A dandelion grows between a crack in the sidewalk. The earth turns green as the days become longer and warmer. Young birds get ready to take their first flight. Don’t doubt it. Life wins. Life always wins.
Month: April 2021
Today’s Smile 😃
Joe: “My girlfriend and I went to restaurant and there was a hearing aid in my salad.”
Pete: “Did you tell the waiter?”
Joe: “When I told him, he said, “What? Speak louder.”
👊 Today’s Power Thought ~ Mental Toughness Will Get You Through
A disciplined mind is difficult to beat. It won’t let you quit. It will endure the toughest of times.
🌾 Today’s Poem ~ The Life of Love XVI ~ Spring
The Life of Love XVI
Khalil Gibran
Spring
Come, my beloved; let us walk amidst the knolls,
For the snow is water, and Life is alive from its
Slumber and is roaming the hills and valleys.
Let us follow the footprints of Spring into the
Distant fields, and mount the hilltops to draw
Inspiration high above the cool green plains.
Dawn of Spring has unfolded her winter-kept garment
And placed it on the peach and citrus trees; and
They appear as brides in the ceremonial custom of
the Night of Kedre.
The sprigs of grapevine embrace each other like
Sweethearts, and the brooks burst out in dance
Between the rocks, repeating the song of joy;
And the flowers bud suddenly from the heart of
Nature, like foam from the rich heart of the sea.
Come, my beloved; let us drink the last of Winter’s
Tears from the cupped lilies, and soothe our spirits
With the shower of notes from the birds, and wander
In exhilaration through the intoxicating breeze.
Let us sit by that rock, where violets hide; let us
Pursue their exchange of the sweetness of kisses.
💡 Something to Think About
If someone says something you disagree with, you don’t have to argue. There’s no life rule that mandates argument. There are other choices: silence, asking questions to deeper understand what was said, and gently changing the topic. You’ll find you’ll feel better and relationships will improve.
🌾 Today’s Poem ~ The Light of Stars
The Light of Stars
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The night is come, but not too soon;
And sinking silently,
All silently, the little moon
Drops down behind the sky.
And sinking silently,
All silently, the little moon
Drops down behind the sky.
There is no light in earth or heaven
But the cold light of stars;
And the first watch of night is given
To the red planet Mars.
Is it the tender star of love?
The star of love and dreams?
O no! from that blue tent above,
A hero’s armor gleams.
And earnest thoughts within me rise,
When I behold afar,
Suspended in the evening skies,
The shield of that red star.
O star of strength! I see thee stand
And smile upon my pain;
Thou beckonest with thy mailed hand,
And I am strong again.
Within my breast there is no light
But the cold light of stars;
I give the first watch of the night
To the red planet Mars.
The star of the unconquered will,
He rises in my breast,
Serene, and resolute, and still,
And calm, and self-possessed.
And thou, too, whosoe’er thou art,
That readest this brief psalm,
As one by one thy hopes depart,
Be resolute and calm.
O fear not in a world like this,
And thou shalt know erelong,
Know how sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong.
🌞 Today’s Inspiration ~ A Worthy Goal for Living
“I want to live my life so that my nights are not full of regrets.” ~ D. H. Lawrence
What Should You Eat Before Exercising in the Morning?
Eating Tips Before a Morning Workout
If you exercise in the morning, finish breakfast at least one hour before your workout. Studies suggest that eating or drinking carbohydrates before exercise can improve workout performance and may allow you to work out for a longer time or at a higher intensity. If you don’t eat, you might feel sluggish or lightheaded when you exercise. If you plan to exercise within an hour after breakfast, eat a light breakfast or drink something such as a sports drink. Focus on carbohydrates for maximum energy. If you normally have coffee in the mornings, a cup before your workout is probably OK.
Good breakfast options include:
- Whole-grain cereals or bread
- Low-fat milk
- Juice
- A banana
- Yogurt
- A pancake
✒️ Writers’ Wisdom ~ The Case for Letting Your Story Unfold as You Write
“I’m one of the narrative-push people. I don’t outline, I don’t plan ahead. So I’m my first reader, telling myself the story as I’m going along. Since I haven’t designed it ahead of time, each day I have to be sure that the footing is solid before I make the next step. I think you could be more intricate if you work it out ahead of time.” ~ Donald Westlake
Today’s Smile 😃
Joe: “I don’t have a carbon footprint.”
Pete: “That’s great, Joe. How do you do it?”
Joe: “I drive everywhere.”
