Rippling effect of kindness!

I read this article the other day and loved it! So true, a little kindness goes a long way! I hope you enjoy it as much I did!

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”    ~ Mark Twain

Over the weekend, there was a report in the newspaper stating a headline from an article in the Seattle Times, ‘Kindness taught in Seattle school’s online class.’ As course leader Andy Smallman says, “The purpose of this ‘class’ is to have fun while being kind, to see how being kind to others is actually being kind to ourselves, and to start ripples of kindness that will be felt in faraway places.”

You may be curious to know what is taught in the class. According to the newspaper report by Richard Hartung (a consultant living in Singapore since 1992), there is no exams or grades - just homework. Like, do something kind for someone we love and then do something for someone we don’t know. I would like to call it enlisting people into a kindness movement by getting them to consciously perform act of kindness for their loved ones and even for people they do not know.

As Richard says, “Kindness - the ripple with no end.” Indeed, the ripples generate from the act of kindness will travel far and wide; they will go on to affect many others from where they first start. However, the ripples on the surface of the water in a lake will stop if the factor generating the ripples stop. Like the rain stops falling on the lake or someone stops throwing stone into it.

Like the water ripples, the kindness ripples will stop too if we stop being kind. Therefore, we must continue to perform act of kindness in order for the kindness ripples to continue.

Richard asked a question, “Does a kind act here or there really make a difference?” I believe that no matter how small a kind act may be, it will go on to create ripples; it will always make a difference. As Dilbert creator Scott Adams put it more simply, “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

Not only that, as stated in the newspaper report, “Thinkers from Confucius to Dalai Lama as well as research from the US National Institutes of Health and many other sources all cite benefits to both giver and receiver.” We don’t need to be a genius like Albert Einstein to understand that; who has not felt good from being kind to loved ones and to strangers?

A water ripple that hits a wall before it disappears may bounce back to its source, depending on the strength of the ripple and how far the wall is. However, a kindness ripple generated will propagate and eventually but surely, it will go back to its source.

Let us take the time today to generate a kindness ripple through a small act of kindness, which will surely bring happiness to the life of others and to yourself.

“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”   ~ Og Mandino

Now Playing...

It almost sounds like a movie when I say that I got to see Mandy 2 today! Actually it is a real life movie....but of my life. My prosthetic is named Mandy. I am not sure why I did that? Maybe it is my twisted humor or I was just got tired of writing and saying the word Prosthetic? Either way, Mandy was my 2nd and best prosthetic that I had, the first one was Sally and she and I weren't together long. Mandy and I go everywhere together and because of her, I was able to go back into life with much more confidence and peace after my mastectomy. She is a one of the newest type of prosthetic out there. A few months ago I noticed a few things that were going wrong with her and so when I took her back to the shop I got her from, they said she needed to be returned and that I would get a new replacement one soon. So a friend and I went to Marysville this morning, to pick up Mandy 2 at ...Viginia's Feminine Boutique. They do an amazing job at the fittings and they are very knowledgeable and compassionate. It is definitely worth the drive. Here is there web site... Virginia's Feminine Boutique

I realized today how grateful I am for those people who have developed the prosthetics, in the olden days, they use to make their own with rice, or herbs, even water. Yes, we have come a long way.

I am so glad that I am now a little less self conscience that I was a year ago. I seem to be more comfortable in my own skin now. I don't really even let anyone ( other than family ) see me without my prosthetic but still, I feel much better about myself than I did a year ago. I know I have a long way to go, but I only hope it continues to get easier and better each year.

Many of you have watched me and all the ups and downs that I have gone through in the past year and half, with cancer. Thank you for your love and support. It has been a hard, and yet it has taught me so many different things, things that I am sure I could not have learned in any other way. In some ways I feel like a better person since I have had cancer twice, and yet it has been one of the worst things I had to ever go through. Cancer gives you a perspective, that can be life changing... if you let it. I guess the greatest thing that I have come to learn is...God is in charge and I need to learn to trust in His wisdom and timing. And with that knowledge, to then strive to learn, enjoy and live every moment ( no matter how many I have left). Quality is a big thing with me now, I am more worried about quality of life than quantity ( especially since, that is the only area that I can control anyway! )

So the quote that keeps coming to my mind tonight about life and lessons of life is this one by Maria Robinson... "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, I know it is important to show everyone that I am not going to quit, but continue to learn and grow from each experience that happens to me. I need to show them that I trust the Lord, and that I am leaving things into His hands.  I don't want to miss one moment with my family and friends. Yes, life is like a movie ...but I can at least, make sure how it is going to end! (within reason!)

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect condition. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful."  ~ Mark Victor Hansen

"If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone."   ~John Maxwell quotes

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."     ~Robert Byrne

 

 

 

 

Kindness

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”                  ~ Leo F. Buscaglia

I loved this quote and this story, it is true...kindness goes a long way! Thank you for all the kindness you have shown to me and my family! Night!

This is from an old story, back in the '30s, in the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less. A 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" the little boy asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins he had. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing very impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry. As she wiped down the table, there placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae because he had to have enough money to leave her a tip.

http://www.motivational-well-being.com/motivational-stories.html

 

"When you carry out acts of kindness you get a wonderful feeling inside.
It is as though something inside your body responds and says,
yes, this is how I ought to feel."    ~ Harold Kushner

Real Heroes

Yesterday like I had mentioned, Jeff and I were privileged to speak to the youth of the church. Our topic was TRUE HEROS. Our daughter Lauren along with Jeff, has always loved comic books and super heroes. She loves drawing them too. So we used 5 of her super hero drawings and then 5 photos of scripture heroes and then we did a whole power point from that. At the end, she drew us a picture of teenagers dressed up in church dress and then as heroes. The point was that You can be a real hero, you can effect change in the world  if you remember to ...

1...look with spiritual eyes

2...have courage to stand up for what is right when no one else will

3...be loyal

4...be true and faithful

5...serve others

6...be obedient to the commandments of God

Here is one of the super heroes that we used....IRONMAN---- he didn't have super powers but he did have a really neat suit, it was his armor and it could do incredible things. But it was his armor that gave him his power and protection. The real hero from the scriptures that we talked about was...David. 

