Laughter, Joy, and Gratitude

One Word

Backstory

The words you choose define you. But what if you were only allowed one word to describe someone. How would you choose just one?

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One Word – #614

At my surprise birthday party, they did something you might want to consider if you are arranging a celebration. It’s appropriate for a birthday, wedding, any special occasion where dozens of people are gathered.

Guests were advised, in advance, that at the party, they would be asked to say one word that describes the honoree. No speeches; just one word.

With 70 people at my party, there were a lot of words. It was delightful, funny and sometimes slightly embarrassing to hear the word each person chose. It was also extremely personal, conjuring up a special connection with each person.

My daughter and her daughter jotted them all down. I thought that was nice because I’d have the words on paper too. But my granddaughter had something else in mind.

She input all the words to the computer and used her digital skills to create a graphic using each of the words that had been spoken by the guests.

What a precious memento Krista created. The framed graphic sits on my bookcase where I see it often and smile. And on a rainy day, or when I’m feeling inadequate, I read those words and feel lifted by the love they convey.

Thanks to every person who has ever spoken or written a kind or gentle word to someone else. You have given a gift far greater than you can imagine, especially when it’s remembered on a rainy day.

P.S.

Sharing a happy thought, giving a complement, gifting someone with a smile. It only takes a moment to execute and it can make someone else’s day. That would be nice.

[Show #614]

Measuring Success

Backstory

I recently read, “Happiness is the new rich. Inner peace is the new success. Health is the new wealth. Kindness is the new cool.” Here is my take on that.

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Measuring Success – #610

Success – It’s a very ethereal thing. The question today is – How do YOU measure success?

Some measure it by the material proof – big house, lots of money, executive position or one of authority.

Another metric is how much you helped to make the world a better place. Some folks find success on the job, some by raising a family, some try to have the best of both worlds.

Many folks today measure success by your level of contentment; whether you are doing what you love to do.

A grandmother celebrating more than seven decades on earth told me,

“Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.” Let me add that she had a wide grin on her face as she spoke.

Has your idea of success changed over time? What’s your definition today? Have our times and culture changed your idea of success?

Are you there? If not, how do you plan to get there? Can we really lay a plan to reach success or are we at the mercy of the Universe and the time and place into which we are dropped upon birth? Is it all dumb luck?

Come and share your concept of success, and how you’ll know when you found it. You should enjoy the exploration.

P.S.

If you woke up this morning in a warm bed, and you have someone to love today, that may just be all the success you need. It sure is for me.

[Show #610]

Peace Within

Backstory

This story was written at Christmastime – the holiday best known for giving – and receiving. I was thinking about how little I desire, to be content. I scripted this to wish the same for you.

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Peace Within – #508

I have a very special wish for you. I wish that there be peace within you today. May you feel calm and serene in your world. May you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment of time. Wish not for more or less. Leave the wishing for someone less fortunate than you.

Resurrect the memory of the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. Use the gifts you have been given. Recognize those gifts for the treasure they are and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Remember that the gifts need not be huge. They can be small and fine and pleasure one person at a time. If you are using a gift that has been conferred on you, you are doing all that the universe could possibly expect of you. And God is pleased with you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge of who you are settle into your very center. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

What a wonderful day this can be as you follow your heart, use your gifts, and accept the opportunities you have to do something fine today and prepare for tomorrow.

P.S.

Even if this message finds you in turmoil today, take the moment to recognize the blessings in your life as well as the trials. If you can’t better your world today, add warmth and pleasure to another’s world. Help someone else to be content.

[Show #508]

Thanks For Doing Good

Backstory

This month we Americans will give thanks for all the privileges and opportunities we are offered in our beloved country. Most of us are smart enough to be grateful more than one day a year. Today’s story explores a different kind of gratitude for which we might offer thanks.

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Thanks for Doing Good – #489

The flowers you received were just beautiful and they lasted so long. Of course you wrote a personal note of thanks to the sender.

