Ray's Daily

We need fewer soreheads

Some people enjoy being miserable, me….I just like smiling, so please stay away from me with your negative attitude.

 

Lately it seems I am running into more people with negative attitudes. They seem to find fault everywhere but in themselves. As you know I believe each of us gets to see in the world through objective eyes and when we do we can discern good and bad, ugly and beautiful. When we do we learn that there is plenty of good out there for each of us if we are willing to see it and then embrace what it has to offer.

It may be my old age but I have started to avoid the chronic complainers. I don’t know if it my fear of being infected with their destructive attitude or my unwillingness to devote any time to be unhappy.

If you know someone who could use an attitude adjustment why not be a good Samaritan and help them learn to enjoy life. Here are some ideas that may help.

 3 Paths to Squash a Negative Attitude (edited)

By Brianna Johnson

Many of us are champions of maintaining bad moods. For some, it’s even a default mode. Unfortunately, it can be incredibly easy to trade in your vigor, dreams, and self-worth for wages, traffic jams, and mindless meme-browsing. Sometimes it’s even expected of us. If you wake up sighing, head to work grunting obscenities, and haven’t had exciting weekend plans in years, congratulations. You’ve slipped into the dismal neurosis many call “the daily grind.”

People disregard who they are. We have goals that we give up on, or maybe we never try to achieve them at all. Many of us don’t develop our talents or contribute to anything outside of ourselves. We might aim low, expending only enough effort to hold down a miserable job to afford rent and greasy take-out dinners. While greasy take-out is delicious in its own disturbing way, it makes perfect sense that we don’t even want to crawl out of bed in this scenario. No doctors, shrinks, or medications are needed. Its obvious: humans have high potential, and we can’t expect to thrive while on autopilot.

1. Negativity is simply a habit. (The brute force path)

The scariest thing about the human mind is that it does what we tell it to do. Our minds get stuck in those carved out routines that often serve no good purpose. However, thanks to neuroplasticity, we can give our brains a push through self-awareness and genuine effort. If we relentlessly keep doing positive things, we will eventually begin to tip those stubborn scales.

2. Negativity is a byproduct of something. (The underlying meaning path)

It can be the lingering result of unresolved loss or disappointment. It can be as profound as a death in the family or just a general sense of life-suck. Either way, negativity doesn’t show up on it’s own.

When your life is aligned with your values, negativity dissipates naturally. So it’s not really your attitude that needs an adjustment- it’s probably your circumstances.

3. Negativity is a call to action. (The ‘make changes’ path)

Of course, all the thinking in the world means nothing unless you decide on concrete steps and complete them. Being a downer isn’t a natural human state. It’s a sign that something is not working, and it’s being brought to your attention.

We need to first ask ourselves what’s missing, and second, what we can realistically do about it. Everyone has his or her own specific reasons for being down, and it may not be obvious. You may need to add something (relaxation), or subtract something (your horrible neighbors). You’ll need to ask yourself a lot of uncomfortable questions that start with “how” and “why.”

And don’t worry about those people who tell you that you’re stupid for making life-changing plans. They are likely stuck in the same vat of molasses-like negativity that you are. And worse, they probably have no idea. This is why self-awareness is essential, as it can be an incredibly eye-opening catalyst.

As soon as we master the elusive “good attitude,” we find that our own pessimism was adding onto our other problems, making them harder to solve. Positivity on the other hand, is like a giant net. Once you learn to cast it out, you catch all sorts of awesome things that you otherwise wouldn’t have found. People treat you better, you treat them better, and life overall improves.

We all belong somewhere different. If you are not where you want to be, doing what suites you best, negativity is going to manifest somehow. Negativity is secondary. It comes from a lack of direction, disappointment, or some other perceived issue that you haven’t resolved. Regardless of how the ball and chain was attached, you can unchain it through purposeful action.

~~~

You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.

Joyce Meyer

~~~

My teenaged niece Elizabeth was nervous as she took the wheel for her first driving lesson. As she was pulling out of the parking lot, the instructor said, “Turn left here, and don’t forget to let the people behind you know what you’re doing.”

Elizabeth turned to the students sitting in the back seat and announced, “I’m going left.”

~~~

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.

Helen Keller

~~~

On his honeymoon, a very thick redneck farmer, Billy Joe, insisted on having a room at the luxury hotel with a balcony overlooking the sea. On retiring for the night after the wedding, his new bride emerged from the bathroom dressed in some very sexy lingerie.

“Hey Billy Joe, come in off the balcony and see what I have waiting for you to savor for the first time” she said coyly.

