Chapter 9, Page 30, Book 15

Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love.

Leo Buscaglia

September 30th - Love is a gift that is free.

There are bad times, but thats okay, just look for the love in it, don't burn the day away.

Dave Matthews Band

What is the greatest gift of love? It’s not diamonds, flowers, or chocolate. The greatest gift of love you can give is focused attention.  The essence of relationships is how much of ourselves we give to each other.  People want your attention. They want your focus. They want to know that you think they matter. Nothing can replace time

Everyone has a gift for something, even if it is the gift of being a good friend.

Marian Anderson

We need to look for opportunities to show attention to the people in our life. That is the greatest gift of love we can give! But don’t just wait for it to happen; make opportunities to show attention.

Love is the only gift that’s acceptable to give away as soon as you get it.

Jarod Kintz

Take time to thank God for His love and all the people who love you! It is His gift to you and, I believe, one of the most valuable gifts that you will ever receive.

Remember:  Love is a gift, not a reward for performance.

Chapter 9, Page 29, Book 15

Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.

William Arthur Ward

September 29 - forgiveness, the better way

Love is an electric blanket with somebody else in control of the switch. 

Cathy Carlyle

Because I love, there are times that others do have some control over what I do.  I do things, I wouldn’t otherwise do because of my love for them.  I make meals and bake cakes for them.  I send out cards and gifts because I love them.  

What power has love but forgiveness?
In other words
by its intervention
what has been done
can be undone.
What good is it otherwise? 

William Carlos Williams

I say lots of prayers for them, but no one can force me to forgive. Forgiveness is a choice I make when I am ready to release the burden of anger, pain, and shame. I forgive when I believe there is a better way. 

Forgiving is love’s toughest work, and love’s biggest risk. If you twist it into something it was never meant to be, it can make you a doormat or an insufferable manipulator. Forgiving seems almost unnatural. Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do. But forgiving is love’s power to break nature’s rule. 

Lewis B. Smedes

Lots of bad things can be forgiven when we decide it is a better way to live and Love is the excellent way. 

Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. 

Anonymous

Chapter 9, Page 28, Book 15

F.R.O.G.

Forever Rely On God

September 28 - love is reliable

Some of us pray demands. Some of us pray complaints. Some of us pray knowing, and some of us pray not knowing. But prayer is the attitude that you hold in your heart.

Iyanla Vanzant

I would say that when I pray, it is because I rely on God.  My faith has taught me to trust that prayers are always answered and that sometimes the answer is not the one we wanted or in the timely manner we expected.

Prayer is an attitude of the heart. 

Larry Dossey

Our attitude of our heart is vital for it determines how we view God, ourselves, and others.  Prayer reveals our heart.  It is in these private moments with God where what is most important or of highest priority is revealed.  Prayer is a life attitude.

The essence of prayer is not so much the words on our lips but the attitude of our hearts.  I think that if love fills your heart, then you have the right attitude.

Prayer is talking with God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

 Josh McDowell 

I happened to come across this FROG jam this past week on one of my visits to a farmers market, it’s made from Figs, Raspberries, Oranges and Ginger.  I thought it was a good morning to have some on my toast.

Forever 

Rely 

On 

God

Chapter 9, Page 27, Book 15

All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.

Leo Tolstoy

September 27 - Let nature perform its magic.

The serenity of the autumn air surrounds me.

We all get emotional occasionally, or lose our temper once in a while. But if you are out of balance in either one of these areas, it is very important to get back in balance if you want your day to go right.

Love is a canvas furnished by Nature 

To restore harmony in our lives I think we need to try to focusing attention on the present moment. In nature, we can listen to the sounds of birds singing and notice the beauty of the landscape and these first few fall days have been just beautiful here.

For most areas of my life, the only thing holding me back from achieving my goals is me. I know what I should do and  what I could do,  but when it comes right down to it, excuses slip in and override my good intentions.

Today is a good day to go out on the porch where I can feel the calmness of autumn settling in.. Sitting on the porch watching the leaves fall off the trees is an awesome way to clear my mind. Autumn brings a feeling of quiet contentment.

There is some magic to be found in the way the earth changes from green to golden and the way the leaves look like fairies descending sleepily from trees in the early morning sun.

Chapter 9, Page 26, Book 15

If you and the people with whom you are engaged are willing to dance with the infinite potential dimensions of truth, you can move to a place where you actively explore all perspectives to find common ground and creative solutions. 

Dwight Frindt

September 26 - Love takes a different view

When we begin creating our life from a perspective of love, instead of being fearful, anxious, angry or in denial about what is, we can be filled with joy about what we can now do.

