Ray's Daily

Have fun this weekend

Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.

Bill Watterson

Well summer will be ending soon and autumn will bring us cool weather in my part of the world along with a rainbow of colors as the trees begin preparing for their annual winter hibernation. Each season brings us the opportunity to enjoy what it has to offer and I always look forward to the changes that add texture to our lives.

Those of us in the US always celebrate with a national holiday on the first Monday in September and we get a three day weekend. Summer still lingers so it will be one of our last chances for fun and frolic in the sun. I hope everyone takes advantage of the holiday by temporally shelving their worries and concerns. And for a short time leave the world’s problems, their job and any lingering anxiety at the office and then go out and play. If you do the person who takes your place at work on Tuesday will be a rejuvenated you, if not younger in age at least younger in spirit.

A year ago or so Courtney Carver wrote a piece letting us in on some secrets that will help all who listen to really enjoy the next few days. Here is what she gave us.

 

How to Enjoy Your Weekend Like a Minimalist

Remember what it was like to be a carefree child on a summer day? Catching lighting bugs. Riding bikes. Exploring creeks. Popping tar bubbles with your toes. Selling lemonade. Days filled with adventure and curiosity. When is the last time you felt this free? Our schedules are crammed with commitments, chores, errands, appointments, and activities. We dream of vacations and travel. Why do we wait for vacations to take a break? Isn’t a weekend a tiny vacation? To vacate from our regular routines. To let our minds relax. To slow down.

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Gandhi

Is it hard for you do slow down and relax? Are you ready to take a break but not sure what to do with yourself? Embrace being instead of doing for a minimalist child-like weekend. I love weekends. Letting go of work. With less on my plate, I can be more in the moment. But I have to make conscious choices to pull a minimalist weekend off:

Relax Like a Minimalist:

Unplug – Turn off technology or unplug from your computer for at least 24 hours. Be available for more personal connection, even if you are quietly presence. With less distractions, you will invite relaxation.

Make space – Get most of your cleaning, jobs, and errands done during the week. Resist over-scheduling your weekend by leaving pockets of time to unwind. The less you schedule, the more you can go with the flow.

Slow down – And, the less you schedule in your weekend, the slower your pace. Everyone needs at least one slow morning a week where there is no time commitment to get ready for. Enjoy this restful pace.

Just be – And, foster the art of doing almost nothing. Gaze at the birds. Listen to the wind. Read a good book. Doodle. Journal. Focus on being more than doing. And, in this moment, just be.

“Burnout comes from trying to give what I do not possess.” ~ Parker Palmer

Re-Create Like a Child:

Work before play – Most of us work hard during the week, both in our job and at home. If our kids get to play after their “work” is done, then so do we. Pick play that refreshes and renews you.

Create – Let your imagination be your guide. Create art, crafts, words, photos, movies, or stories with no deadlines. It’s your creation, not your production or project.

Explore – Journey to familiar or new territory. Learn and explore. Take in details, textures, sights, and sounds. Make it an adventure.

Move and rest – Balance your movement with rest. Engage in the moment then drift with eyes heavy. Take a nap. Sleep in or go to bed early.

Invite relaxing recreation in your weekend. Be in the moment, go with the flow, and embrace what you love.

~~~

Pick the day. Enjoy it – to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come… The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present – and I don’t want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future.

Audrey Hepburn

~~~

“Do you believe in life after death?” the boss asked one of his employees.

“Yes, sir,” the new recruit replied.

“Well, then, that makes everything just fine,” the boss went on. “After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother’s funeral, she stopped in to see you.”

~~~

All people smile in the same language.

~~~

Rick, fresh out of accounting school, went to a interview for a good paying job. The company boss asked various questions about him and his education, but then asked him, “What is three times seven?”

“22,” Rick replied.  After he left, he double-checked it on his calculator (he *knew* he should have taken it to the interview!) and realized he wouldn’t get the job.

About two weeks later, he got a letter that said he was hired for the job! He was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but was still very curious. The next day, he went in and asked why he got the job, even though he got such a simple question wrong. The boss shrugged and said, “Well, you were the closest…”

~~~

Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.

~~~

A golf pro dragged himself into the clubhouse looking as though he’d just escaped a tornado.

“What’s wrong?” a woman asked.

“I just lost a game to Houlihan,” the pro said.

“What? But Houlihan’s the worst player I’ve ever seen. How could he have beaten you?”

“He tricked me,” the pro said. “On the first tee, he asked for a handicap. I told him he could have 30, 40, 50 strokes – any handicap he wanted. He said, ‘Just give me two gotchas.'”

“What’s a gotcha?” asked the woman.

“That’s what I wanted to know,” the pro said. “Houlihan said, ‘You’ll see.’ Then, as I was teeing off, just as I had my club poised, he screamed out ‘Gotcha!'”

“I can guess what happened,” the woman said.

“Sure,” the pro said. “The scream threw me off, and I missed the ball completely.”

“Understandable,” the woman said. “But still, that’s only one swing. How did he win the game?”

The pro answered, “You try swinging at a golf ball while waiting for that second ‘gotcha!'”

~~~

Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.

Sai Baba

~~~

No Daily on Monday, we will be away playing.

 

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.

If we don’t watch the store who will?

Serious misfortunes, originating in misrepresentation, frequently flow and spread before they can be dissipated by truth.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

 

It seems to me lately that too many of us no longer require facts to back up what we buy into. At the very time we are becoming more isolated from a variety of trusted news sources we are inundated with rumor, accusations, and unfounded gossip. It would not be so bad if it wasn’t for the fact that so many of us find accepting what we would like to be true as being true.

The political ads today have made innuendo an art while placing value on winning at all cost without regard for the immorality of out of context misleading statements or in some cases even totally untrue reports. It is a terrible state we will find ourselves in when we no longer believe in earning our good fortune through accomplishment versus destroying the other guy in order for us to prevail.