The Israelites and the Philistines were at war. Among the Philistines was Goliath a giant who challenged to personally fight any Israelite. When David saw the giant and heard his threats, he was amazed that no one would challenge him, so he said he would. Here was Saul's reply to David ( 1 Samuel 17:33) Now read what David's response was back to Saul ( 1 Samuel 17:34-37 ). Then Saul tries to help David prepare for the battle by giving him armor to wear. Now David did not want to wear the armor, it didn't fit him, it wasn't something he was comfortable with. He didn't need armor, his protection and armor was... his faith and trust in God! He remembered his protection and success with fighting the lion and the bear. He remembered the small victories that the Lord was with him, he had full confidence that he would be also with him in fighting Goliath. "Most of us will face lion and bear situations before we are asked to meet the Goliaths in our life."   ~ S. Michael Wilcox 

Remember the most important armor we can wear on a daily basis, is Faith in the Lord, Obedience, so we can be worthy of the Lord's help and Courage to stand up and do what is right! Each of us can be REAL HEROES when we CHOOSE THE RIGHT (CTR)

 

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."   ~ Christopher Reeve

"Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves."                              ~ Carolyn Lynn Pearson

Picture perfect day!

Yesterday was one of those picture perfect days. Not only because we saw the SUN, but because of what I got to do. In the morning Jeff and I were able to teach a class to the youth at church. I have always loved speaking but, speaking and teaching with ...Jeff is even better. He is good at it and he has a great testimony of the Lord, that is a great combination. I will talk a bit more about that class, tonight in my post.

When I came home from church, I had to lay down...being up on my feet that long hurts my back. After my nap, Amy, John and the girls came over and we were able to finally plant the rest of our garden. Angie loves working in the garden. She has her own apron, gloves, and tools just her size. She kept asking me why the weeds are so big and the plants are so little? We talked about why the slugs eat our plants, that didn't make sense to her, shoot... it doesn't make sense to me either, actually it just makes me mad! :) So we now have in our LITTLE garden, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, herbs and Angie's all time favorite....PUMPKINS! I love the time that I get to teach Angie about nature as we work in the garden. I wish I could do more gardening but...it is too tough on my back!

After that we had dinner and by evening, my back was hurting really bad. I was going to write in my blog last night but I was in too much pain, not sure that I could have written anything very inspiring! It is frustrating, knowing that when I do get to do SOMETHING...that it has to come with such a great cost ( pain ).

But I still say it was a picture perfect day, I was able to do my motivational speaking ( which I love ), plant a garden with my granddaughter, be out and enjoy the beautiful sunshine, and be with my family...it  doesn't get much better than that. So even though the day ended in a LOT of PAIN, I was grateful for the things I was able to do!

 

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place...I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."  ~ Elliott Erwitt

Parable of the Muddy Footprints

 

I read in a story related by Jack Weyland in 1986, about a parable which he calls the Muddy Footprints. Here is the jest of the parable. He mentions all of us, at some time in our lives whether we mean to, or not ...leave muddy footprints. He mentions there are three kinds of people in the world...

Those who absolutely refuse to do anything to clean them up.

Those who will only clean up when they are required to.

And those who see the mud and voluntarily go about cleaning up.

It made me wonder when I read this, about how aware we are of our choices and decisions we make in life. Is our vision limited? Do we only see what we want to see?  Or do we pay attention to the results of our actions and if they are wrong, are we the first ...to try and make up for the damage we might have caused? How is our conscience? Do we feel bad, when we have done something wrong or offended someone ( even by mistake)? How do we then, go about handling the situation? I believe it is important to be responsible for our actions. We will all make mistakes, but it what we do about those mistakes, that show our true character. It is important to lose the tunnel vision and see the whole picture, remember we aren't the only one going through this school called... LIFE!

Just food for thought!

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.” ~ Grenville Kleiser

"Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous-not just to some people in some circumstances-but to everyone all the time."  ~ Thomas J. Watson, Sr

"Everybody, my friend, everybody lives for something better to come. That's why we want to be considerate of every man--Who knows what's in him, why he was born and what he can do? " ~ Maxim Gorky

Looking for the good

I heard on a radio talk show the other day, a lady who was a scientist and also a cancer survivor. I only heard the last part of the show, but the jest of it was that she opposed all the pink ribbon and all the false hope that goes along with it for cancer survivors. She said as a scientist, they have never proven the theory that being positive really makes a difference. She found something wrong with all the tests that tried to prove otherwise. It made me upset as I listened to her. I agreed on one thing that she said though " We pretend to know a lot about cancer, but we just don't know enough yet". I know that is true but there are 1000's of scientists, doctors and others out there, trying to find out more. I think we need to appreciate that. As for the positive outlook and hope that the pink ribbons, or anything else bring, I strongly disagree with her. I don't have to believe what she or anyone else says about HAPPY THOUGHTS, because I personally have felt the difference in my own life. I am better, stronger, happier, healthier (and a lot more fun to be around) when I chose to look for the good in each day.

How grateful that I don't have to just take her word for it. I don't care what her latest studies have shown. As always the only place to get ABSOLUTE TRUTH is from God. There are 1000's of scriptures on Hope, Faith and Charity, all of which can make a huge difference on how we view our life...as bad or good!

This Is Good

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!" "What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?" "If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you." ~ Unknown

 

"There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless."  ~ James E. Faust  May 1979

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"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."  ~Thomas S. Monson, May 1987 

Happy Anniversary!

Well, today was Jeff and I's 28th Wedding Anniversary! We actually celebrated it February, because we weren't sure if we would have a job by now or not, but luckily we do. It was a great day because we had sunshine, and I am still married to my best friend.

It is late but I wanted to share this beautiful love story that I found. I hope you enjoy it, good night!

A LOVE LIKE THAT
I was 23, and all the way to the hospital I'd been composing what I would say to Mama before they took her to cut into her heart, whose center I supposed myself to be; hadn't she told me all my life I was the most important thing in the world to her?
Threading my way through the hospital corridors, I practiced my opening line, which  had to strike just the right note. Who but I could give her strength and confidence she would need? Whose face but mine would she want to be the last one she saw before they cut her open and died probably? Whose kiss but mine...?
I turned a corner and there was my mother lying on a stretcher in the hall, waiting for them to come for her. My father was standing over her. Something about the two of them made me stop and then, as I watched, made me keep my distance, as if there were a wall between us, and around them.
It was clear to me at that moment that for them, nothing existed outside them, nothing; there was only the man, the woman. She didn't see me, nor from the looks of it care much whether she did. They weren't talking. He was holding her hand. She was smiling into his eyes; and they were, I swear, speaking a language that at 23 I hadn't begun to understand, much less speak myself. But I could see them do it, literally see them, and I moved closer to see more, stunned, fascinated, very jealous that I had fallen in love with someone, married him, divorced him and never once come close to what I was looking at in that hall.
Next time, I said, I will know better. I will love like that.   ~ Linda Ellerbee

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

 
"The most important thing a mother can do for her children is to love their father."

