Ray's Daily

I wish they would have been more like you

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Max Planck

I was not too sure about myself the last couple of days. I allowed myself to get upset about one of those events we all encounter from time to time. My Sunday paper was delivered with a section missing which normally would not be a big deal but this section contained information I wanted that was not available elsewhere. I called the paper and was told that they would have the section delivered so a little inconvenience but only a minor one. When the section was not delivered I called back and was told not to worry it would be here but it never came. When I called on Monday I was told they were sorry and would have one delivered and when it didn’t come I called again and was told it would not be delivered and that they would credit my account for 25 cents and that I should have never been told they would send one. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that he would not do anything, after I insisted they put me on hold and came back and said none was available but they would call back, which they never did. I had to contact the publisher, not so much about the section or the twenty-five cent credit but rather about their total failure to attempt to satisfy the customer. Naturally the publisher’s staff got on it, apologized and made arrangements to get me what I wanted. So I did not publish what happened on Facebook and the net as I had planned to do.

What surprised me was how upset I became by the cavalier attitude of everyone I spoke to in customer service. Today’s newspapers are trying to survive and this is not the way to do it. I just have a hard time with folks who do not have a positive attitude. Here is something that I got from the Purica website that I wish those folks I talked to had read.

Develop your positive attitude!

Here are some ways to help you cultivate a positive attitude and ease in your life:

• Listen to internal dialogue. Divide one or more sheets of paper into two columns and, for a few days, jot down in the left column all the negative thoughts that come into your head. Rewrite each thought in a positive way in the second column. Practice doing this in your mind until it becomes a habit. (For example, “I’ll never get this finished by the end of the day!” could become, “I will probably get most of this finished by the end of the day.”)
• Get back to basics. Reconnect with old friends, take the dog for a walk, visit an art gallery or listen to your favourite music. Enjoy a long, relaxing bath, read a great book, tell your child a story, or ask an older relative to tell you one! The simplest things in life give us the most pleasure.
• Help someone out. The simple act of helping others (humans, animals or Nature in general) helps us to feel joy.
• As the Beatles and many sages of the spiritual and philisophical conditions have expounded, “Let It Be, Let it Be”
• Allow love in your life. The ability to love and be loved is a most basic human trait. We, as a society, seem to have become disconnected, fear-based emotions (depression, loneliness, guilt, attachment and anger) are symptoms. Finding ways to reconnect with others is extremely helpful in developing a positive attitude
• Laugh at yourself and find humor in the simplest of things. Laughter is a powerful mood elevator. If you are feeling down, read some jokes, watch a funny movie or just act “silly” once in a while. At times, let yourself see through a child’s genuine eyes. Simplify.
• Participate in new physical and mental activities to improve confidence levels and coping mechanisms. Building confidence could be as easy as learning the meanings of new words, learning about new topics.
• Follow the principles of holistic health – enlightened body, speech and mind in harmony (better nutrition and exercise appear to be associated with positive mood and attitude)
• Learn to communicate your needs more effectively. For example, instead of using common language of subordination expressed by such words as “no”, “don’t”, “should”, “stop”, “good”, “bad” and “have”, you could instead try expressing your needs by stating “I need you to…”. This peaceful language expresses needs and does not judge.

~~~

“Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”

Earl Nightingale

~~~

Flying home after visiting her daughter in England, she arranged to have her husband meet her plane at the Vancouver, B.C. airport. This meant a stop at the border crossing between the United States and Canada, where her husband was asked: “What is your reason for entering the country?” and “How long are you planning to stay?”

He replied that he was picking his wife up at the airport after her trip to England. Without missing a beat, the guard asked two more questions in the same businesslike tone: “Is the house clean?” and “Are there fresh flowers on the table?”

~~~

I live in my own little world. But it’s OK. They know me here.

~~~

Ron just got a new sports car and was out for a drive when he cut off a truck driver. The trucker motioned for Ron to pull over. When he did, the driver got out of his truck and pulled a piece of chalk from his pocket. He drew a circle on the road and told Ron to stand in the circle and not move. He then went to Ron’s new car and cut up the leather seats. When the truck driver turned around Ron had a slight grin on his face.

“Oh, you think that’s funny?” the trucker asked, “Watch this.” He got a baseball bat out of his truck and broke every window in the car. When he turned and looked Ron had a smile on his face. This drove the driver into a rage.

He got his knife back out and sliced all the tires. Now Ron was laughing. The truck driver really started to lose it. He went back to his truck and got a can of gas, poured it on the sports car and set it on fire. He turned around and Ron was laughing so hard he almost fell down.

“What’s so funny?” The truck driver asked him.

Ron replied, “When you weren’t looking, I stepped outside the circle 4 times.”

~~~

She said: I’m right all the time. It’s not my fault if the facts are in error.

~~~

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing He said to them was, “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” Adam asked.

“Don’t eat the forbidden fruit,” God said.

“Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve! We got Forbidden Fruit!”

“No way!”

“Yes WAY!”

“Don’t eat that fruit!” said God.

“Why?”

“Because I’m your Creator and I said so!” said God, wondering why he hadn’t stopped after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw the kids having an apple break and was angry. “Didn’t I tell you not to eat that fruit?” God asked.

“Uh huh,” Adam replied.

“Then why did you?”

“I dunno,” Eve answered.

“She started it!” Adam said.

“Did Not!”

“DID so!”

“DID NOT!”

