we will let tomorrow take care of itself.

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Tuesday resolution:Take a quiet walk outside to clear your mind.

Chapter 7, Page 21, Book 11

My cup runneth over and laughing at myself and loving it...

MERRY MONDAY

My Cup Runneth Over is a quotation from the PSALM 23:5 and means I have more than enough for my needs though interpretations and usage may vary.

Have you had a SENIOR MOMENT lately? You know. You'll be talking along like at any other time in your life, and suddenly you can't remember the name of your best friend. Or the movie you saw last night. Or what the initials AARP stand for.

It's a sudden, embarrassing slice of silence. A senior moment. Most of us begin noticing these awkward interludes in our 50s. By 70, some of us will avoid talking altogether, not an altogether unvirtuous act. I even know younger people that have the same problem. I like to call it BRAIN BLOAT.

Brain bloat is the result of too much stuff in the head. That's why it usually takes 50 or 60 years of input before the forgetful symptoms begin manifesting. After all those years of cramming stuff into your head, it finally begins overflowing like a water glass unable to hold another drop without shedding something already there.

The BEST senior moment strategy is to just chuckle and admit, Ah, another senior moment. I don't know about you, but I have a whole bunch of numbers rolling around up there, and occaisionally they get tangled up...I have actually had to ask someone what my phone number was! I don't call myself very often, so that little bit of info gets losts in the shuffle.

Just do as I do. Live with it. Enjoy the feeling of a full and often useful brain. It just means you've got a lot of STUFF up there. My cup is filled to the brim and overflowing...

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has yet to come. We have only today, let us begin.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Have a MERRY Monday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Monday Resolution: Live for today and don’t worry about tomorrow.

Chapter 7, Page 24, Book 11

Things I’ve Learned in Life!

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,

life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life”.

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I do not have to be one.

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch – holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I’ve learned that you should pass this on to someone you care about…

Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.

Author unknown

R and R Sunday

Since I've returned from our family vacation there has been much rest and relaxation here around my house. I needed a vacation from my vacation it seems. I know that I have had put the THINGS I'VE LEARNED IN LIFE in at least one of my previous entries in this journal but I guess I needed a reminder so I put them there for you to see again today.

My whole life has been full of lessons and I'm still learning something new every day. One thing I learned this week was about Maslow's List. I'd never heard of it before and saw a reference to it on a friends blog. So I checked it out.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is an important psychological theory orginated by the American psychologist Abraham Maslow. Ref: A Theory of Human Motivation. In general, values reflect one's judgment and helps sort out what is important in life. Maslow described what he considered important values that defined one's Being.

One of the results from Maslow studies was that there were layers of needs. If basic needs are not met, then there is a tendency to ignore higher needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is often portrayed as a pyramid

Maslow asks us to throw ourselves into what is meaningful for us. He asks us to concentrate on it fully and let it totally absorb you. Instead of worrying about safety issues which produces fear, get in the habit of making choices that promote growth.

He made a lot of good points and I think that what I do may be living along the lines he promoted. I live simply loving life and making the most of each day.

That's my list.

Faith and family and friends are what is important to me.

Sunday is a great day to ponder...lots rest and relaxation puts you in a nice frame of mind to do just that.

Have a wonderful and restful Sunday everyone.

'On Ya'-ma

SUNDAY RESOLUTION: Remember the most important task God has for us today may not be on our to do list

Chapter 7, Page 23, Book 11

Going around the mountain one more time...

SUPER SATURAY!

Do you ever have days when the mountain isn’t getting any higher, but the rut you’re in just keeps getting deeper. I've have heard this rut called the comfort zone or routine or round and round the mountain, where there is much activity, to-do lists being checked off, and you think something got done!

It’s only when we make the decision to climb out of the rut going around the mountain, that there is any hope for something different. Activity does not necessarily equate to results, even though the activity might be productive. If you REALLY want out of your rut, it will take some effort on your part. But anything good is worth effort,.

I used to be so excited when I got a very long to-do list done each day! I took pride that I could get done more than most in a day; I measured my worth by productivity. Sometimes you go around and around the mountain before you learn the lesson.

Do you remember that song years ago? It goes something like this, she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes, she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes, she'll be coming around the mountain, she'll be coming around the mountain, she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes...She went around that mountain five times, that is if we only sing verse one once

Some mountains I go around once, others more than once and in some areas of my life, I am probably still going around some, but one thing is for sure, God will finish the good work He has started.

It’s dark in the rut when your eyes aren’t used to the Light, but you’ll be fine if you just hang in there, pretty soon you’ll be amazed at the view you’ve been missing from where you are now.

Have a SUPER Saturday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

SATURDAY RESOLUTION:today focus on working hard and not the end reward