Category Archives: Quotes

The Value Of A Smile

Posted in friendships, Quotes by

Go Coast GuardIt only takes but a moment to smile, but the memory of it can last forever and none are so richly that we can get along without a smile. Smiles enriches those that receive without making poorer those who give. A smile creates sunshine in the home and fosters good will in business. A smile is the best antidote for trouble and it cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen. A smile is of no value unless it is freely given away. When people are too busy to give you a smile . . .  give them yours.

For the Good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly as he or she who has no more smiles to give you. We all smile when everything is going our way, but the one smile that is most worthwhile is the one you give away when you don’t want because everything is going wrong and you gladly do it anyway.

Author Unknown

A Little Humor For A Boomer’s Heart

 Kids QuotesHumor for a boomer’s heart

1. “What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And most important, cookies.” By Rudolph Giuliani.

2. ” A house needs a grandma in it.” C By  Louisa May Alcott.

3.”Never have children, only grandchildren.” BY Gore Vidal.

4. “When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the widow.” By Omar Sharif.

5. “My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. she’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where she is.” By Ellen DeGeneres. C.

6. “My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn’t need glasses. Drink’s right out of the bottle.” By Henny Youngman.

7. “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle star-dust over the lives of little children.” By Alex Haley

8. “Elephants and grandchildren never forget.” By Andy Rooney.

9. ” The best babysitters of course, are the baby’s grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your bay to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.” By David Sedaris.

10. “A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.” By  Erma Bombeck

 

Adversity

Posted in Adversity, friendships, Quotes, relationships by

Take A WalkThroughout the seasons of life all of us on occasion endure losses that leave us breathless. Sometimes, of course, it is not we but instead our friends who face adversity. When they do, our mission is simple: We must help in any way we can, either with an encouraging word, a helping hand, or a heartfelt prayer.

This is practical advice: “Make it a rule, and pray to God to help you to keep it, never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say: “I have made one human being at least a little wiser, or a little happier, or at least a little better today.”  Amen to that  . . . Especially when times are tough.

When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. Advice is easy to give and harder to take. Edna St Vincent Millay wrote to a friend requesting, “Please give me some good advice in your next letter. I promise not to take it.”  Remember it’s very wise of us to follow good advice and we all have a potpourri of wisdom worth sharing and receiving with our friends but we must also remember that it’s all in the delivery  . . .  timing is everything. Isn’t it?

~ Granny In Training~

Ten Big Things To Remeber During The Ups and Downs Of Life . . .

Posted in Changing Habits, Dreams, friendships, Goals, Life, Love, Psychology, Quotes, relationships by

be-yourself-When life puts a mountain in your way don’t forget you’ve faced mountains before. Don’t be afraid. You’re strong. Just start climbing. Imagine yourself reaching your goal. Changing your attitude can free you or keep you bound. You have what it takes . You have your spirit, mind and body. You have wisdom to know how to compensate. Cry is you want. Kick and scream. It’s okay. Get it out of your system then check your worries at the gate. Remember  . . . it’s just another mountain. You’ve climbed mountains before, and you will climb this one. You can do it. Absolutely!

Ten Things to Remember During The Ups and Downs After Calling Your Best Friend . . .

  1. Your life is a gift to you. Appreciate this gift with all your heart.
  2. Know that God is always with you. Pray to Him often, Listen to His guidance, and don’t forget to thank Him for your blessings.
  3. Respect yourself and make wise choices about your life.
  4. A balanced life is based on give and take. Give joyfully out of your own need, and you will draw whatever you need to you.
  5. You’re thoughts, words, and actions paint the total picture of who you are. Be good as your word, and be good.
  6. Treat others as you want to be treated, no matter how they’ve treated you . . .
  7. Don’t judge others. Don’t try to change others especially your sister or your best friend; it won’t work. You’ll have enough trouble changing yourself.
  8. When you’re down, get up and try again. Whatever you’re going through will look different on another day.
  9. If you wrong someone, ask forgiveness, and when someone wrongs you, be quick to forgive.
  10. Choose to love others, for when you show love, you are making a positive difference and don’t forget to call your best friend.

