Haystacks or Gift Stacks

Another Maraboli message here
(or at least part of one)

...

Happiness should not be
like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Happiness is within.
Therefore ...
Happiness should be 
like finding a gift in a stack of gifts.

If you don't like what you see,
change your viewpoint.
You can either have
haystacks or gift stacks.
You choose.

Blessings

Ah, what a week.
It started with Grateful,
then Joyful,
Prayerful,
Thankful,
and now ...
Blessings.
It's a beautiful way to view a week.
But, why not make it a way of life?

Wake up with a grateful heart.
Find joy in what's around you.
Pray for those in need.
Be thankful for all the blessings you have.
Sleep sweetly.
Wake up.
Repeat!

Blessings abound
if you choose to look for them.
Enjoy your day and your weekend.

Thankful

Oh,
there is so very much
to be thankful for.
Moments.
Memories.
Magic.
Sights.
Smiles.
Songs.
Hope.
Hugs.
Happiness.
Family.
Friends.
Framily.
Lagniappes.
Life.
Love.
I am thankful for each of you.
Thankful for your time,
your comments,
your friendship,
you.

Prayerful

We've covered grateful
and joyful
and now ...
prayerful!
Pray without ceasing.
Praise all of your blessings,
seek guidance through storms,
hope for help for the troubled,
envelope all in your love.
Prayer is a powerful tool.
It is that light in the darkness.
It is that buoy in raging waters.
It is the path to all we need.
It is the reason we are grateful.
It is the foundation on which to be joyful.
In all matters, be prayerful ...
and you will be thankful.

(But that is for tomorrow...)

Joyful

A joyful heart
is good medicine.
Find joy
in everything you do:
work, relationship, efforts.
Joy is what happens to us
when we choose to recognize
the positives around us.
When you live
with an open heart,
unexpected joyful things
will happen.
It is not joy
that makes us grateful,
it is gratitude
that makes us joyful.
Joy is a choice.
And in your joyfulness
you'll see the light of others shine.

Grateful

You'll understand the theme
as the week progresses,
but today ...
I am Grateful!

Grateful for my past.
Grateful for my present.
Grateful for my future.
Grateful for my family.
Grateful for my friends.
Grateful for my struggles.
Grateful for my strengths.
Grateful for tears.
Grateful for laughter.
Grateful for grace.
Grateful for love.
Grateful for blessings.

How about you?

Light It Up

Don't feel bad
when your prayers
seem to go unanswered.
You might be
the answer
to someone else's prayers.
It won't be easy
having a kind heart
in a cruel world.
Be kind anyway.
Don't feel bad
if people remember you
only when they need you.
Feel privileged
that you are the candle
they chose to light their way.

Dust

I'm not sure who wrote this. 

It wasn't me.

But I really like it.

Enjoy!

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better

to paint a picture or write a letter

bake a cake or plant a seed

ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time

with rivers to swim and mountains to climb

music to hear and books to read

friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there

with the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair

a flutter of snow, a shower of rain

this day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind

old age will come and it's not kind

and when you go - and go you must -

you, yourself, will make more dust.

Make the day matter.

Give It Away

I was reminded yesterday,
while communicating with a friend,
about something my Momma used to say to me.
It happened to be
in reference to my writing and poetry,
but it truly applies to
whatever gifts the Good Lord gave you.
She would tell me,

It doesn't do any good
kept to yourself.

Share what talents you are given.
Sing, draw, photograph, write,
dance, play, cook, command.
Whatever you were blessed with...
give it away...
it doesn't do any good
kept to yourself.

The 3 P's

We are all familiar with reading, writing, and arithmetic
(which really aren't three 3 r's -
and could quite possibly be why some kids are so messed up).
I'm talking today about the 3 P's:

Praise, Positivity, and Productivity

Wake up each morning
with a thankful heart.
Seek guidance and grace.
Leave every person and situation
in a better, happier state
than how you found them/it.
Be busy.
Accomplishment and achievement
are of little concern if you are
earnestly working toward a goal.

Enjoy your 3 P's today.
Create a better world right where you live
and send others off to do the same.

Just In Case

As a mom,
I've always kept a 'hefty' purse,
just in case.
There was everything in there
that a person could need,
just in case.
As a volunteer
you are always available,
just in case.
Your talents
are always at the ready,
just in case.
As a giver
you're always looking,
just in case.
Ready to listen,
ready to hug,
just in case.
And if I'm not near you,
I'm still ready to help,
just in case.
And if no one's told you lately,
you're important and worthy and loved.
Just In Case.

PTO

PTO
No, not paid time off.
Although, now that I type that,
it doesn't sound half bad.

The PTO
that I'm talking about today is
Praise The Opportunity.

Don't condemn the circumstance.
Don't falter in the failure.
Don't slam the slow down.
Don't grieve the gloom.
Find the silver lining.
Choose to see a chance.
Learn the lesson.
Savor the sabbatical.
Revel in the relationship.

Praise The Opportunity.

Yaaaaass!

