Make your wishes come true . . .

It seems to me, my goals and dreams did not really have a life until they were actually down on paper.  Perhaps I was treating them as far-off wishes rather than giving them merit by recording them.

In retrospect, I have begun to wonder why I did not take the advice of friends and family years ago when some of them encouraged me to follow my dreams – I believe fear was at the root.

When it comes to making our dreams and wishes come true, 
there will no doubt be fear during the process.

Fear is a natural part of life however; 
if we give into fear, how can we make our dreams come true?

“Fear is merely excitement without the breath. Breathe into the fear, and the butterflies will flutter out of hiding and fly away.”

Gay Hendricks, American Psychologist, 

Author and Founder of 'The Hendricks Institute'

The following is a link to Gay Hendricks ‘Five Wishes’ site which includes a free worksheet as well as information on his book and movie entitled ‘Five Wishes.’ His worksheet can help you put down on paper, your dreams or ‘Five Wishes.’ If your dreams are still in your head, you may find it difficult to focus on and define them. I am now a firm believer in writing down goals and dreams. Once they are on paper, you are able to refer to them daily. As well, you will be able to refine, revise and expand them through the process of making them your reality.

I would like to encourage you to print Mr. Hendricks ‘Five Wishes Worksheet’ and thoughtfully complete it soon. I think you will find it quite thought provoking.

http://www.5wishesbook.com/wishes/index.php

I would like to introduce you to the online article ‘The importance of having something to look forward to’ which I find inspiring. Dr. Gloria Allendorfer Anderson, PhD. wrote the article and she discusses the importance of having something to look forward to in life. The following is a quote from her article: “Many people let it get the best of them and succumb to hopelessness. Others realize that no matter how far the downward spiral of despair goes, there is always reason to hope and begin an upward climb. There is always something to look forward to. This realization is what gives people the spark of hope they need to keep going. Through the doubts and fears of day to day life and the challenges they must overcome to stay on an even keel, they cling to the hope that their circumstances will improve. The significance of this hope, even if it is just a glimmer or a ray, is what keeps them trying to make headway. It's what keeps them trying to move forward, if just a step at a time. It is what distinguishes them from the hopeless.”

Like Ms. Anderson, I believe we all need something to look forward to in life. 
I also believe that our dreams and wishes for our future are quintessential to sustaining hope for our future in each of us.

Please check out the entire contents at:

http://www.helium.com/items/878737-the-importance-of-having-something-to-look-forward-to

I was sharing with a friend Monday how I feel like I have a second chance at life. I have begun to realize there is much more I want to do with my life. My dreams and goals are in the process of being refined but; I know I have awoken inside. I am doing my best to make the most of my life now. The way I look at life now is that ‘If I’m alive, I have the opportunity to move forward and make the most of my time here on earth.’

There will always be naysayers in our lives. Sometimes it is because they are cynical and at times, they may be jealous. Your purpose is not to understand why – you must leave that at their feet and allow them to deal with their feelings as they see fit. Your purpose is to focus on your dreams and goals, write them down and define your destiny.

Remember, fear or hope can create your future. Will you listen to your fears or your hope?

You can choose to follow your dreams. You can take the steps and move forward to fulfill your dreams.

You can choose hope and you can embrace your dreams.

I would like to encourage you to create the remarkable life for yourself you have been dreaming of all this time!

Peace, God Bless and make this your best day yet! 

♥ Anita Mordue ~ Mum

Our Daily Bread - 09/17/12 - Correct Them

Our Daily Bread is copied in it's entirety directly from:

Our Daily Bread   

My thoughts and interpretations are noted as such.

_____________________________________________________

Read: 

1 Samuel 2:12,27-36

Eli’s Wicked Sons

¹² Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.

Prophecy Against the House of Eli

²⁷ Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor’s family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 
²⁸ I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites. ²⁹ Why do you^[a]scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’³⁰ “Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
³¹ The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, ³² and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. 
³³ Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.³⁴ “‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you—they will both die on the same day. 
³⁵ I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. ³⁶ Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread and plead, “Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat.”

______________________________________________________

Therapist and mother Lori Gottlieb says that parents who are obsessed with their children’s happiness may actually contribute to their becoming unhappy adults. These parents coddle their children, do not equip them to deal with the real world, look the other way when their children do wrong, and neglect disciplining them.

In 1 Samuel, we read that the high priest Eli sometimes looked the other way. We don’t know what he was like as a father when his boys were young. But he failed to properly deal with their behavior as grown men serving in God’s temple. They were selfish, lustful, and rebellious, putting their own needs ahead of God’s Word and the needs of the people. At first, Eli rebuked them but they would not listen. Instead of removing them from service, he looked the other way and let them continue in their sin. As a result of his sons’ sins and because Eli honored his sons above the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29), the Lord warned Eli that his family would suffer judgment (v.34; 4:17-18).

