Charity

“Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”
Marvin J. Ashton

Taken from Lisa Bearnson's Blog

I think this just says so many things.  We make choices each and everyday.  Shouldn't we live with more Charity for each other!

Move Forward

Excerpt from Self Magazine and Ali Edwards Blog!

 Lovely! 

It is your choice!

Happiness

“… I believe this is something all of us can do: Try to be happy within the context of the life we are actually living. Happiness is not a situation to be longed for or a convergence of lucky happenstance. Through the power of our own minds, we can help ourselves. This I believe.”

Excerp from Stacy Julian's Blog.

SMILE

SMILE

A Smile costs nothing, but gives much

It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give

It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever

None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it,
and none is so poor, but that he can be made rich by it

A Smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business,
and is the countersign of friendship

It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad,
and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen,
for it is something that is of no value to anyone, until it is given away

Some people are too tired to give you a smile;
Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

author unknown

L.O.V.E.

As my children grow and learn and live their lives - we are so often exposed to attitudes and ideas that don't reflect how we want to live our lives.  School has probably been the most difficult area for my children.  So many kids from so many different backgrounds.  So many bad choices made.  Sometimes, our family is exposed to people we are close to making poor decisions.  So heart-breaking!

We are trying to use these moments to teach our children - how we don't want to be.  Temper tamtrums, backtalking or just not showing love to each other.

I saw this on a blog post and it definitely touched me and shows what we are hoping to teach our children.  Sometimes it doesn't seem like nice matters - - but I believe LOVE will win in the end!

LEARN: Knowledge is power and we really want to stress learning all our children can, both temporally and spiritually. By learning we grow: academically, creatively, emotionally, etc.

ENJOY: POSITIVE ATTITUDE and being happy. Life is too good to be sad or hold on to negativity. Hopefully, our children can be a positive influence for others and radiate happiness everywhere they go, enjoying this precious gift we call life and living it to its fullest.

SERVE: Helping others. When we forget about ourselves and try to help however we can, we are happier and also bless others. This incorporates a truly selfless attitude, and also institutes hard work. Serving to the best of our abilities and at every opportunity possible.

RESPECT: Always being kind and respectful. Practing good manners and etiquette. Living with honor. Watching our thoughts, words, dress, and actions. Living appropriately.

 

I just LOVE it!!  I hope to make some sort of sign like this to incorporate into our home as a daily reminder!

 

Everyday - - the choice is ours!!!  Let's choose LOVE!

 

Choices

Everyday we make choices!

Yesterday the weather was warm .......finally!!
We went from 40's to 88!!  HOT!!

The kids have been cooped up all winter!  They needed the fresh air!  They desperately wanted to run through the sprinklers! 

So we got out a sprinkler and let them run through the VERY cold garden hose!  BURR!!

But you know what.......they had a blast!!

Then they went to the sandbox - - and made rivers and waterfalls and mudpies and played and played and played!!!

And......they came in for the night very happy!       AND   very dirty!!

We made the choice to let the kids be kids!

It was GREAT!

Phillippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

The choice is ours to make!

Believe in yourself!

The Victor
Poet: C.W. Longenecker
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow’s will
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.



The choice is yours..... you CAN !!

Be YOURSELF!!!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. 

~Judy Garland



Becky Higgins is one of my most favorite people!  I've never met her, probably never will.  But she has such outstanding moral values.  A truly great person.  I love her honesty and her ability to uplift people she has never even met.....like me! 
Her blog post from today was special!  It spoke to me.  It was about being yourself  - - no matter what people tell you!!
I can't imagine all the things we would have missed out on IF she had listened to those people that put her down!!

Thank you Becky!! 

Memories

Over the last few days I've been reading and watching things that have shown why it is important to preserve memories.

I'm always taking pictures.  I want to capture my kids lives.  They don't always LOVE me taking pictures.  But years from now they will.  I don't always print my photos.  I store them safely on my computer and on a backup drive.  I look at them often.  They are one of my most precious possessions.  Someday -- years from now -- I hope my children love looking back on our memories!  We may not go on grand vacations or do lots of stuff.  But I want to capture their everyday lives.  The days of playing in our little blow-up pool, Making forts out in the woods, sitting around a campfire, catching fireflies, picking flowers. Everything is important and everything is meaningful! 

One thing I found interesting and hope to do soon with my own children.  Let them create a scrapbook - just about them.  They do all the work.  And make it their own!

What a precious memory this will be!

My choice is to let them create their own memories, in their own words, their own style!

Stop to Smell the Roses!

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time, to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.


What is your choice?            By David L. Weatherford

Making a choice for yourself!

I feel a sense of pride for my daughter.  She is 9.  She is and always has been my shy girl.  Always standing in the background, always unsure of herself, always feeling bad because she isn't the popular one, or smart one, or the one!

Last year, as a family, we ran a 5k.  Didn't train much, but got up crazy early on a really cold morning and ran.  My 11 yr old ran circles around us - he ran his heart out and finished in around 22 minutes!  I stayed back with my daughter and my niece.  We got cold.  We got hot.  We got tired.  We got thirsty.  We got chased by marines!  We got sick of running.  Our feet hurt.  And our beds and a nice warm house sounded really good.  But we DID IT!!  We ran and we accomplished something!  And it felt good.....really good. (after we had finished!)

