Food for Thought

Good thoughts is food.

                                          Raymond J. Cleveland , 90

This remarkable man said he would sometimes rather have good things spoken to him than to eat regular food. It's easier to digest and better for the body and soul.  He takes no medicine and has no pains. His secret, according to him, is a positive mind.

If you want to hear more about Ray, click here.    Ray

Do you think that the more positive people in the world have a brain chemical different from those who aren't?  Why are some people just naturally cheerful and glass half full when others are not and it's a struggle? Well I will struggle on because I want to be like Ray.

Luv ya,

Raymond J. Cleveland

Raymond J. Cleveland

Raymond J. Cleveland

Humm- Grateful?

Something I recently read- It seems I keep coming across these kinds of messages. I must really need them. But his one really got me. Think about it.

What if you woke up today and had only the things you expressed gratefulness for yesterday?

 

Yikes!   Right?

 

I encourage you to be thankful because the reality is that whatever our circumstances we really do have so much and we need to focus in that everyday.

A recent song I came across said something like this -  "Bad things happen we all have pain I can moan and complain but there are a million other things I can be grateful for."

Luv ya- 

Just a Thought

 

 

I find it interesting that so many who quote and espouse John 3:16 often seem to forget about 

John 4: 11

Luv ya, 

 

11 Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. 

 

I think that means all others.While I don't really quote John 3:16 I've been challenged lately in John 4:11. I needed this reminder. A lot of people need this reminder these days.

Turn Some Pages

If your tired of the same old story-well then turn some pages.
I will be there when you are ready to roll with the changes.
Cause you've got to keep on rollin.  REO Speedwagon

I can't tell you have much this song has been going through my head for several days now- one I woke up singing on Thursday and this is Sunday!!. I kept meaning to share it here, actually immediately, because I am always intrigued by how I get certain songs in my mind and why.  So now that I have maybe I can move on to something else. (please).  I hope whomever the message was meant for (besides myself of course) will receive it. I've heard this song so many times for years and the words never meant anything to me.  But they are really pretty cool.  TURN THE DARN PAGES!! Do something different, go after your dream if you're tired of things as they are.  The universe will be there when you are ready- set in your mind- asking- offering.

But  also stop telling that tired story.  Like "I can't because...." My childhood was this so that",  " I'm different so....",  "I've been hurt so..."   "Everything always goes wrong for me"   It's all a story we tell ourselves that prevents us from rollin. That was then this is now. Turn the page and write something different.  Roll with the changes.

Luv ya,

EWW Dried Up Bones

A cheerful heart is a good medicine; 

But a broken spirit drieth up the bones

 Just a thought for the day- even if you're having a bad day, I bet you can find one thing to laugh out loud about, or at least give a little smile about.  Don't let them bones dry up!  ha ha ha

 

Love ya, 

What If.....

Hi Alli, Nick and all,

I'm being a little silly this morning but hang with me.

When I woke this morning the sun was shining through my window and it looks like it's going to be a another beautiful day. I quickly did a small "ceremony" of gratitude then sat up to get out of bed. A funny thought went through my head- now Allison and Nick, you may not have ever heard this expression, but I feel you probably have because of the grand mother you have who loves to use quips and idioms.

My thought- OH MY GOSH WHAT IF I'VE BEEN GETTING UP ON THE 

WRONG SIDE OF THE BED ALL THESE YEARS ?

Ha ha- I told you I was being silly.  But have you ever been asked that question when you've been grumpy or had a bad day-  "What's wrong with you - you get up on the wrong side of the bed today?" It just flashed through my mind. Is there really a wrong side? And how do we know which is the right side? ha ha ha

Well what if.....?

For whatever reason I get up on the side away from the door and walk around the bed. Which causes more steps, etc. I don't have to do it that way. I could shoo the cat off the other side and get up there. I DID. I'm looking forward to the day to see if it made a difference :-) .