I hope you will look at all your good qualities and realize how important you are to those who love you. Start reflecting on your own attitudes, your accomplishments, and all the things that make you who you are. I know you will find ways to make the difficult times easier, your cares lighter, and the days brighter. I pray that revelations and secrets will unfold for you to make a difference as you tap into that source of strength I know is within you, that place where hope and courage lives  and new dreams are born.  I hope you will connect with the kind of faith that helps you to reach your desired goals.

~Granny In Training~

“When Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!”

Posted in Chidren, family, Family Values, generational changes, grandkids, Grandparenting, Life, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Psychology, Quotes, relationships, Romace, Women by

Many couples are putting their children at the center of the family. This doesn’t sound like a bad thing, after all, aren’t your grandchildren the apple of your eye too? But when parents put their children ahead of  their own needs, ahead of their marriage, it may seem child friendly, but it can lead to complications.

When children are the absolute center of the family, they can grow up without boundaries. This can lead to demanding, entitled kids. Who become demanding, entitled adults. You might have a friend or two who are demanding and they can be difficult to get along with. Can’t they? 

 No one wants their children or grandchildren to turn out to be demanding. Do they? Some acting out might be all right for a child, but future bosses, spouses and friends will probably not be so tolerant. Will they? Furthermore, being the center of the family is too much pressure for most children. Children cannot fulfill all their parents‘ emotional needs and it’s not fair to expect them to. Children in this position often feel they need to parent their parents and that’s not their job. Actually, it’s your job to be there for your children when they are parents.

Remind them to make time for themselves, their spouses and friends if you want to be helpful offer to babysit so they can have a date night or weekend getaway, and you’ll get to spend extra time with your grandchildren.  Bob and Jane being the wise parents and grandparents that they are, offered to babysit their grandchildren while Jim and  Lynn went out on the town.  As Lynn was leaving, she told her children to listen to Nana and Pops and then gave them a kiss on the cheek and thanked her parents.

Well, Bob winked at Lynn while reminding her of this old saying,”When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” Bob’s point was that couples need to spend time together just the two of  them and keep the romance going.  Now Jim plans romantic surprise date nights at least twice a month and all Lynn has to do is show up . Jim and Lynn are feeling reconnected and Nana and Pops are “Happy Grands.” Jim agrees with Bob “When Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!

Happily Ever After Endings In Literature

Posted in Books, generational changes, Life, Quotes, relationships by

 The greatest storytellers and dreamers have always held out hope for tomorrow and happily ever after endings that tell of that hope. For example this famous quote: “There’s No Place Like Home” from the Wizard of Oz. 

What follows is an inspiring collection of four classic novels that are known for their happily ever endings that leave us feeling happy and hopeful.

These writers are listed among the worlds best know authors and the novels are “The Wonderful World of Oz”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Little House In The Woods,” ” The Secret Garden”, and  “Heidi.”

When we read happily ever after stories we can’t help but read them with a smile. My mother use to read happily ever after stories to me with optimistic endings. It doesn’t matter how old I get when I reread these stories for a few hours I’m a young girl again and the smile returns as I think about Dorothy, Aunt Em and my mother whose name was Dorothy and I agree there’s no place like home. Whose heart wasn’t touched by when they first watched Dorothy and all her friends as they walked down the yellow brick road in the movie “The Wizard of Oz”?

 Maybe like me you had an Aunt that reminds you of Aunt Em because she use to hold you in her arms and cover your face with kisses like Dorothy’s Aunt Em did in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Don’t you just love the Aunt Em’s of the world? There’s nothing as comforting and satisfying as a happily ever ending. And if you are a book lover you enjoy curling up in a comfy chair with a heartwarming story where the last pages leave you feeling happy and hopeful. 

 As you open the pages from your best-loved authors once again you are reminded if only in life everything could work out to have a happy ending as it does in literature like in the novel ” The Wonderful World of Oz ” were the last words are; I’m so glad to be at home again!