Having had it with the two of them, God’s punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

~~~

“Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.”

Tom Blandi

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Enjoy the part you will play today

When you know you are doing your very best within the circumstances of your existence, applaud yourself!

Rusty Berkus

The other day I shared with you how surprised I was that so many people don’t realize just how good they really are. Every day we perform various tasks without necessarily thinking of them as having much value yet they are the foundation upon which we can build. We get so use to being ourselves that we take our virtues for granted.

You might find it fun to log the things you do over a few days, leaving nothing out and then reviewing the list. Did you treat a fellow worker with regard and respect? Did you solve a problem? Do a small favor? Enjoy a meal? Said hello to a stranger? The list can go on and on and just stopping to place value on the little things can show how the little things add up to something really special, you.

My goal has been to be happy with myself. I honestly believe that the ultimate success is to live life to its fullest, mixing accomplishments with joy and relaxation. It just does not make much sense to expect others to appreciate our value if we don’t appreciate what we have and what we are. What a great thing it is to go home at the end of the days congratulating yourself on the fact you did as well as you could and did it without doing anything that would make you think less of yourself. There is not anything I can think of that I would trade for having the opportunity to do my best for others.

Here is something that Ralph Marston wrote some time ago that challenges us to take control and utilize what we have and then move ahead.

Each time you do

If you’re looking to become more confident, look in the mirror. The person who can give you real confidence, is you. Others can teach you, encourage you, and express their own confidence in you. Yet if you wish to have confidence in yourself, you must earn it for yourself.

The only way you can know your abilities is by putting them to work. Real confidence comes from your own experience of doing. Every challenging situation is an opportunity for you to strengthen your confidence. Within every difficulty is the very real potential for growth.

The experience of making an effort creates confidence. The experience of making another effort, and another and another, until you get the job accomplished, creates even stronger confidence.

Confidence comes when you know you can do it, and the only way to know that is to do it. Step forward, take action, and your confidence will grow each time you do.

~~~

He who seeks for applause only from without has all his happiness in another’s keeping.

Oliver Goldsmith

~~~

She said: One day I called my mother from my apartment to make some plans with her.  In the background behind her, I could hear a terrible noise, like a jet plane taking off.

“Mother,” I asked apprehensively, “what’s that awful noise?”

“It’s the dishwasher,” she replied.  “Your father fixed it.”

~~~

Never date a woman whose father calls her “Princess”. Chances are she believes it.

~~~

The psychiatrists were attending their first seminar on emotional extremes. “Just to establish some parameters,” said the leader, “Mr. Nichols, what is the opposite of joy?”

“Sadness,” said the student.

“And the opposite of depression, Ms. Biggs?”

“Elation.”

“And you sir, how about the opposite of woe?”

Bubba replied, “I believe that would be giddyup.”

~~~

My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.

Jimmy Durante

~~~

Although fun to visit, zoos do pose certain perils.  But to whom?  A sign posted in the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee cautioned visitors:

“Please be safe.  Do not sit, climb, or lean on the zoo fences.  If you fall, animals could eat you, and that would make them sick.”

~~~

To learn from mistakes you must know you’re making them.

~~~

A teacher said to her class, “From the outset, I want you all to know there are two words that are absolutely unacceptable in this classroom. You cannot use them as you recite or on any of your papers, tests or homework. Using the words even once will earn you a failing grade for the quarter. The first one is ‘gross’ and the other one is ‘cool.’ Are there any questions?”

A student says, “So, what are they?”

~~~

If God had intended women to exercise, he’d have put diamonds on the floor.

Joan Rivers

~~~

In the admitting office of our hospital, some patients were filling out forms, others were being interviewed and still others were being escorted to their rooms.

An elderly woman hesitantly entered my cubicle.  She had completed her admitting forms and, upon my request, handed me her insurance cards. I typed the necessary information and then asked her the reason for her coming to the hospital.

“Just to visit a friend,” she said, “but this had taken so long, I’m not sure I have time now.”

~~~

Hospital is a place where they wake you up to give you a sleeping pill.

~~~

A man returns from vacation and is feeling very ill. He goes to see his doctor and is immediately rushed to the Hospital to undergo a barrage of tests.

After the tests, he wakes up in a private room at the hospital and the phone by his bed rings.

“This is your doctor. We got the results back from your tests and we discovered that you have a very nasty virus that is extremely contagious!”

“Oh my gosh,” cried the man, “What are you going to do, doctor?”

“Well, we’re going to put you on a diet of pizza, pancakes, and pita bread.”

“Will that cure me?” asked the man.

The doctor replied, “Well no, but…it’s the only food we can get under the door.”

~~~

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

Ashley Smith

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

The risk was worth taking

We’re given second chances every day of our life.

We don’t usually take them, but they’re there for the taking.

Andrew M. Greeley

I had a full day yesterday a couple of meetings, a presentation to a nearby Kiwanis club and then the afternoon at the hospital getting the last IV in my current series of Iron infusions coupled with fond farewells to all my recent caregivers. I am running behind this morning and have a full day of catch-up ahead so here is a Daily from a few years ago that I still like. I wrote it on a morning like this one seven years ago.

Ray’s Daily

July 27, 2005

I heard from a former colleague and friend the other evening. He was one of those people who often help us think differently about our choices. If not for him I would not have retired from the computer industry when I did. If I hadn’t I would not have been as personally rewarded as I have been over these last fifteen years. I probably would have missed the opportunity to work for Kiwanis, help with the UNICEF effort to virtually eliminate the world’s leading cause of mental retardation, stay active in the community, nor enjoy life as much as I have since.

It was serendipity that brought Dennis and I together that night, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Dennis suggested we get together for awhile at the end of the day and I will always be glad we did, for we talked through my rationale for feeling I could not retire. As we talked I discovered why I should retire. The rest is history, I called my wife, she agreed, and I notified my company the next day. I have always felt fortunate that so many good things have happened in my life because of luck. But luck doesn’t do us much good if we don’t take advantage of it when the opportunity presents itself.

~~~

When I found out that Denny, who has been somewhat of a beachcomber these last few years, had acquired a computer I took the liberty of adding him to our daily distribution. I sent copies of the last few issues in order to show him what he was getting into. When I looked at what I sent I realized that I have been getting pretty preachy lately, so let’s get off the serious stuff today. Let’s get wild and do something outrageous, only please make sure it does not require any physical activity, is not too late in the day, does not require any nudity (I don’t think I could handle the humiliation), or depends on mental prowess. I am ready anytime you are except during my morning rest period, my midday siesta, my afternoon nap, or during my evening break, other than that I am yours.

