A Story to Live By...

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that.
The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse
to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone
who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone
who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone
who died too early on this earth.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone
who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or
sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone
who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile
on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Believe in Yourself

There are days when we are getting up in the morning,
and realize that things are not the way we are hoping would be.

And we keep telling ourselves that things will get better.
There are also times when a person disappoints us and will let us down.

But those were the times when you just remind yourself
to trust your own judgments and opinions,
keeping your life focused on believing in yourself.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life,
and it is up to you to allow them.

Relentlessly remain yourself headed in the right direction for you.
It may not be simple at times,
but in those times of struggle
you will find a stronger wisdom of who you are.

So when the days come that are filled with frustration
and unexpected responsibilities,
learn by heart to believe in yourself
and all you want your life to be.

Because the challenges and changes will only help you
to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.

Keep Believing in Yourself…

Letting Go...

To let go doesn't mean to stop caring;
It means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off...
It's the realization that I can't control another...
To let go is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try and change or blame another,
I can only change myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own outcomes.
To let go is not to be protective,
It is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue,
but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish the moment.
To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone,
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
.. Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
.. But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
.. Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
.. And yet don't look too good, nor talk to wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
.. And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
.. Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
.. And stoop, and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
.. And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
.. And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
.. To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
.. Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
.. Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
.. If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
.. With sixty seconds' worth of distance run
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
.. And - which is more - you'll be grown up my child!

Rudyard Kipling (1865 to 1936)

24 Things to Always Remember. . . and One Thing to Never Forget...

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
Don't take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people . . . together.

Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have heath and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget . . .
For even a day . . .
How very special you are...