Chapter 9, Page 30, Book 20

H.O.P.E.  -- hold on, pain ends.

September 30th - Keep hope in your life

There is no love without hope. no hope without love.  And neither love nor hope without faith.

Saint Augustine=

Hope is a four letter word that is meant to change how we live our lives.  We should never be with hope in our lives.  And yet we get stressed out anxious and despair over our present situation.

Hope that things will turn out for the best is something we all need to hang on to.  The virtue of hope is relying not on ourselves but on the grace of God.  It is steadfast and true and does not disappoint.because it doesn’t have anything to do with us or our outside circumstances. 

We can do nothing to earn it because it’s already been freely given .  So it’s time to get your HOPE ON. To fight the negativity.  Its time to have faith so we can hope and then go love the people in our lives.

Having hope doesn’t mean everything that hurts or is scary instantly disappears.  It means being open to feeling your fear and admitting that you have no idea what the next step will be like, but you are going to stop assuming the worst.  Because living a life without hope is a surefire path to getting physically ill because the pain festers within.

Feeling hopeful guards against falling in to the trap that present problems equal problems in your future. It keeps us going even on those days when it seems we’ll never bounce back.

Hope matters because it’s more than surviving the current storm, it’s doing something to get out of it.  It’s an energy motivating us to move towards the better times that hopefully lie ahead.

Never lose hope.  Storms make people stonier and never last forever.

Roy T. Bennett

Chapter 9, Page 29, Book 20

May your coffee kick in before reality does.

Author Unknown

September 29th - don’t forget to grab your coffee

Life without coffee is like something without something - sorry I haven't had any coffee yet.

Author Unknown 

There are those people like me that can’t start the day before they have a cup of coffee.  We're coffee addicts. 

I don’t do well at all until after I’ve had my first cup of coffee.  It’s like I’m walking around in a fog until after I drink that first cup.  It’s become a habit for me to hit the on button on the coffee maker first thing when I wake up.  I’m not a very nice person until it sets in .  I’m grouchy and don’t want to talk to anyone until after I drink my first cup.  

Poor DDH had a rude awakening when we first married.  He was a sunny morning person and wanted to talk and he couldn’t figure out why I was so crabby early in the morning.  He finally asked my mom what the problem was. He couldn’t figure out what was wrong.  My mom said, just leave her alone until after she has her coffee and everything will be ok.  That’s a true story.

As I’ve gotten older, things are no better, but now I live by myself so there’s no chance I’ll upset anyone.  I still start everyday with a good cup of hot coffee and a prayer or two and then I can face just about anything with a smile.  but not before then.  

Now you know my dirty little secret, I’m not a nice person before I’ve had my coffee.  

There’s nothing quite like that first cup of coffee in the morning.  A few sips of the aromatic magic stuff later and you’re suddenly awake and motivated to take the day head on.  It’s truly the best.

Everyone should believe in something.  I believe I will have another coffee.

Author Unknown 

Chapter 9, Page 28, Book 20

Make choices.  Choices bring you clarity.

Author Unknown

September 28th - choose wisely

When your values are clear to you, making decisions becames easier.

Roy E. Disney

Life is full of hard choices and the bigger they are the more options we have, the harder they get.

Practice, experience and rules thumbs can help us to make split second decisions  Fortunately we don’t face immediate, do or die decisions, we usually have the luxury of working through a decision. A list of pros and cons might help us decide some things, but not all of them work for every decision to be made.  

When making a choice, it pays to take time to consider the outcome you expect. Consider our options and ask questions. Research shows that people who make decisions quickly, tend to be more satisfied with their decisions that people who take their time.  

Whatever process you use, your satisfaction with your decision will depend on whether you own your choices. Taking responsibility for your choice can make even a failure seem like a success.  You’ll know you did your best and have gained valuable experience at the same time.

The choices we make have a big impact on our life.  Make the right choices  on a daily basis so you life an anthemic life that is true to who you want to be.

Make good choices today, so you don’t have regrets tomorrow.

Anonymous

Chapter 9, Page 27, Book 20

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

Thornton Wilder

September 27th - Grateful Sunday

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously . And because all things have contributed to your advancement you should include all things in your gratitude.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

As usual for a Sunday I’m sharing my gratitude for another great week.  My family and I have safely made it through another week without being touched by the coronavirus.  We are all healthy and alive.  I rejoice that we are all safe and happy.

I’m thankful for the season of fall that is now upon us.  It’s the season of harvest and celebrating the fruits of our land.  We all have plenty to eat and lots of good food. Here in Ohio, we haven’t been touched by any of the fires and storm hazards that others have.  We are safe and sound.  The trees are just beginning to show off their beautiful colors which will delight us for several weeks before they all fall and the trees will be bare.

It’s a wonderful time of year when the weather isn’t to cold or too warm and we can enjoy being outdoors before the cold of winter keeps us aindoors for the most part.  

There is so much to be thankful for that the list is unending.

I hope that you too can enjoy a grateful Sunday wherever you are.  

