Chapter 3, Page 31, Book 12

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: 

Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.

 James 1:19 - the Message

SUPER SATURDAY / Don't waste time

Life is a precious gift, and it doesn’t last forever. But being mad at someone, or holding a grudge, wastes some of that precious time and it doesn’t help solve the problem.

 Most of the time, the wisest person in the room is the one who has made most of the mistakes.  Without people making mistakes in this world, we all would have no idea what we were doing.  We hope that we can learn from mistakes.

You never know when you’ll say your last goodbye to someone, or your last hello.  Don’t make the last thing you say to someone hurtful.  Forgive and forget. You’ll be happier in the long run.  Living life, is about finding happiness. It really is just too short to waste precious time on being angry

Since I've retired I've found that it is easy to become angry and frustrated at my diminishing physical abilities but we must learn to deal with the reality.  The biggest surprise I've gotten was how quickly the time goes and how little we sometimes accomplish .  Now that I have more time, I also need more time to do just about everything.

Yes, being sad or mad over stuff is a complete waste of my time.  

There is too much to be done and so little time to do it in.

Have a SUPER Saturday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 30, Book 12

Fantastic Friday/ Fantastic Faith

We became like grasshoppers in our own sight and theirs.

Numbers 13:31

What do grasshoppers have to do with it?

The verse from Numbers is talking about a people that focused on themselves and their own inadequate resources and abilities instead of living by faith.  Grasshoppers symbolize great leaps of faith.

 

When you begin to look at the world with grasshopper vision, you seek answers in all the wrong places: In your bank account, in your relationships, in your own cleverness and ideas. And inevitably, you become discouraged and ready to give up

Many times we run with our emotions when we're up against our own impossibilities. Our emotions take us to hasty action, to running away,  and to seeking advice from the wrong people. If we would first have a little faith,  inquire of the Lord, sit down with the scriptures and ask for direction, spend time in prayer and listen to his voice, we would find the answers we need

Remember that the grasshopper is symbol that we are being asked to take a leap of faith and jump forward into a specific area of life without fear. Usually that specific area is one that we have avoided and is often connected to change on a larger scale. This can represent a change in location, relationships, career or just in the way we perceive ourselves.

Did you know:  Grasshoppers can only jump forward….not backward, or sideways. So, when the grasshopper malady shows up in our lives, it could be that we are being told to go ahead and move forward, getting past what is hindering you.  Having faith in ourselves and in the Lord enables us to grow, evolve and become what we are meant to be. 

Have a little faith and have a fantastic Friday everyone!  

'On Ya'-ma

THANKFUL Thursday! / Count your blessings

I read a story about an utterly content old woman whose happiness came from her practice of filling here left pocket every morning with beans.  Whenever something happened for which she was grateful, she moved a bean to her right pocket.  At the end of the day, she would hold each right pocket bean and remember all the good things that happened to her that day.

It really does make a difference when you count your blessings each day.  If I don't take the time to stop and remember what happened, I'll soon forget and loose the chance of being thankful for something or someone.  I don't always have pockets to move beans around but I do have a journal that I keep with my thoughts and prayers each day so from now on I'm going to record my blessings there too.

I find that writing things down is a big help to me in more than one way and always have pencil and paper handy.

I'm thankful that today I can read and write and think, not everyone can.

I'm thankful for the sunny days

I'm thankful for all my family and friends

I'm thankful for a somewhat cleaner house

I'm thankful for my good health and that of my family too.

A heart full of thankfulness will make any day better.

I hope your Thursday is one that you can be THANKFUL for too!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 28, Book 12

The best things in life are nearest:  

Breath in your nostrils,

 light in your eyes, 

flowers at your feet, 

duties at your hand, 

the path of right just before you.  

Then do not grasp at the stars, 

but do life's plain, 

common work as it comes, 

certain that daily duties and daily bread 

are the sweetest things in life.  

Robert Louis Stevenson

WONDERFUL Wednesday/ Routines are wonderful

I have learned that having a routine is good for nearly all of us.  Adults need routine to get through their days and get all that they need to accomplish actually done. Kids need routine to have an understanding of how the world works and know what to look forward to on a daily basis.

There's something to be said for routine, and I'll go ahead and admit that as I grow older I get more and more fixed in mine. And sometimes, routine is lovely. There's something soothing about the ritual of making a pot of good coffee every morning.