Humm.   From this thought sprang the thought- is there something else I can change today to make a different/positive outcome.  I can think of a few.

Luv ya.

Did I Help?

I saw this video this morning and it made me think. I know his message is about how it takes many people working together to create the world we live in and the things in our world. And how true that is if you look at it his way!  SO if that is true than I/we can use this concept to feel really good about the things we do in the world. Our "small" jobs etc. If someone is thinking that they do not make a difference maybe a mind shift to thinking this- " I never know what part I may have played when being kind to someone, or selling something to someone, or - fill in the blank. Maybe in some small way I helped us go to the moon"  (hey, you never know) As a musician - maybe someone was distraught and heard your music and was able to go on, maybe as a sales person you smiled, gave someone an idea- it goes on and on.

Just another way to feel good about ourselves and our contributions. We are all worthy of praise if we are all doing our best.

Luv ya,

As I awoke the other morning to my radio alarm, a recently produced song by Jim James, State of the Art (aeiou) was playing and the first lyrics I registered in my sleepy brain where these:

Now I know you need the dark

just as much as the sun

I said to myself (or maybe out loud), "You talking to me?  Trying to tell me something? I hear you, but really?" Cause I'm going through a little dark right now and I don't know if I like this concept. 

But....that got me thinking. I think we've all heard things like, you need the rain to appreciate the sunshine, or you need some bad to appreciate the good.  I assume the JJ lyrics above are in line with that thinking.  Except that he uses the words "just as much" which to me changes it up.  Does someone's good have to be offset by just as much bad? Is that an unwritten law of the universe. If I looked hard enough would I find something about this in the Bible? Maybe a reader could help me with this.

But let's look at this this another way. If someone lived in their version of what paradise is, would they eventually not appreciate it unless there was bad also? Get bored, take everything for granted? I wonder. 

I do know that I believe we can get through the "dark" if we appreciate and are grateful for the sun (light, good) when we have it. And if we can practice, and it's not always easy -say it with me now- 

BEING HAPPY ON THE WAY TO WHERE WE'RE GOING.

Even if where we're going is out of the dark to the light.

Love ya,

Rain rain go away- well maybe.

Wow! We have had days and days of rain. And complaining about the rain and the rain spoiled our Fourth
of July celebrations, and mushrooms were growing where they don't usually grow. (which was actually kinda cool) Then finally- THE SUN comes out. Bright and ..... hot.

In the early morning, seeing the sun when I woke up and feeling it on my face as I read the paper on the deck was something to sing about, so I did- "sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry". (Is that how it goes?)  Anyway. By late afternoon- I uttered my first complaint about the sun. Sigh. Not the sun so much but the heat from the sun. As soon as the words flowed out of my mouth I realized. Can I go a whole day without complaining about something?  Or maybe just small talk, you know something to comment on.  I did suck my words back quickly with a "well not that I'm complaining."  But too late. I clearly was/did.  Of course I was glad it had stopped raining.  I don't know. I wasn't the only one I heard complaining- but I'm only in charge of me.  And I was really aggravated at myself. I think complaining has just become a way of communicating for most of us. hummm
I gonna work on that. Wanna join me?

The Beatles said it well
- If the rain comes they run and hide their heads
They might as well be dead
If the rain comes, if the rain comes
When the sun shines they slip into the shade
And drink their lemonade
When the sun shines, when the sun shines

Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines
It's just a state of mind?
Can you hear me, can you hear me?

Can ya hear me now?  Love ya

Procrastination

I need to read this EVERY day. What are you putting off doing? How important is that thing to you or someone else?

Tackle at least one thing you've been putting off, and try not to approach it with a sense of fear or dread. Instead, approach it with gratitude, and shift your thinking to focus on the incredible feeling of accomplishment you'll get, once the task is done.   Daily Good

 

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.
                                                                                                           - -Pablo Picasso- -

A short, easy affirmation.