What scares me the most is how many have abandoned the playing field because the game has become too dirty, when that happens we are left only with those who put themselves first with limited concern for others. Unfortunately there are many who follow the siren call of those who say “don’t worry, trust me, I’ll take care of you”, only to find that their trust was misplaced.

We must not quit listening and learning but in order to get it right we need to dig deeper than the noise we hear via rumor, spurious e-mails or single source news outlets. I think Socrates had the right idea, here are his thoughts.

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?”

“Hold on a minute,” Socrates replied. “Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“Well, no,” the man said, “actually I just heard about it and…”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now, let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?”

“Umm, no, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about my friend, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left—the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really.”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

~~~

Rumors are mostly a projection of the individual who started them.

ROYA R. RAD

~~~

A mother was showing her son how to zip up his coat. “The secret,” she said, “is to get the left part of the zipper to fit in the other side before you try to zip it up.”

The boy looked at her quizzically… “Why does it have to be a secret?”

~~~

A motivational sign at work: The beatings will continue until morale improves.

~~~

Grandma, when you and Grandpa had your first baby, did Grandpa ever handle the middle of the night feeding?”

“No. I always did that.”

“That must have been before you had women’s liberation.”

“No, it was before we had baby bottles.”

~~~

Quote from telephone inquiry “We’re only hiring one summer intern this year and we won’t start interviewing candidates for that position until the Boss’ daughter finishes her summer classes.

~~~

A priest was sitting on the steps of the church one spring day enjoying the sunshine.  He saw a young boy approaching him on the sidewalk pulling a wagon.  Every few yards one of the wheels would fall off the wagon, the boy would say “Damn!” put the wheel back on, and continue down the street, and a wheel would fall off again a few yards later.

As the boy neared the steps, the priest saw this as an opportunity to make an impression on the boy, and stopped him.  “You know,” he said to the boy, “when a wheel falls off your wagon, instead of using profanity, you should say ‘Praise the Lord!’ instead.”  He went on to tell the boy how someone is always watching over us and how we should be careful to do the right thing at all times.

The boy acknowledged his words and thanked him, and went on down the street.  The priest stood there, feeling quite pleased with himself.  About 50 yards away from the steps, all four wheels fell off the wagon, the boy stopped, heaved a huge sigh, and said, “Praise the Lord!”  Instantly the wagon raised off the ground, all four wheels returned to their places.

Upon seeing this, the priest said, “Damn!”

~~~

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

Germaine Greer

~~~

A site foreman had ten very lazy men working for him, so one day he decided to trick them into doing some work for a change. “I’ve got a really easy job today for the laziest one among you,” he announced.  “Will the laziest man please put his hand up?”

Nine hands went up. “Why didn’t you put your hand up?” he asked the tenth man.

“Too much trouble,” came the reply.

~~~

“To err is human, but when the eraser wears out ahead of the pencil, you’re overdoing it.”

Josh Jenkins

~~~

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. “Isn’t it true,” he bellowed, “that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?”

The witness stared out the window as though he hadn’t hear the question. “Isn’t it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?” the lawyer repeated.

The witness still did not respond. Finally, the judge leaned over and said, “Sir, please answer the question.”

“Oh,” the startled witness said, “I’m sorry, Your Honor, I thought he was talking to you.”

~~~

Alcohol and calculus don’t mix. Never drink and derive.

~~~

An older lady is making her first visit to her new doctor’s office. Before seeing the doctor she is required to fill-out forms. A nurse in the office offers to help her do this. The nurse starts by asking, “How old are you, Mrs. Silver?”

“None of your business,” she responds. The nurse then says, “But the doctor must know your age for his records.”

Mrs. Silver replies, “Okay. Well, first, multiply twenty by two, then add ten. Got that?”

“Yes.” answers the nurse.

“All right, now subtract fifty, and tell me, what do you get?”

The nurse says, “Zero.”

Mrs. Silver responds, “Right! And that’s exactly the chance of me telling you my age.”

~~~

They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them, and were not sufficiently interested in public events to notice what was happening.

George Orwell

~~~

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.

I let it go and I am glad I did

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.”

Steve Maraboli

Here I am again writing to you while sitting amongst piles of “someday soon,” “That’s interesting I want to read it,” as well as “I wonder why I have that,” stuff. I have always suffered with having more interest and curiosity than time to do it all. At least in my outside life I have finally recognized that I can’t do it all and so say no more often these days than I say yes. The amazing thing is that the result has been more time to pursue those important but not critical things that are always there waiting for attention.

I have had a number of recent conversations with folks who often have more on their plate than they like but who have yet to find out how to commit to less in order to do more. At breakfast a couple of days ago I shared with a good friend that once I found I could leave things to others and move on my life got better and I even became more effective as my time was focused on what I could do rather than being frustrated by people who were afraid to do very much.

I was glad to have finally realized that there were others smarter and more qualified than me, that I could not do it all, and my walking away really in most cases did not make that much difference. The realization allowed me to comfortably let go, something I had always avoided doing in the past. If you have trouble letting go heed the following advice and you might find reprograming your life may be one of the best things you ever did.

To Let Go

To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization that I can’t control another.

To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another, it’s to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care for, but to care about.

To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To let go is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to criticize, or regulate anyone, but to try to become what I dream I can do.

To let go is to fear less, and to love more.

Author Unknown

~~~

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.”

Lao Tzu

~~~

From kids test papers, essays, etc. The spellings are the original ones.

*H2O is hot water, and CO2 is cold water.

*When you smell an oderless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide.

*Water is composed of two gins, Oxygin and Hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is water and gin.

*A super saturated solution is one that holds more than it can hold.

*Momentum: What you give a person when they are going away.

*Vacuum: A large, empty space where the pope lives.

*A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is.

*For a nosebleed: Put the nose much lower that the heart until the heart stops.

*For head colds: use an agonizer to spray the nose until it drops in your throat.

