The Precious Present

This is the precious present, regardless of what yesterday was like, regardless of what tomorrow may bring. When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go. When the heart of your heart opens, you can take deep pleasure in the company of the people around you --family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers--including those whose characters are less than perfect, just as your character is less than perfect. When you are open to the beauty, mystery, and grandeur of ordinary existence, you "get it" that it always has been beautiful, mysterious, and grand and always will be. This is the precious present.
~ Timothy Ray Miller ~
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey."

~ Stephen R. Covey
DIVE IN

I Am The Centre
Of My Universe

I am the center of my universe
But I do not live here alone.
Each move I make creates a ripple in someone else's ocean

Each breath I take effects the air all around me

Each word I utter falls on someone else's ears
That which I touch is felt by another

That which I do will certainly affect another
That which I do not, will also affect another

We never know how far reaching something
we say or do really is until it returns to us
And it always does...

ALL THINGS IN LIFE FORM A CIRCLE
Whether we see the circle or not.
--author unknown
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"All things are possible until they are proved impossible -- and even the impossible may only be so as of now."

~Pearl S. Buck

Leaving The City of Regret

I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on Wish I Had airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been.

No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterdays. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.

Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by ME!

I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no physical way to undo them.

So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. God bless you in finding this great town. If you can find it -- it's in your own heart -- please look me up. I live on I Can Do It street.
--author unknown
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand."

~ Thomas Carlyle

The Attitude of the Flower

Change happens. Life goes on.
That thought came to me just the other day when I set out to gather all of the leaves that had fallen thus far on our property. Fall is an incredible time of change. In death we find beauty. The dying leaves turn into wondrous colors that paint the world around us. In their death we marvel at the glorious picture they create if only for a short time. But what of the flowers?

Out on our deck we have four large flower pots that we fill each year with a variety of flowers and plants. Usually with the first frost they wither and die but for a few hardy flowers. We as humans know that it is time to say good-bye to the warmth and wonder of summer. We prepare ourselves for it. The trees do the same as they shut down their systems. Of course the squirrels and other animals had weeks before begun planning their retreat. But for the flowers ... they keep on growing ... those hardy ones. No one ever told them not to. There are no signs shown to them that say they can't continue reaching their full potential. They have a purpose from seed to planting that they must fulfill.

There, in the four flower pots, I found fresh green leaves and at the ends of each stem were new growth. Small buds of pink and red were curled over, not dying, but almost in a swing position ready to spring out and stretch once again toward the sun. But sadly I know that the snow will come and cover them freezing them in their ready position. Soon it will be too much even for this fighter. But they will come to the end trying. Because it's what they are supposed to do. They were created to go on, to grow and bloom into forever. No one told them any different. Even if they did they wouldn't stop, because they are to be in growth and bloom, not hibernation or death.

Who are you listening to that has told you you can't become more? Who have you turned your life over to that controls your destiny? How have you redesigned your genetic structure to limit your full potential?

There are no seasons of frost and bitter cold that are strong enough to stop you. Only YOU can stop you. Yes, there may be times of slower growth attributed to the indignities of living. Reconnect to the inner sources that know not of winter and begin growth again in that private place deep in your soul that always wants more.

Take on the attitude of the flower, although seeing others die around it, continues its mission with purpose and dignity living to its fullness as determined by the One Who created it.
We are told that there is a time to reap and a time to sow. A time to live and a time to die. Reaping and sowing are a part of living and we can do so much to postpone the dying. Look at how much of your life is in your hands. Work hard and reap the benefits. Live healthy and delay the inevitable. All of the necessary resources are provided except for the way you choose to think.

Everything we need physically comes from the earth. But our thoughts are our own or those we choose to accept from others.
If flowers can do all this, imagine then what greatness and beauty you have inside.
"I believe in you!"
--Bob Perks © 2001
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TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"I am somebody. I am me. I like being me. And I need nobody to make me somebody."

~ Louis L'Amour

DONâT EVER STOP DREAMING

Don't ever be reluctant
to show your feelings when
you're happy, give in to it.
When you're not, live with it.

Don't ever be afraid to
try to make things better you might
be surprised at the results.

Don't ever take the weight of the
world on your shoulders.

Don't ever feel threatened by the future,
take life one day at a time.
Don't ever feel guilty about the past
what's done is done.

Learn from any mistakes you might have made.
Don't ever feel that you are alone
there is always somebody there
for you to reach out to.

Don't ever forget that you can achieve
so many of the things you can imagine...
It's not as hard as it seems.
Don't ever stop loving
don't ever stop believing,
don't ever stop dreaming your dreams.

~ Author Unknown ~

BREAKFAST AT MCDONALDS

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch ... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all, Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn.

--author unknown

Great story, Dr. Honeyghan. I will make it a point to smile at 3 people today!

Thank you.

WOMEN, BE CAREFUL

Please take the time to read this. I know you are smart enough to know these pointers but there will be some, where you will go "hmm I must remember that"

After reading, forward it to someone you care about, never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.


1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans: if a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. his has saved lives.


4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching
you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
a. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to
get into their cars.
c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work,
and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.(Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times;
And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a
good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked
"for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better safe than sorry.
--author unknown
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TODAY'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

"The essence of genius is knowing what to overlook."

~ William James (1842 - 1920), Psychologist and philosopher

Thanks Dr. Honeyghan great tip for us women, I will forward this in the office as I do with all the other ones.