Afleveringen
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Iāve been thinking these days about how our perception of people changes when we allow ourselves to get to know them.
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I read about a woman who was wrongly convicted of murder and spent a number of years on death row. She said the guards werenāt allowed to speak to her because if they got to know her as a fellow human being it might have affected how they treated her.
As Iāve volunteered with ex-offenders and with those in prison, my perceptions about them have changed as well. Whatever poor choices theyāve made, or harm theyāve caused, they are still made in the image of God, and over the years Iāve seen many people become the men and women God meant them to be.
When we get to know someone as a person, I think it changes our level of compassion, often in positive ways. For instance, many years ago, when one of my granddaughters was a young teen, she decided to make sandwiches and give them out to the homeless in downtown Toronto. I walked with her, but every time she saw someone sitting on the street, I tried to talk her out of approaching them. I was afraid they might yell at her for giving them food instead of money. It took my volunteering at a homeless shelter to realize what kind and gentle people many of the homeless are, and to realize their situations sometimes are the result of years of neglect and abuse such as I could never imagine. Today I count it as a privilege to be able to serve them.
Thatās why I was so bothered to hear that someone in our area went to one of the homeless camps out in the bush near the city and set one of the tents on fire while a homeless couple slept inside. They were able to get out safely, but why was that necessary? Do people really think the homeless prefer to live outside in the middle of a cold and snowy Canadian winter?
True, some are drug addicts or are mentally ill, but we need facilities to treat them, rather than ignoring them or hoping they will go away. We also need to see those on the street as people. Why not smile or say hello as we walk by a homeless person? Sure, they might ignore you, or ask you for money. Or if they feel delusional they may yell at you to go away. Then again, they may smile back, and all of a sudden you see that man or woman the way God sees them ā and your perception is forever changed.
Have a wonderful day and be a blessing to someone else,
Carol -
When we bought our house it was listed as a fixer-upper since it was so long since it had been properly cared for. Once we started cleaning, we discovered many high-end feature that the builder had included, but because of neglect and abuse, it was hard to tell.
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The book āMisfits Welcomeā by Matthew Barnett tells such a story, about a broken man named Barry.
Barry had an abusive childhood. He had been locked away in at attic until he was seven years old, having his food brought to him and being cut off from the rest of his family. Barry didnāt find out until later on in life that he had been hidden away because the family felt disgraced because his birth was the result of incest.
As a result of the neglect, Barry was experimenting with drugs by the time he was eleven and became a teen addict. In spite of the drugs, Barry still managed to get a college degree and a good job, got married and had a family. But the drug use continued and eventually Barry lost everything. At the age of 40 he was homeless and living under a bridge. Under the bridge became his home for 17 long years. Kids called Barry the Bridge Troll because he had hair down to his waist, a long beard, and was very dirty.
Then one day someone saw Barry and cared. They took him some food and invited him to church. He went and his life took a turn. Six years later, Barry went to Bible school and now cares for the homeless and shares his story. Barry was the kind of man we would pass by and say āHe is too far gone to change,ā but God created him as a beautiful masterpiece.
Barryās story reminded me of the day we received some pears from our neighbourās tree. I didnāt want to eat any of them. They were misshapen and marred looking, not appealing to me at all. But I hated to throw the pears out without at least tasting one, in case I was ever asked how I liked them. As I peeled away the outer, ugly layer, the pear began to look better. Yet I was still nervous about taking a bite. How could anything so ugly taste any good? But when I bit into the pear, it was delicious. Ripe and juicy, exactly right. And then God reminded me how often I look at the people I meet in the same outward and judgmental way, deciding without knowing all the goodness that might be inside. How much I am missing by doing that?
Have a wonderful rest of the week and don't forget to see those around you the way God see them,
Carol -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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These days, many of the conversations around me center on questions about Covid. What are the numbers for today? What phase are we in? What about school and work? What about..? What if ā¦.?
I donāt know about you, but those conversations make me feel like Iām on a little, storm-tossed boat and the circumstances are going to be the end of me.
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Even though God has said He will never let us be shaken, itās so hard to cast our cares on the Lord when we feel so weak and small and the problems attacking us are so big.
I was encouraged this week when I read a story in the Old Testament, in 2nd Chronicles, chapter 20.
