Ray's Daily

Boy are we fortunate

Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.

Garrison Keillor

These are troubled times for many, if not most people in our world. Violence, pestilence, poverty, and even famine are more the norm than the exception. When I stop and see how bad it is for so many I again realize how fortunate most of us really are.

I don’t know about you but it helps me recognize that my life is really great. When I focus on what I do have instead of what I don’t have the picture looks pretty good. I think many of us take the good life for granted, not understanding just how well off we are.

Blogger Henrik Edberg recently published his list of things to be grateful for. I bet most of the things on his list would also be on yours. Here in part is what he wrote:

 

Simple Things You Can Be Grateful for Even When Times are Tough

Maybe not every item on this list works in your life, then take what works from here and create and add to put together your own list.

A roof over my head and a warm home.

I live in Sweden, a country where the winters are cold and snowy and the fall and often spring can be quite rainy. So I often return to this one. Few things feel better than to reflect upon having warm home and a roof over my head when it is cold and windy outside and I can hear the rain beating hard on my window.

Plenty of drinkable water.

I love water and drink plenty of it every day. It is certainly something I take for granted from time to time. But it is not a given. 780 million people lack access to safe drinking water according to water.org.

I don’t have to go hungry.

Plus, most of things I cook and/or eat are quite tasty and healthy. And sometimes they are simply wonderful. So I have much to be grateful for when it comes to food.

I can enjoy the small and free pleasures of life.

A sunrise. A relaxing walk in the woods. A cool swim in the ocean. A crisp Autumn day when the trees are filled with leaves of vibrant and spectacular colors. The sun warming my face after many days of the sky being filled with dreary, gray clouds.

Access to the internet.

When I was really young back in the 80’s and 90’s and you wanted to learn about something then you had to ask someone who may have had spotty knowledge. Or you had to visit the local library and maybe there was a book or magazine about it.

Things are so different now and even though it is just a part of everyday life it still amazing. I can learn about pretty much anything online. I can add new skills and habits to make my life happier and more awesome with the help of what other people share online.

And there is the opportunity to connect with and get to know people from all around the world.

My friends and family.

For the love, support, kindness and all the fun that they offer and I get to offer them.

My health.

I do not have the indestructible body of Superman. But if I treat it well and get plenty of sleep, work out and eat healthy then it works really wonderfully well almost all the time. Sure, I get sick sometimes.

But overall I have very, very much to be thankful for that I often take for granted about my body and how it helps me to do everything – see, listen, walk, write, hug, kiss, think and experience my world – every day.

The setbacks that have formed me and made me stronger.

I have been really ill a few times in my life and these experiences has made me stronger mentally and given me the gift of being very appreciative of modern medicine and of my own body and taking good care of it.

I am alive.

I have like everyone else been in situations where an accident and being in the wrong place for just a few seconds could have meant I would not have been here anymore. If I had been born in another time or in another place then there is a big chance that I would not have been here to experience my 33:rd birthday.But I am here now. I have this moment and day and hopefully many days still to experience and live my life. It is an amazing thing.

~~~

“Let’s choose today to quench our thirst for the ”good life” we thinks others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts.”

Sarah Ban Breathnach

~~~

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.”

~~~

A friend: someone who likes you even after they know you.

~~~

A naive young gal was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn, she rolled the dice and she landed on “Science & Nature”.  Her question was, “If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?”

She thought for a time and then asked, “Is it on or off?”

~~~

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

~~~

You have just received the Amish computer virus. Because we don’t have any computers, or programming experience, this virus works on the honor system. Please delete all the files from your hard drive and hand-deliver this virus to everyone on your mailing list.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

The Amish Computer Engineering Department

~~~

Why is it that night falls but day breaks?

~~~

Mary and Bill go to an art gallery.  They find a picture of a naked woman with only her privates covered with leaves.  Mary doesn’t like it and moves on but Bill keeps standing there and looking.

Mary asks, “What are you waiting for?”

Bill replies, “Autumn.”

~~~

“Make a bet every day, otherwise you might walk around lucky and never know it.”

Jimmy Jones

~~~

A little rural town had one of the highest birth rates in the country and this phenomenon attracted the attention of the sociologists at the state university. They wrote a grant proposal; got a huge chunk of money; moved to town; set up their computers; got squared away; and began designing their questionnaires and such.

While the staff was busy getting ready for their big research effort, the project director decided to go to the local drugstore for a cup of coffee.  He sat down at the counter, ordered his coffee, and while he was drinking it, he told the druggist what his purpose was in town, then asked him if he had any idea why the birth rate was so high.

“Sure,” said the druggist. “Every morning the six o’clock train comes through here and blows for the crossing.  It wakes everybody up, and, well, it’s too late to go back to sleep, and it’s too early to get up.”

~~~

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

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.

 

Your happiness is up to you

“I don’t want to earn my living; I want to live.”

Oscar Wilde

 

 Yesterday I had coffee with someone I hope will become a new friend. He is highly educated, still young and is interested in serving others. He is in a temporary job right now that provides him the opportunity to build bridges between folks who would benefit from some wise health council and people who have the ability to provide it. As I listened I thought he was fortunate to be able to work at a temporary way station that allows him the opportunity to lay out a plan for his future.

All he has to do is start deciding what that work might be. It may sound like an easy thing to do but for most of us it is not. Too many of us do not spend enough time understanding the details of a possible career that would assure job satisfaction and happiness. Many of us seem to be so enamored with salary, title and prestige that we don’t see appreciate how job content is most often the difference between a happy life and one filled with stress.

We need to see more than just the façade of what will consume most of our days and a substantial amount of our energy. We owe it to ourselves to look under the hood to see the details of our life’s work and all that goes with it. The prettiest car is often not the one that gives the most satisfaction, don’t be taken in by the shine, rather see if it will take you where you want to go.

Here is a story I especially like that was written by author Rich Powell that has meaning for me, does it for you as well?

Are you looking for a Cup or a Coffee?

A group of Computer Engineers, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups, some ordinary looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in their hands, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap looking ones. “While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and worse, you were eyeing each other’s cups.”

“Now if life is coffee , then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn’t change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it.”

So the moral of this story is……..don’t let the cups drive you, enjoy the coffee instead.

