Be Happy

I watched and listened to an irate customer berate a young fast food
restaurant clerk. Young minimum wage workers appear to be fair game. The
angry man grew red in the face as he yelled at the young man.

What was the young man's sin that deserved this wrath? He gave the man
onion rings instead of french fries.

I advised the man to calm down, that he was making a scene. He told me to
mind my own blankety-blank business. He quieted down only after he saw the
looks being given to him by the other customers.

I don't understand such behavior.

If you are having a bad day, that's a shame. Get over it. You are not going
to make your day better by ruining the day of another.

Misery needs to stop loving company.

Our days are not going to be perfect. Find a bless in the mess.

A neighbor once told me, "You might as well be happy, no one cares if you
ain't." He is the same guy who was fond of saying, "If ignorance is bliss,
how come there aren't more happy people?"

The older I get the more I value time and good folks. The more I want my
loved ones to be happy. The more I want to spend my time being happy.

We owe it to our loved ones, our friends and our co-workers to be happy.

Warren Zevon said it well in one of his songs, "Enjoy every sandwich."

My mother was one who enjoyed every sandwich. She found joy in the joy of
others. She believed in a principle called "Santosa." I doubt that she'd
even heard of Santosa, but she lived it. Santosa means finding contentment
regardless of outer circumstances. "It's good enough," was something often
said by my mother. She knew that things turn out best for those who make
the best out of the way things turn out. She had a gift for appreciating
life's pleasures. She rejoiced in a light breeze on a hot day, the song of
the crickets and the full moon that illuminated the night. She felt that
there was no reason to be unhappy when you could be happy. She taught by
example that one of the best things we could do in life is to find
happiness and then share it with others.

I don't enjoy watching depressing movies or disturbing TV programs. I don't
want to hear about any more conspiracy theories. I don't want to hear
negative campaign ads. I don't want to listen to personal attacks on those
willing to take leadership roles. I don't want to hear mean-spirited talk
show hosts attack all who do not agree with them.

What makes us happy?

Perhaps it is as the cartoonist Charles Schulz said, "Happiness is a warm
puppy." I do know that my dog is happy. It is easy to make my faithful
canine companion happy. All I have to do is to say, while leaving the
house, "You can go." James Thurber observed that, "Dogs are obsessed with
being happy." Dogs need no reason to be happy. That's because they have
every reason to be happy.

We are told that money cannot buy us happiness. The stories in the
supermarket tabloids-if only a few are true--have proven that. This is no
reason for pessimism. No one will ever be rich enough to be able to afford
to be pessimistic.

Good memories make us happy. Memories provide more beginnings than endings.

We gather good memories from our experiences.

We should spend more on experiences and less on things.

Travel produces great experiences and wonderful memories.

We need to seek happiness, not pleasure. Pleasure alone does not bring
happiness--as anyone who has ever been on a diet because of an appetite for
fattening food can attest.

We need to choose to be happy. We need to find joy in green lights, the
antics of chipmunks, rainbows and the smell of sunshine.

Barrow, Alaska is located 330 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is the
USA's northernmost city. It is a place where polar bears roam and the
minimum temperature is below freezing for 324 days of the year. Barrow is a
place that when the sun sets on November 18, it does not rise again until
January 23. That is a lot of darkness.

4400 people live there. How can they do that--with all that darkness?

Ernie Banks said, "If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't
be happy any place."

The residents of Barrow survive by remembering that the sun does not set at
all between May 10 and August 2. The residents are given 82 days of
sunshine. They survive by enjoying the northern lights that dance across
their darkened sky. The aurora borealis brightens their world.

We should all rejoice with the light rather than find sorrow in the darkness.

Be happy.

Al Batt, © 2004

Al Batt is a husband, father and grandfather who lives on a farm near
Hartland, Minnesota. He is a writer, speaker and storyteller. He writes a
newspaper column. He does a regular TV and radio show, contributes to many
magazines and newspapers, and is an avid birder. You can write Al at:
<mailto:SnoEOwl@...>SnoEOwl@...

Subject:   The Heart



  >                    "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,
  >
  >                          "I'll open up your heart..."
  >
  >
  >
  >                      "You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
  >
  >
  >
  >                      The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll
  >
  >                      cut your heart open," he continued,
  >
  >                        to see how much damage has been done..."
  >
  >
  >
  >                   "But when you open up my heart, you'll
  >
  >                      find Jesus in there," said the boy.
  >
  >
  >
  >                     The surgeon looked to the parents, who
  >
  >                      Sat quietly. "When I see how much
  >
  >                      damage has been done, I'll sew your
  >
  >                     heart and chest back up, and I'll plan
  >
  >                              what to do next."
  >
  >
  >
  >                    "But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The
  >
  >                         Bible says He lives there. The
  >
  >                      hymns all say He lives there. You'll
  >
  >                             find Him in my heart."
  >
  >
  >
  >                    The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell
  >
  >                       you what I'll find in your heart.
  >
  >                     I'll find damaged muscle, low blood
  >
  >                         supply, and weakened vessels.
  >
  >                   And I'll find out if I can make you well."
  >
  >
  >
  >                    "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
  >
  >
  >
  >                              The surgeon left.
  >
  >
  >
  >                  The surgeon sat in his office, recording his
  >
  >              notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged
  >
  >                pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.
  >
  >               No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:
  >
  >                    painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, "
  >
  >                    here he paused, "death within one year."
  >
  >
  >
  >                     He stopped the recorder, but there was
  >
  >                    more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.
  >
  >                        "Why did You do this? You've put
  >
  >                   him here; You've put him in this pain; and
  >
  >                   You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
  >
  >
  >
  >                     The Lord answered and said, "The boy,
  >
  >                        My lamb, was not meant for your
  >
  >                     flock for long, for he is a part of My
  >
  >                          flock, and will forever be.
  >
  >                 Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and
  >
  >                    will be comforted as you cannot imagine.
  >
  >                    His parents will one day join him here,
  >
  >                         and they will know peace, and
  >
  >                        My flock will continue to grow."
  >
  >
  >
  >                     The surgeon's tears were hot, but his
  >
  >                      anger was hotter. "You created that
  >
  >                     boy, and You created that heart. He'll
  >
  >                           be dead in months. Why?"
  >
  >
  >
  >                     The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,
  >
  >                      shall return to My flock, for He has
  >
  >                      Done his duty: I did not put My lamb
  >
  >              with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another
  >
  >                                  lost lamb."
  >
  >
  >
  >                       The surgeon wept.. The surgeon sat
  >
  >                        beside the boy's bed; the boy's
  >
  >                 parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and
  >
  >                   whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
  >
  >
  >
  >                            "Yes," said the surgeon.
  >
  >
  >
  >                      "What did you find?" asked the boy.
  >
  >
  >
  >                        "I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
  >
  >
  >
  >                   ~ Author Unknown

My Dear Dogs and Cats,



I have a few issues I'd like to bring to your attention:



·        When I say to move, it means go some place else, not switch
positions with each other so there are still two of you in the way.