*Germinate: To become a naturalized German.

*The tides are a fight between the Earth and moon. All water tends towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

~~~

What this country needs today is fewer experts on what this country needs.

~~~

Jill and Nadine hadn’t seen each other in awhile, so they decided to meet for lunch.  The talk naturally got around to their respective love lives.  Jill confided that there really wasn’t anyone special in her life. Nadine, 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’?” Jill asked.

Nadine replied, “No, he said ‘put your money away’

~~~

Birthdays are good. The more you have, the longer you live.

~~~

A guy about to tee off was approached by a man who held out a card that read, “I am a deaf mute. May I please play through?”

The first man gave the card back, angrily shaking his head, and saying, “No, you CANNOT play through.” He assumed the guy read lips so he mouthed, “I can’t believe you would try to use your handicap to your own advantage like that! Shame on you!”

The deaf man walked away and the first man whacked the ball onto the green and then walked off to finish the hole. Just as he was about to put the ball into the hole he was hit in the head with a golf ball that knocked him out cold. When he came to a few minutes later, he looked around and saw the deaf mute sternly looking at him, one hand on his hip, the other hand holding up four fingers.

~~~

“The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.”

Ivy Baker

~~~

A terrific explosion occurs in a gunpowder factory, and once all the mess has been cleared up, and inquiry begins.

One of the few survivors is pulled up to make a statement. “Okay Simpson,” says the investigator, “you were near the scene – what happened ?”

“Well, it’s like this. Old Charley Higgins was in the mixing room, and I saw him take a cigarette out of his pocket and light up.”

“He was smoking in the mixing room ?” the investigator said in stunned horror, “How long had he been with the company?”

“About 20 years, sir”

“20 years in the company, then he goes and strikes a match in the mixing room, I’d have thought it would have been the last thing he’d have done.”

“It was, sir.”

~~~

“Don’t let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries.”

Astrid Alauda

~~~

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.

I wish you peace of mind

“The punishment of every disordered mind is its own disorder.”

Augustine of Hippo

 

Good morning, I hope all is well with you and that you are finding some semblance of peace of mind these days. I know many do not but in my view a lot of their turmoil is self-inflicted in part. Some of us seem to have developed impatience even to the point of a quick-to-anger style. I feel sorry for those who find little peace for there is not much happiness in anxiety and anger.

As I was thinking about peace-of-mind I remembered a conversation with a friend who now holds a key national position who at one time felt she had to respond quickly to whatever situation she was in. Often her rapid response polarized conversations and created so much negative energy that her mind was left in turmoil. Fortunately my friend has gone from a time when she was seldom effective to now where she is one of the most effective people I know and has a positive national reputation. The secret of her success, patience, after she added at least a 10 second delay to beginning her comments or actions, she was no longer driven by a need to rush to judgment but rather allowed her mind to provide reasoned answers.

When I started to think about the value of some level of mental tranquility I went to my trusty computer in search of some wisdom to share. Here is one piece I found on the SuccessConsciousness webpage that I think has value.

Tips for Inner Peace and Balance

1. The moments immediately after awakening are important, as they often influence the mood of the day. These moments have to be used correctly.

After waking up in the morning, instead of thinking about the difficulties or tasks that are awaiting you, smile, and tell yourself what a wonderful day you are going to have. Think about the pleasant things you are going to do or experience, not the about the difficulties. Repeat to yourself several times that today you are going to maintain inner balance, common sense and peace of mind.

2. From the moment you wake up in the morning, until you go to sleep at night, try to maintain some degree of emotional detachment. This does not mean being indifferent or uncaring. It means not reacting immediately to situations, words, emotions or thoughts. It might not be so easy, but if you persevere, you will win. Take a few deep breaths or count to 10 before acting. This will, to some extent, calm you down.

3. If someone tells you something that you don’t like, instead of getting insulted or retorting in anger, hold and delay your reaction. I do not mean that you fret and boil inside you, and just remain calm on the outside. This is not healthy. What I mean is that you look at the incident in a broader perspective. Is what the other person saying really important? Why do his or her words mean so much to you? Maybe he or she are right, and it would be wise to heed their words and opinion, instead of reacting in anger?

4. When encountering a problem or a failure, this could be sometimes devastating. At these times, always remember that if you descend into a valley, but keep walking on, sooner or later, you will arrive to a point, where you will start climbing up again. No matter what happens, remember that there is always a way out. After every fall, there is rising up again. This understanding will help you restore your inner peace and balance in these situations.

5. Developing inner strength, and the ability to make the mind quiet, through concentration exercises, meditation and detachment, will take you a long way toward attaining and maintaining a state of inner peace and balance.

~~~

“Peace of mind arrives the moment you come to peace with the contents of your mind.”

Rasheed Ogunlaru

~~~

Two dogs were walking down the street.  The one dog says to the other, “Wait here a minute, Herb, I’ll be right back.” He walks across the street and sniffs this fire hydrant for a couple minutes, then walks back across the street.

The other dog, Herb, says, “So, what was all that about?”

The dog first dog says, “Oh, nothing much. I was just checking my messages.”

~~~

“Being over the hill is lots better than being under it!”

~~~

A priest is repairing a fence surrounding his parish. He notices a small boy is standing nearby for a long time. The priest finally asks him, “Do you want to speak with me, my son?”

“Oh, no. I’m just waiting.”

“Well, waiting for what?” came the priest’s reply.

“Waiting to hear what a priest says when he hits his finger with a hammer.”

~~~

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.

Mahatma Gandhi

~~~

Two men went moose hunting every winter without success.  Finally, they came up with a fool-proof plan.

They got a very authentic female moose costume and learned the mating call of a female moose. The plan was to hide in the costume, lure the bull, then come out of the costume and shoot it. They set themselves up on the edge of a clearing, donned their costume, and began to give the moose love call. Before long, their call was answered as a bull came crashing out of the forest and into the clearing. When the bull was close enough, the guy in front said, “Okay, let’s get out and get him.”

