Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Rite of Passage!

Yesterday Angie lost her first tooth, she has been waiting for one to get loose. She has been talking about the other girls in class that lost theirs, and that seemed exciting to her. Once it got loose, she wasn’t quite as excited to touch or wiggle it… but it did come out last night ,I think with some help from her MOM! Smile

Each one of my kids reacted differently to having to lose a tooth, some were excited and would wiggle and wiggle it till it came out. Others were very hesitant and it would nearly go back and forth when they spoke, but still they wouldn’t touch it. Then one of the kids ( we won’t mention who ) nearly jerked his out as fast as he could, because he needed more money he said! Smile 

So Angie went through another RITE OF PASSAGE yesterday, loosing a tooth. Hard to watch her grow so fast, before long Jenny will be losing hers and Hezekiah’s first teeth will be coming in! And then Jeff and I will start losing our …..well, no reason to jump ahead that fast.Sad smile

I have to stop and remember to enjoy these magical moments of childhood with my grandkids, how grateful I am for that!

I hope  that we will never forget to help each child have a magical childhood!

Good night dear friends.

 
angie's tooth
The TOOTH FAIRY CAME

Last time I put a tooth under my pillow for the Tooth Fairy, she came and took my tooth and left me a dollar. I wanted to see her, but somehow I fell asleep.

Now, I've lost another tooth. THIS time I am going to see that Tooth Fairy. I am putting my tooth under my pillow and I will stay awake. I will stay awake all night if I have to. I will just lie here and wait.

Oh, oh. I hear whispering wings. I see a sparkle of light. The Tooth Fairy! “Hello, Tooth Fairy.”

“I thought you would be asleep,” she said in a small voice that sounded like tiny bells.

“I want to thank you for the dollar you left me last time. I stayed awake because I wanted to see you. No one ever sees the Tooth Fairy.”

The Tooth Fairy smiled and said, “Many children just like you do see me, they just don't remember.”

“Why don't they remember?” I wanted to know.

“Because Tooth Fairies make and carry magical Fairy Dust. Just before we leave, we sprinkle it over the children’s eyes so they forget.”

“Fairy Dust does that? What else can it do?”

“It gives happy dreams too.”

“What else?”

“Since it is magical, it does many good things. Fairies of all kinds use Fairy Dust to work their magic.”

“What is Fairy Dust?” I wanted to know.

Again she smiled. “We go all over the world and collect baby teeth that are left under pillows and leave something in return. Then we take these teeth back to Fairyland, and make them into Fairy Dust.”

“But, teeth aren't magic,” I said.

She landed on my chest and looked me in the eye. “Yes, they are. We get it from all the good and happy children of the world. Every time you smile, you store a little magic in your teeth. The more you smile, the more magic is in your teeth. It’s smiles that make Fairy Dust magical.”

The Tooth Fairy flew up into the air. “Thank you for your tooth,” she said. “It is a very happy tooth and will make wonderful Fairy Dust. Happy dreams.” She sprinkled something shiny over my face and I fell asleep.

But guess what? When I woke up this morning, I remembered!     http://sites.google.com/site/gingeredwardshome/toothfairystories

 

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.  ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future. "  ~ John F. Kennedy

Things got you down?

 
In a hospital's Intensive Care Unit, patients always died in the same bed, on Sunday morning, at about 11:00 am, regardless of their medical condition. This puzzled the doctors and some even thought it had something to do with the super natural. No one could solve the mystery as to why the deaths occurred around 11:00 AM Sunday, so a worldwide team of experts was assembled to investigate the cause of the incidents. The next Sunday morning, a few minutes before 11:00 AM all of the doctors and nurses nervously waited outside the ward to see for themselves what the terrible phenomenon was all about. Some were holding wooden crosses, prayer books, and other holy objects to ward off the evil spirits. Just when the clock struck 11:00, Pookie Johnson , the part-time Sunday sweeper, entered the ward and unplugged the life support system so he could use the vacuum cleaner.

Hopefully this put a smile on your face? It did mine!  Good night dear friends!

“If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.”

“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”

“Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.”

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Be you own hero!

Pinned Image

I personally learned this concept right after Amy was born and I realized in order to protect her that I was going to have to brake the generations of abuse that was in my family. As soon as she was placed in my arms, I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that I needed to protect her at all costs. However that was going to take great faith and courage on my part, I knew that it wouldn’t be an easy thing to do, I feared  how my family would take it. But the truth was, this abuse had been going on for generations and it had to be stopped. I realized that I had to fight this battle no matter what, no one else was going to do that.

The night that I told my parents, it was awful, all I could remember was the feeling of somehow is still must have been my fault. After my parents had left, I begin to doubt my ability to continue to  go through with this tough decision…I seemed to sense the gravity of what I was starting to do, and truly felt like I wasn’t strong enough to do so. Incest is like a weed, if  you decide to stop it ( or pull it up ) you have NO IDEA how many roots it has, or have far they have reached. So that is what makes it so hard, you have no idea how big the battle will be or how many years you will have to keep fighting.

For the first time in my life, I begged my Heavenly Father to let me die ( I was not thinking of suicide, I just wanted Him to take me right then and there) I told Him this was much bigger than me, I didn’t feel I could go through it. My parents reaction was one of blame on me, and how could I go on and tell the rest of the family. That night after my prayers I felt a sense of peace and in my heart I  felt like I could hear my Heavenly Father tell me  that it was not time for me to come home, and that I could and needed  be strong enough to break this silence of incest. He told me that there we generations counting on me, that there were other women who needed to see my example, and that my future children as well as Amy, needed a Mom who had great faith and courage. He then  promised me I could come home when my mission was over and that HE would hold me and protect me forever.