·        The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The
other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print
in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming
your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the
slightest.

·        The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.
Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help,
because I fall faster than you can run.

·        I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry
about this. Do not think I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure
your comfort. Look at videos of dogs and cats sleeping, they can actually
curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other
stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking
tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize
space used is nothing but sarcasm.

·        My compact discs are not miniature Frisbees.

·        For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom.
If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is
not necessary to claw, whine, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under
the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I
entered. In addition, I have been using bathrooms for years; canine and
feline attendance is not mandatory.

·        The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other animals'
butts. I cannot stress this enough. It would be such a simple change for
you.

·        To pacify you I have posted the following message on our front
door:



Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain about Our Pets:



1.      They live here. You don't.

2.      If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
furniture.

3.      I like my pet a lot better than I like most people.

4.      To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who
is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

5.      Dogs and cats are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for
money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never
drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or
drink, don't worry about buying the latest fashions, don't wear your
clothes, don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and if they get
pregnant, you can sell the results.



Thank you.

The Very Best Christmas Present

One snowy morning, a few weeks before Christmas, Mr. Floogle's doorbell rang. It was the mail carrier. He had a big orange cat in his arms. "Is this your cat?" asked the mail carrier."I found it in your mailbox." "No," said Mr. Floogle," I live alone. And, furthermore, I don't like cats." "Meow," said the cat, looking cold and sad. "I can't keep it," said the mail carrier. "Oh, bother ," said Mr. Floogle. Then he looked at the cat. "Meow," said the cat, looking back with big yellow eyes. "Well, I guess I can keep it for today," said Mr. Floogle, "but tomorrow it must go."

Mr. Floogle took the cat in and gave it a saucer of milk. Then he went about his chores. "Meow," said the cat as Mr. Floogle washed the dishes. "It's no use trying to talk to me," said Mr. Floogle. "I don't like cats." So the cat kept quiet and just watched. Mr. Floogle whistled while he washed the dishes. "That's funny," he said to himself," I haven't whistled in years." The day passed, and it was time to go to bed. The cat curled up beside Mr. Floogle and said "Meow ." "It's no use trying to talk to me,"said Mr. Floogle. "I don't like cats." So the cat just lay there, purring gently. The purring put Mr. Floogle to sleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

The next morning Mr. Floogle took the cat out in his car and drove to a dairy farm nearby. "This is where I will leave you. You'll like it here," Mr. Floogle said. "I just don't like cats," Mr. Floogle said to himself as he drove away. Mr. Floogle went to bed that night and said, That's that!"

But the next morning, very early, the doorbell rang. It was the dairy farmer. He had a big orange cat in his arms. "Is this your cat?" asked the dairy farmer. "I found it in one of my empty milk cans." "No," said Mr. Floogle, who was surprised to see the cat again. "I don't like cats." "Meow," said the cat, looking hopeful. "I can't keep it," said the dairy farmer. "Oh, bother," said Mr. Floogle. Then he looked at the cat. The cat looked back and purred. "Well, I suppose I can keep it for today," said Mr. Floogle with a sigh, "but tomorrow it must go."

Mr. Floogle took the cat in and gave it a scrambled egg for breakfast. Then he went to sit in his chair. "Meow," said the cat as it played with Mr. Floogle's robe. "It's no use trying to play with me," said Mr. Floogle. "I just don't like cats. So the cat just played with a piece of paper as Mr. Floogle watched. "Silly cat," he said to himself.

The next day Mr. Floogle took the cat out in the car again. "I will take you far away this time so that you won't come back," he said. Mr. Floogle drove and drove until he came to a flying school. There were several other cats around. "You'll have plenty of company here," said Mr. Floogle. "Meow, said the cat. "No, you can't stay with me," answered Mr. Floogle." I told you, I don't like cats." Mr. Floogle left the cat at the flying school and drove home again. "That's that!" he said.

The next morning, while Mr. Floogle was working on his house, someone jumped right onto his roof! It was a sky diver. She had a big orange cat in her arms. "Is this your cat?" asked the sky diver. "It jumped right out of the plane with me as we flew over your house." "No," said Mr. Floogle, rolling his eyes. "It's not my cat, it never was my cat, and I don't want it to be my cat!" "Well, I can't keep it," said the sky diver. "And anyway, it seems to like you." Oh, bother," Mr. Floogle said with a sigh. "Well, I guess I'll have to keep you for today," he said, "but tomorrow you must go for good!" Mr. Floogle went back to his work. "Meow," said the cat as it lay in the sun. "Oh, really?" said Mr. Floogle."Well, I didn't miss you." "Meow," said the cat softly. "Stuff and nonsense," said Mr. Floogle.

The next morning Mr. Floogle looked at the cat and said "I really must get rid of you today. You know I don't like cats." He thought and thought about what to do. All of a sudden Mr. Floogle had the best idea of all! "Since you were found in my mailbox," he said, "I will let the post office take care of it!" That very same day Mr. Floogle took the cat to the post office. "I want to mail this cat somewhere far, far away," he said to the postal clerk. "How about the North Pole?" said the postal clerk. "That's far, far away and we have a nice warm post office there." Mr. Floogle looked down at the cat. The cat reached up and licked his face. "Stuff and nonsense," said Mr. Floogle as he wiped off the kiss. Then, without knowing why, he suddenly asked, "Will they take good care of it at the North Pole Post Office?" "Of course," answered the postal clerk, looking offended. "We always take good care of the mail, especially at Christmastime!" And, without another word, he took the cat into the package room.

The next day the cat did not come back. It did not come back the day after, or the day after that. "Well, I guess that's that!" said Mr. Floogle as he washed the dishes. He tried to whistle, but nothing came out. More days passed, and still the cat did not come back."Well," said Mr. Floogle, a little quietly, "I guess that's that." He climbed into bed, but for some reason he couldn't fall asleep. "Stuff and nonsense," he murmured. "I'm just not tired."

Now, it just so happened that the next day was Christmas Eve. Mr. Floogle watched from his window as people hurried to and fro, their arms filled with presents. "Stuff and nonsense, he sniffed. Mr. Floogle didn't have any friends, so he never expected any presents for Christmas. Just then, for no good reason, he thought of the cat. "I wonder what that silly cat is doing now." he mused as he sat in his chair. "It's a good thing I don't like cats," he said to himself, "or I might miss it."

