The Best Within You!!! Worth Reading!!

Anonymous

That's really nice Carrie. Wishing all of you in the U.S. an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

csp

Thank you Sherry!!






To appear wise, one must talk;
To be wise, one must listen.
To appear to do good, one must be busy;
To do good, one must know when to stand aside.

To appear to lead, one must put oneself first;
To lead, one must put oneself last.

To appear caring, one must give advice;
To be caring, one must give space.

To appear to love, one must know how to give;
To love, one must know also how to receive.

To appear happy, one must smile;
To be happy, one must be free with tears.


Hugs,

Carrie

Anonymous

That's lovely as well Carrie...shows that "appearances" do make a difference. A friend of mine sent this to me today and I loved the story.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My
six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.
As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great.
Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom
gets us ice cream for dessert.
And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I
heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids
today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I
never!"
Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I
do it Wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him
that he had done a terrific job and
God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman
approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to
know that God thought that was a great prayer.
"Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied.
Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose
remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God
for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the
meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I
will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and
without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman.
With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is
good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

beachcottage

Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day!
For it is Life, the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the
Verities and Realities of your Existence.
The Bliss of Growth,
The Glory of Action,
The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived makes
Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!

Kalidasa:



xoxo
Patti

beachcottage

Barter
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And childrens's faces looking up
Holding wonder in a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit's still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstacy
Give all you have been, or could be.

....by Sara Teasdale


xoxo
Patti

beachcottage

Love Through the Eyes of Children

"What does love mean?"
This question was posed to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds...

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny -age 7

Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that when they kiss." Emily - age 8

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." Noelle - age 7

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still pals even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6

Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is more handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. If you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget," Jessica - age 8

An author and lecturer once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most loving child. The winner was a 4 year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

csp

As the scarlet sunset slowly fades,
And dusk introduces the night,
The crescent moon on center stage,
Gives forth a semblance of light.
Perching on the mossy dock,
Staring out at the mirrored lake,
I reflect on this new battle,
Unsure of which road to take.
In this dark serenity,
I humbly look up to You,
Asking for Your guidance,
To show me what I must do.
Gulls appearing as angels,
Are soaring through the skies,
A congregation of wispy clouds,
Have taken control of my eyes.
Billowing sleeves of purest white,
Seem coming through the haze,
Majestic, gentle, outstretched arms,
At once command my gaze.
Asking for some answers,
You've come with Your embrace,
Through the just born evening,
You've filled me with Your grace.
The water without a ripple,
Reflects this scene from above,
A most magnificent masterpiece,
Painted wholly with Your love.
by BSC

hugs,
Carrie

csp

Slow me down, Lord!
Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace
With a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me,
Amidst the confusions of my day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves
With the soothing music of the singing streams
That live in my memory.
Help me to know
The magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art
Of taking minute vacations...
Of slowing down to look at a flower;
To chat with an old friend or make a new one;
To pat a stray dog;
To watch a spider build a web;
To smile at a child;
Or to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day
Of the fable of the hare and the tortoise,
That the race is not always to the swift;
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward
Into the branches of the towering oak
And know that it grew great and strong
Because it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord,
And inspire me to send my roots deep
Into the soil of life's enduring values
That I may grow toward the stars
Of my greater destiny.
by Wilferd A. Petersen

hugs,
Carrie

beachcottage

http://www.spiritisup.com/masterofthewind.html

beachcottage

http://www.anzwers.org/free/aeranthes/poems/solitude.htm

xoxo
Patti

Sierra

Thank you for this
sisters
blessings to all
this day
the sun shines..

(so far))


special thoughts

Anonymous

Thank goodness for "disasters".

Look back at the "upsets" and "setbacks" in your life.

~ Have any of them opened new doors for you?

~ Have any made you stronger and wiser?

~ Have any been a lesson for you?

~ Have any given you new priorities?