A special teacher

I know that school ended less than a week ago for us, but when I read this story it reminded me of a dear teacher and friend of mine. Her name was Julie Ann Wilks Pollard and she lost her battle with lung cancer 2 years ago. I still have a note that she wrote just days before she died, hanging on my bulletin board...along with her picture. She was an inspiration to so many.  I belief that her influence is still being felt today by her family, friends,  and her community, YES, she touched many lives. This post is dedicated to her...one incredible mother, sister, daughter, friend and TEACHER! I sure miss you Julie!

Years ago a John Hopkin's professor gave a group of graduate students this assignment: Go to the slums. Take 200 boys, between the ages of 12 and 16, and investigate their background and environment. Then predict their chances for the future. The students, after consulting social statistics, talking to the boys, and compiling much data, concluded that 90 percent of the boys would spend some time in jail.

Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the job of testing the prediction. They went back to the same area. Some of the boys - by then men - were still there, a few had died, some had moved away, but they got in touch with 180 of the original 200. They found that only four of the group had ever been sent to jail.

Why was it that these men, who had lived in a breeding place of crime, had such a surprisingly good record? The researchers were continually told: "Well, there was a teacher..." They pressed further, and found that in 75 percent of the cases it was the same woman.

The researchers went to this teacher, now living in a home for retired teachers. How had she exerted this remarkable influence over that group of children? Could she give them any reason why these boys should have remembered her? "No," she said, "no I really couldn't." And then, thinking back over the years, she said amusingly, more to herself than to her questioners: "I loved those boys..."

- Author - Bits & Pieces

http://www.motivational-well-being.com/motivational-stories.html

"If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job."  ~Donald D. Quinn

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."  ~Henry Brooks Adams

"What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches."  ~Karl Menninger

Ok, now you can breath!

There have been times in my life that I have gotten so worked up about something; or so frightened and worried about something that it seems like I forgot to breath almost. Today was one of those days, try as I might...I didn't sleep the best last night, in anticipation for my yearly mammogram and ultrasound appointment. One that I have put off a couple of times. I was going to have someone go with me but in the end, I really felt like I needed to do this one on my own. After many family and friends calling me, sending me cards and praying for me,  I knew that I needed to work on my ability to just trust the Lord again.

I arrived at Bellevue Medical Imaging at 9:30am and was immediately taken into the waiting room, then a sweet young nurse came out ( who was new to me ) and told me where to change my clothes and that she would be the one doing my mammogram today. I was a bit nervous because one of the nurses that I have had with me for the last few years, had moved to another facility and I was really hoping that she was going to be there. But I have to admit, this new nurse ( or at least new to me ) was incredible and very compassionate and caring too. She is definitely working in the right field! The mammogram went well and of course took less time since I only have one bodies ( as my 4 year old granddaughter calls it ). Then they took me into do an ultra sound. That is always a bit more scary to me because they are not allowed to tell  you anything that they see or don't see, as they are doing the ultra sound. When you are pregnant and have an ultra sound, they show you everything and tell you what everything is. Maybe they do that if you asked them but, basically because they are looking for cancer, it wouldn't be up to them to tell you anything. In a couple of areas she went back and looked and scanned it more than once, and so I was praying hard that she was just being thorough and not actually seeing an area of concern. That went on for awhile and then she had to check my left side. It was a weird feeling to have an ultra sound done on just my chest wall. When I first came in, they asked me if I had any concerns or had felt any lumps, my reply was "no, not anything with my breast but as far as my chest wall, I have no idea what I am actually feeling. I have never not had a breast there and so that is a little frightening some times to feel something hard and then realize, that is probably just a rib or something".

After she finished, they brought in another technician to get a second look and she didn't take much time at all, she felt the first tech did a thorough job I guess? Next Dr. Jacobson (the radiologist ) came in and did the ultra sound himself on me, checking me for the third time. He said that everything looked good and then he suggested that I come back in December for my MRI. My back was hurting by now, since it had almost been 2 1/2 hours so... I was glad that I didn't have to do any more tests. I was impressed once again with Dr. Jacobson, who seems to go above and beyond for his  patients. I know that he helped us last time with even picking a surgeon, getting into appointments right away and even came in on a Saturday to call and give us test results, so we wouldn't have to worry for the whole weekend. I am grateful for his compassion too and even though it was a hard appointment to make and keep today, I am glad I did and that it is over.

I admitted to Dr. Jacobson that I had a very hard time making this appointment. He said that I wasn't the only one, since they added the new wing on there for just Women's Imaging he said their numbers have dropped. I was shocked because I thought they would have had more business, it was a beautiful facility, plus they have more rooms for the mammogram's and testing and more employees to make things go smoothly. He said that there were a few reasons why it  has slowed down. One is ...because there is some controversy over how often you should get mammogram's, that is causing people to doubt, two is...because of the economy...people are just cutting costs all together, even if that means not going to their regular check-ups and third is... it is hard to people who are survivors to go back into the whole medical cancer searching arena, they just want to go on with their lives and quit thinking and worrying about cancer. But knowledge is power and so I was grateful that I took a deep breath and finally did it. I did have to have a little coaching ( ok, a lot of coaching ) from my Doctor, family and friends but...I did it and so now I can finally BREATH and go on with life.

Thanks to all of you that have been so supportive and patient with me, I am sure it is frustrating at times to see a friend or loved one need to do something and yet they keep avoiding it. Just remember to be patient with them, (especially if you haven't experienced it yourself) and pray for them. Life can be hard and very scary at times. Thanks for  your faith in me... and as always for your love and prayers!

 

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."   ~ Emmuanuel Teney

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa

Happy Father's Day!

Well, I am grateful to have the opportunity today to honor Fathers, especially Jeff... the father of my children. I know that may sound a bit corny but it is true. I thought I could never fall in love with him more, but when he first held Amy in his arms and I saw how much he loved her, I fell in love with him all over. That happened with each child and even with each grandchild so far. Yes, he has exceeded all the dreams I had for my kids and grand kids ...as their father and grandfather. They will go far in life because of his love!

