Clouds

As I lay upon my back looking at the sky...
Watching soft white clouds as they are passing by.
Some were large, and some quite small,
Many different shapes and sizes as I recall.

As I lay there and watched the clouds take shape,
From my imagination a million images, from it did escape.
I could see anything that was in my mind's eye.
In those fluffy white clouds as they went floating by.

There was no limit to the things that I could see...
Special images from the heart to be.
For hours on end, no two images were ever the same.
As the clouds on their journey came.

As if on film, this movie played...
While quietly on my back I stayed.
Music came to the movie,
that played in the sky,

By all the different birds, their songs,
as they passed me by.
So beautifully orchestrated, and done just for me -
The Lord created that movie for me to see!
~ Author Unknown ~

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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart."

~ Jean Baptiste Massieu

Give a Kind Word

Do you know a heart that hungers
For a word of love and cheer?
There are many such about us;
It may be that one is near.

Look around you, if you find it
Speak the word that's needed so,
And your own heart may be strengthened
By the help that you bestow.

Never think kind words are wasted,
Bread on waters cast are they.
And it may be we shall find them
Coming back to us, some day.

Coming back when sorely needed,
In a time of sore distress,
So, my friend, let's give them freely;
Gift and giver God will bless.

~ Author Unknown~

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"You cannot expect to achieve new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change."

~ Les Brown

Father's Love Letter

My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ... Psalm 139:1
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ... Matt 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ... Gen 1:27
I knew you even before you were conceived ... Jer 1:4
I chose you when I planned creation ... Ephesians 1:11
And I knit you together in your mother's womb ... Psalm 139:13
You are not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ... Psalm 139:16
I determined when you would be born and where you would live ... Acts 17:26
Because I love you with an everlasting love ... Jer 31:3
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ... John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry but am the complete expression of love ... 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ... 1 John 3:1
For every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ... James 1:17
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ... Matt 7:11
Because I am the perfect Father ... Matt 5:48
And I am the provider who meets all your needs ... Matt 6:11-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ... Jer 29:11
My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sands on the seashore ... Psalm 139:17,18
And I rejoice over you with singing ... Zeph 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ... Jer 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ... Exodus 19:5
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ... Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ... Phil 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ... Eph 3:20,21
For I am your greatest encourager ... 2 Thess 2:16,17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ... 2 Cor 1:3,4
When you are brokenhearted I am close to you ... Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ... Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes ... Rev 21:3,4
Because I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ... John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ... John 17:23
He is the exact representation of my being ... Heb 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ... Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins .. 2 Co 5:18,19
Jesus died so that we could be reconciled ... 2 Cor 5:18,19
His death was my ultimate expression of love for you ... 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything that I loved to gain your love ... Romans 8:31,32
If you receive the gift of my Son you receive me ... 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ... Romans 8:38,39
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ... Eph 3:14,15
My question is ... Will you be my child? ... John 1:12,13
I am here if you ever want to talk,
Your Father
~ Author Unknown ~
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"If you think you can do a thing or you think you can't do a thing, you're right."

~ Henry Ford

Beginning Today

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.

Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy ... admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath ... pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Beginning today. And every day.
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"A visionary is one who can find his way by moonlight, and see the dawn before the rest of the world."

~ Oscar Wilde

Peak Performers

One of the wonderful by-products of high self-esteem is that you become a "Peak Performer."
Every day you become more aware of your abilities and recognize that opportunities to stretch your capabilities are limitless. You desire change, growth, and challenge, and a healthy self-esteem provides the energy.

Peak performers have more than goals, they have a vision of what their life will mean to themselves and others. Peak performers do not live in the future. Peak performers make sure each step taken in the present keeps them on the road toward their life goal.

Peak Performers Can Say:
1. I am motivated and have a mission with realistic and measurable goals.
2. I accept complete responsibility for everything I think, say, feel, and do.
3. I look for the window of opportunity in every situation and know that I will learn from every experience if I choose.
4. I always help others to do their best, and I encourage everyone to contribute something.
5. I correct my course when I reach an obstacle. This way, when things go wrong, I am still headed in the right direction.
6. I expect and appreciate change. It does not overwhelm me because I am prepared.
7. I stand up for my own opinions and values and respect others.
8. I am able to manage myself. I do not require instruction every step of the way.
9. I am not afraid of making mistakes or of taking reasonable risks.
10. I am my own coach. I engage in positive self-talk and rehearsal.
11. I am a life-long student. I am always ready to learn, and I know growth takes sustained effort.
12. I know myself well and still expect to find hidden talents, resources, strengths, weaknesses, energy, and interests.
13. I respect reality both pleasant and painful.
14. I engage in self-confrontation and do not blame others.
15. I readily forgive others and myself and correct mistakes when possible.
16. I am patient, kind, gentle, and compassionate with myself.
17. I have no need to prove I am better or worse than anybody else.

Be a peak performer!
--author unknown
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."

~ Nido Qubein

Working Towards What You Already Have

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."
The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?"
The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."
The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children,take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"
To which the American replied, "15 to 20 years."
"But what then?" asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."

"Millions?...Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
~ Author Unknown ~
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QUOTE

"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

~ Allan K. Chalmers

New Beginnings

One of the best things we can do in our lives is this: begin again.
Begin to see yourself as you were when you were the happiest and strongest you've ever been.

Begin to remember what worked for you and what worked against you, and try to capture the magic again.

Begin to remember how natural it was when you were a child, to live a lifetime each day.

Begin to forget the baggage you have carried with you for years. The problems that don't matter anymore, the tears that cried themselves away, and the worries that are going to wash away on the shore of tomorrow's NEW BEGINNINGS.

Tomorrow tells us it will be here every new day of our lives; and if we will be wise, we will turn away from the problems of the past and give the future and ourselves a chance to become the best of friends.

Sometimes all it takes is a wish in the heart to allow yourself ... to begin again.
~ Author Unknown ~
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Never let dreams die, for if you do, life will only be a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."

~ Langston Hughes