Ray’s Daily
May 17, 2017
“Don’t waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I hope it is OK with you that I am taking the day off. So I am going to send you another Daily reprint, I’ll be back tomorrow.
Ray
Ray’s Daily first published on May 17, 2010
Hi everyone, as you can see I made it back from five active days of service projects, friendship building and personal renewal. It was great, although I must admit that my body is still creaking from the aftermath of so much standing, walking, and modest misuse, but it was well worth some minor discomfort. I again learned that the best way to get to know people is to share an experience with them and I feel fortunate to be given so many opportunities to do so. Oh yes and by the way the shared experiences were for the benefit of others and that is where self-renewal is found.
It is always rewarding to see how much we gain from staying active and working, especially with others. I am at a point that retirement income covers my material needs so I am free to choose what I do. The work I am allowed to do these days is much more meaningful and rewarding than most of the work I got paid for in the past. Fortunately, most of us can enrich our lives outside of the workplace by becoming involved in a wide variety of good works, and I’ll tell you it beats the heck out of using spare time for worrying about the future and agonizing over the present. Of course, there are some basic life principles that can insure that you’re at your best. Here are some edited suggestions that life coach Steve Brunkhorst offers to minimize stress and anxiety in our lives.
- Get Enough Sleep. Inadequate sleep effects one’s mood negatively and increases stress level. Adequate sleep helps people to be healthier, happier, more creative, more productive, less accident prone, and more effective in relationships.
- Optimize Your Schedule. Look at your priorities and choose those activities that are essential for your purpose and objectives. If you find that you are over-scheduled, opt out of the nonessentials. Work with excellence on what is most important at the time.
- Keep Expectations Realistic. Expecting ourselves or others to be perfect is certainly not realistic. However, expecting continuous improvement is realistic. Compliment others for a job well done. Request help when you need it rather than becoming stressed over something that cannot be done well without help.
- Stay Physically Fit and Eat a Healthy Diet. Moderate exercise helps to reduce stress. A healthy diet with proper vitamins and minerals provides the fuel to help our bodies function optimally, especially under stressful conditions.
- Relax Everyday. Each day, do at least one activity that you enjoy. This is like replenishing your emotional energy account. We feel the best when our emotions are in a moderate stage of engagement. When emotions run too low or high, they also negatively affect our physical tension, posture, and feelings of well-being.
- Change your Routine. For many people, monotony in a daily schedule can drive stress through the roof. Occasionally, take a different route to work. Begin reading about something you’ve always wanted to learn about. Do something just for you that you’ve always wanted to do – no more putting it off. Do one small thing that is completely new for you every week!
- Solve Problems with Action. Much of the stress and anxiety we experience comes from dwelling on our problems and feeling a lack of control. This attitude only attracts more anxiety as we begin to worry about things that will never happen. Instead, put yourself in the driver’s seat. Look calmly at your problem and take stock of your options. Then, take one positive action toward a solution. Action leads to confidence, and it will help relieve stress and anxiety, giving you a greater feeling of control.
~~~
“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask, I’d still have to say it.”
George Burns
~~~
Recently, I was on a plane that had taken off and was approaching cruising altitude, when one of the flight attendants came on the public- address system. She announced that she was sorry, but the plane’s restrooms were out of order. The flight attendant went on to apologize to the passengers for any inconvenience. But then she finished cheerily with: “So, as compensation, free drinks will be served.”
~~~
The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.
Norman Vincent Peale
~~~
A poor vagabond, traveling a country road in England, tired and hungry, came to a roadside Inn with a sign reading: “GEORGE AND THE DRAGON”. He knocked. The Innkeeper’s wife stuck her head out a window.
“Could ye spare some victuals?” he asked.
The woman glanced at his shabby clothes and obviously poor condition. “No!” she said rather sternly.
“Could I have a drink of water?”
“No!” she said again.
“Could I at least sleep in your stable then?”
“NO!” By this time she was fairly shouting.
The vagabond still continued, “Might I please…?”
“What *now*?” the woman interrupted impatiently.
“D’ye suppose,” he asked…”I might have a word with George?”
~~~
“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.”
Langston Hughes
~~~
A man parked his car at the supermarket and was walking past an empty cart when he heard a woman ask, “Excuse me, did you want that cart?”
“No,” he answered. “I’m only after one thing.”
As he walked toward the store, he heard her murmur, “Typical male.”
~~~
A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
~~~
From British Newspapers
* Commenting on a complaint from a Mr. Arthur Purdey about a large gas bill, a spokesman for North West gas said, “We agree it was rather high for the time of year. It’s possible Mr. Purdey has been charged for the gas used up during the explosion that destroyed his house.” (The Daily Telegraph)
* A young girl who was blown out to sea on a set of inflatable teeth was rescued by a man on an inflatable lobster. A coastguard spokesman commented, “This sort of thing is all too common”. (The Times)
* At the height of the gale, the harbourmaster radioed a coastguard on the spot and asked him to estimate the wind speed. He replied he was sorry, but he didn’t have a gauge. However, if it was any help, the wind had just blown his Land Rover off the cliff. (Aberdeen Evening Express)
~~~
“If you can’t find the time to do it right the first time, when will you find the time to do it over?”
~~~
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. “Where would you like to sit?” he asked politely.
“The front row, please,” she answered.
“You really don’t want to do that,” the usher said. “The pastor is really boring.”
“Do you happen to know who I am?” the woman inquired.
“No,” he said.
“I’m the pastor’s mother,” she replied indignantly.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“No,” she said.
“Good,” he answered.
~~~
“The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.”
Arthur H. Stainback
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
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