Aunt Em had just come out of the house to water the cabbages when she looked up and saw Dorothy running toward her. “My darling child!” she cried, folding the little girl in her arms and covering her face with kisses. “Where in the world did you come from?” “From the Land of Oz,” said Dorothy gravely. ” And here is Toto too. And Oh,  Aunt Em! I’m so glad to be at home again!” ~  L. Frank Baum,  “The Wizard of Oz“

What about the novel ” A Christmas Carol” it ends with Tiny Tim saying; God bless Us, Everyone! That’s a happy ending that leaves us feeling hopeful.

And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One! ~ Charles Dickens,  “A Christmas Carol.” Remember when Ebenezer Scrooge has his change of heart, renouncing his miserly ways and vowing to live a life of charity and compassion?

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did Not die, he was a second father.

 He became a good friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the old city knew, or any other good old city, town or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which knowing some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it was as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed; and that wa quite enough for him.

He had no further interactions with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed,  God Bless, Us Every One! ~ Charles Dickens,  “A Christmas Carol.”

 The novel “Little House in The Big Woods” written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She is also the author of “The Little House On The Perrier” series.

 Little House in The Big Woods is a happily ever after book and the ending words are; It can never be a long time ago!  Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa’s fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the big woods, She looked at Pa sitting on the bench hearth, the fire-light gleaming on his brown hair and beard and glistening on the honey-brown fiddle.

 She looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting. She thought to herself, “This is now.”

She was glad that the cosy house, and Pa and Ma and the fire-light and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago. ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 

 

In the novel ” The Secret Garden” written by Frances Hodgson Burnett the ending words are; his eyes full of laughter walked as strongly and steadily as any boy in Yorkshire… Master Colin! Look there,” he said,” if that’s curious. Look what’s comin’ across the grass.”

When Mrs. Medlock looked she threw up her hands and gave a little shriek and every  man and woman-servant within hearing bolted across the servants’ hall and stood looking through the window with their eyes almost starting out of their heads.

Across the lawn came the Master of Misselthwaite and he looked as many of them had never seen him. and by his side with his head up in the air and his eyes full of laughter walked as strongly and steadily as any boy in Yorkshire…   Master Colin!

 

 

Remember the novel “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri?  And how much there was to tell of all the events that had taken place that last summer, for they had not had many opportunities of meeting since then. 

And it was difficult to say which of the three looked the happiest at being together again, and at the recollection of all the wonderful things that had happened. Mother Brigitta’s face was perhaps the happiest of all, as now, with the help of “Heidi’s” explanation, she was able to understand for the first time the history of Peter’s weekly penny for life.

Then at last the grandmother spoke, “Heidi, read me one of the hymns! I feel I can do anything for the remainder of my life but thank the father in Heaven for all the mercies He has shown us!”

The Wizard of Oz,  A Christmas Carol,  Little House in The Big Woods, and Heidi and many other special books fill us with a warm glow every time we read them.  In the pages of Happy Ever After Stories book lovers will relive the pleasures of their favorite literary moments, and maybe even discover a few new favorites.  

The Authors we love tell very different stories in very different times and offer something for everyone.  They manage to offer hope and inspiration to their readers with their accomplished words and evocative illustrations that make us once again believe and treasure happy endings and leave us feeling hopeful. 

 The novel ” The Wonderful World of Oz” was first published in 1902. “A Christmas Story” was first published on December 19 in 1843. “Little House in The Big Woods” was  first published in 1932. “The Secret Garden” was first published in 1911 and The novel “Heidi” was first published in 1901.

Start Where You Are

Posted in Dreams, Life, Love, Quotes, relationships, Women by

 Start where you are when you have been blind-sided by a sudden crises, tragedy, or an unwanted break up. Unplug the TV, put away the to-do lists, turn off the computer playing in your mind, and find some quiet time alone and meditate about how you are going to start where you are now. 

You may be wondering what does daffodils have to do with starting where you are? Look at this photo of daffodils field do you realize it started with just one bulb? “Start Where You Are ” one bulb at a time!

This is a lovely story about a woman who planted one of the most beautiful displays of daffodils ever seen, high up on a mountain peak surrounding her small A-frame home.

There were five acres of flowers planted in “majestic”, swirling patterns with great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow.”

