JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9

JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9
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Written Monday, January 19, 2015
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IT'S BEEN A WHILE
It's been a while since I journaled on this blog. As you know, this is a time of transition for me and I've been trying to keep myself busy with writing. I had to get some other writing out of my system, as I wait for the news of what is going to happen and when--as far as moving and putting in an offer on a house.
Now, I am ready to edit Journaling Stuff 2014 and do writing on this blog--as I can. Again, for the next several months, I will only write (blog or journal) here as I am able. I will be able to do quite a bit over the next few weeks. Then, I will get quiet for a while as we do the moving across country thing, take some vacation time, have some time with family, and then move into our house and get it set up and get to know the new town we're moving to in Wyoming.
I will try to keep you updated as I am able--and blog journaling hints, tips, and prompts. I imagine come April, things should be calmer and I cannot wait to share the journey with you.
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CHANGE
Change is something that people find stressful and intimidating. We make it far worse on ourselves because of our thoughts and attitude toward change. (Journaling prompt: Have you noticed this in your life? In the lives of others?) This does not help us one iota. Why make things harder on ourselves than they need to be? Why not find a way to turn change into something useful in our lives instead?
Change is a fact of life.
There are few guarantees in this life, but change is one of them. Change will happen. It's just a matter of time.
So, shouldn't our goal be to learn how to appreciate change and find the blessing in change? (Go ahead and journal your answer to that question, along with your thoughts. A Journaling Prompt.)
How is it possible to make change a benefit and opportunity in our lives--versus something to dread and feel anxious over or about? (Go ahead and journal your thoughts and answer regarding that question. A Journaling Prompt.)
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UPCOMING BLOG POST SERIES
In the next few weeks, I will do a few different blog posts series which go together, but can also be separate journaling topics (subjects or thoughts).
1 These are just a few of the thoughts I want to explore over the next few weeks. So, welcome to a new blog post series called: "CHANGE BRINGS BLESSING."
2 I will also talk about how to move in such a way to bring blessing ("THE BLESSING OF MOVING").
3 How to create a home of blessing in upcoming blog posts ("A HOME OF BLESSING").
4 "A SET APART LIFE: LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH IN TODAY'S WORLD"
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MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015: MY PERSONAL JOURNALING
Written Monday, January 19, 2015, 202 p.m.
I will be doing a lot of personal journaling in 2015 on this blog in an effort for it to be a journaling prompt for you. Furthermore, I hope it will inspire you with your journaling and help inspire you to find the blessing in your life.
Therefore, I will call my personal journaling "MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015."
I hope to write my journaling memoir in 2015 and that's why it has the title of MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015.
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WHAT TIME, EXPERIENCE, AND MATURITY HAS TAUGHT ME
I turned four decades old in September 2014 and it's made me quite reflective. It's made me think and do a great deal of soul searching. Never mind how 2014 was a tough year for me.
One of the things 2014 has taught me is one that 2015 has taught me so far as well. It's what time, experience, and maturity have also taught me:
A life without journaling is shallower, does not have full meaning or purpose or perspective, and is more self-centered (regardless of what we tell ourselves when we don't journal).
In other words, a life without journaling is one that is lacking.
Now hold on. I'm talking about myself here. So, please do not think I am pointing a finger at you or someone else you know. Rather, I'm looking in the mirror and am being absolutely honest with myself.
When I do not journal, I live an aimless life.
This is why I have to admit that journaling is a way of life for me and is the way I fully live.
Journaling helps keep my life simple and less complicated.
Journaling helps me to order my steps and find the blessing in my life.
A life of journaling is the most blessed life I can live.
Journaling makes me stop, look around around, and take note of the beauty and helps me to focus on what matters instead of on that which doesn't. It helps me to see how much blessing there is in every moment, if only I would stop and look for it and count it.
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A JOURNALING QUOTE
A life of journaling is the most blessed life I can live.
{A Journaling Prompt: Journal your thoughts.}
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JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #9d
MY RYP JOURNALING STORIES 2015
Written Monday, January 19, 2015, 325 p.m.
MY THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES SO FAR IN 2015
My life is in a constant state of hurry up and wait.
I could not help but get a mischievous grin as I typed and journaled that last sentence. After all, I think change and waiting are two perpetual themes of life. Never mind the theme of the unknown--of not having answers and wondering who, what, where, when, why, and how. These are all constants in life.
My husband, B, and I have been in the hurry up and wait stance for a few months now and this is no different. We are still waiting on the same ol' same ol' and know that things will happen, just when they are supposed to, and in the way they are supposed to. We know that everything will come together. It always does. I cannot think of one time in my life when anything has come together the way I wanted or how I wanted, so it does not help to think, or wish, this time will be any different. That being said, my reaction to this is something I can control. I have a choice with how I react to this time of waiting and this time of transition and change.
It looks like there will be some time between moving from Virginia to Wyoming that we will be able to hang out with family in Denver. Hence, we will have some down time and a time of vacation. Words cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled we are for this opportunity. When we are able to move into our house, things will be crazy busy for a while as we unpack, get settled, lay roots, find the ol' comfortable rut, and get to know our new hometown.
Yes. We are taking a time of change and transition, a time of stress and anxiety usually, and are turning it into a time of opportunity and blessing. I cannot wait.
B and I learned this lesson when in the first three weeks we moved from Nebraska to Virginia, we had a major earthquake and were forced to evacuate for a hurricane. We packed out stuff, and all of our critters, into the car and headed for the Blue Ridge Mountains and turned a time of stress into a time of blessing, for we turned it into a vacation. We knew we could lose everything in the hurricane. The possibility was there. It was not likely, however, things happen and we tried to prepare ourselves for either scenario. But, what good would it do to be stressed? That's what we asked ourselves. So, we enjoyed our time away and made some special memories. We figured if we did lose everything in the hurricane, we would be able to handle it better if we were refreshed. Or, if we didn't lose anything, we gained by relaxing and getting refreshed.
So, this is no different. We are taking a time of stress and are refusing for it to be stressful. (Sure, we may have our moments, but we refuse to linger there. What good does it do to remain stressed? Does it make anything any easier? Uh--no.) Instead, we are turning this into opportunity and blessing. And, in doing so, we will make some incredible memories, build our marriage, and grow in faith. This makes everything worthwhile and it makes me count my blessing that this is happening so we can experience this blessing. This is life at its sweetest.
Life will always have stress. And, it will always have change. We chose to make it an opportunity of and for blessing.
Thank God. What a blessing.
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MY BLOG POST SERIES
1 JOURNALING STUFF 2014
2 JOURNALING STUFF 2015
3 CHANGE BRINGS BLESSING
4 THE BLESSING OF MOVING
5 A HOME OF BLESSING
6 A SET APART LIFE: LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH IN TODAY'S WORLD
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Topics: #BlogPostSeries #Journaling #Journal #RYPJournaling #PersonalJournaling #JournalingMemoir #Memoir #Diary #Autobiography #LifeStory #LifeStories #Blessing #Blessings #StoriesOfBlessing #Change #Transition #Moving #NewBeginning #StartingOver #StartingAgain #BlankPage #CountingOfBlessings #JournalingPrompt #JournalingHintsTipsPrompts #JournalingQuote #TheJournalingLife #ALifeOfJournaling #JournalKeeper #JournalKeeping #JournalingStuff #JournalingStuff2014 #JournalingStuff2015 #RYP #RememberingYourPresent
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NOVEMBER 08, 2014 STORIES OF BLESSING

