It's the Simple Things That Matter Most!

Blessings

Lisa O. Engelhardt

When I think about my life,
And my blessings, great and small,
I know the things that matter most
Aren't really "things" at all.

For the bounty and the beauty
In my life that I most treasure
Are simple, daily blessings
I cannot count or measure...

My family tucked in at night,
A hand to squeeze and hold,
The miracle of watching
My children's lives unfold...

Friends who love me as I am,
And through their love impart
Courage for my journey, and
A glimpse of God's own heart.

The gifts of mindfulness,
to slow down and surrender
to a brilliant afternoon
Aglow with nature's splendor...

Life's radiance inspirits
Every day anew.
And everywhere I look,
I see God's blessings shining through.

It's true that I don't have
All those "things" I'm longing for,
But I have all I need to live,
And ever so much more.

God's simple, daily gifts confirm
The truth that I embrace;
Just to be is blessing;
Just to live is grace. 

Let's Give Thanks!

Be Thankful

Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. 

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary,

Because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

And they can become your blessings. 

Live Your Life to the Fullest!

Do You Live Your Dash?

Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears;

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth…

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars…the house…the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real,

And always try to understand

The way other people feel. 

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile.

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while. 

So, when your eulogy’s being read

With your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

A Little Inspiration!

"Kindness in words creates confidence. 

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. 

Kindness in giving creates love."

Lao Tzu

A Little Inspiration!

"Life begets life. Energy creates energy. 

It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."

Sarah Bernhardt

The Native American Ten Commandments

1. The earth is our mother - care for her.

2. Honor all your relations.

3. Take from the earth what is needed and nothing more.

4. Follow the rhythms of nature. Rise and retire with the sun.

5. Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks.

6. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good. 

7. Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

8. Do what you know to be right.

9. All life is sacred, treat all things with respect.

10. Take full responsibility for your actions. 

There are many versions of these ten commandments, but I liked this list the best. Enjoy!

A Little Inspiration!

"Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, 

more beautiful than perpetual kindness."
Leo Tolstoy

A Little Inspiration!

“A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: 

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22

“The true joy of life is being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one . . . being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown to the scrap heap . . . being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish clod of ailments and grievances.”

George Bernard Shaw