Since my journey through Cancer twice, I have often asked myself this question. HOW WILL MY KIDS SURVIVE IN LIFE, WITHOUT A MOM? I was always grateful for the peaceful answer that came immediately into my mind and heart... THEY WOULD BE FINE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE FATHER! HE IS THEIR PROTECTOR, A RIGHTEOUS EXAMPLE FOR THEM AND THEIR BEST FRIEND. Having never had that type of a Father in his life, he beat the odds, and generations will be blessed because of his choices and his example.

Happy Father's Day Jeff!    I love you!

 

"What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard for posterity."                 ~ Jean Paul Richter

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me."  ~ Jim Valvano

" A man's worth is measured by how he parents his children. What he gives them, what he keeps away from them, the lessons he teaches and the lessons he allows them to learn on their own."  ~Lisa Rogers

Fathers!

The History of Fathers Day

In 1909, in Spokane, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd was listening to a Mother's Day sermon. The lecture inspired her to have a special day dedicated to her father, William Jackson Smart, who had brought her up and her siblings single-handedly after their mother died. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day on the petition sent to him by Dodd. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. However, it was thirty years later that a Joint Resolution of Congress gave recognition to Father's Day. Another 16 years passed before President Richard Nixon established the third Sunday of June as a permanent national observance day of Father's Day in 1972 .

“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.”    ~ Anne Geddes

Another stay home, stay low day!

Well, my back actually felt better today, maybe it is because I didn't do anything...once again? When I was at the Doctor the other day and told him that I still have to lay down at least once a day, his reply was "Lynn, maybe that is just going to be your new NORMAL?" Maybe he is right but it is hard to spend so much of my day in bed. There are sooooooooooooo many things I would like to be doing instead. But I need to count my blessings and one of them today was SUNSHINE, yes... we actually saw the sun today! So today was slow, simple, but good. I will close with this story that reminded me once again no matter what my days are like... to NEVER GIVE UP!

Never Give Up

Sir Winston Churchill took three years getting through eighth grade because he had trouble learning English. It seems ironic that years later Oxford University asked him to address its commencement exercises.

He arrived with his usual props. A cigar, a cane and a top hat accompanied Churchill wherever he went. As Churchill approached the podium, the crowd rose in appreciative applause. With unmatched dignity, he settled the crowd and stood confident before his admirers. Removing the cigar and carefully placing the top hat on the podium, Churchill gazed at his waiting audience. Authority rang in Churchill's voice as he shouted, "Never give up!"

Several seconds passed before he rose to his toes and repeated: "Never give up!" His words thundered in their ears. There was a deafening silence as Churchill reached for his hat and cigar, steadied himself with his cane and left the platform. His commencement address was finished.

http://www.motivational-well-being.com/motivational-stories-3.html

"A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows."
-- St. Francis of Assisi

Temporary Home

A dear young friend of mine, lost her grandmother this past week. I remember well the day that my Grandma Johnny died. She lived on her own for years up until in her late 80's, then she had surgery and complications from it, and could not go back to her home. That was a sad day, I remembered wondering what it would be like to just leave your home for something thinking that you would be right back ,and then find out that you could never go back. All the things that you had collected or that had been a part of your life, is now just left behind and... by no choice of your own; but by circumstance, you leave everything! She came to live with us for awhile and I remember what a privilege it was to help take care of her. She was very quiet and sad, so we tried everything we could to keep her spirits up and keep her company. I am not sure how many  years that Grandma lived with us? I eventually left home and served a mission for my church. Finally my mom's back got so bad, she couldn't take care of Grandma on her own, and so Grandma was placed in a nursing home, another ...sad day. 

When Jeff and I go married she told us to take whatever we needed from her house to start our own home (which was a tiny attic apartment). Her home was a safe place in my childhood and a place where I truly felt at home. So from that day on, Jeff and I decided to decorate our home in that old fashion country style, like my grandmother's house. It reminded me of her, and for him it was a great reminder of his Aunt and Uncle's farmhouse. 

When Brad and Amy were little, we rented a small house just a few houses down from the nursing home and so we were able to see Grandma almost daily. Even though she would have rather been in her own home, she didn't complain and I know that our visits meant the world to her. When she died it was a tough time for me, I loved  my Grandma Johnny.

I heard this song on the radio and loved the lyrics, then I remembered ...that this same young sweet friend sang this song herself at a fund- raiser, she has an amazing voice!  I knew if she  picked this song, that she had a lot of faith and that she would be fine. When you have something to believe in and something to look forward to, then you have hope and peace. Even though I am sad for my sweet friend, I know she will be just fine because she understand that this was just her grandmother's TEMPORY HOME! 

"Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight."  ~ Rossiter Worthington Raymond

Hope you enjoy the lyrics to this song!

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face
"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."
Young mom on her own
She needs a little help got nowhere to go
She's lookin' for a job, lookin' for a way out
Because a half-way house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
Someday we'll find a place here in this world
"This is our temporary home
It's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know this is our
Temporary Home.
Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers don't cry for me
I'll see you all someday
He looks up and says "I can see God's face"
"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This was just a stop,on the way To where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home."
This is our temporary home

(Carrie Underwood Temporary Home lyrics found on http://www.directlyrics.com.com/carrie-underwood-temporary-home-lyrics.html )

 

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."  ~ Thomas Campbell

"For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity."  ~ William Penn

Another true hero!

Today was a rough day, my back has been bad the last few days but this morning it was worse. It has been a long time since I have been in that much pain and worried about my back. The pain was so bad that it made me sick to my stomach. I didn't get up or do anything till 11:30 a.m. Finally Amy and the girls took me to my chiropractor, who helped me get the pain under control. So instead of sharing any more of my day, I wanted to leave you with this inspirational information about a pianist called Paul Cardall. It was something I needed to read tonight, so I would stop feeling so sorry for myself. You can go on line and listen to his music too, he is amazing!  Good night dear friends.

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Four-time Billboard charting recording artist and award winning pianist, speaker, and author Paul Cardall has entertained sold out audiences and inspired people worldwide with twelve studio albums and various published writings.

Born with a severe congenital heart defect (single ventricle or half of a functioning heart), Cardall was given only days to live but defied medical expectations, enduring a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout his lifetime.

As a teenager, after the tragic loss of a friend, Cardall found comfort in music and would later established himself as an international-bestselling pianist.