NOVEMBER 08, 2014 STORIES OF BLESSING

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THE KEY OF GIVING THANKS

Written 2014-11-07 11:01:20, Friday

I wanted to share some keys of giving thanks.

1 Always give thanks. Do not ever stop. 

2 Give thanks in everything.

3 Give thanks for everything.

4 Practice is the key. The more you do it, the easier and more meaningful it becomes. 

5 Write it down on the page so you can read your blessings repeatedly--and count them all over again.

6 Make it a way of life and a way to be--not something to do. 

7 Enjoy giving thanks. Allow it to make your spirit and heart soar. 

8 Steal as many blessings as you can--meaning count other peoples' blessings you can see are blessings. For instance, if someone beats cancer. If a married couple decides not to divorce. Etc. 

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LEARNING TO BE CONTENT IN ALL AND FOR ALL

Written 2014-11-07 11:16:17, Friday

My happiness, joy, contentment, faith, hope, etc. should never depend on circumstances, emotions, or people. Circumstances constantly change and so do our relationships with people. Emotions are never the same are are fleeting. Moreover, circumstances, people, and emotions will fail you far too often. 

Contentment is a choice. 

Contentment is the realization that what and who you have in the present matter most. For, they are more than enough. We just need to choose them to be more than enough. 

If you cannot be content with what and who you have now, what makes you think you could ever be content with anything or anyone else? You have already invested in the what and who you have in your life now. To move onto something or someone because you think the grass is greener on the other side with them is a lie. The grass isn't greener. It's just grass and its just green as well. 

What you have and who you have now is more than enough.

That being said, there may be some things and some people you could really weed through and see less often, invest in less, or cut off all together. But, you do not have to fill your life with more of someone or something else in their place. Rather, allow what and who you have in your life to be more than enough.