~~~

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

Dr. Seuss

~~~

A woman was chatting with her next-door neighbor. “I feel real good today. I started out this morning with an act of unselfish generosity. I gave a five dollar bill to a bum.”

“You mean you gave a bum five dollars? That’s a lot of money to give away like that. What did you husband say about it?”

“Oh, he thought it was a good thing to do and thanked me.”

~~~

A seminar on Time Travel will be held two weeks ago.

~~~

A man from the East Coast is visiting California for the first time, and is conversing with a California native. He says, “I’ll be visiting La Jolla (lah-JOLL-a) next week,” whereupon the Californian replies, “Oh, you mean, ‘La-*HOY-a’?”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess so.” Then he adds, “but right now I’m staying in El Cajon (el-ca-JOHN),” and again the Californian corrects him, “You mean, El Ca ‘HONE’?”

“Oh. Yeah, right.” Then the Californian asks, “So when will you be returning home?”

The East Coast guy thinks about it for a minute and then answers, “Oh, I don’t know, I guess sometime in ‘HUNE’ or ‘HULY’.”

~~~

Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone.

Anthony Burgess

~~~

Two rural church deacons who were having a sociable beer in the local tavern when they saw their minister drive by and take a good long look at their pickup trucks parked outside.

One deacon ducked down and said, “I hope the reverend didn’t see us or recognize my pickup.”

The other replied indifferently, “What difference does it make. God knows we’re in here… and he’s the only one who counts.”

The first deacon countered, “But God won’t tell my wife.”

~~~

“True friends are the people who walk in when the rest of the world is walking out.”

~~~

The man passed out in a dead faint as he came out of his front door onto the porch. Someone called 911. When the paramedics arrived, they helped him regain consciousness and asked if he knew what caused him to faint.

“It was enough to make anybody faint,” he said.

“My son asked me for the keys to the garage, and instead of driving the car out, he came out with the lawn mower.”

~~~

Why can you “slow up,” but you can’t “speed down.”?

~~~

A minister was planning a wedding at the close of the Sunday morning service.

After the benediction he had planned to call the couple down to be married for a brief ceremony before the congregation. For the life of him, he couldn’t think of the names of those who were to be married. “Will those wanting to get married please come to the front?” he requested.

Immediately, nine single ladies, three widows, four widowers, and six single men stepped to the front.

~~~

That’s about as useful as a football bat!

~~~

I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying, “Hi, how are you”?

I’m not the type to start a conversation in the restroom, but I don’t know what got into me, so I answered, somewhat embarrassed, “Doin’ just fine!”

And the other person says, “So what are you up to”?

What kind of question is that? At that point, I’m thinking this is too bizarre, so I say, “Uh, I’m like you, just traveling!”

At this point, I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question. “Can I come over”?

Okay, this question is just too weird for me, but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell them, “No, I’m a little busy right now!”

Then I hear the person say nervously, “Listen, I’ll have to call you back. The person in the other stall keeps answering all my questions.”

~~~

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.

Steve Jobs

~~~

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.

 

We need you, please take care of yourself

A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.

Spanish Proverb

I have been reminded recently of the importance of not letting yourself believe what you want things to be rather than what they are. I am thinking specifically of those who view their aches, pains and other distresses as probably being nothing to be concerned about. Over time many of us just accept the growing discomfort as we learn to tolerate what is going on. And for far too many the day of reckoning comes as they learn that their ailment has progressed to a very serious degree, some must go through severe remedial procedures while others face permanent disability or death.

I have had three potentially life threatening events in my life all of which were caught early enough to allow my recovery. I have a great set of Docs who established a base line while I was well who then jumped on any deviation during my regular checkups. These days seniors like me are even offered no-cost wellness visits with our primary care physicians that help us to understand our health choices.

It is not brave to ignore warning signs no matter how small they may be, in fact avoidance of medical advice is somewhat cowardly in my mind. So please take care of yourself. I need all the friends I can get. I found the following article on the Healthy Tribes blog and it pretty much outlines how I am working to avoid health problems while improving my sense of wellbeing. Since you are one of the most important people to me I want to share it with you.

 

How To Take Care Of Your Health

Our health is the most important factor that we need to give much attention to. When we get sick, everything around us is affected; our work, family, social life, and etc. That is why to stay healthy is very important so you can do anything that you want without any hassle. But most people say that taking care of your health could be expensive because you need to invest from it. Most people just get concerned of their health if they get sick but if they are healthy they don’t even care. But wouldn’t it be better if we maintain the good health that we have by preventing any sickness to develop? Now to help you fight sickness to develop, here are some of the things that you need to do.

Get Health Insurance

The very first thing that you need to secure if you can afford it is to get a personal health insurance. It’s either you get it privately or from the company that you work for, it doesn’t matter as long as you have health insurance. Your health insurance will not only save your life from sickness but also your pocket from possible expenses. If you have health insurance you don’t have to worry from medical and hospital bills because everything will be taken care of the insurance company.

Eat Healthy Food

Another way to protect you from getting sick is to eat healthy food, food that is rich in vitamins and nutrients. I’m actually referring to fruits and vegetables and other suggested healthy recipes. Avoid food that can cause you to develop serious illnesses like high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and many more, foods like fatty food, sweets, foods that are high in calories and carbohydrates.

Hit the Gym

Next thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy is to exercise. You can hit the gym if you want to have a proper fitness program. There you will have the chance to use fitness equipments that can help you lose weight and burn calories. You will invest time and money for this but it will be worth it because this is the best way to lose weight and become fit. This is also the best way to maintain your weight and size.

Stop Your Bad Habits

One of the main causes of sickness is vices such as alcohol, smoking, and drugs. If you have these kinds of vices, now is the right time to quit it. These harmful substances will not do you any good especially with your health. So, if you want to stay healthy, you need to stop your vices and start to develop a healthy lifestyle.

