Top 5

The top five ways to be a better human being:


5. Learn
4. Listen
3. Love
2. Love
1. Love


Go!
Be better!

Want a Cracker?

Will Rogers once said:


Live in such a way
that you would not be ashamed
to sell your parrot to the town gossip.


Honesty, Integrity, Ethics.
A beautiful foundation for a life well lived.

Sticktoitivity

Otherwise known as perseverance, tenacity, determination.
It is a core element in a successful life.


A million years ago, when I was a young adult,
I was working three jobs and training to be an aerobics instructor.
In my spare time, I was lifting weights and dabbling in body building.
Now . . . after all these years . . . I'm not delusional enough
to believe I will get back to THAT shape,
but I am determined to be fit and physically menacing again.
I beat myself up just about every day.
I eat pretty healthy.
I push myself to near exhaustion.
I sweat like you cannot imagine.
And I enjoy every minute of it.
If I want it, I have to endure the journey.
If I'm lucky, I'll enjoy it.
I've got tons of sticktoitivity.


Do you?
What are YOU trying to do?

Honest Abe

Mr. Lincoln said:


I have an irrepressible desire
to live till I can be assured
that the world is a little better
for my having lived in it.


Thank you, sir,
for stating what I wake up thinking
EVERY morning!

We Are

We are what we believe we are.


CS Lewis' quote is spot on.


If you think you will fail, you will.
If you think you won't matter, you won't.


If you believe you can make a difference, you can.
If you believe you are worthy, you are.


Don't ever let the words or actions of other people
define you as a being.
YOU are in charge of you.
You matter.
You are important.
You are incredible.

Dance

Today is National Dance Day!


Now, some of you might think
that you've got nothing to dance about.
I disagree!


If money is tight, do the hustle!
If you take one step forward and two steps back,
you're doing the cha cha.
If your bank account is full and then it's empty,
you're doing the electric slide.
If you've got to get away quick,
you're doing a jig!


Just keep moving!
Dancing is good for the heart and soul.


Be well!
Dance!

Inch by Inch

I've long used the expression, "You can't eat an elephant in one bite."
Don't really know where that came from, but
basically it means you've got to tackle your issues in baby steps.


Each day, each hour, each minute, each second.
Each heartache, each setback, each hurdle, each pain.
Fix what you can today.
Tackle a little more tomorrow.
Inch by inch.
Before you know it,
you will find yourself miles from where you began.


You've got this!

Humble Pie

One of the best lessons learned
from dealing with my son's disease
and my daughter's ailment
is to ask questions of those that know.


To understand that you do not know everything,
to realize you are faced with things that are beyond your control,
to accept that other folks are better equipped to help you
is the tastiest Humble Pie you'll ever digest.


You are not less.
You are not ignorant.
You are not stupid.
You are learning, educating, understanding.


Humble Pie should be on everyone's diet plan.
Eat up!

The 3 R's

Rest
Relaxation
Ridiculousness


Every now and again one just needs to recharge.
You need to stop and remember laughter and silliness.
You need to realize the blessings around you.
You need to reprioritize what really matters.


Enjoy your R's!

Acceptance

There is so much talk as of late about acceptance.
And it is vital.
It is also tricky.


Acceptance means favorable reception or approval.
Sounds good and sounds right.


We should accept one another without thought to:
skin color
ethnicity
beliefs
appearance


Not just because someone is in agreement with yours.


Let's try harder.

My Ch-Angel Nancy

Beside family, my earliest Ch-Angel recollection
easily goes to my Ch-Angel Nancy.
She kept the bullies at bay on the school bus.
She listened to my woes.
She laughed at my silly jokes.
She enveloped me into her family (like they needed any more people).
She was with me since I can remember ~ elementary school
and probably before then.
She went to Sunday school with me.
We eagerly re-connected thanks to Facebook and it's as if there was
never a lapse.
She supported me when my mother passed.
She's just been one of those constant, beautiful, positive souls
who grabs a spot in your life and never lets go.
And . . . I am so thankful for that.
You have no idea how grateful I am for your presence . . .
for all these many years.
I am blessed with my Ch-Angel Nancy.

Children

What precious, beautiful gifts.
Many folks believe they conceive children
to mold them into strong, capable adults.
More times than not, it is the precise opposite that occurs.
It is they that conform us!


Those tiny, innocent, remarkable beings
bring about change and strength and stamina and fortitude.
Those wee little humans
create an impact so massive as to take grown men to their knees.
It is incredible how a helpless, dependent soul
can absolutely change the world.


If you've been lucky enough to bring a youngen into the world,
God bless you. Remember your responsibilities.
Remember too that there is adoption, guidance, and teaching . . .
all parental tasks in every right.
You make a difference by being the difference to those kids.


Hug a child today.
Share some love.
It is more vital an act than you will ever know.

Today

Today is National Give Something Away Day.


How about a hand,
a hug,
a smile,
your time,
some encouragement,
your talent,
a little love?

Comfort

Comfort is a relative term.
It depends on the moment and the timing.