Top 10 Creative Rules of Thumb

1. The best way to get great ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away. 

2. Create ideas that are 15 minutes ahead of their time...not light years ahead.

 3. Always look for a second right answer.

 4. If at first you don't succeed, take a break.

 5. Write down your ideas before you forget them.

 6. If everyone says you are wrong, you're one step ahead. If everyone laughs at you, you're two steps ahead.

 7. The answer to your problem preexists. You need to ask the right question to reveal the answer.

 8. When you ask a dumb question, you get a smart answer. 

9. Never solve a problem from its original perspective. 

10. Visualize your problem as solved before solving it.

Charles Chic Thompson

Take time to think about your perspective of love. Be aware of how you give and receive it. Don't expect from others what you are not willing to give to yourself. Remember, love is not expressed in what money can buy, but rather in the intangibles that last a lifetime. 

Be creative and take a different view

The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective. 

Al Neuharth

Chapter 9, Page 25, Book 15

Live and let go. Do not be held down by what you can't control.

Author Unknown

September 25 - mind over matter

Our minds have the capacity to do amazing things. They can imagine, memorize, reason, and choose. We use them to solve complex problems, to imagine new possibilities, and to enjoy the beauty of a sunrise. What an awesome gift!

However there are various points in our lives, all of us feel we’re getting out of our depth or in over our heads. There are problems all around: A job is lost, someone dies, there is strife in the family, or a bad report comes from the doctor. When these things happen, our temptation is to panic because we feel we’ve lost control.

But think about it: The truth is that we’ve never been in control when it comes to life’s most crucial elements.

When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.

So here is a little plan to help you keep watch on your mind. Step One is to fill it with thoughts about the good Lord every morning and at regular points throughout the day. Step Two is … well, there is no Step Two. When I start to worry about my loved ones, I put them in the hands that can do what I cannot do.  

Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway . 

Mary C. Crowley 

Chapter 9, Page 24, Book 15

Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile

William Cullen Bryant

September 24th - Winter is coming, but autumn gives us time to prepare for loss – of light and warmth, of love and life.

Autumn is the perfect time to take account of what we’ve done, what we didn’t do, and what we’d like to do next year.

Author Unknown

Do you ever wish that life was like a vending machine? It would be so easy if we could just put in the correct amount of work and prayers, push the right button, and watch everything come out exactly as we have planned.

But sometimes even vending machines get jammed, and we end up with something we don’t want. Or nothing at all.  Some people get so angry that they shake or kick the misbehaving machine. Unfortunately, this rarely works, and they are left even more frustrated. They still end up with whatever they got.

Taking some time to consider how you react when life doesn’t hand you what you have ordered, makes your realize just how important our attitudes really are.

Autumn is more than just a season; it's a state of mind! 

I am in awe of nature’s consistency. Every autumn, the earth begins its cycle of release, rest, and replenishment. Winter is a time for rest. Then comes the rebirth of spring. By summer, flowers are in full bloom.The gentle shift in Earth's axis signals more than changes to the leaves. It calls us toward preparation for cooler days leading into wintry nights.  

Remember: If you smile and enjoy all these precious  moments, your attitude may be infectious.

Smiling Is Infectious 

Author Unknown 

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu, When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too. I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin. When he smiled I realized I'd passed it on to him. I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth. A single smile, just like mine could travel round the earth. So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected. Let's start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected! 

Chapter 9, Page 23, Book 15

Life is a song - sing it. 

Life is a game - play it.

 Life is a challenge - meet it.

 Life is a dream - realize it. 

Life is a sacrifice - offer it

Life is love - enjoy it.

Sai Baba

September 23rd - honoring every day life

Use the good china everyday as today is all that matters.

It’s interesting to think of what it would mean to us if we let ourselves wear our nicest clothes and eat off the good china on a daily basis. We might be sending ourselves the message that every day we are alive is a special day and a cause for celebration, and that we are worth it.

There is always something to be grateful for even when life is hard and times are tough.
Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for.  Gratitude and thankfulness are key to relationships today. People remember and take note when you say those two magic words,thank you.  Smiling is contagious and instantly brightens someone’s day. Combine this with a thank you and the recipient will be on cloud nine. You never know how much this will brighten someone’s world until it turns your day around when someone does it for you.

Our favorite attitude should be gratitude 

Zig Ziglar

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons. The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day

The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness. 

Chapter 9, Page 22, Book 15

Gratitude is a twofold love -- love coming to visit us, and love running out to greet a welcome guest. 

Henry Van Dyke

September 22 - Love: the more excellent way

 Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. … Excellence is a mix of profound gratitude, uncompromisingly high expectations, persistent action, unyielding focus, love, respect and compassion. Excellence is fueled by a sincere appreciation for the opportunity you have to make a difference.

