God Is Not Where You Think He Is

There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started on his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, staring atsome pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.

He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted. They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, yet they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave. Before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own home a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that madeyou so happy?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her neighbor was stunned by the look of peace on her face, andshe asked, “What did you do today that made you so happy?” She replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her neighbor responded,she added, 

“You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

Will someone see God in your smile or kind deeds? Maybe they’re not even looking for God, but may see Him in the kindness you show. Isn’t that what we’re here for? It might be a stranger, someone you work with, a family member or friend. Let them see God in you. Show His love in all you do today.”

Sunset & Moon

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Here's a beautiful set of thoughts for the day with special thanks to Steve McCurry.

Gibran

You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts.
Khalil Gibran

The author of The Prophet was born on this day in 1883.

Don't Be Afraid

Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
David Lloyd George

Which One Are You?

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

Willie Arthur Ward

We Underestimate

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 

Leo Buscaglia

Tender, Compassionate, Sympathetic

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. 

George Washington Carver

Think With Deep Gratitude

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

I came upon this today. I think that we really do come upon stuff we need only when we need it! I am grateful for several sparks! So, now is my time to reflect with deep gratitude.

Life Is No Brief Candle

Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
George Bernard Shaw

To Live Content

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion....In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. 

William Ellery Channing

Limitless Opportunities For Humankind

This time on our glorious planet is the most exciting time in history. We are going to see and experience the impossible becoming possible, in every field of human endeavour and on every subject. As we let go of all thoughts of limitation, and know that we are unlimited, we will experience the limitless magnificence of humankind, expressed through sport, health, art, technology, science, and every single field of creation.
Sent from my iPod

Please Everybody?

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Cosby

You Are Right

The Secret: Daily Teachings
When Henry Ford was bringing his vision of the motor vehicle into our world, people around him ridiculed him and thought he had gone mad to pursue such a “wild” vision. Henry Ford knew much more than the people who ridiculed him. He knew The Secret and he knew the law of the Universe.

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.
-HENRY FORD
(1863-1947)

Sent from my iPod

Beauty and Bread

“Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray, where nature heals and gives strength to body and soul alike.”
John Muir
(courtesy of my friend Eileen)

Apache Blessing

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being.
Apache Blessing

Greatest Discovery

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
William James

And here’s another variation on the same idea:

You can create for yourself a garden of bliss if you believe in it. And you can create for yourself intolerable suffering if you believe that it is necessary.

Relaxation

My last post mentioned RELAXATION and our visit to Mount Juliet later today. Well, would you believe it? When I pulled one of my angel cards this morning, something I do from time to time, here’s what came up…
You can only connect with your magnificence and full potential when you relax deeply for this allows your latent gifts and talents to emerge. In a state of calm relaxation you can also handle your day to day challenges more easily for you are able to flow through the seemingly impossible. Wisdom suggests you prioritise time for yourself. Breathe deeply. Do something you enjoy as you are due a spiritual, emotional and physical recharge. Remember that relaxation goes hand in hand with vibrant health and peak performance.
Affirmation: I take time to relax today. So, as I type, here I am breathing deeply…perhaps this post strikes a chord with you too.

Garden Heaven

A garden is a place of rest, a managed miniature of the beauty of this world, a place to return to whenever that beauty fails to shine in my life. This year, our major project outstripped all that we have created for many a year as we built our long-awaited garden room. Completed in April, it enabled us to re-landscape by the end of May so it is now returning naturally to its former state.

Garden 2010: A place to sit and look, or sip a red wine.

A place to sit and look, or sip a red wine. This year also we placed several bird-feeders. This was a wonderful decision and now various species of birds come to share it all with us. Finally, and unrelated to feeding, a pair of swallows had nested in the wooden shed. I have attempted to photograph them with their brood of four, but succeed only in frightening the little ones to fly before they are ready. Better it seems to sit and watch rather than to attempt again to get too close.

Wine? Oh yes please!

Winter 2010. Building in progress.

Thought I’d add this, taken back in late January.

Be A Hero

“Be the hero to the next one in need. The hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well and be happy to serve.” Efren Peñaflorida

Mother Teresa

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Mother Teresa