I can’t even explain the feeling I had after that connection, I knew this was my battle and no one else was going to fight it. I knew what the God expected of me, and I knew that no matter how hard it might be, that I was not alone in this fight.

That was one of the toughest things I ever did in all my life, battling cancer took a close second. But even though it was a long hard battle, there was a big separation in our family because of it, and to some…I was still the bad guy.  I can honestly say… I know that I did what God needed me to do, and my kids ( the next generation ) were protected and that was… worth any of it!  I encourage anyone who is being abused or knows of abuse…to stand up and fight it with everything you have. Ask for help, don’t be afraid. Abuse is wrong, it was 40 some years ago when I was a little girl, and it is still wrong today!

Good night dear friends!

 

Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.  ~ Herbert Ward

The consequences of your denial will be with you for a lifetime and will be passed down to the next generations. Break your Silence on Abuse!   ~ Patty Rase Hopson

The only reason why child abuse is alive today, is because we as adults fail our children when we fail to listen to them. Listen to a child today!   ~  Heather McClane

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Lessons from a child!

Today I was asked to speak in church. I actually love to have that opportunity ( I know that is weird ). I think one of the reasons I love to teach and speak, is because of all the study and preparation it makes me do. I love reading my scriptures, but to have a reason to really dive into them and search things out of them, it a great experience for me. Some of my talk was about FAITH, and so I will share part of it with you.

I first started out with this cute story…

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a parochial elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

But this time a child had written a note and put it by the cookies  which said, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”


I have always been interested in how children see things so black and white, completely trusting in what they have been taught by their parents

Then it reminded me, of how as parents… it is our responsibility to teach these children of the truths that we know. Of course we can not teach what we do not know. That is why it is vital for us to study, and pray to know the truth first for ourselves.

In James chapter 1 verse 5 it reads:

IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO HIM”.


I looked up the word upbraideth and in the dictionary, is said that upbraideth is to find fault with.  I think that is important to any of us that need to ask questions from our Heavenly Father, He is the source of all knowledge, but understanding no matter what we ask that He isn’t going to find fault or make fun of our questions. As a kid, I felt like that was very important, God promised to give answers to all and He will not judge us.

The only other thing we have to do (which is vital ) and it goes on to say this in James 1:6  is…“BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH,NOTHING WAVERING”.

It is important to remember “that great faith has a short shelve life” so we need to daily work on strengthening our faith and deepen our testimony of the Savior,  to the point that we can endure whatever life holds in store for us, and come out stronger than before.

I go back to where I started with an example of a child…
 
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.'
The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.'
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, 'They will in a minute.'


We need to stay close to our children and grandchildren, because they are closer to God than we might think. Wouldn't it be great for us to be that confident in our trust and knowledge in God, and understanding our purpose here on earth?
It is my testimony that we truly can obtain that type of faith and hope, and with that… be able to accomplish the purpose of why we are here!

Good night dear friends!

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”   ~ Voltaire

Friday, February 24, 2012

So true!

“If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise- miss them profoundly.”   ~ Thomas S. Monson

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Oh am I glad today is over!

Being a cancer survivor twice doesn’t help your nerves when you have to do your scheduled check ups. For me, mine are every 6 months, the first six months is a mammogram and ultrasound and the next six months is a needle MRI. I still am not sure if I want to continue at that pace, but for now I have been. Except in January, I got to thinking it had been a while since my last exam and so I called and asked when it was. They said it was a year ago…I couldn’t believe I missed it. Well, I did have to find 3 new DRs this year so I was a bit busy with so many other exams but still they always call me and they didn’t. When I asked the lady why, she just told me that they had a policy change and they don’t make those calls any more. I couldn’t believe that they wouldn’t notify us and tell us that. I was sad to find out that I had been behind a year on my MRI and a year and a half on my Mammogram. I was upset, frustrated and scared…why didn’t I remember that then? Still I couldn’t believe that they would have to notify you if they are going to make a big change like that. So my normal nervous, scared, anxious, sick feeling that you get before you go for a check up, was just heightened…just what I needed.

I feel like last week and this week were just a blur, I don’t think I really accomplished that much. Hard to concentrate when you are worried! I know that worrying does absolutely no good but still it is hard NOT to do, when you have been down this road before. Last night before I went to bed I just bawled. I didn’t want to go to bed, because then I would have to wake up and go today. This morning though, I woke up and felt a bit better.  I have fought cancer twice, if something happens that I have it again, then I just reminded myself I could handle it … if I had to. I listened all the way there to my song that I called my Theme Song 11 years ago, right before I had my 1st cancer surgery…here are the lyrics. 