After a moment that seemed like an eternity, the guy in the    back shouts, “The $%^&#% zipper is stuck! What are we going to do?”

The guy in the front says, “Well, I’m going to start nibbling grass, but you?   You’d better brace yourself.”

~~~

Time flies whether or not you’re having fun.

~~~

Morris bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying . “Free to good home, You want it — you take it”. For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it….

Eventually, Morris decided that people were too untrusting of the deal, that it looked “too good to be true”… So he changed the sign to read “Fridge for sale — $150”. The next day someone stole it.

~~~

If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.

Rachel Carson

~~~

A plane leaves Los Angeles airport under the control of a Jewish captain. His copilot is Chinese. It’s the first time they’ve flown together and an awkward silence between the two seems to indicate a mutual dislike. Once they reach cruising altitude, the Jewish captain activates the auto pilot, leans back in his seat, and mutters, I don’t like Chinese.”

“No rike Chinese?” asks the copilot, “why not?”

“You people bombed Pearl Harbor, that’s why!”

“No, no,” the copilot protests, “Chinese not bomb Peahl Hahbah! That Japanese, not  Chinese.”

“Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese… doesn’t matter, you’re all like!”

There’s a few minutes of silence. “No rike Jews!” the copilot suddenly announces.

“Why not?” asks the captain.

“Jews sink Titanic,” the copilot responds.

“Jews didn’t sink the Titanic!” exclaims the captain, “It was an iceberg!”

“Iceberg, Goldberg, Greenberg, Rosenberg, no mattah… all same”

~~~

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

~~~

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.

Nobody is perfect and I am glad I am not.

A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.

John Henry Newman

 

I am beginning to wonder about myself, OK I am not really beginning I continue to wonder about myself. I am not sure it is really me who seems to be on the path to even further physical fitness activity. I thought I was immortal but maybe I have just been reincarnated, just the mind as the body is still the same. It is probably like someone told me recently that one of the benefits of old age besides the senior discounts is that you can sin and not worry about it since you’ll forget anyway. I am pretty sure that the sin part does not apply because I can’t think of any that I could do, but the memory part I know is true so maybe I won’t remember to do follow through.

I know one thing and that is there is not enough time left for me to achieve anything near physical perfection. However fortunately I learned years ago that perfectionism is usually another word for procrastination. Here is an article by Paula Eder, Ph.D. The Time Finder Expert, explaining why I say that.

Perfectionism Holding You Hostage?

One of the great illusions about perfectionism is that it is the pursuit of excellence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Excellence is stymied and smothered by perfectionism.

Our time, our energy, our self-esteem … these are much too precious to waste on perfectionism. How often have you experienced the frustration of trying to get something ‘just right’, only to feel discouragement grow … as your day slips away and you continue to tweak, re-tweak and not finish? Do you really want to be constantly telling yourself that what you do is not good enough?

Well, the good news is that this is something that you can absolutely step in and stop. Instead of letting perfectionism hold you hostage you can learn to use these 3 powerful retorts to the debilitating, perfectionistic messages that you currently give yourself. And even better, as you get more adept at countering these messages, they lose their power. Eventually you will hear them less and less from yourself. Imagine the energy and creativity that you will be able to access!

 

So here are those 3 debilitating messages … and the 3 powerful retorts that will help you break free!

Perfectionist Message #1: ‘I need to wait for just the right time to get started.’ This will trip you up right from the get go. And isn’t it interesting to consider … What exactly is the ‘right time’? Brainstorm the possibilities. Maybe you believe the right time will be when: You feel inspired. You have more free time. There are no distractions.

In all of these examples, you are giving yourself the message that something additional is needed before you can begin. This makes what you do dependent on something you have no control over … AND it makes you feel a lot less powerful.

Powerful Retort: ‘The right time is right now.’ ‘Now’ is what you have to work with. Schedule the time on your calendar or to-do list and start in. Like jumping into in a cool lake, once you take that plunge, you can enjoy the swim. (And, conversely, until you take the plunge, you can’t!)

Perfectionist Message #2: ‘It is not perfect yet.’ If this is something you often say, ask yourself these questions: What do you consider perfect? Is it really attainable? Whose eyes are you seeing your project (and yourself) through?

Powerful Retort: ‘Done is better than perfect’ or ‘It is good enough.’ Letting go is often a challenge, but remember that with many things, there is a process involved. The journey has many steps … and the pleasure of accomplishment increases your self-confidence and satisfaction in your work!

Perfectionist Message #3: ‘I know I can make it better.’ Maybe this is true, and you are aware that you may have certain weak areas. This is a place where endless time can be wasted tweaking something.

Powerful Retort: ‘I will ask for feedback.’ This is empowering and powerful in 3 important ways:

1. Others bring fresh eyes, so they can quickly see mistakes or oversights.

2. Delegating this will free up your time so you can move on to your next task.

3. You are embracing others’ viewpoints rather than trying to avoid this by creating something ‘perfect.’ The more you welcome input, the less you fear others’ responses. This is far and away one of the most powerful ways to fight perfectionism.

So, the nagging, controlling voice that is perfectionism isn’t about excellence. It is a way that each of us bullies ourselves into frozen, fear-filled paralysis. You don’t have to subject yourself to that … ever again. Instead, counter those doubts and debilitating messages, celebrate your power to be productive, and enjoy your new success at finding time!

~~~

Unless I accept my faults I will most certainly doubt my virtues.

Hugh Prather

~~~

A man was going up to bed, when his wife told him he’d left the light on in the garden shed – she could see it from the bedroom window. But he said that he hadn’t been in the shed that day. He looked himself, and there were people in the shed, stealing things. He rang the police, but they told him that no-one was in his area, so no-one was available to catch the thieves. He said ok, hung up, counted to 30 and rang the police again.