In August 2008 Cardall was suffering severe heart failure and was told by medical professionals he needed a heart transplant or would slowly grow weaker and die. While facing an unknown future, his younger brother Brian, one of the rising stars in the scientific world unexpectedly passed away.

Cardall records on his blog, "If you were told you only had a week, a month, or a year to live, what would you change? This perspective empowers you and I to understand what really matters in this world. If we change, if we improve, there is a rippling effect of love and strength, which has the power to change our family, community, and so on..."
After waiting 385 days on the transplant list, doctors found a heart and surgeons performed a miraculous surgery.

Paul Cardall has a unique perspective on life. His optimistic message combined with powerful instrumental music inspires people and gives them courage, strength, hope, and faith in understanding how to live a more fulfilling and peaceful life. http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/

 

"Paul Cardall had end-stage heart failure. We talked about options. There were no easy options. He could choose to live or choose to die. The latter would be easier. He chose life, not passively, but vigorously, with the kind of energy that left me asking what I had been doing with my own life.” -Angela T. Yemtan, M.D., Director Adult Congenital Heart Program Intermountain Region

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. "  ~ Confucius

"When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, 'Try it one more time."  ~ Unknown

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."  ~ Unknown

Stress Management

A dear friend of mine sent this to me and I thought it was well worth passing on. It is pretty clear cut and simple, but why are things like this so hard to remember? I guess that is called Life huh? We are all trying to figure out how to balance. We all know that stress does terrible things to our bodies, not to mention our lives... so we should try harder to figure it out. Maybe you have, I hope I am not the only one that struggles with stress every now and then?

Take care dear friends and thank you for all the help and reminders you have given me, when I am stressed out. You examples have helped.

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and
asked,
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.
If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
as the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
we won't be able to carry on.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.
So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.
Don't carry it home.
You can pick it up tomorrow.   (www.StFrancisHospitals.org)

 

"If things go wrong, don't go with them."  ~Roger Babson

" Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it."  ~Mark Twain

"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy"  ~Leo Buscaglia

Another Mother

Today I felt an incredible desire to help another mother that I have never met. Her name is Stephanie Nielson, she and her husband were in a plane crash 2 years ago and I have just been following her blog and all the news report. Her story has been all over the world and it is through the kindness of so many strangers that they have been able to make it financially. I first learned of her story a month ago when I was in SLC to do some motivational speaking.

I read the whole story today from the day of the plane crash to now, what a hard, incredible, terrible journey and yet she is still making it and grateful for what she has learned. I have included the web-site with her story, many of you have probably already read it. It is inspiring to say the least!

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/stephanie-nielson-chapter1-120609.html

Today I worked on MONSTERS all day. I had read that Stephanie and her husband Christian were back in the hospital for more surgeries and once again they had to be away from their children. I could only imagine how hard that is for all of them but especially the kids, with both mom and dad being gone. At church I teach the 8-11  year old girls, and today was there day to come over and to a service project. I decided to have them watch Stephanie's story that has been on the news. They were very quiet and then I told them about my idea of the monsters and would they like to help me do that and make cards for the kids? There was an enthusiastic YES... from each of them. It was interesting watching them work on their cards and wonder what to say inside. They comments were sweet and you could tell, they directly related to the Nielson's kids. We took photos of the girls with their cards and tomorrow I will try to get the monsters done, then pack them up to travel to their new home... the Nielson's home. I pray that maybe, these monsters will help those kids in some small way to continue to be brave and have hope. Yes, it was a great day, because even though I was in a lot pain with my back and neck ...it seemed like nothing after reading Stephanie's story. Life is all about perspective isn't it? I have much to be grateful for. Good night dear friends.

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."   ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

“Each Journey is a work of Art!"
- ANONYMOUS

Old Testament Heroes

I am working on another presentation, this one Jeff and I will be doing together in two weeks for the Youth in our church. We have been preparing the main presentations to be about HEROES. Of course when you say that in the world today, everyone naturally thinks of Batman, Superman, Ironman and on and on. But I am thinking about more REAL HEROES, ones we know personally or ones that we know from the Scriptures. At church we talked about Gideon. I love the strength and courage that he had. I loved how human he was and some of the things he did, to keep asking God for reassurance. I have done that myself many times, when I thought what lied ahead of me was too big or too hard. His task was not an easy one, but isn't that true for most of  us?

In Judges chapter 7 we read where the Lord tells Gideon that too many in his army. So Gideon tells them 'Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart...'  After that there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. The Lord tells Gideon once again that there are too many, he then told them how to make the judgement of who leaves and who stays. At the end of that test, there was only 300 left that the Lord wanted. The Lord reassures Gideon that with those 300 men, he will save and the deliver the Midianites into his hand. The Lord knew that if there were too many men that they would think it was by their own strength that they won the battle. He wanted to make sure that they knew it was only with his help that they were victorious. Gideon...was a true hero.

How thankful I am for the scriptures which give us a knowledge of the Lord's way. It is not always our way, but definitely the right way!

"I have always found that when we do the little things correctly, the Lord gives us the strength to accomplish big things... You might not always understand the reasons for some rules or commandments, but if you will follow them even in the little things you will have more strength to do big things... And you will have the great blessing of knowing that you are on the Lord's side and that He is on yours."  ~ Donald L. Hallstrom

"To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never before done."
--Richard G. Scott,

"Nobody ever outgrows scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years."   ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

 

Learning to live within the framework He sets!

I read a book years ago called IN THE EYE OF THE STORM by John H. Groberg. The book was about his life as a missionary in Tonga. It was an amazing book of faith and trials. Here is one important lesson that was mentioned in the book.

"I learned a lesson in patience once on a trip to Uiha ( in Tonga). We had left Pangai about noon with very favorable winds and made it to Uiha in just a few hours. We had some preaching engagements that evening, so we stayed overnight on Uiha.

Early the next morning, we left Uiha just as the sun was rising, and I felt sure we would be back to Pangai by early afternoon. I had been up late and was tired, so after helping get us started. I lay down in the boat and went to sleep.

A few hours later when I awoke, I could see an island not too far away. I told the others how happy I was to be so close to Pangai. The captain looked at me and said, "That's not Lifuka (the island pangai is on), but Uiha."

I was very surprised, even upset, and said, "We've been going for several hours. What have you been doing?"

The captain patiently said, "The winds have been against us. Are you going to tell God that He doesn't know what He's doing? You have better calm down and learn to live within the framework He has set, and not try to force your schedule on Him."