BRING ON THE RAIN  sung by Jo Dee Messina


Another day has almost come and gone
Can't imagine what else could wrong
Sometimes I'd like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost , but not the war
cause Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain
It's almost like the hard times circle ‘ round
A couple drops , and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated,
and I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing - but I'm not dead
cause Tomorrow's another day
And I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain

   Still as I drove by myself to the appointment, I thought I shouldn’t have been so brave …I should have asked Jeff or one of my girlfriends to go with me. After I got there, waited and filled out the paper work, I began to get a bit nervous again and about that time I saw Jeff walk in! My knight in shining armor! Oh I was sooooooooo glad to see him, then they called me in. The mammogram went pretty well, until she asked me to do it one more time, she said she saw something but was sure it was nothing, but just wanted to be on the safe side, now my stomach and nerves began to kick in ( that is what they told me 3  1/2 years ago and it ended up being SOMETHING!). Still I tried to keep talking to myself as she went to have the DR look at the results. Well, she was gone for about 10 mins and never came back, the next tech that came in was one that was going to do my Ultrasound. She didn’t talk much at all and seemed to go over this one area in my right breast again and again. I know not to ask the techs anything, they couldn’t tell you even if they knew something, so by now my nerves were wearing and I began to make some big deals with the Lord. On the serious side,  I know my Heavenly Father is well aware of me and my situation, and I know He won’t give me more than I can bare but still, I was begging not to have to fight Cancer a third time.

Then after that tech was through, she went and got another tech to do a 2nd check, by now I was getting pretty quiet and concerned. She however didn’t take nearly as long and then she went and got the DR and he did the 3rd Ultrasound on the same area. I had mentioned it had been a while and I asked why the Policy changed? He was pretty upset when I told him the story, he just said that their policy HAD NOT changed and that I would be receiving my reminder call in 6 months. I hope I didn’t get someone in trouble, but at the same time I felt like I really needed to say something. I always think if you say something about things that aren’t right and you do it in the right way and with the right spirit about it, that hopefully things will change for the better and some other survivor won’t have to be late on their check ups.

But the good news after all that is…the area that they were worried about  and kept checking, was just a fold in the skin, and everything looks fine!
Wow, how grateful I was for that answer! I will have to go through the MRI in 6 months, but for today I was done and very, very grateful for the results!  I am very glad that today is almost over, and now I need to go back to the Lord and see exactly what I promised! :)

  
“Sometimes you have to do what you don’t like to get to where  you want to be.”   ~ Tori Amos

"Don't count the days, make the days count."       ~Muhammad Ali

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What a great example!

I have a lot on my mind tonight, and without weighing  you down with my problems (which isn’t motivating ), I am going to find 3 great things about today.
First… is I got to sew a lot of things for my little grandson, who is to be born in 3 weeks. I have been trying so hard not to count, that the time has gone faster than I thought and so I sewed and sewed the day away. Second…I got to talk to an old friend today, and we are going to get to reconnect this week, I am excited to see her again!  And Third… I found this wonderful poster, with this photo and quote on it. Mother Teresa was truly a great example to us all. She didn’t have to tell people what her religious beliefs were… she just lived them! 

Thank you for all of your examples to me and my family too. They have truly made a great difference in our lives!

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“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 
~
Mother Teresa

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

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”   ~ Mother Teresa

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Acts of service can have far-reaching effects!

I had read this story years ago, and it always has touched me. Maybe because I was a Mother myself many times in situations where I wish I could have explained my actions. Yet, I too have fallen guilty of judging too quickly…well knowing that we don’t know the whole picture. Making a quick judgment is so easy, but like this story…things may not always be what they seem.

I hope you enjoy it.
Good night dear friends!

Serving Others

Stranded in an airport because of bad weather, a young mother and her two-year-old daughter had been waiting in long lines for hours trying to get a flight home. The child was tired and fussy, but the mother, who was pregnant and at risk of miscarriage, did not pick her up. A doctor had advised the mother to avoid lifting the two-year-old unless absolutely necessary. The woman overheard disapproving comments from people around her as she used her foot to slide her crying daughter along in the line. Nobody offered to help. But then, the woman later recalled, “someone came towards us and with a kindly smile said, ‘Is there something I could do to help you?’ With a grateful sigh I accepted his offer. He lifted my sobbing little daughter from the cold floor and lovingly held her to him while he patted her gently on the back. He asked if she could chew a piece of gum. When she was settled down, he carried her with him and said something kindly to the others in the line ahead of me, about how I needed their help. They seemed to agree and then he went up to the ticket counter [at the front of the line] and made arrangements with the clerk for me to be put on a flight leaving shortly. He walked with us to a bench, where we chatted a moment, until he was assured that I would be fine. He went on his way. About a week later I saw a picture of Apostle Spencer W. Kimball and recognized him as the stranger in the airport.”

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/01/spencer-w-kimball-man-of-action?lang=eng

Later at the end of the story Spencer W. Kimball got a letter from a young man. Here is just a part of his letter to him… 

… a story was told of a loving service which you performed some 21 years ago in the Chicago airport. The story told of how you met a young pregnant mother with a young screaming child in … a [condition of] distress waiting in a long line for her tickets. She was threatening miscarriage and therefore couldn’t lift her child to comfort her. She had experienced four previous miscarriages which gave added reason for the doctor’s orders not to bend or lift.
“… You comforted the crying child, and explained the dilemma to the other passengers in line. This act of love took the strain and tension off of my mother. I was born a few months later in Flint, Michigan.
“I just want to thank you for your love. Thank you for your example!”



 

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  ~Anne Frank

“It is not so much what we know that is important, as what we do and what we are.” ~ Spencer W. Kimball

Monday, February 20, 2012

When your heart hurts!