Ralph Marston

Not everybody will be easy to love, but if it is possible, we are to live in peace and harmony with everyone. If love is absent from our lives, the greatest of talents, deeds and success will be for naught.  Love is the key to fulfillment, peace, relationships and abundance.  Without love…we are nothing.

I want to show you the best way to take care of virtually every situation,  and that is the way of love.

St. Paul

This love never fails and is the most excellent way to live

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it. 

William Makepeace

Chapter 9, Page 21, Book 15

The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble.

James M. Barrie

September 21 - having a humble heart

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2 

Too many people are miserable, constantly comparing themselves to others who are smarter, prettier or more successful. But the humble of heart have the ability to be happy with who they are.

 The humble can always ask for help, and they don't insist on everything being done their way.  They are patient and don't get frustrated with the weaknesses of others.  A humble person is very thankful. This is one reason they're usually so happy. Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart. When we live with an attitude of gratitude, it releases joy into our lives

A lot of people live with a chip on our shoulder, as if the world owes us something.  A humble person does not feel anyone owes him anything. He does not feel entitled to have more, or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and treat him well. He is grateful for the least little kindness that is extended to him, knowing it is more than he deserves.

There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. 

 Saint Augustine

The first step in being humble is to start doing things. They don’t have to be big things, but they should be helpful things. Then sit back and watch the spreading of happiness from your efforts. 

A humble heart combined with prayer and worship

always equals strength to keep going.

Chapter 9, Page 20, Book 15

In trying to get our own way, we should remember that kisses are sweeter than whine.  

Author Unknown

September 20 - too blessed to complain

If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.  

Anthony J. D'Angelo

We all know what it’s like to get caught up in unnecessary complaining. It can happen to the best of us. What starts off as an innocent venting of frustration, if not checked, can turn into impatience or anger. Then, criticism, gossip, or unkindness comes slithering in. Before you know it, we find ourselves in a predicament we don’t quite know how to fix.

I recently saw a bumper sticker on a car going down the road that gently challenged my heart about the way I feel about my life. The sticker simply said, Too blessed to complain.

Too often I find myself lamenting moments in life that don’t go my way, rather than focusing on the wonderful gifts I’ve been given.  God really has been good to me in more ways than I could ever count and that bumper sticker reminded me of what I should already know…counting your blessings makes you realize just how blessed you are and I would have to agree…I am too blessed to complain.

We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful.

Chapter 9, Page 19, Book 15

Love and time, those are the only two things in all the world and all of life, that cannot be bought, but only spent.

Gary Jennings

September 19 - the best gift to give is your time

Like creativity, friendship is a sudden spark, appreciatedand protected. Chance provides the opportunity; care preserves the light.

Timothy White

 Friendships are loving relationships. They are special gifts you give to each other.   Friends help you to grow and celebrate life.

When we close ourselves off to people or dismiss them on the basis of our preconceptions, mistaken judgments, and prejudices, not only do we make them suffer, but we suffer as well.

Maybe we’ve allowed a good relationship to be ruined because we won’t give up a strongly held opinion of little importance. Perhaps we’re not giving someone a chance to prove he or she has changed because we won’t accept an apology. How many opportunities have we missed to make a new friend because we didn’t like the way someone dressed?

 Assistance is so important because assistance is love. Assistance, please.

So try develop the qualities that will enable you to live in fellowship with others: love, patience, generosity, and gentleness.

We can’t cultivate these qualities in isolation. Patience comes as you wait for someone to make up his or her mind. Awed by another person’s kindness, you can be motivated to set aside your own toughness. Only by being committed to other people’s best interests can you grow in love. 

A ray of sunshine, a balmy breeze 

Are a gift from God above,

 And He also gives us faithful friends. 

To warm our hearts with love. 

Source Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 18, Book 15

There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer, no disease that enough love will not heal, no door that enough love will not bridge, no wall that enough love will not throw down, no sin that enough love will not redeem...

It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.

If only you could love enough, you could be the happiest and most powerful being in the world...

Emmet Fox

September 18 - Make love a habit 

It’s never too late...

If we intend to make love a habit, then we must develop the habit of loving people with our words.  Too often it seems we feed on the negatives in life.  We see and magnify all that is wrong with people and things. But love does not expose faults; it covers them.

It's never too late to be happy. It's never too late to do something different or to do something better. It's never too late to change a habit. It's never too late to live. 

A word or a touch can be enough to change our attitudes from sadness and despair to hope and happiness.  We are all call to be love for one another.

