Hope opens doors where despair closes them.

Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot.

Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God.

Hope “lights a candle” instead of “cursing the darkness.”

Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.

Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.

Hope sets high goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.

Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.

Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that “the longest journey starts with one step.”

Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.

- Author Unknown

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer,
Cleveland , Ohio

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God
never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one
is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no
for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years,
will this matter?’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time enough time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you
did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative (dying young).

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside, every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s,
we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Anger: It can be defined as the noise of the soul. Anger: It is the unseen irritant of the heart. Anger: The relentless invader of our peace…. The louder it gets the more desperate we become…..

The normal response to a plea to calm down is; “You don’t know how hard my life has been.” And you are right. I don’t. But I have a very clear idea how miserable your future will be unless you deal with your anger. For in the words of our day; “I’ve been there, done that.” And I speak from experience, anger only breeds bitterness, depression and defeat.

If you could x-ray the soul of the vengeful and angry person you would behold the tumor of bitterness, black, menacing, malignant. Anger is carcinoma of the spirit. It’s fatal fibers creep around the edge of the heart and ravage it, driving a wedge between us and happiness. Yesterday you can not alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you can not change, but your response to your past you can.

God will take your anger, you have only to ask, and then be willing to give it away. Don’t fall for the world’s trap, voiced in that old saying; “People can bury the hatchet; but they never forget where they buried it.” God brings the peace that passes all understanding and can restore silence, tranquility and love in our lives.

1) Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90 of your happiness or misery.

2) Work at something you enjoy and that´s worthy of your time and talent.

3) Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4) Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5) Be forgiving of yourself and others

6) Be generous

7) Have a grateful heart

Persistence, persistence, persistence

9) Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary

10) Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated

11) Commit yourself to constant improvement

12) Commit yourself to quality.

13) Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14) Be loyal

15) Be honest

16) Be a self-starter

17)Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.

18) Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19) Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.

20) Take good care of those you love.

21) Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your mom proud.

1. If you open it, close it.
2. If you turn it on, turn it off.
3. If you unlock it, lock it up.
4. If you break it, admit it.
5. If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
6. If you borrow it, return it.
7. If you value it, take care of it.
8. If you make a mess, clean it up.
9. If you move it, put it back.
10. If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
11. If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
12. If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.

“No one knows what he can do until he tries. Do not let countless job promotions and opportunities pass you by for fear that you would not be able to do what is expected of you.
Such fears are baseless.”

Handel wrote his best music after his doctors had told him about his impending death. While Beethoven wrote the Fifth Symphony after he had become deaf.

Three of the world’s greatest poets – Homer, Milton, and Dante were blind men.

Hannibal and Lord Nelson, both outstanding generals, each had one eye.

Daniel Defoe wrote the classic Robinson Crusoe while in prison. So did John Bunyan with his Pilgrim’s Progress. Martin Luther translated the Bible in the Castle of Wartburg.

Dante wrote for 20 years in exile while awaiting execution, Cervantes wrote Don Quixote in a Madrid jail. The apostle Paul himself wrote his epistles joyfully while under arrest.

Hold on to your dreams. Tell God about them and if He approves them, lift them up in prayer and they will come to pass. Without God, it is not worth dreaming about them.

I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.

I’ve learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you can’t.

I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I’ve learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived.

I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I’ve learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.

I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon.

Set your own pace……..When someone is pushing you, it’s ok to tell them they’re pushing.

Take nothing for granted……..Watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbors mow.

Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive……..Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Listen to the wind blow……..It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow……..And now………Now counts.

Rest on your laurels……..They bring comfort whatever their size, age or condition.

Talk slower. Talk less. Don’t talk. Communication isn’t measured by words.

Give yourself permission to be late sometimes……..Life is for living, not scheduling.

Listen to the song of a bird……..The complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them.

Slow down. God is still in heaven……..You are not responsible for doing it all…yourself… right now.

Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past……..Rest there. Each moment has a richness that takes a lifetime to savor.

Quit planning how you’re going to use what you know, learn or possess……..God’s gifts just are. Be grateful and their purpose will be clear.

When you walk with someone, don’t think about what you’ll say next……..Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.

Talk and play with children……..It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.

Create a place in your home…At your work….in your heart…where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it.

Take time to think……..Action is good and necessary, but it’s fruitful only if we muse, ponder and mull.

Make time for play……..The things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child needs re-creation.

Watch and listen to the night sky……..It speaks.

Listen to the words you speak……..Especially in prayer.

Learn to stand back and let others take their turn as leaders…….. There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again.

Divide big jobs into little jobs……..If God took six days to create the universe, can you do any better?

Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency……..The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.

Take a day off alone……..Make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one.

Pet a furry friend……..You will give and get the gift of now.

Work with your hands……..It frees the mind.

Take time to wonder……..Without wonder, life is merely an existence.

Sit in the dark……..It will treat you to see and hear, taste and smell.

Once in awhile……..Turn down the lights, The throttle, The invitations. Less really can be more.

Let go……..Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do…but often it is the best.

Taste your food……..God gave it to delight as well as nourish.

Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set……..They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.

And as you ramble on thru life my dearest friend……..Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.

“AND SLOWLY COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ONE AT A TIME”

When you harbor resentment, anger or
Bitterness, the person you end up harming the
Most is yourself. Negative emotions have a way of
Creating negative energy that destroys
Positive emotions, like generosity, love and joy.
Although the unhappy situation may be long
Gone, you may be allowing it to hold you back
By holding onto the feelings it evoked.

Today, vow to start “cleaning out” that inner
Vault of negativism. Try to forgive those who’ve
Caused you previous pain, and if you can’t
Forgive, at least try to forget.

Break free ! Let go! Move forward with optimism.
It’s the best way to find happiness.

You can know all the scriptures,
Have all the bibles you can reach,
But when push comes to shove
Do you practice what you preach?

Anyone can go to church
And collapse on the floor,
But when Judgment Day comes
Will you be at Heaven’s door?

You can have the biggest of fits
And say the Holy ghost passed through,
But is that really reflected
In the things you do?

You can yell far and wide
Proclaiming your love for Christ,
But what have you given him
When for you He gave his life?

You can lecture others
About the wrong things they do,
But before you look at others
You need to look at you.

You can damn all the sinners
Tell them they’re headed south,
But what have you done lately
Besides run your mouth?

You can call yourself a Christian
Spend all your days at church,
But while you are praising His name,
Have you been doing the Lord’s work?

You can boast of good deeds
To show us the spirit is within
But why show it to us?
You should show it to Him!

You can memorize the bible
Know it from front to back,
But you don’t use it to regulate others
Regulate how you act!

Take a good look at yourself
Not at what others do,
Because when He comes to get his children…
Will He be coming for you too?

(Author Unknown)