You are showered with birthday gifts. Of course each person will receive your thank you card or phone call or email.

Those thanks are tied to the receipt of something tangible, physical. How about thanking the people in your life for the greater gifts they give you – the gifts of their time, their talent, their energy. We often laud these people to others, conveying our respect and admiration for what they have done but we may forget to tell the person involved how much we appreciate what they have done or said or thought.

So why not call the friend who crocheted that special scarf for you last year. Let her know how much you appreciate it and how often you wear it. Call your mom or grandmother and tell her you have just been remembering happy memories from your childhood and wanted to share them anew with her. Call the new person who took over for you at the PTA gala, when you got the flu at the last minute. Send an email to the neighbor who shared her fruit or vegetables or her recipe.

Some people don’t hear nearly enough thanks, for the amount of good they do. They may not do it to get those words of appreciation, but they can’t help enjoying them, when they come along.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for all the things you do.

P.S.

Now that you’re thinking about those who have made a difference in your life, will you do something about it? Don’t wait and expect to remember. That person was important to you at a critical time of your life. Pick up the phone and tell them so.

[Show #489]

A Friend’s Advice

Backstory

It makes me so happy to share this story with you. I think you will hear the joy in my voice when you listen. My dear friend Joan was the catalyst for a life-changing decision. I am so grateful to her for speaking up. But you’ll find out for yourself.

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A Friend’s Advice – #640

In a recent story, I told how my friend Joan had encouraged me to let Bill put a ring on it. I was hesitant and she pointed out that time was passing and each day was one we could have enjoyed as husband and wife. She said, “You don’t want to run out of time!”

She was right, so I said to Bill, “About getting married, you want to do it now?” Like in time travelers, we were suddenly signing papers at the courthouse.

I called Joan and said, “On Friday, are you willing to drop everything and come be a witness at our wedding?”

She agreed in half a second. So I got three other dear friends and there we were in front of an officiant, in the presence of God, saying our home made vows.

Bill was asked, “Do you take Annette . . .” and he responded with a really fast “yes,” before hearing the rest of the question. He was oh so ready to be a husband.

It was joyous, it was simple, it was fast and it was meant to be. Our home is full of love and each day is precious. And it happened because my friend Joan took the initiative to encourage us to see what was right before our eyes.

We should all be thankful for friends whose advice and guidance help us make better decisions in life.

P.S.

We are now two years into this new married relationship. Joan was so right. It does indeed make a difference. It feels solid and firm; like it’s real, rather than just playing house. Whatever the future holds, we are there for each other. Trust, respect and love abound. So much deeper, now that it involves the commitment of a husband to his wife and the wife to him.

[Show #640]

Air Conditioning… Remember When

Backstory

Many modern conveniences are taken for granted. But there are those of us who grew up without them, or before they were invented.

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Air Conditioning – #433

Say its summertime. You have the choice of being outside in the sun, hot and heavy, or inside in the cool comfort of an air-conditioned domicile. Which one do you choose?

I remember a time not long ago when that choice did not exist. It would be as hot in the house as it was outside. My grandmother had her summer routine down pat. When to open the door and windows, when to pull the shades and drapes, when to turn on the big fan that did little more than moving around the hot air. When to hurry and get the days work done while the heat was still bearable, when to sit as still as possible with a big cloth for wiping the sweat.

City kids remember how they’d open the fire hydrant, and everyone would get wet to cool down. In recent power outages we’ve been reminded of how that felt. Young people may never before have had to go days in intense heat with no cooling.

How did you and your family handle it? Did you cry and whine, cursing the power company to hurry up and get us back to normal? Did you give prayers of thanks for all the days when we do not have to go without the cooling comfort of our conditioned air? Did you just ride around in your air-conditioned vehicle until it was all over?

Air conditioning in hot weather, yet another thing for which to give thanks here in America.

P.S.

Remember going to the movies often, because the theater was the only place in town that had air conditioning?

[Show #433]

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