~~ Unknown ~~

beachcottage

"There are the spiritual places where
the wind and the spirits are free.
The Eagle and the Raven sore high
and the Bear and the Wolf roam wide.
The Caribou, the Coyote,
the Buffalo, the Fur Seal,
and Great Whale are all a part of these places
and they are seen, felt, heard,
and are touched in our hearts."
Anonymous

beachcottage

Tomorrow Is Not Promised

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
they serve some sort of purpose,
teach you a lesson
or help figure out who you are
and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be:
your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger
who, when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment that they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you
and at the time they seem painful and unfair,
but in reflection you realize
that without overcoming those obstacles
you would have never realized
your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance
or by means of good or bad luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity
all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests,
whether they be events, illnesses or relationships,
life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere,
safe and comfortable,
but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life
and the successes and downfalls you experience
create who you are,
and even the bad experiences can be learned from,
In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
forgive them,
for they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart...

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you,
but because they are teaching you to love
and opening your heart and eyes to things
you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment
and take from it everything that you possibly can,
for you may never be able to experience it again...

Talk to people you have never talked to before,
and actually listen,
let yourself fall in love,
break free and set your sights high...

Hold your head up
because you have every right too.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...
for if you don't believe in yourself,
no one else will believe in you either.
You can make of your life anything you wish.

Create your own life
and then go out and live in it!
"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised"Author Unknown


peace
love
light

xoxo
Patti

csp

Here we stand together,

Dressed in our pain,

Covered with scars

From wounds we did not ask for

Or deserve.

So what now?

We can't go back and relive our lives.

We can't take back the innocence we lost

Or make the sadness we felt into happiness.

But we can go on from here,

So let us start.

Stretch out your hand to mine,

Close your eyes

And slowly let the pain slip away.

Let go of the sadness;

It belongs to yesterday,

And let's walk.

The earth is firm beneath our feet.

The sun is warm on our face.

Heavenly Father sees our struggle,

Smiles at our effort,

And sends us strength.

My friends, we can't stay, looking back,

Lest we falter.

We must face forward,

Eyes wide open,

And keep on walking.

Hold tight and don't let go;

You aren't walking alone,

And neither am I.

Barbara Aldrich


Carrie

Sierra

Amen....

all move forward together

tks Carrie
have a good day..

rockongal

Beautiful, Carrie. When we have faith, we're never alone!
Kim

beachcottage

Today…I wish you a day of ordinary miracles –

A fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in…

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing along song on the radio.

Your keys right where you look.



I wish you a day of happiness and perfection –

Little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you

a funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you,

holding you so gently because you are special and rare.



I wish you a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.

-Author Unknown-



peace
love
and light
and to the best with in you
let it shine~~

xoxo
Patti

Anonymous

Love is Limitless

We have so much love in this world, and we have so much love in our hearts, and sometimes we forget. Sometimes we think there isn't enough, or there is just a small amount. So we hoard what we have or we are afraid to let it go. We are afraid to let it out. But those of us who are willing to learn, realize that the more love we allow to flow out from us, the more there is within us and the more we receive. It is endless and timeless. Love is really the most powerful healing force that there is. Without love we could not survive at all. If little tiny babies are not given love and affection, they wither and die. Most of us think we can survive without love, but we cannot. Love for ourselves is the power that heals us. Practice as much as you can.

~ Louise L. Hay ~

csp

Thank you Sherry and Patti~~~~

Carrie

beachcottage

To the mind that is still,
the whole universe surrenders.

To know
yet to think
that one does not know
is best;

Not to know
yet to think
that one knows
will lead to difficulty.

Kindness in words
creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking
creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving
creates love.

Knowing others
is intelligence;

nowing yourself
is true wisdom.

Mastering others
is strength,

mastering yourself
is true power.

Fill your bowl
to the brim
and it will spill.

Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.

Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.

Care about other people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work,
then step back.

