Chapter 9, Page 30, Book 13

It's a strange thing, but when you are dreading something, and would give anything to slow down time, it has a disobliging habit of speeding up.  

J.K. Rowling

It is very hard to believe that today is the last day of September.  Where did the month go to.  Just yesterday we celebrated Labor Day weekend and now we are about to emerge into pumpkin season.  

We have had some beautiful weather and even though I had to turn the heat on a few nights, for the most part it has just been wonderful.  Cool nights, warm afternoons.  We have had a few showers, but nothing to complain about. For the most part it has been blue skies.  

What will October bring?  One thing I know for sure…it will bring more days.  We don't know just what they will hold, but that is the JOY of waking up each morning.  Each day brings something new.

The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.  ~C.S. Lewis

Chapter 9, Page 29, Book 13

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.  Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.  

Henry L. Doherty

Living is like an endless education, and I learn something new every day.   I learn by doing. I try what I have not tried before, and I take risks, knowing I may not always succeed. But I will always learn.

I can remember the relief that I felt after I graduated from school.  Little did I realize that the lessons didn't stop there.  Life is and always will be my best teacher.  I get caught up in wondering what new thing I'll learn today. 

There have been times too, that I've pursued learning. I've taken many classes on various subjects from Scripture studies  to art and the reason I've taken them is because I've wanted to learn more.  Not that I didn't already know something, but that I wanted more.

No matter how you learn, I think the important thing is that you never quit learning.

Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.  

Vernon Howard

Chapter 9, Page 28, Book 13

Besides the autumn poets sing,

A few prosaic days

A little this side of the snow

And that side of the haze...

Grand me, O Lord, a sunny mind,

Thy windy will to bear!

Emily Dickinson

The season of Autumn is a season of change.  We see it everywhere. Along with the changes in nature there are other changes in our lives that are occurring too.  Summer brought many more relaxing times with holidays and vacations and now our days are more routine and disciplined.  It won't be until Thanksgiving that we'll have another holiday to celebrate and for those that work, some time off to relax awhile.  

The days ahead are full of preparation for colder weather.  While it's nice that some can simply go south for the winter, here at my house I don't have that option.  There is yard work to do and the patio furniture and the water hoses have to be stored away, There will be lots of leaf raking. There's getting out the blankets that were put away for the summer, and for me changing the clothing around too.  Summer wear will be replaced with warmer clothing. 

It's up to me to find the good in every situation, even with lots of changes going on and  I've found that the best thing we can do for ourselves and sometimes the hardest, is to change our attitude right along with changing out everything else. Life is not about what happens to you but what you happen to do with it.

Autumn is the hush before winter. 

French Proverb

Chapter 9, Page 27, Book 13

The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us, and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.

George Eliot

Those Golden Moments….

Life offers many free moments of happiness, what I like to call those golden moments, and instead of focusing on things that cost both money and peace of mind, I'm doing the best I can to focus on those free moments we wouldn't trade for anything.

We've had some really beautiful fall days here this week and each one of them have been golden.

The mornings start of cool, but warm up wonderfully during the day.  I have even turned the oven on to bake things I haven't had since the summer days got too hot to do so.  The smells of cinnamon and spice are rampant though out the house as I've been burning my scented candles that cast off a golden glow when evening comes.  And evening has been coming much sooner than it was.

I don't want to let any of these golden moment slip by me.  I hope you all are enjoying many golden moments too.  Focus on the beauty of fall and have a golden weekend!

Chapter 9, Page 26, Book 13

HAPPIEST DAY? 

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, Why is the bride dressed in white?

Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life, her mother tried to explain, keeping it simple. 

The child thought about this for a moment, then said, So why's the groom wearing black?

Colors are so important to us and the little joke expresses it well.

White being the color of happiness and black meaning just the opposite.

This time of year all the leaves change from green to vibrant shades of red, orange and gold.   Colorful  leaves brings to mind memories for nearly everyone who lives. I got to wondering what significance color makes in my life and was reminded of a quote that says, You can't hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life. … 

Most of us have a favorite color or prefer some colors over others. This is because they can affect our moods so we surround ourselves in the colors that have a positive impact on our mood.

Red can boost your energy, yellow often makes people feel happier, and blue is proven to bring down blood pressure and slow your heart rate which is why it is often associated with being relaxing. If you combine the happiness of yellow and the relaxing feel of blue you get green, a very pleasing color for many people.

