Quotable Quote

I can accept failure. Everyone fails at 


something. But I can't accept not trying.


 - Michael Jordan

Thought for Today

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. 

~Thomas Carlyle 

CELEBRATE LIFE NOW: How to Enjoy Life to the Fullest

By Darcy Keith

As I'm typing my thoughts, I am watching my daughter play outside games with her neighborhood friends. First, they played a made-up game of throwing a ball though hula-hoops. Next, it was bouncing a ball in the middle of the hula-hoop, which had a number point value scribbled with pink sidewalk chalk in the center. How fun it is to watch the girls, aged five to eleven, improvise with the items they have, which were six hula-hoops and five balls of various sizes. I'm amazed at how quickly the girls can switch from game to game, making new rules, and having fun.

Watching their excitement, giggles, and negotiation skills reminds me of some of the aspects of life that we sometimes don't. We don't celebrate life. Each day, we should celebrate life. No, I'm not talking about living irresponsibly, but enjoy every day given to us. For the past week, mydaughter asks me what special thing we are going to do that day. Sometimes, she just wants to go outside and play catch or take a family bike ride to the park. Other times, it's just sitting down to watch a movie with hot, buttered popcorn, and a glass of soda.

My husband and I try our best to enjoy every day with her by celebrating life and the time we have together. I remember when our daughter was born. Family and friends visited us to celebrate her birth and see our new family addition. Because in the first year of life she changed physically so much, we celebrated each stage by having her picture taken every month. Videos and pictures were taken at holidays, special events, family gatherings, and various times to capture her innocent, curious, happy personality.

I must admit, however, that sometimes I wish life away. One of the bedtime rituals that I do every night when I put my daughter to bed is that we pray together, I sing a bedtime lullaby that I have sung every night since she was born, we tell each other "I love you", and I start playing her favorite CD as she drifts off to sleep. There are several times that I would have liked to just kiss her goodnight after we prayed and go back to whatever I was doing.

But when I hesitate, I remind myself of the joy I get from celebrating her life and how, when she gets older, I won't be needed as much to tuck her in. I celebrate the moment, right here and now. Though there are things in our life to make it easier, how it is that we are busier than ever? Why do we jam-pack our lives with more activities? What are you doing in your life that will cause you to stop and celebrate it? Is it reading that book for the tenth time to your child so that they can enjoy the story? Is it taking time to read a book that you've put off and say that you'll get to it later? What about that diet that you promised yourself that you would start today?

Here are five thoughts to help you celebrate life now:

1. Start everyday with a positive attitude.

2. Take a moment to notice the vibrant color of flowers, the colorful fall leaves, the glistening white snow, or enjoy the sound of the rain while you doze off to sleep in your warm bed.

3. Reflect on the positive things in your life.

4. Tell that special person you love them.

5. Find joy in the everyday things that we take for granted.

Celebrate life to the fullest...now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darcy Keith is a professional speaker and an expert on overcoming challenges. She has presented before various corporations, associations, churches, high schools, and universities across the country. To sign up for Darcy's FREE newsletter on "Living the Life You Really Want", visit her website, http://www.DarcyKeith.com or to contact Darcy, e-mail her at Darcy@DarcyKeith.com

Thought for Today

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

 

~Robert Louis Stevenson 

Thought for Today

I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacation with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change.

~Jim Rohn 

THE LIGHT BULB

By Jose Smitha


My Dad could fix anything, cars, houses, airplanes name it.

Over the years my Dad's memory started to go and he started doing strange things. Like the time he bought a bunch of boxes of light bulbs because he got a good deal. The strange thing was they were special light bulbs, an indoor flood light bulb that nobody in our family's homes could use.

In the next few years my Dad's memory and behavior got worse and I used a few of the light bulbs in places they did not belong as outdoor flood lights and such. My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer'' disease and after about five years, one day he forgot how to walk and he was confined to a nursing home.


In the meantime, due to a new job I had to move away. I bought a new house and what do you know, my new house has the indoor floodlights recessed in the ceiling. I finally found a use for the light bulbs. My dad never got to see our new house, although I told him about it when I visited him in the nursing home, I'm not sure if he understood.



After a couple of years in the home my Dad took a turn for the worse and he forgot how to swallow food. Early one September morning my Dad died.

The night after my Dad's funeral, I came home exhausted and when I turned on the lights, one of the bulbs blew out. Needless to say I had plenty of spare bulbs.



A sign from my Dad maybe.

I miss him a lot.

Thought for Today

Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.

~Brian Tracy

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back

Time

Words

Opportunity

Three things in life that are most valuable -

Love

Self-confidence

Friends

Three things in life that are never certain - 
 

Dreams

Success

Fortune

Three things that make a man/woman - 
 

Hard work

Sincerity

Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man/woman - 
 

Alcohol

Pride

Anger

Three things in life that, once lost, hard to build-up -

Respect

Trust

Friendship

P..-----pray
U.----until 
S.----something 
H.---- happens 






When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.