His quiet, correct reasoning had a profound effect on me. I spent the rest of the day thinking about the implications of the truths he had spoken.

How often I have done the same thing. Tried to tell God that I didn't have time for this or that, or get frustrated because I thought things would turn out differently. How foolish to correct God. How much better I am, when I trust in His Framework of time. In the end, I always accomplish and learn things that I thought were impossible!

 

"The antidote to frustration is a calm faith, not in your own cleverness, or in hard toil, but in God's guidance." ~Norman Vincent Peale
                                                    

"I would rather err on the side of faith than on the side of doubt."  ~ Robert Schuller
                                                                         

"Calmness is the way we show that we are trusting in God."

Quality Time

Jeff and Lee were teasing me tonight, saying that I won't spend time with them because I will have to write my blog. I had just sat down with my computer and both of their sad little eyes are sitting looking at me so................ I will go and spend some quality time with them. Good night dear friends!

“This is how kids spell ‘love’ - ‘T.I.M.E’.”

"Your children need your presence more than your presents."  ~Jesse Jackson

Celebrating the Firsts

Seems like everyone likes to celebrate the things in their lives that are the FIRSTS. First birthday, first tooth, first time you learned to ride a bike and on and on. Yesterday was a FIRST CELEBRATION for Jeff and I. We went out on our FIRST DATE on June 9th, 32  years ago. We have always celebrated it, because it was then... that both realized that this FIRST DATE was different than all our other ones. I knew by the first date that he was different than any other guy I had ever known. I was quite taken with him ( as my grandmother would say ) by the end of that first date.

Yesterday morning, I thought that maybe Jeff hadn't remembered (which he hadn't) so I called him and said "Hey, just wanted to say hi and that I was thinking of you on this special day". His reply " This special day?" Then I said "Yes, you do remember what today is, don't you?" His reply "Oh, uhhhhhhh yeah" and then after a few seconds came " yes today is the 32nd Anniversary of our First Date!" I could tell that he was proud of his self and relieved that he finally remembered. That was a lot of pressure, not that I meant it to be quite that stressful for him?  :) But it is a big FIRST and I love telling the kids the story of our first date, each year. Of course they have it memorized by heart now,  and so they ask us all the questions and then give the answers too!

When Jeff came home last night, he was a bit late. As he walked in I saw he was carrying a dozen roses! Smart man, that's another reason I married him! :)

How grateful I am that he asked me out, that I accepted, and that I have been able to spend the last 28 years ( in June ) being married to my best friend! Yes, that was a great First Date!

 

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile."  ~ Elizabeth Browning

 

"My boyfriend used to ask his mother, 'How can I find the right woman for me?' and she would answer, 'Don't worry about finding the right woman- concentrate on becoming the right man."

 

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."             ~ Lao Tzu

My story

I have only started reading some of the stories in the new book that I got called... Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul, but I like it so far. I have already found something to not only underline but remember, it is a quote by Ted Sturgeon..."IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU WRITE, WHAT YOU BELIEVE WILL SHOW THROUGH".  I like that. Every time I have even thought about writing a book, I have wondered if what I was writing would be something someone would want to read, or that would interest them? I would often find myself comparing my writing abilities or lack of, with those who had already published books. It is funny how much time can be spent comparing and less time just doing what we know we need to do.

Someone asked me the other day "Lynn, what do you want to do more than anything else?" "Find where your passion is and follow it". I have thought and thought about that a lot lately, let's see I want to...

I want to... have a business for my RECNAC GIFTS. That would include me designing gift for cancer patients and their families. Gifts that would not only help them heal, but ones that would encourage them to have hope. (We are just getting this one started too...http://www.recnacgifts.com/

I  want to... create more cards, for any one out there that is going through tough times, I want these cards to be uplifting and inspirational. ( we have already started this dream too...http://www.biggerthanmedays.blogspot.com/

I want to... do more motivational speaking.

I want to ...work more with the Patient Advocate people at the hospital, to ensure the patients would have the right amount of knowledge that they need about their cancers, and the proper treatments given to them.

I want to... design more gifts for Grandmothers.

I want to... do a blog or write a book on favorite things to do with your grandchildren.

I want to... spend as much time as I can with my children and grandchildren, creating incredible memories.

I want to... be a better wife and companion to Jeff ( I guess that means I need to start riding on his motorcycle with him more? ).

I want to... take yoga, water color and quilting classes.

I want to... volunteer at the Children's Hospital.

I want to... create more gifts for children, one's that would encourage them to not be afraid of things and to help give them courage. ( We have started on this one already...I will be able to give you the blog address on this, soon)

I want to... be able to share my testimony of Christ with everyone, especially those who have none, so they could have more hope and peace in their lives.

I want to... write a book about my life's experiences as a cancer survivor.

I want to... write a book about my life's experiences as a Mother.

I want to... write a book about life's lessons.

I want to... learn more ways to strengthen your immune system so that it will fight off diseases, such as cancer. Then I would love to make sure that information would be available to every person out there, ever diagnosed with cancer.

I want to... continue to counsel and help victims of abuse to help them become survivors.

I want to... work out at a gym and be able to get some of my strength and mobility back.

I want to... able to serve more and be sick less.

I want to... be able to create more things for my family and friends.

Ok, maybe this is why this person asked me this question? I bet he could tell by our conversation that I had way too many things I wanted to do but yet, I needed to pick the one that I really wanted to do and the one that I was most passionate about. I guess I am still struggling with this question? I think I need to remember like I said before ...there is a time and season for everything. I have to take in account what my physical limitations are right now and what I actually have energy to do. I will probably continue to do some of each of them, or at least most of them. But I also realize that my heart keeps coming back to my book. I need to write my book. I would love to do more than that but some of them, I just don't have the health and strength to do right now. I am thankful that I can continue writing my blog and writing my book, I do believe someone out there needs to read my book, it is probably me?. And so I will continue in that direction.

"When you write from the heart, you not only light the dark path of your readers, you light  your own way as well."  ~ Marjorie Holmes

" When you speak, your words echo only across the room or down the hall. But when you write, your words echo down the ages."    ~ Bud Gardner

"Words are clothes that thoughts wear."  ~Samuel Butler

It's personal!