Looking at the colors of autumn I can see why they have such great significance…Yellow signifies feelings of warmth, excitement, happiness,  Red means glowing, confidence, and alive, and Orange means radiant, healthy, and serious.

Who doesn't want to feel exciting, happy, confident, alive, radiant and healthy?

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

the rose is out of town. . .

The Maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown,

Lest I should be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.

Emily Dickinson

Chapter 9, Page 25, Book 13

Things To Remember

I find what I look for in people. If I look for God, I find God. If I look for bad qualities, I find them. I, in a sense, select what I expect, and I receive it.

A life without challenges would be like going to school without lessons to learn. Challenges come not to depress or get me down, but to master and to grow and to unfold thereby.

In the Father's wise and loving plan for me, no burden can fall upon me, no emergency can arise, no grief can overtake me, before I am given the grace and strength to meet them.

A rich, full life is not determined by outer circumstances and relationships. These can be contributory to it, but cannot be the source. I am happy or unhappy because of what I think and feel.

I can never lose anything that belongs to me, nor can I posses what is not really mine.

To never run from a problem: either it will chase me or I will run into another just like it, although it may have a different face or name.

To have no concern for tomorrow. Today is the yesterday over which I had concern.

To never bang on a closed door: Wait for it to open and then go through it.

A person who has come into my life has come either to teach me something, or to learn something from me.

Author Unknown

There are days that my memory fails me.  I'm so thankful that I keep notes and mark everything down on my calendar.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I thought it was my day to watch one of my grandchildren so I got up early and got ready.  When the time came, no one came, so I checked my calendar.  Sure enough, it is next week that I watch him

Well, I was all ready to start my day much earlier than I usually do, so I'm thinking that was a good thing.  Maybe there is a good reason, I was meant to start my day early. Most of the time things to happen for a reason.

Even with my calendar handy, there are still times that I forget and its those time I really feel badly about.  Missed appointments throw everyone's day off.  What can you do except to apologize, make a new date and move on.

They say the two things that make us forget the most are stress and lack of sleep.  Not so in my case.  I'm rarely stressed and always get plenty of sleep. So really I have no excuse.  I'll just have to trust that,  whatever the reason, it was meant to be.

Chapter 9, Page 24, Book 13

They who are of the opinion that Money will do everything, may very well be suspected to do everything for Money.  

George Savile,

Is money my servant or am I a slave to money?

For the past couple of weeks my morning devotions have centered on money so I felt like I was meant to share just a few thoughts regarding riches with you all today.  

When it comes to living a life that is rich, we should know that it takes more than money. It has to include work that is meaningful and relationships that nourish.

The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings and not his cash.  

Author Unknown

When I think about being rich, I think about living a life full of love.  Loving means giving and I'm one who loves to give.  I have never had a lot of money and sometimes think that maybe that is because I'm not a good manager of it.  Money to me is only necessary to survive and provide things that I can give to others.  Mostly my giving is to my family, but I do set aside some for my church and for the poor.   I'm not wealthy, but I am rich

It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy.  

George Horace Lorimer

I'm rich in family, in friends, in having all I ever really need.  I do have a lot to be thankful for and every day brings more and more gifts into my life.  So I do think that money is my slave, I hope to never be it's servant.

Money does not make you rich in the things that are important.  

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.  

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 23, Book 13

 

The falling leaves drift by my window...

When the trees let go of their leaves in the fall, they remind us to unwind and let go of stress.  As we watch leaves fluttering to the ground in the fall, we are reminded that nature's cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn is a time for letting go and releasing things that have been a burden. 

It is hard to let go, even though there are times in life when it may be appropriate or necessary.  Life is always constant rhythm between gain and loss, coming and going; springing up and falling away, getting and giving. As the leaves fall and are swept away  we can allow unwanted thoughts and feelings to leave as well .

The leaves fall and the bare branches remind us of the fleeting nature of all things, that nothing lasts forever..  They also remind us to that the season of change is here.  By letting go of the old we can make room for the new.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. 

John Muir 

Chapter 9, Page 22, Book 13

Sorrow and scarlet leaf, 

Sad thoughts and sunny weather. 

Ah me, this glory and this grief 

Agree not well together!