“No thanks, I want to sit out here,” he said.

So Daisy sat down brushing her golden hair for 10 minutes after which she invited Billy Joe once more to come in off the balcony to take pleasure of her virginal body. Once more he refused. Eventually Daisy grew tired of waiting and she retired to the wedding bed and fell asleep.

In the morning, she awoke to find him still sitting on the balcony.

“Why did you spend the whole night out there when you could have been making love all night?” she asked.

“Well my pa said the first night of my marriage would be the most beautiful night of my whole life – and I didn’t want to miss a moment of it.”

~~~

Yesterday is experience, tomorrow is hope, today is getting from one to the other.

~~~

At a lecture on psychic phenomena in a Comparative Religions course, the instructor told about a woman who contacted police working on a missing persons case.

“She gave them eerily detailed instructions on where to find the body,” the instructor said. “And in fact, the detectives did find the body just as she had described. Now, what would you call this type of person?”

While the rest of the class pondered the question, a sheriff’s deputy taking the class raised his hand and replied, “A suspect.”

~~~

Every day we have plenty of opportunities to get angry, stressed or offended. But what you’re doing when you indulge these negative emotions is giving something outside yourself power over your happiness. You can choose to not let little things upset you.

Joel Osteen

~~~

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.

 

Goodbye dear friend

A friend is a gift you give yourself.

Robert Lois Stevenson

 

Today I learned that an old friend passed away and I will miss her. I don’t know how we found each other years ago when she started reading Ray’s Daily but over the years she shared with me much of what was going on in her life. While we never met in person our friendship was something I valued. Life was not always easy for my friend Claudia but she persevered and was an inspiration.

I am often asked, why I have been writing the Daily for the last fourteen years, the following letter I received today from Claudia’s daughter is reason enough. Her mom enjoyed it even when things got tough.

 

Dear Ray

This is Fran and I’m Claudia’s daughter (Claudia in Australia) She was one of your readers and she thought of you very fondly. She read all of your letters and dailies and you gave her such a lot of laughs. Not just laughs though. She liked you so much, the way that you think and your optimistic outlook. Her world became physically limited in the past few years–bodies eventually betray us don’t they? Although her health prevented her spending the time outside that she wanted, she still went online and often read one of your pages to me, or jokes. I know that you have a lot of readers, but I believe that you’re the kind of person who would remember my mother, and not have to try to work out who it is when I say that Mum died Sunday in Australia. Cardiac arrest, but she had other health problems too. She was mentally as sharp as a tack, and it was so painful for me to watch her deteriorate physically. I’ve been looking after her for a couple of years, and I was with her when she died. I wish she hadn’t.

Thanks for being one of the few parts of her life that she was still able to enjoy.

All the best regards from Fran in Australia

~~~

Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

 

Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.

In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,

Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.

 

It won’t be forever, the day will come and then

My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

 

Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment, and all your whole life through

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

 

Just wish me to be near you,

And I’ll be there with you.

 

Music and lyrics: Conn Bernard (1990)

 

Good bye old friend.

Ray

~~~

For you dear Claudia

 

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.”

~~~

Life is an adventure in forgiveness.

Norman Cousins

~~~

The psychiatrists were attending their first seminar on emotional extremes.

“Just to establish some parameters,” said the leader, “Mr. Nichols, what is the opposite of joy?”

“Sadness,” said the student.

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

“Elation.”

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

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

~~~

She said: A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. And a woman’s gotta do what he can’t.

~~~

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.”

The second boy says, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.”

The third boy says, “I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!”

~~~

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

~~~

In the admitting office of our hospital, some patients were filling out forms, others were being interviewed and still others were being escorted to their rooms. An elderly woman hesitantly entered my cubicle.  She had completed her admitting forms and, upon my request, handed me her insurance cards. I typed the necessary information and then asked her the reason for her coming to the hospital.

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

~~~

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

~~~

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

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

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

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

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

“Will that cure me?” asked the man.

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

~~~

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

Stephen Grellet

~~~

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 am on my way back

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

William Londen

 

 

I am now officially back. I have been OK’d to drive and yesterday I started my Cardio Rehab that will go on until October. I am moving slow but at least I am moving. I cannot jump over tall buildings but I can jump over curbs. The prognosis is good and I fully expect to end up stronger and with more stamina than I had before my surgery. I will have to delay my YMCA early morning workouts for a while but that does not mean I can’t stop by and see my friends and also restart the nutrition program I was on and I look forward to doing that soon.

