DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL WEAK? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 126

There are times when almost all people feel bereft of courage when trying to face a difficult time in life. Whether it be serious illness, relationships, loss of a loved one, angry boss, financial problems, or just fear of the unknown at times we can feel very weak which is a dreadful feeling.  The best advice I ever got was that I should take life one day at a time because that is how it is going to come.  Just try to get through each day the best you can.  There is a Scripture verse that says, "Don't worry about tomorrow for today has enough trouble of its own."  That does not mean each day is going to be a bad one for you but rather that we should focus on the present day.

Having courage does not mean having no fear but rather doing what you must in spite of feeling weak or fearful.  You can do it.  I know you can.

HAVE COURAGE!

DON'T WASTE EVEN ONE DAY - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 125

Last night as I was watching Dancing With The Stars I was sorry to learn that one of the contestants Bill Nye had suffered a severe injury.  I was surprised when he decided to dance anyway despite what the doctor told him.  When asked why he opted to do it he said something like , "People don't regret what they do but what they don't do."

While we all have or will have regrets for some of the things we say or do in our lives, I think he was correct.  At the end of the day we will regret things left undone, opportunities not taken, words not spoken, kindness not extended, rifts not mended, and never doing the things that we always have wanted to do.  Time is fleeting and life is short.

Today's message is:

BE HAPPY NOW!

MAKE A LITTLE NOISE - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 124

Do you remember being a kid and sometimes being so happy that you had to let it out by shouting?  As we grow older we may become a bit inhibited and reserve our shouting for sports events or the receipt of some good or happy news.  We should not forget that good things happen all the time even if intermingled with some not so good things.  Always acknowledge and appreciate the good things for yourself, your family and friends.

Sing a little louder, cheer a little louder, speak a little louder, and sometimes

SHOUT IT OUT!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DO THIS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 123

Living a thankful life can make each day joyful, each burden lighter, each relationship better, and relieve the stress that plagues so many of us these days. With all the trouble in the world today it is too easy to think only of what is wrong in our lives.  I know it is easy to be bogged down with unhappy thoughts, angry reactions, bitter feelings, and despair over things that are not as we want them to be.  In spite of these things, however, there is one thing each of us can do to help ourselves.

Being thankful is not just for religious people, but it is for all people.  I truly believe that every person can find things each day for which to be thankful.  Beauty, music, art, nature, and kindness are available to all of us at no cost so even the poorest of the poor can enjoy them.  Family, friends, work, health, opportunities, and so many other things to be thankful for are truly blessings.

Today's message is:

COUNT BLESSINGS!

YOU DESERVE A BREAK - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 122

We receive reminders every day locally, nationally and globally about how fragile life really is and how it can change in an instant.  With the lives that have been senselessly lost I wonder what those individuals would have done had they known it would be their last days.  None of us know how much time we have on this earth so we should always make the most of it.

One day this weekend I hope you will do something you really want to do rather than doing what you ought to do.  Spend time with your children, spouse, significant other, friends, or parents and

JUST BE!

THREE IN ONE - CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAYS 119, 120 AND 121

As you can see by the title, today I am going to catch up as I have missed posting for a couple of days. Usually when I skip something it is because I either forgot, I was sick, or I had too many medical appointments in one week.  While I did have 6 appointments last week they are not the cause of my falling behind in blogging.  Actually this week I have been preoccupied due to the death of an old friend and colleague.  Martin  lost his long, painful, valiant battle with lung cancer.  He and I were diagnosed with lung cancer about the same time, and I was so fortunate that my surgery was successful and due to early detection I did not have to have chemotherapy or radiation.  Martin was not so fortunate as by the time his cancer was discovered it had already spread.

He was younger than I, married to a wife he adored, and a wonderful father to three beautiful daughters and grandfather to an adorable little girl.  He had more faith, hope, and courage than I have ever seen, and he touched many, many lives in his lifetime.  He was a dear friend to all of us who knew him and he will be sorely missed.

The three messages I am tardy in writing are ironically so appropriate for the way Martin faced his illness, and he was an inspiration to all who knew him.

I AM BLESSED!

HEART WIDE OPEN

NO WHINING

MORE OR LESS? CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH WORDS - DAY 118

For years now we have lived in an ever increasing consumer society.  Constant advertising and commercials tempt us to want more, get more, buy more, and have more stuff.  Children are barraged by ads and other kids making them want ridiculously expensive athletic shoes which they will outgrow in a heartbeat, toys which will not last as long as the credit card bills, and clothes that will assure they "fit in" during their very important school years.

Adults have racked up enormous credit card debt living beyond their means to satisfy the never ending list of wants and must haves.  Somehow in this economy it is apparent that we all need to learn the difference between what is necessary and what is desirable.  We all need to learn to want what we have rather than keep wanting more and more of what we do not have and most likely do not need.

Today's message is:

WANT LESS!