Thomas Parsons, 1880, A Song For September

It seems that every year at this same time, I begin to feel a little sad.  The shorter days are already affecting me.  I go to bed early and get up late.  It's like my body is following the rhythms of the sun.  I'm so effected by the lack of daylight that there are days in the depth of winter, I seem to do nothing much but sleep.  I could go easily into an almost animal like state of hibernation.  

Yet, there are so many wonderful things about fall, that there truly is a mixture of sad thoughts and sunny weather going on inside my mind. There is both beauty and sadness in Autumn.  In the fall we tend to get a lot of rain and gloomy days, but then we'll get a wonderfully sunny day with the bluest of blue skies and the leaves seem to pop with color everywhere.  These are the days that I'm thankful that the Autumn season has arrived and the days I want to be outside.  The days of porch sitting are almost a thing of the past here and so I've decorated my swing with a wreath for color.  

 It’s such an odd time of year, when the fresh joys of one season are brought up flush against the cozy yearnings of the other.  It's a time of year when the oven will come on and smells of good cooking will permeate my house.  It's a time when pumpkins, mums and leaves fill my world with a colorful display

I'm going to try to embrace this bittersweet season as I do most, doing the best I can with what I've got.

Happy Fall to Y'All!  

May your Autumn days be filled with color and vitality, gratitude and grace.

Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to Spring.

 Anonymous

Chapter 9, Page 21, Book 13

Our brightest blazes are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. 

Samuel Johnson 

It's true that you cannot start a fire without a little spark.  Matter of fact it's hard to start anything unless something sparks our attention.  Even our cars won't start without a spark.

The image of a spark is full of meaning and so symbolic. When we say we have lost our spark for life we are in a very difficult situation, there is no energy flowing in us and find no motivation to do anything. We need sparks to make us feel like singing and dancing.  Sparks that get us going.  

There are so many different kinds of sparks - a spark of kindness, of love, of support, of understanding, of comfort, of light, of hope, of meaning and so much more. 

Unexpected sparks in my life have almost blown me away with their intensity.  Little things are often the best of things.  Ordinary days can be the most wonderful ones.

 

A spark of kindness starts a fire of love. 

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 20, Book 13

The first rule in keeping a diary or journal is that there are no rules. A way to organize, remember, and create, a journal says, I am.

Author Unknown

I always like to think of my blog as my online journal.  I record thoughts, words and events that have some significance in my life here on these pages.

Keeping a journal is recommended as a very good and healthy thing to do. Getting words down can help clear your head of thoughts and ideas that are creating a confusion. While there is some overlap in what we do from year to year, there can never be close comparisons because today is so much different from yesterday, the day before and every day in the past.

Just for fun, I thought I'd take a look back and see what I did write on this date in the past.

In 2011 I wrote

Every day is my best day; this is my life; I'm not going to have this moment again.

Bernie Siegel

We talk about the days that were just the best days of our lives and I often think the day I got married or had a baby were some of my best days.  But I've learned that every day can be the best day of your life if you choose to make it one.

The best day of the week is TODAY, of course. Yesterdays are lost forever, and we know only too well that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.

I remember a story of a little girl who came running downstairs one morning, lighthearted as only a child can be. She rushed into the kitchen and noticed that her mother wore a grim expression.

Mommy, she said, aren't you happy?

Why certainly I'm happy, her mother replied.Well, said the little girl,

you certainly haven't told your face yet

Some people squander time and some people squander money and even more people squander both. That's just plain stupid. I've found that if you treat everyday as a gift,  you'll spend your time more productively. You begin every day with a blank canvas. You're an artist and you have complete control over how you spend the day. Grab your brush and start painting.  Ralph Waldo Emerson warned, One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical, decisive hour. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year

The potential to live your best life starts with each new morning. With every sunrise, you can choose to approach the day with an attitude of faith and expectancy

While today will not be perfect, with challenges and distractions, it is up to us to make this day our own and leave our mark on it.  And so I have.  I've added a new page to this chapter of my life.

Looking back is fun sometimes, but it's today that is important!

Chapter 9, Page 19, Book 13

Life is sometimes like a game of hide and seek: happiness is hiding and you are it

In the game of hide and seek, children are delighted to find their hiding playmates. It may take many minutes and several searches before all the players are found, but once the last one is discovered, all regroup and start again

I can't even begin to tell you the many times I've had to regroup and start all over again.  It may have been starting over again in a new job, or starting over again when I lost loved ones, or simply starting all over when I spilt the milk all over the floor.  