I do plan on reassessing what I will do in the years and months ahead. I look forward to getting re-involved in many of the opportunities we have here in Indianapolis and who knows when I regain my health I might even be able to do some good. I have learned over the years that I need to have balance in my life and not take on so much that I don’t have time to enjoy the world and the people around me. There have been times in my past when the days managed me instead of me managing my days. I think far too many of us spend too much time on our tasks leaving little time to take advantage of all that can enrich our days. It is sad how many folks run out of time and end their lives never having enjoyed many of the good days.

One thing that I will continue is the Daily. I am glad I get to stop and take a look at the world every day for I get to discover so much that I might have missed. I consider that to be a gift you give me for I write it for us, you and me, without you and others like you there would be no “we” in my life, just me alone, just think how much fun I would have missed.

So my dear friend thanks for being there, you are the best therapy I could possibly have.

~~~

Health is the condition of wisdom, and the sign is cheerfulness, — an open and noble temper.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation. He wrote:

I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, “I’ve been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I’ve never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I’ve never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I’ve never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you’re welcome to stay here, too.

~~~

Two kids were trying to figure out what game to play. One said “Let’s play doctor.”

“Good idea.” said the other. “You operate, and I’ll sue.”

~~~

A lifelong unchurched man suddenly develops a vague religious urge and decides to join a church–any church. So he sets out to find one.

His first stop is a Roman Catholic church where he asks what he has to do to join. The priest mentions diligent study and the affirmation of the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, then–just to see how much the man knows–asks him where Jesus was born. “Pittsburgh,” he answers. “Get out!” cries the shocked priest.

Next stop is a Southern Baptist church where the seeker is told he would have to learn Bible verses, swear belief in the Nicene and Apostles’ creeds, swear off booze, and be baptized (“By immersion, not just some sissy sprinklin'”). The Baptist preacher then, to see how much this man knows, asks him where Jesus was born. “Philadelphia?” he asks tentatively (once bitten, twice shy). “Get out, you heathen!” yells the preacher.

Our perplexed protagonist finally walks into a Unitarian church where he is told all he has to do is sign a membership card. “You mean I don’t have to renounce anything, swear to anything, or be dunked in anything?” “That’s right. We have no special tests for membership, no dogma. We support total individual freedom of belief.” “Then I’ll join! But tell me–where was Jesus born?” “Why, Bethlehem, of course.” The man’s face lights up. “I knew it was some place in Pennsylvania!”

~~~

Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.

~~~

A cowboy walked into a barber shop, sat on the barber’s chair and said, “I’ll have a shave and a shoe shine.” The barber began to lather his face while a woman with the biggest, firmest, most beautiful breasts that he had ever seen knelt down and began to shine his shoes.

The cowboy said, “Young lady, you and I should go and spend some time in a hotel room.”

She replied, “I’m married, and my husband wouldn’t like that.”

The cowboy said, “Tell him you’re working overtime, and I’ll pay you the difference.”

She said, “Why don’t you tell him yourself? He is the one shaving you.”

~~~

A bachelor is a man who comes to work each morning from a different direction.

~~~

THINGS ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE

1. Don’t force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.

~~~

“I joined Gambler’s Anonymous. They gave me two to one I don’t make it.”

Rodney Dangerfield

~~~

A Unitarian Universalist walks into a fabric store and asks the clerk for nine yards of material. The clerk asks, “What are you going to make?” The UU says, “I’m making a nightgown for myself as a present for my husband.”

The clerk says, “But nine yards is way too much material for a nightgown.”

The UU says, “I know, but my husband would rather seek than find.”

~~~

Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so.

