A Laugh is Worth a Hundred Groans in Any Market - Lighten Up!

Many years ago when I was in High School, all was not well. I had quite many problems and was nearly depressed. I'll spare you the poignant details, let's just say it was really bad at the time.

But then I shared. And a friend wrote me the note below, that did wonders and totally changed the way I handle most things in life.
I now know this "Lighten Up" note word for word, and it always works in my life. Hope you find it useful.

R U Still Down? Well, Lighten Up.

A LAUGH IS WORTH A HUNDRED GROANS IN ANY MARKET

As we become honest with ourselves, we can begin to see that we take most things in life too seriously. We view our jobs, our status, our possessions large and small - even life's little mishaps with far more seriousness than they deserve. The heart of the matter, of course, is that we tend to take ourselves too seriously.

While it's true many things need our serious attention, that doesn't mean we have to go about straight-faced and tight-lipped in all areas of our lives. When we are excessively concerned, we limit our ability to have fun, to be relaxed and happy - in short, enjoy life.

If we find ourselves taking everything too seriously - if we see that we're trying to manage things beyond our control - it's time we reorder our priorities asking ourselves, "What is really important?"

Perhaps then we can remember that we have a choice to either burden ourselves by viewing everything as 'serious' and therefore, probably negative, or to strive for a positive outlook, with the goal of enjoying life a day at a time as it unfolds.

Lighten Up!

This is for you who is going through a hard time. At a time when the outcome of some predicaments is most in doubt, it pays to lighten up, praying and hoping that all goes well. Because it almost invariably ends well.

Learn, share, and have that smile on your face. Lighten Up!

God Works in Mysterious Ways. And Miracles Do Happen

'Prince of Peace' is a compilation album by various artists. To date, it is my favorite gospel album.

'Prince of Peace' features great music by these accomplished artists: 4 Him, Carmen, Kim Hill, Kathy Troccoli, Carolyn Arends, Larnelle Harris, Michael W. Smith, Clay Crosse, Brent Bourgeois, Dallas Holm, Gary Chapman, Michael Card, Twila Paris, Glad, Kim Boyce, Wayne Watson and Wes King.

God Works in mysterious ways, no doubt. The song 'Mysterious Ways' by Kim Hill is an inspired and conscious reminder of that undeniable fact.
And a very relevant one, in view of recent happenings in my life.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS
By Kim Hill

Living in this game of chance
Driven by the wheels of circumstance
while at the hand of mercy
Balanced on a changing scale
How can life be strong and yet so frail
what is the deeper meaning?
In my feeble mind I try to find the reason
who knows why it's hard to say
God works in mysterious ways
Never show what just lies waiting round the corner
Feeling through this haunting maze
God works in mysterious ways
God works in mysterious ways

Knowing there's a greater plan
Believing still is hard to understand (I don't understand)
Uncertain things before me (I dont understand)
Dealing with the less I know
Learning that His ways are not my own
But still I keep believing
Making sense of consequences hard to fathom
Looking through this holy haze
God works in mysterious ways
Black and white could surely clear this clouded vision
But I live in a world of grace
God works in mysterious ways
God works in mysterious ways

Questions fall like showers of endless rain
Into oceans of the unexplained
Someday it all will be made known...

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Kim Hill. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

The thing is, God works in mysterious ways. And miracles do happen. Period.
That is my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Learn, share and experience the inexplicable work of God in your life.

Delayed Gratification. Self Control. Most vital Ingredients for Success

Don't Eat the Marshmallow, yet.

This is a short talk Dr Joachim De Posada gave at the 2009  TED U conference. He underscores the essence of delaying gratification and having self control, character traits which should be grained from an early stage in child development.

In fact, this character trait can be used to predict future success in a person.

Be edified:



Watch the talk, download the video (19.8MB, MP4) and join the discussion at the TED web site.

Learn, share and don't you eat the marshmallow, yet.

Forever Young, The Good Old Days

Lately, I've had the chance to look back at days gone by, to those cherishable moments that truly add value and epitomize meaning in life.

It was then that I thought, "What if Pete was forever young?"

The following song by Alphaville, is a timeless reminder .  .  . Enjoy!

FOREVER YOUNG

Let's dance in style, lets dance for a while
Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you going to drop the bomb or not?
Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad men
Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders we're getting in tune
The music's played by the madman

Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever
Forever young

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don't they stay young
It's so hard to get old without a cause
I don't want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever
So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true

Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever forever
Forever young, i want to be forever

The above lyrics and artist names are copyrighted to Alphaville. They appear  here for educational and personal use only.

Learn, share and maintain the spirit of youth.

Strategies for a Stress-free Life by G. Gaynor McTigue

Stress-Free Living

This weekend, I came across a preview of this seemingly good book.

It is titled 'Why Make Yourself Crazy: 400 Strategies for a Stress-free Life' by by G. Gaynor McTigue, the author of 'Life's Little Frustration Book'.

Book Highlights

1. Do One thing at a time

2. Throw something out every day

3. Cut down on competitive stress

4. Eliminate excessive and superfluous activities

5. Put affection back into your relationship

6. Never be embarrassed at having to scale back

7. One sport per child per season

8. Don't let Unhealthy job stress persist

9. Avoid eating as a response to stress

10. Don't fall victiom to a chronic talker

Online Resources

Read the preview online on Scribd. Or download a free book preview (PDF 1.03MB).

Learn, share and have a stress-free life.

Security and insecurity, heroes and warriors: Eve Ensler's TED Talk

Following is a TED Talk by Eve Ensler, founder of the Vagina Monologues.

Be edified:



Learn, share and be safe & secure.