A poster on her patio of her home read: “Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking.”  The first was “50,000 bulbs.” The second answer was, “Began in 1958 planting one bulb at a time, year after year for more than forty years, this woman had created something of indescribable magnificence, beauty and inspiration.

Sometimes we find ourselves at cross roads, no longer willing to do things the same old way. It may arise out of a need, an answer to a problem, or a deep soul desire felt within. You find yourself bewildered and wondering where do I start?  You’ve been so devastated that you could hardly breathe and at moments you felt crushed? 

Maybe you were broken-hearted because the man you thought you were going ot marry, your soul mate ended your relationship or maybe you married him and it didn’t work out. And to make matters worse,you worked for him.

 A few years ago my friend Linda was in that exact situation her fiancé broke up with her and she worked with him. Needles say she was feeling devastated so she called a dear friend and asked her, Where do I start?

This was the advice her friend gave her. First, if she was going to survive, the most important thing was to go to bed every night before 10:00.

She knew from her study of health that every hour of sleep we get before midnight is worth two hours after that time. She also knew that staying rested was far the most effective way to deal with stress. Anyone who’s ever gotten up in the morning without having had enough sleep knows how hard life can be when we’re tired. When challenges are accompanied by fatigue, we can feel hopeless. Linda knew she needed to be alert in order to cope with the humiliation she experienced and the demands of her work schedule. 

Linda’s friend suggested that the second thing she should do was to focus on the things she had to be grateful for. Every night before falling asleep, she started writing down at least five good things that had happened to her each day and as time went by the grew and grew.

Linda’s friend also explained this simple principle to her: When we focus on darkness, we usually allow ourselves to be taken into deeper darkness. When we focus on light meaning all that is good in our lives we attract more and more light. It’s a powerful truth: Whatever you put your attention on grows stronger in your life.

 It’s no surprise that when we focus on the negative, that’s all we can see. How often have you had five great things happen to you in your day, but when a friend asked you how it’s going, you immediately told her about the one thing that didn’t go so well?  As Linda’s dear friend said to her, “The more you believe somethings matters, the more solid and tangible they become.”

Sometimes we get so involved thinking about the past or the future that we simply forget what’s going on right in front of us. At times like these, I find it valuable to remember the advice my friend Linda applied to her situation when her life was turned up side down. She didn’t know what was going to happen down the road, but she knew she had to breathe, eat and go to work everyday. The first thing Linda did was post a sign on her refrigerator that said, Start Where You Are” one bulb at a time.

As a result Linda resigned from her job and became an owner of a flower shop where she met and married a terrific guy who is a publisher. And Linda’s list of good things that happened to her everyday grew to 365 good things that happened today and her husband published it. Linda still keeps a sign on their refrigerator that says, “Start Where You Are” one bulb at a time.

   

 


 

When Friendship Grows

Posted in Life, Quotes, relationships, Uncategorized by

Emily Dickinson spoke for friends everywhere when she observed, “My friends are my estate.” Dickinson understood that friends are among our most treasured possessions. But unlike a bank account or a stock certificate, the value of a true friendship is not denominated in dollars and cents; it is, in fact, beyond measure it is priceless. Our friendship started when we first talked to each other I knew we would always be friends and our friendship has kept on growing and you know that I’ll be here for you to the end. Thank you listening to me when I  have a problem and helping dry the tears from my face.

You take away my sorrow and put happiness in its place. We can’t forget the fun we’ve had laughing ’till our faces turned blue while talking of things only that we found funny. People must have thought we where insane. Oh! if they only knew.

I guess this is my way of saying thanks for catching me when I fall. Thanks once again for being such a good friend  and being there with me though it all. There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will.

A friend is someone who can see the truth and pain in you even when you are fooling everyone else. If your alone I’ll be your shadow. IF you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. IF you need to be happy I’ll be your smile…But anytime you need a friend. I’ll just be me.

It’s the times we’re so crazy that people think we are high it;s the times we laugh so hard , we can’t help but cry. It’s all the inside jokes and remembering when’s those are all the reasons that we’re best friends!

