Tuesday, August 29, 2017

2017-35 - The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee...

If you put a Buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The ordinary Bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

A Bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, there are lots of people like the Buzzard, the Bat, and the Bee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there... "above" them...

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to look UP!!

~ Author Unknown



I'm looking forward to the future, and feeling grateful for the past.

~ Mike Rowe

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

2017-34 - Journey On A Train...

Life is like a journey on a train with its stations, with changes of routes and with accidents! At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant, i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize that they vacated their seats! This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all the passengers... requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way – Love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life without us. I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life. Reap success, give lots of love and be happy. More importantly, be thankful for the journey! Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!

~ Author Unknown



People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

~ Author Unknown

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

2017-33 - The Small Moments...

I have a Rewards Card for Showcase Cinema that allows me to earn rewards points with each purchase that I make at the theatre and periodically provides me with a free popcorn, soda or movie ticket coupon. I had recently accumulated enough rewards points to obtain a coupon for a free popcorn.

Standing in the movie theatre ticket line on Saturday, I noticed a father with his 2 kids waiting to buy their tickets for the Matinee. Knowing that movies can be quite expensive for families, I tapped the Dad on the shoulder and asked, "I have a coupon for free popcorn and don't plan to use it, would you like it the boys?" He said, "Yeah, sure. That's great! Thanks!" and took the coupon.

After they had purchased their tickets, one of his sons who appeared to be about 9 years old, walked up to me and silently held out a shiny penny to show me. I took it and said, "'Wow that's cool! It's really shiny!" He quietly replied, "It's a 2011".

As I handed it back to him. He pushed the penny towards me once again and quietly said, "You can keep it". Showing my gratitude, I replied, "Wow that's awesome, thank you very much" and asked, "Where did you get it!" He replied softly, "I found it in my Dad's car". I said, "Oh that's cool, thanks!"

He smiled, quietly turned and walked back to his Dad who returned my smile with a knowing smile of his own. It's the small moments like these that can make an ordinary day, special.

~ Steven L Foley




We do not remember days, we remember moments.

~ Cesare Pavese

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

2017-32 - Your Choice Is Here...

Here I am lying down listening to the beat of my heart, happier than ever, stronger than ever.


It got to the point in my life where I used to work every night, till the sweat ran like water on the floor... but one day, I said enough is enough. I stood up, I listened, and I made my choice. Now, it is time for you to make yours.




Are you just going to sit there and take what life is handing you, or are you going to get off your butt and start telling life what to give you. Because that, that is what living is all about. Not lying in bed crying about the ones you can't have, or those who don't want you. Trust me I was there, I did that, but I stopped, I opened my eyes, and I realized that those people - they are going to be the ones to come running back one day asking you to treat them the way you always did. That moment is when you have to make the choice to be stronger, or to be who you were.




I know it doesn't always feel that way, and you feel like you need someone, but in all honesty, do you, do you really? All you need in your life is having those around you that encourage you to become a stronger person and a better human.




So, stop using excuses in your life and start keeping your word, not to those you promised something, but to yourself, because soon enough you will realize that sticking to your word made you the new and improved you.




~ Stephen Roos




"Stop using excuses and start owning up to what you did and said!"

~ Author Unknown

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

2017-31 - Clean your cup...

I recently started a new job, in a small office, where four of us share a fridge. In that fridge is a Brita water filter pitcher. One of my co-workers complained the water tasted "dirty". It went on for a few days, and she was stunned that I could drink the water without any trouble. I started to doubt my taste buds, but the water really tasted fine.

Finally, she figured out the problem was actually her cup. She simply forgot to clean it, and after a while it started to affect the water inside it. She cleaned her cup, and drank the water with no problem.

I can't help but look at this, and think about the world we live in. Too often we quickly blame other people, other things, anything else, but ourselves. "You're racist". "You're intolerant". "You're the problem". The world isn't perfect, I know, but I think we should take a step back sometimes and ask ourselves some tough questions.

Can I be better? Is my heart really pure? Can I help this situation with kindness?

I want to tell you this; please clean your cup. Because when you do, the water will taste much better. I promise you this.

~ Author Unknown



One of the most healing things you can do is recognize where in your life you are your own poison.

~ Dr Steve Maraboli