Another Message Of Hope

Is it morning already? I rub my eyes and get up to prepare for the day. I look out of my window and see the sun. I hear the birds; I see the first flowers of spring beginning to show, the greening grass, and a few clouds in a brilliant, blue sky. It's another day.

Our grandson pops into the house, giving his Granny a hug. He majestically explains how he scored his first goal of the soccer season. Our son proudly affirms his every move to get the ball past the goalie. Later, we learn of his appointment to the "quick recall" team. We hear of his dancing with every girl at his first school dance. Our little grandson is growing up. It's another day.

My neighbor's son tells of his accomplishments in college. He shares his hopes and dreams for the future. His curiosity and excitement are contagious. I am encouraged that he has learned that no dream is beyond reach, if he wants it badly enough. It's another day.

My wife wraps me in her love. I look into the eyes of the one that shares my innermost feelings. What a special friend! It's beyond words to describe the feelings of returned love; one to lean on, one to share happiness with, one to truly love. It's another day.

Yes, it is another day. This has been another day to enjoy God's bounteous blessings. It's been a day to enjoy our children and grandchildren. It's been a day to enjoy the hopes and dreams of others. It's been a day to discover the value of worth and hard work. It's been a day to learn the value of love. It's been a day that we need to thank God for all that we have.

May you experience many, many such days in this journey we call life. Godspeed.

Copyright © 2013 Bob Stoess

Will You Keep Going and not Give up?

Marlene

Today I recommit to all I hold dear

To let the world know, through these pages of words

That there are great people, from near and far

Who know it's better to be motivated and positive and swing from stars

Than to be negative, hopeless and trapped behind self-imposed bars

I know there is negativity spewing throughout the land

And sometimes it's hard to be positive

To tell your mind to believe, as you originally planned

But I have seen goodness and kindness, the impossible attained

It has to do with self-belief, commitment and action

Never giving up and trying again and again

I feel this positive vibration everyday

So many out there, trying to be

A role model for others to see

A smile, a gentle touch, a hand to hold

A written thought that shows a heart of gold.

Overcoming obstacles, small and bold

Never giving up on the dream that their heart unfolds

We are scattered across this planet, yet connected as one

People who care and have work to be done

Work that says "You matter, you can do this, be strong

Remember when you couldn't then? See how you won?"

So when you feel lost and down in your day

Remember to look into your heart and ask,

"Who do I want to be today?

Someone with hope, faith and commitment?

Is this possible for me?"

I suspect your heart will smile and answer

"Yes, that's what you were born to be."

Copyright © 2005 Marlene Blaszczyk

I believe that everything is possible. Don't let fear stand in your way. You can do whatever your heart desires if you believe in yourself, make daily commitments, have a plan, and take action. You may stumble or fall face down, but so what? Get up and try again. Get up and laugh and say, "Okay, that didn't work, what do I try next?", then keep going. There will be tough moments, not bad days and if you choose, you'll get through them.

Look at little children who are learning to walk. They fall time and time again and still get up and try again until they have masteredthis task. It's not failure to them each time they fall, it's a learning experience. They laugh at themselves and have champions around them encouraging them to try again. As adults, we need to become our own champion. We can encourage ourselves, when no one else is. This is your life, your choice. Be positive or negative, be the victor or victim, all you need to succeed is already in you. You just have to choose which way you want to live, then do it!

Coaches

Marlene

We’ve all had coaches in our lives. Some of them have been mentors too. Each one brings special insights, wisdom, and talents to your own unique situation.

Please don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You can improve your skills immensely if you make the right pick, at the right time, for the right reason.

Go for the gold today! You’re making progress daily and the goal is in sight.

Take a break

Marlene

Can you take a break today and allow yourself to dream a bit? Will you focus on something that makes you smile? Sometimes you need to relax in order to look forward.

Once you can wrap your mind around what your perfect life could look like, you can start to make plans. What can you do today, what one step can you take to propel that picture forward?

"All God's angels come to us disguised."

James Russell Lowell

It has been said that angels are everywhere. They are described as beings that come to assist us, teach us and protect us in times of danger. They may be male or female, young or old. Perhaps you have encountered an angel in your life?

To some people who didn't know Harry, he was just a senior citizen. To me he was a Mentor, a good listener but most of all, my friend.

Harry always had time for me when I would call him up on the phone with some plumbing problem. He would always say, "How are you kid?"

I would always be a kid to Harry, who was old enough to be my father, but I saw him more like a grandfather who I never knew.

Harry was kind, patient and a good listener. We talked often of the good old days when he was a boy and how he had seen things change. He often spoke of his Grandmother and her newspaper stand plus the times he used to swim in the East River, the places where he had worked and so on.

He passed on a lot of his plumbing knowledge to me in our frequent talks and would inspire me to be confident in the things I had learned from him and on the job. I still remember when a customer came into the store looking for help. I started to shy away feeling unsure of myself.

Harry said, "Go ahead kid, you can do it, you have to leave the nest sometime and now is the time".

He was right.

Harry was a humble man. I used to complain when I had been asked to sweep the floor in the store one day and Harry told me, "Kid, it's part of the job and plus you're being paid".

He would grab the broom without a problem and start humming. I was always amazed by how this gentle man could turn an unpleasant task into a learning opportunity for me.

Harry also helped me to work on one of my character defects, which was false pride. Harry had plenty of pride; no task was beneath him.

I always wanted to be like him. He never seemed to let little things annoy him. He said, "Life was too short for that".

I will miss his concern and gentle caring ways and I will always cherish the moments we had together. I am grateful for the good parts of Harry that rubbed off on me and at times I try to pass these gifts on to others.

God must of known that I needed an Angel to guide me and he chose Harry.

Copyright © 2006 Miguel Abreu

Pass The Biscuits

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school.

I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired.

And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine!

Author Unknown --- Submitted by Judy B. --- North Carolina

Future

Marlene

The future is tomorrow and the day after. It's important for you to look forward and not backward because the past cannot be changed. The most important day for anyone is today, this moment. Focus on what you can do right now to make your life happy and healthier. Dream about tomorrow but live in today. This is where the magic happens.

Words

Marlene

The words we tell ourselves have power. You are what you say you are, so why not say something positive and powerful about yourself?

Here's my challenge: Repeat these 5 phrases every day for 30 days, then tell me how you feel, tell me if you changed for the better. In the end, it's all up to you. We're here to try and help you.