Chapter 7, Page 31, Book 12

Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it.

 Proverbs 11:27 

TERRIFIC  2's  Tuesday/ Attitude and SMILES

As the above verse implies, we will find the negative if we look for it. Still, the opposite is also true. When we look for the good in people or situations, we really can find it.

Very often I've found that in negative situations, it's my attitude that needs to be changed.  Every day may not be a good one but there is something good in every day and rejoicing in each day does make a difference.

Rejoice is a word that is difficult to translate. The idea of the word is that of finding joy, or the things that bring joy. Someone has suggested that it ought to be translated, Let my last word to you be rejoice. It is a call for the expression of real joy.

Some people are always negative and critical. Nothing ever pleases them. They know no joy, so they give no joy. We need to evaluate our attitude.  Is the world a brighter, happier place because I am here? Will my smile send someone away with a little sunshine in their lives? It ought to.

Studies have pinpointed 18 different kinds of smiles. The most common and recognizable is the smile of enjoyment.

Those are my 2 for this Tuesday:  attitude and SMILES.

May your day be filled with a joyful attitude and lots of SMILES!  

May we have an attitude that makes life easier for ourselves and for those around us.

Have a TERRIFIC  Tuesday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 30, Book 12

In The Garden Hymn

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

MERRY Monday

This was one of my mom's favorite hymns, so naturally when I sing it I think of her.  I'm starting this week off with only good thoughts today.

Mothers and daughters don't always get along, and that was certainly the case with me and my mom.  I loved her dearly but I sure gave her a tough time over the years.

She been gone now for several years and today I only want to remember the best about my mom.  She loved to garden and really did have what they call a green thumb.

She spent many hours gardening and her flowers and vegatable plants all grew and bloomed abundantly.

For many years now I've been trying to Bloom where I've been planted.  With the good Lords help and a lot of faith,  I start everyday fresh and with anticipation.

Being content with who you are and with what you have is a gift to be treasured for sure.

In the garden this morning with a song in my heart.

Have a Merry Monday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 29, Book 12

Start With Yourself

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world. 

Anonymous

R AND R SUNDAY

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Exodus 33:14

Peace, even just a few moments of being truly at ease, seems very, very hard to come by sometimes. There are just too many options for doing something right now!  Slowing down becomes a luxury.

Today our inward peace may be threatened with interruption. A friend may offer a disappointing comment or a message may pop up that invites unkindness.

With the abundance of media channels available these days, I could easily find myself in communication overload with little time for contemplation and silence.

Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.

 Frank Lloyd Wright

Taking those moments to stay at peace are a luxury, but one that most of us can afford.  Truly we cannot afford to go without them.

Peace comes when we decide that it isn't just a luxury -- it is a necessity.  I found out through lots of trial and error that I needed peaceful moments and often a whole day just so I could be the best I could be for the rest of the week.  When I'm tired and weary, there is only one way to change that.  Rest and relaxation are rejuvenating.  They restore my body, mind and soul. 

A single moment of peace can bring waves of change

When I take a few moments to rest, my mind clears and I'm able to think more clearly.  When I take a day, like I usually do on Sundays, I'm renewed.  The daily tasks before me will be done with a lot more ease and certainty.  When I'm refreshed, anything seems possible.

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

Thomas Jefferson

This Sunday I hope you all get some moments to rest and relax.  I wish you all a peace filled day filled with quiet moments of reflection, maybe a nap or doing something you love.  A day to start with yourself.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 28, Book 12

If you can't fly, then run.

If you can't run, then walk.

If you can't walk, then crawl.

But whatever you do, keep moving.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

SUPER SATURDAY/ Keep Moving

Right now I am very glad that I have stairs in my home.  Without them, I'd get little to no exercise here at home.  It's not been good walking weather outdoors.  I had hoped to be outside more this summer, but the heat has kept me inside too many days.

Staying motivated is very important when it comes to accepting challenges and opportunities in life.  Without any motivations we loose our purpose and direction in life

Motivation encourages a person to get going.  It's a boost to those of us who need to accomplish our goals.  

We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths

Walt Disney

Sometimes we lose faith in what we can achieve.  Yes, we all get obstacles in our way, but if we make the effort, we will get there.

We just have to keep moving forward.  If we cannot believe that we will reach our goals then we likely will not.  On the other hand when we just keep moving forward, we will eventually get there.  

I think that if we keep our bodies moving, you also keep your mind moving.  There is an old saying that if you don't use it, you lose it.  So true...  If you don't live life with a purpose you will lack the motivation to keep moving forward.  

We find ourselves moving on, moving up, moving forward  and moving and groovin'.  Moving is important!

Hope you all have a SUPER Saturday. Keep Moving!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 27, Book 12

I take nothing for granted. I now have only good days or great days.

Lance Armstrong

FANTASTIC Friday!

Imagine you have just arrived home after a long day and you fum­ble to unlock the door. When you step in the house you hear an erup­tion of voices calling out Surprise! The house is filled with family and friends, balloons, and more food than you’ve ever seen. Suddenly your plans for the evening have changed, and nothing else matters.

That is how I feel about Fridays!   After a long week, we can look forward to a weekend with family and friends and maybe a few celebrations.  When it's the end of the week, nothing else seems to matter.  We anticipate some time to count as ours for the making.  

No schedules to follow, no reports to be done, no rushing off to work.  Time to share a meal with our families and friends, and time to just to be.

Having made it through another week is worth celebrating for sure!

Hope your Friday is a FANTASTIC one!

Chapter 7, Page 26, Book 12

Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble. 

George Washington

THANKFUL THURSDAY

So often we borrow trouble and cannot use it. It's an old expression, but one some swear they invented. They always borrowing trouble or worrying ahead.