There are times too that it seems like the goals I pursue are hidden from me, just out of reach.  Finding happiness is like a never ending game of hide and seek. We may find happiness in one thing at one moment than it hides itself again in a different place for us to seek once more.

In some ways life is like a game of Hide-n-seek; we are all either hiding from God or seeking Him.

You can look high and look low, but wherever we are, God is always there.  

Chapter 9, Page 18, Book 13

I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge. 

Grant Hill

The quote above may have been made by Grant Hill, but it reflects my feelings as well.  I did grow up respecting those in authority. I was taught to obey my parents and teachers and really any adult that I knew.  

Those in authority often get bad rap these days. Children don’t like authority, teenagers hate authority, and adults reluctantly learn to live with it. 

Whether it is those in our family, our local, state or federal governments, or in our work places, we all come under some kind of authority.   

 In my scripture studies the other day I was reminded to pray and even give thanks for people in authority over us. Authority, wisely used, can bring peace into our lives. 

Our actions and our attitudes toward authority make a big difference.  We can choose to pray for those with authority over us and bless them.  We can respond to situations that upset us with prayer for forgiveness and understanding.   

Please join me in praying for those in authority.  May they be wise and just.  Using their authority for the good of all.  

The family is the most basic unit of government. As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family establishes society's most basic values. 

Charles Caleb Colton

Chapter 9, Page 17, Book 13

It’s better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong

than a pessimist who is always right.

Author Unknown

I'll be the first to say that I'm not right about a lot of things.  There have been days in my life that I seem to make a mistake of some kind every time I turn around.

Still, I can't help but be optimistic. Every second of every minute is a chance to make a new beginning.  Every moment brings changes and each new moment is a gift of life.  To have life and the opportunity to make the most of every moment is a blessing

Taking advantage of every moment does not mean that we have to do things perfectly or to be right all the time.  It means not letting the small things bother us and loving the simple things in life.

Every day we come face to face with dozens of little choices, opportunities hidden in between all the moments in our lives and we have the power to choose whether to take advantage of each moment or to choose not to. Every opportunity is beautiful and unique.  Even though bad things happen, we can choose how we react to them.

I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour.  I dripped it carelessly, Ah!  I didn't know, I held opportunity.  

Hazel Lee

Chapter 9, Page 16, Book 13

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. 

Mother Teresa

Just the other day one of my DIL's said much the same thing to me.  She said, I know God isn't suppose to give us any problems we can't handle…but...  She's been having a lot of sleepless nights because her daughter is cutting teeth right now and not sleeping much at all during the night.

You never know what you've got until it's gone.  

Author Unknown

We don't think of how much sleep means to us until we don't get much.  Having had 7 children I know that sleepless nights are part of being a mom.  You learn to catch a nap or to sleep when they are sleeping if you can.

It would be wonderful if life had no problems, but along with death and taxes, I can say that problems are a part of life.

We learn to roll with the punches as much as possible.  Nothing is ever going to last forever.  I know with certainty that there is going to be a time in my DIL's life that she'll be looking back at this time of sleepless nights and wish that all her problems could be this simple.  

I know that I look back to the times my children were small and remember what carefree days they truly were.

With little ones the problems are small, when they get older the problems will get bigger. The older I get, I've found that there are no problems in life that our dear Lord can't handle.  He does a great job of taking care of what I can't.  I just put all my troubles in a basket and then hand them over to Him.  No matter what comes before and regardless of what follows, God is always there, always in the present. No matter when. No matter where.

God gave burdens, also shoulders.  

Yiddish Proverb

Chapter 9, Page 15, Book 13

When the goldenrod is yellow, 

And leaves are turning brown - 

Reluctantly the summer goes 

In a cloud of thistledown.

When squirrels are harvesting 

And birds in flight appear - 

By these autumn signs we know 

September days are here.

 Beverly Ashour, September

I was so taken by the abundance of wild flowers here that I had to share some pictures. They don't really do justice to how bright and beautiful it truly was. One of our family outings recently took us to a park for a family birthday celebration.  It was such a beautiful setting.    Nature never fails to delight and amaze me.  

I don't think I've ever seen a field of flowers quite like this one.  The brilliance was quite breathtaking.  We had use of a pavilion for the day and it was tucked back in a corner of the park for privacy too.  The only other people we saw were using the pathway through the field.  It was such a nice day that it did bring people out that were looking for some exercise and what a place they had to enjoy it all.