Tryon Edwards

~~~

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 revisited the good old days

Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.

Doug Larson

 

Univac Reunion 7-2014

 

I just got back from a visit to the past. I was at a Chicago suburb were a friend hosted a number of colleagues from my computer days, some of whom I had not seen for more than 30 years.

It was with some trepidation that I went not being sure of what I would find. So often when you try to go home again you find that time has not been kind to the people and places we once knew but I was pleased to find that my friends had aged well. While our ranks have been shrunk by the mortality that we all must face someday those missing friends were there in absentia and remembering them added to the day.

As each friend reminisced it was if they were adding a brush stroke to what became a picture of a time we all shared and generally remembered fondly. As one guy told me years ago it was the days of the wooden machines and the iron men. Each of the people present had helped to lay the foundation for what has become the computer age. Little did we know at the time that our pioneer days on the frontier of a rapidly evolving but fragile industry would be the beginning of a new era that would shrink our world.

I was able to attend because a close friend arranged for me to be driven there since the doctors had yet to OK my driving, I am glad he did. Our wives joined us and they too had fun revisiting the old days.

I looked at this article when I got back and found that it suggested that what we did was a worthwhile endeavor. Here are excerpts that have meaning to me.

 How To Enjoy Life: Embrace Your Past

Learn To Enjoy Life And Savor Your Experiences

You can enjoy life more by embracing your past and using those experiences to create a better present life for yourself. By healing the past and savoring your positive memories, you can maximize your past to enjoy life more in the present. The following tips can help you to enjoy life more and use your past as a springboard:

• Remember And Relive: Remembering your fondest memories can help to bring the best of the past into the present. Go beyond merely recalling that good things happened, and really think about all the details. Feel how you felt in the best of times. Look at how those positive events may be parallelled in good times that are still happening today.
• Share Memories: You can bring your positive memories to life by discussing them with others. Reminisce with loved ones about memories you share. Tell your best stories to others, and enjoy hearing theirs. And don’t forget to savor what is happening now, so you can remember it in the future.
• Let Go Of Past Resentments: As you are exploring your past, you may take opportunities to forgive those toward whom you may have anger or unresolved issues. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it brings greater benefits to the one who forgives than it does for those who receive forgiveness. Holding onto past hurts can be a heavy burden, and working through them, either through the help of forgiveness tips like these or with a therapist, can be freeing.

~~~

I think the thing I miss most in our age is our manners. It sounds so old-fashioned in a way. But even bad people had good manners in the old days, and manners hold a community together, and manners hold a family together; in a way, they hold the world together.

Nancy Friday

~~~

At their garage sale, my daughters put all of the “junk” they just wanted to get rid of in a carton marked “Free Box.”  Moments after they set it at the end of the driveway, a man drove up, looked at the box, dumped its contents on the lawn, and drove off with the box.

~~~

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”

John R. Wooden

~~~

SHE SAID: IF MEN GOT PREGNANT!

Maternity leave would last two years, with full pay.

There would be a cure for stretch marks.

Natural childbirth would become obsolete.

Morning sickness would rank as the nation’s #1 health problem.

All methods of birth control would be 100% effective.

All children would be kept in the hospital until toilet trained.

Men would be eager to talk about commitment.

They wouldn’t think twins were so cute.

Sons would have to be home from dates by 10:00 pm.

Briefcases would be used as diaper bags.

Paternity suits would be a fashion line of clothes.

They’d stay in bed during the entire pregnancy.

Restaurants would include ice cream and pickles as main entrees.

Women would rule the world.

~~~

“Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.”

Franklin P. Jones

~~~

There was a university in New England where the students operated a “bank” of term papers and other homework assignments. There were papers to suit all needs and as it would look odd if an undistinguished student suddenly handed in a brilliant essay, there were papers for an A grade, B grade and C grade.

A student, who had spent the weekend on pursuits other than his assignment, went to the “bank” and as his course was a standard one he took out a paper for an inconspicuous C, retyped it and handed the work in. In due course he received it back with the professor’s comments “I wrote this paper myself twenty years ago. I always thought it should have had an A, and now I am glad to give it one!”

~~~

Teacher: How can one person make so many stupid mistakes in one day?

Little Johnny: I get up early.

~~~

A zebra was visiting a farm. “Hi,” she said to the rooster. “What do you do here?”

“I make sure everyone gets up on time for a nice early start on the day,” he replied.

“How about you?” she asked a cow.

“I supply the farmer and his family with fresh milk, so they can make butter and cheese,” the cow said.

“And what’s your job on the farm?” the zebra asked a stallion.

“Get out of those fancy striped pajamas,” he answered, “and I’ll show you.”

~~~

Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.

Hebrew proverb

~~~

Teacher: Johnny, give me a sentence starting with “I”.

Little Johnny: I is…

Teacher: No, Little Johnny. Always say “I am.”

Little Johnny: All right. “I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.”

~~~

“One is always at home in one’s past…”

