Myself

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able, as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;

I don't want to stand, with the setting sun,
And hate myself for things I have done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,

And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of a man I really am;
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect;
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.

I don't want to look at myself and know
That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.
I can never hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;

I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.

--E.A. Guest

Judge Gently

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Donât sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure -
That you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.
~ Author Unknown ~

As I Walk Through Life

I've learned -
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned -
that it's taking me a long time to
become the person I want to be.
I've learned -
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned -
that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned -
that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.
I've learned -
that either you control your
attitude or it controls you.
I've learned -
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship
is at first, the passion fades and there had
better be something else to take its place.
I've learned -
that heroes are the people who do what has to
be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
I've learned -
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned -
that my best friend and I can do anything
or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned -
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned -
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be
angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned -
that true friendship continues to grow, even over
the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned -
that just because someone doesn't love you the
way you want them to doesn't mean they
don't love you with all they have.
I've learned -
that maturity has more to do with what types of
experiences you've had and what you've learned
from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned -
that your family won't always be there for you. It may
seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take
care of you and love you and teach you to
trust people again. Families aren't biological.
I've learned -
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going
to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned -
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others,
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned -
that our background and circumstances may have
influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned -
that just because two people argue, it doesn't
mean they don't love each other. And just
because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned -
that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.
I've learned -
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.
I've learned -
that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned -
that your life can be changed in a matter of minutes,
by people who don't even know you.
I've learned -
that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned -
that credentials on the wall do not
make you a decent human being.
I've learned -
that the people you care about most
in life are taken from you too soon.

Act of Kindness

A little act of kindness
can go a long way;
It can warm a heart with gladness
and brighten someone's day!

It can drive out storms that threaten
and let the sun come shining through;
It can bring a lasting friendship
that nothing can undo!

Our Father's loving kindness
is what this whole world needs;
There is too much hate and violence,
selfishness and greed;

It has to start with someone,
and that someone can be you and me;
One by one we can make a difference
but someone has to plant a seed!

We can reach out in love to others
all across this land of ours;
Teach them the joy of simple things
like taking time out to smell the flowers!

It's the little things which matter most
and we all can have a part;
But the most important thing of all
is having love for God and others in our hearts!

TODAYâS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

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

~ Nido Qubein

When I Say..."I am a Christian"

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
~ Author Unknown ~

I took a day to search for God,
And found Him not. But as I trod
by rocky ledge, through woods untamed,
just where one scarlet lilly flamed,
I saw His footprint in the sod.

Then suddenly, all unaware,
far off in the deep shadows, where
a solitary hermit thrush
sung through the holy twilight hush--
I heard His voice upon the air.
--Bliss Carman