 This morning and, every morning if you'd like, look in the mirror and say: 

TODAY- I love myself, I feel good, I'm gonna have a great day.

Smile and acknowledge at least one thing that you like about yourself today. Simple, but boy does it feel good if you do it with FEELING and BELIEVING


Luv ya,

The Acorn, The Egg and You

 

"The oak sleeps in the acorn. 

The bird waits in the egg, 

and in the highest vision of the soul, 

a waking angel stirs. 

DREAMS ARE THE SEEDLINGS OF REALITY." 

Nepolian Hill

 

Make some noise with your dreams. 

Wake up your soul. 

Write down your dreams, 

imagine them to be reality, 

read them day and night, 

wear them everywhere.

Like the bird in the egg or the oak in the acorn 

your dreams are the seedlings of what you will become. 

It can only be that way.

Luv ya,   PS- did you know that Thomas Edison failed about 10,000 times before succeeding in creating the light bulb? That's what I hear. And Babe Ruth struck out many more times than his home runs, but we hear about his greatness due to the home runs- Concentrate on the successes no matter how small. Keep that angel in your soul stirred up, and content (happy on the way)

Luv ya again.

Think n Grow Rich

Oh my gosh- Thank you Lin Schussler Williams for suggesting I read this book again. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  I say again, because I read it years ago in my 20s or 30s when I completed a series of Dale Carnegie classes. But I really either just didn't get it, or I didn't pay attention.  New age schmu age, this book was written in 1938. Here is just a snippit from  CHAPTER 1 for heaven's sake. Can't wait to discover more as I read on.

The ether in which this little earth floats, in which we move and have our being, is

a form of energy moving at an inconceivably high rate of vibration, and the ether is filled with a form of universal power which ADAPTS itself to the nature of the thoughts we hold in our minds; and INFLUENCES us, in natural ways, to transmute our thoughts into their physical equivalent this power makes no attempt to discriminate between destructive thoughts and constructive thoughts, it will urge us to translate into physical reality thoughts of poverty, just as quickly as it will influence us to act upon thoughts of riches

 Our brains become magnetized with the dominating thoughts which we hold

in our minds, and, by means with which no man is familiar, these "magnets" attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts.

  

I was floored when I read this!!  To translate to today's language:

 THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS- CHOOSE THE GOOD ONES

1938! Think about it. This man studied the wealthy and the happy (not necessarily the same people because we know wealth doesn't always mean happiness) for years. And he came away with the "science/physics" of the root of the success, just as Einstein did.  Thoughts, frequency (vibration), energy (ether).  You can create poverty or you can create riches- in health, happiness and wealth. 

Luv ya-  PS Go get this book. 

Execute Within Your Frequency

Vision without execution is hallucination. - Thomas Edison

  

Humm -At first glance it seems contradictory to Einstein's statement that I used in an earlier post-  "Everything is energy and that's all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy this is physics. "     

  

Some would argue that Edison, from this statement, doesn't believe in visualization.  But that is far form the truth. Edison did practice visualization. I've read that he had a practice of sitting in silence in order to allow inspiration and he meditated (visualized) on that inspiration. In the reverse, it sounds as if Einstein is saying all you have to do is visualize. I believe they are saying much the same thing in different words. Visualizing sets the frequency that leads to action which leads to attraction from the universe. After setting your frequency towards what you want, visualizing your goal, take one or more steps each day toward that goal, making yourself available. It's like the story of the man who prayed to win the lottery, but he never bought a ticket. The combo of prayer (meditation, visualization) and action.  Double whammy of energy! You've got Edison and Einstein in your corner.

 

Luv Ya

Celebrate

 "BLESSED IN THIS LIFE, I'M GONNA CELEBRATE BEING ALIVE."   