Vladimir Nabokov

~~~

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.

 

This too will pass

Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it.

Eliza Tabor

 

 

As we go through life each of us encounters occasional disappointment. Over the years I have learned the real mettle of someone is how they handle disappointment. Far too many of us react with unreasonable anger and in the end hurt ourselves. How often have you seen people walk away severing all ties with others as their reaction to something not going their way? It is like the kid that leaves with his ball so others can’t play only to find he not only can’t play that day but any other day either, paying a bigger price then those he left.

I have often seen people who have resigned a role based on what they said was the principle of the thing. They not only lost the opportunity to participate in future successes they also lost any chance of helping to solve the original problem.

A vice-president of our local chamber of commerce congratulated me many years ago for helping to make good things happen in our city. In truth I did not do that much, but he said that he liked that I lost gracefully and came back to play another day. I don’t know if I deserved his praise but what he said stuck with me to this day. Sadly it seems that we have become such a polarized society that too many of us have become quick to anger when we don’t get our way and end up burning any bridges that might allow us to do something constructive.

Here are some ideas for handling disappointment from an article on Salon written by Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton that I think has merit:

Disappointment

Everyone faces disappointments in life, both large and small. Unfortunately, many of people choose to sit around and complain or whine about their problems to the immense irritation of others. Learning to deal with your disappointments constructively can make you a stronger person in the end.

Here are 5 tips for effectively dealing with your disappointments:

1. Acknowledge what you are feeling. You can honestly express the emotions that you are experiencing feeling without blaming others or punishing everyone in sight. This is about how you feel about the situation, not about other people. There is no one right or wrong way to feel. Your feelings are valid and if you do not voice your opinion then you will begin to harbor resentment and stress yourself out. Be honest with yourself about how you really feel about the situation.
2. Put and keep things in perspective. Even the tiniest of disappointments can seem monumental at first. But once you have expressed your hurt, frustration, or anger, take a step back and look at the larger picture. How much of an effect is this disappointment going to have on you tomorrow, next week, or next year? Taking time to reflect and step away from a situation will help calm your nerves so that you will be better able to handle the disappointment.
3. Do not doubt yourself. Sometimes disappointment can make you feel like a total failure. You may wonder why these things “keep” happening to you, or you may begin to think that you were not being wise to get your hopes up in the first place. But none of that is the truth! Do not succumb to this thinking. Do not allow yourself to give in to these negative thoughts! Instead of beating yourself up, think about what you could have been done differently and always, always, always learn from the experience.
4. Look for solutions or compromises. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot have your way all the time, but often there will be a second option that is agreeable to each party.
5. Reassess and make adjustments, if necessary. Sometimes when you experience disappointment, it may be a sign that you need to re-examine your priorities. Learn to be flexible. Refocusing your attention on your new goals will help you work through your disappointment.

Do not give up!!!

~~~

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.

Beverly Sills

~~~

A man goes to the doctor to find out about his tests. “It’s real bad, I’m afraid”, says the doc “you’ve got a disease so new that it hasn’t even got a name yet – we just call it ‘Blue 56’. The only certain thing is that you’ll be dead in three days.”

Naturally the guy is devastated, and goes into a big depression. His girlfriend suggests they go to Vegas to cheer him up just a bit till the end comes. So he goes reluctantly. As he walks into the Casino, he’s the millionth customer and wins a brand new Rolls Royce. Then he pulls the handle of a slot machine as he passes, and wins the golden jackpot of $7 million. He sits down for a rest at the Blackjack table and wins $100,000 – straight 21 and he can’t even be bothered to turn the cards.

Weighed down with money, he throws it onto the nearest table. But it’s the roulette wheel and the money is on 22 – which promptly comes up! “Jeez,” says the croupier, “I never seen luck like that in my whole life!”

“No, you don’t understand” says the guy, “I’ve got blue 56.”

“Darn! Now you’ve won the raffle!!”

~~~

“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized, and cruelly mocked, but it cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered.”

Michael J. Fox

~~~

The mother of a problem child was advised by a psychiatrist: “You are far too upset and worried about your son. I suggest you take tranquilizers regularly.”

On her next visit the psychiatrist asked, “Have the tranquilizers calmed you down?”

“Yes” the mother answered.

“And how is your son now?” he asked.

“Who cares?” she replied.

~~~

Mary:  So at the end of our first date, he told me he wanted me for a friend.

Jill:  All right.

Mary:  Yeah, but on the second date, he brought the friend!

~~~

A customer was really hassling an airline agent at the ticket counter — yelling and using foul language. However, the agent was polite, pleasant and smiled while the customer continued to abuse her.

When the man finally left, the next person in line said to the agent, “Does that happen often? I can’t believe how nice you were to him.”

The agent smiled and said, “No problem, I took care of it. He’s going to Detroit. His bags are going to Bangkok.”

~~~

She said, “The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.”

~~~

He said: On the first evening back from overseas, my girl-friend’s understanding parents left us alone in the living room.  Naturally, we did not talk all the time. In the midst of a kiss, I noticed her little sister in her nightgown watching us from the doorway.   “If you will be a good girl and go to bed, I will give you a quarter,” I said to her.

Without taking the bribe or saying a word, she ran off but was very soon back again.  “Here is a dollar,” she said. “I wanna watch.”