Some things in life really hurt your heart, that is an ache that is hard to explain in words. Once you have felt it,  you then can begin to understand when others talk about it. It helps you have more compassion. I wish life wasn’t so hard, it seems though that a life worth living…truly is a life with challenges and struggles. I know that I can’t take someone else’s hurt away, any more then they can take mine; still like I mentioned last night, I can pray for them. Pray that they can hold on, until they finally see that light of hope in the distance.  I love this quote I found from Maya Angelou about Courage, so true.

“One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”  ~Maya Angelou

Here are a few more of my favorite quotes and photos. Hope you enjoy them, and that your heart hurts a little bit less after really reading and thinking about them.

Good night dear friends!

  I think there are times when we have to hold on to our HOPE that things will get better, it takes a lot of faith to have HOPE though!

          How many times I let fear paralyze me. I just didn’t move, but I realize now I needed to have courage and just keep going any how!

     I have heard it said many times, we don’t really learn what we need to learn until we hit rock bottom. I always thought that sounded a bit harsh. I love this quote and how it talks about the Dark Times in our lives as a great opportunity to see more clearly! I know personally that this is true.

“Life is simple, it's just not easy.”    ~Author Unknown

Sunday, February 19, 2012

What to say or do?

There are many things in life that happen to others, and if we haven’t had the same experiences we don’t really know what to say or do. As I have looked through articles ( one by Summer Thorp ) about this very thing, there were some comforting words to remind me… that I can’t change the situation for them and I can’t heal their broken hearts but I can do something! The list that was in one of these articles helped me out some,  and I hope they will help you too if you have a friend in need.

Here’s what we CAN do…

Respect Others’ Privacy…not everyone is comfortable sharing when they are hurting so bad. Some people don’t want others opinions at that time. Some don’t know how to handle this in their life, and may not feel like sharing it with others. We need to respect that.

Don’t Minimize the Loss…when I had cancer, someone said to me right before my mastectomy “at least you are only losing one breast”. Some how… I didn’t feel better and that comment hurt, even though I know it wasn’t meant to. When bad things happen, we will feel sorrow, pain and our heart will really hurt. But grieving is an important part of healing. If you have never been there, then don’t try to say something great, just remind them that they are loved and you are there, if and when they need you.

Recognize That Both Parents Experience Loss… When problems happen as a couple, we may tend to just try and comfort the Wife and Mother, yet the Father is hurting just as bad. Remember to be considerate and compassionate to him also. If he ever needed a friend… now might just be the time.

Ask How You Can Help… Many times, when you are going through a tough time, it is hard to know what to tell others they can do to help. But if they know you are really there, night or day…I think that helps and continue to offer some help. One day they just might take you up on it.

Support in Simple Ways… Some times it is the little things that are the hardest to accomplish when you are struggling or hurting so bad. Cooking, cleaning, doing little errands like grocery shopping might seem like a huge task at the time. I don’t think it hurts to do some of these simple things to help out. Just leaving a dinner by the door, not going in to talk, because some times retelling the story makes  you feel like you just keep opening the wound. So maybe a meal, a note in the mail…just some reminder to them that they are loved and thought of. Plus, remember them in your prayers. Prayer is a very powerful too in calling down the powers of Heaven to help. Never under estimate the power of prayer!

Last but certainly not the least, is to remember the Savior’s Example… The scriptures are full of examples of how the Savior took care of those who were hurting. He knew when to mourn with someone, and He knew when to help. After Lazarus’s death, Christ  traveled to Bethany to be with Martha and Mary. To Martha He offered His testimony of life after death and asked her to reaffirm her testimony. When Mary expressed her grief over the loss of her brother, the scriptures simply state, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
The simplest acts can mean the most to your loved ones who are suffering. Let us be more like the Savior and help ease their pain.

 

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”   ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Kids teaching parents!

Jeff and I were planning on going to a movie on Valentine’s night. We were trying to find out to see if anyone else had seen it. We saw the previews and it looked like a good date night movie, we thought. Right before we left our son and his wife called. After we told them where we were planning on going, but mentioned that we were a bit concern that we didn’t know a lot about it, then they told us a place to go.


It is called www. IMDb.com

What that stands for is The Internet Movie Database

1. You put in the movie you want to know about
2. Scroll down till you see the Motion Picture Ratings
3. Then  you push the Parent’s guide

It will give you scene by scene what goes on. What they mean specifically, if it says Some Sexual Content. It tells you bad the language will be. I guess you could be offended by just reading some of it, but it doesn’t take long to at least figure out, if it is the movie for you or for your kids. Oh how I wished I would have known about this when my kids were teenagers. It probably was there but I didn’t know it. How interesting that it took one of my kids to teach it to me. Glad that they are still teaching us! Smile 

Still I am grateful for the information. It will safe Jeff and I from having to waste our money, or get up and walk out of a movie (which we have done on numerous occasions), so I was glad to get the information and just wanted to pass it on! We parents need to stick together. Anytime we can help one another in the quest for raising good kids, I think we should do it!

Hope this helps?  Remember … Knowledge is POWER!
Good night dear friends

 

“It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.”    ~Joyce Maynard

“The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher.”    ~Robert Brault

“If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.”    ~C.G. Jung

Friday, February 17, 2012

Learning to Appreciate Yourself

I found these quotes the other day, and realized I need to remember them for myself more often!

Hope  you enjoy the reminder too! Good night dear friends

Do you think highly of yourself? If not, now is the time to raise your self-esteem and self-worth.