As Christian parents, we have the awesome responsibility to lovingly discipline our children (Prov. 13:24; 29:17; Heb. 12:9-11). As we impart God’s wisdom to them, we have the blessing of helping them develop into responsible, God-fearing adults.

They are buds of hope and promise,
Possessed by Him whose name is Love;
Lent us here to train and nourish
For a better life above. —Crosby

Failure to discipline our children is a failure to love them.

______________________________________________________________

My thoughts:

Any parent knows the feeling of "Oh, let them be" when we are tired, busy or feeling like we are at our wits end with all that our daily lives involve.

Unfortunately, there were times when my son was growing up when "Oh, let him be" was the road I chose to travel rather than the difficult road of disciple. If I could do it over again, I would never choose the easy path however; as we all know, there are no "do-overs" in life.Fortunately, at his dad's house, the "easy road" was was never the road traveled. And for my son's sake, I am thankful his dad and step-mom were diligent, disciplined and loving.I must tell you my son has become a very hard-working, disciplined and studious young man. He is in college and doing well.

The road of disciple is NOT for wimpy parents. Children have tongues which can feel like a sword slicing through skin BUT for their sake we must stick to our guns and make the difficult choices and live with those consequences even if that means being locked up in the house ALL weekend long when they are grounded.

In reading the scriptures today I see failings in my job as a mother. I can also see in my life where God has found it necessary to be a disciplining Father in my life and where my choices have called for discipline from Him. I feel as though I am living in an era of my life where I am being disciplined for my past sins however; I am a hopeful person knowing God will always forgive my sins when I ask.

I do not believe God wants any of us to suffer however; as humans, we make our own troubles. To me, the key is to learn and grow though the tough times and become a teacher to others.

Sincerely, Anita Mordue

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer by Recipes We Love

It is the time of year for Pumpkin ANYTHING for me!  I think I will try this recipe this week.

Recipes We Love: Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

"We followed our dreams, for dreams were all we had. . . ."

Think about this, what kind of world would we live in if people did not dream?

Would we have electricity, the internet or computers, phones or stoves – ovens or microwaves for any of our modern conveniences?

I think not. Dreams are what have created the amazing world in which we exist.

Do you have a dream? If you have a dream, do you think it can come true? Do you actively pursue you dream(s)? Have you let go of your dream(s) thinking there is no place for them in your life?

If you don’t have a dream or dreams, why don’t you have a dream?

I urge you read and consider the following:

We followed our dreams, for dreams were all we had. In the process, our lives became magical.

'Siegfried & Roy' Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, German-born American Illusionists and Entertainers

The most important thing in life is to stop saying “I wish” and start saying “I will.´ Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.

'David Copperfield' born as David Seth Kotkin, American Illusionist and Entertainer

Happy Talk

Happy talk, keep talkin' happy talk,

Talk about things you'd like to do.

You got to have a dream,

If you don't have a dream

How you gonna' have a dream come true?

In the musical South Pacific the Polynesian character of Bloody Mary, singsHappy Talk to the American character Lieutenant Cable.

The following link is to an article, which got me to thinking more about having dreams after I had read the quote from Siegfried and Roy - won't you please check it out?

www.tips.com.my/article.php?id=96852

Not only did Siegfried and Roy make their lives magical, they made life magical for the millions who witnessed their illusions. Likewise, David Copperfield captured the imagination of millions with his illusions and made us believe in magic. What could be better than that? In the song Happy Talk, the statement “You got to have a dream,” and the question following, “If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna’ have a dream come true?” seems so simple. What happen to us as we became adults?

W. Clement Stone, an American Businessman, Philanthropist and Self-Help Author once said, “When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.”

This blog, my website and my upcoming book (~Morsels from Mum~) were once, only dreams. When I discovered “I” had something meaningful and valuable to share, I turned those dreams into ~Morsels from Mum~ and began to pursue it with all my passion and free time.

Consider thinking and dreaming of what you can do and/or what you can become.

You too can discover your passion and ‘mission’ – give yourself permission to dream it and make it a reality.

I believe . . . it only takes a dream!

Peace, God Bless and make this your best day yet! 

Anita Mordue ~ Mum

Morsels from Mum Website

Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss: 365 Days of Thankful

With fall just around the corner and Thanksgiving on it's way, I think I will make one of these for everyone in the family to document their blessings on and photograph for all!

Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss: 365 Days of Thankful: Thankful interactive dry erase in a beautiful frame.

Knotty Bench

This Knotty Bench  by "CAN'T STOP MAKING THINGS" is simply beautiful.  I have seen head and foot boards at thrift stores and never know how to use them in any way other than their initial purpose.  Instructions included on her blog page.  Get to it!

Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss: My Bee Wreath Rug: the How-To

This rug is perfection!  Julie did a great job!

Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss: My Bee Wreath Rug: the How-To: So, in case you haven't heard the news, I've got a new rug on my front porch.  And today I'm telling you all the reasons why I love it and ...

Comfortably Carried Away: From Dumpster To Diner

See what a little imagination can do!

Comfortably Carried Away: From Dumpster To Diner: Awhile back I bragged about all the goodies my hubby and I found on the side of the road. Among them was this set of four little chairs. The...

Encouraging Words for Friday . . .

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.  

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT

I hope you have a great weekend!

Take care, Peace, God Bless and 

make this your best day yet!

Namaste ♥ Anita Mordue

  Morsels from Mum - Wit and Wisdom

Are you living the life you were meant to live?

I found this quote which I hope will also inspire you!

If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.

Let the truth be your delight . . . proclaim it…but with a certain congeniality.

St. Catherine of Siena

Namaste, Anita Mordue

Could love solve many of our problems?

You say you have no faith?

Love. And faith will come.

You say you are sad?

Love. And joy will come.

You say you are alone?

Love. And you will break out of your solitude.

You say you are in hell?

Love. And you will find yourself in heaven.

Written by Carlo Carretto and Shared by Ajay Kapoor

It seems to me that perhaps, love can solve many of our problems.

Just a thought . . .

Namaste ~ Anita Mordue

Mr. Miller and the red marbles . . .

Thank you once again to Ajay Kapoor for sharing such a wonderful story.

This story very sweetly exemplifies our true wealth does not come from the dollars in the bank. If each of us were to make the choice today, to share and give when others were in need, we could change the world around us exponentially could we not? Please choose to impart this story to another today as a step to spread sharing and giving around the world.

 During the waning years of the Great Depression in a small southeastern Kansas community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller's roadside stand for farm fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively.

One particular day, Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas...sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not 'zackley .....but, almos."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Kansas community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had just died.

They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our arrival at the mortuary, we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts - very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last when Jim could not change his mind about color or size - they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho." With loving gentleness, she lifted her husband's lifeless fingers. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined, red marbles! By Rod Russell

Did you help anyone today?

What did you do today?  Did you help anyone today?

Thank you to Ajay Kapoor for sharing this story ~ Enjoy

There is a man who I'd like to tell you about. His name is Sandy Greenberg. In his youth, Sandy was a very good student, but he came from a poor family. And so he went to Columbia University on a scholarship and there he met his roommate who also was receiving financial aid.

Now while he was a sophomore at Columbia University, Sandy contracted an eye disease that eventually proved to be glaucoma. But the trouble was, it wasn't detected early enough, and as a result he became legally blind. I ask you all to imagine for a moment having been sighted all your life, and then all of a sudden being faced, in a very competitive school, with losing so much sight you could no longer read. This is what happened to Sandy Greenberg.

But something else happened to Sandy that may surprise you. Sandy said that when he lost his sight, his roommate would read his textbooks to him, every night.

So I'm going to put you in that position, in a competitive school like Columbia, or Johns Hopkins. If your roommate had a serious disability, would you take the time to read textbooks to him every night, knowing the more you spend time reading textbooks to your roommate, perhaps the less well you might do with your other activities? That's not as easy a question as it first appears.

But luckily for Sandy, his roommate did. And as a result, Sandy went on to graduate with honors. He got a Fulbright Scholarship, and he went off to study at Oxford. He was still quite poor, but he said he had managed to save about five hundred dollars as he went along.

His roommate, meanwhile, also went on to graduate school. One day, Sandy got a call from him at Oxford. And his former roommate said, "Sandy I'm really unhappy. I really don't like being in graduate school, and I don't want to do this."

So Sandy asked, "Well what do you want to do?"

And his roommate told him, "Sandy, I really love to sing. I have a high school friend who plays the guitar. And we would really like to try our hand in the music business. But we need to make a promo record, and in order to do that I need $500."

So Sandy Greenberg told me he took all his life savings and sent it to his roommate. He told me, "You know, what else could I do? He made my life; I needed to help make his life."

So, I hope you'll remember the power of doing well by doing good. Each of you, in your own lives, will be faced with challenges, with roadblocks, with problems that you didn't anticipate or expect. How you are able to deal with adversity will be influenced, to no small extent, by how you deal with others along the way. What you get will depend a lot on what you give. And that's the end of the story of doing well, by doing good.

Ah! I almost forgot. You probably are wanting to know who Sandy's roommate was. I think you've heard of him. Sandy's roommate was a fellow by the name of Art Garfunkel, and he teamed up with another musician by the name of Paul Simon. That $500 helped them cut a record that eventually became "The Sounds of Silence." Recently, we had the pleasure of going to Sandy's daughter's wedding, and it was Art Garfunkel who sang as Sandy walked his daughter down the aisle.