There is truly always something to be thankful for.

Through they eyes of gratitude, everything is a miracle. 

Mary Davis 

Chapter 9, Page 26, Book 20

Your life is your story.  Write well.  Edit often.

Susan Statham

September 26th - tell the stories.

We understand ourselves through stories, by making stories out of our lives.  Storytellers give people structure with which they can begin to look at their own lives and try to makes sense of them.

Bill Harley

Life is not always what we want it to be, in fact it rarely unfolds the way we expected it too.  But if we are smart, we shouldn’t worry about it too much, rather work around the problems and rewrite the way to your goals.  Life is what we make it with our decisions and choices.

Life is what you make it.  Always has been, always will be.

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Your life is what you make it.  Your present life is the reseult of all the choices you have made up until this moment.  You are the only one responsible for whiter you are right now.for how life looks, for how you are being treated by those around you.  

If you keep on doing the same things over and over again, you will get the same results over and over.  Your life will change the moment you decide it is time to change.  It’s that simple.  It all starts with a thought, an idea and based on that action you take will lead you to a different and new direction.  

We don’t have a lot of control over what happens but we can choose how we’ll react to what happens.  Our reactions, our attitudes are what  count.

Life is 10 percent of what you make it and 90  percent how you take it.

Irving Berlin

Chapter 9, Page 25, Book 20

Grow through what you go through

Author Unknown

September 25th - learn as you go

Some things cannot be taught; they must be experienced.  You never learn the most valuable lessons in life until you go through your own journey.

Roy T. Bennett

I fully agree that experience is the best teacher, when we do something over and over it becomes well known.  Just like practicing our handwriting when we young.  We had to do it over and over again until we got it right.  

There are many lessons to be learned from what we experience in life.  Life is a continuing learning experience .  No matter how much we learn from reading books there is a difference between the proctical and theoretical experience.

I’ve learned to never let somone else’s goals and dreams influence my own vision of life.  It’s your own path and you decide where it takes you.  I’ve also learned to Seize the day.  More often than not, if we fail to act due to a lack of confidence or courage, then we’ll regret it.  Hesitation keeps us from moving forward and makes us wonder what might have been later on.  

I’ve learned that good things don’t come easy.  It’s up to each one of us how much effort we put into every day.  No one is going to fight your battles for you.  We each have to do that on our own.

We should never fail to try more.   A lot can be done if we only try.  We don’t want to put limits on what we can or cannot do.  We won’t know what we can do until we give it a try.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to make every moment count.  Time goes by so fast. You think you’ll be young forever, and then all the sudden you’re not.  Live your life to the fullest extent because life is short and we never know what tomorrow will bring.

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.

Oscar Wilde

Chapter 9, Page 24, Book 20

You are the only you God made…God made you and broke the mold.

Max Lucado 

September 24TH - Be yourself

Always remember that you are absolutely unique.  Just like every else.

Margaret Mead

A reflection from my daily devotions .  It’s a reflection that can have meaning for all of us.

You are Special:  

In the entire world ther is nobody just like you. Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you, Nobody has your smile, your hands, your eyes, your hair.  No one owns your handwriting or your voice, no body can paint your brushstrokes of the canvas of your life.

You are only one in the whole universe who sees things as you do.  Thoughout all eternity no one will ever think or do exactly as you do.  What makes you laugh or cry is unique to you.  You are the only one who hs your particular abilities.

There is always someone who is better at one thing or another.  This is the way life is and if we were all at the same level, life would be boring.  But no one else can match the combination of your talents, your feelings and your special gifts.  This unique combination which you have, when used in harmony is a breutiful symphony.

You are rare.  Like all things rare, your value is beyond price.  Therefore, because of your great value you don’t need to imitate anyone else.  You are special and it is no accident that you are.  You should realize that God made you special at this time in history, and in your particular circumstances. for a special purpose.

There is something to be done in this world now that only you can do.  You are special each day and especially special today.

Want to be one of a kind? Be yourself.

Hayley Williams

Chapter 9, Page 23, Book 20

Happiness is a habit.

Author Unknown

September 23rd -Choose to be happy

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Happiness isn’t a destination, it’s a habit.  It’s what we do everyday to make life awesome. Like a river shapes land; the more we think and feel a certain way, the deeper the river channel becomes and the more we are to think and feel the same way in the future.

Happiness simply means finding joy in the moment, regardless of what you have or are doing.  Everybody possesses the capability to choose happiness because ever attitude we have is  a choice.

When we focus on the good in life our minds  open to the ideas and opportunities that will help us to be more productive, effective and successful in life.

Exercise your brain for happiness every day and over time you’ll train it for happiness and long term success.  You’ll have experiences of gratitude, gladness, moderation,, accomplishment and successful feelings in your life.   When you are happy within , that energy ripples out far beyond your physical body, affecting others around you.  

