TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL POEM

You Are Special

Your presence is a present to the world
You're unique and one of a kind
Your life can be what you want it to be
Take the days just one at a time

Count your blessings, not your troubles
You'll make it through whatever comes along
Within you are so many answers
Understand, have courage, be strong

Don't put limits on yourself
So many dreams are waiting to be realized
Decisions are too important to leave to chance
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets
Don't take things too seriously
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets

Remember that a little love goes a long way
Remember that a lot... goes forever
Remember that friendship is a wise investment
Life's treasures are people... together

Realize that it's never too late
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way
Have health and hope and happiness
Take time to wish upon a star
And don't ever forget...
Even for a day...
How very special you are.
--author unknown


TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Trials, temptations, disappointments÷all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it. Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before."

~ James Buckham

TODAYâS INSPIRAIONAL THOUGHT

Diamonds Are Forever

The value of a diamond is not determined by what people use it for but by what it is made up of. Whatever you use a diamond for will not affect its value. You can drop a diamond in mud but it will still be a diamond. A diamond carries its own value and doesn't allow other people or situations to determine it.

A wise person knows how best to use a diamond in hand but a fool may decide to use it for anything, even dropping it in a gutter, and still it will not cease to be a diamond. Like the diamond, anyone who knows how much he or she is valued does not struggle to get people to value them and would not also not allow situations and challenges to keep them down, simply because they know how much they are worth or valued.

Self-value is an important virtue any human being can acquire and should acquire. When you know your value you don't care how people value you because you know what they are missing by devaluing you. In short, you know what you are worth and therefore no one or any situation determines your value or your worth.

Many people have allowed others to define to them their value or worth. That is why a person may condemn themself if, for instance, he or she fails to qualify for a job, gain admission to a particular institution, or fails a particular test. Such a person may become dejected, confused and hopeless because he or she doesn't know how much she or he is worth.

The opposite of this kind of person is one who knows how much he or she is worth, and always imagines a new start when faced with challenges. For such a person challenges cannot keep him or her down, like the diamond they still know their value even when dropped in the mud. In their mind he or she knows that they are a great person with a lot of potential and of great use and therefore needed somewhere.

Self-valuing does not come by chance. You must work at it and never forget that you are the only one who knows your worth. The way you treat yourself gives others the idea of your worth. It is therefore important to know your worth.

The road to self-value or valuing oneself begins with loving yourself. Many people can give out love to others but only few can people can really love and appreciate themselves. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. This does not mean being selfish, that is not the issue. You are a person and as such you deserve good things in life so treat yourself well. When you have much love for yourself you build a strong internal pillar of love and this will keep you going when outside love (love from others) vanishes. Take time to say good things about yourself to yourself. Don't blame or hurt yourself so much when things go wrong, and don't forget to praise yourself for every little success, and congratulate yourself for you deserve it.

Knowing yourself is an important step to self-valuing. Many of us know history about some great people but the unfortunate thing is that we don't really know anything about ourselves. The great men and women became an example to us because they knew who they were. It takes only people who know who they are to make an impact; in effect you cannot make any positive impact here on this earth if you do not know who you are. Get into yourself and know the potentials and gifts you possess and begin to develop and use them.

Remember also to sincerely appreciate the unique gifts of others and praise them if need be. In doing this you will also will begin to appreciate God for who he has made you to be and never forget to thank God for your life because your life matters to him and to this world.
~ Author Unknown ~


TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have."

~ Louis E. Boone

TODAY'S INSPIRATIONAL POEM

The World We Make

We make the world in which we live
By what we gather and what we give,
By our daily deeds and the things we say,
By what we keep or we cast away.

We make our world by the beauty we see
In a skylark's song or lilac tree,
In a butterfly's wing, in the pale moons' rise,
And the wonder that lingers in midnight skies.

We make our world by the life we lead,
By the friends we have, by the books we read,
By the pity we show in the hour of care,
By the loads we lift and the love we share.

We make our world by the goals we pursue,
By the heights we seek and the higher view,
By hopes and dreams that reach the sun
And a will to fight till the heights are won.

What is the place in which we dwell,
A hut or a palace, a heaven or hell
We gather and scatter, we take and we give,
We make our world--and there we live.
--A.G. Walton

TODAY'S QUOTE:

"Goals give you more than a reason to get up in the morning; they are an incentive to keep you going all day. Goals tend to tap the deeper resources and draw the best out of life."
--Harvey McKay

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL POEM

Today

Today, as I wake up and

Said thank you Lord.

Bless it with grace,

Bless it with joy,

Bless it with your miracles,

Bless it with your happiness.

Bless it most especially with love.

Whatever I do, Let your presence manifest.

Whatever I touch, Let your presence glow on it.

Whatever I say, Let the beautiful thing come out,

Let it be what you want that will come out of it.

Whatever I fill, Let it be filled with your wonders.

Whatever I speak, Let it be your will.

Whatever I ended up blessing today,

Let it continue and ends gracefully.
--Anele Obasih
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause."

