Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 2/8/12

A good barometer to use, when determining how
a big a role you allow someone to play in your life,
is how they treat others - not you.

If a person is kind and caring and compassionate
in their dealings with people, we are not surprised
when they treat us the same way. Yet, if they are
good to us, and mean spirited toward others, we
are shocked and hurt when, somewhere down the
line, they treat us in the same manner.

"But," you say, "He would never do that to ME."

"But," you say, "She would never treat ME like that."

When we care for someone, and we truly believe
they care for us, we tend to overlook certain
things, and we should. None of us are perfect.

But a person who lies... lies. A person who
gossips... gossips. A person who cheats...
cheats. A person who betrays... betrays.

This is a difficult lesson for many people to learn,
myself included. It took a few good-hard-knocks
on the head, before I realized that friendship is
not a safety zone. If I associate myself with
someone who tends to tell lies, I have no logical
reason to be upset when they tell a lie about me.

People show you their true colors all the time.
Simply look at the way they treat others. It's a
pretty reliable indication of who they really are.

Your friendship garden may be small, when your
closest companions are those who treat the
world with the same love and respect that you
do, but their wondrous blossoms will always be
there for you to enjoy.

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson

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 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 11/18/11

 . . . 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 

Inspiration On 09/28/11

We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important,
to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. ...And
the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a
good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it.

Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep
feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in
love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you
to be the first in generosity.

 -- Dr Martin Luther King Jr  

Inspiration On 09/20/11

Faith doesn't mean the absence of fear. It means having the energy
to go ahead, right alongside the fear.  (Sharon Salzberg) 

10 Inspirational True Story Movies 

1. Chariots of Fire - Values, courage, trust, open to possibilities.
2. Rudy - A dream, being present, always believing, stating your true desires.
3. Apollo 13 - Teamwork, trust, faith, creativity, courage, surrender.
4. Patch Adams - Purpose, compassion, spiritual connection, values.
5. Sound of Music - Love, values, family, courage, faith.
6. Running Brave - Determination, knowing self, believing in self.
7. Miracle Worker - Courage, purpose, determination, giving.
8. Stand and Deliver - Faith, friendship, open to possibilities, shifts.
9. Glory - Values, courage, spiritual connection.
10. Brian's Song - Friendship, courage, passions.

Inspiration On 08/15/11

 

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation,
because your character is what you really are, while your
reputation is merely what others think you are.

 -- John Wooden

 

Inspiration On 08/12/11

A young Christian professional interviewed for a position
in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch
resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor,
his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.

Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also
a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, "Young
man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your
church. However, what I would really like is a word of
recommendation from people who know you during the week
as well."

Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very
different when compared to the way they live their lives the
rest of the week. Often people act differently at church
than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the
biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced
throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life...not
a weekly event.

As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently
during the week than it does at church on Sunday?

The old adage is true: "Actions speak louder than words."
Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday
and every other day of the week!

 -- as seen in Daily Living For Seniors Via Cup O'Cheer

Inspiration On 08/04/11

I got to meet a wonderful person the other day. I had stopped to
buy a local newspaper from a machine when I saw a middle-aged
lady already there. She had a handful of quarters and was slowly
buying paper after paper gently closing the machine after each
purchase. She smiled at me and explained that her daughter's
picture was in the paper. She was getting copies for all the
members of her extended family.

When she turned to leave I noticed a hole in her shoe and
realized that the rest of her clothes had also seen better days.
She climbed into her rusty, 20 year old pick-up truck and after
30 seconds of trying finally got it started. She smiled at me
again and waved as she drove off. It occurred to me as she
disappeared in the distance that she had never once thought
of taking the extra papers she needed while only paying for
one. It was then that I realized I had just met one of the
richest people in the world.

I only wish that everyone in this world had this lady's wisdom
and wealth. She was rich beyond measure in all the important
things in life. She was rich in honesty, integrity, goodness,
kindness, cheerfulness, joy, and love. She was rich in family
and in friends. She was rich most of all in oneness with God.
It didn't matter if her truck was old, her clothes were worn,
and her dollars were few. She was rich in her heart and soul,
and she possessed within her the wealth of an entire Kingdom:
the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

 -- C 2006 Josephson Institute of Ethics

 

 

 

Inspiration On 08/03/11

Honesty is not a mask for cruel insecurity. You can try to justify
a hurtful remark by saying, "I'm 'only' being honest," but you're
'only' fooling yourself. There is no justification for making fun
of someone's dreams, insulting their appearance or belittling
them in any way. Self-satisfaction at someone's expensive, is
not honest. It's cruel.

Honesty relies on integrity for support. You endeavor to do the
right things for the right reasons. You seek a rightness for
yourself without judging others. You strive to silence your
internal critic.

Insecurity, blind to its own faults, points them out in others.
Honesty sees them in itself and keeps its pointing finger in its
pocket.

There's a line between telling the truth and purposely hurting
someone. Honesty and integrity walk one side of the line.
Cruel insecurity, 'masked' as honesty, walks the other.

Which side of the line do you walk?

 -- Living in love and loving life,
     Terri McPherson