  Remember, you are a beautiful person in your own unique way. And you are valuable, worthy and lovable.

I Highly Value Myself

"If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price." 

-Author Unknown

  I Am My Own Best Friend

"We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies."

-Roderick Thorp

  I Believe in My Dreams

"Don't let anyone steal your dream. It's your dream, not theirs."

-Dan Zadra

  I Chart My Own Life Course

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship."

-Louisa May Alcott

I Don’t Let Others Bring Me Down

"Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality."

-Les Brown

  I Recognize the Jewel Within

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

  I Am Brilliant and Fabulous

"It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"

-Marianne Williamson

   I Enjoy The Journey of Life

"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was."

- Richard L. Evans

  Treat Myself Well and Others Do Too

"The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others."

-Sonya Friedman

  I No Longer Judge Myself

"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes."

-Sally Field

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

“Do you hear me?”

For some reason I couldn’t get my post to go onto my blog last night. You didn’t really miss much, I actually just left a Valentine quote and told you that I was going to spend the evening with my Valentine, and wished you a Happy Valentine’s too. I was looking for the perfect Valentine story for you anyway and I couldn’t find one that I hadn’t already shared with you. But then this morning I read this article by Jason Wright, and thought it was a  perfect Valentine story, not about our sweethearts… but about how much we are loved by our Heavenly Father and  also how we need to show love to our families. So here it is  and Happy Belated Valentine’s Day!

January Demo photos

 

As parents, most of have probably said the words, "Do you hear me?" with our lips trained on our children's ears. But if our Heavenly Father speaks to our hearts in whispers, shouldn't we?

They were on my aisle, but I could have heard her yelling from across the grocery store. The woman — presumably a mother — was reprimanding her son for grabbing items off the shelves.

"I'm speaking to you," she shouted. "Do you hear me?"

We all do, I thought, and I might have been embarrassed for them if I weren't also guilty of using volume to teach or protect my own children.

The groceries I bought that day are long gone, but the sights and sounds of that parenting moment are still fresh and colorful. The more I've thought of that woman, the more I've thought about my own parenting style.

And those thoughts have taken me to unexpected places.

I'm in South America. The year is 1991.

I am assigned to the Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently, I'm serving in the beautiful, bustling city of Uberlandia in the state of Minas Gerais.

One afternoon, several Mormon missionaries and I are walking home from the post office when I absent-mindedly step off a median separating a busy divided highway. A quiet voice from behind stops me; I hesitate to look over my shoulder.

As I do, a city bus races by and nearly brushes the short sleeve of my white, button-down shirt. It was so close, my companions cannot believe I haven’t been swept away and killed.

Had my Heavenly Father whispered a warning?

Now I'm a college student sitting in a movie theater with a good friend. We knew from the posters and trailers that the film wasn't likely to provide much uplift, but we purchase tickets and popcorn anyway. Less than 20 minutes in, the film takes a series of very inappropriate turns and a whisper says that it's time to go.

We do and we both wonder, had we heard whispers amidst the noise and energy of Hollywood's finest sound and video effects?

It's late Thursday evening two weeks ago and I'm sitting alone at an intersection after a church meeting. I'm 40 miles from home and praying to stay awake. I watch the red light anxiously, looking left and right and wishing the traffic signal sensors could respond to my desire to climb into bed.

When the light finally turns green, something causes me to hesitate for several seconds. As I do, a truck blazes through the red light in front of me and into the night.

Had heavenly whispers penetrated my own exhaustion and frustration?

I rolled through the intersection, joined the highway and began the 40-mile journey home. But I wasn’t on the interstate long; my mind was flashing through the many times in my life that my Father in Heaven has whispered to teach me, protect me or correct my course.

"Do not get in that car."

"Do not look at your friend's algebra exam."

"Do not attend that party."

As parents, most of have probably said the words, "Do you hear me?" with our lips trained on our children's ears. But if our Heavenly Father speaks to our hearts in whispers, shouldn't we?

When I am standing in the doorway of my child's messy room, am I trying to shout at their ears or speak to their hearts?

When the report card is imperfect, or when the eye roll is too perfect, do I respond simply with increased volume?

Certainly there are times when raising our voice might be the difference between a lesson learned and a life cut short. Your child is nearing the edge of the swimming pool or your toddler is playing by the campfire. In those cases, whispers won't be enough.

But more often than not, when the television remote goes missing, or when the bed isn't made, or when the green beans aren't finished, or when the child grabs something from the shelf at the grocery store, less volume might really be more volume.

No matter my resolve to be better, I'm certain that I haven't raised my voice for the last time. But I'm also certain that my own life — both spiritually and physically — has been saved by loving whispers.

Like the woman in the grocery store, can't you almost hear heaven asking us, "I'm speaking to you. Do you hear me?"

Well, do we? http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865550023/If-God-whispers-to-us-why-do-we-shout-to-others.html?pg=1

“We are apt to forget that children watch examples better than they listen to preaching.” - Roy L. Smith

“Affirming words from moms and dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.”
- Gary Smalley

“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.”
- P.D. James

Monday, February 13, 2012

Take this quiz!

The 30 second quiz

Don't bother getting a pen and paper... just read... if you can't
answer them, just keep going.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last five Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.


How did you do?


The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They're the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Now here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. Name three teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life aren't the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They're the ones who care!
http://inspireme.net/inspirational-messages/30-second-quiz.htm

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. “   ~Seneca

“You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”    ~John Wooden

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sundays are hard!