~~~

Don’t let the opinions of the average man sway you. Dream, and he thinks you’re crazy. Succeed, and he thinks you’re lucky. Acquire wealth, and he thinks you’re greedy. Pay no attention. He simply doesn’t understand.

Robert G. Allen

~~~

Here is a refresher for the guys.

Woman’s Dictionary

* Yes = No.

* No = Yes.

* Maybe = No.

* I’m sorry = You’ll be sorry.

* We need = I want.

* It’s your decision = My correct decision should be obvious by now.

* Do what you want = You’ll pay for this later.

* We need to talk = I need to complain.

* Sure go ahead = I don’t want you to.

* I’m not upset = Of course I’m upset, you moron.

* This kitchen is so inconvenient = I want a new house.

* I want new curtains = carpeting, furniture, and wallpaper.

* I heard a noise = I noticed you were almost asleep.

* Do you love me? = I’m going to ask for something expensive.

* How much do you love me? = I did something today you’re going to hate.

* I’ll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV.

* You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me.

* Are you listening to me!? = Too late, you’re dead.

~~~

Old telephone books make ideal personal address books. Simply cross out the names and addresses of people you don’t know.

~~~

A doctor was administering a test for memory loss to three old gents at a Veteran’s Clinic.

He asked the first one, “What is 3 times 3?” And he replied, “One Hundred and Fifty Six.”

The doctor turned to the second old man. “What’s three times three?” The second old man said, “Tuesday.”

The doctor then asked the same of the third man who answered, “Nine.”

Thinking he was getting somewhere the doc asked, “And how did you arrive at that answer?”

The old vet answered, “Easy Doc…I just subtracted Tuesday from 156 and I got nine.”

~~~

Son to father:  Can you help me with my ethics homework, or would that be missing the point?

~~~

Our first day at a resort, my wife and I decided to hit the beach.  When I went back to our room to get something to drink, one of the hotel maids was making our bed.  I grabbed my cooler and was on my way back out when I stopped at the door and asked, “Can we drink beer on the beach?”

“Sure,” the maid replied, “but I have to finish the rest of the rooms first.”

~~~

“Sound travels slowly. Sometimes the things you say when your kids are teenagers don’t reach them till they’re in their 40s.”

~~~

Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, “Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilt.”

Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning’s Sunday school lesson was about.

He said “Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.”

~~~

People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.

~~~

A small town doctor was famous in the area for always catching large fish.

One day while he was on one of his frequent fishing trips he got a call that a woman at a neighboring farm was giving birth. He rushed to her aid and delivered a healthy baby boy.

The farmer had nothing to weigh the baby with so the doctor used his fishing scales. The baby weighed 32 lb. 10 oz.

~~~

I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish.

~~~

Mrs. Berkowitz, shopping in the supermarket, went from counter to counter humming and singing to herself.

“You seem to be very happy,” remarked the clerk.

“I have every reason to be,” replied the woman. “I’ve got a beautiful home, two lovely children, a nice bank account, my husband’s life is insured for $1,000,000 and his health is far from robust.”

~~~

In pursuit of happiness, the difficulty lies in knowing when you have caught up.

R.H. Grenville

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Live with no regrets

“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.”

Unknown

Have you noticed how the faultless spend so much time finding fault with others that they never have time to see their own? I sometimes think their isolation is because of their perfection when in reality they are just easy to ignore.

OK now that I got that out of my system here are some wise suggestions that I extracted from a list written by Jenny Nichols that I picked up from the Tiny Buddha web site.

Live Life Without Regrets

She wrote: As we get older we learn and grow. But that doesn’t mean we have to regret what we did before we learned how to do things differently. If we didn’t go through those experiences we might not have grown into the strong and knowledgeable people we are today. So what I’m proposing is that we get rid of the negative thoughts—the could have’s, might have’s, and should have’s—and start living a life that won’t make us feel regretful. Not even at an older, wiser age.

Here is a list of things you can do to practice living life with no regrets:

• Realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Just make sure to learn from your past mistakes, forgive yourself and move on.
• Follow your own path—not one that others want you to follow.
• Find the humor in life and laugh like there is no tomorrow.
• Relax and move with the flow of life by being unafraid of change.
• Be adventurous by trying new things and taking more risks.
• Try to find happiness with as many different people as you can.
• Think for yourself instead of letting other people’s opinions influence you too much.
• Try not to judge people before you get to know them.
• Wish well upon everyone equally and try to admire without envy.
• Don’t try to change someone—love who they are now.
• Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.
• Use your energy wisely because spending energy complaining, worrying or being impatient is just wasted energy.
• Gain independence by realizing that on this earth we are all dependent upon each other.
• Don’t waste time trying to bring disagreeable people around to liking you.
• Become the person you would like to spend the rest of your life with.
• Spend time with people who make you happy while also not depending on other people for your own happiness.
• Stand up for yourself and others and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back.
• Be yourself and love who you are now.
• Be a participant in life rather than an observer.
• Do something every day that makes you feel proud of yourself—commit random acts of kindness whenever you get the chance.
• And always keep on moving forward.

~~~

“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself.”

Brittany Renée

~~~

A woman whose fondness for the good life had taken its toll in added pounds – and girth – was being shown a Jeep by a salesman at an auto dealership. When the salesman’s pitch had run its course, he sought to close with the typical line, “Now what would it take to get you into one of these?”

Looking at the Jeep’s high front seat, the woman replied, “Probably a crowbar.”

~~~

Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

Hans Christian Anderson

~~~

Alan King was one of my all time favorite comedians, he passed some time ago but his humor lives on.