Just before midnight Mr. Floogle went to bed. But when he got under the covers he couldn't get to sleep. When he finally did go to sleep, he started to dream. He dreamed he was doing his chores and the cat was watching him. He dreamed that he was sitting in his chair and the cat was playing with his robe. He dreamed that he was in bed and the cat was purring beside him. He smiled to himself and reached over to pet it. Then he woke up and remembered that the cat was gone. All of a sudden he felt very sad and lonely. "Stuff and nonsense," he whispered as he laid his head upon his pillow. "I don't even like cats."

Just then someone rang his doorbell. He ran down to answer it. It was Santa Claus! He had a big orange cat in his arms. "Is this your cat?" asked Santa. "I found it hiding in my sled at the North Pole." Mr. Floogle had been so used to saying no that he almost said it again. But suddenly he cried, "Yes! yes! It is my cat!" "Meow," said the cat. "I'm glad you're back, too," said Mr. Floogle, stroking the cat's soft fur. Then Mr. Floogle turned to Santa. "But how did you know it was my cat?" he asked. Instead of answering, Santa just gave Mr. Floogle a wink and a nod and hopped into his sled. Mr. Floogle waved good-bye as Santa's sled disappeared over the treetops. "Meow," said the cat. "I missed you, too," said Mr. Floogle. "Meow," said the cat. "Merry Christmas to you, too," answered Mr. Floogle as he gave his cat a big hug. "You're the best Christmas present I could ever get."

 

Send kindness
+++++++++++++++++++
Send a little kindness out into the world today. And it
will grow. The kindness you give never goes away. The more
you give, the more you have.
Genuine kindness is one of the best investments you can make.
For your return on the investment of kindness has no limit.
Even when it seems that others don't appreciate the kindness
you offer, it has much value. Though it may not be noticed at
first, true kindness cannot continue to be ignored for long.
In kindness, there is a power, a level of confidence and self
assurance that is difficult to deny. Even when all else has
failed, kindness can make a difference precisely because it
speaks with such strength.
Send a little kindness out into the world today. And you'll
create real value that cannot be denied.
Ralph Marston

http://www.greatday.com/motivate/

> A Christmas Story
  >
  > Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those
  > who squandered their means
  > and then never had enough for the necessities. But
  > for those who were
  > genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all
  > outdoors. It was from him that I
  > learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving,
  > not from receiving.
  >
  > It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old
  > and feeling like the world
  > had caved in on me because there just hadn't been
  > enough money to buy me the
  > rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the
  > chores early that night for
  > some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra
  > time so we could read in
  > the Bible.
  >
  > After supper was over I took my boots off and
  > stretched out in front of the
  > fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old
  > Bible. I was still feeling
  > sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much
  > of a mood to read Scriptures.
  > But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up
  > again and went outside. I
  > couldn't figure it out because we had already done
  > all the chores. I didn't
  > worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing
  > in self-pity.
  >
  >
  >
  >
  > Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out
  > and there was ice in his
  > beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good,
  > it's cold out tonight." I
  > was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the
  > rifle for Christmas, now Pa
  > was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly
  > reason that I could see.
  > We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't
  > thnk of anything else that
  > needed doing, especially not on a night like this
  >
  >
  >
  >
  > But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging
  > one's feet when he'd told
  > them to do something, so I got up and put my boots
  > back on and got my cap,
  > coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as
  > I opened the door to leave
  > the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.
  >
  >
  > Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front
  > of the house was the
  > work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever
  > it was we were going to do
  > wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I
  > could tell. We never hitched
  > up this sled unless we were going to haul a big
  > load.
  >
  > Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I
  > reluctantly climbed up beside
  > him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't
  > happy. When I was on, Pa
  > pulled the sled around the house and stopped in
  > front of the woodshed. He got off
  > and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high
  > sideboards," he said. "Here,
  > help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger
  > job than I wanted to do
  > with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was
  > we were going to do would be
  > a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.
  >
  > After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into
  > the woodshed and came out
  > with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all
  > summer hauling down from the
  > mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and
  > splitting. What was he
  > doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked,
  > "what are you doing?" You been by
  > the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow
  > Jensen lived about two miles
  > down the road. Her husband had died a year or so
  > before and left her with
  > three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd
  > been by, but so what? "Yeah," I
  > said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said.
  > "Little Jakey was out digging
  > around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips.
  > They're out of wood, Matt."
  >
  > That was all he said and then he turned and went
  > back into the woodshed for
  > another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded
  > the sled so high that I
  > began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull
  > it. Finally, Pa called a halt
  > to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and
  > Pa took down a big ham and
  > a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to
  > put them in the sled and
  > wait.
  >
  > When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour
  > over his right shoulder and
  > a smaller sack of something in his left hand.
  > "What's in the little sack?" I
  > asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey
  > just had gunny sacks wrapped
  > around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this
  > morning. I got the
  > children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be
  > Christmas without a little candy."
  >
  > We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much
  > in silence. I tried to
  > think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much
  > by worldly standards. Of
  > course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of
  > what was left now was still
  > in the form of logs that I would have to saw into
  > blocks and split before we
  > could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we
  > could spare that, but I knew we
  > didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them
  > shoes and candy?
  >
  > Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen
  > had closer neighbors than
  > us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in
  > from the blind side of the
  > Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as
  > possible, then we took the
  > meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked.
  > The door opened a crack and a
  > timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am,
  > and my son, Matt. Could we
  > come in for a bit?"
  >
  > Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had
  > a blanket wrapped around
  > her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another
  > and were sitting in front
  > of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly
  > gave off any heat at all.
  > Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit
  > the lamp. "We brought you a
  > few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of
  > flour. I put the meat on
  > the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the
  > shoes in it.
  >
  > She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one
  > pair at a time. There was
  > a pair for her and one for each of the
  > children---sturdy shoes, the best,
  > shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She
  > bit her lower lip to keep it
  > from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and
  > started running down her
  > cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say
  > something, but it wouldn't
  > come out.
  >
  > "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He
  > turned to me and said,
  > "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get
  > that fire up to size and
  > heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I
  > went back out to bring in
  > the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much
  > as I hate to admit it, there
  > were tears in my eyes too.
  >
  > In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled
  > around the fireplace and
  > their mother standing there with tears running down
  > her cheeks with so much
  > gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My
  > heart swelled within me and a
  > joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I
  > had given at Christmas many
  > times before, but never when it had made so much
  > difference. I could see we we
  > re literally saving the lives of these people.
  >
  > I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits
  > soared. The kids started
  > giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy
  > and Widow Jensen looked on
  > with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face
  > for a long time. She finally
  > turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the
  > Lord has sent you. The
  > children and I have been praying that he would send
  > one of his angels to spare
  > us."
  >
  > In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat
  > and the tears welled up in
  > my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those
  > exact terms before, but after
  > Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was
  > probably true. I was sure
  > that a better man than Pa had never walked the
  > earth. I started remembering all
  > the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me,
  > and many others. The list
  > seemed endless as I thought on it.
  >
  > Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we
  > left. I was amazed when
  > they all fit and I wondered how he had known what
  > sizes to get. Then I guessed
  > that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the
  > Lord would make sure he got
  > the right sizes.
  >
  > Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again
  > when we stood up to
  > leave.Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and
  > gave them a hug. They clung to him
  > and didn't want us to go. I could see that they
  > missed their Pa, and I was
  > glad that I still had mine.
  >
  > At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The
  > Mrs. wanted me to invite
  > you and the children over for Christmas dinner
  > tomorrow. The turkey will be
  > more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get
  > cantankerous if he has to
  > eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get
  > you about eleven. It'll be
  > nice to have some little ones around again. Matt,
  > here, hasn't been little for
  > quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers
  > and two sisters had all
  > married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and
  > said, "Thank you, Brother
  > Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless
  > you,' I know for certain that
  > He will."
  >
  > Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep
  > within and I didn't even
  > notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned
  > to me and said, "Matt, I
  > want you to know something. Your ma and me have been
  > tucking a little money
  > away here and there all year so we could buy that
  > rifle for you, but we didn't
  > have quite enough.
  >
  > Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from
  > years back came by to
  > make things square. Your ma and me were real
  > excited, thinking that now we could
  > get you that rifle, and I started into town this
  > morning to do just that. But
  > on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the
  > woodpile with his feet
  > wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had
  > to do. Son, I spent the money
  > for shoes and a little candy for those children. I
  > hope you understand."
  >
  > I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears
  > again. I understood very
  > well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the
  > rifle seemed very low on my list
  > of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had
  > given me the look on Widow
  > Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three
  > children.
  >
  > For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the
  > Jensens, or split a block
  > of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back
  > that same joy I felt
  > riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me
  > much more than a rifle that
  > night, he had given me the best Christmas of my
  > life.