“Hello. I just rang you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed? Well, you don’t have to worry about them now, I’ve just shot them all.” Within five minutes there were half a dozen police cars in the area, an Armed Response unit, the works. Of course, they caught the burglars red-handed. One of the policemen said to this man: “I thought you said you’d shot them!”

He replied: “I thought you said there was no-one available!”

~~~

“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.”

Lloyd Alexander

~~~

A young man is reported to have approached the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (one of the great musical prodigies of all time), and asked, “Herr Mozart, I have the ambition to write symphonies and perhaps you can advise me how to get started.”

Mozart said, “The best advice I can give you is to wait until you are older and more experienced, and try your hand at less ambitious pieces to begin with.”

The young man looked astonished. “But, Herr Mozart, you yourself wrote symphonies when you were considerably younger than I.”

“Ah,” said Mozart, “but I did so without asking advice.”

~~~

Teacher: “Remember, Class — Nothing Is Impossible.”

Melissa: “What about squeezing all the toothpaste out of the tube and putting it back in again?”

~~~

The Minister, after listening to an impromptu campaign speech, “Before I vote for you for sheriff, I’d like to know if you partake of intoxicating beverages?”

Candidate for sheriff, “Before I answer, tell me if this is an inquiry or an invitation.”

~~~

Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.

Denis Waitley

~~~

On a street, where the speed is limited to 30 mph the police stop a driver.

“Not only have you been driving too fast, you’ve been passing cars where it is not allowed.  Your lights don’t work, your tires all completely worn out. This is surely going to cost you a lot.  What’s your name?”

“Schtrathewisizeski Vocgefastilongchinic”, replied the foreign driver.

“Well, I’ll let you go this time but don’t do it again.”

~~~

“The maxim, “Nothing prevails but perfection,” may be spelled PARALYSIS.”

 Winston Churchill

~~~

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.

I Love my life, you will yours too one day

“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.”

Robert Browning

 

Ray left early this morning on special assignment and left it up to me to locate a previous Daily and send it to you. Oh and I almost forgot, he wanted me to tell you to have a great weekend.

Ray’s Computer

~~~

Ray’s Daily first published on August 24, 2005

I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find – at the age of fifty, say – that a whole new life has opened before you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about…It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thoughts was rising in you.

Agatha Christie

~~~

I think my second blooming came when I became unimportant. These days I lead nothing, chair nothing, and get to work in the trenches with some of the best people I ever met. Over my lifetime, either by luck, skill, or default I have been given a wide variety of responsibilities. A career in the computer industry, appointments to civic organization boards, a stint in the Health Planning movement, fulfilling various governmental appointments, working with UNICEF and Kiwanis have all provided me numerous opportunities to contribute.

As the years have gone by I was constantly surprised when I was offered the chance to serve as well as grateful for the chance to do something of value. The problem with these assignments is that they also carry with them responsibility, sometimes to lead, sometimes to create, and sometimes just to be there. The years shoot by as you meet one commitment after another without any time to just stop and look around. It was important that you do this and important that you do that, pretty soon you are almost convinced that it is you that is important.

Currently I celebrate the fact that all that is behind me. I have enough awards, plaques, and pictures with people who are truly important. These days I get to spend some time with people like a recent immigrant from Russia who wants to work in the arts as she did in Moscow, she has decided to clean houses, wash floors, and baby sit rather than take a job that kept her from following her heart, she is one of those special people that I would never have met in the past. She is but one, there are so many others and I love having the time to sit and get to know them. I also enjoy that I am now able to learn new things just to fulfill my curiosity, versus having to learn something because it was required in order to contribute during the next meeting or event.

I currently serve on no boards nor do I chair any committees, I don’t even serve on any. I just do some of the little things I couldn’t or wouldn’t do in the past. So when you see me taking tickets at a festival to benefit the performing arts, or at a class, or just hanging out with others, I will understand your envy, I just am sorry I waited so long to be unimportant.

~~~

Live your life and forget your age.

Norman Vincent Peale:

~~~

Sadie bumps into her friend Rachel at the mall.

“You’re looking very tired today, Rachel. Did you have a late night?”

“Yes,” replies Rachel, “but it was all very strange. While doing some gardening yesterday, I found a lamp, so I rubbed it and out popped a genie. He gave me a choice of two wishes.”

“Wow, fantastic,” says Sadie, “so what were the choices he gave you, Rachel?”

“He said he could either give me an excellent, sharp, 100% memory or else he could make my Harry the best lover in the world.”

“So tell me already, Rachel, what did you choose?”

“I can’t remember,” replies Rachel.

~~~

A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.

Robert Frost

~~~

To Whom it May Concern:

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year old again.

I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them. I want to play dodgeball at recess and paint with watercolors in art. I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer’s day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. Somewhere in our youth, we matured and learned too much. There are nuclear weapons, war, prejudice, and abused children. Lies, unhappy marriages, illness, pain, and death. A world where companies poison our water and our soil, and children kill.

What happened to the time when we thought that everyone would live forever, because we didn’t grasp the concept of death? When the worst thing in the world was if someone took the jump rope from you or picked you last for kickball. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to return to the days when children played hide-n-seek outside instead of being glued to a television, when video games were as harmless as Pac-Man…instead of spine-ripping, blood-splattering mind numbers like Mortal Combat, and TV still had some shows on that weren’t about sex, killing, and lies.

I remember being naive and thinking everyone was happy because I was. Afternoons were spent climbing trees and fences and riding my bike. I never worried about time, bills, or where I was going to find the money to fix my car. I used to wonder what I was going to do or be when I grew up, not worry about what I’ll do if this doesn’t work out. I want to live simple again.

I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones. I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So…. here’s my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, ’cause. . .     “Tag! You’re it.”

~~~

One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship with other human beings as we take our place among them.

Virginia Woolf

~~~

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.

Don’t give up!

I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.