~~~

“Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”

Josh Billings

~~~

A young minister sitting down to dinner was about to say Grace when he opened the casserole dish that his thrifty bride had prepared from countless refrigerator leftovers.

“I don’t know,” he said dubiously. “It seems to me that we’ve blessed all this stuff before.”

~~~

I had amnesia once — or twice.

~~~

A minister decided to do something a little different one Sunday morning.

He said, “Today, in church, I am going to say a single word and you are going to help me preach. Whatever single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn that comes to your mind.

The pastor shouted out “CROSS.” Immediately the congregation started singing in unison, “THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.”

The pastor hollered out “GRACE.” The congregation began to sing “AMAZING GRACE, how sweet the sound.”

The pastor said “POWER.” The congregation sang “THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD”.

The Pastor said “SEX!” The congregation fell in total silence.

Everyone was in shock. They all nervously began to look around at each other afraid to say anything. Then all of a sudden, way from in the back of the church, a little old 87-year-old grandmother stood up and began to sing “PRECIOUS MEMORIES.”

~~~

We can’t change how we started out but starting now we can change the ending.

~~~

A colleague was planning a trip to my business office and asked if I could find him a hotel with exercise facilities. I called several hotels, with no luck.

Finally, I thought I had found one. I asked the receptionist if the hotel had a weight room.

“No,” she replied, “but we have a lobby. You can wait there.”

~~~

A rabbi took a job at a Duracell factory.

His job is to stand on the production line and as the batteries go by, say, “I wish you long life”

~~~

A friend, who worked away from home all week, always made a special effort with his family on the weekends. Every Saturday morning he would take his 7-year old granddaughter out for a drive in the car for some bonding time. Just he and his granddaughter.

One particular Sunday however, he had a bad cold and really didn’t feel like being up at all. Luckily, his wife came to the rescue and said that she would take their granddaughter out. When they returned, the little girl anxiously ran upstairs to see her grandfather.

“Well, did you enjoy your ride with grandma ?”

“Oh yes, PaPa” the girl replied, “and do you know what ? We didn’t see a single dumb bastard anywhere we went today !”

~~~

“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”

William Londen

~~~

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 have done it

“To insure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.”

William Londen

 

 

Just yesterday I wrote that I had rebalanced my obligations limiting my activities to what I thought I could handle. Then wouldn’t you know it I entered a one year health improvement program that includes nutrition, weight and health goals. There are about 20 in my group and we are going to meet weekly to learn, measure our progress and bare our souls. I am now committed to keeping a computer log of everything I eat and drink as well as logging all my exercise activity as I track my progress towards a fairly ambitious weight loss goal.

Since I have been exercising weekdays for some time I am not concerned about that. But in the past I have kept one of my favorite hobbies a secret from you, it is the result of my love of eating. I love new food, old food, dry food, wet food, raw food, cooked food and all ethnic varieties. Well that’s not totally true, I always agreed with Irma Bombeck when she said you could feed the whole city of Cleveland with a pound of calves liver and in truth there are few other foods that have yet to motivate me to further gluttony. But now I am back to discovering how to savor smaller portions, enjoy a more balanced diet and live on less fat as I lose the fat I have saved.

The good news is that the group I am in seems to be good folks with good hearts and hopefully we will all end up friends. And it is cool that I am about in the middle of our age range. So my friends wish me luck and if you see the sun shining especially bright one morning it may be the glow from my healthier exterior.

I again am finding that time flies but the aging process does not have to be dull and debilitating. Life goes on and it is up to us to go with it. Here is a poem that describes it well.

 

It Was Only a Moment Ago

     By Caroline Walker

 

It was only a moment ago I was a child.

It was only a moment ago I was a teen.

A moment ago I bought my first car,

Got my first career.

 

It was only a moment ago I was married

It was only a moment ago I had my first child

A moment ago I watched them grow

Got my first grandchild

 

It was only a moment ago I retired

It was only a moment ago I traveled places

A moment ago I was so young

Got my first Great Grandchild

It was only but a moment ago.

~~~

“Happiness? That’s nothing more than a good health and a poor memory.”

Albert Schweitzer

~~~

Some Camping Tips

When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant.

While the Swiss Army Knife has been popular for years, the Swiss Navy Knife has remained largely unheralded. Its single blade functions as a tiny canoe paddle.

Modern rain suits made of fabrics that “breathe” enable campers to stay dry in a downpour. Rain suits that sneeze, cough, and belch, however, have been proven to add absolutely nothing to the wilderness experience.

The canoe paddle, a simple device used to propel a boat, should never be confused with a gnu paddle, a similar device used by Tibetan veterinarians.

Take this simple test to see if you qualify for solo camping: Shine a flashlight into one ear. If the beam shines out the other ear, do not go into the woods alone.

The guitar of the noisy teenager at the next campsite makes excellent kindling.

It’s entirely possible to spend your whole vacation on a winding mountain road behind a large motor home.

Bear bells provide an element of safety for hikers in grizzly country. The tricky part is getting them on the bears.

~~~

A day without radiation is a day without sunshine.

~~~

       WHEN I’M AN OLD LADY

When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with each kid,

And bring so much happiness…just as they did.

I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided.

Oh, they’ll be so excited!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

 

I’ll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,

And I’ll bounce on the furniture…wearing my shoes.

I’ll drink from the carton and then leave it out.

I’ll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they’ll shout!

(When I’m and old lady and live with my kids)

 

When they’re on the phone and just out of reach,

I’ll get into things like sugar and bleach.

Oh, they’ll snap their fingers and then shake their head,

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

 

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,

I’ll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,

I’ll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,

And when they get angry…I’ll run…if I’m able!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

 

I’ll sit close to the TV, through the channels I’ll click,

I’ll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.

I’ll take off my socks and throw one away,

And play in the mud ’til the end of the day!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

 

And later in bed, I’ll lay back and sigh,

I’ll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.

My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,

And say with a groan, “She’s so sweet when she’s sleeping!”