~Author Unknown to me

Merry Christmas to all of you!
With Love,
Jude (White-Bear)

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...
 
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
 
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
 
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
 
Officer: Can I see your license please?
 
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but  I don't have one.
 
Officer: Don't have one?
 
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
 
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
 
Older Woman: I can't do that.
 
Officer: Why not?
 
Older Woman: I stole this car.
 
Officer: Stole it?
 
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
 
Officer: You what?
 
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see.
 
The Officer looked at the woman, slowly backed away to his car and called for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars encircle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.
 
Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please! The woman steps out of her vehicle.
 
Older woman:  Is there a problem officer?
 
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
 
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
 
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
 
The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.
 
Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
 
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers. The officer is quite stunned.
 
Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.
 
The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.
 
The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.
 
Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this  car and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.

Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Your own special greatness
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Your life has a purpose, something uniquely suited to who you
are. The more closely you align your day-to-day priorities with
that purpose, the more fulfillment you'll know.

When the priorities you've chosen stray away from your purpose,
then life becomes filled with frustration. When you put your time
and effort into things that don't really matter, it brings on a
painful, gnawing emptiness.

If something is truly important to the core of your being, then
there is most certainly a way to make it happen. When you make
the effort and spend the time on what really matters, the rewards
will be great indeed.

It will never be easy to follow your purpose. For by its very
definition, your highest purpose demands the best that you have
to offer. Yet following that purpose will fulfill you in a way
that nothing else can. To every extent possible, align your
priorities to who you truly are. Let your own special greatness
light up this world.


