Words of Wisdom

Yes, I know my last blog was a bit more caustic than what I usually say and share.  I'm normally a happy, upbeat person, but sometimes when things wear and wear on me, I can only take so much.  

But, once again, I digress from my subject in this post.  As I carry on and try to adjust to life the best I can given the situations, I look for divine intervention.  Many times I get it.  Such as in the past week or so some of the daily verses on my Bible app have been the following:

Matthew 6:34  -  Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

That one is printed in red and you really need to pay attention to things printed in red, people!

Proverbs 13:3 - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life;  but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Whew!  I may need that one stitched on a pillow.  Or maybe just put on sticky notes and attached to my mirror.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

I will try. So all those words from the wisest of sources got me through a few rough days. I'll be fine. 

Let's get on to more positive and thought provoking things for all of us.  Okay, nothing is really more positive or thought provoking that the Good Words of the aforementioned source of The Word, but let's just move on.

I have a good friend who from time to time sends e-mails with some humor and wisdom.  I've recently gotten a few of these from him and I wanted to share some of my favorites and a few that I would call "wow" moments.

Did you know that an Aphorism is a short, pointed sentence that expresses a wise or clever observation.

Here are some of my favorites:

 1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow. 

        This one reminds me of an old saying from the 70's .. "Today is the first day for the rest of your life."  When you think it's time to change your ways, how nice it is that you don't need to wait much beyond tomorrow to get started on all that self improvement.  No need to wait till New Year's resolutions.  The truth is, the future is just a nano-second away.  I'm not sure I'll get started in the next few seconds, minutes or even tomorrow on some things, but I've made some major decisions and will do what I can starting as soon as I can.  Just the decision itself has boosted my spirits.

2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

        Yep.. now that does address my previous blog.  Kindness in all situations is the best option.    

3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.  

    Oh. My. Dear. Lord.  Do you have ANY idea how much I love this one???  If you can't just belly laugh once in a while, then you and I have no need to engage in conversation.  Ever.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
    
    Well, that's a pretty good PSA. Putting down the cell phone is a good idea, as well.

5. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?  
    
    This is true.  It didn't have to live back in Carlinville for very long before I realized I went to high school with a lot of old people.

6. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4:00 am. For example, it could be the right number. (Think about this one)

    If you have children, elderly parents, and/or just a wide assortment of loved ones in general and you don't understand this one, you might want to rush to the nearest hospital.  Your heart has probably stopped beating. 

 7. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

    But, it is just a game.  Lighten up either way.  Life is the only real serious business, but I still don't think you should even take that so seriously.
I remember taking a very little Landon to his half time potty break during a soccer game.  They were getting beat - bad.  He giggled and said, "Gigi, I don't think we're going to win this game."  It was his genuine giggle that I loved.  I hope he never changes and I think we can all learn from the wisdom of little ones. "Out of the mouths of Babes."  We should all just enjoy the game.

8.  I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.

    I hope my "happy hours" will soon involve having a precious little girl on my lap to rock, sing to (offkey), read to and love on for more than just an hour here and there.  But in the meantime, maybe I should nap once in a while to get prepared.

9. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones that mind don't matter.
    
    Well, this could refer to my previous snarky post as well.  And, I believe I've heard variations of this one since the 70's, too.

10. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.  Life is not the way it's supposed to be.  It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference.
    
    With the help of many words found - again in that aforementioned book of knowledge, I'm working on this everyday.  Life is really all about how you handle Plan B.

The following words of wisdom came from another e-mail from my friend. There were more, but I only posted the ones I liked the best. 

It starts like this:  I asked one of my friends who has crossed 70 and is heading to 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself.  He sent me the following very interesting lines, which I would like to share with you...

#1.  After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.

    We really should put on our oxygen mask first.  Wish I'd learned this sooner.

#2.  I just realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

    This follows my "you can't fix stupid" philosophy, but also, I can't fix everyone else's boo-boos and brokeness.  I can barely deal with my own.  Refer to #1 in this list.

#3.  I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times.  The story makes them walk down the memory lane and relive the past.

      My mother is 90.  I hear things many times.  I'm not 90, but I'm sure I've repeated the same stories to friends over and over.  Just be patient.  We ALL do this.

#4.  I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong.  The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me.  Peace is more precious than perfection.

     Oh my, I really know someone in my life who could use this one.  Hopefully there aren't too many out there who think it's me.  I was rather proud of myself once at a hockey game when the guy behind me was explaining the rules to his girlfriend.  He was wrong.  I decided to let it go. I just enjoyed the entertainment in front of me and behind me.  Double the fun!

#5.  I give compliments freely and generously.  Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me.  And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never ever turn it down, just say "Thank You".

     I learned the second half of that one many years ago.   I try to be humble and grateful when compliments are given.  But when one gives a compliment, I believe it must be genuine.  You can always find something nice to say.  Hate the dress? But, maybe it's a nice color.  Compliment the color.  I know someone who is a fake complimenter. By that I mean she always finds something nice to say - usually about clothes and then quickly laments that she can never find anything so cute and nice to wear.  And/or just can't afford it.  Pah-leese!   It is hard to say "thank you" to that.

#6.  I walk away from people who don't value me.  They might not know my worth, but I do.

    Don't give 100% of you to someone who only values 10% of you.

 #7.  I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race.  I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.

    I suppose this applied more when I was still in the workforce.  I'm well aware that Karma will catch up to people like this and what goes around comes around.  I've seen the results of some bad Karma, but for others I may never see it.  Not my place to keep score anyway.  Move on.

And now, just a few Aphorisms that I've collected over the years. 

Gail's list 1.  You never know how strong you are until being strong is all you have.

    Yep.  But someone above helps me be strong.

Gail's list 2.  If you think you can do something or you think you can't do something - you're right. 

    

    Yep, again.

Gail's list 3.  I can’t know what’s best for another adult, or the purpose that a particular behavior is serving in his or her life.  It’s not my business to dictate how someone else lives.

    Live and let live.  You can't fix stupid anyway, right? 

Gail's list 4.  Few of us get through life without having to deal with pain and loss; we all hope we’ll handle it well.  But, the real pickle for most of us is the misery we put ourselves and others through by treating imaginary disasters as though they’re real, and then try to control them.

    I think we all anticipate trouble from time to time.  I've found that 99% of what I worried about for the future doesn't happen.  But, this is a hard habit to break.  Remember Matthew 6:34 above. 

And finally:   When you can't control something, you have to trust the One who is in control.