Fast forward to this year.   My girl!  She's amazing!  She made the decision to participate in Girls on the Run.  With who???  Nobody - - just her.  All by herself!  All of her friends and most girls her age either didn't sign up or are conditioning on a different day.  She runs - - twice a week.  Alone!  Sometime, other girls run with her.  But for the most part - - she is doing it alone.
  And I am so proud of her!!!  She made the choice to do something not for anyone but herself.  No matter what!!  Running is tough - - but she is determined! 
This is a huge change from the little 6 year old girl I had to drag (I do mean DRAG) out of the house to go to first grade!! 
She is gaining self-confidence everyday!!  I am so proud of her.

What choice would you make??

My girl - - - she chose to RUN!!!

So much more than words......

Have you ever thought about what your words really say to a person???

Careless comments can cause so much pain.  Careless words hurt so much.

Being the mom of a very sensitive little girl - I see so clearly how simple words can hurt someone so much.

"You can't play with us today......it isn't your turn."

"Your hair looks funny"

"Your voice sounds weird"

"Why do you like THAT?"

Do you try to be sensitive of other people's feelings before you speak?

Do you really need to make a comment that could be taken the wrong way?

My daughter who is only 9 years old has had to deal with so many rude comments from people.  And sadly, some of things being said are adults and teachers.  Sad isn't it?

Should their be a 100% club - - where when children get 100% on a test they get a prize.  Only to remind the other kids who maybe tried harder, studied longer and still aren't perfect - that they are failures?
Is it okay to give the smart kids "special fun projects" while the ones who struggle get nothing fun?

Should another student in 1st grade be allowed to laugh at another and tell her that her voice sounds funny.  Making her believe she shouldn't speak outloud anymore?  When she is in the learning process and trying to work up enough courage just to speak in front of others?

Are we building confidence??   Are we being encouraging and helpful in our words and deeds??

I saw this on facebook the other day.......have you ever thought about this:

The Girl you just called fat, she has been starving herself & has lost over 30lbs. The Boy you just called stupid, he has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night. The Girl you just called ugly, she spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her.The Boy you just tripped, he is abused enough at home. There's a lot more to people than you think.

Sometimes are words ARE more than just words!!   

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

I saw them tearing a building down,

A gang of men in a busy town.

With a yo heave ho and a lusty yell,

They swung a beam and the sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled

As those he would hire if he were to build.

He laughed and said, "Oh, no indeed,

Common labor is all I need.

For they can wreck in a day or two,

What builders have taken years to do."

So I asked myself, as I went my way,

Which of these roles am I to play?

Am I the builder, who works with care,

Measuring life by the rule and square;

Or am I the wrecker who walks the town,

Content in the role of tearing down?

Anonymous

Which one will you be?

So many times it is just so easy to tear others down, especially young children.  Too often we think children are young and can be spoken to anyway we want.

When was the last time you complimented a child?   When was the last time you said something that "BUILT a child up?"

When was the last time you complimented a fellow worker, a clerk, a friend.......How about a stranger??

Everyday we have choice to make...........What choice will you make?

Are you getting fuel???

The other day I needed to stop at the gas station to fill-up.  As I pulled into the station almost all of the pumps were occupied.  I pulled in as another car pulled in facing me and 3 other cars also pulled in to wait for the next pump to open up.

I jumped out of my car and began the process of filling up.  I glanced over at the car that had pulled in at the same time as me.  Both occupants leisurely got out of their vehilce and headed in to the store.  My first thought was okay - - they must have to prepay.  As I finished up, the couple exited the store, with beverages and snacks in hand.  As I pulled out of the station, I noticed they were parked in the wrong direction to even fill up.  They returned to their vehicle and they too left the gas station.

The question is......

                WHAT CHOICE WOULD YOU MAKE????

Would you park in the spaces on the side of the store and not take up pump space? 

OR

Would you park by the pumps directly in front of the door and never use those pumps, all while making at least 3 other vehicles wait?

Everyday we make choices.  Most of our choices have some affect on another person.  You may only think about yourself and your need for a drink and snack.  But how did your choice affect the people around you?
What if it was you waiting in line for a pump and you needed to be somewhere soon.  How did someone else's choice affect you?


What choice will you make today?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

It shouldn't matter if you or Irish or not!  Take the time to enjoy this day!


Wear a little green!! 
Have some green food!


My kids started the morning with green bagels!!!  Fresh yummy bagels from our local bagel shop - - Mint Chocolate Chip flavored bagels!  Just a special treat for to start the day!


It is just about doing something different for the day.  We don't normally eat green bagels.  But what a great way to start the day!  A little smile because of the funny colored bagels! 


A choice to do something different - - to make a memory - - to create a smile!!  To start the day off in a special way!!


It is your choice!!  What will you choose?

One Choice Away.......

Every day we are just one choice away from making a difference.

What kind of difference will you make?

Will your choice have a positive impact or a negative impact?

It is your choice.....what will you choose?