Now if you are an allergy sufferer, this might not be the place you'd want to be as along with the goldenrod there was also ragweed, which does cause a lot of problems.  Thankfully we all enjoyed the day and no one was forced to leave due to their allergies.

Fall is really becoming a reality here and part of fall is the beautiful colors we enjoy.  I'm thankful for such glorious days.  This is one picture I know I'll be putting on my desktop to see me through a lot of dark and dreary winter days.

Chapter 9, Page 14, Book 13

Tis the last rose of summer, 

Left blooming alone; 

All her lovely companions 

Are faded and gone.

Thomas Moore, The Last Rose of Summer, 1830

My delightful rose bush by the patio in the back yard has provided such beauty year after year.  I happened to take this picture of it just a few days ago. 

Truly every thing is fading here and thankfully that included some extremely hot days here last week.  The weekend is pleasantly cool and refreshing.

By all these lovely tokens 

September days are here, 

With summer’s best of weather 

And autumn’s best of cheer.

Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885

I'm not a big fan of winter, but the first day of fall will be very welcome here.  I've done some decorating here and have a new mum plant sitting on the porch for color, but it can quite compete with the roses.  They aren't fall like in color at all, but they are brilliant!

Roses always remind me to slow down and take the time enjoy the beauty all around me and to appreciate the simple things in life -- to 'Stop and smell the roses'

What a pity flowers can utter no sound!—A singing rose, a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle ...  oh, what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be!

Henry Ward Beecher 

Chapter 9, Page 13, Book 13

If you can recognize the need for improvement, 

things are already improving.

Author Unknown

Improvement:  something that enhances value or excellence

Almost everyone tries at one time or another to improve things.  We try to improve our lives, our health, our homes, our memory, our circumstances, and relationships.

We try to improve our performance in order to make the most of our time.  Many multi-task in order to get more done.  

Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's just the age I am, but I've found that multi tasking is something I cannot do or at least I cannot do it and be successful.

I've been taking things one day at a time for quite awhile now.  Along with that, in order to improve anything I need to concentrate on one thing at a time.  If I try to do more than one thing at a time, I find myself doing only half a job and it takes me twice as long.  It may well be that the key to any improvement is to stay focused on your goal.

 Improvement begins with I. 

Arnold Glasow

In order to improve most any situation, I have to first start with myself.  If I don't have the right attitude, nothing is going to improve.  A positive attitude can improve your health and enhance your life.  Changing and improving our attitude can help us change the way we see and do things. A positive attitude can reduce tiredness, improve moods, and reduces anxiety.  

The biggest room in the world, is the room for improvement. 

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 12, Book 13

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. 

 Michael Leunig

Cartoons are simple and interesting, and can teach us a lot about life. Looking back, it turns out we learned quite a few valuable lessons from some of our favorite cartoon characters

One good example is the character Charlie Brown.  He sticks up for the little guy, puts up with Snoopy’s tricks, doesn’t try to take Linus’ blanket away like Lucy does, and picks the meekest of Christmas trees. His life reflects love. And in the end, the entire Peanuts gang tells us  what love is. It’s walking hand in hand, visiting a sick friend, meeting someone by the pencil sharpener, and loaning your best comic books.

Love is an action that brings people into relationship. Love is an act of kindness toward everyone. 

I'm thankful for people in my life that I can say I love you to, and another day to do it all over again.

Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart.  

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 11, Book 13

911. 

For years, those numbers simply meant a call for help. Now they also remind us of September 11, 2001, the date of the worst terrorist attack on the United States of America and one of the deadliest days ever on American soil.

September 11th. should be, for all of us, a day of prayer for peace in this world. It should be a day for quiet remembrance and reflection as we seek to find and live in the ways of peace

Please join me in praying The Peace Prayer which is attributed to the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi:

Today, Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

   Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

   Where there is injury, pardon;

   Where there is doubt, faith;

   Where there is despair, hope;

   Where there is darkness, light, and

   Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

   Grant that I may not so much seek

   To be consoled as to console;

   To be understood as to understand;

   To be loved as to love;

   For it is in giving that we receive;

   It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and

   It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

May peace reign on earth and in our hearts.

Chapter 9, Page 10, Book 13

The price of anything

is the amount of life you exchange for it.