The only path to serenity~~Lao-Tzu



xoxo
Patti

beachcottage

Apahce Blessing--
Think freely.
Practice patience.
Smile often. Savor special moments.
Make new friends. Rediscover old ones.
Tell those that you love that you do.
Feel deeply. Forget trouble. Forgive an enemy.
Hope. Grow. Be crazy. Count your blessings.
Observe Miracles. Let them happen.
Discard worry. Give. Give in. Trust enough to take.
Pick some flowers. Share them. Keep a promise.
Look for rainbows. Gaze at stars. See beauty everywhere.
Work hard. Be wise. Try to understand.
Take time for people. Make time for yourself.
Laugh heartily. Spread joy. Take a chance.
Reach out. Let someone in. Try something new.
Slow down. Be soft sometimes.
Believe in yourself. Trust others.
See a sunrise. Listen to the rain. Reminisce.
Cry when you need to. Trust life. Have faith.
Enjoy a wonder. Comfort a friend.
Have good ideas.
Make some mistakes. Learn from them.

csp

http://positivepause.com/




Do life a big favor and refuse to accept anything less than the best from it. Give respect to those around you by relating to them with the highest of expectations.

It is not naive, cruel or arrogant to sincerely expect the best of yourself, of every other person and of every situation. In fact, it is highly empowering and enriching for all concerned.
Genuine, deeply-held expectations serve to powerfully guide thoughts and behavior. And by so doing those expectations create results.

Expect the best of yourself, and when you start veering off course your high expectations will push you to get back on track. Expect the best of others, and you will instill a sense of confidence that can substantially boost performance.

If you do not truly expect to reach them, your dreams and goals will only tease and taunt you into a sense of bitter frustration. Yet when you give those dreams the power of positive expectation, you have what it takes to make them real.

Your expectations can influence every thought, every perception, every action, every interaction, and every situation. So choose to make those expectations the very highest and best they can be.
-- Ralph Marston

Hugs,
Carrie

Anonymous

((((((((((((((((((((((Carrie))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

beachcottage

(((((((((((Carrie))))))))))))))
more
((((((((((((hugs and thanks))))))))))
xoxo
Patti

beachcottage

The good you find in others
is in you too

The faults you find in others
are your faults as well

After all
to recognize something you must know it

The possibilities
you see in others
are possible for you as well

The beauty you see around you
is your beauty

The world around you
is a reflection

a mirror showing you
the person you are

To change your world
you must change yourself

To blame and complain
will only make matters worse

Whatever you care about
is your responsibility

What you see in others
shows you yourself

See the best in others
and you will be your best.

Give to others
and you give to yourself

Appreciate beauty
and you will be beautiful

Admire creativity
and you will be creative.

Love, and you will be loved.

Seek to understand
and you will be understood.

Listen, and your voice will be heard.

Teach, and you will learn.

Show your best face to the mirror,
and you'll be happy
with the face looking back at you~~author unknown

Anonymous

You find the best quotes, the best inspirations...WHEN are you publishing by the way??? I want a copy...and if you aren't thinking of it? Please do!!

Love the new avatar photo by the way...it's so "you"!!

Anonymous

Let others lead small lives,
but not you,
Let others argue over small things,
but not you,
Let others cry over small hurts,
but not you,
Let others leave their future in someone else's hands,
but not you.

~ John Rohn ~

Anonymous

The best moments in reading are when you come across something ~ a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things ~ which you had thought unique and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.

~ Alan Bennett ~

csp

Have the courage to appear foolish, for the real fools are those who never attempt anything. Have the courage to make mistakes, for they can teach you like nothing else can.
Have the courage to take action. For even though your actions carry the possibility of failure, if you never act then you are certain to fail.

Have the courage to live each day fully, with enthusiasm and a generous spirit. Though there are many problems in this world, there are a whole lot more positive possibilities.

Have the courage to do what is right instead of what is easiest or most convenient. It will earn you the respect of others and, even more importantly, the respect of yourself.

Have the courage to see and accept things for what they are. That will put you in position to make a real difference.

Have the courage to love, to speak your mind, to follow your curiosity and your passions. Have the courage to give of yourself, for the goodness you give will come back to you over and over again.

-- Ralph Marston


Carrie