A POSITIVE THOUGHT

I am posting the final positive thought today, because tomorrow we will be out of town. We are going to our daughter's house to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with her family. I hope who ever saw these cute posts enjoyed them as much as I did. To me, they all send a message of how to treat one another in a world that sometimes forgets we are all struggling in our daily lives, just with different issues. Let him who is without fault, cast the first stone.

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He could live anywhere in this universe, and He chose your heart.

What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary.

FACE IT, HE'S CRAZY ABOUT YOU !!!

7. LIFT UP !!!

your prayers........'Do not worry about anything;

instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.'

Philippians 4:6

5. LOOK UP !!

to the Lord. 'I can do everything

through Christ who strengthens me'.

Philippians 4:13

GOD ANSWERS KNEE-MAIL !!!

4. STAND UP .....

for what you believe in. Stand for something or you
will fall for anything.

'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper
time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good.'

Galatians 6:9-10

GOD ANSWERS KNEE -MAIL !!!

3. SHUT UP !!

Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

'He who guards his lips guards his soul.'

Proverbs 13:3

God answers Knee-Mail

2. DRESS UP !!!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'

I Samuel 16:7

GOD ANSWERS KNEE-MAIL !!!!

THE CLOTHES LINE

A clothesline was a news forecast to neighbors passing by,

There were no secrets you could keep, when clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link for neighbors always knew

If company had stopped on by to spend a night or two.

For they you'd see the "fancy sheets" and towels upon the line;

You'd see the "company table cloths" with intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth from folks who lived inside-

As brand new infants clothes were hung, so carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could so readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed, you'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were hung;

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe too, haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "Gone on vacation now" when lines hung limp and bare,

It told, "we're back" when full lines sagged with not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon if wash was dingy and gray,

As neighbors carefully raised their brows, and looked the other way.

But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make work much less.

Now what goes on inside a home, is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life, it was a friendly sign.

When neighbors knew each other best, by what hung on the line.

TRUST ~ TRUTH

I was browsing through the dictionary and came upon these two words Trust and Truth. They are right together in the dictionary....so they must complement each other. I wonder sometimes if society today understands that trust and truth are so important. I also wonder why is it some people can get by with not telling the truth. Don't they understand they are hurting people. If someone does not want to do something, then have enough integrity to say so, but don't kill the messenger !!!

The dictionary says TRUST is the firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.

The dictionary says TRUTH is consistently telling the truth, being honest.

I have been reading the book by Sheri Dew 'Telling It Like It Is. ' A writing in her book made me think:

"Every relationship-husband and wife-parent and child-best friends-colleagues-is dependent on trust. It is not possible to have a relationship with someone you cannot trust. The only thing you can have with someone you can't trust is a strategy."

• Why do we have to develop a strategy?
• Why do we have to always feel like we need to watch our backs?
• Why do we have to feel distrust in our daily dealings?
• Why do we always have to be on guard?

My parents always taught us kids that our word was our bond, and that when you say will do something, carry through. These are the childhood lessons that have guided my footsteps in this life. Have I made mistakes ~ OH YES ~ but I realize we are merely humans and carried on. Every day I thank my Dad and Mom for the lessons they taught us.

Blessed are those who have been given Holy Parents.

LIFE'S MOUNTAINS

Success is not measured by the position one has reached in life.

Rather by the obstacles overcome while trying to succeed.

WHEN YOUR HUT'S ON FIRE

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

****The moral of this story****

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember, that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

TROUBLES

"THE LONG JOURNEY"

A trouble is like a pebble. Hold it too close to your eyes and it fills the whole world and puts everything out of focus.

Hold it at the proper distance and it can be examined and properly classified.

Throw it at your feet and it can be seen in its true setting, just one more tiny bump on the pathway of life.

This is how I feel about life. Too many times when one has troubles, your troubles can take over your life, instead of you taking control over your own life. All the years I was growing up, Mom and Dad had a little plaque on the wall that read:

"SUCCESS COMES IN 'CAN', FAILURES IN 'CAN'T ' !!"

Dad and Mom were very wise. They taught my sister Sandra, brother Tom , and myself about life. They taught us to be honest, trustworthy, have carry through, and that our word was binding. These are positive character traits.

My daughter has Schizophrenia and this has been a difficult card to be dealt, both for her and our family. But it is alright.... I firmly believe that we are given obstacles in this life, to help us grow. These obstacles were determined long before we journeyed into this world. These difficulties, and how we handled them, how we treated people along the way, is how we will be judged on our journey out of this world.

Yes, life is like the title of my blog "The Long Journey". The STIGMA associated with mental illness is over whelming. Even agencies and people that should know better, throw in the towel when the going gets rough. They leave families and people suffering high and dry...is there possibly an element of self-service.

Answerable to a higher power some day.....oh yes !!!