When you are with a close friend it seems as if  you never have to explain yourself. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it. A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when yo have forgotten the words. Friendship isn’t about whom you have known the longest…it’s about who came, and never left your side.

The words that escape a friend’s mouth are “I’ll be there when you say you need me” but the words that are unheard from a true friends heart are I’ll be there…whether you say you need me or not.

What is a friend? A thesaurus offers many synonyms: ally, alter ego, chum, companion, coworker, colleague, helper, pal, and partner, to name a few. Like the people who create them, each friendship is unique. Enduring friendship, while difficult to cubbyhole, is easy to recognize. We know it when we see it.

Epicurus wrote, “Of all the things that wisdom provides to make life happy, by far the greatest is friendship.” Over two thousand years have passed since the Greek sage offered this observation, but little has changed. Friendships are still among the most sublime of human pleasures.

A true friend is the gift of God, and he only who made hearts can unite them. Friendship is one mind in two bodies. A friend is a poem. Friends are relatives you   make for yourself. A true friend will not always agree with you but will always be true to your best interests. Your best friend is the person who in wishing you well wishes it for your sake.

The word friendship is also a noun and it has many meanings here are a few : The  state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will, friendliness; amity; good will; kindly aid; help; assistance, aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony. Friendship is a noun and it can begin with a glance and continue to grow with gratitude. Remember wherever your are it’s your friends who make your world.

Love

Posted in Books, Brides, Dreams, Life, Love, Quotes, relationships, Romace, Spiritual, Women by

Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.  Love is also a virtue representing all of human kindness,compassion, and affection; and the unselfish loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another.  Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase,”God is Love” or Agape in the canonical gospels. Love may also be described as actions towards others (or oneself) based on compassion, or as actions towards others based on affection.

In English, love refers to many different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from pleasure, “I loved that meal” to Love at first sight such as in “Romeo and Juliet”  Shakespeare’s most popular archetypal stories of young teenage lovers.

Then there is the love at first glance kind of love as described in the novel “Les Miserables”, by Victor Hugo,  between the characters Marius Pontmercy a student and Cosette falling in love after glancing into each others eyes for the first time and by the end of the novel married each other.

Then there’s interpersonal attraction I love my partner. “Love” may refer specifically to the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love, to the sexual love of a spouse, to the emotional closeness of family love or the platonic love that defines friendship. 

In romantic relationships, “falling in Love” is mainly a Western tradition. It is used to describe the process of moving from a feeling of neutrality towards a person to one of love. The use of the  term “fall” implies that the process is in some way inevitable, uncontrollable, risky, irreversible, or that it puts the lover in a state of vulnerability, in the same way the word “Fall” is used in the phase “To Fall Ill” or “To Fall Into A Trap.”  The term is generally used to describe an (eventual) love that is strong, although not necessarily permanent.  Before we fall in love, we can see the other person as a bare branch; as we fall, we coat him or her with jeweled attractions about 80 percent of our own making.

There are many contributing factors when we ask ourselves Who and why that person?  A few factors that contribute strongly to falling in love include proximity, similarity, reciprocity, and attractiveness. Similarity would seem especially important: some would even claim that when we fall in love we fall into narcissistic identification. 

 Psychology research has shown two basis for love at first sight. The first is that the attractiveness of a person can be very quickly determined, with the average time in one study being 0.13 second. The second is that the first few minutes of a relationship have shown to be predictive of the relationship’s future success, more so than what two people have in common or whether they like each other. Family therapists maintain that the reason we’re attracted to someone at this very deep level is that basically they are like us in a psychological sense. Others suggest that the very act of falling in love set in motion old patterns of how we love.

Love at first sight is a common trope in Western literature, in which a person, character, or speaker feels romantic attraction for a stranger.The name Romeo, in popular culture, has become nearly synonymous with “Lover.” Romeo and Juliet, does indeed experience a love of such purity and passion, that he kills himself when he believes that the object of his love, Juliet died.  The power of Romeo’s love however, often obscures a clear vision of Romeo’s character, which is far more complex. Even Romeo’s relation to love is not so simple. Mean while Juliet’s first meeting with Romeo propels her full-force toward adulthood. All of this started with a glance. I wonder how many of us “love” at first glance? I wonder…

Nana’s Hands

Posted in family, Family Values, generational changes, grandkids, Grandparenting, Life, Quotes, Spiritual by

If we can be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love’s reach. Our Nana was a generous woman with a big heart not just to her family but to all kinds of people, even people she didn’t know.