I read an article the other day in the news, of an elderly woman who had died. In the article it talked all about what this elderly lady had accomplished in her 80 some years. I like that her daughter mentioned to the reporter  "that elderly lady was my MOM! "  Life is very personal or at least it should be. When our lives get busy, I think we tend to forget that person in the car in front of us going  unbelievably slow...is someone's father or grandfather, and maybe they are just learning how to drive. Or when we are waiting a long time in the check out lane because the check-out lady is taking forever...we need to remember that is someone's mother or sister, who may have just had a situation in her life that forced her back into the work field at her age, or she is just new at her job. Yes, taking time to see people for who they are or try to understand why they do what they do... that takes time and patience.

Once again for our DATE NIGHT, Jeff and I watched a movie ( we didn't get out much when I had pneumonia ). The movie that we watched was a lot about this same line of thinking. It was about a kid who nobody really cared much about and nobody really wanted to get involved with. Then along came a family, who personally took it upon themselves to get to know all about this kid and he eventually became family to them. It was not easy, the family and the boy came from 2 different sides of life, but still they took took the time and effort to get to know him and no judge him on face value only. Because of their patience, unconditional love and help, this boy's life was transformed for the better. He had a very rough start in life and yet because someone personally cared, his life was never the same!

I love the story in the book of John, chapter 5 verses 1-9.  In Jerusalem there by the sheep market was a pool which was called (in the Hebrew language) Bethesda. This pool (like a hot springs or mineral springs) was known for it's healing powers at certain times. When the water was moving( troubled ), then the first person who got in, was to be made whole from their disease. Great multitudes of people with various problems waited by the pool, to be the first one in. The story goes on to tell about a invalid man who lived in Jerusalem and had suffered with his disease for 38 years. Jesus saw him at the pool and knowing he had been in that condition for a long time said unto him "Wilt thou be made whole?" The impotent man answered him, 'Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me' Jesus saith to him 'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk'. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.

I guess the obvious moral of the story is that with the Savior's help there were many miracles that happened on a daily basis, but I also thought about what this man must have felt like. Everyone was pushing and walking over or ahead of him to help themselves. How many times do we rush by in life and not see, someone who is in need of help. That takes time and patience. That takes really looking outside of ourselves. It was a wonderful story and once again the Savior's example was a perfect lesson for us all ...to slow down and personally get involved with other people's lives. It not only will bless them, but our lives will be better too. Service does that to you!

Thanks to all of you who have personally taken the time out of your life to help me and my family. We are truly grateful for your Christ-like example!

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."
Albert Schweitzer

"Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have." ~ Jim Rohn 

“Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid.” ~Albert Schweitzer

A Little Princess

The other night Jeff and I watched the movie A LITTLE PRINCESS by Warner Bros. On the back of the cover it reads... From the beloved classic by the author of The Secret Garden, A Little Princess has storytelling magic to unlock imaginations and inspire dreams. Sara Crewe (Leisel Matthews) shares a life of wonder in exotic India with her devoted father ( Liam Cunningham). But war draws Sara's father into the military and Sara is sent to a New York boarding school run by the strict Miss Minchin ( Eleanor Bron ), to whom exuberant Sara is a troublemaker. But with courage, imagination and kindness, Sara overcomes her hardships-- and changes her life and the fortunes of those around her. Experience this "jewel of a movie" ( Leonard Maltin ) for anyone who ever wishes or dreams.

If you haven't seen this movie, you ought to take time out to get it and watch it for yourselves. I think it is one of my favorite movies, the most moving line in the whole movie for me, was when she said this...

"I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags. Even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses. All of us."  ~ Sara Crew

Plus, I love the fact that her Dad is the one that taught that to her, and he was also her HERO...isn't that really what a Dad should be?

Well, it is late and Lee is still very sick. Last night there wasn't much sleeping going on, because he was coughing so much, I hope tonight he can get some rest.

Good night dear friends and don't forget to remember who you really are, I truly think that can make all the difference in what we accomplish in our lives!

"Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angel-shine about them, and though it wears thin sometimes there is always enough left to lasso your heart." ~ Alan Beck

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."  ~Stacia Tauscher

"While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about." ~ Angela Schwindt

Lessons in everything in life!

I have a dear friend who has been trying to help me learn a little more about gardening. Everyone that knows me realizes that is important! ( As seen on the photo below ) :)

I am doing better, but it takes a bit of time and a lot of knowledge for each different plant or flower.  But I am learning. This sweet friend sent me information about how to grow TULIPS!   www.Tulips.com  I had no idea that there were seven stages of the bulb's growth.

1. Sept.-Oct. ( Planting Time)

2. November ( Making Roots)

3. Dec.-Jan.(Cooling Period)

4. Feb. -March ( Growing Period )

5. April - May ( Blooming Time )

6. May - June ( Regeneration)

7. July - Sept. ( Multiplying)

It is interesting to look around the world at everything we have, and realize that each have different  lessons to teach us?  It made me think of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1.To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. 2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck  up that which is planted. 3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4. A time to week, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7. A time to rend, and a time to sew;  a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Yes, there are lessons in everything in life and for that I am very grateful. I am glad to know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and created all of these  beautiful things on the earth, not only to give us joy but to help teach us also!

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses."  ~Hanna Rion

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."  ~ Lady Bird Johnson

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace." ~ May Sarton

My Book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I belong to a book swap, and today I received in the mail Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. I was excited to get it because my daughter-in-law and I are already making great progress toward my book. I thought getting that book would help give me even more inspiration and desire to keep going toward this dream. How important it is to dream!

During my cancer surgery and treatments, I lost that desire to dream. Who could even think about the future?How did I even know for sure, I would have one? That is a hard and sad place to be... a place where you don't dream or have goals or something to look forward to. Surviving is really what occupies most of your time. So I am very grateful to be hoping, planning and dreaming again. I say that is real progress!

I will mail out my first draft of my book next week so that my daughter-in-law can edit it. Yes, I am on my way!  If any of you are interested in my book, just send me your email address and I will let you know as soon as it is available. Once again, thanks for believing in me and encouraging to go forth with my dreams. It is a wonderful feeling!

"Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning:  I wanted to know what I was going to say."  ~Sharon O'Brien

"Write down the thoughts of the moment.  Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable."  ~Francis Bacon

"Think BIG. There are unseen forces ready to support your dreams." 
- Cheryl Richardson

I am grateful for my Hands

Because I have arthritis in my hands, there are days that I can't use them without pain. So when they don't hurt and I am able to do the things I love, then I feel very grateful. Today was one of those days. I am starting to breath a bit better too, the inhaler really helped out. Amazing isn't it...when you have air and less pain, then you have more energy and a desire to do something! Air, another thing I am very grateful for lately.