This is the secret of abundance and contentment.

If you cannot be trusted with what you have, and who you have, why should you be trusted with more or different? 

Is learning this type of contentment easy?

Hardly. 

It takes constant choice and intentionality in order to get rid of the I need something more or new mindset. 

That being said, part of our problem with learning this type of contentment lies in a misunderstanding. 

Do you know what a "need" is? 

People say, "I need coffee." "I need a doughnut." "I need my husband." "I need more money." "I need a better car or house."

A NEED is something you cannot live without. There are only three of them: Food, water, and shelter. 

That's it. Those are the only three needs we have.

The rest are wants.

Want to learn how to be content? Realize that if you have anything fancier than bread, water, and a tent, you don't deserve it and you are very fortunate. 

What does this have to do with counting your blessings? 

If you count every single blessing you have in your life today, and have in the past, will you really ever want anything or anyone more? Or, will what you have had, and what you have, be enough?

Counting our blessings reminds us how very fortunate we are--and how some are not. Counting our blessings brings perspective and contentment in and for all things. 

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COUNT THE SMALL STUFF

Written 2014-11-07 13:04:07, Friday

I've learned over the last year in particular, how it's the small stuff that is most often the biggest blessing. The small stuff may seem like small stuff at the time, but one a little time goes by, I've been able to see how huge it really was--when at the time I didn't realize.

This, by the way, is another reason to write all of your blessings on the page. If I hadn't, I am not sure if I would have remembered the seemingly small stuff at the time. However, since I wrote it down and have re-read and recounted previous blessings, I was able to look back with hindsight and see how the chess pieces of life arranged themselves and the small stuff ended up being some of the most important. If I didn't have that record, I would never have remembered those 'small' things. 

Also, the small stuff is usually the most meaningful, the most powerful, and the most life-transforming. 

Never mind how if we cannot appreciate the small stuff at the time, how can we appreciate the bigger stuff?

Make sure to count all of your blessings, no matter how silly or small it may seem. Trust me. Later, these blessings will play an important part in your life and your journey. 

Do not take anything or anyone for granted. 

And, please, get it all down on the page. 

Catch the small, medium sized, and large blessings. Count them. They will make the difference in your life. 

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THANKSGIVING AND END OF YEAR BLESSINGS COUNTED CHALLENGES

Are you taking part in either one of these challenges--where we are essentially trying to count 20 to 25 blessings each day between now and Thanksgiving and 10 per day between now and the end of the year? 

If so, let me know. Attach a comment at the end of any blog post. Let's hold each other accountable to this and talk about it--and share our stories of blessing. 

Now, I want to do a writing prompt for these challenges today:

BLESSINGS COUNTED PROMPT

Count at least five additional blessings today.

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STORIES OF BLESSING #10

BIBLE BLESSINGS: VERSE OF THE DAY: PROVERBS 9:10

Written 2014-10-24 12:50:26, Friday

THE WORD AND THE STORYKEEPER: THE BIGGEST BLESSING

The beauty and wonder of the Bible, the Word of God, is how every single verse is a blessing. After all, it's THE-WORD-OF-GOD. How can you get any more sacred, special, holy, set apart, wondrous, awe-inspiring than that? 

The Bible, and the Lord of course, are the biggest blessings in our lives. After all, He's the One who writes our stories. He knows the first chapter, and the last of our earthly lives, and He knows our eternal stories as well. 

He is the Storykeeper of Blessings. 

The Bible is full of His blessings and promises. All we need to do is open up the Bible and read one verse, even one word, and we will be blessed. for, it is the Word of God.

THE BIBLE AND WORD OF GOD

Let' be realistic. Even if we were to read the Bible every 90 days for the rest of our lives, and do so from birth, we would still learn something new every time we read it. The Bible is living and effective (Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This is why it's such a blessing as a whole and how each verse is a blessing. We gain life experience, and mature, each time as we read the Word. Hence, every time we read the Scripture, we will gain new understanding and insight. 

That being said, will we ever fully understand the Bible? No. we will not. For, it is living and is what Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. However, every time we read it, we will glean new and deeper understanding. 

We should not think that we can read it and understand it the first time, even the second or third time we read it. It takes time, experience, maturity, familiarity, and the following verse to help us get closer to the point of understanding the Bible:

Proverbs 9:10 Expanded Bible (EXB)

10 “Wisdom begins with ·respect [fear; awe] for the Lord,
    and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

God brings us understanding. How do we gain the understanding through God? He gives it because we start to KNOW Him more each day, with each reading of the Bible, through life experience and through experience of reading and re-reading the Bible. 