~ Mark Twain

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL POEM

Pass It On

Someone taught you how to love,
and probably didn't know it.
And in return, with every day,
It's now your turn to show it.

When you love, you give a gift,
And when you're gone it stays
To be passed on by the ones you loved
To make some one else's day.

So remember someone who loved you,
And show how much you care,
By sharing all the love they gave
With people everywhere.

When you give away your love,
That doesn't mean it's gone.
Love will last forever,
so open your heart...
and pass it on.
--author unknown
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
--Melody Beaty

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL POEM

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind
Blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs
And pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke
How can you still be standing Oak

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway
But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth

You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew
~ Author Unknown ~
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TODAYâS QUOTE
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
--Emerson

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT

When God Made Mothers

By the time God made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And God answered and said, "Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel. God replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem, It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" And that's just on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

God nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing, even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop God. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.."
"But I can't," God protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick and can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower!" The Angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."
"She is soft", the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the Angel.
The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."
"That's not a leak", God said, "That's a tear!"
"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.
God said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything. WOMEN are truly amazing!"
_____________________________

TODAYâS QUOTE

"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much."
--Jim Rohn

TODAY'S INSPIRATONAL POEM

My Creed

This is my creed: To do some good,
To bear my ills without complaining,
To press on as a brave man should
For honors that are worth the gaining;

To seek no profits where I may,
By winning them, bring grief to others;
To do some service day by day
In helping on my toiling brothers.

This is my creed: To close my eyes
To little faults of those around me;
To strive to be when each day dies
Some better than the morning found me;

To ask for no unearned applause,
To cross no river until I reach it;
To see the merit of the cause
Before I follow those who preach it.

To keep my standards always high,
To find my task and always do it:
This is my creed - I wish that I
Could learn to shape my action to it.
--S.E. Kiser
_____________________
TODAY'S QUOTE

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended." --Nelson Mandela

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT
PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!

I shall not want
That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance!

For His name sake
That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death
That's Testing!

I will fear no evil
That's Protection!

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil That's Godâs Approval

My cup runneth over
That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life
That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That's Security!

Forever Thatâs eternity

TODAYâS QUOTE

"Assume anyone you meet is decent, thoughtful, and worthy of your time. You'll be right about most people, and the rest deserve a chance to rise to your expectations." --author Unknown

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL POEM

Worry

Worry never climbed a hill
Worry never paid a bill
Worry never dried a tear
Worry never clamed a fear
Worry never darned a heel
Worry never cooked a meal
Worry never led a horse to water
Worry never done a thing, you'd think it oughta.
Worry is like a rocking chair.
It gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere!
--author unknown
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TODAYâS QUOTE
ãWhen you come to the end f your rope, tie a knot and hang on it.ä÷Franklyn D. roosevelt

TODAYâS INSPIRATION

As The World Turns

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following.

There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
(ONE)1 would be near death;
(ONE)1 would be near birth;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;
(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own computer.
When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

And, therefore . . .
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can read this message, you have just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!
--author uknown


______________________

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Life is like a parachute jump: you have to get it right the first time."

~ Margaret Mead

Dr. Honeyghan: Thank you for this thought provoking message.It made my day, and gave me just what I needed at this time in my life. Thank you for taking the time to share with us every week.

TODAY'S INSPIRATIONAL POEM

OPEN YOUR EYES

Open your eyes that you may see
The beauty that around you lies,
The misty loveliness of the dawn,
The glowing colors of the skies;
The child's bright eager eyes of blue,
The gnarled and wrinkled face of age,
The bird with crimson on his wing
Whose spirit never knew a cage;
The roadsides' blooming goldenrod
So brave through summer's wind and heat,
The brook that rushes to the sea
With courage that naught may defeat.
Open your eyes that you may see
The wonder that around you lies;
It will enrich your every day
And make you glad and kind and wise.
--E.B. Whisenand

-------------------
TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Remember where you have been and know where you are going. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way."

~ Nikita Koloff

EVERY SUNRISE

Every sunrise is a present, a gift from God above,
Gift-wrapped with scarlet ribbons and tied with bows of love.

Each day's a new beginning, a time to start anew,
While all the stars are sleeping, and the rose is fresh with dew.

Every day's a new creation, too lovely to ignore,
And we may find a blessing, just outside our door.

We cannot keep the past, like fireflies in a jar;
Nor journey to the future by wishing on a star.

Every sunrise is a blessing, a gift for just today.
Rejoice, my friend, embrace it before it fades away!
~ Author Unknown ~
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"We must be steady enough in ourselves, to be open and to let the winds of life blow through us, to be our breath, our inspiration; to breathe with them, mobile and soft in the limberness of our bodies, in our agility, our ability, as it were, to dance, and yet to stand upright..."

~ Mary Caroline Richards

EXCELLENCE ND FAILURE

Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip...
The incessant dripping of water on the stone below ultimately carves a hole in the hardened object, just as a sculptor would carve a beautiful statue from an inanimate piece of rock.