• On Banks: “Banks have a new image. Now you have ‘a friend,’ your friendly banker. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?”
• On Jewish Mothers: “What’s the difference between a Rottweiler and a Jewish mother? Eventually the Rottweiler lets go.”
• On his parent’s Russian roots: King took his mother, Minnie, to see “Fiddler on the Roof,” thinking the fictitious village of Anatevka might bring back memories of her own childhood village. “And when the show was over and we were back on the street,” Mr. King wrote in his autobiography ‘Name-Dropping: The Life and Lies of Alan King’, “I said, ‘Ma, how did you enjoy it? Did it bring back memories?'” “‘It was wonderful,’ she said. ‘Only I don’t remember so much singing.’ “
• On meeting royalty: Following a performance for the British Royal Family, he was introduced to Queen Elizabeth. “How do you do, Mr. King?” she is reported to have said. “How do you do, Mrs. Queen?” he is said to have replied.
• On Love and Marriage: “If you want to read about love and marriage, you’ve got to buy two separate books”
• On Gifts for the Wife: King told of a Jewish man asking his wife if she would like diamond jewelry, a new car or a trip for their anniversary. She responded that she wanted a divorce. “Oy vey,” the man replied. “I wasn’t planning on spending that much.”

~~~

I’ll drive you crazy, but you’re paying for gas.

~~~

Hanging in the hallway at the High School are the basketball team pictures from the past 40 years. A player in the center of the front row in each picture holds a basketball identifying the year — “62-63,” “63-64,” “64-65,” etc.

One day I spotted a freshman looking curiously at the photos. Turning to me, he said, “Isn’t it strange how the teams always lost by one point?”

~~~

“If you’re going to do something tonight that you’ll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.”

Henry Youngman

~~~

When her late husband’s will was read, a widow learned he had left the bulk of his fortune to another woman. Enraged, she rushed to change the inscription on her spouse’s tombstone.

“Sorry, lady,” said the stonecutter. “I inscribed ‘Rest in Peace’ on your orders. I can’t change it now.”

“Very well,” she said grimly. “Just add, ‘Until We Meet Again.’ ”

~~~

“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.”

Mary Anne Radmacher

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Let’s enjoy today

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw.

The other day I shared with you that I really have little time for unhappiness. I decided some time ago that I was not going to waste my time and energy on searching for things to complain about, rather I have chosen to focus on what is right in my daily life. I am beginning to believe that our mind is like a container that has only so much capacity and if I fill it with negatives I will leave less room for positives.

I have also discovered that there is no better antidote for a disappointment than a counterbalancing positive action. In my case it does not take much, if I decide as an example that things are getting dreary I often will go to an early light movie, get a big box of popcorn and just drop out for a few hours. When I return to the world my mind has cleared and often sees what neat things the day holds but only if I decide to participate.

Some time ago I copied a number of happiness tips written by Robert Holden, here is one I really like.

Make Happiness A Way of Travelling!

After years of studying stress, I have concluded that one of the biggest causes of stress is that we wait for happiness to happen! We think happiness is not for now; rather, we see it as a reward we work to, struggle after and suffer for in the hopes that one day it will happen. Following this erroneous train of thought, today becomes a day for well-behaved hardship, noble suffering, mild martyrdom and quiet desperation; and tomorrow, maybe, we might be happy.

Well, it’s official. The news is out: “There is no future!” Please understand, this is not a message of despair; it is simply a statement of truth. I repeat, “There is no future”! Save not, therefore, your best for the future. Do not WAIT to give your best to the next job, the next time, the next person, or, the next opportunity. Give your best NOW!

Some things never change: your greatest opportunity for happiness has been, will be, and still is, NOW! Unfortunately, you are often too busy “pasturising” and “futurising” to see that everything is here already right now. Give up the past, give up the future, and give in to happiness NOW! It really is all here. It must be, because you are here.

The one piece of good news that is true forever is, the present is here, now!

When in search of wisdom, linguists often refer to roots and connections of words from pre-historic civilizations. They explore ancient languages like Sanskrit, Aramaic and Latin, for instance, to unearth forgotten gems of wisdom. Well, much closer to home and to present time, it is helpful to note that in the English language, the word “present” has three distinct meanings: “here”, “now” and “a gift”.

Is this only a coincidence, or could it be that, the greatest gifts of life are always available to you here and now! The word “present” also links to “presence”, “being” and “being present”. Here is another clue. Give yourself to NOW! The future is not your answer – it has no true power. Now – right here – is good enough for you. All you need remember is, nothing is missing within you and nothing is missing here now.

~~~

Every man dies. Not every man really lives.

William Ross Wallace.

~~~

She said about having and raising kids that:

* If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!

* To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.

* The smartest advice on raising children is to enjoy them while they are still on your side.

* The right temperature in a home is maintained by warm hearts, not by hot heads.

* The joy of motherhood: What a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed.

* Life’s golden age is when the kids are too old to need baby-sitters and too young to borrow the family car.

* A child outgrows your lap, but never outgrows your heart.

* There are three ways to get something done: Do it yourself, hire someone to do it, or forbid your children to do it.

* Oh, to be only half as wonderful as my child thought I was when he was small, and half as stupid as my teenager now thinks I am.

~~~

A bore is a person who talks so much about himself that you don’t get a chance to talk about yourself.

~~~

A millionaire informs his attorney, “I want a stipulation in my Will that my wife is to inherit everything, but only if she remarries within six months of my death.”

“Why such an odd stipulation?” asks the attorney.

“Because,” he says, “I want someone to be sorry I died.”

~~~

Who coined the phrase “to coin a phrase”?

~~~

Friends took their first-grader on a car trip to Canada.  To help pass the time, the boy practiced his reading skills by calling out road signs. He fell asleep just before they entered Quebec. When he awoke, he saw the French highway signs and said, in a worried tone, “I think I forgot how to read while I was asleep.”

~~~

When we all think alike, no one has to think at all.

Walter Lippman

~~~

Teacher: Little Johnny, go to the map and find North America. Little Johnny: Here it is!

Teacher: Correct. Now, class, who discovered America?

Class: Little Johnny!

