President's Day

Tomorrow is President's Day and as we look back we can remember the Presidents who made a  positive difference in our country and in the world. 

What have we learned from these leaders from long ago? In an article written by Jackie Cushman, writer for Creaters Syndicate, she explored how Washington and Lincoln shaped the country. 

Washington stated, according to Jackie Cushman, "Throughout his service to the country, Washington recognized it was not about him, but about our country." This is something our current leaders could apply today. So many decisions today are made about party lines, politics, money, power, personal gain, and business interests. The good of the country and its members takes a back seat.

Lincoln, who held the country together during a civil war, in a private letter September 1862 wrote, "The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be and one must be wrong.  God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party--and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect his purpose.--Lincoln closed his address by reaching out to the Confederacy (the losers) and reminding the Union (the winners) that victory should be accompanied by grace. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right of God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in..." 

This could be written about our situation today in our government. In an article by Mark K. Updegrove, he reminds us of President Carter, who was the first former U.S. President to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to him for his "decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights and promote economic and social development."  He reported that Carter's teacher, Julia Coleman stated, "We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." Updegrove states that Carter, in his next book. Faith,  will explore why we should have faith in things as wide-ranging as God, our government, democracy, freedom, honesty and our fellow man."  Let our government find God and justice in their work.

Violence and the Innocent

My heart and soul hurt when I hear about senseless violence, especially when it involves children. I cry for the parents, family, friends and victims. I cry also for the person who committed such an atrocity, who will have to live with this crime for eternity. 

I thank those heroes who put themselves in harm's way to prevent further slaughter and who continue to inspire us to become the best we can be for the time we have on this earth. 

"How you and those dear to you live earns your reputation; how you and those dear to you face death reveals your character."  John William Russell III

I pray for the survivors that they will use this opportunity to thank God for their lives and that they will endeavor to make their lives a beacon of hope for others. 

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of promises for overcoming it."  Helen Keller

With God's help we can find the light of peace, forgiveness and hope that tomorrow brings.

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.  Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."  Albert Schweitzer

My prayer is that God's light will shine through each of us so that collectively we can extinguish the flames of hatred, anger, violence and pain in our world and replace them with flames of love, hope, peace and acceptance. 

May my prayers unite with others to place a blanket of comfort over all who are experiencing the suffering of violence.

Pat's Art Exhibit

Hope to see you there!  Thank you for your interest and support!

Love and Romance

"In all the chaos that's going on, we need a little love and romance."  Diana Krall, musician

"There is an overwhelming power in boundless compassion and unconditional love."  Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and author of Resilience:  Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

All of us hope for the perfect person and relationship in our lives. Remember that we are half of a relationship. What are you doing to make the other person feel loved and appreciated?  I see romantic movies and the gentleman is providing a very beautiful setting and makes great effort to show his love.  There is nothing stopping a woman from stepping forward and making a special effort to demonstrate her love. Make a point of telling others that you love them. It is a wonderful gift!

"Be sure that the person you are falling in love with is the person who is genuinely there and not an idealized version of a person who you 'wish' was there.  And always go with your heart." Danica McKellar
 
We can waste our time and efforts on someone who will never reciprocate our love.  We often keep sending our love to a bottomless pit of selfishness, rejection, and despair.  We are worth receiving unconditional and encompassing love from special people in our lives.  Don't settle for less! Become the person that someone else will want to love unconditionally!

Many of us are alone during holidays and celebrations or remembrances of a holiday like Valentine's
Day.  It takes little effort to remember our single, disabled and elderly friends but the joy and excitement we can share is memorable and greatly appreciated. If you are single and alone, keep in mind that you still have a great capacity to share your love with others!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  I am sending all of you my prayers and heartfelt blessings! 

Check out my book, The Dying Teach Us How to Live

The Best I Can Be

"Dear Lord--
I'm proud to say, so far today
I've got along all right;
I have not gossiped, whined or bragged,
Or had a single fight.

I haven't lost my temper once,
Or criticized my mate,
I have not lied, I have not cried,
Or loudly cursed my fate.

So far today I've not one time
Been grumpy or morose,
I've not been spiteful. cold or vain,
Self-centered or verbose.

But, Lord, I'm going to need Your help
Throughout the hours ahead,
so give me strength, Dear Lord, for now
I'm getting out of bed."

John T. Baker

We all have daily battles with ourselves to become a better person.  It is hard work that can bring us joy and increased self-esteem.  I watched a show about reunions with people who had a huge effect on their lives.  One man was rich, drank and gambled. "I was not a good person." He decided to change his life, traveled to places in the world where refugees were stranded and used his own time, money and efforts to make a difference in their lives.  He was reunited with a young boy,  once 12 years old, without family; a refugee who was able to change his life 40 years earlier because of the efforts of this one man. Everyday we can begin our day with a goal of making a difference in the lives of those we encounter.  Remember others who have been inspirational to us.  Pass it on!

Check out my book, "The Dying Teach Us How to Live

Laughter

I was with my pinochle playing card group when something unexpected happened.  We claim we play pinochle but mostly we are just friends sharing our lives, successes, failures, and just being ourselves.  One night we were talking and we all suddenly burst out laughing after one of us spoke.  It wasn't a joke, we were just laughing at ourselves.  We were laughing so hard, we had tears in our eyes.  It was such fun to let go of the worries of our world and just simply enjoy being together. 

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."  Unknown

"When a smile breaks open into laughter, hearts open! Laughter creates space, ease and connection.  Laughter is our soul's joy song."  Tracee Ellis Ross, actress

The difference in our joy involves whether we are laughing with someone or at someone.  This is a very important distinction! 

"Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you naturally wonder whether you sometimes laugh at them."  Jeff Haden, writer

Let It Snow

I made myself a snowball,

As perfect as could be,

I thought I'd keep it as a pet, 

And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas,

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away, 

But first--it wet the bed.  

Unknown

Good friends never "run" away!  Have a wonderful life and share a laugh with someone!

Giving Back

"If you are lucky enough to be successful, you have a responsibility to give back.  We're all intertwined. We're responsible to make the world a better place for one another."
               Lori Greiner, inventor, entrepreneur and co-host of Shark Tank.

I recently heard about a program at University of Dayton in Ohio.  Recent graduates from college have taken a year to live in groups of four with other graduates in a challenged, poor and under-served community.  They are choosing and offering a year of service to their community to make a difference in the lives of others who have not had opportunities, encouragement and support systems to inspire them. 

According to Alma Powell and General Colin Powell, "Devoting  a year after high school or college to serve their community lets them join with others in works of healing.  This cause of helping children become healthy, moral, skilled adults is the cause that will determine the future of our nation. Raising children prepared for lives of accomplishment, self-respect, and contribution is our core responsibility.  We can make a difference, one caring adult and one child at a time."

"Be ye fishers of men.  You catch 'um--He'll clean 'em" 

"Are you fishing or just preoccupied with the net?" 
                                               Both taken from a church bulletin

Are you ready to make a difference? We can't save the world but we can lessen the burden of just one person we meet.  It is easy to look away or at the computer or cell phone.  It takes love to reach out!