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Post by Kimmy on Apr 12, 2009 8:58:06 GMT
Be nice to your kids. They'll choose your nursing home.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 12, 2009 8:58:22 GMT
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 12, 2009 8:58:40 GMT
Budget: A method for going broke methodically.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 12, 2009 8:58:58 GMT
Borrow money from pessimists-they don't expect it back.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 12, 2009 8:59:19 GMT
Brain: The apparatus with which we think that we think.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 13, 2009 10:47:52 GMT
Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 14, 2009 9:56:28 GMT
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
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Post by banger on Apr 14, 2009 18:01:48 GMT
To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone. ~Reba McEntire
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 15, 2009 8:52:28 GMT
Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 16, 2009 10:53:16 GMT
Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 9:43:57 GMT
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:53:48 GMT
The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:55:52 GMT
At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:56:35 GMT
Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:57:00 GMT
Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:57:24 GMT
Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:58:24 GMT
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:59:18 GMT
Let go of your attachment to being right, and suddenly your mind is more open. You're able to benefit from the unique viewpoints of others, without being crippled by your own judgment.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 19:59:41 GMT
Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 20:00:11 GMT
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 20:00:59 GMT
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 20:01:57 GMT
When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and arguments. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 18, 2009 20:04:33 GMT
The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 19, 2009 18:30:41 GMT
The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,"Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 20, 2009 9:03:37 GMT
Did you know?
The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for
Blood plasma. No piece of paper can be folded in half
more than seven (7) times. Oh go ahead...I'll wait. Donkeys kill more people annually
than plane crashes or shark attacks. (So, watch your Ass ) You burn more calories sleeping
than you do watching television. Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older. The first product to have a bar code
was Wrigley's gum. The King of Hearts is the only king
WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive
from each salad served in first-class. Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you ?) (That women are going the 'right' direction...?)
Apples, not caffeine,
are more efficient at waking you up in the morning . Most dust particles in your house are made from
DEAD SKIN ! The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.
So did the first 'Marlboro Man'. Walt Disney was afraid
OF MICE! PEARLS DISSOLVE IN VINEGAR ! The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order. It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...
but, not downstairs.
A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why. Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. (I keep my toothbrush in the living room now !)
And the best for last....
Turtles can breathe through their butts. (I know some people like that, don't YOU ?)
So.......................
Remember, knowledge is everything, so pass it on ... and go move your toothbrush
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 20, 2009 12:25:40 GMT
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.
She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said..... "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the nameof the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.
He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.
She read these words.....
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."
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Post by banger on Apr 20, 2009 21:59:14 GMT
The Visitor By: Author Unknown One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"
The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!"
The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change.
Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.
Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, "I took your place."
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there for each and every one of you
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 21, 2009 12:03:39 GMT
Once in a while, an unknown someone with a simple desire, coupled with a big talent went on to carry out some simple acts, which rolled out a chain of successive events that culminated into an incredible shot-at-stardom story.
Just yesterday, I was talking to my friend about how I wondered if I would ever met someone who carried out a simple idea and made it big. A friend, an acquaintance, it doesn't matter. I just like inspiring stories.
This morning, I was on famous video-sharing site, YouTube.com looking at my favorite inspirational videos. The link to the most popular videos on YouTube catch my attention. I didn't usually pay attention to that link but today I did. Right at the top is a video posting by Esmée Denters. I got curious and watched the video. I'm glad I did because it's turned out to be one inspirational story after all.
Esmée Denters, an 18-year-old girl from a small town of Oosterbeek, Netherlands is an excellent example of someone who did something simple and created something big for herself. Hers is an amazing story where an unknown girl with the help of the Internet and her homemade video postings, got herself a singing contract just nine months after her first Internet appearance in August 2006.
Esmée possessed a strong passion for singing since she was a child and it's been her dream to become a singer for years. Her dad "was always playing music" and Esmée could resonate with it. She was so in love with singing that she sang constantly, so much so that her mother would go "Quiet, Esmée, please!"
She was mostly used to singing alone in her own bedroom. And she never did quite believe it when her friends told her that she has a good voice. But seeing how other people posted personal videos of their singing on YouTube, gave her the idea that she could do something similar.
She did and she loved it, and thousands loved it too. Esmée quickly created a stir on YouTube, doing cover versions of popular songs by Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morrisette, Alicia Keys and others soulful artists whom she can feel a connection with. Additionally, she wrote her own songs and posted videos of her original songs at YouTube.
From the simple act of singing into her sister's webcam and then posting her videos on YouTube, thousands and thousands started to pay attention and tune in. Esmée converted listeners into fans swiftly. Even record companies around the world sat up and listened. Many listeners urged her to give it a go at American Idols. In a short span of time, Esmée had transformed into an Internet phenomenon... Probably way beyond her wildest imagination.