~~~

With all the modern conveniences available, it’s now possible to have a bad day and never leave the house.

~~~

“What do you love most about me,” a husband asked his wife, “my tremendous athletic ability or my superior intellect?”

“What I love most about you,” responded the man’s wife, “is your incredible sense of humor.”

~~~

If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself.

Leon Eldred

~~~

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

Wishing you peace in your heart today and always…

 

 

I went to a foreign affairs lecture yesterday and ran into a number of friends and acquaintances. I was asked by most where I have been, not knowing about my midwinter major health problems and my long recovery. I told them that I was OK now and have almost got to where I was before the illness.

As often happens they were somewhat dismayed that I treated it as just another temporary setback, an event that is now over. I shared with them that my illness provided me the opportunity to rebalance my activities in a manner that allowed me to both limit my obligations to that what I was sure I could do and at the same time continue to find ways to enjoy every day. I assured them that my life could not be any better.

When I got home I revisited a piece written by Marc Chernoff a year ago or so about how happy people find peace. I think you might like it as well so here it is in part.

 Places Happy People Find Peace

Somewhere between the love in your heart and thoughts in your mind is a happy, peaceful place. You will find it promptly when you look in the following places:

The Foundation of Acceptance

Life is a series of continuous natural events and changes. Don’t resist them; doing so only creates unnecessary stress. Let the reality of these events and changes take place. Let them flow. Or as Henry Wadsworth once said, “For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”

Acceptance is letting go and allowing things to be the way they truly are. It doesn’t mean you don’t care about improving the realities of life; it’s just realizing that the only thing you really have control over is yourself.

A Sincere Inner Space

You have your own way. For you, this way of living is the absolute right way. Honor it.

One of the most influential sources of peace is simply being comfortable with who you really are. Not trading your reality for a role, or your truth for an act. Not giving up your freedom of thought. Not putting on a mask.

The Mindset of Forgiveness

When someone has hurt you, it’s hard to be peaceful. But you do it anyway because you know peace is the only battle worth waging. Peace is beautiful; it is the manifestation of your love, and the best resolution for a brighter future.

Being peaceful is hard sometimes; much harder than being angry and vengeful. It requires you to stay calm and let go of the pain. It requires you to forgive and move on. Of course, you don’t do these things just for the person who has hurt you, but for your own wellbeing.

The Land of Appreciation

As Socrates once said, “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” Do not waste all your happiness by overlooking everything you have for everything you wish you had. If you do, you will never have enough. Instead, appreciate the goodness that is already yours, and you will instantly find a lot more to smile about.

Moments of Purposeful Solitude

You need to pause at least once a day and spend a few moments breathing silently. Use these moments to think and consciously separate the past from the present and future. Responsibilities, obligations, unfinished business, family and friends can all survive without you while you take these moments for yourself.

You deserve this time away. You deserve to think peacefully, free from external pressure. No problems to solve, hands to shake, or people to please. Sometimes you need to make time for yourself, away from the busy world you live in that doesn’t make time for you.

The Muscle of Positive Action

In life, you get what you put in. Every moment of your life is dynamic, responding exclusively to your inputs. When you put a positive, productive effort into it you will receive a useful outcome from it. This is the greatest power you possess – the power you have over your own choices and actions. Instead of attempting to gain power over others and external situations, exercise the unlimited power you already have over yourself.

Forget about the past, the future, and where others are in their journey. Put your mind at ease. Put the worrying and complaining to rest. Focus on your living, breathing, present self. What can you do right now to make a difference? Get positive, get productive, and get busy putting the possibilities of this moment to the test.

~~~

Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart….

Ritu Ghatourey

~~~

A synagogue had just opened for business while at the same time a Catholic church opened across the street. After some time the Rabbi noticed that a convent had been added to the church. More time later a Catholic school was built, then a gymnasium. Concerned the Rabbi called together his staff and expressed his concern, “We’ve been here the same amount of time as our neighbors and look, they’ve grown while we still have our same small temple – what are we doing wrong?”

And so it was decided, they’d send Morris to attend a service on Sunday and check out what was going on over there. Sunday comes and all the men from the congregation are peeking thru the windows as Morris enters the church. Not 15 minutes later and Morris comes flying across the street, yelling and waving his arms.

“So what happened?” says the Rabbi

“Oy, you wouldn’t believe it” says Morris “I go into the church, I sit down, then from the left a guy in a dress comes out unto the stage and he’s chanting “I can play dominoes better than you can – I can play dominoes better than you can”, then from the right of the stage some young boys swinging incense followed by another guy in a dress starts chanting “I bet you don’t – I bet you don’t” then back and forth they go “I can play dominoes better than you can – -I bet you don’t”, then from outta’ the back four men in black suits come down the aisles and pick up the bets !!!”

~~~

Sign On A Famous Beauty Parlor Window: Don’t Whistle At The Girls Going Out From Here. She May Be Your Grandmother!

~~~

THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE

2000 BC: Here, eat this root

1000 AD: That root is heathen. Say this prayer.

1850 AD: That prayer is pure superstition. Here, drink this potion.

1940 AD: That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.

1985 AD: That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic

2014 AD: That antibiotic doesn’t work any more. Here, eat this root.

~~~~

Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

~~~

She said, as the bus pulled away, I realized I had left my purse under the seat. Later I called the company and was relieved that the driver had found my bag. When I went to pick it up, several off-duty bus drivers surrounded me. One man handed me my pocketbook, two typewritten pages and a box containing the contents of my purse. “We’re required to inventory lost wallets and purses,” he explained.

“I think you’ll find everything there.” As I started to put my belongings back into the pocketbook, the man continued, “I hope you don’t mind if we watch. Even though we all tried, none of us could fit everything into your purse. And we’d like to see just how you do it.”