 I believe that a well chosen routine brings a significent measure of peace to daily life.  Routines are great, but only if they bring joy.  I also believe that you should make your plans, but leave plenty of room for flexibility.

When life throws you a curve ball, one of the best coping mechanisms is sticking with your daily routine.  I remember a particularly hard time in my life when my youngest son went through some major surgery.  I had spent days and nights in the hospital with little sleep.  Finally he was released and I went back to my daily routine of going to work.  For the very first time in my life it felt really good to be back at my desk at work and doing routine things.  

There were plenty of other days that the thought of going through my daily routine just sounded exhausting to me and the best thing I could do for my spirits was to swing my feet out of bed and start going through my morning routine and head into work.

Lesson Learned:  Sometimes doing the hard thing is the best thing for us.  Keep faith that where you are today will pass, and better days are ahead.

Daily routines can greatly simplify your work day and personal life, as your day won’t be overly chaotic and complicated, you can group similar tasks together and batch process them, and you can be sure of doing the things you really need to do.

Most importantly, it puts you in control of your day, instead of putting you at the mercy of the ebb and flow of all incoming requests. Without a routine, we have no good way of saying no to requests as they come in, and we are at the beck and call of every person who wants our time. That’s not a good thing, not if you want to get the important things done.

Remember if your routine isn't working, you can make adjustments.  We all need to be flexible and willing to change.  

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 27, Book 12

Life is too short. 

Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness

Laugh when you can. 

Apologize when you should & let go of what you can. 

Take chances. 

Give everything & have no regrets. 

Life is too short to be unhappy. 

You have to take the good with the bad. 

Smile when you're sad. 

Love what you got & always remember what you had. 

Always forgive but never forget.

Learn from your mistakes but never regret. 

People change & things go wrong. but always remember, life goes on.

Unknown

TERRIFIC 2's Tuesday/Life is too short to be perfect! 

Yes, life is too short.  It's true whether we have another 5 minutes or another 50 years to live.  If we live with purpose, whatever time we are given will be exactly the right amount for us to create a beautiful, happy life.  If we don't - if we let life pull us along without choosing to be what we want to be - 1000 years wouldn't be enough.

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

Life is not perfect. We cannot strive for perfection. We can learn from our mistakes, be grateful every day for what we do have and love ourselves unconditionally.  Change, challenges, accidents, tragedy happens to all of us.  How you handle it and bounce back is what creates your amazing character.

Life is too short.  Eat dessert first.  Dine on the good china

That's my 2 for this Tuesday.  Short and imperfect

I hope your Tuesday is a TERRIFIC one!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 26, Book 12

MERRY MONDAY

Grow old along with me

The best is yet to be

The last of life for which the first was made

The times are in His hand

Who saith 'A whole I planned

Youth shows but half...trust God, see all

Nor be afraid.'

Robert Browning

Today we are older than we were yesterday.

Today we are younger than we are going to be tomorrow.

To live well is to age well. To age well is to live well.

The fact is that the longer you live, the more you lose. But as you lose people and things, life becomes even more precious. When you stop taking things for granted, you appreciate and enjoy what you have even more.

Whether you are considered young or old, you are, at this moment, aging.  We are given the gift of life one day at a time.

Many things in life are beyond our control. Rather than stressing out over them we can try to focus on the things we can control such as the way we choose to react to problems. We can face our limitations with dignity and a healthy dose of humor. The glory of a life well-lived is the glory of single days well-lived.

All life is a matter of aging, from beginning to end. 

A key ingredient in the recipe for living well is the continuing ability to find meaning and joy in life. Laughter is strong medicine for both the body and the mind. It helps you stay balanced, energetic, joyful, and healthy. A sense of humor helps you get through tough times, look outside yourself, laugh at the absurdities of life, and transcend difficulties.

It's MERRY Monday for me as I'm celebrating!  This week is SPRING CLEANING week here at my house.  I'll be needing a lot of laughter in my life this week for sure!  Spring cleaning is not as easy as it once was for me.  I'm trying to keep my perspective and be creative as I try to find the joy in each day.

Hope your Monday is a MERRY one!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 25, Book 12

The 7-Ups of Life

 

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day. 

Today is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a SMILE.
A SMILE is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to listen.  

Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
 Proverbs 19:20

4. Stand Up !!

For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything. 

Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap  a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...
Galatians 6:9-10

 5. Look Up !!

To the Lord. 

I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!

For something higher. 

...keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1

7. Lift Up !!

Your Prayers. 