Ralph Marston

The reflection you see
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Be the value you wish to have. Be the positive difference you'd
like to see in the world.
When you're tempted to complain, think of a way to re-frame that
complaint into a positive suggestion, proposal or offer. When you
want others to understand your own concerns, put your efforts into
better understanding the concerns and perspectives they have.
What are the qualities and values you would most like to see in
the people around you? Develop and project those qualities in your
own affairs, and live those values yourself.
Be slow to take offense and quick to offer encouragement. Find
pleasure not in the misery of others, but rather in making a
positive, meaningful difference for those around you.
For your world is a mirror. The reflection you see depends on
the person you are.
Ralph Marston
.............................................................................

~~~
Judith Leah White-Bear
Earth Walk Fellowship, Animal Psychic Team
http://www.AnimalHealer.org
spirit@...
~~~
Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
AOL IM:  "AKwhitebear"
~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
and everything you say be your prayer     ~Anon.
~~~

How good it can feel


Pause for a moment and just think one thought. Think of how good it can feel to be alive.

Yes, you can argue that life is ripe with pain, with discomfort
and dismay. Yet the only reason you even notice those things is
because they are exceptions to the rule.

In fact, when the skies turn gray and the world seems so cold,
pause for a moment and consider one thing. Consider how good it can feel to be alive.

Even on the down days, there is a goodness to life that cannot be denied. Even on the down days, there is a part of you that knows
the troubles won't last forever.

Think of the people you love, the beauty you've seen, the faith
and hope that truly keep you going. And remember how incredibly good it can feel to be alive.

Pause for a moment and put things in perspective. You have life, and it can be so very good.
Thanks Margie




I am thankful I can walk;

there are those who have never taken their first step.



I am thankful I can see the beauty all around me;

there are those whose world is always dark.



I am thankful I can hear music playing;

there are those who entire life has been spent in silence.



I am thankful my heart can be broken;

there are those who are so hardened they cannot be touched.



I am thankful I can move about freely and express my beliefs;

there are those who live in constant fear.



I am thankful I have been loved;

there are those for whom no one has ever cared.



I am thankful I can work;

there are those who have to depend on others for even their most basic needs.



I am thankful to wake up in the morning and take a deep breath of fresh air;

there are those who never got that far.



I am thankful for the opportunity to help others;

there are those who have not been so abundantly blessed as I.



Along the way

You can get things done without enjoying yourself. You can also enjoy yourself without getting anything done. However, the best approach is to get things done while also enjoying yourself. That's the way to reach long term success, building one accomplishment on top of another. If you aim to simply enjoy yourself without getting anything done, then the result is -- you don't get anything done. You may be very positive and cheerful, at least for the moment, but after a while it will seem quite empty. On the other hand, if you're driven to achieve, without any consideration for the quality of your life along the way, that can be empty, too. Sure, you'll get what you want. But you're also likely to get burned out and resentful. Make the effort, move toward your goals, and delight in the moments along the way. When you enjoy the journey there's never any reason to stop.
Ralph Marston

Wrapping Presents With the Help of Your Cat

By: Mark Jefferson

---

1. Clear large space on table for wrapping present.
   
2. Go to wardrobe and collect bag in which present is contained, and close door
   
3. Open door and remove cat from wardrobe,
   
4. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.
   
5. Go back and remove cat from cupboard.
   
6. Go to drawer and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors labels etc.,
   
7. Lay out presents and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.
   
8. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit and collect string.
   
9. Reopen drawer and re-remove cat.
   
10. Remove present from bag.
    
11. Remove cat from bag.
    
12. Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.
    
13. Lay out paper to enable cutting to size,
    
14. Try and smooth out paper, realise cat is underneath and remove cat.
    
15. Cut the paper to size, trying to keep the cutting line straight.
    
16. Throw away first sheet as cat tried to chase the scissors, and tore paper.
    
17. Cut second sheet of paper to size. By putting cat in the bag the present came out of.
    
18. Place present on cut to size paper
    
19. Lift up edges of paper to seal in present, wonder why edges now don't reach, and realise cat is between present and paper. Remove cat and retry.
    
20. Place object on paper, to hold in place, while cutting transparent sticky tape.
    
21. Spend next 20 minutes carefully trying to remove transparent sticky tape from cat with pair of nail scissors.
    
22. Seal paper down, with transparent sticky tape, making corners as neat as possible.
    
23. Look for roll of ribbon, chase cat down hall, in order to retrieve ribbon.
    
24. Try to wrap present with ribbon in a clever two directional turn.
    
25. Re-roll up ribbon and remove paper that is now torn, due to cat's enthusiasm to chase the end of the ribbon .
    
26. Repeat steps 13-20 until down to last sheet of paper.
    
27. Decide to skip steps 13-17, in order to save time and reduce risk of loosing last sheet of paper. By retrieving old cardboard box, that you know is right size for sheet of paper.
    
28. Put present in box, and tie down with string.
    
29. Remove string, open box and remove cat,
30. Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for lockable room.
    
31. Once inside room, lock door and start to re-lay out packing materials.
    
32. Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close door and re-lock.
    
33. Repeat previous step as often as is necessary. Until you can hear the cries from the cat outside the door.
    
34. Lay out last sheet of paper. (I know this is difficult in a small area such as the toilet. But try your best)
    
35. Realise cat has already got to the paper. Unlock door go out and hunt through various cupboards, looking for sheet of last years paper, until you remember that you haven't got any left, due to cats help with wrapping last year.
    
36. Retire back to room lock door, and sit on toilet whist trying to work out how to make torn sheet of paper look halfway presentable.
    
37. Seal box, wrap with paper and start repairs by very carefully seal down tears with transparent sticky tape. Now tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst effected areas.
    
38. Label, then sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulating yourself on making good of a bad job.
    
39. Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.
    
40. Spend next 15 minutes looking for cat, before coming to the final obvious conclusion.
    
41. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.
    
42. Retrieve all thrown away sheets of wrapping paper, feed cat and retire back to room for last attempt, making certain you are alone and the door is locked.
    
43. Find least torn and wrinkled sheets of paper, along with the ones that the pattern matches the closet.
    
44. Vainly try and wrap present, in patchwork of paper. Tie with the now tattered ribbon and decorate with the now limp bows. Label and put present in bag, for fear of anyone seeing this disaster.
    
45. At time of handing over present smile sweetly at receivers face, as they try and hide their contempt at being handed such a badly wrapped present.
    
46. Swear to yourself that next year, that you will get the store to wrap the damn thing for you.
    
    

Copyright: © Mark St Jefferson November 1999

 

"Only when the last tree is cut down
Only when the last river is poisoned
Only when the last fish is caught
Will we discover that money cannot be eaten."

--Cree Prophecy

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~~~^~~~May our visions soar on the wings of eagles~~~^~~~

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"How shall I help the world?"

"By understanding it," said the Master.

"And how shall I understand it?"

"By turning away from it."

"How then shall I serve humanity?"

"By understanding yourself."


Anthony de Mello, SJ


MORSEL:
                  I am not what I ought to be.
                  I am not what I want to be.
                  I am not what I hope to be.
                  But still, I am not what I used to be.
                  And by the grace of God, I am what I am.

                          ... John Newton (1725-1807)

~~~
Judith Leah White-Bear
Earth Walk Fellowship, Animal Psychic Team
http://www.AnimalHealer.org
spirit@...
~~~
Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
AOL IM:  "AKwhitebear"
~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
and everything you say be your prayer     ~Anon.
~~~

YOUR FUTURE IS A BIG ADVENTURE.
-----------------------------------------------
Prepare for your future, don't live in the past.
Savor your good memories,
and use any bad ones as lessons in life.
You need to focus on your future not on your past.

Carve out a niche for yourself in your imagined future.
Think, feel and see yourself as successful.
To achieve any goal in life,
you need to project your end result.

Think of the elation, the satisfaction,
the joy you'll feel when you reach your goal.
Carry these ecstatic feelings with you every day
and they'll bring your desired goals into view.

Sooner or later, you can win, if you think you can.
The cards you are dealt in life
are less important than the way you play them.
Everyday you're offered a new deal and new cards.

Success is out there for you.
Don't wait for it to come to you, go out and find it.
----------------------------------------------
©2003 by Max Steingart
(Your Daily Motivation)

Reproduce freely but maintain © notice

YOUR DAILY MOTIVATION

Saturday, October 18, 2003

REALITY IS SOMETHING YOU RISE ABOVE.
-----------------------------------------------
You're more important than any of your problems.
You're bigger than anything that can happen to you.

Great things are accomplished when you believe
that what's inside of you is superior to your circumstances.
What you have outside you counts less
than what you have inside you.

Courage is a special kind of knowledge.
It's the knowledge of how to fear what ought to be feared
and how not to fear what ought not to be feared.

True courage is a result of reasoning.
A brave mind is always impregnable.

Nothing external to you has power over you.
----------------------------------------------
©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@...

Reproduce freely but maintain © notice
---

Subject: CANDLE

> THIS IS A REALLY COOL STORY AND NOTICE,

> AT THE END, THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.

>

> Diane, a young university student, was home for the summer.

> She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed

> quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.

> She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.

> She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few

> blocks away.

>

> As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked

> "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger.

> When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her

> house, she decided to take it.  However, halfway down the

> alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he

> were waiting for her.  She became uneasy and began to pray,

> asking for "God's" protection. Instantly a comforting feeling

> of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as

> though someone was walking with her. When she reached the

> end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

>

> The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had

> been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

> Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have

> been her, she began to weep.  Thanking the Lord for her safety and to

> help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

> She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

> The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to

>  see if she could identify him.  She agreed and immediately

> pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

>

> When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately

> broke down and confessed.

>

> The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was

> anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man

> one question.  Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

> When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't

> alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her."

>

> Moral of the story...  Don't underestimate the power of Prayer!

>

> Gives ya goosebumps doesn't it!