~~~

Don’t worry about temptation — as you grow older, it starts avoiding you.

~~~

A local priest and pastor stood by the side of the road holding up a sign that said, “The End is Near! Turn yourself around now before it’s too late!” They planned to hold up the sign to each passing car.

“Leave us alone you religious nuts!” yelled the first driver as he sped by.

From around the curve they heard a big splash.

“Do you think,” said one clergy to the other, “we should just put up a sign that says ‘bridge out’ instead?”

~~~

Your state of mind today will be your state of life tomorrow. Trust in a brighter future and it will come your way. When at war with yourself, you’re more likely to start a war with others. Create peace within yourself to make peace with those around you.

Kemmy Nola

~~~

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.

 

Today is the best day of my life, your’s too?

The best moments of my life are the moments, that I spent along with you.

Samuel Jebaraj

 

 

I have had the good fortune lately to meet or connect with a few people as a result of their being readers of the Daily. While I consider all our readers friends or at least potential friends, it is a special treat when someone contacts me and then we meet for breakfast or coffee for the first time. So if you are in my city and have some time to spare let me know and let’s see what we might do. As I have mentioned before my hobby is collecting friends and I would love for you to be one.

I expect every day to be great and it is a real treat when they include spending time with a friend over coffee or a meal. Too many of us let our days sour, often because we have not embraced the rewards that come from connecting with friends. In my case I am always grateful when someone is willing to share some of their time catching me up on what is going on in their world.

I want to share with you this morning a piece written by someone who makes everyday a great day.

 

The Best Day Of My Life

Gregory M Lousignont

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate!

Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God’s seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I’ll make someone smile. I’ll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don’t even know.

Today, I’ll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I’ll tell a child how special he is, and I’ll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don’t have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me.

I’ll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I’ll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

~~~

If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?

Steve Jobs

~~~

George, a career Army officer I once met, was jumpmaster for his unit and was taking up a few novices for a drop. The flight was pretty rough, and, after a while, George called off the jump because of high winds. As the plane headed back to base, and the pilot pulled off an unusually smooth landing, two of the neophytes got airsick.

“How come you could take that rough flight, but you couldn’t handle the smooth landing?” asked George.

“Well, Sir,” one trainee explained, “we’ve always jumped out of planes. We’ve never actually landed before.”

~~~

Something popped into my mind and left right away. Maybe it was lonely.

~~~

After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church board following the close of the service.

The first man to arrive and greet the minister was a total stranger. “You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board members,” explained the minister.

“I know,” said the man, “but if there is anyone here more bored than I am, then I’d like to meet him.”

~~~

A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.

~~~

A little old lady gets onto a crowded bus and stands in front of a seated young girl. Holding her hand to her chest, she says to the girl, “If you knew what I have, you would give me your seat.”

The girl gets up and gives up her the seat to the old lady. It is hot. The girl then takes out a fan and starts fanning herself.

The woman looks up and says, “If you knew what I have, you would give me that fan.”

The girl gives her the fan, too. Fifteen minutes later the woman gets up and says to the bus driver, “Stop, I want to get off here.”

The bus driver tells her he has to drop her at the next corner, not in the middle of the block. With her hand across her chest, she tells the driver, “If you knew what I have, you would let me off the bus right here.”

The bus driver pulls over and opens the door to let her out. As she’s walking out of the bus, he asks, “Madam, what is it you have?”

The old woman looks at him and nonchalantly replies, “Chutzpah.”

~~~

A fool and his money rarely get together to start with.

~~~

A Psychology professor was giving a lecture on Bi-Polar Disorder.

“Let us establish some parameters,” said the professor. “Now then, Bennett, what is the opposite of joy?”

“Sadness,” replied Bennett.

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

“Elation and joy, sir.”

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

“I believe that would be giddy up, sir.”

~~~

My tire was thumping….I thought it was flat….when I looked at the tire….I found your cat… Sorry!

~~~

Charlie, a new retiree greeter at Wal-Mart, just could not get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean shaven, sharp-minded, and a credit to the company. He was clearly demonstrating the benefit of Wal-Mart’s “Older persons are Friendly” policy.

One day the boss called him into his office for a talk. “Charlie, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome.”

“Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it,” Charlie said.

“Well good, you’re a team player. That’s what I like to hear. It’s odd, though, your coming in late. I know you’re retired from the Navy. What did they say if you came in late there?”

“They usually said, `Good morning, Admiral. Can I get you a cup of coffee, sir?'”

~~~

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.

Bob Moawad

~~~

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 is not always easy being me

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

Jim Rohn

 

 

I am often asked why I go to the gym at 5 AM weekday mornings. Especially since it means I have to get up very early to distribute that day’s Daily. I like to tell most folks that it is because I have no trouble getting to use all the Cardio and Strength machines that early in the morning. In reality it is because if I don’t go then I probably would not go most of the time. You see I often meet people for an early breakfast and even frequently have meetings scheduled as early as 7 AM. So I might as well admit it, I am not disciplined enough to choose exercise over an excuse not to do it. As I am sure you understand there are no excuses for missing a 5 AM schedule other than laziness so each morning I am waiting for them to open the door so I can start my day. I will admit late in the evening for me is early for most people and I do nap regularly.

In other words I substitute a fairly rigid workout schedule for the discipline that would be required for me to get it done at various times during the day. I am at an age where I have learned what works for me and do that rather than try to solve my lifelong lack of discipline. But since almost all Daily readers are works in progress I would like to share with you some worthwhile advice from Ralph Marsden on how you can avoid becoming like me.

Exercising control

Discipline is easier than it sounds. Discipline is nothing more than choosing, with intention and positive purpose, while considering all the consequences of making that choice. Discipline is a matter of controlling the person over whom you already have the most control. That person is you.

When you focus on the consequences of each action you take, on the short term and long term consequences, discipline comes easily and naturally. Discipline is the recognition and celebration of the fact that your actions have influence.

By choosing your actions you can choose your results. By choosing your actions you can choose the life you create for yourself.

Discipline is not a punishment or a burden when you choose it for yourself. Discipline is one of life’s greatest opportunities.

Choose in each moment to exercise the control that you already have. Live and act with discipline, and create a life of true fulfillment.