When you get to be my age (which, for some of you, is really old, (though it doesn't seem so old to me anymore), you will find yourself beginning to ask, did my life make a difference?

That's the day of personal reckoning. And I think the only way to face it is to consider, every day of your life: How can I do something for somebody else? How can I give back to others? It may be teaching, it may be becoming a doctor, you may be successful in business - no matter what your career path, there will always be the opportunity to give back. The chance will present itself to be giving of your time, giving of your money, but mostly, to be giving of yourselves, of your own heart and soul.

My hope today, as you commence to new beginnings, is you will always keep your eyes open for those opportunities to give and embrace them as your best sure way of doing well.

So what did you do today?

I received this via email from my sister Tammy - just thought it is a good one to share.  Enjoy and do something fun today!  Namaste - Anita Mordue

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain.' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet.... We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college..

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord..

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ' How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away..... Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!'

And it's alright . . .

When it comes down to 'brass-tacks' as my dad used to say, we all have a pretty good life.

The song Alright sung by Darius Rucker reminds us that most of us have everything we need.

Enjoy - Anita Mordue

Alright

Alright, Alright

Yeah it's alright, alright

Don't need no five star reservations

I've got spaghetti and a cheap bottle of wine

Don't need no concert in the city

I've got a stereo and the best of Patsy Cline

Ain't got no caviar no Dom Perignon

But as far as I can see, I've got everything I want

Cause I've got a roof over my head,

the woman I love laying in my bed

And it's alright, alright

I've got shoes under my feet

Forever in her eyes staring back at me

And it's alright, alright

And I've got all I need

And it's alright by me

Maybe later on we'll walk down to the river

Lay on a blanket and stare up at the moon

It may not be no French Riviera

But it's all the same to me as long as I've got you

It may be a simple life, but that's okay

If you ask me baby, I think I've got it made

Cause I've got a roof over my head,

the woman I love laying in my bed

And it's alright, alright

I've got shoes under my feet

Forever in her eyes staring back at me

And it's alright, alright

And I've got all I need

And it's alright by me

It's alright by me, yeah yeah

When I lay down at night I thank the Lord above

For giving me everything I ever could dream of

Cause I've got a roof over my head,

the woman I love laying in my bed

And it's alright, alright, alright, alright

I've got shoes under my feet

Forever in her eyes staring back at me

And it's alright, alright, alright

And I've got all I need, yeah

I've got all I need

And it's alright by me

Oh yeah, it's alright by me

Song written by: Frank Rogers and Darius Rucker

Alright sung by Darius Rucker

Three for Thursday . . .

I believe these speak for themselves – Namaste ~ Anita Mordue

Dog Diary and Cat Diary from:    Dogs and Cats Two Different Points of View . . .

A big thank you to Ajay Kapoor for sharing:  If a Dog Were Your Teacher

DOG DIARY

8:00 AM - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 AM - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 AM - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 AM - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Author Unknown

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity!

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. The sick bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies'. I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He obviously has issues.

Author Unknown

If a dog were your teacher These are some of the lessons you might learn...

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face

to be pure ecstasy

When it's in your best interest

practice obedience

Let others know when they've invaded your territory

Take naps and stretch before rising

Run romp and play daily

Thrive on attention and let people touch you

Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do

On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass

On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree

When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body

No matter how often you're scolded

don't buy into the guilt thing and pout

run right back and make friends

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm

Stop when you have had enough

Be loyal

Never pretend to be something you're not

If what you want lies buried

dig until you find it

When someone is having a bad day

be silent .....

...sit close by.

...and nuzzle them gently.

Author Unknown 

. . . receipe for a happy, loving and fulfilling life . . .

They say hind-sight is always 20/20 -

I believe this piece of work (if taken to heart and followed),
gives us an opportunity to not necessarily have the need to regret some of our actions.
This just might be the perfect recipe for a happy, loving and fulfilling life.
Thank you to Ajay Kapoor for sharing.
Namaste ~ Anita Mordue

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann

Just think about it - what are the 'Wonders of the World' to you?

Junior high school students in Chicago were

studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At

the end of the lesson, the students were asked

to list what they considered to be the Seven

Wonders of the World.

Though there was some

disagreement, the following received the

most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. The Taj Mahal in India

3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona

4. The Panama Canal

5. The Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

 

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

 

The girl hesitated, then read, 'I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch...

2. to taste...

3. to see...

4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)

5. to feel...

6. to laugh...

7. and to love.'

The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.

 

May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.

May you begin to learn to be thankful of and enjoy the wonderous gifts you have been given and make this your best day yet!

Namaste ~ Anita Mordue