Monday, January 30, 2012

I Can Wait



Luckily God blessed me with patience but there are times I could use a little more. We all need it to have more control in order to live our lives to the best of our ability.  Not everything can be exactly how and when we want things. What will be will be in its own good time.  Life demands that you trust in tomorrow if you want to be happy.  Do your best in all your do and then be patient and see what God's plan is. It will work out; you just have to breath, relax and have faith. 

Be happy, patient, have faith and may God bless you and yours.

Feelin' Sorry for Yourself?


The more time you spend feeling sorry for yourself, the more things you’ll have to be sorry about. If you insist on seeing yourself as a victim, you’ll end up experiencing your life as a victim.  What a gut wrenching nightmare that would be for me. It doesn’t have to be that way. I choose right now, and every day, to see myself in a positive, empowering light.  It is up to me and you how we see ourselves.  It doesn’t have anything to do with the circumstances you happen to be facing. Take chances and make the necessary changes to empower yourself by never thinking of yourself as a victim. 


Have you noticed how much energy it takes to be around a person that always sees them self as a victim?  They just suck every bit of energy out of you leaving you with nothing to fall back on to be happy.  If a person continues to play the victim, save your energy and make the choice to move on.  You can't change them.  You can only change yourself.  


Be happy and may God bless you and yours.




Sunday, January 29, 2012

Expect Happiness

To expect happiness without giving up negative action is like holding your hand in a fire and hoping not to be burned. Of course, no one actually wants to suffer, to be sick, to be cold or hungry — but as long as we continue to indulge in wrong doing we will never put an end to suffering. Likewise, we will never achieve happiness, except through positive deeds, words, and thoughts. Positive action is something we have to cultivate in ourselves; it can be neither bought nor stolen, and no one ever stumbles on it just by chance...... H.H. Khyentse Rinpoche


Expect some winter sunshine in your life if you stay positive.

What You Have


Quality of Our Thoughts


"The quality of life we live on a day to day basis is determined by the quality of our thoughts. It is a reflection of where we are living in our mind. 

If you live in the state of 'Poor Me', 'It's not fair', 'It wasn't my fault', 'Why does that always happen to me?' - then that will be what your mind is focusing on, that will be what you see, feel, hear, ....

Today, find the beautiful things - look at the sky and marvel at nature, be grateful for all that you do have, remember life is about the fact that "We Get To" - not 'We Have To".

Today be in a space of gratitude for everything - let the reflections you see today be ones that lift you and strengthen you."

From the Emotional Baggage Diet FB page.  Thank you Jake for posting.  I’m in total agreement.


Be grateful, be happy and may God bless you and yours.









Life’s Conditioning


We are strange creatures.  When most of us first think of an idea or something we want to do, immediately all the negative and reasons why it will not work pop into our head, and immediately the reasons why it will work fade into the background.  People in our life and experiences have conditioned us to first go to the negative.  

We need to recondition ourselves and introduce positive thinking into your life and change that way of thinking and replace those negative thoughts and you will realize just what is possible.  Up to this point in my life it makes me wonder what I have missed or what I could have done had I not gone to the "dark side" first.  I think I can be a realist and an optimist at the same time.  I will start with all the positive first before looking at reality and stay away from the negative completely.  Negative ... as they say "Don't go there!"


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Gossip

Matthew 7:1-2
1Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,
and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.




Simple Pleasures


I have my 13 year old grandson with me this weekend.  I'm so blessed that he wants to come spend time with me.  Last night we went out for Chinese, his favorite place to eat and then we came home and he showed me his new lap top from school.  He discussed the newest things that excite him and gives him pleasure and told me how good his life is right now.  Thank you God for this weekend and my grandson.  He excites me and gives me pleasure and makes my life good.

Be happy, enjoy the simple things and may God bless you and yours.

Friday, January 27, 2012

What Goes Around Comes Back Around


What goes around comes around is not necessarily true all the time.  I remember how I raised my kids, how I was raised and now how I interact with my grandsons.  Of course grandkids are a horse of a different color.  I remember much more discipline with my children and even more discipline from my mom. I would not allow a lot of things that I let my grandsons do.  I think parents need to offer lots of structure especially if you are talking 4 boys or in my mom’s case 8 children, but that does not apply to grandmas.  We have completely different purposes.  My job is much easier than being a parent.  It is my time to have the easier job.  Question is when my grandsons have children what techniques will they use and the same with my sons grandparenting.  I’m so blessed that Eddie and Staci allow me to spoil my grandsons.  That is a grandma’s reason for being a grandma.  Some day their time will come when they can spoil their grandchildren rotten and then send them home.  Yep in spoiling, what goes around can come back around.





Be happy and may God bless you and yours.

Exercise vs Chocolate

Chocolate mouth wash..... now there is an idea.