~~~

The first and the best victory is to conquer self.

Plato

~~~

A sales clerk asked his boss how to handle people who complained about the current prices compared to the low prices in the good old days.

“Just act surprised and tell them you didn’t think that they were old enough to remember them.”

~~~

Room service? Send up a larger room.

Groucho Marx

~~~

Doug goes to a doctor and says: “Doctor, my wife recently has lost her voice. What should I do to help her get it back?”

The doctor replies, “Try coming home at 3 in the morning!”

~~~

All I want is the chance to prove that money cannot make me happy.

~~~

An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilderness of northern Canada. Suddenly, the temperature dropped and a furious snowstorm was upon them. They came across an isolated cabin, far removed from any town. The hunters had heard that the locals in the area were quite hospitable, so they knocked on the door to ask permission to rest. No one answered their knocks, but they discovered the cabin was unlocked and they entered. It was a simple place … 2 rooms with a minimum of furniture and household equipment. Nothing was unusual about the cabin except the stove. It was large, pot-bellied, and made of cast-iron. What was strange about it was its location … it was suspended in midair by wires attached to the ceiling beams. “Fascinating,” said the psychologist. “It is obvious that this lonely trapper, isolated from humanity, has elevated this stove so that he can curl up under it and vicariously experience a return to the womb.” “Nonsense!” replied the engineer. “The man is practicing the laws of thermodynamics. By elevating his stove, he has discovered a way to distribute heat more evenly throughout the cabin.” “With all due respect,” interrupted the theologian, “I’m sure that hanging his stove from the ceiling has religious meaning. Fire LIFTED UP has been a religious symbol for centuries.” The three debated the point for several hours without resolving the issue.

When the trapper finally returned, they immediately asked him why he had hung his heavy pot-bellied stove from the ceiling. His answer was succinct. “Had plenty of wire, not much stove pipe.”

~~~

SHE SAID: Darling, I want to dance like this forever.

HE SAID: Don’t you ever want to improve?

~~~

Proof that Vodka is good for your brain:

When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they discovered that ball-point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 million developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300C.

When confronted with the same problem, the Russians used a pencil.

~~~

I’ve got it all together and now I’ve forgotten where I put it.

~~~

A little girl runs out to the backyard where her father is working, and asks him, “Daddy, what’s sex?”

Her father sits her down, and tells her all about the birds and the bees. He tells her about conception, sperms and eggs. He goes on to tell her about puberty, menstruation and he thinks, what the hell, and goes on to tell her the works.

He covers a wide and varied assortment of sub-topics and by the time he’s finished, his daughter is somewhat awestruck with this sudden influx of bizarre new knowledge.

Her father finally asks, “So what did you want to know about sex for?”

“Oh, mommy said to tell you lunch would be ready in a couple of secs…”

~~~

They say that hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance?

~~~

The man, trying to start up a conversation with another man said, “Who is the ugly lady over there?”

The second man said, “Why, that’s my wife!”

Trying to get out of an embarrassing situation, the first man said, “No, not her, the other one!”

The second man said, “That’s my daughter!”

~~~

Nothing of importance is ever achieved without discipline. I feel myself sometimes not wholly in sympathy with some modern educational theorists, because I think that they underestimate the part that discipline plays. But the discipline you have in your life should be one determined by your own desires and your own needs, not put upon you by society or authority.

Bertrand Russell

~~~

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.

 

Mother Nature has done her part now it is up to us

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.

Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Easter is behind us. The Lenten fasting is over and in my part of the world spring has sprung in a big way. The sun has brought us coatless weather and so much more. Our grass has turned a vivid green and spring flowers have blanked the area with the first of the season’s brilliant colors. Our trees are sprouting buds, flowers, and leaves providing lovely homes for hundreds of song birds.

Yes it is great to be able to bask in pleasant weather after a severe winter. Now our choice is to set back and lazily relax or let nature’s rejuvenation capture our hearts and motivate us into action. Let us not only stop and see spring’s beauty but let us also see where we can help make things better for those around us. The hungry could use some food, the infirm a helping hand and maybe most of all the lonely a friend. Let the most pleasant of all seasons infuse us with goodwill and put any ill will behind us. If each of us does a little all of us will have done a lot.

 

The Coming of Spring

Mary Dow Brine (1816-1913)

The ice-king trembles on his throne,

And holds his rod with loosened hand;

For there are murmurs in the air

Of one who cometh, sweet and fair,

To break with smiles the monarch’s band.

 

The skies are dawning a new blue,

To welcome her whose dancing feet

Thro’ cloudland hasten from afar,

Guided by sun, and moon, and star,

Her waiting friends once more to greet

 

The timid violets lift their heads,

And heavenward turn their gentle eyes,

And catch the fragrance newly born

Which cometh with the Spring’s glad dawn,

And steal their color from the skies.

 

The merry birds on twig and branch

Trill out the news with fluttering wings,

While Robin seeks the early fruit,

Impatient watching the green shoot,

And the glad tidings gaily sings.

 

The brook, grown weary of restraint,

Has burst its weakened bonds at last,

And rushing down the mountain-side,

Lends its fresh influence far and wide,

And Winter’s icy reign is past!

~~~

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.

Harriet Ann Jacobs

~~~

Young Morris asked his father, “Dad, was Adam Jewish?”

His father put down his newspaper and thought for a moment. He was an expert at Talmudic reasoning and in the art of making a point by an unanswerable question.

He replied, “If we can determine that Eve was Jewish, my son, we would at once see that Adam was Jewish, for who but a Jew could bring himself to marry a Jewish girl?” (Here he turned his head a bit nervously to make sure his wife wasn’t listening.)

“Therefore, we can drop the Adam problem and instead ask ourselves, “Was Eve Jewish?”

“To answer that, we have only to ask the question, “Would anyone but a Jewish girl say, ‘Here, have a piece of fruit’?”