Comfort is a big old bowl of ice cream.
Comfort is an ice cold frothy beverage.
Comfort is the rhythmic lapping of the shoreline waves.
Comfort is a star-filled clear night sky.
Comfort is the companionship of a beautiful friend.
Comfort is listening to a child's story.
Comfort is holding someone's hand.
Comfort is the laughter of your kids.
Comfort is that smile from your spouse.
Comfort is peace within yourself.


Comfort is that zone of unconditional ease
that comes with knowing your are worthy
and surrounded by bountiful blessings . . .
no matter where you are!


Today . . . I wish you comfort.

You

By Federico Fellini:


You exist only in what you do.


Whether you are a garbage man,
a writer,
a mason,
a musician,
a teacher,
a physicist,
an astronaut,
a president . . .


be the most extraordinary YOU
you can be.

Heart

What an extraordinary item ~ the Heart.


It can be broken,
shattered,
betrayed,
split,
torn apart,
aching,
heavy.


It can be bursting with joy,
filled with love,
racing with excitement,
brimming with happiness,
beating for someone special,
bursting with pride,
swelling with adoration.


It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.
Keep the happy in your heart.


I heart you!

What If

What If . . .
such a debilitating phrase.


What If I fall?
What If you fly!


What If I fail?
What If you succeed!


What If I can't?
What If you can!


What If I'm sick?
What If you're not!


What If I'm bad?
What If you improve!


It is a stumbling block installed by only you.
Remove it!

Sail!

Loosely paraphrased from someone . . .


A ship, in port, is safe;
but that's not what ships are meant to do.


Get out there.
Mess stuff up.
Make mistakes.
Try again.
Fail.
Do it again.
Change course.
Hold on.


Sail, baby!
Sail!

Size does matter

Mr. Shakespeare offered this beautiful quip:


and though she be but little,
she is fierce.


I could ramble for most of the day about
the plethora of ways this could be construed,
or for which dear folks this could envelope.
Instead . . . let your own little mind wander.


You might even come back to your self.

Clarity

Sometimes,
when you remove yourself - if even briefly -
from a bad situation, you can see things more clearly.
You can filter the nonsense from the pertinent;
the negative from the positive;
the draining from the productive,
and what used to ball you up in anxious knots
will seem like nothing.


So take a moment,
dismiss yourself,
breathe,
and reexamine the issue.


Clarity is a beautiful thing.

Yes You Can

You think that hunger is far too big a problem for you to tackle.
You believe that homelessness is an issue you cannot begin to address.
You believe that hatred is far too massive for you to dent.


Can you ever make it better?


Yes You Can!


Can you donate a few cans of food to a church?
Can you cook for a sick neighbor?
Can you offer just a few dollars to a food bank?


Yes You Can!


Can you give some clothes to a shelter?
Can you offer up an unused blanket?
Can you support a business that aids those who are in need?


Yes You Can!


Can you listen?
Can you care?
Can you love?


Yes You Can!


You may not be able to solve the problem in its entirety,
but you can make a difference.
You can make your own little corner of the world a better place.
Your generosity creates ripples you know nothing about.
A giving, kind, and gracious heart
beats with a beautiful rhythm.


Yes You Can!

An Anthem of Awe

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and home of the brave


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes
What is that which the breeze, o'ver the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and home of the brave


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave


O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Independence

As we approach our Independence Day,
first and foremost, we celebrate the military
that has allowed us that freedom.


Secondly,
independence is a privilege taken far too often for granted.
I am able to think as I choose.
Believe what I want.
Act, within the realm of the law, how I please.
This is because we are able to exercise our independence.
It is an honor and a privilege to do so.


So, while you may not always agree with me,
and I may not always agree with you,
it is that independence that makes this country grand.
Do not expect or attempt to squander that right
because you disagree with me.
And I, in turn, will allow you the rights and privileges
that you have as well.


Let us enjoy our independence.
Let us enjoy our freedom.
Let us respect it for ourselves;
and for one another.


Be safe. Be well.
Happy Independence Day!

Are you a Ch-Angel?

Do you wake each morning
eagerly anticipating what good deeds you'll partake in?
Do you share your smile?
Do you listen when others speak?
Do you bare your shoulders for other's tears?
Do you give freely of your time and talents?
Do you offer your heart to those in need?
Do you lend a hand before its requested?
Do you do these things
without even pondering or hoping for reciprocation?


Every person reading this
and every person NOT reading this
has within them the ability,
dare I say . . . the responsibility,
to do these things.


We are all Ch-Angels.
We are all capable of changing lives.
We are all able to make the world different . . .
better . . .
special.


Be a Ch-Angel today!

Good Morning!

Good Morning!


Two simple words, right?
Believe them.


You're reading this, which is a double positive:
You're on the right side of the grass and you can read.


You have the choice to make today whatever you want it to be.
Make it a Good Morning!


Something got you miffed, decide first if it really matters
and then take baby steps to tackle it; or walk away.
There is no shame is leaving behind you the things
that cause you pain and shame and hurt and sadness.


Good Morning!
Have a Great Day!