Jewish Proverb

 

The other day I made a pitch for allowing tranquility into our lives — at least for a little bit whenever we can. In a meeting I had yesterday morning with a new friend from another nation I again realized how elusive tranquility can be when our burdens become almost too much to carry.

Unfortunately adversity befalls almost all of us at one time or another. More often than not we let it get to us when in reality it is either imagined or transient — soon to pass into history. But like in my new friends case it occasionally can be real and debilitating. Sometimes, like in my periodic health interruptions they are events that we have to live with and wait out while making life adjustments so they can be tolerated or ignored.

In other cases it requires us to take action to neutralize its impact on our lives. In reality it often takes perseverance, confidence and even courage to avoid being taken down. I know one thing, there is little hope for us if we just give up wallowing in self-pity or sorrow. Adversity cannot be ignored, it is real and how we deal with it often determines the difference between happiness and regret. Here is something I picked up from the Coaching Newsletter that I liked; if you need aid as I sometimes do I hope it will be of help.

 

Ten Ways to Handle Adversity

We’ve all experienced difficult times in our work or home lives, often through events and circumstances outside our control. But like great trees, humans grow stronger when exposed to powerful winds. Here are 10 suggestions for dealing with the hard times when they happen.

1. Take responsibility. Assume an “I can do something” attitude rather than pointing fingers. If nothing else, you can control your own response to the situation.

2. Limit the focus. Don’t let the problem become all encompassing. When you compartmentalize the difficulty, you can focus on a workable solution.

3. Be optimistic. The ultimate belief in life as positive, even with hard-times and troubles, will result in positive behaviors and positive actions.

4. Think creatively. Approach the problem from new and different directions. Trust your creativity.

5. Have courage. Having courage doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. It means that you don’t let the fear get in the way of doing what you need to do.

6. Take action. Handling the day-to-day details can keep you from getting bogged down in the mud of adversity. Determine what can be done, and do it.

7. Take the long-range view. Remember that “this too shall pass.” Recount other times when you have overcome challenges.

8. Maintain a sense of humor. Even in the darkest times, laughter can help ease the pain.

9. Get support. No need to do it alone. Ask for help.

10. Don’t quit. Persistence may be the greatest of human qualities that help us overcome adversity. Consider how water smoothes stones and wind sculpts cliffsides.

~~~

Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.

Ralph Blum

~~~

Here’s the exercise program I use to use to stay in shape in the summer. You might want to take it easy at first, then do it faster as you become more proficient.  It may be too strenuous for some.

*Always Consult Your Doctor Before Starting Any Exercise Program*

Okay, let’s start…. Scroll Down…

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Now Scroll Up…

Okay….that’s enough for the first day! Drink some water and rest.

~~~

A doctor examined a woman, took the husband aside, and said, “I don’t like the looks of your wife at all,”

“Me neither doc,” said the husband. “But she’s a great cook and really good with the kids.

~~~

After a young couple brought their new baby home, the wife suggested that her husband should try his hand at changing diapers. “I’m busy,” he said, “I’ll do the next one.”

The next time came around and she asked again. The husband looked puzzled,

“Oh! I didn’t mean the next diaper. I meant the next baby!”

~~~

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.”

Ingrid Bergman

~~~

The wife heard her husband come back into the house not too long after he had left.

She said, “Hon, I thought you were going to your lodge meeting.”

“It was postponed.” he replied. “The wife of the Grand Exalted Invincible Supreme Potentate wouldn’t let him attend tonight.”

~~~

Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

~~~

A first grade teacher collected well known proverbs. She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb and asked them to come up with the rest.

Strike while the …………………….bug is close.

It’s always darkest before………………Daylight Saving Time.

Never underestimate the power of……….termites.

Don’t bite the hand that………………..looks dirty.

You can’t teach an old dog new…………..math.

If you lie down with dogs, you’ll…………stink in the morning.

Where there’s smoke there’s……………..pollution.

Happy the bride who……………………..gets all the presents.

A penny saved is…………………………not much.

Two’s company, three’s………………….the Musketeers.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and….you have to blow your nose.

There are none so blind as……………….Stevie Wonder.

If at first you don’t succeed…………….don’t skydive.

When the blind leadeth the blind………….get out of the way.

Better late than………………………pregnant!!!!

~~~

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

~~~

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 Life

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Maria Robinson

 

Yesterday was pretty full and today is loaded and will test my capacity. But it will be good for I have a meeting with a new friend from Africa who is a welcome addition to our community. In addition I will search the pile, find the parts, weld them together and then lock in the adventures I will pursue in the weeks ahead. In that spirit here is a poem for both of us to enjoy and maybe inspire.

 

Live Life

Life is crazy, and totally unpredictable…

It’s going to push you over,

kick you while you’re down

and hit you when you try to get back up.

Not everything can beat you.

Things are going to change you,

But you get to choose which ones you let change you.

Listen to your heart, Follow your dreams,

And let no one tell you what you’re capable of.

Push the limits, Bend the rules,

And enjoy every minute of it.

Laugh at everything,

Live for as long as you can.

Love all, But trust none.

Believe in yourself,

And never lose faith in others

Settle for nothing but only the best,

And give 110% in everything you do.

Take risks, Live on the edge, Yet stay safe,

And cherish every moment of it.

Life is a gift,

Appreciate all the rewards,

And jump on every opportunity.

Not everyone’s going to love you

But who needs them anyways.

Challenge everything,

And fight for what you believe.

Back down to nothing,

But give in to the little things in life,

After all, that is what makes you.

Forget the unnecessary,

But remember everything,

Bring it with you everywhere you go.

Learn something new,

And appreciate criticism.

Hate nothing, But dislike what you want.

Never forget where you came from,

And always remember where you are going.

Live Life to its fullest,

And have a reason for everything,

Even if it’s totally insane.