 She did nice things without expecting anything back. Nana was especially good at baking and she made the best chocolate chipcookies in the world.

One of the best things about Nana was that she loved people and they loved her back. Friends and family knew they could stop by and see her anytime and Nana would always welcome them. Everyone in her family depended on Nana to keep them up with the latest birth or who got married in the neighborhood (in the old neighborhood) as my dad use to say. They grew up in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Now Nana’s not here to tell us what’s going on, or to bake those favorite things she was so good at making. Nana passed away a few years and my cousin found this poem and we realized that it describes how we felt about our Nana. It’s called “Nana’s Hands.”

Nana’s Hands used to touch us with. Nana’s hands would scold us and sit us down in a chair. Nana’s hands would applaud us when we did something good. Nana’s hands would hold us every chance they could. Nana’s hands would aid us when we fell down. Nana”s hands, Yes I miss them, they were the best hands around. Nana’s hands would spank us and she would say, “Now, Baby, you act right.” Nana’s hands would stroke us and tuck us in at night. Nana’s hands would pray for us, they would pray for everyone she knew. Nana’s hands would rise in the air as in God she put her trust. Nana’s hands were special; they were the very best. Nana’s hands got tired, and now they are at rest.

We thought a lot about the last line of that poem it taught us that it can be hard to lose people we love but it can sometimes be for the better too. When Nana got sick we felt bad for her when we realized she couldn’t do things she loved anymore and she was in pain. At least we knew that she didn’t hurt anymore.

 We also realized that we never thought about how things would change once Nana was gone. Losing someone you love can definitely help us appreciate the people who are special to us while we still have them in our lives.

When Hearts Are Like A Deck Of Cards

Posted in Dreams, Love, Quotes, relationships, Songs, Spiritual by

 Kenny Rogers, performs a song called The Gambler  and the lyrics can be used as a metaphor for life. The song is full of words of discernment and choices, the message is universal.

Whether you have a pair or a full house, our job is to learn to live with cards we are dealt. Our world would do well to emulate Kenny Rogers’ wisdom. We collect many cards and if you check closely surely there are some winners in there somewhere. It’s not too late to reshuffle the deck or is it?  Somehow we must find a way to discard the unused cards and deal with the cards we are dealt.

In the song Kenny Rogers explains to us in order to play the game you got to know when to let go, when to hold them and when to fold ’em that doesn’t just apply to playing cards it applies to many different situations in life doesn’t it?

You got to know when to let go. You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, Know when to walk away, know when to run.  You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table. There’ll be time enough for countin’, when the dealin’s done. Every gambler knows the secret to survivin,’ is knowin’ what to throw away, knowin’ what to keep. Cause every hand’s a winner, and every hand’s a loser.

Pulling out an Ace at the proper time makes us all winners. We have to learn when to hold ’em, when to deal ’em, when to fold, and when to go for a full house.

 Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could just hit a reshuffle button called the deck of life? What if every time we ran from a dream, relationship, or an unwanted issue in life you could hit a reshuffle button? What if like magic the cards would fall the way we wanted them to? Wouldn’t it be awesome if we knew the secret to surviving? Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was reshuffle button?

We do have a reshuffle button it’s in the belief of yourself it allows you to follow your heart and your dreams. You like everyone else will make mistakes but as long as you are true to the strength within your own heart you can never go wrong. In some ways our hearts are like a deck of cards and every once in a while it needs to be reshuffled.

When You’re Young At Heart…

Posted in family, generational changes, grandkids, Lyrics, Quotes, relationships by

Fairy Tales, can come true, it can happen to you. If you’re young at heart. For it’s hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind. If you’re young at heart. When you can go to extremes, with impossible schemes. You can laugh, when your dreams fall apart, at the seams. And life, gets more exciting with each passing day. And love is either in your heart, or on its way.  Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth?  To be young at heart.