                              
I heard this incredible song today and wanted to share. This is a white, red headed young guy who sings like a Rastafarian.  Most all of his lyrics are uplifting and thoughtful.   I-Tunes this song to play back when you need a reminder that we are blessed to have this life. It's catchy and funky and kinda cute. Makes ya wanna kick up your heels. ;-)

 Brett Dennen Blessed (click here)

Luv ya,

Grumbling :-(

I love this following "Prayer" suggestion I received today. "Help me to replace grumblings with gratitude"
  

Sovereign God, we praise you for your wonderful world, and we pray that you will replace our grumbles with gratitude, and our questioning with adoration. 

                                                                                                      from the book of Psalms 

 It is so easy to grumble about life.  I am happy to say that I've actually, finally recognizing my grumbling. They say that recognizing the problem is a start to recovery from any problem. Right?  I found myself grumbling about what really is good fortune for me.  geez!!  I am so pleased that insurance will pay for a new roof and a few other items that need replaced around my house and what did I do. I started grumbling about having to get estimates from a few companies, and is it enough money, etc.  "OH THE PAIN!"  But---------  I caught myself and stopped myself and shifted back into gratitude for my fortunate circumstance.

But this one is a biggie for most people I think. I know people that grumble about everything-- all day!  Some don't see grumbling as a problem, but it is. It blocks the good energy. It crowds the mind not allowing the good to come through. It ruins your moment, your day, your week. It sometimes really brothers those around you.  I challenge you to recognize your grumbling and see if there is a  different way to look at the situation and turn it into gratitude.  Send gratitude and praise into the universe raising the positive vibrations in your and those around you.

Now let me add a caveat- if you need to let off some steam, do it and get it over with then go back into gratitude as quickly as you can.

Luv ya, 

Ice Cream or Crap

"What if the universe were conspiring FOR you?"

I've heard/read this several times before, but again this morning. It is so funny how you can hear something many times, but it takes just one other to finally get your attention.  You hear people say "The universe, God, the devil is just against me."  What if the universe and God want you to be happy, successful, etc and you are standing in the way. With your thoughts and your actions.

After I watched a video that contained the above statement look at what came into my e-mail.

Isaiah 42: 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 

Wow- how cool is that!!?- I get so excited when these kinds of things happen. Can it really be a coincidence that I stopped long enough to listen to that video  and then get to get that message via e-mail?  I think not! 

I believe this verse says that the universe/God is conspiring for us. The devil/chaos tries to make us believe differently. Sometimes so much so that we want to give up- I know that truth too well.  Then I get reminded to think the good thoughts- to choose ice cream over crap- to be grateful and to give because the UNIVERSE IS  CONSPIRING FOR ME. 

Luv Ya, 

Ask Seek Engage

  Ask and Seek

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
                                                                                                       Matthew 7: 7-12

I believe Jesus was trying to tell his followers, and anyone who would listen, that this was one of if not THE  law of the universe. This was "The Secret". What over the years so many others have discovered and written about. And then there is Albert Einstein, and who is basically atheist or at least agnostic. Look at what he has to say. I don't know about you, but I find this very exciting!!. Einstein through his research concluding that we can affect the way we live through our thought process. Our thoughts become our things. His statement makes it sound easy- I don't think it's that easy for some people- it takes time and practice. Most of us want a pill.


 EngageFrom The Secret Daily Teachings

You are an electromagnetic being emitting a frequency. Only those things that are on the same frequency as the one you are emitting can come into your experience. Every single person, event, and circumstance in your day is telling you what frequency you are on.If your day is not going well, stop and deliberately change your frequency. If your day is going swimmingly, keep doing what you are doing. 

Everything is energy and that's all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy this is physics.   Albert Einstein

 WOW!!

Luv ya, 

Your Happy Self.

 Below is a link to cute little reminder video. Just click on it.  A nice way to start the day.  That's all.  Be yourself, your happy self.

