Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 2/2/12

The only accurate label, is the one that identifies a dangerous substance.

I am, for the most part, an introvert. I enjoy the setting of my quiet country
life, I keep my own counsel and enjoy my own company. But, if you labeled
me an introvert, your assessment of me would be incorrect.

I love to laugh and converse at social gatherings, and I'm perfectly comfortable
standing at a podium and addressing a room full of people. If you stopped by
the local high school on a Wednesday evening, you'd find me dancing up a storm,
with microphone in hand, and calling out steps to my clogging class. You'd hear
a lot of loud laughter too. (Especially when the dancers are following my lead
and I flub a step.)

The 'quiet' me, is the person I am at my core, but my outgoing characteristics
are an integral part of my makeup.

So... how would you label me? An introvert with extroverted tendencies?

You can't slot me into one specific category.

Labels are inappropriate and misleading when they're place on people.
Often times, they're hurtful or have negative connotations. Vague labels,
used to differentiate the 'us' group from the 'them' group, are one of
the biggest blockades on the road to world harmony.

Save your labels for poison. Don't poison your perceptions with them.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 1/25/12

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry,
two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares, its
faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed
forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring
back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we
cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone forever.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow. With all its
possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor
performance; Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of
clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow,
for it is yet to be born.

This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle
of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of those
two awful eternities, Yesterday and Tomorrow, that we break
down. It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad,
it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened
Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 1/6/12

What is the disposition, attitude and integrity of the
people you draw in to your life? Draw, as in, attract
and pull toward you.

Your friends and your mates are not playing a role
they got by accident. They are there for one reason
and one reason alone. You allow them to be there.

When you address the world from a place of self
surety and calm strength, people who belittle and
dominate others in order to feel good about
themselves are powerless in your presence. They
feel disconcerted and uncomfortable, and they
don't stick around for long.

When you address the world from a place of fear
and cynicism, people who greet the unfolding
mystery of life with enthusiasm and delight, will
shy away from you. The burden of your negative
behavior will leave them feeling weighted down
and looking for the first opportunity to break free.

The people in your life are a direct reflection of
your beliefs, your attitude and your integrity. They
show the world what you will and will not tolerate.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
    Terri McPherson

Inspiration On 1/2/12

 

People in your life have an influence on your behavior. They can distract,
discourage, tempt, doubt, criticize and give up on you. However, your
biggest stumbling block to success and happiness...is you. You can
discourage, doubt, criticize and give up on yourself too!

What were you thinking last night when you went to bed? What were
you thinking about when you woke up this morning? What are you thinking
about right now? Are you battering yourself or believing in yourself?

I used to blame others until I learned to start looking in the mirror to
see the person who is responsible for the quality of my life. Once I
changed my thinking, it changed the way I talked, lived and worked.
Changed thinking changed my income, relationships, faith and lifestyle.

The Bible teaches that we are what we think. Your dominant thought
today is your "train of thought" which determines your destiny. Your
"train of thought" will take you to whatever, whoever or wherever
you focus on. Just like a train, your thoughts can only go in one
direction at a time. You can't think thoughts of depression and faith at
the same time. You can't think of prosperity and poverty at the same
time. You can't think on solutions and doubt at the same time. You
can't think of stress and peace at the same time.

You are the conductor of your "train of thought." If you're trying to
get to success, love, peace, faith, wealth and health...get your
thoughts on the right track.

 -- Jewel Diamond Taylor

 

Inspiration On 12/14/11

Every day ...

Share a kind word with a friend.
Give away a smile.
Tell one secret.
Listen to what someone has to say.
Listen with your heart to what someone cannot say.
Try one new thing.
Forgive one person who has hurt you.
Forgive yourself for past mistakes.
Realize your imperfections.
Discover your possibilities.
Make a new friend.
Accept responsibility for everything you do.
Refuse responsibility for anyone else's actions.
Dream one dream.
Watch the sunset.
Cherish what you have.
Cherish who you are.
Love your life.

 -- Vickie M Worsham

Inspiration On 12/13/11

It's not how much you accomplish in life
that really counts,
but how much you give to others.

It's not how high you build your dreams
that makes a difference,
but how high your faith can climb.

It's not how many goals you reach,
but how many lives you touch.

It's not who you know that matters,
but who you are inside.

Believe in the impossible,
hold tight to the incredible,
and live each day to its fullest potential.

You can make a difference in your world.

 -- Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Inspiration On 12/7/11

When you say your prayers, please remember
those who have served and are currently serving.

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I have not.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint. 

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough. 
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough. 

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep... 
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep. 

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear... 
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears. 

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears. 

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly, 
For the judgment of his God. 

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well. 
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

-- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 11/29/11

At a certain moment in Nietzsche's life, the idea came to him of
what he called 'the love of your fate.' Whatever your fate is,
whatever the heck happens, you say, "This is what I need." It
may look like a wreck, but go at it as though it were an
opportunity, a challenge. 

If you bring love to that moment - not discouragement - you
will find the strength is there. Any disaster that you can
survive is an improvement in your character, your stature,
and your life. What a privilege! This is when the spontaneity
of your own nature will have a chance to flow. Then, when
looking back at your life, you will see that the moments
which seemed to be great failures followed by wreckage
were the incidents that shaped the life you have now. You’ll
see that this is really true. 

Nothing can happen to you that is not positive. Even though
it looks and feels at the moment like a negative crisis, it is not. 

 -- Joseph Campbell   

Inspiration On 11/28/11

I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear.

And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

 -- Edgar Guest

Inspiration On 11/18/11

 . . . I try to share all the things I have learned these past 27 years:
that God loves us more than we could ever dream, that we can love
each other as well, and that when we do so we will have JOY no
matter what struggles we may face or losses we may endure. 

Take some time today then to think about what you can give to life.
You are a beloved Child of God with unique talents, knowledge, and
blessings. You can give this world so much love and do so much to
help others. You can make this world and your soul a little better
each day.

And when you do so you will get what we all truly want out of life:
sweet happiness.

 -- Joseph J Mazzella