Chocolate

Saw this and had to share it. It is a walking heart attack waiting to happen but I would love to try it.  It has some dark chocolate on top so there are some healthy aspects to it.  Have a little dark chocolate today for your heart and happiness.  Be happy and God bless you and yours.

Wise Man

Warren Buffet says to blame Congress for tax laws.  Thank you for being willing to pay your fair share Warren.  Why should the rich pay a lower tax rate than the average man?  This is America.  We are suppose to be treated equally according to the constitution.



Thursday, January 26, 2012

Greed

My posts today were inspired by President Obama's speech the other night.  I have a real concern the direction that many people in this country have chosen.  Many seem to be picking greed and money over the things that are really important. No wonder there are so many unhappy people in the world.  They are looking for happiness where there is none.  It is not in things or money or position.  It goes against every faith's teachings.  We can't forget our fellow man.  All faiths teach compassion. Can we start to see greed for what it is?  It destroys.   If this makes me an extreme liberal then I'm proud of it.  I call myself Christian though.

Be happy and may God bless you and yours.

Self Made Man?????


The Size of One's Heart


Physical Labor


Follow Your Heart


Here comes another one of my drips.  Drip, drip, drip.

Sometimes following our hearts is a no brainer.  For many years I gave a great deal of thought to major issues in work and my personal life only to find out that when I finally made a long awaited decision it was usually what I originally thought in the first place and it was what my heart said.  Experience now allows me to trust my original thoughts and heart.  Sometimes our hearts know what our minds haven't discovered and sometimes following our feelings is a smarter strategy than trying to figure things out logically.  Non-rationally motivated decisions are not necessarily irrational or unwise.  The insanity is making the same decision over and over again and expecting different results.  If your heart is making you do this, then you need to have a good talk with your heart so you can move on. Try trusting your heart once in awhile.  You might be surprised.  

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Laugh When You Can


Allow Yourself to Laugh

Go ahead and do it.  You know you want to.  Laugh.  Laugh out loud often today and everyday.  

Have you Laughed Today?

They say very young children laugh an average of 400 times a day.  When we become adults our average daily number of laughs dwindles to a not so funny total of 5.  Laughter is called the "second heart" because the pumping action it causes in the diaphragm boosts the body's blood flow.  A good belly laugh also helps the lymphatic system to remove toxins from the body.  It reduces stress, increases oxygen intake, strengthens the immune system and best of all, it makes us happy and helps us to connect with people. It is a win win.  Don't take life seriously all the time.  Laughing needs to be a big part of ours lives.

Seek out those things that make you laugh.  Be happy, laugh and may God bless you and yours.

  



I Am

I thought that I would share one of my favorite songs and favorite artists with you this morning.  I love Neil Diamond.  I got to see him in person and loved his show.  It is hard to pick which song I love the most, but if I have to it would be his sad song I am.  Maybe it is because I used to be lost, but I found myself and my words are much happier now.  I can say I am awesome, I am unique, I am special, I am loved.  Life is great. It should be your life work to know yourself and your great worth. I would rewrite I Am to say:

I am, I said
To God whose there
And He has heard it all
We make a great pair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I'm not lost, and I can say why
Leaving me loved still

Be happy, you are awesome, unique, special and loved.  God bless you and yours.

I Am 
by Neil Diamond
LA's fine, the sun shines most the time
The feeling is laid back
Palm trees grow and the rents are low
But you know I keep thinking about
Making my way back

Well, I'm New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
LA's fine, but it ain't home
New York's home but it ain't mine no more

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the story's the same one

But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried but it won't let me go
And I'm not a man who likes to swear
But I've never cared for the sound of being alone

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why

I am, I said
I am, I cried
I am...

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Letting Go

The photo takes the subject lightly but it is not really a light subject.  It is hard!
This is the hardest lesson I have ever had to learn in my life.  There is no easy way.  I can give you no insight on  letting go.  It is necessary though to move on in life.  I will probably always struggle with it.  I keep using the advise of Eckhart Tolle to stay in the present and asking God for strength.  The cross is heavy unless you let go.  There is no choice in the matter if you wish to live a life with happiness in it.




Happiness

Only let it go if you are sharing it.  Be happy and God bless you and yours.  

What You Get Out of Life


Give Good


I do not like to use the word luck.  I replace it with blessed.  I don't believe in luck.  I believe that we are blessed instead.   I also do not believe in bad luck.  I believe we often create our own circumstances or destiny comes into play.  To increase your blessing believe in tomorrow, be compassionate and kind.

Be happy and may God bless you and yours.

Road to Truth


Monday, January 23, 2012

Staying in the Same Place


Today is Fleeting

I will not waste today 

Time

It is caution to the wind time for me.  Time to start looking at what I want in this last part of my life and making it happen.  I still value new experiences so I'm getting out there and going to experience life even more.  I'm going to be a little selfish for the first time in my life and spend my remaining time doing things I have always wanted to do.  It's my time.  The future is mine.