~~~

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.

Robert Kiyosaki

~~~

Note: No Daily for the next two days Ray is going on a field trip.

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 believe in you, do you?

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.

Norman Vincent Peale

 

 

I probably told you before but I was reminded again during my recent illness how lucky I was that some folks saw something in me years ago that I did not see in myself. In fact it took some time before I realized that we owe it to ourselves to believe we could almost always do better than we were doing.

Far too often we set boundaries that result in our sitting back once they are reached thinking we have done all we needed to do. In reality when we don’t fence ourselves we can exceed expectations and do some amazing things.

These days I am open to almost any task that my health allows me to take on. I have backed out of some things that my limitations put at risk of failure but that only frees me up to do something else. I am sure I would regret it if my life slowed to the point where there was not plenty to do. Fortunately over the years I have learned that we are all more capable than we realize and that there is little reason to hold back.

Sure I may fail now and then but I will always do my best. What you see is what you get and folks just have to accept me for what I am. Thankfully many of you are always out there keeping people like me company as we do what must be done. Here is a reminder if you need one:

 

Believe In Yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be, ….that’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.

There are times when people disappoint you and let you down, but those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself and all that you are capable of.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.

Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are,

So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities,remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be, because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.

Keep believing in yourself.

Author Unknown

~~~

It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.

Attributed to Hanoch McCarty

~~~

A Jew and a Polish university professor were traveling in the same cabin in a train.  The Jew, a sociable fellow, greeted his traveling companion with a cheerful, Good morning. The professor, an avowed anti-Semite, ignored him.  The Jew repeated his greeting, but the Pole kept on reading his book.

The Jew addressed the professor a third time.  This time the Pole looked him square in the eye and said, Why do you persist in addressing me?  Can’t you see I have no desire to associated with an ignorant Jew!

The Jew hid his anger and spoke to the Pole in a calm even voice.

An ignorant Jew is often a match for a scholarly bigot.  I will make you a little wager.  First, I will ask you a simple question.  If you cannot answer me correctly, you will pay me 100 zlotys.

Then you may ask me any question you like.  If I can answer I will pay nothing.  But since I am but an ignorant Jew, and certainly no match for an educated fellow such as yourself, I will pay you only 10 zlotys if I cannot answer.  Is this agreed?

Agreed, said the professor confidently. Go ahead and ask.

What has four eyes, eats feathers, and lives in a solid gold house?

The Pole wracked his brain for a long time  He made a number of wild guesses, but finally conceded. Alright, he said, I give up.  Here are your 100 zlotys.  Now tell me, what has four eyes, eats feathers, and lives in a solid gold house?

I don’t know either, replied the Jew. Here are your 10 zlotys.

~~~

“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”

Hermann Hesse

~~~

Golfer: Well, I have never played this badly before! Caddy: I didn’t realize you had played before, sir.

Golfer: Caddy, Do you think my game is improving? Caddy: Oh yes, sir! You miss the ball much closer than you used to.

Golfer: Please stop checking your watch all the time, caddy. It’s distracting! Caddy: This isn’t a watch, sir. It’s a compass.

Golfer: Caddy, do you think it is a sin to play golf on Sunday? Caddy: The way you play, sir, it’s a crime any day of the week!

Golfer: This golf is a funny game. Caddy: It’s not supposed to be.

Golfer: That can’t be my ball, caddy. It looks far too old. Caddy: It’s been a long time since we started, sir.

Golfer: That’s good for one long drive and a putt. Caddy (after ball travels only one meter): And now for one hell of a putt.

Friendly golfer (to player searching for lost ball): What sort of a ball was it? Caddie (butting in): A brand new one — never been properly hit yet!

~~~

We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.

Max Depree

~~~

We were watching CNN’s Technology program they have on weekends, when a segment on Virtual Reality came on. Looking at the all the wires and gadgets, she turned to me and said that Virtual Reality would never catch on with women. I was puzzled by this, until she explained, “Every woman’s first thought on seeing that helmet will be, ‘I can’t wear that. It will mess up my hair!'”

~~~

She said: They say it is better to give than to receive. I say it depends on the gift.

~~~

She also said: Have you ever noticed that retired couples have reached a level of maturity where they never have any of those piddling little quarrels that other people do? They have one big argument that starts at seven in the morning and goes right through till bedtime.

Retirement is also when the husband comes up with all kinds of theories on how to do the cooking, housework, and shopping better.  The wife also comes up with a theory – that all pills do NOT come in bottles.

