Love Wholeheartedly

Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise--then you will discover the fullness of your life. ~ Brother David Steindl-Rast

Thanksgiving Blessings

All the grandkids were visiting for Thanksgiving. Before dinner, Grandma made a lengthy speech about being thankful for her extra-special blessings, her four grandchildren.

Two seconds after she stopped speaking, all hell broke loose and the kids were yelling and grabbing for the home-made rolls.

Grandma sat there, eyes closed with a tight squint on her face.

When asked what was the matter, she replied, "I'm just praying for a little patience to handle all these blessings."

Thanksgiving Quote

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. ~ Robert H. Schuller

Inspirational Story

The Window

Even a small view can brighten a whole world.

"I really should have taken on this project last spring," my friend said.

"You know they're talking about some cold weather and flurries in the next few days," I replied.

"I'll get it done. But the guy said that little window is a waste of time," he said pointing to the back of his house.

"Why a waste of time? It's a window. It needs to be replaced."

"Well, he said by the time he fits the new thermal one in there it will look like a gun turret," he said laughing.

He had been taking about this for years. Well, his wife was. He'd listen and put it off. That is until now.

"I know I should have done this years ago. My wife June would even calculate how much money we would have saved just in heating costs each year," he said shaking his head.

"I guess you could have paid for them with that savings?"

"Don't remind me. She did."

"So all her nagging got to you finally," I said.

"No, now it's for even better reasons."

Grabbing his tape measure he walked over to the window nearby.

"I need to let the world inside," he said.

I waited for moment thinking there had to be a better explanation then that.

"June is having some trouble. Her memory, our memories are getting lost along the way now. She had to stop working and volunteering at the school," he said.

Then shuffling his feet through the pile of leaves in front of him, he continued.

"She has beginning signs of Alzheimer's."

We remained quiet, standing there just knowing there was little I could say.

Then stepping back he suddenly changed the subject as he pointed to that small window upstairs again.

"I didn't want to replace it. It really seemed like a waste of time. I wanted to make sure all the windows were big and bright so that June could see the world around us everyday. She has brightened my world forever."

"Well, your window man said it was going to be too small. Maybe if you explained it to June."

"I did. That's why I'm working on this project now. I told her that window would be too small to appreciate the view," he said.

Then lifting his head to look at that window on the second floor, he said, "Her reply was, 'It doesn't matter what you're looking through, it's what you choose to see.'"

Sometimes when you are facing challenges in life, your choices appear to be so limited and your view of the world so narrow and bleak.

But it really doesn't matter what you're going through either. It's what you choose to see.

By Bob Perks

Bob Perks is an author, storyteller, trainer, and motivational speaker whose specialty is human potential. His message--'I believe in you!'--has resonated with thousands of people who are seeking to increase their self-esteem and communication skills.

"Learn to detach...Don't cling to things, because everything is impermanent... But detachment doesn't mean you don't let the experience penetrate you. On the contrary, you let it penetrate fully. That's how you are able to leave it... Take any emotion--love for a woman, or grief for a loved one, or what I'm going through, fear and pain from a deadly illness. If you hold back on the emotions--if you don't allow yourself to go all the way through them--you can never get to being detached, you're too busy being afraid. You're afraid of the pain, you're afraid of the grief. You're afraid of the vulnerability that love entails. But by throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and completely. You know what pain is. You know what love is. You know what grief is. And only then can you say, 'All right. I have experienced that emotion. I recognize that emotion. Now I need to detach from that emotion for a moment.'" ~ Mitch Albom from Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~ Marcel Proust

The three ages of a person are youth, middle age and "My, but you’re looking well." ~ Unknown

Why is it that people in the magazine ads are always beautiful, handsome, daring, dashing or distinguished? After all, it’s us moth-eaten millions of ordinary humans who buy the products. ~ Unknown

Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. ~ Charles Dickens

Only in a properous society could we ever forget that food is one of life's primary blessings. I am one who sometimes forgets and takes food for granted, but I'm grateful when I remember that food is precious.

From John Robbins, May All Be Fed

Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.

from Tich Nhat Hahn, Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind, and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. -- Hugh White

SOLUTE TO VETERANS

Today we honor the soldiers who have fought in various wars, some of them giving their lives for our county. But we should also honor those who fight in the struggle for truth. In the poem “The Battle-Field” by William Cullen Bryant (written in 1837), both types of soldiers are honored.

THE BATTLE-FIELD
by William Cullen Bryant

Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands,
Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,
And fiery hearts and armed hands
Encountered in the battle-cloud. -

Ah! never shall the land forget
How gushed the life-blood of her brave-
Gushed, warm with hope and courage yet,
Upon the soil they fought to save.