How To Be Your Happy Self  (click here)

Universal Energy

Do you know the main difference between messing with the cursed hows and turning them over to me?  Success

                                     The Universe (according to Mike Dooley)

I loved this when I saw it. Don't worry about having all the answers to the hows right now. Focus your energy on the dream- take the first step and let the universe open the way. It's just waiting to do that for you. All you have to do is ask.

Luv Ya. 

 

"Good News"

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, 

so is good news from a far place.
                                                  Russian Proverb

 

I got a handwritten note last week that surprised me. A rare thing, I believe. I liked it. Is there someone out there you can contact that doing so would be like "cold water to a thirsty soul", good news?   A call, a note, a card. (hint hint Ali & Nick)  And yes in today's technology a text or e-mail to someone you haven't communicated with in awhile might even be nice, good news. 
For me- I'm sending a card, maybe several.

Luv ya, 

Life

 

 

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there ways always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."                                                   Alfred D. Souza

 Happiness is the journey, not the destination. Be happy on the way to where you're going.

Luv ya,

Hope

 

  Hope: The Happy Anticipation of Good Things

 

  Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
  but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

 Proverbs 12

 

It's Only a Missing Trampoline

This subject has been a theme of a few of my past posts but it came up for me again so strong yesterday. Live in the moment. Be happy on the way to where you're going.

I was walking through the neighborhood yesterday more for fresh air then exercise. I walked past two homes that always make me a bit sad. Even writing about them make me tear up a bit. What could be so sad about these homes? (Maybe nostalgic would be a better word) One of them is the home of a boy Nick ran with a little in the neighborhood, the other is just a home that I had noticed over the years included young girls Nick's age.  They both show signs of life passing on.  The one boy, Robbie had an above ground pool in his backyard the other had a big trampoline.

Neither of those objects are there now because the kids are grown and off to college and they were no longer being used. You see now? I've taken down our trampoline too. 

I always admired the house where the girls lived. There was something about it. It wasn't actually on my street, but around the corner. I happened to see one of the girls pull up in her car on a weekend, a typical college girl home for the weekend with a bundle of dirty clothes and her mother anxiously waiting on the porch. Of course I don't know if she was anxiously waiting- but I felt she might be. Her daughter coming home for a weekend. I always am when Nick comes home.  
(An additional moral to this story- I always wanted to go up and introduce myself to them because I thought we probably would have some things in common. I never did. Now when I see them I want to ask them how they're doing with their girls gone.)

Anyway- I feel that in addition to signifying the passing of time, the reason the missing tramps and pool make me sad is that they remind me that I didn't live in the moment when those moments where happening. So those moments being gone are even more bitter-sweet. The grind of life or of constantly looking for the next thing, or being happy when..... can steal the now. Then the now is gone. Sometimes it's almost as if they never existed. Did I have little boys in my backyard getting dirty on the trampoline? How can this much time have passed?  Wish I knew then what I know now. Really try to live, take in, breath in the good times.  I still find myself allowing my mind to go into overdrive and stress out and miss things. But I do better.  Alli & Nick- do better now.

Luv ya,

10 ways to keep those Resolutions.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!  Today I am borrowing because this is just too good not to share. Because though it wasn't originally meant for New Years, I found it at the perfect time- when we're all making those New Year's resolutions. And because I need to remember. This is going on my bathroom mirror. (** are my emphasize)

The Official Top Ten Spiritual Ways to Defeat Boredom, Make Friends, Find Love, Trim Down, Shape Up, Discover Your Purpose, Make a Fortune, and Shine Your Light, are...
1. Take action.
2. Show up.
3. Lean into it.
4. Start anywhere. ******
5. Keep busy.
6. Get out more.
7. Ask for help.******
8. Shake more hands. ****
9. Give more hugs.
10. Don't stop.******
You were already visualizing, right?
    The Universe

Alli, and Nick-  this is your year! 13 is our family's lucky number- did you know that?  I am sooo excited by what is going to happen for us in 2013 I can hardly stand it.  And for everyone else I wish you also a very lucky. loving 2013.  
Luv Ya