Dreaming

I have been doing some Monday morning dreaming.  I love to camp and my retirement dream was to buy a small camper and use it regularly.  Circumstances has not allowed me to do that, but if God allows it is going to happen this year.  I'm beginning to look for something small to pull behind my little truck.  I'm simple so it can be very simple.  I'm old, so it can even be a little old.  The idea is to get out there and experience the peace that comes from camping.  I'm going to cross this off my bucket list. Saw some of these on line and thought I would be very happy with any of them.  Sharing a little peace and happiness with you on this early Monday morning.

I'd love this as permanent addition to my garden
Oh yah!  Sweet and from the 60s like me.

Be happy and God bless you and yours.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Work Ethic


I come from humble beginnings.  My grandparents on both sides were farmers.  I thank my parents and grandparents for my work ethic.  It is by watching them and their hard work that I learned the importance of hard work.  Thank you for that great inheritance.  It is and was worth more than any money.


All Work Is Noble


Work brings so much with it.  It brings self esteem and pride in oneself.  It helps rid ourselves of fears and worries because if we are working hard we have no time to be afraid of the unknown.  If you are really working hard it will keep you out of trouble because you are too tired to look for trouble. When we are really busy our minds are free of negative emotions because we are focusing on the work.  All this makes work very noble.  No matter what job you are doing it gives back to you many times over.  Whether you are a farmer shoving out stalls or the President of the United States work gives us purpose and another reason for being.   Work hard, do your best and see what work gives back to you.  If you are working hard at getting out of work you will get nothing from it and it is not noble.  I’ve found that doing my best even at jobs I did not like still rewarded me well.  Hard work builds character and spot lights character in people.  Never be afraid of work.  Be afraid of not working.  I pray for all the unemployed and under-employed who wish they could be working because their lives are missing so much.


Be happy and God bless you and yours.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Want vs Need


Do your wants out weigh your needs?  If so you need to rethink what you want.  You can't be happy if the scale is not balanced.  Wanting steals from your happiness.  I have all I need.  Thank you God.  I will ask You to help others since I'm so blessed.  Please give good health to those suffering with life threatening illness.  Please make sure all children go to bed loved and that they will not know hunger tonight.  Please watch over our brave solders.  God please help all those whose real needs are not being met.

Chase the Right Things

Be really fussy what you want.  Do you need it?  Choose wisely.  Life is much too short to spend precious time on chasing after the wrong things.  You are kidding yourself if you think that things make you happy.  I understand that some things are very necessary in life like a warm home, a reliable vehicle, and clothes on your back, but your choices can be modest making less demands on you in the end and making you happier.  You need to keep asking yourself do I really need this?  Spend your time and energy on things that have really given you happiness in the past like a touch, a hug, a smile, a true friend, and knowing you are loved.  Things don't make any of that happen.

Another Golden Rule


Don't listen to the experts.  Listen to your heart.  Experts are wrong all the time.  No one told the bumble bee he could fly so he flies.  Great, great lesson in that.


5 Simple Golden Rules for Happiness

If you can do these simple 5 acts, you will expand your happiness many times over.

1.  A heart full of hate can not know happiness.  Hate will override happiness and only bring you sadness.  Forgive and move on.  Stay in the present and do not return to wrongs of the past.  It is a simple matter of choice.  You heart will become so much lighter when you have rid yourself of hatred.

2.  Worries destroys happiness.  Limit worrying to those things you have control over.  If you have no control then your worrying will steal happiness and hurt you physically and mentally.  Will worrying fix anything.  Probably not.  Trust in God's plan and you change what you know you can.

3.  Our lives are more complicated than ever.  Because of the speed at which our lives are moving today, we must slow things down.  I do so by living simply.  I have purposely simplified my life and keep looking at what else I can do to make it even simpler.  So much of what I have gotten rid of was so unnecessary in my life.  Things, relationships, bad memories, and extra baggage take, take, take from your happiness.  What can you get rid of?

4.  I have always been a giver and I do not want to change that.  It is at the very soul of me.  I give how I can and don't worry about the consequences.  Sometimes that has brought hurt, but I learn from it and move on because I still get joy from giving.  Don't let the takers take your gifts and not appreciate them though.  There is no happiness in that.  Give to those that appreciate you.  There is where the real happiness lies.  I'm not talking material giving.  Give of your time and talents, give hugs and affection, give experiences, give your knowledge and wisdom.

5.  Expect less from others.  You can't control others and expect people to behave they way you expect.  You can only control and change yourself.  You will find happiness when others do give to you when you expected nothing.  Expect it when you least expect it and know the happiness of surprise.

Be happy and God bless you and yours.