~~~

When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”

Sydney J. Harris

~~~

A man is recovering from surgery when a nurse asks him how he is feeling.

“I’m O.K. but I didn’t like the four-letter-word the doctor used in surgery,” he answered.

“What did he say,” asked the nurse.

“OOPS!”

~~~

I went to San Francisco. I found someone’s heart.

~~~

The police recently busted a man selling tablets he said gave eternal youth.

When going through their files they noticed it was the fourth time he was caught for doing this. He had earlier been arrested in 1794, 1856 and 1928.

~~~

You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching and love like it is never going to hurt.

Ann Wells

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Do you really know you?

To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Why is it that so many people are better than they think they are? I honestly believe that many of the folks I meet who seem depressed and discouraged and those that walk around with a chip on their shoulder needing to prove their worth at every turn have little to no self-esteem. I often spend hours with new and old friends reviewing their past activities, their likes and dislikes and their unrecognized accomplishments and you know what? They are almost always surprised how good they really are.

It is tragic that so many of us spend our lives letting external and internal criticism steal from ourselves our ability to enjoy our true worth. What makes it especially sad is that most often the criticism is either unjustified or not worth our taking seriously.

I think I have told you before that my philosophy in recent years has been to hold nothing back, be what I am while doing the best I can and if the critics don’t like it that’s up to them. This is as good as I get and that is OK with me. I refuse to let others pull me down. That is my choice, what is yours?

Here is an article written by Nando Pelusi, Ph.D. that I like I hope you will too.

How to feel better about who you are.

If you’re displeased with yourself, both mentally and physically, it’s not so mysterious that you’re falling into two common cognitive traps: perfectionism and self-downing. Feeling better about who you are as a person means talking to yourself respectfully and rationally. You wouldn’t speak so harshly to your worst enemy. Calling yourself names doesn’t help, and only makes things worse. Fortunately, there are some issues you can address to counteract this tendency.

Perfectionism has many aspects, including the valuable desire to “do better,” “look better,” and generally keep to high standards. So far, so good. However, since even Olympic gold medalists fall short of perfection most of the time, we’d better accept that perfection simply doesn’t exist. Striving toward betterment is great. The quest motivates us, and keeps us on a good path for the long run. But the idea that you can and should attain perfection will crimp your style, stunt your growth, and make you miserable. The solution, fortunately, is within your power: Talk gently and rationally to yourself about your goal and give up the need for perfection.

Secondly, the self-downing habit is a facet of perfectionism that also makes you do less well and contributes to your feeling badly about yourself. Why include a rating of your entire self (your very being) for having trouble in one of your classes? You’re making your performance at this task, at this time, a measure of your worth as a person—and you don’t have to.

It’s much better to keep your high standards, and give up the idea that you have to be perfect. Scratch the idea that if you’re not a sparkly Brangelina, you are therefore totally undesirable and incapable. You’ll start to do much better in many ways when you get off your own back and focus on what you can control.

~~~

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

Malcolm S. Forbes

~~~

The Ferrari Formula 1 Team fired their entire pit crew yesterday. The announcement followed Ferrari’s decision to take advantage of the British governments ‘Work for the Dole’ scheme and employ unemployable youth. The decision to hire them was brought on by a recent documentary on how unemployed Liverpool youths were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds without proper equipment, whereas Ferrari’s existing crew could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of pounds worth of high tech gear.

This was thought to be an excellent, yet bold move, by Ferrari Management. As most races are won and lost in the pits, Ferrari would have an advantage over every team. However, Ferrari got more than they bargained for at the crew’s first practice session, not only were the new Pit Crew able to change the tires in under 6 seconds but within 12 seconds they had re-sprayed, retagged and sold the vehicle over to the MacLaren Team for four bottles of Stella and an old Nike shell-suit.

~~~

Rudeness is a weak imitation of strength.

Eric Hoffer

~~~

NEW INVENTIONS BY ……

— The water-proof towel

— Glow in the dark sunglasses

— Submarine screen doors

— A book on how to read.

— Inflatable dart boards

— A dictionary index.

— Powdered water

— Pedal-powered wheel chairs

— Waterproof tea bags

— Zero proof alcohol

— Reuseable ice cubes

~~~

If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are OTHERS here for?

~~~

Heather and Marcy hadn’t seen each other in awhile, so they decided to meet for lunch. The talk naturally got around to their respective love lives. Marcy confided that there really wasn’t anyone special in her life. Heather, on the other hand, was beaming about the new man she had found. “He’s perfect. He’s handsome, and last night when we went out to dinner, he said the four little words I’ve been waiting to hear a man say to me!”

“He said ‘will you marry me’?” Marcy asked.

Heather replied, “No, he said ‘put your money away’.”

~~~

Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together.

Woodrow Wilson

~~~

Joe’s wife likes to sing so she decided to join the church choir. From time to time she would practice while she was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Whenever she would start in on a song, Joe would head outside to the porch.

His wife, with hurt feelings, said, “What’s the matter, Joe? Don’t you like my singing?”

