it makes me think...

i saw this in my church bulletin. it made me think of all the countless amounts of time i spend thinking negatively about a person or situation. what if all those times i thought of something positive about the person or situation? what if i start doing that now?

For a Happier Life:

~Do not give in to anger over the past or fear of the future. Do not look backwards or forwards. Enjoy the present.

~Do not waste your time and energy on grudges, gossip and negative thoughts. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

~Envy is a waste of time. God will provide what you need.

~Enjoy the simple things.

~Remember, everything in moderation.

~Play more games and read more funny books.

~Do not take yourself so seriously. Cultivate a sense of humor. Laugh a lot.

~Count your blessings and be thankful.

rest & listen

"All who are weary come to me and I will give you rest."

today,
just rest.
turn off the t.v.,
silence the music,
dim the lights,
and just
sit.

today,
just rest.

questions to ponder:
* is it hard or is it easy to do nothing?
* what do you hear?
* what do you feel?
* what do you long for?
* what are you grateful for right now?

What Are You Searching For?

"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away."

~ D. Viscott

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though.

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only sounds the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

A Simple Verse that is Often Overlooked

peace be with you today, tomorrow, and forever

Too Big & Too Personal to Wrap

Ever felt like you have nothing to give a person?
Nothing of value? Nothing that a box and a bow define as speechless?
Some of us may be "looking" for the "next big thing"; we search so often for the "right gift" that we often miss the beauty coated in a warm hug, a friendly smile, a kind word.

I'm a firm believer in what you may call "simple acts." A gift that shiny paper and a gaudy bow cannot match. So frequently, I observe people buying clothes for a friend to celebrate her birthday or a gadget that is up-to-date on the latest technology for a long-time boyfriend. But just imagine, if we gave up these material things that cease to last forever, that lose their special "touch" when they are consumed and instead, gave the gift of laughter, of hope, of humility? Wouldn't the gift of joy for a hurting person be more rewarding and fulfilling than another purse, another pair of shoes, another night out on the town?

I was watching a rerun of a 7th Heaven Epsiode last week. For those who haven't seen this program, Brenda Hampton (producer) highlights the life of the Camdens, a religious family who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. No one is perfect, as depicted with the seven children, a dog named Happy, and a minister who willingly helps all who come his way.

In this particular epsiode, Eric Camden was in Heaven. He was met by an angel who showed him the true lasting gifts. He received the gift of courage and forgiveness for his eldest daughter Mary, in the form of an eraser. These gifts were intricately wrapped and adorned with a bow but the gift inside was truly amazing. Unlike the everyday aspects of life that we take for granted, these gifts targeted a specific area of his children's lives.

What if we chose to give a gift that could not be wrapped?
The gift of

a smile
a hug
a handshake
friendship
listening
humilty
fearlessness
hope
peace
joy
laughter
helpfulness
compassion
forgiveness
understanding

the gift of love?

Imagine what the world would be like if for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, birthday's, or whenever, we gave one of these gifts? What if these gifts were inside us all along and we just nurtured them to become fruitful? Sometimes you may not know how much a person appreciates that hug or willing ear until they share their story with you afterwards.

Just imagine if we chose

to say "sorry" in a heated argument,
to hold a friend when they cried upon your shoulder,
to purchase a meal for a sick friend without expecting anything in return,
to value their opinion more than yours,
to be more interested in their words, their day, their life, than constantly talking about the "things" that happened to you today.

Would our economy be in a better state than it is now?
Would there be more people working?
Would people not have to worry about how they are going to pay the gas, electric and heating bills at the end of the month?
Would there be less racism, less prejudice, less fights at schools?
Would there be more teamwork?
more valuing of opinions?
Would there be more realizing that people aren't perfect and that a way to improve this "fault" is through "simple acts"?

I like to think so.
for, a "simple act" goes a long way.

Hope

What are you hoping for in this new year?

Smile

Just wanted to share a few pictures with you of my classroom.

Life's Amazing Journey

Bradley Cohen


Did anyone see the television special last night on Bradley Cohen, a teacher with Tourette's syndrome? 24 schools turned him down for a teaching job except 1. He never stopped giving up, regardless of the stones that were in his path. Click here to read more. Here is his biography and some pictures.

"I Will"

found this on pravsworld.com

here i am

just me and the water.
perhaps i should have been a mermaid.
there's something so tranquil, so peaceful about the ocean.
i sit alone on the tan sand,
feeling the soft texture between my fingers and toes, inhaling ocean air
i look to the horizon line as the sun warms my cold pale face with its beaming rays,
and the wind whispers love songs in my ears.
i hear the music of the crashing waves and exhale,
smelling the presence of seaweed in the air,
as gulls search for a plentiful breakfast in the fresh morning sky.
i close my eyes and know this is peace.
just me and the water.

Yes, I LOVE the beach.
and the color blue.
I also love to dance. loving every moment of it since i was 3, especially tap.
dancing is kind of like playing basketball, my favorite sport.
im just dancing to a different beat, the beat of a ball as it bounces on top of the newly shined floor.

pasta is my favorite food and im quite happy when a bowl is placed in front of me.
i could live off milk, pasta, and bananas.
if i was stranded on a desert island, i'd love to have a good book, an adventure story, or historical fiction.
for now, im at ric studying special education/elementary education.
this semester, i've willfully jumped into 4 classes ready to learn and eager to be amazed.

im alexandra.