The most inspiring news? On June 5, 2007, in an official announcement made by Justin Timberlake, Chairman/CEO of the new Tennman Records in a press release, Esmée became the first artist to sign a recording contract with the label.
In addition, she would be doing the opening for Justin Timberlake's 2007 European Tour at six venues. What a huge leap from posting personal videos on YouTube to commercially performing on the stage!
Esmée is an inspiration to thousands of aspiring singers around the world. Her simple act of taking the first step of showcasing her singing talent at YouTube, has rocketed her status to a YouTube celebrity and her videos gained global attention. Amazingly, her YouTube videos have been watched over millions of times.
Below is one of the cover versions she has done on Youtube, Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross.
It's very soulfully and beautifully sang. I love it. Out of her 60 videos, I chose to display this song because I found it inspiring.
Seem like young Esmée's dreams have come true...
I hope her story has inspired you and let you think that you too, as an ordinary being, could achieve extraordinary heights too if you believe and go for your dreams.
Meanwhile, watch out for Esmée Denters!
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 22, 2009 8:56:46 GMT
About 6 months ago, I joined a gym. Every morning, there is one personal trainer there that works out at the same time that my little group does our workout. He does his "routine" with such a quiet determination that he makes it all look very easy; although I know all too well how hard he is working. When I am tempted to whine and quit, I watch him push himself to his own limits, and I find myself motivated to work as hard and without complaint.
A couple of weeks ago, I was watching him do chin ups. He made them look effortless. I broke away from my group and asked him if I could try a chin up. I had never tried before, but he just made it look so easy. He eagerly stepped aside and encouraged me to step up to the bar. I pulled myself up without thinking...once...then twice. That was all I had in me, I had no strength left. I told him that was all I had, so he stepped up behind me and pushed me up for a third and fourth "pull." It felt so good. I felt strong and I smiled from ear to ear.
The next day when I was done my workout, I asked him to spot me again. Again, I did two. Again on day three and so on. I thought it was pathetic that I could only do two, but when I came to the gym at the end of the week, he was standing there just shaking his head. When I asked him what was up, he said he was impressed with my chin ups. He told me that when they are training firefighters, the men are required to do 5 chin ups, and women are required to do 1 or 2. He explained that most people can't do them at all, and that he was impressed that I could. He further told me that if I practiced every day, I would be doing 5 or 6 in no time. At this point I should probably add that I am 50 years old...and female.
The moral of this story...because I didn't know any better, because he told me I could, I saw no reason to doubt. I just jumped in and gave it a try - and I did it! I didn't see it as a great accomplishment, because I didn't realize that it was difficult and it became my goal to get stronger. No one told me I couldn't do it, in fact, I was encouraged to try. Had he told me initially how difficult it was, I more than likely would not have tried at all. Or I might have tried, but given it only half an effort, because failure would have been the expectation. I applaud him for letting me believe that for me, it was not only a possibility, but that success was a realistic expectation.
How many times have we decided not to try at all because we were told that we couldn't, that we shouldn't, that we had expectations that were too ambitious? How many times have we told our children, our friends and our co-workers that they couldn't do something; that their ideas were impossible or beyond reach? How many times have we told ourselves that we would fail before we even started?
I started to ponder examples that I had witnessed and this came to mind...I recalled a conversation a friend of mine had with his daughter just prior to her heading off to university. He spoke to her (with good intentions) of how hard she would have to work in order to succeed. University wasn't like High School - this was the real world and now she would have to grow up. This child quit after two years. Another friend spoke to her daughter of the adventure she was embarking on and how proud she was. I remember how we laughed because the mother already had her outfit picked out for convocation day! This child just graduated with her degree in physiology. Looking back, neither daughter was more intelligent than the other. Was it the silent expectations (or lack thereof) that predicted the outcome?
I have a new approach now. I have experienced first hand how good it feels to rush in so innocently. To believe that we CAN do it and go on to accomplish exactly what we set out to do, because no one told us we couldn't. I've learned how important it is to support others (and ourselves) in our endeavors and to let them know that we believe they can do it rather than telling them we think that they can't.
I personally want to be like my trainer; standing there behind the people that I love, encouraging them, believing in them and being ready to catch them when they get tired. I will be the one that is there on the second and third day making sure they try again, because I know they CAN.
What a powerful lesson this has been for me. I'll be doing "5" in no time at all. Because I was told I CAN.
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Post by Kimmy on Apr 23, 2009 10:03:40 GMT
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy when they're out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.
So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you're off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you're born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
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