Joe replied, “Honey, I love your singing, but I just want to make sure the neighbors know I’m not beating you.”

~~~

The greatest difficulty is that men do not think enough of themselves, do not consider what it is that they are sacrificing when they follow in a herd, or when they cater for their establishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Bitterness is too heavy a price to pay

“To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”

Confucius

The other day I asked someone to join me in a visit to see a friend of mine that neither of us has seen in many years. I was taken aback by the bitter response I got hearing my friend say that they never would due to resentment for something said or done more than 25 years early. This was not the first time that I saw lingering anger and pain in my friend due to some real or perceived event from years back.

I think far too many people display an inability to forgive similar to a chronic illness that will never be cured without a change of attitude. I feel that my friend’s bitterness reservoir is always full or near full leaving little room for a more pleasant view of the world.

I was surprised when I saw that the mayo Clinic agrees that the ability to forgive is the key to a happier and fuller life, here in part is what they offer.

Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness

Nearly everyone has been hurt by the actions or words of another. Perhaps your mother criticized your parenting skills, your colleague sabotaged a project or your partner had an affair. These wounds can leave you with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness or even vengeance — but if you don’t practice forgiveness, you might be the one who pays most dearly. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Consider how forgiveness can lead you down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to:

Healthier relationships

Greater spiritual and psychological well-being

Less anxiety, stress and hostility

Lower blood pressure

Fewer symptoms of depression

Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse

What are the effects of holding a grudge?

If you’re unforgiving, you might pay the price repeatedly by bringing anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Your life might become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can’t enjoy the present. You might become depressed or anxious. You might feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you’re at odds with your spiritual beliefs. You might lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.

Forgiveness is a commitment to a process of change. To begin, you might:

Consider the value of forgiveness and its importance in your life at a given time

Reflect on the facts of the situation, how you’ve reacted, and how this combination has affected your life, health and well-being

When you’re ready, actively choose to forgive the person who’s offended you

Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life

As you let go of grudges, you’ll no longer define your life by how you’ve been hurt. You might even find compassion and understanding.

What if the person I’m forgiving doesn’t change?

Getting another person to change his or her actions, behavior or words isn’t the point of forgiveness. Think of forgiveness more about how it can change your life — by bringing you peace, happiness, and emotional and spiritual healing. Forgiveness can take away the power the other person continues to wield in your life.

~~~

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

Nelson Mandela

~~~

A backslider suddenly began attending church faithfully on Sunday mornings instead of going fishing. The pastor was highly gratified and told him, “How wonderful it makes me feel to see you at services with your good wife!”

“Well, Preacher,” said the fisherman, “it’s a matter of choice. I’d rather hear your sermon than hers.”

~~~

“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~

Announcement: the mental-disease-of-the-month club is being disbanded immediately. The reasons being:

1. During dipsomania month, the club party spent 10 times its budget on refreshments.

2. During kleptomania month, all of the club furnishings were removed, and (as aforementioned) the budget was already spent and gone.

3. During megalomania month, the club organization broke down due to having sixteen claimants to being Club President, etc.

4. During multiple personality month, our club roster roughly tripled in size with no increase in dues.

5.During paranoia month, the inflated roster dropped to zero as each member changed his or her mailing address and left no forwarding address for the club.

You members were obviously out to ruin us; it’s all clear now. It took all our remaining personal savings to track you all down. Therefore, here is your last installment: clinical depression. Have a nice day.”

~~~

The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular cause for being happy except that they are so.

William Ralph Inge

~~~

While I was paying for my items at a local store, the man behind me laid his purchases on the counter.  Among them was a large, flowery birthday card with “To my wonderful wife” printed on it.

The clerk said,  “You’ve chosen our biggest and prettiest card.”

The man nodded sadly and replied, “One day late.”

~~~

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.

Billy Crystal

~~~

It’s 3:00 A.M. and Goldie wakes up to see her husband pacing the floor. “Morris, why can’t you sleep?” she asks him.

“You know our next door neighbor, Sam. I borrowed $1000 from him, and it’s due tomorrow morning and I don’t have the money…..I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Morris replies.

Goldie gets out of bed and opens the window. “Sam,” she shouts, and several times more, “Sam, Sam.” Finally a very groggy Sam opens the window opposite her and yells back, “What, what is it…it’s 3 AM, what do you want?”

Goldie says, “You know the $1000 my husband owes you? He doesn’t have it.”

She then slams the window shut and turns to Morris and says, now you go to sleep and let Sam pace the floor.”

~~~

“People have to forgive. We don’t have to like them, we don’t have to be friends with them, we don’t have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don’t we are tying rocks to our feet, too much for our wings to carry!”

C. JoyBell

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Anybody seen Ray today?

“Our life is what our thoughts make it.”

Marcus Aurelius

I have had a really productive week considering my hospital sessions but I am a little worn out. So with your permission I am rewarding myself with a three day weekend starting right now. I have asked the computer to send you something to read today since I will not be sending you anything.

He’s gone; here is what I found for you.

Ray’s computer

~~~

Ray’s Daily

July 20, 2004

Well my social calendar is full today and tomorrow, what with blood draws, Hematologist and Cardiologist appointments, pacemaker checks and EKG’s I will be pretty busy. It is nice to be so wanted. Maybe a friendship club would be cheaper though.

~~~

“The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is to play on the one string we have and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.”

Charles Swindoll

~~~

Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself.

John Macnaughton

~~~

It was mealtime during our trip on a small airline in the Northwest. “Would you like dinner?” the flight attendant asked the man seated in front of me.

“What are my choices?” he asked.

“Yes or no,” she replied.

~~~

Misers aren’t much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors.

~~~

Grandma Goldberg, a woman of 85, was slowly ambling down the street when she met her physician Dr. Cohen. Dr. Cohen, a dapper graying man in his early 60’s asked the elderly lady, “Mrs. Goldberg how are you feeling?”

For a long moment the woman gave the good doctor a terrible stare and then she said — “You ask me how I’m feeling! I’ll tell you how I’m feeling!! My legs hurt, my chest is sore, my heart is beating too fast and I can’t sleep!!! I have horrible headaches and stomach pains too!”

The good doctor looked at the elderly lady with compassion, “If you’re feeling so awful, why didn’t you come and see me right away?”

Grandma Goldberg let out a sigh and said, “I was just waiting until I felt a little better.”

~~~

“A man sent a postcard from Las Vegas to a friend: Having a wonderful time. Wish I could afford it.”

Myron Cohen

~~~

Two tourists were driving through Wisconsin …As they were approaching Oconomowoc, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town’s name. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch.  As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the blonde employee.  “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us?  Would you please pronounce where we are… very slowly?

The blonde girl leaned over the counter and said, “Burrrr, Gerrrr, Kiiiing.”

~~~

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.