You don’t have to be young, however, to form the habits of love. It is never too late to choose them. They can become your blessings not just in old age but at any age.

Chapter 9, Page 17, Book 15

If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.

Don Ward

September 17th - love knows no limits

Change the limits with new ideas.

Our lives are like pages in a book.  In this blog I write in segments, as pages of the story that I'm living out day after day.  There are many times in my life when it seems pretty obvious that one chapter is ending, while another is beginning. Just like the way summer is ending and fall will begin soon.

 Thinking about life in chapters is helpful to me because in times of trouble or stress, I can always remind myself that this chapter, too, shall come to an end. It is also a reminder that each new day is a new beginning.

What each chapter holds depends on our attitude and the way we spend our days.  Pages, chapters and books shouldn’t be limited but developed as we move through the days.  There are always more ways to live and learn and to love.  The possibilities are endless.  

 New thoughts and new ideas seem to come my way each day and I try to set new limits and broaden my horizons with what I learned.  

There is one grand lie -
that we are limited.
The only limits we have
are the limits we believe.

Dr. Wayne Dyer

Chapter 9, Page 16, Book 15

Autumn is really the best of the seasons; and I'm not sure that old age isn't the best part of life. But of course, like autumn, it doesn't last. 

C.S. Lewis

September 16 - seasons of love

 No matter where you are right now, no matter what sort of life season you’re in,  whether it’s one you’re enjoying or one you’re just trying to get through, just know that it will not last. Another season will come and take it’s place.

When you're through changing, you're through.

Bruce Barton

Change is a process, not a goal; a journey not a destination.

Here at my house I’ve changed a lot over the years.  I can’t even begin to count all the ways I’ve changed.  I went from a young girl with many dreams and aspirations to being what I am today, a woman content with what I have and who I am.  

I’m sure there will be many more changes coming my way.  Changes never stop, but I do hope that I can remain as happy with life and all it’s possibilities as I am today.

They say you shouldn’t waste time trying to change others.  If you have to make a change you should change yourself.

If you can recognize the need for improvement,
things are already improving.

Author Unknown

Chapter 9, Page 15, Book 15

Everyone has a unique gift -- something that is just undeniably you!

September 15 - Loving others by using your talents

As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can:  by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given.

Mary Lou Retton

We all can grow towards becoming the best people we can, and the only way to do so is to pay attention to the choices we're making, and to the fact that we're making choices at all

The story is told of a little boy who was overheard talking to himself in his backyard. He was wearing a baseball cap and carrying a ball and bat: I’m the greatest hitter in the world, he announced. Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, but missed.

Strike one! he yelled. He picked up the ball and said again, I’m the greatest hitter in the world! He tossed the ball into the air.

He swung again and missed. Strike two! he yelled. He straightened his cap and said one last time, I’m the greatest hitter in the world! He tossed the ball up into the air and swung at it.

He missed. Strike three! Wow! he exclaimed. I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!

A thankful, positive, never give up attitude will change your outlook and change your life.
We need to love others in order to inspire them to believe that they can achieve ever greater heights too.

This day brings moments you can fill with whatever you choose. Fill them with love, and you’ll fill them as full as they can possibly be.

Ralph Marston

Chapter 9, Page 14, Book 15

When everything seems to go wrong,
just P.U.S.H.!

When the job gets you down,
just P.U.S.H.!

When people don't react the way you think they should,
just P.U.S.H.!

When your money looks funny and the bills are due,
just P.U.S.H.!

When you want to curse them out for whatever the reason,
just P.U.S.H.!

When you ask the question, when is my ship coming in?
(as I often do),
just P.U.S.H.!

When people just don't understand you,
just P.U.S.H.!

Not to continue on and on…
let me tell you what P.U.S.H. stands for.


     P–ray
     U–ntil
     S–omething
     H–appens!

September 14th - Silence leads to prayer. Prayer leads to faith. Faith leads to love. Love leads to service. 

As I’ve aged, I find there is less and less that I can physically do to help others.  So most of what help I can give comes in the power of prayer.  Some days it seems I never stop praying.  If anyone asks for prayer I’m more than willing to do it.  Matter of fact I think it’s a privilege to pray for others. 

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard;
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke not a word.

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn’t mind);
I asked for priceless treasures rare
Of a more lasting kind.

I prayed that He’d be near to you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings fair,
And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But that you’d know His loving care
I prayed the most of all. 

 I pray for my family and friends and those that need help like the sick, the homeless, our troops that serve our country and so many more.  Praying with love for all and sending out some encouraging thoughts allows me a way to be of service in some small way.  

When prayers go up, blessings come down. 

Author Unknown

Praying always !

‘ma'