~~~

If Barbie’s so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?

~~~

A Texan farmer goes to Australia for a vacation. There he meets an Aussie farmer and gets talking. The Aussie shows off his big wheat field and the Texan says, “Oh! We have wheat fields that are at least twice as large”.

Then they walk around the ranch a little, and the Aussie shows off his herd of cattle. The Texan immediately says, “We have longhorns that are at least twice as large as your cows”. The conversation has, meanwhile, almost died when the Texan sees a herd of kangaroos hopping through the field. He asks, “And what are those”?

The Aussie replies with an incredulous look, “Don’t you have any grasshoppers in Texas”?

~~~

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.

~~~

A new pastor moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his parishioners. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he had knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back “Revelation 3:20” and stuck it in the door. (Revelation 3:20 reads: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he will with me.”)

The next day, as he was counting the offering he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message was a notation “Genesis 3:10” (“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked.”).

~~~

“To attract men, I wear a perfume called ‘New Car Interior’.”

Rita Rudner

~~~

My Dad had a sure way to keep my Mom from buying an outfit… When she tries it on, he says, “I love that middle-aged look it gives you.”

~~~

Ballerinas are always on their toes. Why don’t they just get taller ballerinas?

~~~

I was getting into my car when I noticed a dent. On the windshield was a note and a phone number from the driver. “I feel terrible,” the woman apologized when I called. “I hit your car as I was pulling into the next parking spot.”

“Please don’t worry,” I said to her. “I’m sure our insurance companies will take care of everything.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” she said. “You’re so much nicer than the man I hit on my way out.”

~~~

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”

Sarah Ban Breathnach

~~~

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.

 

Clear your mind

The day is what you make it! So why not make it a great one?”

Steve Schulte

We all know how much clutter in our personal space can be distracting and result in inefficiencies. While I do seem to attract clutter I find that mind clutter is much worse. I often find my mind overworking on too many things at once resulting in my not getting much done. When I catch my mind drifting in many directions at once I have to stop and clear it out so I can focus. Some time ago Marc Chernoff published a piece that can help, here is an edited copy of what he wrote:

 

Traits of a Highly Effective Mindset

Enjoys and appreciates the present moment.

Happiness is a mindset that can only be designed into the present. It’s not a point in the future or a moment from the past; but sadly, this misconception hurts the masses.

The truth is, the greater part of your happiness or misery depends solely upon your attitude towards any given moment, regardless of the events contained within. You need much less than you think you need to be happy, and you usually have a lot more than you think you have. There’s always something worth smiling about. It’s just a matter of thinking differently.

Connects inner purpose with outer effort.

The most important thing you can know is what’s most important to you. Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give yourself to it. You can accomplish almost anything when what you’re trying to accomplish is what you care about. Wear yourself out with focused, disciplined work on a purpose that connects with who you truly are.

Accepts and embraces great challenges.

The most prolific days of your life won’t likely be easy. It’s not in the serenity of your comfort zone or the inactivity of a lazy day that drives greatness. Great demands drive the growth of great virtues. Contending with great challenges forms the foundation of greatness.

Think about a day from your past that ended with a sense of satisfaction. It’s not a day when you lounged around with nothing to do; it’s a day you had more to do than seemed possible, and you did it.

Self-disciplined.

Without discipline, success is impossible, period. Discipline is choosing to do what you know must be done, as often and as long as required. It’s doing the thing you have to do whether you like it or not.

Discipline allows you to control the course of your life. If you do not discipline yourself, someone else – a parent, teacher, boss, society, etc. – will try to do so for you. They will choose what they believe is the best method to instill more self-control in you. But it’s far more advantageous to take control of your own discipline and your own destiny.

Remains positive and focused through failure.

Forget about failure. Trying alone is a huge success. Regardless of what you’re trying to do – pay off debt, get in shape, start a business, make a difference in the world, etc. – you have already achieved something wonderful simply by putting forth a worthy effort. If things don’t work out as you had planned, hold your head up high and be proud of the progress you made. Then make the necessary adjustments and try again. In the end, it’s focused resilience that eventually leads you to your desired result.

Filters and channels anger effectively.

Being angry is easy, and by itself anger gets nothing accomplished. But to funnel your anger into a productive action plan, at the right time, in the right way, and for the right purpose, that’s how you can put your anger to good use. In other words, you must direct your anger towards specific problems that can be solved, not people or generalized situations. Look for answers and resolutions, not excuses and complaints.

~~~

We all talk to ourselves. A major key to success exists in what we say to ourselves, which helps to shape our attitude and mindset.

Darren L. Johnson

~~~

A little boy was roughhousing with his dog. His mother said to him, “Now, Peter, I know you love Granger, but you’re loving him too much. How would you feel if someone huge picked you up and squeezed you so hard you couldn’t breathe?” The boy thought a moment and then said, “I guess I’d feel like it was my birthday and Aunt Doreen was here!”

~~~

“I grew up with six brothers in my family. That’s how I learned to dance – waiting for the bathroom!”

Bob Hope

~~~

The social studies teacher had just finished a unit on war and peace. “How many of you,” he asked, “would say you’re opposed to war?” Not surprisingly, all hands went up. The teacher asked, “who’ll give us the reason for being opposed to war?” A large, bored-looking boy in the back of the room raised his hand. “Johnny?” The teacher said. “I hate war,” Johnny said, “because wars make history, and I hate history.”

~~~

Oh Lord give me patience… NOW!

~~~

During a practical exercise at a military police base, the instructor was giving the class instruction in unarmed self-defense. After he presented a number of different situations in which they might find themselves, he asked a student, “What steps would you take if someone were coming at you with a big, sharp knife?”

The student replied. “BIG ones.”