Find Your purpose in life, and Live it!

~~~

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Howard Thurman

~~~

The shoe dealer was hiring a clerk.  “Suppose,” he said, “a lady customer were to remark while you were trying to fit her, ‘Don’t you think one of my feet is bigger than the other?’ What would you say?”

“I would say, ‘On the contrary, Ma’am, one is smaller than the other.’ ”

“The job is yours.”

~~~

Everybody repeat after me: “We are all individuals!”

~~~

Morty and Sarah had just returned home from a party. Sarah said, “Do you realize what you did tonight, Morty?”

“No I don’t,” Morty replied, “But I’ll admit I was wrong. What did I do?”

~~~

Sign in a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

~~~

One night a blonde nun was praying in her room when God appeared before her. “My daughter, you have pleased me greatly. Your heart is full of love for your fellow creatures and your actions and prayers are always for the benefit of others. I have come to you, not only to thank and commend you, but to grant you anything you wish,” said God. “Dear Heavenly Father, I am perfectly happy. I am a bride of Christ. I am doing what I love. I lack for nothing material since the Church supports me. I am content in all ways,” said the nun.

“There must be something you would have of me,” said God.

“Well, there is one thing,” she said.

“Just name it,” said God.

“It’s those blond jokes. They are so demeaning to blondes everywhere, not just to me. I would like for blond jokes to stop.”

“Consider it done,” said God. “Blonde jokes shall be stricken from the minds of humans everywhere. But surely there is something that I could do just for you.”

“There is one thing. But it’s really small, and not worth your time,” said the nun.

“Name it. Please,” said God.

“It’s the M&M’s,” said the nun. “They’re so hard to peel.”

~~~

It goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows.

Erma Bombeck

~~~

The little boy wasn’t getting good marks in school. One day he made the teacher quite surprised. He tapped her on the shoulder and said, “I don’t want to scare you, but my daddy says if I don’t get better grades, somebody is going to get a spanking.”

~~~

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

~~~

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.

Make time for tranquility

“It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.”

Marcus Aurelius

 

I was talking to a friend yesterday who leads a highly active professional and private life. In fact it is so busy she finds herself so constantly surrounded by her immediate family, clients, and colleagues that she longs for being able to have just a little quiet time for herself once in a while. I shared with her that I thought that being able to drop out, even for a few minutes to visit with our thoughts and to be able to take a leisurely look at our world is great therapy.

In fact I think one of the greatest things that life has to offer if we are willing to take it is tranquility. Don’t you love the word? It means a state of peace and quiet. Of course I am like everyone else I know, my life is often filled with action and even turmoil, the secret is to not let it fill all our waking moments leaving no time to spend enjoying an untroubled state; free from disturbances.

The good news is that with self-discipline and practice it can become the best medicine we can take. Here is a Taoism approach that I copied from Positive Thoughts that I think has value that I thought I would share with you today for it can lead to tranquility.

 

START THE WAY

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river

•Tao − “the way”, “the path” is often represented by water because water always seeks the path of least resistance, yet is strong enough to demolish even stone when no other recourse is available. everything below flows from this.

Here are 10 guides to the Way. To live them is to follow the Simple Tao as I see it, where it is up to us to tell the story, each in our own small way.

1.Make your goal effortless action − avoid unnecessary action or action that is not spontaneous.

2.Treasure simplicity − eliminate whatever is unnecessary and artificial and appreciate the simple and the apparently ordinary.

3.Cultivate stillness − only stillness will clear muddy waters and enable you to see the truth.

4.Be patient − can you remain unmoving until the right action arises?

5.Be gentle − love peace and restraint and avoid all unnecessary violence. “do not regard weapons as lovely things, for to think them lovely means to delight in them, and to delight in them means to delight in the slaughter of men.”

6.See beauty − in the mundane and the normal. Apreciate the beauty around you and in yourself.

7.Be true − dedicate your life only to that which you find beautiful or fascinating, and thus be true to yourself.

8.Live in the moment − feel the hand of time sweeping past second by second.

9.Be happy − to conduct one’s life according to the Tao, is to conduct one’s life without regrets.

10.Be compassionate and honor life − only those who are compassionate and treasure life in all its forms can show true bravery and acquire true wisdom.

~~~

“Our life depends on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like. If our attention is turned to the circumstances in which we live, we are drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and can have neither peace nor tranquility.”

Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

~~~

Old Abraham was a poor tailor whose shop was next door to a very upscale French restaurant. Every day at lunch time, Abraham would go out the back of his shop and eat his black bread and herring while smelling the wonderful odors coming from the restaurant’s kitchen. But one day, Abraham was surprised to receive an invoice from the restaurant for ‘enjoyment of food’. So he went to the restaurant to point out that he had not bought anything from them. The manager said, “You’re enjoying our food, so you should pay us for it.” Abraham refused to pay and the restaurant sued him.

At the hearing, the judge asked the restaurant to present their side of the case. The manager said, “Every day, this man comes and sits outside our kitchen and smells our food while eating his. It is clear that we are providing added value to his poor food and we deserve to be compensated for it.”

The judge turns to Abraham and said, “What do you have to say to that?” Abraham didn’t say anything but stuck his hand in his pocket and rattled the few coins he had inside. The judge asked him, “What is the meaning of that?”

Abraham replied, “I’m paying for the smell of his food with the sound of my money.”

~~~

There is one thing alone that stands the brunt of life throughout its course: a quiet conscience.

Euripedes

~~~

Mrs. Crumps was called to serve for jury duty, but asked to be excused because she didn’t believe in capital punishment and didn’t want her personal thoughts to prevent the trial from running its proper course. But the public defender liked her thoughtfulness and quiet calm, and tried to convince her that she was appropriate to serve on the jury.

“Madam,” he explained, “This is not a murder trial! It’s a simple civil lawsuit. A wife is bringing this case against her husband because he gambled away the $12,000 he had promised to use to remodel the kitchen for her birthday.”