When the kids were little, I used to think Sunday were so hard. Getting 4 kids dressed in their Sunday best and out the door and into church on time, was no small feat! Many times Jeff had earlier meetings, so we just met him at church ( which meant I had to have everyone ready by myself ). It is no wonder I have a bad back, you should have seen the size Sunday bag that I carried! It had to be able to have a fresh change of clothes for the baby and diapers, wet wipes, food, bottles, toys and his favorite blanket. For our 2 year old, it had to have every type activity that would keep her quiet, sitting still and not harassing the people behind or in front of us, then there were coloring books, and other books for the older kids. Luckily they could carry their own scriptures. Once when Lauren was a little bit older, she wanted to start bringing her own scriptures to church like her older brother and sister. But when we arrived at church, I noticed that Lauren was playing with Beanie Babies, I looked to see who gave them to her…still she was quiet so I really didn’t question it. Later that night after the kids had gone to bed, I began my usual nightly clean up, and I noticed that Lauren had left her scripture bag in the living room. As I went to pick it up, I was surprised at how full it was, but not really heavy? As I unzipped the bag…out fell quite a few Beanie Babies, that is where they came from. I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. It was sad that she took out her scriptures and replaced them with stuffed animals, and yet it was funny because as much as this little girl wanted to be big like her brother and sister…her need for entertainment won out! Smile

Then there were the days when the kids were older, they some times had a hard time getting ready for church. Sometimes they were just tired from not getting to bed on time and just were grumpy in the morning with each other. Other times, we did great till about the time we were just ready to all get in the car and then realized that  someone lost their shoe. I always thought I was doing pretty good to have everyone ready and to that point, especially if we had all been in a great mood that morning and things were running smoothly. Then it happened…the DISAPPEARING SHOE, how could one shoe cause so much trouble? Weren’t we the nice happy family getting ready to go to church? Then all heck breaks loose, voices sometimes were raised  ( just a bit higher or louder, usually mine although I hate to admit it ), first requests were asked for the help of the missing shoe; then if there was still no shoe, then demands came in and well…my kids could tell you the rest. Did we find the shoe? Sometimes we did, there were some days that we someone had to just wear their socks and sometimes we had to change our shoes ( and a few times even the outfit ), but the spirit in our home changed and I once again thought  Sundays are Hard!

Now 30 years later, Jeff and I sit in church by ourselves. We don’t have anyone to remind to sit up, to be quiet and listen, no one to talk to while getting ready for church, and no one to put your arm around and tell them that you love them (even when they acted like they were embarrassed ). So now I would repeat once again…Sundays are Hard!  I miss my kids, I am doing better during the week, but Sundays are Hard.

I find the best way to ease this aching heart of mine, is to try and sit with some of our dear friends with little kids, then I can help out by holding and entertaining them while maybe giving their Moms and Dads a chance to actually listen.

It does my heart good to know though that even though we aren’t together any more, that each of my kids are sitting at church too each Sunday. I pray that not only will they be there, but that they will listen and receive what they need spiritually, to make it throughout the next week . Yes, Sundays may be hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. It has made all the difference in my life and in theirs I believe, because we did go to church every Sunday… for all those years!  So actually Sundays are GOOD! 

This is the sweet little guy that I try to sit with each week on Sundays!  Yes, he knows his Aunt Lynn is pretty crazy about him…I’m sure  you can see why? Smile

 

Gordon B. Hinckley said…

“Most of you are mothers, and very many of you are grandmothers and even great-grandmothers. You have walked the sometimes painful, sometimes joyous path of parenthood. You have walked hand in hand with God in the great process of bringing children into the world that they might experience this estate along the road of immortality and eternal life. It has not been easy rearing a family. Most of you have had to sacrifice and skimp and labor night and day. As I think of you and your circumstances, I think of the words of Anne Campbell, who wrote as she looked upon her children:

You are the trip I did not take;

You are the pearls I cannot buy;

You are my blue Italian lake;

You are my piece of foreign sky.    

“You [mothers] are the real builders of the nation wherever you live, for you have created homes of strength and peace and security. These become the very sinew of any nation.”

“Mothers teach their children to dream - that which is possible.”

Saturday, February 11, 2012

To all the young Mom’s out there!

I could have written this sweet story, about surviving Motherhood. But also when I read it, I thought how it applied to me as an Empty Nester now. Time goes by way too fast.
My advice after 30 years of full time Mothering….slow down and savor each MOMENT! They will be gone before you know it!

Good night dear friends.

 Oatmeal Kisses

The baby is teething-the children are fighting. My husband just called and said to eat dinner without him. Okay, one of these days you'll shout: "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" and they will, or "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door!"...and they won't.

You'll straighten up their rooms neat and tidy...bumper stickers discarded...spreads tucked and smooth ... toys displayed on the shelves...hangars in the closet...animals caged, and you'll say out loud: "Now I want it to stay that way!" and it will...You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in it and you'll say, "Now there's a meal for a company." and you'll eat it alone.

You'll say, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around, no pantomimes, no demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear?"...and you'll have it. No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti, no more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent, no more dandelion bouquets, no more iron-on patches, knotted shoestrings, or tight moots.

Imagine, a lipstick with a point, no babysitter for New Year's Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no P.T.A. meetings, carpools, blaring radios, Christmas presents out of toothpicks and paste. No more "Wet Oatmeal Kisses". No more tooth fairy giggles in the dark, or knees to heal.