> To all of you who mean something

> to me, I wish you happiness.

>

> The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship

>      ()

>    |---|

>    |---|

>    |---|

>    |---|

>    |---|

> --------

>

> This candle was lit on the 15th of September, 1998.

> Someone who loves you has helped keep it alive by

> sending it to you. Don't  let The Candle Of Love,

> Hope and Friendship die!  Pass It On To All Of Your

> Friends and Everyone You Love!  May God richly

> bless you as this candle lights your path.  Keep hope alive.

>

WHENEVER YOU FEEL DOWN AND YOUR WORLD IS CRUMBLING IN - LOOK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR BEST FRIEND IS GOD!  HAVE A BLESSED FOREVER - BETTY


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Subject: Special Letter

     Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the
     operating room.
     She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right?
     When can I see him?" The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all
     we could, but your boy didn't make it."
     Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God
     care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"
     The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your
     son?
     One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's
     transported to the university." Sally asked the nurse to stay
     with her while she said good-bye to son. She ran her fingers
     lovingly through his thick red curly hair.
     Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked. Sally
     nodded yes.
     The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag
     and handed it to Sally.
     The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to
     The university for study. He said it might help somebody else.
     "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, "Mom, I won't be using it
     After I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one
     more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold.
     Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he
     could."
     Sally walked out of Children's mercy Hospital for the last
     time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag
     with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive
     home
     was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried
     Jimmy's
     belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's
     room. She
     started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his
     Room
     exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and,
     hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
     It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on
     the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: "Dear Mom, I know you're
     going
     to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving
     you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love
     you,
     Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again.
     Until
     then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely,
     that's
     okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff
     to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably
     wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls
     and
     stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me.
     This really is a neat place.
     Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me
     around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.
     The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know
     what?
     Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw
     Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess
     what,
     Mom?
     I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody
     important.
     That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you
     good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well,
     you
     know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own Personal pen to
     write
     you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going
     to
     drop this letter off to you.
     God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions
     you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the
     same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was
     Right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom,
     no
     one else can see what I've written except you.
     To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper.
     Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to
     write
     some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table
     with
     Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot
     to
     tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone.
     I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't
     stand
     to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy
     to
     come get me. The Angel said I was Special Delivery!
     How about that?
     Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me.
     Let's see Satan stop this one. Take 60-seconds and send this to
     five
     other people,
     within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers
     to
     pray
     to
     God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work
     in
     your
     life for doing what you know God loves.

Hi Everyone,

I'm going "nomail/offline" for a couple of weeks (until after May
1st).  I'll be getting ready for a trip, and in Colorado for a week or
so.  I'll have a laptop with me, if anyone wants to write to me privately
at spirit@...
See you when I get back!

With Much Love,
Jude
(White-Bear)

~~~~~
Jude L. White-Bear
Animal Psychic Team, Merkaba Alaska
http://www.SacredMerkaba.com
jude@...
~~~~~
AOL IM: "akwhitebear" ; Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
~~~~~
Nice article on the Power of Intention and Animal Healing
http://www.sidereus.org/a/jwb_intention.htm
~~~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
And everything you say be your Prayer     ~Anon
~~~~~

Adorable Kids' Quotes

3-year-old, Reese: "Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name," " Amen"

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a
better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."

A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood  tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife."

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys."

I had been teaching my three-year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer for several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: "Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us some E-mail. Amen."

And one particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash
baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

A Sunday school teacher asked her children, as they were on the way to
church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright
little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting
together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big
sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the
church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers.

"

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3. The
boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw
the opportunity for a moral lesson. If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin turned to his
younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son
ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore, where a seagull
lay dead in the sand. "Daddy, what happened him?" the son asked. "He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"

TODAY'S POSITIVE THOUGHT:

Love heals and protects you.


TODAY'S POSITIVE AFFIRMATION:

I allow love into my life and I AM safe
and secure.


TODAY'S POSITIVE VISUALIZATION:

In my mind's eye I see myself wrapped in
a soft blanket of God's loving energy. I
feel my mind and body relax as I allow this
loving energy to comfort, heal, and protect
me. I see myself going through my day with
confidence.  I imagine myself acting and
responding from a place of inner peace. I
feel safe and secure in my world. In my
mind's eye, I see myself and others experiencing
the healing power of God's love. As I quietly
exhale, I combine these images with joy and
let them go, knowing that they will create
the good things I am visualizing and thinking.

© 2002 Institute For Creative Living
All rights reserved.


~~~~~
Jude L. White-Bear
Animal Psychic Team, Merkaba Alaska
http://www.SpiritFoundation.com
jude@...
~~~~~
AOL IM: "akwhitebear" ; Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
~~~~~
Nice article on the Power of Intention and Animal Healing
http://www.sidereus.org/a/jwb_intention.htm
~~~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
And everything you say be your Prayer     ~Anon
~~~~~

YOUR DAILY MOTIVATION

Friday, April 4, 2003

A GOAL WILL LEAD YOU TO SUCCESS.
-----------------------------------------------
If you do the right things right, you're going to succeed.
If you have correct goals,
and you keep pursuing them the best way you know how,
everything else will fall into line.

You are what and where you are today because you first imagined it.
Knowing where you want to go is all you need to get there.
Just return over and over to that picture in your mind
of the place you are headed for.

The first essential of success is to know what you want.
-----------------------------------------------
©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@...

Reproduce freely but maintain © notice

TODAY'S POSITIVE THOUGHT:

Let love transform your life.


TODAY'S POSITIVE AFFIRMATION:

I send the power of love into my life to
create peace and harmony everywhere I go.


TODAY'S POSITIVE VISUALIZATION:

As I close my eyes I experience the spiritual
force of love within me. I imagine this power of
love surrounding and healing me. In my mind's eye
I send this love out into the world to transform
any difficult relationships or situations. I take
a few moments to imagine this situation(s) or
relationship(s) in the way I would like them to be.
I combine these images with the feelings of joy and
let them go, knowing that they will create the good
things I am visualizing and thinking.