You'll generally observe that when you go to borrow trouble there are already several people at the counter ahead of you waiting for theirs

Whenever we fall into the trap of imagination, worry, or concern over things we cannot change, we are borrowing trouble for ourselves. Worry is expenditure. If you put a penny in your pocket every time you seize a moment of joy, and give it back  every time you worry about something, how many pennies are left in your pocket at the end of the week? Try it.

We are meant to take one day at a time not living in the past or reaching ahead to the unknown future.  The only thing we can change is our outlook.  We cannot change others and often we cannot change our circumstances.

Borrow trouble for yourself, if that's your nature, but don't lend it to your neighbors.

 Borrowing trouble is the last thing we need in our lives. We are to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow

When I reflect on those times that I spent fretting over a situation. usually something out of my control, I wonder how much of that time could have been spent finding joy. I wonder how many times I missed hearing a bird sing or watching a beautiful sunset. How many times did I miss the music in the laughter of a child? As I grow a little older and wiser, I realize it is the small things of joy that should take priority over needless worry.

God never promises an easy life, but He does promise a blessed life.

I don't want to look back and say, I didn't know how good I had it. I do know how good I have it. 

So this Thankful Thursday,  I'm grateful for a life full of blessings that keep me from borrowing trouble. When you count your blessings and are thankful for them life looks a whole lot brighter.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 25, Book 12

You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-range failures. 

Charles C. Noble

Wonderful Wednesday 

Photographer Anne Geddes has made an art form out of taking pictures of sleeping babies. Her photos evoke smiles. Nothing is a better image of peace than a sleeping child.

But between naps and nighttime, caring for children is an exhausting and relentless responsibility. In their innocence and enthusiasm, children can get themselves into life threatening situations in no time. 

After a hectic day of chasing, entertaining, protecting, feeding, dressing, guarding, guiding, and making peace between squabbling siblings, parents are eager for bedtime. After the toys are put away and the pajamas are put on, the sleepy toddler slows down, cuddles with mom or dad for a bedtime story, and finally falls asleep. 

Later, before putting themselves to bed, parents check on their children one more time to make sure all is peaceful in dreamland. The serene beauty of a sleeping child makes all the day’s frustrations worthwhile.

Having a daughter with a little one that requires regular feedings, I know that she is very often up at least 2 times during the night.  She has learned to adapt her sleeping with his and knows how important it is to sleep when he sleeps.

Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment. 

 Dale Carnegie

We all get frustrated with things now and then, but they can be worthwhile in the long run.  Frustration can make you angry and then you loose your temper.  There are healthier ways to deal with our frustrations.  There is little in life that we can control, but we can choose how we respond to the difficulties we encounter.

We can choose to be kind to those around us, no matter how much they tend to frustrate us instead of being caught up in our own needs.  If I try saying I Love You without any expectations, just like a mom with a baby sleeping peacefully, it makes me feel like my frustrations are worth while. 

I was feeling a little frustrated with some changes going on here, but I know that life means change and I've accepted it now and am definitely feeling more peaceful about things.

Peace is wonderful feeling and because I've chosen to accept and adapt to the changes and move on, my life will be more fulfilling.  Life is filled with changing circumstance.  Nothing, absolutely nothing ever stays the same.  In fact in some  situations can change as often as the weather. 

Time goes by too quickly and there just isn't any time to wasted on negative emotions.

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion.  I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.  

Kurt Vonnegut

I hope your Wednesday is a wonderful one!  Be at peace, take a deep breath and smile.

'On Ya'- ma

Chapter 7, Page 24, Book 12

A little story called The Crow And The Jug

A crow half dead with thirst came upon a jug which had some water at the bottom. But it soon found out that it could not reach down far enough to get at it. He tried and tried but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought came to him and he took a pebble and dropped it into the jug. Then he took another pebble and dropped it in as well. Then he took another one and kept at it. Slowly but surely as the pebbles were dropped in the water began to rise slowly. At last he saw the water come right up near him. After casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life. 

The moral of the story.....little by little is the way to go!

TERRIFIC 2'S TUESDAY...little by little

Nothing gets done at my house without taking little steps any more.  Little steps to clear the clutter, little steps to clean the house, little steps to do the yard work.  Everything gets done eventually, but it's always a little at a time. They say that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Sometimes I take two steps forward and then 10 steps backward.  

I have learned that for me, shortcuts don't work and that I have to be patient; doing things one step at a time.  I know that if you break things up into small parts and take one step at a time, you will succeed.

If you’re stuck, ask yourself, What’s the smallest step I can take right now to move me forward?

The Truth is, accomplishing anything significant requires many small steps which add up to the completion of a project.  Small things do add up.

I have to remind myself of this every day, every moment, that teeny steps make a huge difference. In fact, it’s the only way to get anything done.  Every bit of effort helps. Every small step counts.

That is my two for this Tuesday: tiny steps DO bring you a significant and BIG impact.  You’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily you get that BIG job done!

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday

'On Ya'- ma

Chapter 7, Page 23, Book 12

Morning has broken, like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven

Like the first dewfall, on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, Eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise every morning

God's recreation of the new day

MERRY MONDAY

Morning Has Broken is a popular and well known hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeonand and is set to a traditonal Gaelic tune known as Bunessan.  Lots of famous singers have recorded this song over the years.  I know it because we sing it in church.

There is nothing like a gorgeous sunrise and a familiar hymn to start of a new week.

May the God who makes each morning like creation's first morning, give us grace to greet every day in the light of the Resurrection morning, to grasp its unique opportunity with eager hands, to experience it as gift and calling before demand, and so to pass it on as a gift to others.

Have a MERRY MONDAY EVERYONE!

'On Ya'-ma