Only a voice crying..."Why don't you grow up?"... and the silence echoing ......."I did."   http://www.rogerknapp.com/knap/inspire.htm

  “It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.”   Erma Bombeck quotes

 Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.”   Mildred B. Vermont quotes

“Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life.”

- Maureen Hawkins

Friday, February 10, 2012

What makes you come alive?

I read this quote the other day that said … “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes  you come alive and then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”                       ~ Harold Whitman

I love that, what makes you come alive? And when we find that out, that is what we should be doing with our lives!

My daughter sent me this video of people who are sharing their  talents. As you watch the video, you can truly tell this is what makes them feel alive. Just watching these people do what they love, inspires me!  Hope it does you too.

Good night dear friends!

Here is the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ_fkw5j-t0  
and the quote:

"Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine." ~Ludwig van Beethoven

 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Helping Others

Perfect story to prove that the old saying “ what goes around, comes around “ is true!

Good night dear friends!

 


 
  Helping Others

When my son was a young teenager, he and his friend set out in a bus across town to purchase skateboard axles. They each had $20. When they arrived downtown, they discovered they needed more money to cover bus fare and sales tax. They were short $3.75.

A branch of our bank was nearby, so they decided to go in and take out a loan. The teller told them that was not possible, but that they could get a cash advance on their parents' credit card. So they called home, but got no answer. They tried the teller again to see if anything more could be done. She referred them to the desk of the vice president. When he asked why the bank should give them a loan, they answered, "Because we're Boy Scouts and good students, and very trustworthy." He said that since they had no collateral, they would have to write out and sign an IOU. They did, and he in turn gave them the money they needed to complete their mission.

We found out later that this wonderful man lent the boys his own money. (My husband called him the next day asking for the same terms on a home loan!) In talking with the man, we learned that he had made many such loans, including a large one to a Navy wife whose allotment was delayed. He said he's been repaid almost 100 percent of the time, and that the opportunity to help others in this way was one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

My son and his friend hopped on the bus the very next morning.  They paid off their loan and received their IOU signed by the vice president. It was banking at its best.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  ~Anne Frank


”Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.”  ~William James

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.’  ~Mother Teresa

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

True Love!

I love this Valentines Story! I think you will too.

Good night dear friends!

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the
girl with the rose.
His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond.
The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.
When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.

I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened:

A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be, grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment.
"I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard,and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"
The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom.

 

“The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive.”

"Tell me whom you love,and  I will tell you who you are."  ~ Houssaye

               “When we love, it isn't because the person's perfect, it's because we learn to see an imperfect person perfectly.”  ~ Jessica

Monday, February 6, 2012

Time, in her eyes!

Well, my granddaughters were glad to see that Nana finally took Christmas down ( on Jan 31st )  and now had beautiful red and pink hearts everywhere! Angie has always loved helping put up and take down all the different seasons of decorations at Nana and Poppa’s house. Now Jenny is getting old enough to get into the excitement of it all. Someone said to me, doesn’t it take alot to change all those seasons? The answer is YES, but I love it, all my kids loved it throughout their lives, and now to see how excited in my granddaughters get…it is totally worth. I hope I get to continue to do it for many, many years to come.

I think that I told you that Angie and I watched a movie a few weeks ago, where the children made a Time Capsule. She was so inspired by that, that she wanted us to make one and bury it … and so we did. That was a couple of weeks ago, our promise was to open it on Christmas Day 2012, a year was all she could commit to. However, every day for the past week she has asked to dig it up. A couple of times I have caught her in the back yard with the shovel. I stop her and try to talk about time and how excited we are going to be on Christmas Day this  year.

She wasn’t satisfied and just couldn’t think about her stuff being buried in the ground any longer. So as we talked about it some more, we decided to dig it up on Valentine’s Day. And since she really doesn’t have a good concept of time, we made a paper chain with lots of cool Valentine Stamps all over it and then I explained  she just has to wait until she gets to the end of the paper chain. As I looked in her eyes, I realized she saw things very different, her time was very different than mine.  Her time is about the here and now…hum, maybe that is exactly what mine should be like more often!  Children, they can teach us soooooo much, if we would just let them!

Ok, I just looked at the time, and I need to go to bed. Good night dear friends.

You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.
Charles Bruxton

Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.
”   Harvey MacKay quotes

Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

What is love?

I love how children seem to be able to explain things so easily and simply! Like the example below.

February-03-2012-22-16-07-ScreenShot20120203at7.09.23PM

Here are some questions and answers about love, straight from the kid’s mouths!

What do you really think of love?

  • "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." (Bobby, 8)
  • "I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." (Regina, 10)

Why do lovers hold hands?

  • "They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)

What’s falling in love like? 
  • "Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)

 Kids' Thoughts on Love - Funny Children's Quotes: Funny Quotes About Love & Relationships From Children | Suite101.com http://l-pawlik-kienlen.suite101.com/kids-thoughts-on-love-a15669#ixzz1lYWwZa6I

 

What is love?

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

"Pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children."     Oliver Wendell Holmes quotes

Friday, February 3, 2012

Synergy!