© 2002 Institute For Creative Living
All rights reserved.

~~~~~
Jude L. White-Bear
Earth Walk Spirit Foundation, Merkaba Alaska
http://www.SpiritFoundation.com
jude@...
~~~~~
AOL IM: "akwhitebear" ; Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
~~~~~
Nice article on the Power of Intention and Animal Healing
http://www.sidereus.org/a/jwb_intention.htm
~~~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
And everything you say be your Prayer     ~Anon
~~~~~

Hi All,
This is from my teacher, Gary.  I use the Healing Waters myself for all
water needs -- cooking, for the animals and plants, etc.  I wouldn't be
without it.

With Love,
Jude
(White-Bear)

Subject: SARS - Preventative Cures for Families - Free - No Obligation -
Please Forward to Others
(From Gary Smith, Sacred Merkaba Techniques and Christ's Light Techniques)

The SARS epidemic is beginning to rapidly move through many areas of the world
with the numbers of cases and deaths increasing daily.

Hong Kong last week's SARS stats:
Date  Infected Deaths
Mar 29th  425  11
Mar 30th 530  13
Mar 31st 610  15
Reported World Stats on SARS (Details by country are below)
Mar 29th 1,485  54
Mar 31st 1,798  62

I am publicly recommending to people to prepare for the SARS arrival in their
areas by drinking  3-7 glasses of Healing Waters or Sacred Waters each day.

You may obtain free copies of these ancient formulas which spiritually through
prayers and techniques alchemically transform water into a spiritually charged
elixir of life which increases one's immune system while expanding
consciousness.

The 8 page Sacred Merkaba Techniques formula is available at no charge or
obligation. You may request this formula by emailing HealingWaters@....

The 2 page flyer on the 2,000 year old Christ's Light Techniques Sacred
Waters is
also available at no charge or obligation. You may request this formula by
emailing SacredWaters@....

Canada 129 - 4
China 806 - 34
France 1 - 0
Germany 5 - 0
Hong Kong 610 - 15
Italy 2 - 0
Ireland 2 - 0
Romania 3 - 0
Singapore 92 - 4
Switzerland 3 - 0
Taiwan 10 - 0
Thailand 5 - 1
UK 3 - 0
US 69 - 0
Vietnam 58 - 4

( PS These numbers may be higher, at 4 am one day last week a live national
news
broadcast stated that the number of SARS deaths had shot up over 100 when
over 80
were reported dead as of Feb 28th in one Chinese province alone, however stats
above reflect the lower "officially" reported number of 34 for all of China).

There is a narrow window of time for the Group Ascension because as pain and
suffering increase worldwide, that will lower overall human consciousness
levels
in the human consciousness grids.

We in the Sacred Merkaba Techniques will be performing a Group Ascension test
this Sunday, on April 6th. We recommend people pray and/or meditate during the
hours of PDT 10 am to 1 pm this coming Sunday.


In The Light of God's Unconditional Love
Gary


~~~~~
Jude L. White-Bear
Merkaba Alaska
http://www.SacredMerkaba.com
Jude@...
~~~~~
AOL IM: "akwhitebear" ; Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
~~~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
And everything you say be your Prayer     ~Anon
~~~~~

Subject: Free Ancient Alchemical Formula For Healing


The increasing likelihood of biological and chemical warfare being used against
civilians worldwide indicates the time is now for us to offer our group's
ancient
alchemical formula for "Healing Waters" to all those who are already
helping and
healing others.

This 2,000 year old formula is an 8-page document and we consider that too
large
of a file to send to people who may not wish to receive this ancient healing
method.

We will be happy to send you at no charge this wondrous gift to humanity.
If you
would like to receive the "Healing Waters" alchemical formula, please send an
email to HealingWaters@... with a subject line of "Free Alchemical
Formula".

In addition, we also have some free informative articles which you may find
interesting.

"Ascending Beyond Enlightenment" - An article describing, what is
Enlightenment;
the real story of prana; what chakras are and what they do; the actual
quantified
amount of spiritual energies needed to reach Enlightenment and "Ascend" in one
lifetime; what is beyond Enlightenment and more.

"Karma, Why It Is, Why We Have It and How to Easily Remove It" - This article
describes the many levels of karma; how to use a quick release technique to
remove "outdated karma"; how to look out for ways some people reattach
karma and
further knowledge.

"Going Beyond Reiki with Dr. Usui's Approval" - An all encompassing article on
healing which describes how the Reiki symbols heal a person; how Reiki lost
its purity; how Dr Usui agrees that there is a new healing method which
surpasses Reiki in ease and effectiveness which is now available for the
healing
of oneself and others.

This esoteric knowledge is available to you for free.  Just send an email with
the names of any articles you wish to receive to Articles@...

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
CHICKEN SOUP DAILY SERVING:
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

With These Rings
By Sherry M. Palmer

I was a new pastor's wife when my husband took me to a
small town in Oklahoma. We fought until we learned to love
each other during the two years we spent there. I was the
new girl in town. I knew no one and barely knew my husband,
Brad. He was busy with his church, and there I was, stuck.
No money, no job and no friends. I was uncomfortable in my
new role and resented it when others referred to me as "the
preacher's wife." I failed to see what an honor that was.
The parishioners made attempts to befriend me, but I was
too busy being lonely and angry, and was bound and
determined to let Brad know it. I pouted and packed,
whined and packed, and threw things at him and packed.
"I'm leaving!" I would scream when he came home. With the
fifty cents I had in my pocket and no gas money, I don't
know where I thought I was going, but I was adamant.
"Don't do me any favors," he would reply, which only
caused me to turn on my heels and shout, "I'm staying, and
don't try and stop me!" Who did he think he was? I wasn't
about to let him kick me out.
Somewhere between my daily suitcase-packing episodes,
I remembered that I had promised to love him for better or
for worse. In desperation, I found ways to entertain,
myself. I spent hours picking from the six pecan trees in
the front yard. I quickly realized that even though we had
no money, the pecans made great Christmas gifts. I even
found a job. Then my husband came home one day and
announced that he had an interview at a church in
Louisiana. I had just learned to live in Oklahoma!
True to form, I pouted and griped on the way to
Louisiana. Then something stopped me in my tracks. We
were on our way through Texas when we ran right into what
looked like a giant crystal bowl. An ice storm had hit the
area a few days earlier, and it was the most beautiful
sight I had ever seen. And there I was, gnawing on my
husband. Somewhere between Denton and Sulphur, I had taken
off my wedding rings and tucked them into the folds of my
skirt so that I could apply some hand cream. The ice we
were skidding on distracted me just enough that I forgot to
put my rings back on. Three hours later I looked down and
realized that I had lost my rings out on the highway when I
had stepped out of the car to take a picture of a horse and
buggy driving by. But which highway? Everything looks the
same in an ice storm, especially when you are in country
unfamiliar.
"I'll buy you another ring," my husband said.
I knew he meant well, but the ring was a family
heirloom. "That ring can't be replaced," I cried.
"Honey, we don't even know where to begin looking," he
said. "No, we're NOT going back," he insisted as he turned
the car around and headed back to look for the rings.
It was hours before we found a location that seemed
familiar. Occasionally some well-meaning person would
pull his car over to the side of the road, roll down his
window and yell, "Hey, buddy, what'd ya' lose?" At one
point there must have been ten cars stopped on the side of
the road, all abandoned by the occupants who had joined in
the search. But with the sun going down, it was obvious
that our chances of finding the rings were slim. I was
crushed.
"Face it, Honey, they're gone," Brad said. "I know
you're upset. I promise to try and find a suitable
replacement."
I knew he was right. The walk in the cold that day
had given me time to think about the day's events. I
played the scene over and over in my mind, and what I saw
was not a pretty sight. I had ranted and raved, nagged and
wailed, and acted like a spoiled brat. I took a good long
look at my husband pacing back and forth in the freezing
cold. He had driven three hours back to this desolate area
in the middle of a treacherous ice storm without one
thought for himself, attempting to find something that was
important to me. The rings might be gone, but there could
never be a suitable replacement for my husband. Suddenly,
the rings seemed so unimportant. I resolved right then and
there to stop thinking only of myself.
It was at that very moment that I opened the car door
and began to step inside. Something on the floor caught my
eye. My rings! I grabbed them and waved them in the air.
Brad rushed to my side and put them back on my finger.
"This is where these rings belong," he whispered. I looked
into his eyes, and knew that I had found what I was looking
for. It wasn't my rings that were lost that day - I was
the one who had been missing.
Life in the pastorate hasn't changed. The only thing
that has changed is me. We still move around more than I
like. And I still have to start over again every time we
do. But I've learned to appreciate when people call me
"the preacher's wife," because etched into my mind is a
frozen road in Texas, and a voice that whispers, "This is
where these rings belong."
<><><><><> Enjoyed Today's Story? <><><><><>
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______________________________

Reprinted by permission of Sherry M. Palmer ? 1999 from
Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul by Jack
Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery and Nancy
Mitchell Autio. In order to protect the rights of the
copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be
reproduced without prior written consent. All rights
reserved.
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Hi All,
Here's a dear story about a dog at death's door in a shelter, who becomes a
"star" instead .... Let's send Light and prayers for other homeless dogs to
get a chance as well.

Much Love,
Jude

~White-Bear

During Cobb Playhouse's opening of "Annie" on Friday night, Sandy, a rescued
pooch, makes her acting debut alongside Meredith Crawley.

By TUCKER McQUEEN
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Jenni Girtman/AJC


Sandy, a homeless dog once tagged for euthanasia, can have her pick of homes.
After news of the dog's chance rescue by a Marietta community theater where
she was cast in the role of Sandy in a holiday production of "Annie," the
theater was overwhelmed with calls from people wanting to adopt her.  Cobb
Playhouse founder John Christian said he had 100 calls on Friday morning.
Before 10 a.m., Christian had talked to five people who wanted to adopt the
shaggy terrier-mix. Lara Greisman, an animal rescue volunteer, found the
pooch after hearing the community theater was having a hard time finding an
appropriate pup for the part.  Friends told Greisman that a Bartow shelter
had a stray pup that was scheduled to be "put to sleep."

She picked up the dog and took it to "Annie" director Kathy Manning, who
decided the suddenly lucky mutt was just the pooch to play Sandy.  "She's
just wonderful -- a precious baby," Manning said.  "She comes on cue and does
what we want her to do. She is going to steal the show.  "The show opened
Friday and has three casts and three Annies, who all love sharing the stage
with their shaggy co-star.  Office manager Glen Varnado said he was shocked
at how Sandy's story snowballed.

Varnado said he and other playhouse employees have come to love Sandy, but he
and Christian had no idea so many people would be stirred by her story.
Through the run of the play, which closes Jan. 4, the rescued Sandy will live
with Greisman.  After that the dog will be up for adoption.Greisman said the
dog appears to be several years old, but no one seems to know her lineage or
history.  She has had all of her shots and has also been spayed.  "It's hard
to believe she was so close to being euthanized," Greisman said.  "She was so
nervous and upset at first.  But now, she is coming out of her shell."

