DANCE LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough, and we'll be content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with;
we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when the spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D' Souza, he said, "For a long time, it seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life. But, there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have, and Treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.

So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, Until you lose 10 pounds, until you gain 10 pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or house, until your car or your house is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So....Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt...And....dance like no one's watching.

Happiness Is Not Pleasure....It Is Victory.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "GOOD" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said,"Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

NATURAL HIGHS
*Falling in love.
*Laughing so hard your face hurts.
*A hot shower.
*No lines at the Super Wal-Mart.
*A special glance.
*Getting mail.
*Taking a drive on a pretty road.
*Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
*Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
*Hot towels out of the dryer.
*Walking out of your last final.
*Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.
*Chocoate milkshake.
*A long distance phone call.
*Getting invited to a dance.
*A bubble bath.
*Giggling.
*A good conversation.
*A care package.
*The beach.
*Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter.
*Laughing at yourself.
*Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
*Running through sprinklers.
*Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
*Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
*Laughing at an inside joke.
*Friends.
*Falling in love for the first time.
*Slumber parties.
*Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
*Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
*Your first kiss.
*Being part of a team.
*Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
*Playing with a new puppy.
*Late night talks with your roommate that keep you from sleeping.
*Having someone play with your hair.
*Sweet dreams.
*Hot chocolate.
*Road trips with friends.
*Swinging on swings.
*Watching a good movie cuddled up on a couch with someone you love.
*Un-wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog.
*Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
*Going to a really good concert.
*Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.
*Winning a really competitive game.
*Making chocolate chip cookies!
*Having your friends send you homemade cookies!
*Spending time with close friends!
*Running through the fountains with your friends.
*Riding a bike downhill.
*The feeling after running a few miles-an accomplishment!
*Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends...
*The feeling you get the first time you step on stage.
*Holding hands with someone you care about.
*Wearing your boyfriend's shirt that still smells like his cologne.
*Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
*Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger that time.
*Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
*Hugging the person you love.
*Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.
*Kisses on your forehead from the first and only boy you have ever loved.
*Watching the sunrise.
*Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.

Tanya Lee wrote:

Hope this would bring a smile to your day.

I am a mother of three (ages 14,12,3)
and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely insiring with the
qualities that I wish every human being
had been graced with.
Her last project of the term
was called "Smile". The class was
to go out and smile at
three people and document
their reaction. I am a very friendly
person and always smile at
everyone and say, hello anyway
...so, I thought, this would be
a piece of cake literally.

Soon after we were assigned the
project, my husband, youngest son and I
went out to McDonalds, one crisp March morning.
It was just our way of sharing
special play time with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting
to be served
when all
of a sudden
everyone around us began to back away,
even my husband did.
I did not move an inch...
an overwhelming feeling of panic
welled up inside of me
as I turned to see why
they had moved. As I turned around I
smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell...
and there standing behind me
were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the
short gentleman, close to me,
he was "smiling". His
beautiful sky blue eyes were
full of God's Light as
he searched for acceptance. He said,
"Good Day" as he counted
the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with
his hands as he stood behind his friend.
I realized the second man was mentally deficient
and the blue-eyed gentleman
was his salvation.
I held my tears...as I stood there,
with them. The young lady at the counter
asked him what they wanted. He said
"Coffee is all, Miss" because
that was all they could afford,
and to sit in the restaurant and warm up,
they had to buy something...they
just wanted to be warm.
Then I really felt it...the
compulsion was so great I almost
reached out and embraced the little man
with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed
all the eyes in the restaurant were set on me...
judging my every action. I smiled
and asked the young lady behind the counter
to give me two more breakfast meals
on a separate tray. I then walked
around the corner to the table that the
men had chosen as a resting spot.
I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the
blue eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me,
with tears in his eyes, and said,
"Thank you." I leaned over,
began to pat his hand and said,
"I did not do this for you...
God is here working through me
to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to
join my husband and son.
When I sat down my husband
smiled at me and said,"That is why
God gave you to me, honey...
to give me hope."
We held hands for a moment and at that
time we knew that only
because of the Grace that
we had been given that we were able to give.
We are not church goers
but we are believers.
That day showed me the pure Light of
God's sweet love. I returned to college,
on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.
I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it...
then she looked up at me and
said, "Can I share this?"
I slowly nodded as she got the attention
of the class. She began to read
and that is when I knew
that we, as human beings
and being part of God, share
this need to heal people
and be healed.
In my own way
I had touched the people at McDonalds,
my husband, son,
instructor and every soul that
shared the classroom on the last night
I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one
of the biggest lessons I would ever learn...

UNCONDITIONAL
ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to
each and every person who reads this.

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE
THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

If this story has touched you in any way,
please send this to
everyone you know. God bless,
keep and enlighten you...
it is in the giving,
that we receive !

October 25, 2004

The cost of a thing is that amount
of life which must be exchanged for it.

So long as enthusiasm lasts,
so long is youth still with us.

Sympathy is never wasted except
when you give it to yourself.

If we learn how to give ourselves,
to forgive others, and to live with
thanksgiving, we need not seek happiness
it will seek us.

The world is filled with beauty, when your heart is filled with love.
We grow because we struggle, We learn, And we overcome.
Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
You can plant a dream.
Live every day of your life as though you expect to live forever.
Don't believe in Miracles--Depend on them.
Kind words do not cost much, Yet they accomplish much.
Cherish yesterday, Dream tomorrow, Live today.
Be not simply good, But good for something.
To desire is to obtain, To aspire is to achieve.
Happiness is not pleasure--It is Victory.
The quality of life is in the mind, Not in material.
To have character is to be big enough to take life on.

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH'S ARK

Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.
Don't listen to critics--do what has to be done.
Build on high ground.
For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Two heads are better than one.
Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
If you can't fight or flee -- float!
Remember that amateurs built the ark and professionals built the Titanic.
Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
Don't miss the boat.
No matter how bleak it looks, if GOD is with you, there's always a rainbow on the other side. Author Unknown.

The carpenter hired to restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose a hour of work. His electric saw quit and now his ancient pick-up truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stoney silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his three small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree, " he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.

"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before".

Added on October 25, 2004

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant
I could hardly stant to have the old man around.
But when I got to be 21, I was astonished
at how much he had learned in seven years.
-Mark Twain

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