A happy life and happy thoughts go hand in hand, you can’t have one without the other.  Negative thoughts inevitably show up but you don’t have to give into them.  Reinforce your happy thoughts.  Look at the bright side of things.  Stay focused on the positive side of life.  Life becomes a lot simpler when we simplify our thoughts and realize we must strive to maintain happiness if we want to thrive during our time on Earth.

Attitude is a choice.  Happiness is a choice.  Optimism is a choice.  Kindness is a choice.  Respect is a choice.  Whatever choice you make makes you.  Choose wisely.

Roy T. Bennett

Chapter 9,, Page 22, Book 20

Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

Mother Teresa

September 22nd -always smile

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

William Arthur Ward

Love offers people both roots and wings.  It provides a sense of belonging and a sense of freedom.  Real love doesn’t try to control or minipulate others.  Love doesn’t try to gain personal satisfaction at the expense of others.  Love will always nurture and promote liberty  When we truly love God and others we’ll gladly allow the people in our lives to follow His plan, not ours, and see who they can be and what they can accomplish.  A caged bird cannot fly, so cultivate liberty.  Allow people the freedom to be themselves and watch how they flourish.

By giving every one a simple smile, we can encourage them to be who they are meant to be.  We show we care and want them to be happy.  Not only do we make them feel better but we brighten our own moods and put some extra pep in your step with a smile or two. smiling has many positive effects on our brains, bodies and the people around us.

Smiling can make you feel better, make you more attractive and you can make the world a better place just by smiling more often.

Not only can smiling lift your mood, but it can elevate the mood of those around you.  When you smile at others it gives them a boost of happiness, helps them to lead a healthier life, and influences how they perceive you.  

Bottom line is if you smile at others, not only will you bring positive things to your life, but to the lives of those around you.

The world would be a more beautiful place if we would all smile more at ourselves and at others.

Nest time you are feeling nervous, stressed out or just need to elevate your mood, try smiling and thinking of something positive to brighten your day and someone else’s.

It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.

Steve Maraboli

Chaper 9, Page 21, Book 20

You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be yourself

Author Unknown

September 21st - be yourself 

You alone are enough.  You have nothing to prove to anybody.

Maya Angelou

Meeting the expectations of being perfect is nearly impossible.  Trying to live up to of version of perfect that  somebody else has created can leave you feeling stressed, depressed and ready to throw in the towel.  Nobody wants to feel like they aren’t enough.  Nobody likes to feel like a failure.  

We need to stop pushing ourselves to the point of exhaustion because we’re worried about what other people might think .  We’re not perfect and we don’t have to be.

Being good is enough; don’t worry about being anything more than that.  Stop comparing your self to others.  Think about what in your life makes you happy now.  Every morning think of some good from the day before.  Don’t give up your struggle to be a better you, but do give up the idea tht you should somehow be perfect.

We don’t have to be perfect but we do need to own up to our mistakes and take responsibility for them.  Realize and admit your wrong and learn a lesson from those wrongs.  We are imperfect but we can still be good.  We all have room for improvement   I’m a work in progress.  Trying to get better, not perfect, everyday.  

And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.

John Steinbeck

Chapter 9, Page 20, Book 20

Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart

Roy T. Bennett

September 20th - Thankful Sunday 

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.  And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you are grateful, you should be saying thank you to who ever made you grateful.  Most my thanks goes to God, who gives me all good things.  As has been my habit for the past few months, this Sunday is full of gratefulness to God for keeping my family safe and secure in these days of the coronavirus.  Thankfully, they are all happy and safe.  So am I.  

What a blessing it is to wake up each day and know every one is safe and happy.  That we get a new day, a new week to continue on our journey of life.  

I try to say Thank You as often as I can.  Some days are nothing but more and more to be thankful for.  I think when you appreciate what you have and show it, there will be more and more in your life to appreciate.  When I consider what I’m thankful for I can’t be anything but happy.  You can not be grateful and sad at the same time.  So why not think about all the things you are grateful for and be happy.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday filled with lots to be thankful for !

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

William Arthur Ward.

Chapter 9, Page 19, Book 20

Patience is the companion of wisdom.

St. Augustine

September 19th - It all takes time

Good things come to those that wait.

Old Proverb

Wisdom requires time for reflection and collaboration.  Patience is taking the time to reflect on your past experiences to engage in trusted colleagues  and to make decisions based on all the available information. When we contemplate the wise thing to do, then we must have the patience for the right moment to do it.

One thing this year has taught us all is to have a lot patience.  We’ve waited for months to return to some sort of normal.  The thing is that the new normal isn’t normal at all.  Our patience has been tested over and over again.

Not one of us likes to wait, we’ve become a society of intent gratification.  But we’ve had to learn a new way of thinking.  Nothing is instant and waiting has become the norm.  We have to wait for the good things in life to come.  Waiting gives us the precious time to get in touch with ourselves.  To come to grips with what make our hearts beat faster, for what’s really important to us.  

Be patient, good things take time.

Anonymous 

If we wait long enough, things will change, nothing stays the same for ever.  We can only hope there is a better future coming our way.