This is the reason I am so dedicated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I guess you could say "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade".... One thing I have noticed is people with disabilities are treated differently. Some people are given loads of help, while others have to fen for themselves. I guess it depends on which way the wind is blowing....

HEART

Never take someone for granted.

Hold every person close to your heart.

Because you might wake up one day

And realize that you've lost a diamond,

While you were too busy collecting stones.

~ HAPPY EARTH DAY 2009 ~

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Take time to look at the beautiful things around us. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Take time to smell the flowers. Enjoy the budding trees that welcome spring. Then remember who gave us all these gifts, and thank Him.....

DIFFERENT DRUG PROBLEM

The following letter has appeared on the Internet, and was viewed by many readers. Think it very appropriate to share.

The other day, someone at the store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of a teacher, or the preacher, or anyone else, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's and grandma's garden and flower beds and cockle burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the cotton fields in Texas to pick cotton, so I could earn a little spending money. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help some poor soul who had no one else to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever known I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us !!!

P.S. This is what I was taught as a child, and I really thought I had it rough. Every day I thank my parents for the lessons they taught me. Their love and encouragement is what has gotten me some very tough times. I find the older I get, just how smart my parents were. Love you Dad and Mom, and Thank You for drugging me.

CONTENTMENT

This past Thursday, our local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) participated in a Single Mothers Seminar. The keynote speaker, Kirstan, gave us some valuable information I would like to share with everyone. The keynote speaker was a single mother for a number of years, and is now married with a blended family of ten children.

REMEMBER

Remember who you are.

DREAM

The first step to creating your dream is experiencing it in your thoughts and heart.

DISCOVER

Each and every individual was born with unique qualities. It is up to us to discover those qualities.

BE

Be aware of your surroundings. Use all your senses and listen to your heart.

BELIEVE

Believe in who you are.

CREATE

Create the life you have always wanted. Live your dream each and every day.

******************

A thought Kirstan left us with was this:

SOMETHING GREAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY,

BECAUSE I AM GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN !!!

SUCCESS

To laugh often and love much...

To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children...

To earn the approval of honest critics...

And endure the betrayal of false friends...

To appreciate beauty...

To find the best in others...

To give of one's self without the slightest thought of return...

To have accomplished a task, whether by a healthy child,

a rescued soul, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition...

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation...

to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...

THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.

TO ALL PARENTS

" I'll lend you for a little while a child of mine He said.

For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or thirteen years or twenty-two or three,

But will you, 'til I call him back, take care of him for me?

He will bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,

you'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught down here I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in search of teachers true,

And from the throngs that crown life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give all your love, nor think the labor vain?

Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done!

For all the joy Thy Child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll have him while we may,

And for all the happiness we've know, forever grateful stay.

But should the Angels call for him much sooner than we'd planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."

AN OLD IRISH PRAYER

Wishing you always ~~

Walls for the wind ~~

And a roof for the rain ~~

And tea beside the fire ~~

Laughter to cheer you ~~

And those you love near you ~~

And all that your heart might desire ~~

THINGS YOU CANNOT RECOVER

Be thankful and look to every new day with a positive hope.
Take time to pull yourself away from all the noise and just look around you.
Take inventory. Appreciate those who have enhanced the quality of your life,
and remember that they have been a gift to you.
And remember that you're an gift to them too.

Be grateful for the choices you've made, both good and bad.
Accept your mistakes; you can't change them anyway.
Apply what you've learned and go on.
Use these lessons to help you with your other decisions in life.
Appreciate yourself and your own uniqueness.

Go outside and look at the sky. Soak in the atmosphere.
Enjoy the colors of the landscapes.
Feel the textures of every place you are that you are thankful for.
Smile at the world.
Don't allow any negative feelings to creep into your consciousness.
Feel the power of your own acceptance.
Put a positive spin on every thought you have.

Make every day special. Own it. Enjoy it. Bask in the glory of life.
Appreciate the gift of your own life

~Doris Fargo~


So many times in my life, I have met people that have tried to make me feel less than I am. Now I try very hard to understand them, and I realize they may be the one with the problem. Many, many times, these are the people that judge when they shouldn't be judging. Criticize when they shouldn't be criticizing, and not tell the truth. These are the things I have now found out, that bug me. Insecure people are simply insecure people. My Mom used to tell me I wore my heart on my sleeve. Now I know what she meant. Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me with an open mind, and a loving and trusting heart. Our family has had some very traumatic hits, but now I am finding out, we just don't go around and dump our heartaches and troubles on others. I would guess that would be where the pride we have as a family comes in. We were always taught to take care of your own, make your own way in this life, and not take from others. It is a comforting feeling to know "I did it my way".

LAW OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car

jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and

missed the other car by just inches !

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and

started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.

And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'why did you just do that'?

This is when my taxi driver taught me what

I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck".

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.

They run around full of garbage, full of frustration,

full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it

and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to

other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not

let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets...

Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it,

and ninety percent how you take it.

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