Stumbled across this quote
and could not wait to share it.
Perhaps ...
it will find its way
to the person that needs to see it.

You are far too strong
to be the only thing
standing in your way.

Oh Happy Day!

Oh Happy Day!
I am actually feeling
incredibly exhausted and drained today,
but ...
what a glorious day it is.
Although it should be practiced every day,
today is
National Philanthropy Day!!!
What a glorious thing to celebrate.

Defined as:
An altruistic concern
for human welfare and advancement,
usually manifested by donations
of money, property or work to needy persons ...
and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

Advocate for those
who cannot fight for themselves.
Be a voice.
Be a catalyst.
Philanthropy comes in a plethora of opportunities.

Pick one!
(or two, or three, or …)

Yes, This!

I'm really digging Steve Maraboli ~

The past has not
defined me,
destroyed me,
deterred me,
or defeated me;
it has only 
strengthened me.

WKD

Today is World Kindness Day!
While it should be every day,
let's grab hold of the opportunity
and
open a door,
deliver a compliment,
pay for the person behind you,
say please and thank you,
be nice,
be supportive,
be responsive not reactive,
listen and learn,
share and teach,
behave,
give of your talent and time,
be kind.
Make today
the sort of day
that you would like to have.
Go be extraordinary.

Is love

I have a great group of very diverse friends.
They come from all walks of life,
all sorts of backgrounds,
varying belief systems,
an incredible array of interests,
and a plethora of problems.
A common thread between them all
is love.
My favorite people just ooze love.
They reek of it.
It flows freely from them as if an open wound.
Some face staggering health issues.
Some struggle financially.
Some romp around the world.
Some have not a money matter at all.
Some have seen horrible things.
Some have been through horrible things.
But what brings it all full circle
is love.
A kindness that seeks nothing.
A joy in the success of others.
A thrill in giving.
It is there in each of us.
No matter our past or our problems.
The one thing we all own, can share, can do
is love.

Thank You

Sacrifice:  to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.
Service:  an act of helpful activity; to supply with aid or other incidental services.

For your sacrifice and service,
we - as a nation - salute you.
Thank you for your commitment
to an honor larger than yourself.
Thank you for your efforts
in battles beyond contemplation.
Thank you for your time
from home and family and dreams.
Thank you for you
for your sacrifice and service.

A Few Drops

Realize
that true happiness
lies within you.
Waste no time and effort searching
for peace and contentment and joy
in the world outside.
Remember
that real happiness
is not in having or in getting,
but only in giving.
Reach out.
Share.
Smile.
Hug.
Happiness is a perfume
you cannot pour on others
without getting a few drops
on yourself.

Really?!

So apparently, today is
"Parents as Teachers" Day.
Really?!
I thought that was every single day.
Although I immensely admire and respect
those that choose teaching as a profession,
when you opt to have a wee one,
you are exactly that without a degree.
There is no educational premise.
There is no guide book or work book.
Raise a decent human being.
Love them.
Support them.
Guide them.
Discipline them.
Set boundaries and expectations.
Listen and speak.
Hold and push.
Cry and cheer.
Fight and forgive.
Example is an extraordinary teaching tool.
Lighting a lamp for someone else
brightens your own path, too.

Hey You!

I do believe that there might be
a couple people out there
who should see this, read this,
and let it seep into every part of their being.

The smarter you get,
the less you speak.
You grow to realize
not everyone is worth confrontation.
Your time is valuable.
Your energy is priceless.
Don't waste either
on people who don't deserve them.

Realize and remember
how important and loved you are.

Shhhhh. Listen!

Listen to the wind,
it talks.
Listen to the silence,
it speaks.
Listen to your heart,
it knows.
Listen to your spirit,
it guides.
Listen to your soul,
it loves you.

Possibilities

Possibilities abound.
They may disguise themselves as
troubles,
set-backs,
failures,
denials,
betrayals,
hardships,
heart break,
but when viewed correctly,
every single one of them
is a possibility.

Fantastic!

Came across this little treasure
and I know of a great many friends
(and occasionally my own self)
who could stand to see this.

If your path demands
that you walk through hell,
walk as if you own the place!

Little Gifts Along the Way

Far too often people become focused
on the troubles,
on the hurt,
the unending parade of nonsense
in their daily lives.
It is human.
It is natural.
What is not natural is to remain in that funk.

Beyond the betrayal
there are blessings.
Aside from the struggles
there is spirit.
Traversing the troubles
you'll find triumph.
There are always
little gifts along the way.
A stranger's kind word.
Running into a dear friend.
One of those put-me-back-together hugs.
A favorite song.
A memory-invoking smell.

Focus not on your grievances,
but on your gifts.

Good Morning!

It has been discussed
that you have two choices every morning:
Happy or Crappy.
If you open your eyes,
it's already a victory.
How you choose to view your day
is entirely up to you.
You can have setbacks or lessons.
You can have hurdles or high jump.
You can be angered or inspired.
You can be a weight or offer wings.
I know what I'm doing.

Good Morning!