~~~

A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.

Sydney Smith

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

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

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

 

Thanks Everyone

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

Ashley Smith

I am sure you have often heard that when some folks have a near death experience their life flashes in front of their eyes. In my case I have never felt I was near death even though they say I might have been. In both last winters extended recovery due to my convulsive heart failure and my current weeks being mostly immobilized my life did flash across my eyes but in slow motion. I had the opportunity to revisit memories from my past and in the process realized how fortunate I have been to have encountered so many special people in my life, people who enriched my existence while helping me to be who I am today. Many of you helped me to make the choices that have allowed me to enjoy my senior years as much as any of the years gone by.

And now as I recover my health I look forward to the days ahead, days that my Doctors predict will be more robust than they have been for some time. So watch out world I’ll be back soon, you will again see someone who has benefited in no small way from the gift of friendship of others, and for that I am deeply grateful, I do appreciate you all.

The good news is that we never have to wait for an extended illness to review our good fortune and letting others know they are appreciated. Here is an edited article that I think has merit, I hope you do too.

Learning to Appreciate Others

By: R.B. Thohe Pou

Learning to appreciate others will help us to live a better life. We never lost anything in appreciating others – instead we become a better person. Appreciating others will help us to enhance our skill; it will also boost the doers to contribute more for the good of the people. Every time someone does something good for you or others and they need our genuine appreciation. Learning to appreciate others’ ideas, sincerity, contribution, good deeds etc enhance one’s life.

Why we cannot appreciate others? Many times many people had done great things for us and they need appreciation. It is much better to say a word of appreciation while they are living than writing a beautiful biography or bringing a bouquet on their death ceremony. The dead men cannot see or smell our beautiful flowers or read our biography, which is written in praise of them after their death.

Many people work hard regardless of others appreciation and recognition. But what about those people who need support, appreciation and recognition? When someone does something great – we hardly ponder how they could do such a great thing.

Instead, we criticize and snub others’ great works. As we evaluate and project in a positive way about others, we’re sure to find out the beautiful thing they have done, which is worth to be appreciated. Many times we do not appreciate others due to some of these reasons –

Jealousy: We cannot appreciate and support others when we are jealous of others’ good deeds. We may not appreciate others good deeds but there are millions of people to appreciate and support those who are doing something good for the people and not appreciating other good works is our own loss.

Ignorance attitude: Today we live a better life in many aspects but why we are living a better life? Many times we hardly realize what others had done for us. We need to come out from our ignorance and come to know the good deeds of others. Many a time ignorance comes is due to lack of thinking and analytical power.

Callous attitude: Intentionally or unintentionally many of us too callous of others’ hard work for us. We may not have personally relationship with him/her but we need to appreciate their good work. However due to our callous hearts, we do not feel in our hearts or accept what others had done for us. Man is a social animal and it needs support, appreciation and recognition.

~~~

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well”

Voltaire

~~~

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

“What are my choices?” he asked.

“Yes or no,” she replied.

~~~

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

~~~

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

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

~~~

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

Amos Bronson Alcott

~~~

The Association of Southern Schools has decided to seek a grant designating Southern slang, or Y’allbonics, as a language to be taught in all Southern schools. The following are excerpts from the Y’allbonics/English dictionary.

1) HEIDI – (noun) – Greeting.

2) HIRE YEW – Complete sentence. Remainder of greeting. Usage: “Heidi, Hire yew?”

3) BARD – (verb) – Past tense of the infinitive “to borrow”. Usage: “My brother bard my pickup truck.”

4) JAWJUH – (noun) – The state north of Florida. Capitol is Lanner. Usage: “My brother from Jawjuh bard my pickup truck and took it to Lanner.”

5) BAMMER – (noun) – The state west of Jawjuh. Capitol is Berminhayam. Usage: “A tornader jes went through Bammer an’ left $20,000 in improvements.”

6) MUNTS – (noun) – A calendar division. Usage: “My brother from Jawjuh bard my pickup truck, and I ain’t herd from him in munts.”

7) THANK – (verb) – Cognitive process. Usage: “Ah thank ah’ll have a bare.”

8) BARE – (noun) – An alcoholic beverage made of barley, hops, and yeast. Usage: “Ah thank ah’ll have a nutter bare.”

9) IGNERT – (adjective) – Not smart. See “Arkansas native.” Usage:” Them Bammer boys sure are ignert!”

10) RANCH – (noun) – A tool used for tight’nin’ bolts. Usage: “I thank I left my ranch in the back of that pickup truck my brother from Jawjuh bard a few munts ago.”

~~~

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.