Amos Bronson Alcott

~~~

A guy meets a childhood pal: “What are you doing for yourself these days?”

I’m a fireman.

Oh yeah? My 15-year-old kid wants to be a fireman.

Well, if you want some good advice, you’ve got to install in your house a pole that will go to the basement so your kid can practice, ’cause the hardest thing for a fireman is to jump off into space and catch that pole in the middle of the night.

Ten years later, the two guys happen to meet again:

Well, did your son become a fireman?

No, but I have two daughters who are “pole dancers.”

~~~

Q: Did you hear about the new auto insurance policy for Jewish mothers?

A: It is known as the “My Fault” policy.

~~~

IT’S TIME TO DIET AND EXERCISE WHEN…

…you try to do a few pushups and discover that certain body parts refuse to leave the floor.

…your children look through your wedding album and want to know who Daddy’s first wife was.

…you get winded just saying the words “six-kilometer run.”

…you analyze your body honestly and decide what you should develop first is your sense of humor.

…you accept the fact that you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but not while you’re wearing a bathing suit.

~~~

Nadine and Jill were talking about a friend who had just given birth to triplets.

“You know, that only happens one in twelve-thousand times?” said Nadine.

“Amazing!” said Jill. “How did she ever find time to do any housework?”

~~~

Law of Institutional Food: Everything is cold except what should be.

~~~

An expert on whales was telling friends about some of the unusual findings he had made.

“For instance,” he said, “some whales can communicate at a distance of 300 miles.”

“What on earth would one whale say to another 300 miles away?” asked a sarcastic member of the group.

“I’m not absolutely sure,” answered the expert, “but I bet it sounds something like. “Heeeeeeey! Can you hear me nowwww!?!'”

~~~

Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.

Marcus Antonius

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

Have you decided on what you want to leave?

“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.”

Steve Saint

I am so glad that there is no such thing as global warming, at least that is what a lot of people tell me, for it would be awful if it were. Right now where I live the heat is unbearable. It has been over 100 degrees Fahrenheit almost every day this month, in previous years it seldom got over 90. The drought it is so bad that we are not allowed to use water except for drinking and bathing; beaches are closing because water levels are so low; crops have been decimated and food prices are expected to soar because of limited supply. Like I said I sure am glad that there is no global warming.

On another note I was asked yesterday what I did for myself since I spend so much time with others and volunteering. I was somewhat taken aback by the question for that’s what I do for myself, I spend time with people and volunteer when I can, and oh yes lest I forget I communicate with you and others most days. If there is anything for me that would add to the pleasure it would be the knowledge that I have a chance of leaving a memorable legacy. Far too often people think of their legacy in terms of what wealth and material goods they will leave to others, in my case there won’t be much left so at least I can do my best to leave pleasant memories. What about you what will be your legacy? If you have not thought about it much then read what Jon Gordon wrote not long ago about legacy choices.

WAYS TO LEAVE A LEGACY

In Training Camp I wrote that every one of us is going to leave a legacy. It just depends on what kind. So what kind of legacy do you want to leave? I encourage you to think about it because knowing how you want to be remembered helps you decide how to live and work today. Consider the following ways to leave a legacy and then identify other legacies you can share.

1. A Legacy of Excellence – Saint Francis of Assisi said, “It’s no use walking anywhere to preach unless your preaching is your walking.” To leave a legacy of excellence, strive to be your best every day. As you strive for excellence you inspire excellence in others. You serve as a role model for your children, your friends and your colleagues. One person in pursuit of excellence raises the standards and behaviors of everyone around them. Your life is your greatest legacy and since you only have one life to give, give all you can.

2. A Legacy of Encouragement – You have a choice. You can lift others up or bring them down. Twenty years from now when people think of you what do you want them to remember? The way you encouraged them or discouraged them? Who will you encourage today? Be that person that someone will call five, ten or twenty years from now and say “Thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

3. A Legacy of Purpose – People are most energized when they are using their strengths and talents for a purpose beyond themselves. To leave a legacy of purpose, make your life about something bigger than you. While you’re not going to live forever you can live on through the legacy you leave and the positive impact you make in the world.

4. A Legacy of Love – I often think about my Mom, who passed away four years ago, and when I think about her I don’t recall her faults and mistakes or the disagreements we had. After all, who is perfect? But what I remember most about her was her love for me. She gave me a legacy of love that I now share with others. Share a legacy of love and it will embrace generations to come.

~~~

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

Shannon L. Alder

~~~

The veterinarian told the blonde that her dog needed some exercise. “You need to make sure this dog runs around,” the doctor said.

“Try playing a game of fetch with him.”

“I can’t play fetch with my dog,” the blonde said.

“Why not?” the doctor asked.

“Because,” she replied, “He can’t throw.”

~~~

A curious ad, placed in THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL:

“LOST:  Orange jacket, lavender shoes, & gray briefcase.  Please don’t ask! Reward!”

~~~

For a student whose name is Kathleen,

With a mind that’s not overly keen,

Graduation is sure,

As she’s hardly demure

And has often been seen with the Dean.

~~~

I am said to say that your disposal eats better than 70% of the world’s people.

~~~

After a particularly poor game of golf, a popular club member skipped the clubhouse and started to go home. As he was walking to the parking lot to get his car, a policeman stopped him and asked, “Did you tee off on the sixteenth hole about twenty minutes ago?”

“Yes,” the golfer responded.

“Did you happen to hook your ball so that it went over the trees and off the course?”

“Yes, I did. How did you know?” he asked.

“Well,” said the policeman very seriously, “Your ball flew out onto the highway and crashed through a driver’s windshield. The car went out of control, crashing into five other cars and a fire truck. The fire truck couldn’t make it to the fire, and the building burned down. So, what are you going to do about it?”

The golfer thought it over carefully and responded…

“I think I’ll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb.”

~~~

Money doesn’t bring you happiness, but it enables you to look for it in more places.

~~~

My friend’s mother is a proper Southern lady and a passionate gardener who spends hours outside with her plants. In her neighborhood, where she has lived most of her life, no one has fences and every yard is open to the next.

Recently one of her longtime neighbors, an elderly man, moved away. “Are you going to miss him?” my friend asked.

“Actually I’m relieved,” her mother replied. “Now I can bend over.”