It is the day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute process of doing the same thing over and over and over that ultimately gets the desired results.

In doing so, there is the refining, there is the adjusting, and there is the pursuit of excellence.
Then there is the mistake.

We learn from these. They are our teachers and our tutors. We take from them the lessons that will lead us towards the next win. They are to be analysed and they are to be respected.

Do not despise them. Listen, watch and then apply your fresh strategy with new wisdom.

Failure is not to be feared. It is to be revered.
Respect failure for who it is, but do not stay there. Draw from it what you will and then never repeat it if you can. Say, " I will learn from you , but I will not lay down in defeat. I will press on in the spirit of constancy. I will practice and I will grow stronger with each and every day." This is the mark of a winner and the trait of a champion.
You're EXCEPTIONAL!
--Peter Sinclair
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Your life can slip through your fingers if you live in the past or the future. Live your life with passion every day and you'll truly live all the days of your life."

~ Nikita Koloff

THOSE WHO LOVE YOU

If anyone should hurt you
And say a thing unkind,
Remember what I tell you,
And keep these things in mind.

For every one who makes you cry,
There are three who make you smile,
And a smile will last a long, long time,
But a tear just a little while!

If someone says a thing that's cruel,
Don't let it get to you,
There's so much good about you,
And your faults are very few.

So if a certain someone
Should act a certain way,
Just think of those who love you
And don't let it ruin your day.

Don't let someone who hates the world
Cause you to hate it too,
For behind the clouds is a golden sun,
And a sky that's bright and blue!
--Author Unknown
___________________________

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Life is a paradise for those who love many things with a passion."

~ Leo Buscaglia

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
--Dorothy Law Nolte

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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

I am but a speck of dust, they say
But I have a choice in life, Îthey say
I can sit, be eroded or weather-beaten,
Or nurture a seed, spread a lovely flower garden.
--Glasceta Honeyghan

PLEASANT THOUGHTS

Stop for just a moment and think a pleasant thought. Relax your mind, your body and your spirit. Find a moment of joy in the beauty of being, right here, right now. Put aside your concerns for a little bit. Experience the depth and wonder of your own existence.

Realize that in this very moment you have everything you could possibly need or want for right now. Settle your spirit into the confidence and assurance which that thought engenders.

Now you are ready for any challenge the world can throw at you. Now you are able to build on the abundance which is already yours. Now you can see your concerns not as problems but as opportunities.

You are alive. You are capable. You are worthy and able. You have at your command a powerful, undeniable force -- the strength to live, to think and to act. Every great achievement is built through thought, action and the passion of being alive. You have everything it takes. Now go forward and make your own special greatness.
~ Ralph Marston ~
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."

~ Albert Einstein

THE ANSWER

It's often hard to think the positive
when bad things happen to those you love.
We don't understand why they suffer,
so we blame our loving God above.

How can this be for their own good?
What can they possibly learn from pain?
Haven't they gone through enough torture?
What is the prize that they will gain?

We see the tears roll down their faces
while their hearts are breaking in two.
Why would a loving God look down on them,
and watch all the sorrow that they go through.

Why won't He change their situation?
He has the power to turn it all around.
Instead they go on living the same way,
Hurt and sorrow is all they have found.

But do they listen to what they read,
about waiting patiently on the Lord.
Or do they go on doubting His promises,
and not truly believing His holy Word.

No wonder why they are full of sorrow,
they are dealing with it on their own.
They act on their emotions and feelings,
and they try to solve things all alone.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
that means in every thing you ever do.
He will direct every step that you take,
and never will let go of you.
~ Susan M. Swann ~
__________________________

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections. "

~ Author Unknown

HOW TO STAY YOUNG. HAPPY, AND HEALTHY

Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.
Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
If you really need a grouch, there are probably a few dozen of your relatives to do the job.

Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening ...whatever. Just never let the brain idle.

Enjoy the simple things.
When the children are young... that is all that you can afford.
When they are in college... that is all that you can afford.
When they are grown and you are on retirement... that is all that you can afford!

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
Laugh so much that you can be tracked in the store by your distinctive laughter.

The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life is ... ourselves.

Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family,
pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies ... whatever. Your home is your refuge.

Cherish your health. If it is good ... preserve it. If it is unstable ... improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve ... get help.

Don't take guilt trips. Go to the mall, the next county, a foreign country... but not guilt.

Tell the people you love, that you love them ... at every opportunity.

Remember ...

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away!
_________________
TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."

~ George Bernard Shaw

Life's Mirror

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true,
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need,
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.

Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thoughts outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave,
'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.

--M. Bridges
_____________________

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"No birth is an accident, no experience is without meaning, and no life is without value."

~ Gary Zukav

ENOUGH

Please give me...
Enough tears to keep me human,
Enough humor to keep me wise,
Enough setbacks to keep me humble,
Enough accomplishments to keep me confident,
Enough waiting to teach me patience,
Enough hope to teach me trusting,
Enough friends to give me love,
Enough memories to give me comfort.
--author unknown
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"When flowing water meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it..."

~ I Ching