Read that again, the last part of the verse. Read it in the previous version and in the following translation.

Proverbs 9:10 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

The only way to understand the Bible, and even God Himself, is through knowing Him. The only way to really, truly know Him is through reading, praying, and applying the Word. 

Therefore, we are assured many blessings--just through reading a verse of the Bible, let alone the whole thing. 

The Bible is the most important Story of Blessing, which is full of many stories of blessing. 

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STORIES OF BLESSING #7

THE BLESSING OF AGE AND EACH DAY

Written 2014-10-21 16:04:29, Tuesday

I am so grateful I am over four decades old. Quite grateful. After all, I've gained experience, knowledge, lessons learned, wisdom, and some maturity. The truth is age makes life easier to handle and take. Our bodies may not agree with this, we get slower in moving and healing. Never mind how we get sorer easier. But, there is more to life than just the body. There's a great deal more as a matter of fact.

I count it a supreme blessing to be the age I am. (I know I've said this before, but it is important to me.)

It breaks my heart when I hear people lie/tease about their age and say they are younger than they really are. After all, this life negates all of the blessings the individual has seen. And, the sad part is how often they don't even realize that this is what they are doing.

I've learned to live fully every day, and appreciate every day, because it very well may be our last. And, if today is our last, do we really want to spend it complaining, fibbing, being too busy, or not living our proper priorities? Do we want to live it and not count our blessings?

Age is a very good thing. It shows how many blessings you've lived.

Talk about a major blessing.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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BLESSINGS FROM ANONYMOUS IN PHOENIX

Stacy, you shared a blog post earlier that now sounds quite familiar to me. Just thought I'd share:

My gratitudes and blessings:

So happy coming home after hospital stay.

My daughter and son-in-law loving me so much and the decision that was needed regarding my health.

The wonderful care I received in hospital.

All of the staff for their gift of making things easier while experiencing the fear I was going through.

Hearing those glorious words you're being released.

Waking in own bed with good night sleep.

My cat who just wants love,  and getting love too.

Receiving email from daughter saying "Good morning sunshine." (Do you know what that did for me?)

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BLESSINGS COUNTED IN VIRGINIA

Today is a torrential rainfall type of day. The rain is falling and falling and falling, making it a cooler day. We need the rain, though. It's been quite dry, which is always a concern where we live. There are so many trees and vegetation it's unreal and all it takes is a little bit of a spark... So, thank God for the rain.

It's a new day. Today is a gift, an opportunity, and blank slate.

My new pillow worked! I slept last night and feel a great deal better. As a matter of fact, my shoulders, neck, and back feel looser than they have in months, maybe longer.

And, to double the blessing, my husband said the same thing about his new pillow. (Whew! High-five! Sigh of relief times two.)  What an extraordinary blessing.

Kara, our new once feral cat, ate well last night and this morning. she's finally putting weight on her once malnourished body. This is a major blessing.

Speaking of Kara, when I heard the downpour this morning, I said to B and God, "Thank God Kara is no longer outside!"

Flu shots. What a blessing. Getting one later today.

Had lunch with hubby yesterday and will again today. Oh, the sweet pleasure of the little things.

I'm getting used to this computer. Whew. Another blessing.

It's so relaxing watching a turtle swim.

One of my many daily devotionals was well-timed. It was a confirmation and was something to help carry me through until the next phase in B's and my lives, when he retires one day.

B and I did NOT want to workout last night. Felt terrible. Sleepy. Sore. But, we did. We both did 3.5 miles and feel great in our bodies because of it.

Cars and airplanes for travel.

Oh! So many to count this fine, beautiful, hope-filled morning.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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PHOTOGRAPHS: HOW TO TELL YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING TIP

{Other Title:

THE BLESSING OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND TELLING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING (ALSO A TELLING YOUR PERSONAL STORIES OF BLESSINGS TIP)}

Written 2014-10-21 17:02:07, Tuesday and 2014-10-22 08:18:37, Wednesday

TIP FOR WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSINGS

If you are not sure what to write, or just want an idea, pull out your photos. They are a wonderful inspiration.

Write abut what happened in the scene of the photo.

Or, about what you see.

Or, about who is in the photo.

Or, what you don't see.

Capture all the senses: hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, and sensing.

What did you think of the photo then? Now?

How much do you like the photo?

Put the picture into one thousand words.

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THE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE

How is your Thanksgiving Challenge coming? Have you been able to write down at least three blessings in your life, and of those three, writing at least one story of blessing each day since the challenge began?