Father,
God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day!
And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have 
a closer relationship with you. Amen. 

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

NICKNAMES  

• If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and  Sarah.
• If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.  

EATING OUT 

• When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50.  None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
• When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY 

• A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
• A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need, but it's on sale.

BATHROOMS 

• A man has 6 items in his bathroom:  toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a  towel .
• The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337.  A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these  items.

ARGUMENTS 

• A woman has the last word in any argument.
• Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE 

• A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
• A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

SUCCESS 

• A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
• A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

MARRIAGE 

• A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
• A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

DRESSING UP 

• A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the bin, answer the phone, read a  book, and get the mail.
• A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL 

• Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
• Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING

• Ah, children.  A woman knows all about her children.  She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
• A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.  

THOUGHT FOR THE  DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes.  There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Thought for Today

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.


~Leon J. Sue 

FORGETTING THE BASICS

It was one week before Christmas in 2001. My son Benjamin was five years old at the time. He seemed healthy, but he had large lumps on the side of his neck; the doctor had been running blood and ultrasound tests on them, trying to determine a diagnosis. I was on a morning commuter train heading downtown for a rather important meeting about a company merger that had just been announced. My wife Toni called on my cell. I could tell immediately something was wrong. The doctor, not the doctor's office, had called. He needed to see both of us immediately. He would not tell Toni why. We both started thinking the worst.

As soon as I was off the train I arranged for a rental car and headed straight back home. Toni and I met at the doctor's office within an hour of the phone call. He informed us that Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto did not have any available beds. He had already made arrangements for us to attend a similar hospital in Kingston. This was two hours east of us. He informed us they had a concern that Ben had lymphoma. We would be meeting a pediatric oncologist in Kingston and we should pack for staying overnight. We walked out of the doctor's office and to our separate cars to head home and pack.

Dad and Linda had been making arrangements to purchase our family a membership at a private alpine ski club as a Christmas present. The first thing I thought of was the need to call them and tell them not to. We wouldn't be available to go skiing this year due to the news about Ben. I called and Linda answered the phone.

I remember sitting in this unknown car and the emotion of the moment hitting me like a brick wall. I told Linda the news and told her to cancel the ski membership plans. Shortly after I hung up with Linda, Dad phoned me back. He was compassionate but firm. He told me they were going ahead with the membership and for me to get my thinking straight. He said Ben is fine and not to give energy to any thought but that. He had been teaching me that my whole life, but it can be so easy to forget in the moment. He was even more emphatic that we not show any emotional weakness in front of Ben. The last thing we should do was to make him fearful.

We arrived at the Kingston hospital and as we walked through the front doors the doctor came up to us and asked if we were the Proctors. Myimmediate thought was "it's bad." When do you ever get greeted like that at a hospital? I stopped my thought and pictured Ben healthy and skiing. Ben had a CT scan that evening then a biopsy the next morning. We waited patiently for the results from the pathologist. They came back negative for cancer. We were incredibly relieved and exhausted. The entire experience left me in awe as to the personal character of the pediatric nurses. What incredible interpersonal skills they have to do what they do every day. Dad's words, of putting my thoughts on the right track, were all the easier with the wonderful support of the nursing staff.

I realized that day the importance of positive thinking. Whether or not it made a difference in my son's diagnosis I will never truly know. However, I know it made a difference for my son. Being strong for Ben allowed me to properly address my concerns for his well being. My first thought had been one of emotion and worry. Imagine the damaging impression I would have made on Ben, had I expressed my fear and worry in front of him. Those emotions really would not have been about his well being, but my own. If I had taken a moment to reflect, I would have realized that positive thoughts and attitude are the only things that would express my concern for his well being. I appreciate the fact that dad called back that day to remind me what I needed to do: Think positive.

Five days later we had the most grateful Christmas we had ever had and started skiing as a family the next week. We ski as a family today.

Ray Proctor
Excerpt from Inspired: The Secret of Bob Proctor

We read what motivational speakers teach us, but what do they teach their families behind closed doors?

The Proctor family shares what they have learned from the Godfather of motivation, Bob Proctor. From his 9-year-old grandson relaying how Bob gently explained the meaning of death, to his son's view of money, the Proctor family relay what they have learned from living with Bob Proctor.

The chapters are honest, emotional and funny. They expose Bob Proctor's traits as a dad, husband, grandfather and much more! You may have experienced Bob Proctor in a business environment..this book gives you the personal application of his teachings.a must for every family!

The HR Manager

One day while walking down the street a highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.

"Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."

"Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman

"Sorry, we have rules..."

And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. 
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.

She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind of cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. 

Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator.

The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her.

"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said.
So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and
singing. She had great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.
 
"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,"

The woman paused for a second and then replied,"Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." 

So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. 

The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. 

"I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her smiled and told.

"Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you're an Employee.." 

Thought for Today

I am thankful to all those who said NO to me. It's because of them I did it myself.

 

~Albert Einstein

Church Bullentins

Thank God for the church ladies who type the church bullentins. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins and were announced in church services.