I was suppose to go to P.T. today but I didn't have T_H_A_T much air!  So since it was a rainy and cold day, I just stayed in and sewed. How grateful I am that I have the talent to sew, paint and etc. ( Of course I had my Christmas music playing in the background! )

I read this story before, but I just felt impressed to share it with you today. I think originally because it talked about hands and service. But the thing that impresses me the most, is the importance and need of compassion. Compassion is one of those HEART things and one of those IMPORTANT things that makes all the difference in people's lives, both the giver and the receiver. Enjoy

Our Hands Can Serve

An old Jewish legend tells of two brothers, Abram and Zimri, who owned a field and worked it together. They agreed to divide both the labor and the harvest equally. One night as the harvest came to a close, Zimri could not sleep, for it didn’t seem right that Abram, who had a wife and seven sons to feed, should receive only half of the harvest, while he, with only himself to support, had so much.

So Zimri dressed and quietly went into the field, where he took a third of his harvest and put it in his brother’s pile. He then returned to his bed, satisfied that he had done the right thing.

Meanwhile, Abram could not sleep either. He thought of his poor brother, Zimri, who was all alone and had no sons to help him with the work. It did not seem right that Zimri, who worked so hard by himself, should get only half of the harvest. Surely this was not pleasing to God. And so Abram quietly went to the fields, where he took a third of his harvest and placed it in the pile of his beloved brother.

The next morning, the brothers went to the field and were both astonished that the piles still looked to be the same size. That night both brothers slipped out of their houses to repeat their efforts of the previous night. But this time they discovered each other, and when they did, they wept and embraced. Neither could speak, for their hearts were overcome with love and gratitude.

This is the spirit of compassion: that we love others as ourselves, seek their happiness, and do unto them as we hope they would do unto us.  ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

"IF YOU WANT OTHERS TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION. IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, PRACTICE COMPASSION."   ~Dalai Lama

"IT IS THE LACK OF LOVE FOR OURSELVES THAT INHIBITS OUR COMPASSION TOWARD OTHERS. IF WE MAKE FRIENDS WITH OURSELVES, THEN THERE IS NO OBSTACLE TO OPENING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO OTHERS."

"HOW FAR YOU GO IN LIFE DEPENDS ON YOU BEING TENDER WITH THE YOUNG, COMPASSIONATE WITH THE AGED, SYMPATHETIC WITH THE STRIVING AND TOLERANT OF THE WEAK AND THE STRONG. BECAUSE SOMEDAY IN LIFE, YOU WILL HAVE BEEN ALL OF THESE."   ~George Washington Carver

 

What our homes should really be like!

I heard a song the other day on the radio, I wasn't exactly in love with the music but I loved the lyrics. I came right home and looked up the lyrics, this is the part of the song that made me really think. If you want to read the rest of the lines, just look up the song like I did on Google.

The song reminds us what our homes should really be like for our kids ( and for ourselves). A place of safety, where core values are taught, where there are fond memories and teachings that remind you constantly of who you really are. It should be a place where you are expected to be the best at whatever you do. There in our home we should be taught that the sky is the limit when it comes to our hopes and dreams. It should be a place of  unconditional love. Some times in the world we tend to forget who we are, our values and our potential. What a neat thought that just by coming home or seeing home or thinking about home, we can remember all the wonderful things we were taught and gain back our sense of value. Yes our home, should be like this for each of us and for our children. What a good reminder of that today!!!

"Peace - that was the other name for home."  ~Kathleen Norris

Miranda Lambert - "The House That Built Me"

Lyrics:

I know they say you cant go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam.
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine.
And up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like i’m someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear i’ll leave.
Won’t take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like i’m someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear i’ll leave.
Won’t take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

 

"Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms."  ~William J. Bennett

"Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.  It is the place of confidence.  It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts.  It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule."    ~Frederick W. Robertson

“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”  David O. McKay

There are many angels among us

Today I was a bit discouraged to say the least. I am struggling with cold symptoms AGAIN and my breathing is labored AGAIN. It is interesting to me, that when I can't get any air like today, my whole body is so tired and weak that I literally have to force myself to get dressed, eat or do almost anything. Jeff and my granddaughter came down with bad colds on Monday night. I didn't get as sick as they did but, I could definitely tell that I was re-exposed to something. I went to PT yesterday because I need to get my knees back in shape. I haven't done anything physical for almost a month because of my  pneumonia. Physical Therapy was a grueling to say the least!I kept telling myself to just push THROUGH THE WALL and keep going ( I do realize that doing that actually isn't a good idea ). I kept telling myself that I will not be sick again. I haven't even been well full week yet. But I realized by last night when I was up and down coughing so much, that I was in trouble again. So today was one of those BIGGER THAN ME days. I kept asking myself "will my immune system ever be strong again?" How much more of life will I have to miss?  Jeff is really sick and so I am trying to keep my complaining and whining to myself, poor guy...he doesn't need to hear that his wife is sick yet AGAIN!

So I did a lot of reading today, that doesn't take too much energy. I read a story from the book A 2nd Helping of CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL, the story was by a woman named  Dottie Walters and it was called Angels Never Say "Hello!" here is the link if you want to read it.

http://www.aboutonehandtyping.com/storiesfolder/angels.html

I loved this story for a couple of reasons, one is that I do believe there are many angels among us. My worry is that we are so busy, rushed or worried that we miss them. Another thing that touched me about this story... is Dottie was talking about something her grandmother had taught her, that stayed with her all her life. I too learned many lessons from my grandmother and now that I am a grandmother, I realized the importance of my role in my grandchildren's lives. The story is about her grandmother, herself and her daughter. As I looked up more about the author and the daughter, I was amazed (but not surprised) that she too was an incredible lady and has gone on to be an inspiration to many. What a neat legacy each of them has received and now passed down from generation to generation.

I wanted to share with you their story because it was so inspirational and yet again, someone else's story gave me the boost that I needed to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself. I hope that you read more about Dottie and her daughter Lilly, two more real live angels who are making a difference!

This is the quote that was written at the beginning of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book, how appropriate.

"The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memory. This is how people care for themselves."               ~ Barry Lopez

I love stories, maybe because I love to read about other's lives and their experiences. I love the parables in the scriptures too because they, like any other stories ...tend to be simple and very profound. So if you have a minute, read this sweet one that gave me the shot in the arm that I needed today!

“Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls.”             ~ Melody Beattie