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365 DAYS OF COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS (AND WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING)

The minimum is counting three blessings each day, and expanding one of those to a story of blessing of 100-1000 words.

DAY 2

What are at least three blessings in your life right now, in this moment?

DAY 3

What are three blessings you forgot to count?

DAY 4

What are three blessings of someone close to you?

DAY 5

When you think of rain, list three blessings.

DAY 6

List three blessings about coffee or tea.

DAY 7

List three blessings from your childhood.

DAY 8

List three blessings from a storm in your life.

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THE BLESSING OF BEING AN INDOOR CAT

Written 2014-10-22 08:52:15, Wednesday

Shelter is a major blessing.

I know cats can survive in the wild just fine. Their instincts kick in an they can take care of themselves. It's their nature and who they are.

When Kara, our new black and white cat, found B and me, she had sunken in sides. You could count every single bone in her body as pet her, she was so thin.

She clearly had a home and shelter at one time. She's fixed and declawed on her front paws.

Then, she no longer had shelter.

She's also deaf.

So, add all that together. Once had a home. Then, didn't. No claws. Couldn't hear. Her life drastically changed the day we took her into our garage.

The thought of how she once had a home--and then didn't just breaks my heart.

There have been times in my life where I wondered about how to pay rent and when I might not be able to keep the place. I also wondered about food on the table. How could I afford shelter or food?

I know someone right now who is in that very boat (sorry about the cliche, but it's a rainy day and it's raining so hard I fear I will need a boat when I leave for the shot in order to get around). My thoughts and prayers are with them (and Ellen in Denver).

Kara's life and circumstances have really made me reflective of mine and how blessed I am. I am learning so much from Little Bit.

It's the rain that makes me so grateful Kara is now an indoor cat.

I just had to reach out on top of printer and pet Kara as she is nested on top of it. I pet her and counted this blessing again and again. As I pet her, she cooed like a dove. It's her sound of contentment. It's how she's earned her nickname of Little  Dove.

Kara knows how good of a life she has now. Constant food and water. Her own litter box. Shelter. Love. Attention, Affection. No longer being alone.

She's gained some weight. Her sides are no longer concave. I no longer can count most of her bones.

She really makes me think of the blessings in my life I am so apt to take for granted and overlook. she makes me reflect and look at my life with a fresh set of eyes.

I am blessed I can be a blessing to her and am so blessed by her and what she teaches me.

She doesn't need a million possessions or a fancy house. She doesn't need gourmet meals. And, she is content. She finds contentment in every place in her life. On the printer. On my desk. On a file box. On a folded paper bag.

What a blessing in an once outdoor cat. My life has truly been transformed because of her.

She's made me wonder how many blessings I've squandered, haven't seen, haven't paid attention to, wished for something different, taken for granted, etc.

This is what a 5.3# cat has made me wonder. And, oh how many blessings I've counted and will count because of her life and example.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING PROMPT

What stories do you like most to tell? Write them down. They are blessings.

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BE A BLESSING

Do you want more blessings in your life? Be a blessing and allow people the opportunity to bless you.

How do you bless people? There are a trillion different ways.

Say please and thank you. It's simple etiquette few people use nowadays and it makes people feel a little pick-me-up when you do. Please and thank you show you are respectful of that person.

Smile at people.

Tip 20% and above.

Give monthly contributions to your favorite charity.

Pay it forward. Pay for the person's coffee in back of you.

Just because you are in a bad mood, or your life isn't going well, it doesn't mean you have to share it with everyone. It can bring others down or irritate them. Try to be upbeat instead. You'll feel better, too.

Go visit a nursing home.

Send a card to someone--just because.

Mow your next door neighbor's front yard when they are at work. Or shovel their walks before they wake in the morning.

Stop complaining.

Listen far more than you ever would dream of speaking.

Remember you are not in competition with that other individual. You both are just trying to get by in this thing called life. Try to love them instead. Challenge them, sure, But do so with love, not out of wanting to show you're better.

Tell the next man or woman in uniform you see, or one with a military baseball cap, thank you for their service.

Etc. (Any other way you can think of.)

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ALLOW OTHERS TO BLESS YOU

If someone offers to do something for you, remember this: They would not offer it unless they wanted to do it. Rather than say, "No thanks. I've got it."--try saying, "That would sure be appreciated instead."

Why do I say this?

It would be a real shame to not allow them to be a blessing to you. If you were to allow it, it wouldn't be because of you, but because of them. Maybe it would give them a pick-me-up to do something for you. Do not deny them the opportunity. When you allow them to do what they desire, you're being a blessing to them.

Have you ever thought of it like that?

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*** Updated last on Oct. 22, 2014 at 1249 p.m. ***