~~~~~
Jude "White-Bear" Correll
http://www.AnimalPsychicTeam.com
http://www.SpritFoundation.com
~~~~~
AOL IM: "akwhitebear," Yahoo Msgr: "whitebearsinging"
~~~~~
Nice article on the Power of Intention and Animal Healing
http://www.sidereus.org/a/jwb_intention.htm
~~~~~
Let everything you do be your expression of Spirit,
And everything you say be your Prayer     ~Anon
~~~~~

------------------------------------------------------------
CREATING LUCK FEATURE STORY: What you need may come from a very unexpected
place!
------------------------------------------------------------
Celeste wrote last week in response to the feature story about a job loss
resulting in good luck. Her story was worthy of a feature story this week.
Thanks, Celeste for spreading the word -- the universe is amazing, and we
do, in G-d's time, get what we need, and sometimes, even what we want!

Dear Azriela,
I will definitely be sharing this newsletter with my husband who, like
thousands of other airline workers, has recently been furloughed.  Want our
good luck story?  When Don returned from his last day of work we didn't know
what he would be doing next for income.  We have 6 children and the usual
commitments, but we knew we would be all right.  We smiled and waited for
the next door to open.  People called to ask what we would do.  We'd answer
that something would come up and frankly, I honestly felt puzzled at their
obvious concern. Isn't that odd?  But it's true, I didn't think to worry.

The very day that Don was furloughed I got an offer to do a paid
substitution for one of the executives at an organization where I volunteer.
I of course accepted.  Next, Don let people know that this was the perfect
opportunity for people to get his help while he was in town (this is a very
talented man) and sure enough he started getting calls from people that
needed a few things done.  Since Don has been furloughed his pay each week
from odds and ends has been more than before he was laid off!

With the additional income we have been paying off all of the small bills
that we had so that when my temporary position ends (if it does) we are able
to keep going without those added monetary stresses.

But that's not all, we had been wishing for a better bed for months.  Ours
was bedraggled, worn and sunk here and there.  Oh to have a good mattress!
But it was never the top priority financially.  Certainly not a reasonable
thing to focus on when your husband was just furloughed.  Guess what Don's
first job was?  Someone asked if he could help them haul away all the
contents of their rental.  Don suggested that he hold a garage sale for them
rather than just dispose of everything.  They were delighted.  When Don got
there he discovered a bed that not only had a plush (though older) mattress
that was in terrific shape, but an antique bed as well.  He asked them if
we could buy it from them and they said, "How about you take it off our
hands for the
cost of hauling it away!"

When I came home to a cushy, comfortable mattress surrounded by a cherrywood
bed fit for a Queen I nearly dropped to my knees right on the spot.  Tears
came to my eyes as I took it as a miraculous indicator that not only were we
correct that all would be well, but G_d was looking out for our every need.
Certainly this is more than I would ever have even hoped to ask for.
Imagine getting your heart wishes because a family member lost their job!
Who would have guessed. So our family casts another vote for "Blessings come
through unexpected means!"


All My Best,
Celeste Mergens