And if you survive to 105. Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive! And here is the best part, you have a head start. If you are among the very young at heart.

In a striking turnaround, science now sees optimism and pessimism not as good or bad outlooks you’re born with. But as mind-sets to adopt as situations demand.  Sure, you could look at life purely rationally, but without optimism or pessimism, you might not do much.

I loved it when my children were young. I’ve never been so tired, or had as much fun. Like all women it didn’t matter what I did .Women, never seemed to agree on what made for a “Happy Mom”. I wonder if there was a recipe called “Happy Moms.” What would the ingredients be?   It seems like “Moms” have a million expectations to live up to. Don’t they?  

It doesn’t seem to matter what age we are there are constant reminders of the choices we have to make or have made. When we are young, time seems to pass by slowly. We thought, we had all the answers. Didn’t we? It seems to me. That I knew more at the age of twenty-two, than I do now.

 When we were young it was all about the “when’s.” When they learn to crawl,walk and run. When they start school. When they get a job. When they fall in love. And just wait until they have their own children. Oh! yes, when we were young, it was all  about the future. And it seemed like we have all the time in the world. Didn’t it?  

Then we became grandmothers and the years just seemed like the flew by.  Suddenly the “when s” return. When they learn to crawl, stand, walk and run.  Along with the when’s, the fun and excitement returns. Doesn’t it?  I’m sure that my grandkids feel, that I’m bit odd.

Sometimes it seems like occasionally I catch them giving me a sarcastic glance that seems to say, “Really”  you’re doing that?  And other times their glances seem to say, ” She’s old” we must be the patient with her. Their little legs walk as slowly as my old legs. And their fresh eyes see things, that I have ignored for years.

It’s been said, That being young at heart, is not about your age but it’s a state of mind. I find that’s true. I hope you do too. The recipe for what makes for a “Happy Mom” is still being written. Or did “Betty Crocker” write it?  Maybe! Mom’s get to pretend to be like “Betty” and create their own “Mom” recipe?. Like the lyrics say,  Fairy Tales can come true. It can happen to you!

 

To Pursue A Dream Is The Belief That We Can

Posted in Dreams, Quotes, Spiritual by

To pursue a dream is the belief that we can and the resolve that we will plus making a plan to make it happen.

The other day while browsing through Books A Million and I noticed that there’s a lot of books written to challenge, inspire, and direct us on how to pursue our dreams. The authors are trying to move us from just merely thinking about our dreams to start living them.

Women of all ages are not just merely thinking about their dreams but they are making them come true.  A dream can especially difficult thing to describe and they aren’t concrete until they come to pass before then they are like clouds. When both of us look at a cloud you may see one thing while I see another. 

 And the picture you see in one moment may quickly change when the first wind comes along. As time goes by-a day, a week, or a year-you may not even remember what you once saw. Let’s face it when it comes to giving a voice and life to our dreams most of us need some help.

There are many speakers and authors who talk about dreams and using what I consider to be smoke and mirrors because they make claims such as “If you can dream it, you can do it. ” Not true! If that was true we would have all achieved the unachievable. 

However there are dreams that are realistic and that can come true. Nobody wanders his or her way to a dream. It seems to me that when ever a dream is achieved the person puts their dream to a test by asking and answering questions such as this one; Who would be the person in the world most pleased if I accomplished my dream. Bingo!  When was the last time you valued your own opinion over the opinions of others?

 Most dreams end once they we shared with others who are not like-minded. Aren’t they? How many times we have an idea, dream or vision and failed to pursue it because of others opinions? 

 I enjoy stories about people like Thomas Edison and Walt Disney. When we think about Thomas Edison we think of the electric light bulb. Here are some words of  inspiration from Thomas Edison. I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.   

 “Walt Disney Quotes” have been accessed by Millions of people from hundreds of Countries and this just goes to show that people all over the world enjoy having their imaginations sparked. Doesn’t it? Walt Disney was a man who is an example of someone who pursed his dreams. This is one of his quotes  “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”