~~~

Nadine and Jill were talking about a friend who had just given birth to triplets. “You know, that only happens one in twelve-thousand times?” said Nadine.

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

~~~

Life can be seen through your eyes but it is not fully appreciated until it is seen through your heart.

Mary Xavier

~~~

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.

 

Ray is back at last

Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings.

Publilius Syrus

 

 

As some of you know I just returned from a long stay at a hospital followed by weeks in a physical rehabilitation center. When I returned from my cruise in May I was having periodic chest pains which were severe enough in mid-June to be taken to the emergency room at a local hospital where after a few days of tests it was determined that I had severe blockage in the main arteries of my heart which required major open heart surgery. I don’t remember much off the first few days of recovery as I was heavily medicated but soon after I started the long back to becoming a new me.

The occupational and physical therapists got me to the point I can do what I needed to do to be able to go home which I was thrilled to do a few days ago. I will be allowed to drive again in a week or so and I can hardly wait to get back to the outside world. I will start doing cardiac rehabilitation as an outpatient week after next at the hospital and after a few months I will be well on the way to my best health status in years.

I feel fortunate that they caught it when they did, then did what they did while treating me as well as they did. I had great care givers and made a bunch of new friends and I liked that. I also benefited by many family and friends visits and hundreds of well wishes.

So now I begin the first days of my new life and I am looking forward to the days ahead. I will be visiting with you most mornings via the Daily although I have to be away a few days next week but you always have almost two thousand back issues on WordPress if you want more.

So one, two, three and son you will see me now I must invest in recovery. Please stay well; life is much easier if you do. Here are some tips to keep you in the pink for when we next meet.

 

Simple Things You Can Do to Get Healthy and Stay Healthy

Listed below are essential elements of good health. If you take all of the actions listed below, you will be much healthier.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Drink at Least 8 Glasses of Water

Connect with Other People

Express Your Emotions Appropriately

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Spend at Least 30 Minutes Outdoors

Do Something Physically Active

Take Some Quiet Time for Yourself

Keep Regular Sleep Hours

Establish a Relationship with a Doctor You Can Trust

~~~

 Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

World Health Organization

~~~

Moisha Rabinowitz in the late 1930s fled his native land of Germany. He sold all his assets and converted it to gold and then had 5 sets of solid gold false teeth made. When he arrived in New York the customs official was perplexed as to why anybody would have 5 sets of gold teeth.

So Moisha explained: “We Orthodox Jews have two separate sets of dishes for meat products and dairy products but I am so kosher and religious I also have separate sets of teeth.”

The customs official shook his head and said, “Well, that accounts for two sets of teeth. What about the other three?”

Moisha then said, “Well, us very religious Orthodox Jews use separate dishes for Passover, but I am so religious I have separate teeth, one for meat and one for dairy food.

The customs official slapped his head and then said, “You must be a very religious man with separate teeth for food and dairy products and likewise for Passover. That accounts for four sets of teeth. What about the fifth set?”

“Well, to tell you the truth, once in a while I like a ham sandwich.”

~~~

“If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.”

Bill Lyon

~~~

Young man Murphy applied for an engineering position at an Irish firm based in Dublin. An American applied for the same job and both applicants having the same qualifications were asked to take a test by the department manager.  Upon completion of the test, both men only missed one of the questions. The manager went to Murphy and said, “Thank you for your interest, but we’ve decided to give the American the job.”

Murphy asked, “And why would you be doing that? We both got nine questions correct. This being Ireland, and me being Irish I should get the job!”

The manager said, “We have made our decision not on the correct answers, but rather on the question that you missed.”

Murphy then asked, “And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?”

The manager replied, “Well, the American put down on question #5, ‘I don’t know.’ You put down, ‘Neither do I.'”

~~~

“If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead.”

Gelett Burgess

~~~

Things You Wouldn’t Know Without Movies

* Even when driving down a perfectly straight road it is necessary to turn the steering wheel vigorously from left to right every few moments.

* All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they’re going to go off.

* It is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting.

* It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts – your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors.

* Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are well within the price range of most people — whether they are employed or not.

* At least one of a pair of identical twins is born evil.

* Should you decide to defuse a bomb, don’t worry which wire to cut. You will always choose the right one.

* Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override the communications system of any invading alien society.

* When you turn out the light to go to bed, everything in your bedroom will still be clearly visible, just slightly bluish.

* If you are blonde and pretty, it is possible to become a world expert on nuclear fission at the age of 22.

~~~

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.