“Well, okay,” agreed Mrs. Crumps, “I’ll serve. I guess I could be wrong about capital punishment after all.”

~~~

Hope is like a road in the country; there wasn’t ever a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.

Lin Yutang

~~~

A psychiatrist was trying to comfort a new patient who was terribly upset. “You see, Doc,” the patient explained, “my problem is that I like shoes much better than I like boots.” “Why, that’s not even a problem,” answered the doctor. “MOST people like shoes better than boots. Even I prefer shoes to boots.” The patient was elated, “That’s neat, Doc. How do you like them, fried or scrambled?”

~~~

“Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul. Where there is compassion even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless.”

Eric Hoffer

~~~

An Amish man answered a knock on his door one morning. An electric company worker handed him a piece of paper stating that the electric company would like to run a power line through his cow pasture. The Amish man said, “No, no you cannot.”

“Legally, that paper says we can.” replied the gruff worker. As he turned and left returning to his co-workers in the field, the Amish man went to his barn and turned his bull into the pasture. As the bull rumbled toward the workers in the field, the Amish farmer hollered, “Show him thy paper!”

~~~

“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing?”

Swami Satchidananda

~~~

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.

Yippee, a great day ahead!

One today is worth two tomorrows.

Benjamin Franklin

 

I hope your weekend was as good as ours was, It has been great here the last five or six days, cool weather and best of all it really rained. We needed it and it did a great job of cleaning the air and greening the landscape, in truth even though we can almost see autumn we have been blessed with spring like weather. Even the flowers and trees demonstrated their pleasure by coming back to life.

I got caught up on some of my backlog. I also attended a presentation on Friday that was made by one of my favorite achievers, she is an author, foundation head, world traveler, humanitarian and someone really special. We were even able to have one of our periodic catch-up lunches which I always enjoy.

Yesterday I breakfasted with an acquaintance visiting from Spain who does not want to just see what we all see but rather asked me to help him locate some volunteer opportunities that will let him get to really know our city and its people while doing some good for others. He has a broad base of skills and cultural knowledge and I know he will be an asset to those organizations he helps.

As usual some friends have departed and some others have resurfaced. The opportunities for service abound and fortunately I am even finding folks who have not joined in the irrational political warfare because they are too busy learning about the issues and proposed solutions.

And so my friends we start another week, mine is going to be great and I hope yours will be as well. In case you need some ideas about how to make it even better here are a few things I picked up from the Marc and Angel Hack Life blog.

 

Yesterday is history and tomorrow is merely a figment of your imagination.  So if you think about it, today is the only day you’re truly alive.  Here’s how to make it a good one:

• Get started a few minutes early.
• Work on something that’s meaningful to you.
• Spend time with positive, friendly people.
• Do something nice for someone else.
• Be present. Focus on where you are, what you’re doing and who you’re with right now.
• Listen to your self-talk.  When you hear negative thoughts, think about the positive side of things.
• Smile, even when there’s no pressing reason to do so.
• Go somewhere new.  See something new.  Meet someone new.
• Do something that makes you laugh.
• Clear a little clutter by getting rid of something you don’t need.
• Be honest with yourself and those around you.
• Don’t compare yourself to others.  Instead, let them inspire you.
• Keep an open mind to new ideas and information.
• Stay out of other people’s drama.  And don’t needlessly create your own.
• Say, “Please,” “Thank you,” “I’m sorry” and “I love you,” when you should.
• Don’t try to please everyone.  Just do what you know is right.
• Savor the natural joy of simple pleasures.
• Notice what’s right with the world.
• Focus on all the things you already have, think about them and appreciate them.

And remember, a smile is the most beautiful curve on the human body.  So go now and strut your stuff. 

~~~

Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best.

Henry Van Dyke

~~~

Mother: “Why are you home from school so early?”

Son: “I was the only one who could answer a question.”

Mother: “Oh, really? What was the question?

Son: “Who threw the eraser at the principal?”

~~~

He who angers you conquers you.

Elizabeth Kenny

~~~

She said: I have five siblings, three sisters and two brothers. One night I was chatting with my Mom about how she had changed as a mother from the first child to the last. She told me she had mellowed a lot over the years:

“When your oldest sister coughed or sneezed, I called the ambulance.”

“When your youngest brother swallowed a dime, I just told him it was coming out of his allowance.”

~~~

If all is not lost, where is it?

~~~

An evangelist had a great revival camp going.  One night he was up in front of a large audience, speaking on imperfection.  He asked his audience towards the end, “Has anyone ever known anyone who has come CLOSE to the perfection of our lord, Jesus Christ?”  Nobody, of course raised their hand.  So he issued the question again.  “Anybody! Has ANYONE ever known that kind of perfection?”

Finally a guy in the back raised his hand, so of course he was asked to stand up. “Tell us.  Tell us who you knew who was so close to perfection.”

The man responded, “My wife’s first husband.”

~~~

Why do you need an appointment to see a psychic?

~~~

A mother traveled 2,000 miles to be with her only son on the day he was to receive his Air Force wings and also get married. “It was wonderful,” she said later.  “It isn’t every day that a mother watches her son receive his wings in the morning and have them clipped in the evening.”

~~~

I don’t have a big ego; I’m way too cool for that.

~~~

In a recent survey, 60 percent of respondents said the cities where they live is noisier now than they were five years ago. The other 40 percent didn’t hear the question.

~~~

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

George Bernard Shaw

~~~

A grandmother had taken her two grandchildren out for lunch and boy did they misbehave! On the way home one of them, the 7 year old girl asked, “Grandmother, will you tell Mother how we acted?”

The self-righteous grandmother answered, “No, but if she should ask, I can’t lie.”

To which her little grandson said, “What do you mean you can’t lie? I’m only 5 years old, and I can lie great.

~~~

As you grow older, you’ll find the only things you regret are the things you didn’t do.

Zachary Scott

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

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