Henry David Thoreau

I have paid the price…

I had a large family and certainly paid the price for that…Others thought we were crazy wanting and having so many children, but believe me when I say it was worth the price…

I'm retired and I paid the price to do so…  I worked many many years to be able to do so.  I continue to pay the price too as I have to live a life below what some people call average just to do so.  Money only goes so far and even though my life is a frugal one, it is well worth it.

For those that know, a great price was paid for all of us just so we can have hope .

The price you are willing to pay may not be the same as what I am,  and we all have things we won't pay any price for too. Being criticized for living you life as you see fit isn't easy either.  The question is really al about how much you are willing to pay for what you want in life.

Making up your mind as to what is worth the price pretty much does determine how you live your life.

Chapter 9, Page 9, Book 13

DS#5 with our little Mr. Wonderful at his 3rd birthday party last weekend.

Recipe For Life

4 cups of Love

2 cups of Loyalty

3 cups of Forgiveness

1 cup of Friendship

5 spoons of Hope

2 spoons of Tenderness

4 quarts of Faith

1 barrel of Laughter

Take Love and Loyalty, mix it thoroughly with Faith. 

Blend it with Tenderness, Kindness & Understanding. 

Sprinkle abundantly with Laughter.

Bake it with Sunshine.

 Serve daily with Generous helpings.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. 

Cynthia Ozick

It's true we take a lot for granted. Our hearts beat an extraordinary 100,000 times a day. There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in our body. There are 100 million light sensitive cells on the retina of our eyes. Our brains can make thousands of calculations in a second while only using the same amount of power as a 10 watt bulb. We can distinguish over 4000 smells and we can see stars that are million of miles away. In the middle of all these interesting statistics we have our own unique finger print and DNA print. Scientists believe that human DNA carries about 25,000 protein-coding genes. 

Each gene may be thought of as a recipe you'd find in a cookbook. Some are recipes for creating physical features, like brown eyes or curly hair. Our bodies are truly extraordinary and yet we often trivialise much of what we do because we simply take so much for granted. Everything around us just doesn't happen. We are part of God's tapestry, God's unique masterpiece. What a shame if we take it all for granted.

Been taken for granted? Imagine how God feels. 

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 8, Book 13

Whether one is twenty, forty, sixty, or eighty; whether one has succeeded, failed or just muddled along - life begins each morning! The greatest fact in life is that it is never too late to start again. Biography simply overflows with inspiring examples of this truth. However discouraging your days may have been, keep this thought burning brightly in your mind: life begins each morning!

L.M. Hodges

Look on the lighter, brighter side of life.

Looking out my window one morning I saw that to my right the sun was shining, and a few fluffy white clouds were passing by, the promise of a gorgeous summer day and to my left the clouds were dark and gloomy. That view outside made me think about the choices we have every day. We can look at the gloomy side of life, or we can focus on a positive attitude as much as possible. 

If we let ourselves dwell too long on heartache, sadness, and circumstances beyond our control , we will become sad and bitter people. These days are a vapor, a passing breeze. This will eventually pass.  Maintaining a sense of humor has helped me navigate life’s challenges.  If I am troubled or worried, I treat myself gently and lighten up. 

Rememeber:  take every opportunity to laugh, especially at yourself, because it will improve your health and you will enjoy your life much more.

This bright, new day... complete with 24 hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes… a perfectly matched set of 1440 minutes.This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced or refunded. Handle with care. Make the most of it. There is only one to a customer.

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 7, Book 13

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. 

Nelson Mandela

Getting back to the basics

Like most, I've had my moments of deep discouragement, but because the I was taught some very basic principals, I have to say, that I've been able to cross over those hurdles and move on.

Think about how flowing water finds its way around obstacles. The tallest mountain cannot block it. The deepest valley cannot contain it. Water persistently moves through the smallest cracks and openings. It evaporates and returns as rain or freezes and expands on land. In time, even jagged rocks are worn smooth by the flow of water.

In the flow of life, love always finds a way. Love can help people overcome the worst of situations in life.  Without love in our lives more and more we find ourselves doubting our abilities and we tend to give up too easily.

I know the best motivation in my life is my family.  There are a lot of things I've been able to accomplish because of them  I've also done some things I never dreamed of doing.  The power of love works in wondrous ways.

Love will always find a way!

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. 

Henry Ford