Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
5 Best Toys Ever
Wired magazine ran an article on the five best toys ever. Wired is one of the most innovative, bleeding-edge publications you’ll read about all things technological. Which is why at first the list surprised me, but then I realized their angle and couldn’t help but appreciate their wisdom.
5 Best Toys Ever – Dr James Emery White
Here’s the list:
1. Stick
2. Box
3. String
4. Cardboard Tube
5. Dirt
Anybody want to argue with them? I doubt it.
It’s an important reminder that the best things in life – and often in ministry, leadership, business and family – are the simple things.
The dilemma is how our culture seems to refuse to give simplicity a place.
But think about when it insists on intruding and the wake it leaves behind.
For example, a snowstorm brings your town to a standstill. You went out and stocked up on bread and milk and a few other things you didn’t really need, and settled in. The power goes out, so you light the candles and gather by the fireplace for warmth. Board games that had been gathering dust for years are pulled out. You play them and have more fun than you can remember. You then go outside and actually play, throw a snowball, make a snow-angel, build a snowman.
It’s golden.
You talk, years later, about that magic night. You’d give almost anything to go back and relive it, and wish there was a way to recreate it in the here and now.
In a complex, “always on” world, perhaps what we need to remember is that we need to intentionally unplug every now and then.
Even if just to remember that the best toys in the world – like the best times – are the most simple.
And in truth, the most available.
That is my holiday wish for you. May you enjoy the simplicity and holiness that resides in the stillness between Christmas and the new year.
And maybe some fun with a leftover box or two.
Joke of the day – The Ugly Duckling
The Ugly Duckling
Three old maids die and arrive in heaven at the same time.
When they get there, St. Peter says, “We only have one rule here in heaven: don’t step on the ducks!”
So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.
Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw.
St. Peter chains them together and says, “Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!”
The next day, the second woman accidentally steps on a duck and along comes St. Peter, who doesn’t miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first
woman.
The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps.
She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, then one day St.Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on… very tall, dark hair, and muscular.
St. Peter chains them together without saying a word and walks away.
The happy woman says, “I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?”
The guy says, “I don’t know about you, but I stepped on a duck!”
Doggy Dictionary
Doggy Dictionary – Author unknown
Bicycles: Two-wheeled exercise machines invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.
Bump: The best way to get your human’s attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.
Deafness: This is a malady that affects dogs when their person wants them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.
Dog Bed: any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.
Drool: Is what you do when your persons have food and you don’t. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps.
Garbage Can: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.
Lean: Every good dog‘s response to the command “sit !”, especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.
Leash: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.
Love: Is a feeling of intense affection given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you’re lucky a human will love you in return.
Sofas: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.
Thunder: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.
Wastebasket: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home.
I believe
I Believe
by Jane Daugherty
I believe in children’s laughter, the sweet perfume of a newborn baby’s skin and that every child is entitled to happiness, decent housing, health care, proper nutrition and good education.
I believe that our schools should be places of discovery and growth, not of danger, that teachers should be paid more than lawyers and that parenting should be a required course in every high school.
I believe that “quality time” is a phony notion that cannot substitute for substantial time spent with our children.
I believe that baseball and other children’s games can be magical and should be wrestled from screaming, competitive coaches and returned to play.
I believe that childhood should be a time of sand castles and celebration and that the defense of innocence is as important as the defense of our borders.
And I believe that our most urgent mission should be putting the needs of our children first.
Recipe for Christmas All Year Long
By Joanna Fuchs
Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it’s not December.
Merry Christmas!
Dear All
May all your dreams come true.
May love work its magic into your life.
May your heart be filled with hope and joy.
May you touch every life you meet.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Warmest wishes,
Me & family *(^___^)*
“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” – Agnes M Pharo
A Christmas Poem…
…dedicated to my lovely daughters who have brought so much joy into our lives!
You’re the joy and the magic of Christmas to me,
You’re the sparkle of ornaments brightening the tree…
You’re the music of Christmas that sings in my heart,
You’re the hope and the happiness Christmas imparts…
You’re all of the things that make Christmastime dear,
You’re my gift of happiness all through the year!
Twelve years ago I received a Christmas card with this lovely poem from my better half.
How to choose a good watermelon
Three simple steps to pick a good watermelon:
1. Choose a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free of bruises, cuts and dents.
2. The watermelon should be heavy for its size. Watermelon is 92% water that accounts for most of its weight.
3. On the underside of the watermelon, there should be a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
DIY Facial Masks
When it comes to deep cleansing your skin, why not try a homemade facial mask? It takes only minutes to whip up and can be made from ingredient in your refrigerator or pantry. Masks can be simple or sophisticated as you care to make them.
Below are two simple masks recipes. After this treatment, your face will feel toned and refreshed – an instant beauty booster for glowing, beautiful skin.
Simple Avocado Mask
Vitamin E-rich avocado is perfect for a skin soothing mask. Avocados are rich in vitamin E, an essential fat-soluble vitamin that provides moisturizing properties for the skin from within. Avocado flesh is thick and pulpy but it does not clog the skin’s pores.
Just mash the avocado flesh flesh into a soft paste and apply all over face, avoiding the eyes. Massage paste with the smooth avocado seed. Leave mask on face for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Strawberries and Cream Mask
This is a luxurious facial mask which does wonders for tired skin in need of stimulation.
Simply mash two large strawberries or four small ones (you can substitute with raspberries which have the same slightly acidic effect) and 4 teaspoon of cream to a smooth consistency. Pat all over the face, and neck too. Lie down and relax for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off the mask thoroughly with cool water.