~~~

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”

Alexander Pope

~~~

He said: As a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, I often engage women psychology majors in heated discussions about male-female relationships. Once, my friend Shelly and I got into a hot debate about whether men or women make the larger sacrifice of their respective gender characteristics when they get married.  To my surprise, Shelly agreed with me that men give up far more than women.

“You’re right, Steve,” she said.  “Men generally give up doing their cleaning, their cooking, their grocery shopping, their laundry.”

~~~

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

David Brower

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

This daily is sent only to special people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at https://raykiwsp.wordpress.com/ currently there are about 2000 readers from around the world.

It does depend on you.

“We can go through our whole lives worrying about our future happiness, and totally miss where true peace lives- right here, right now.”

Peter Russell

As I am sure you know by now I decided long ago that I was not going to dwell on those things that create anxiety and unhappiness. My life has been great ever since I decided I would focus on all the good that exists around me. I truly believe that happiness is largely a matter of choice. I am pleased that I am not alone in that belief, in fact I often find wisdom shared by others that reinforces the value of my deciding that happiness is always within my reach. Here is one of my favorite lists that I discovered on the Anxiety Network that is worth your consideration.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS TO DWELL ON

• If you pay attention to the darkness, you’ll never find the light.
• If you study and relive your past experiences, analyzing them, and “getting in touch with your feelings” you will only reinforce those feelings. If you want to get away from a problem, you should not focus on it. Focus on the good, the positive, the beautiful, the nice.
• A happy person is fully caught up in the moment –and is not thinking about the past or the future.
• Too much thinking and analyzing just makes any problem worse. Today is a wonderful day – live it in the present.
• There is so much in life I can’t control. But this is my life and I’ve decided to be happy. I can choose to be happy regardless of my other circumstances. It’s not “when I get a promotion, I’ll be happy…..” or “when I can speak in front of a small group of people, I’ll be happy…..” The focus should be on learning to be happy now. Tap into your inner peace and contentment in the way that works best for you.
• Happiness is a result of a decision to be happy. Your emotions and feelings are created by your thoughts. Unhappiness cannot exist on its own. It occurs because of thoughts, which can be changed.
• Your past thoughts are about events that are no longer real. That bad experience happened yesterday (in the past) and is over. It is gone and exists solely in your mind. Today is a new day, a better day, and worrying about the past just dooms us in the present. It’s how you process it now that makes a difference.
• Your automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) are only thoughts: they are not real. Your ANTS are not real. They do not tell you the truth.
• Our tendency is to think TOO MUCH and to paralyze ourselves with our ruminations. We have a choice: Realize what we’re doing to ourselves, get up, find a distraction, and do something interesting (positive).
• Happy people understand that to enjoy life you live it — you don’t think about it.
• Anticipatory anxiety killing you? Stop thinking about it, take that step, and just do it.
• Thoughts grow with attention. If you focus on negative thoughts, they will grow and grow and become larger. If you focus on your progress and the new thoughts you are learning, they will grow stronger and take “automatic” control.
• Even if you understand and know why you have a problem, this will not help you in solving it. Going over and over the reasons for your problem is like pouring salt in an open wound.
• The only factor making you unhappy is your own thoughts. Relax, release them, let them go.
• When you notice self-limiting and self-defeating thoughts playing over and over in your mind, say “STOP! I will not give you any more power over me! I have better things to do!!”

~~~

“All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.”

Horace Friess

~~~

Getting away from their high-stress jobs, a couple spends relaxing weekends in their motor home.  When they found their peace and quiet disturbed by well-meaning, but unwelcome, visits from other campers, they devised a plan to assure themselves some privacy. Now, when they set up camp, they place this sign on the door of their RV: “Insurance agent.  Ask about our term-life package.”

~~~

One of the many things nobody ever tells you about middle age is that it’s such a nice change from being young.

Dorothy Canfield Fisher ~

~~~

My six-year-old grandson called his mother from his friend Charlie’s house and confessed he had broken a lamp when he threw a football in their living room. “But, Mom,” he said, brightening, “you don’t have to worry about buying another one. Charlie’s mother said it was irreplaceable.”

~~~

When I get real bored, I like to drive down town and get a great parking spot, then sit in my car and count how many people ask me if I’m leaving.

Steven Wright

~~~

An amateur photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the hostess. She looked at the photos and commented “These are very good! You must have a good camera.”

He didn’t make any comment, but, as he was leaving to go home he said “That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good pots.”

~~~

“When I die, I want to die like my grandmother who died peacefully in her sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in her car.”

~~~

For months Bill had been Lynn’s devoted admirer. Now, at long last, he had collected up sufficient courage to ask her the most momentous of all questions. “There are quite a lot of advantages to being a bachelor,” Bill began, “but there comes a time when one longs for the companionship of another being, a being who will regard one as perfect, as an idol; whom one can treat as one’s absolute own; who will be kind and faithful when times are hard; who will share one’s joys and sorrows.”

To his delight, Bill saw a sympathetic gleam in Lynn’s eyes. Then she nodded in agreement. Finally, Lynn responded, “I think it’s a great idea! Can I help you choose which puppy to buy?”

~~~

I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.

~~~

Speaking of exercise, my friend Judy sent us this program for those of us who are getting on in years a few years back. I thought I would let you, my friends, in on a little secret I’ve found for building my arm and shoulder muscles. You might wish to adopt this regimen – 3 days a week works well.

I started by standing and with a 5 pound potato sack in each hand, extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there as long as I can. After a few weeks I moved up to 10 pound potato sacks, then 50 pound potato sacks and finally I got to where I could lift a 100 pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms straight out for more than a full minute!!

Next, I started putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but you may not want to continue at this level.

~~~

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Helen Keller

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

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