• The Fasting & Prayer conference includes meals.

• The sermon this morning:"Jesus walks on the water."

• The sermon tonight."searching for Jesus.

• Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 pm in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King

• Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

• The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.

• Dont let worry kill you off-let the church help.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

• For those of you who have children and don't know it,we have a nursery downstairs.

• Next  Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir.They need all the help they can get.

• The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing:" Break Forth Into Joy."

• Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

• A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to the choir practice.

• Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

• Scouts are saving aluminum cans,bottles and other items to be cycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

• The church will host an evening of fine dining,super entertainment and gracious hostility.

• Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM-prayer and medication to follow.

• The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

• This evening at 7PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

• Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

• The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7PM. Please use back door.

• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

• Weight watchers will meet at 7PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double doors at the side entrance.

• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours"

Funny Quotes

1. Regular naps prevent old age... especially if you take them while driving.
2. Having one child makes you a parent; having two makes you a referee.
3. Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband!
4. They said we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash.
5. A child's greatest period of growth is the month after you've purchased new school uniforms.
6. Don't feel bad. A lot of people have no talent.
7. Don't marry the person you want to live with, marry the one you cannot live without... but whatever you do, you'll regret it later.
8. You can't buy love but you pay heavily for it.
9. True friends stab you in the front.
10. Forgiveness is giving up my right to hate you for hurting me.
11. Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.
12. Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.
13. My wife and I always compromise. I admit I'm wrong and she agrees with me.
14. Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.
15. Ladies first, pretty ladies sooner.
16. It doesn't matter how often a married man changes his job, he still ends up with the same boss.
17. They call our language the mother tongue because the father seldom gets to speak.
18. Saving is the best thing, especially when your parents have done it for you.
19. Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something.
20. Real friends are the ones who survive transitions between address books.

 
Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it.

BULLISH ON LIFE

©2009 rev. 

Kathleene S. Baker

 

 "A beautiful new longhorn bull was born in the pre-dawn hours this morning. He's one mighty handsome fella from championship bloodlines!" Rock's proud voice sounded as if another grandchild had made a spectacular entrance into the world.

Jerry had phoned to report the death of their mutual friend, Foy; he had passed away in the pre-dawn hours that same morning. Now he and Rock were attempting to end their conversation with a few words on a lighter note. Nonetheless, their voices broke with the pain coursing through them and they both fought back tears as they spoke.

They reminisced briefly about college years, fraternity pranks, marriages, raising families, and growing older. After forty years, the bond of friendship never wavered for Jerry, Rock, and Foy-or Folo as his friends affectionately called him.

One never knows how long they will be on this earth and Foy indicated he'd hoped to have a little more time. Although, he could only agree when Jerry reminded him, "You've somehow jam-packed the equivalent of 99 years into 64!"

Foy's eyes lit up and he smiled, "I really did, didn't I?" A look of satisfaction flashed across his ailing face.

In remembering Foy, one could only recall that he lived each day to the fullest- a lesson he demonstrated with flair.

Now Foy was gone, but he'd left behind a multitude of unforgettable memories for friends and family. His wit was beyond compare and his mind as quick as a lightening bolt. Quite possibly he could have made it into the "big time" as a comedian. Perhaps he missed his calling, although he continually entertained those close to him-even in his final days.

Thoughts of the newborn bull brought to mind similarities of the life it would lead, and the life Foy had relished. It could be said that Foy was bullish on life! Fences could not, and did not contain this feisty fellow. He viewed life as a lush, green pasture for running, romping, and kicking up his heels. Yet when provoked, he could compete with any snorting, head-tossing old bull. Having spent many years as a bachelor, he delighted in the company of female companions-just as this young bull would learn in years to come. And, to the dismay of his friends, Foy had the strength of a bull whether he chose to exercise or not.

As per Merriam Webster, part of the longhorn's description is: Having a highly variable color pattern. Amazingly, there couldn't be a more perfect depiction of Foy and the life he led! It was abundant with splashes of color and excitement.

Maybe it was happenstance that a new baby bull entered the world as Foy departed for pastures greener than mortals can fathom. Nonetheless, the newborn Texas Longhorn now carries the name Folo. Foy would be proud of his rowdy, rambunctious namesake-there's no doubt about it! What could be more fitting for a man who was absolutely "bullish on life".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathleene, and husband, Jerry, reside in Plano, Texas. Pets have always been a passion and a precious schnauzer named Josey Lane inspired Kathy's first piece of work. As a freelancer, she has contributed to newspapers, anthologies, magazines, online ezines and writes a weekly column entitled "Heart of Texas" for Frank Talk Magazine. She is Editor for Starfish and Sand Dollar, both being inspirational ezines.  Kathy's website can be viewed at: YELLOW ROSE (www.txyellowrose.com) or email your comments on thisstory to: lnstrlady@aol.com

Thought for Today

It always seems impossible until it's done.

 

~Nelson Mandela

I Promise Myself...

Christian D. Larson


To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Happy New Year 2012!