Do not worry about anything;
instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.
Philippians 4:6

Remember the 7-ups of life and may
GOD BLESS YOUR DAY!

 R AND R SUNDAY/ Start the day with a SMILE!

The Seven UPS in Life always make me SMILE!  I know I've shared them with you all before, but just because they always make me smile, I needed to post them again today.

We’ve all heard the old sayings like things always get better and life just has its ups and downs...They are very true.  We need to have gratitude for the good days we experience and when the storm clouds start to roll in, just take a deep breath and smile knowing that we need the rain to make things more beautiful when the sun comes back out and take comfort in knowing that from the beginning of life on earth the clouds always part eventually and the sun comes back out to brighten the day.

Sundays are my day of rest, relaxation, renewal and refreshment.  I celebrate today as a gift from God.

Celebrations are a wonderful part of life. They mark important occasions, milestones and turning points. They provide opportunities to honor the people I love. Every day can be a celebration, for every day is a gift from God.  It's a day I can spend time with family and friends or just pamper myself.  I might even prefer to celebrate in quiet solitude, allowing for a little time of contemplation and prayer.

There is no other day like today. Today holds its own blessings for me, for it is a gift from God. I choose to celebrate this day with joy and enthusiasm. Sundays are a blessing for all of us.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:24

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful Sunday!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 24, Book 12

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. 

Jimmy Johnson

SUPER SATURDAY/ Add a little spice to your life

If you’ve been overlooking the importance of the little things in life, it’s time to add some spice to your life.  The simple and small things in life can add some spice. We have become so accustomed to being entertained at any moment that even the small wonders are not so wonderful anymore. We are busy and stressed and don’t stop to pay mindful attention to the subtle values in life.

Little things are often viewed as being insignificant, but in reality they are very important. They are the spice of life. It is a mistake to be interested only in the main course, the big things, disregarding the need for the little things, the spices. The main course without spice is bland, tasteless, and unsatisfying.

It's also true...variety is the spice of life. And it's important to add spice to your life, both in what you eat and how you live.

Variety does to our lives the same thing that spice does to food. It makes it more fun, more interesting, more meaningful. We need to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.  The little things in life make me SMILE and give me loads of pleasure.They are the extra nip of chili in your soup. The power kicker that will turn every day into one that is exciting and worth living.

Life is extraordinary by nature. However, our daily existence tends to make us forget that within all our experiences lies a little spark that gives each of them a sense of magic and a taste of the miraculous. While our everyday may feel like normal, common, usual and routine, it also holds the possibility to be unique, different, unexpected and extraordinary.

Five little letters separate ordinary from extraordinary:  EXTRA.   And while extra can be defined as outside, in English it also means just a little bit more.  Things like a little extra effort, a little extra time, a little extra help can make all the difference in the world.

Be extraordinary. Live an extraordinary life.  Look for all those little things that spice life up!

Have a SUPER Saturday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 3, Page 23, Book 12

FANTASTIC Friday/ Fantastic Faith

So many people will say,  I’ll believe it when I see it,  but the opposite is just as true, I’ll see it when I believe it.  If you have a strong belief, faith, in something, the action you are taking is having the same thought that is positively charged over and over again.  What you believe in will come to be.

 

Faith always takes us on a journey beyond the obvious and tangible.  Faith does not come easy. While we see and know people for whom faith seems like second nature, for many of us it is a gift that reveals itself only with the utmost diligence and care. 

Life isn’t easy, we all know that. You have to fight for what you want in life. No one will hand it to you on a silver platter. And forget everyone else for a bit, go for what will truly make you happy. Even if that means fighting with everything you’ve got.

Have faith and belief that it will come true.
Because it can, and will :)

There is  profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Faith is a fruit of the spirt. We talk a lot about faith as a gift, but it is also spoken about as a fruit. After it is given you, it is to grow.

The fruits of the Spirit are gifts from God.  Our only job is to tend the soil and give thanks for the harvest

 Life without faith in something is too narrow a space to live.  

George Lancaster Spalding

We exercise our faith every day. We have faith that the sun will give light to our day, that our car will still be parked where we left it, that our money is still in the bank, etc. Our acceptance of these types of things proves that we trust, by faith, in them. You see, we all have a great deal of faith. We are born in innocence and are given to trust, by faith, that which we are taught.

Our only limitation is the degree of conviction in our faith. 

You only need a mustard seed's amount of faith to start

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday - believe it and it will be...

'On Ya'-ma