There is an ongoing battle between light and darkness. The two cannot coexist. The darkness draws us into anger and rage and minimizing people who are different from us. The light draws us toward respect, compassion, and cooperation. The darkness asks us to fear others because they are different. It builds false images and speaks of them as a reality. The light sees things as they are drawing people together to make a difference. Although, at times darkness seems to prevail, in the end, historically, light always triumphs over darkness.
thinking
Today’s Thought: Sunrises & Sunsets
I’m an early riser. I enjoy sunrises and sunsets. There’s something exciting to me about seeing a sunrise. A sunrise is to me a that I have another chance. It’s a signal that there are wonderful surprises waiting for me as my day unfolds. It’s a signal that I’ve moved on from yesterday to something new and challenging. Sunsets are peaceful to me. They give me a signal that it’s time to rest and to be at peace. It’s a signal that it is time of letting go. It’s a signal that it is a time for gratitude for all the blessings that came my way during the day. A sunrise and sunset are reminders to me to pray.
Today’s Thought: I’m In Favor of Second Chances
Ever done something you’ve regretted? I have, more than once. I will always remember the times and people who gave me a second chance. We all need second chances. Sometimes a third or fourth chance. I’ve tried to make the best of my second chances and third chances. A little forgiveness goes a long way in helping someone out and getting back on the right road.
Today’s Thought: Sometimes It Doesn’t Go as Planned
I make a check list of things I want to do before I go to bed each night. It helps to quiet my mind and I don’t have one of those wake up in the middle of night things thinking about what I have to do. The list keeps me on track, check, check, check, I whip the items off my check list as I move throughout the day. It goes smoothly until . . . Until the universe throws me a curve ball. That’s what happened today. I finished breakfast and was heading toward my study when I got a video call from family. My well calculated routine was already in trouble. I didn’t accomplish too much before I headed for the gym. I hit every red light and there are nine of them between my home and the gym. I went in the gym intent on getting my workout done when a friend who just returned from a safari in Africa started walking toward me. I had no place to hide. Twenty seconds later I was looking at photos and videos from my buddy’s iPhone. It wasn’t the day I expected. It was the day dealt to me. I’ve learned it’s best to roll with it. Forget about the list, and do the best you can. When we roll with the interruptions, we have less stress and we discover we may be making an unplanned difference.
Today’s Thought:
Imagine you’re a detective. You’re at a crime scene. You remember all your TV crime shows so you’re all set. There are three witness to the crime. You decide to question them separately since you don’t want them colluding on what they should tells you. One thing you won’t do is to ask them how they’re doing and then walk away. You’ll have a whole list of questions to ask. Some of the witnesses answers will lead to questions you haven’t thought about.
When we want a good relationship with someone it’s important to show interest in them. We politely probe to discover more information about their likes and dislikes. It’s as if we are detectives and we are attempting to draw information from the person we’re with. We forget about ourselves and focus totally on the other person
Today’s Thought: Keep on Keeping On
One lesson life has taught me is that if I keep trying I have a chance. I think that’s a universal law. It’s only when we quit trying that our chances go down to zero. Would you buy a lottery ticket or a scratch ticket if you knew it was a guaranteed loser? No one would. Most times when we quit, we make an excuse. Our excuse makes us feel better, but the excuse doesn’t produce any results. The steps we take may be small, we may seem to be getting nowhere, but if we keep grinding away, we’ll surprise others and ourself. Never quit.
Today’s Thought: Is it Time for a Change?
One thing is certain about change, we can only change ourselves. We cannot change another person. Our attempts will be futile even when we see something that needs to change. They don’t see it or don’t want to change. Only when the need to change is greater than the effort to change, will the other person decide to change. That’s also true for you and me. Change is an internal mechanism. Each of us has the power to flip our change switch on or off. When we focus on changing ourselves for the better, our life and relationships improve.
Today’s Thought: Let’s Enjoy the Ride
We’re all together in this joy ride on planet earth through the cosmos. It makes so much more sense to work together and set aside differences. It’s our only ride, we have the potential to make it a great one. It takes setting aside past grievances and the courage to believe that solutions to difficult problems are possible if we shake hands and put our minds into cooperative action.
Today’s Thought: You Have A Wonderful Talent – Use It
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. ~ Henry Van Dyke
We all have a talent, maybe more than one. It’s up to us to find it and to put it to use the best we can. We may never make the headlines, win an Oscar, or be named a Nobel Prize winner. We will, if we develop our talent make a difference in another’s life. We will have lived a meaning-filled life.
Today’s Thought:
If you want to be the best you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do. ~ Michael Phelps
It’s true, successful people do what unsuccessful people don’t want to do. Sometimes it’s working harder. Sometimes it’s not letting failure stop you. Sometimes, it’s asking for advice or help. All times it’s holding on and refusing to let go, not letting anything shake you loose from going after your goal. C’mon, you’ve got the right stuff. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Prove it by doing the things that other people aren’t willing to do.