Today was my class at the shop, we are starting a group of classes called… Share The Love to help us get ready for Valentine’s Day. So today was Day 1 and I taught two projects. I was struggling a bit this morning with something that was going on in my life and I was a bit down. I was concerned as I was getting ready for work, that my mood would effect my ability to teach today. I prayed hard that I would have the strength to just put my concerns aside and do my best. Well, I am here to say that prayers are answered, and something that is called Synergy, really works. As soon as all the wonderful ladies that I teach, started coming in, I felt my whole attitude change and I felt better. I love the energy between two people when they are connected, so you can only imagine over 20 of us connecting and doing fun quilting projects together! It was wonderful and once again, I feel BLESSED to be able to do for work…something that I love! I can hardly wait to teach each time.
I looked up the word Synergism and loved this dictionary explanation of it!

syn·er·gism

/ˈsɪnərˌdʒɪzəm, sɪˈnɜrdʒɪz-/ Show Spelled[sin-er-jiz-uhm, si-nur-jiz-] Show IPA

noun

1.

the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.

So true, together with those incredible ladies, I feel like I am more creative, happy and excited to be alive… not a bad feeling for a job huh?

Well it’s my Date Night with my husband, so I need to go but wanted to remind all of us to…associate more often with people who you have great synergism with, it is really worth it!

Share_the_Love_2

(Lauren designed this beautiful logo for our class!)

“By working together, pooling our resources and building on our strengths, we can accomplish great things.” ~ Ronald Reagan

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller

“We don't accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads form one to another that creates something.’ ~ Sandra Day O'Connor

Thursday, February 2, 2012

24 Things to Always Remember!

This was great, and something that I need to remind myself of often!
Good night dear friends!

24 Things to Always Remember…

and One Thing to Never Forget

 

Your presence is a present to the world.
You’re unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You’ll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
Don’t take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasures are people . . . together.

Realize that it’s never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have heath and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don’t ever forget . . .
For even a day . . .
How very special you are.

http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/632/24-things-to-always-remember/

 

“You are the only you God made... God made you and broke the mold.”
Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life

“You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.”
Max Lucado, The Christmas Candle

Practicing Humility

I love this story, I do believe that it is true that success and humility go together!

Good night dear friends!

 
Practice Humility

Many years ago, a rider came across some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log without success. The corporal was standing by as the men struggled. The rider asked the corporal why he wasn't helping. The corporal replied, "I am the corporal; i give orders." The rider dismounted, went up and stood by the soldiers and as they were lifting the log, he helped them. With his help, the log got moved. The rider quietly mounted his horse and went to the corporal and said, "The next time your men need help, send for the Commander-in-Chief." After he left, the corporal and his men found out that the rider was George Washington.

The message is pretty clear. Success and humility go hand in hand. When others blow your horn, the sound goes further. Just think about it? Simplicity and humility are two hallmarks of greatness. Humility does not mean self-demeaning behavior.  * In The Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1993, p. 204.

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”  ~ Charles de Montesquieu

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.”  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Motivational Stories can make a difference!

On more than one occasion, someone has asked me why I write my motivational blog each day? They then remind me that I don’t get paid for it, and that no one is making me do it…so why do I write it day after day? For over 3 years now I have written this motivational blog. I believe that it has probably helped me as much as it has helped any one else. I write it because I feel like it’s what I am suppose to do. I have wanted to do something like this for years but never got up the courage to do so. Even when I first started it, I was scared to death that someone would notice my poor writing skills. I thought people couldn’t get  past that, but they have and they do. I write this blog not only for me to keep track of my progress, but I do know that others read it and look forward to it, so that also gives me motivation to write it.
I just want people to be able to read my blog and feel a bit more hope or comfort in their problems. I want them to read it and smile. I want them to know that they aren’t alone in their problems. It is just what I am suppose to do. I believe like the old saying “An apple a day helps keep the Doctor away” we could say “ A motivational story a day can keep the psychiatrist away” Smile  Just kidding, but I do think being more positive and trying to see the glass half full, does make you want to live life to the fullest! That is why I write this blog!


Tonight I found this place that has motivational stories, and this is what they say about these stories…

Motivational stories have the ability to lift us up, make us smile, encourage, motivate, and teach us valuable life lessons. Here are some motivating stories that will hopefully help you spark that motivational feeling. They give us an empowering sense of hope, that if 'he/she' can do it, so can I.

Throughout history, people have used inspirational stories to teach, encourage, and inspire in hopes that the listener will use it as a stepping stone and as an example to live a better life. Some will make you think, some will make you cry. Hopefully, some will give you that motivation to go for your dreams.

The important thing to remember when reading these inspiring stories is that when you get that feeling of motivation, where you want to do something, do something. Nothing is more of a waste than to be inspired and motivated and not take any action. Your life will only change as a result of taking focused action. An inspirational story is nothing if it doesn't cause you to do something or at least make you believe in yourself a bit more. Hopefully, these inspiring stories will change your life in some way.  http://www.motivational-well-being.com/index.html

Mount Everest

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953 he scaled the highest mountain then known to man-29,000 feet straight up. He was knighted for his efforts.

He even made American Express card commercials because of it! However, until we read his book, High Adventure, we don't understand that Hillary had to grow into this success.

You see, in 1952 he attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed. A few weeks later a group in England asked him to address its members.

Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. The audience was recognizing an attempt at greatness, but Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform.

He made a fist and pointed at a picture of the mountain. He said in a loud voice, "Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow... but I'm still growing!"

- Brian Cavanaugh
"The Sower's Seeds"

“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.”   ~ Pat Riley

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”  ~ Raymond Chandler