~~~

A narrow mind and a wide mouth usually go together.

~~~

The stockbroker received notice from the IRS that he was being audited. He showed up at the appointed time and place with all his financial records, then sat for what seemed like hours as the accountant pored over them.

Finally the IRS agent looked up and commented, “You must have been a tremendous fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”

“Why would you say that?” wondered the broker.

“Because you’ve made more brilliant deductions on your last three returns than Sherlock Holmes made in his entire career.”

~~~

Necessity: Almost any luxury you see in the home of a neighbor.

~~~

When Pastor Ovall picked up the phone, Special Agent Struzik from the IRS was on the line.

“Hello, Pastor Ovall?”

“Yes, this is.”

“I’m calling to inquire about a member of your congregation, a Dr. Shipe. Do you recognize the name?”

“Yes, he is a member of our congregation. How can I be of service?”

“Well, on last year’s tax return, the doctor claimed that he made a sizable tax-deductable contribution to your church? Is it true?”

“Well, I’ll have to have my bookkeeper verify this information for you. How much did Dr. Shipe say he contributed?”

“Twenty five thousand dollars,” answered Agent Struzik. “Can you tell me if that’s true?”

There is a long pause. “I’ll tell you what,” replied Pastor Ovall, “Call back tomorrow. I’m sure it will be.”

~~~

This is your time; your day and your week, don’t allow energy drainers or negatives to live in your space, Get your face around things and people that challenge you, grow you, phrase you and support you. You deserve it, live awesomely and peace within.

Ricardo Housham

~~~

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.

 

Share your enthusiasm

“Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier.”

Susan Rabin

 

 

Have you noticed over the years how winners and the most interesting people are overflowing with enthusiasm? I know many people how fail in their job searches because of their failure to speak enthusiastically about how they could help the prospective employer. I know one thing, if you are not confident you will succeed at a task you will already have failed. On the other hand if you’re sure you can do it all you need to do is let your confidence feed your attitude and your speech. Far too many people are undiscovered winners because of their inability assertively communicate what they have to offer.

One thing author Catherine Pulsifer always brings to the table is enthusiasm as she shares her wisdom. I think she does it well in the article below.

 

Having Enthusiasm

Having enthusiasm in performing any task gives you an abundance of energy. Harry Truman demonstrated his wisdom when he said, “I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm.”  Showing enthusiasm also motivates others around you. People naturally want to be around people who are upbeat and have energy.

An acronym for enthusiasm:

E nergy

N imble

T enacious

H appy

U nbeatable

S elf-confidence

I nexhaustible

A chievable

S uccess

M otivated

 

Those who demonstrate enthusiasm are far more likely to succeed because of their attitude towards the task at hand. Someone who lacks enthusiasm rarely succeeds, and the reason is because of the attitude that they have. When they face a problem they are more likely to give up.

 An enthusiastic person believes in what they are doing. They are excited and look forward to the day to achieve the task at hand. They have self-confidence in themselves and will find solutions to any challenges that come along. Walter Chrysler once said, “The real secret of success is enthusiasm. Yes, more than enthusiasm, I would say excitement. I like to see men get excited. When they get excited they make a success of their lives. ” The wisdom of his words still applies today.

 We all have a choice, we can decide to be enthusiastic or we can just put in the day. If you are working at a job that you are not enthusiastic about, then find work that excites you. If you need to improve your skills to get that job, then take courses and learn all you can. You will find your life is much happier if you are doing something that excites you rather than bores you.

Having enthusiasm for what you are doing does not mean you won’t face challenges or difficulties, but you will be able to overcome these difficulties as long as you keep your attitude positive. Put lots of enthusiasm in all you do!

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“Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic.”

Dale Carnegie

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SENIOR PERSONAL ADS FROM THE RETIREMENT VILLAGE

FOXY LADY: Fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, slim, 5-4 (used to be 5-6), searching for sharp looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt a plus.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.

SERENITY NOW: I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga and meditation. If you are the silent type, let’s get together, take our hearing aids out and enjoy quiet times.

WINNING SMILE: Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

BEATLES OR STONES? I still like to rock, still like to cruise in my Camaro on Saturday nights and still like to play the air guitar. If you were a groovy chick, or are now a groovy hen, let’s get together and listen to my boss collection of eight-track tapes.

MEMORIES: I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. If you can remember Friday, Saturday and Sunday, let’s put our two heads together.

MINT CONDITION: Male, 1932, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. Doesn’t run but walk well.

~~~

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.

~~~

Sadie and Esther are sitting on the porch of their Miami Beach hotel.

“Oh my God,” cries Sadie. “Look at that poor boy! Such a weak chin. His mouth is crooked. And look, his eyes are crossed.”

“That boy,” says Esther, “happens to be my son.”

“Oh,” replies Sadie. “On him it’s very becoming.”

~~~

Stress management: What many employees like to do on purpose.

~~~

Donna was attending her High School reunion and was having a blast. As the evening was drawing to a close, the master of ceremonies for the night proceeded to hand out bottles of champagne to the graduates who had traveled the farthest distance to attend the reunion, the graduate who had been married the longest time, the graduate who had become the most successful, etc.

Donna wondered if she was going to get a prize, too. Sure enough, the master of ceremonies called out her name. “Donna, you win with 11 kids.” and then, trying to be clever, he added in “And champagne is only half the prize. The other half is a giant, economy size bottle of aspirin.”

“Don’t bother with the aspirin,” Donna replied. “It’s obvious with these many kids that I’ve never had a headache.”

~~~

People who cannot feel punish those who do.

May Sarton

~~~

Mom Said:

Attention Children – The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out.

Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, and I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in there, but it’s been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY.

Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.

Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door.

Do not go running back to the phone yelling “She’s in the BATHROOM!”

Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.

Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two.

Do not slide pennies, LEGOs, or notes under the door. Even when you were two this got a little tiresome.

If you have followed me down the hall talking, and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.

And yes, I still love you.

~~~

“Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power and influence.”

Henry Chester

~~~

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.

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