Now all is calm, and fresh, and still;
Alone the chirp of flitting bird,
And talk of children on the hill,
And bell of wandering kine, are heard.

No solemn host goes trailing by
The black-mouthed gun and staggering wain;
Men start not at the battle-cry,
Oh, be it never heard again!

Soon rested those who fought; but thou
Who minglest in the harder strife
For truths which men receive not now,
Thy warfare only ends with life.

A friendless warfare! lingering long
Through weary day and weary year,
A wild and many-weaponed throng
Hang on thy front, and flank, and rear.

Yet nerve thy spirit to the proof,
And blench not at thy chosen lot.
The timid good may stand aloof,
The sage may frown- yet faint thou not.

Nor heed the shaft too surely cast,
The foul and hissing bolt of scorn;
For with thy side shall dwell, at last,
The victory of endurance born.

Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his worshippers.

Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,
When they who helped thee flee in fear,
Die full of hope and manly trust,
Like those who fell in battle here.

Another hand thy sword shall wield,
Another hand the standard wave,
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed
The blast of triumph o'er thy grave.

"Every woman is work in progress"

When you commit yourself to continuous improvement, you feel better about yourself, you’re more willing to take risks and accept challenges.

It is in the reaching, that you find out who you really are and all that you are capable of. It’s exciting because there is always something new you can be, do, have, and learn.

Continuous self-improvement keeps you tuned into your life. And as a result, you evolve as a human being. As you evolve you shine and inspire others, that is what progress is all about!

From Meditations for Women

What do you get when you cross a....

The other day I was at a convenience store picking up the Sunday paper when a man walked into the store with his dog. Everyone in the store stopped what they were doing (even the clerk) to get a better look at this dog.
I could tell that this dog was part German Shepherd but I had never seen one with such short legs. When asked what type of breed his dog was that man answered with, part German Shepherd and part Dachshund.

What strange crossbreeds have you come across?

Other interesting crossbreeds...

Pointer + Setter =
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier =
Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund =
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso =
Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel =
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever =
Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists

Newfoundland + Basset Hound =
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog =
Terribull, a dog prone to awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador =
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly

Malamute + Pointer =
Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute =
Commute, a dog that travels to work

Deerhound + Terrier =
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Cocker Spaniel + Rottweiller =
Cockrot, the perfect puppy for that philandering ex-husband

Bull Terrier + Shitzu =
Bullshitz, a gregarious but unreliable breed

Good Idea!

Always be nice to people on the way up; because you’ll meet the same people on the way down.- Wilson Mizner

...Have the patience and courage to begin again each day, and believe that God's mercy is new every morning. Then you will understand that life is always a matter of becoming or growing, and that you can always look forward to greater things. Even though you stand in battle with dark powers, the victory will be yours, since in Christ every evil is overcome. You will always remain at the beginning, because the task continually grows, yet in faith you will find the fulfillment of all your longing... ~ Eberhard Arnold

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself. ~ Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.-- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Share your wings with those who have trouble flying. ~ Anonymous

Election Day Humor

The Vote for Heaven or Hell

A powerful senator dies after a prolonged illness. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the senator.

"Well, I'd like to but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven."

"I'm sorry but we have our rules," replies St. Peter.

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. Nearby are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is in evening attire and very happy to see him. They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar.

Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy and who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that the time flies, before he realizes it, the senator has to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit Heaven."

The next 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity." The senator reflects for a minute, then answers, "Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.

The Devil comes over to him and lays his arm on his neck.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a beautiful club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now there is only a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us!"

YOU DON’T NEED A FLU SHOT !!

Here is advice to give to those who are unable to get FLU SHOTS:

~ Eat right! Make sure you get your daily dose of fruits and veggies.
~ Take your vitamins and bump up your vitamin C.
~ Get plenty of exercise because exercise helps build your immune system. Walk for at least one hour a day, go for a swim, take the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.
~ Wash your hands often. If you can't wash them, keep a bottle of antibacterial stuff around.
~ Get lots of fresh air. Open windows whenever possible.
~ Get plenty of rest.
~ Try to eliminate as much stress from your life as you can . . .

OR . . .

You can take the doctors office approach. Think about it, when you go for a shot, what do they do first? Clean your arm with alcohol. Why? Because alcohol kills germs. So...

. . .I walk to the liquor store (exercise), I put lime in my Corona (fruit), celery in my Bloody Mary (veggies), drink on the bar patio (fresh air), get drunk, tell jokes, and laugh (eliminate stress) and then pass out (rest). The way I see it, if you keep your alcohol levels up flu germs can't get you!!!!