It goes like this:When Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, an army came to start a war against him. He was afraid and decided to ask the Lord what to do. Jehoshaphat prayed āGod, they have come to force us out of your land. We have no power against this large army that is attacking us. We donāt know what to do. So we look to you for help.ā
Then one of the priests stood up and said āKing Jehoshaphat, the Lord says donāt be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle. It is Godās battleā. Then the king and the people were told they didnāt need to fight, just stand strong in their places and they would see the Lord save them.
The next morning, King Jehoshaphat reminded the people to have faith in the Lord their God and stand strong. Then he placed singers in front of the army and as they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the enemy army. Instead of waiting to fight against the people of Judah, the enemy army all turned on one another and began to kill each other.
By the time the men from Judah came to the area where the enemies were camped, there was no enemy waiting to fight. All they found were dead bodies lying on the ground. King Jehoshaphat and his people won the victory without raising a hand.
I'm wishing you a worry free day, filled with singing,
Carol -
Have you heard of Jessica Cox, the world's first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association.
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Jessica was born in 1983 and due to a rare birth defect, she was born without arms. In spite of that, Jessica flies airplanes, drives cars, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands.
Jessicaās mother often said, āThere are no limits to what you can do and who you can be.āĀ Jessica was enrolled in the public school and learned to adapt to her situations until she found a way to do things herself. She was participating in gymnastics by age three, swimming by five, tap dancing by six, and taekwondo at the age of ten.
As a teen, Jessica stopped using her prosthetic arms and learned to use her chin and shoulders and with a lot of practice, her feet and toes started doing much of what a hand and fingers could do. Taekwondo helped in learning creativity, gaining dexterity and building her confidence. At 14, she had her first black belt in Taekwondo.
To Jessica, the word āimpossibleā really means Iām possible, and as a motivational speaker, she reminds her audiences of that fact.
Jessica gives herself time to reinvent how things are usually done, calling it āThinking Outside the SHOEā.Ā That acronym stands for: Self-imposed Limitations, Habits, Over Complication, and Excuses. It means getting rid of the fears, excuses and false limits we place on ourselves. To make the absolute best of all weāve been given and live our lives to the fullest. To express our gratitude daily because we have so much to be grateful for.Ā
One of the things that impressed me most when watching Jessicaās videos is the fact that she mentions peopleās reactions to her difference. Not to her disability, but to her difference. I appreciated that because I have a daughter who was also born with a difference. In fact, many years ago I wrote a poem for her and in many ways it encompasses the view that Jessica Cox has taken towards her life.
Different
I donāt know how to tell you
Just what to do or say,
When thoughtless, shallow people
Turn their heads and look away.They take their health for granted,
Their eyes and ears and limbs,
And when they see youāre not the same
They sigh and sing their hymns.Iām sorry you were born this way,
Iād like to make you whole.
But imperfections of the body
Have no bearing on the soul.There will be times of darkness
When you will sit and cry.
The cruel, heartless staring
Will make you want to die.They donāt know what itās like to be
A babe born incomplete.
So raise your head and wipe your eyes,
You wonāt accept defeat.Thereās a world out there to conquer.
You can make it if you try.
Donāt let self-pity swallow you.
My child, hold your head high.Ā© Carol Bremner
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I'm reading a book about the Depression called 'We Had Everything But Money'. One chapter is titled 'When the Banks Closed, Our Hearts Opened'. Even though the hard times our world is experiencing right now are different from those of the depression, there are a lot of lessons we can learn from the courage and endurance of the people in those days.
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Hard times forced many to sell apples on street corners to support their families. Those who still had jobs did their part to help by buying the produce. In story after story, the hard circumstances that people found themselves in gave birth to a real care for their families and for one another.
For example, a farming family deposited a check for about $1,200 that they'd earned for the full year's crops, keeping out only $5 for groceries. A few minutes later, the bank closed - permanently - and that $5 was all the family had. To make matters worse, their six-year-old tried to find something in a dark closet by lighting a match and although he got out safely, their home burnt to the ground.
The family temporarily moved in with relatives. Soon after, all their friends and neighbours got together and brought whatever they could spare from their own homes so that this family could be encouraged and begin their lives again.
There were no jobs in the 1930's, even the farmers weren't hiring. Thousands rode boxcars in hope of finding work. Thanks to the generosity of those who shared their food, many of those men didn't go hungry.
Here are some of the stories and comments from the people who lived through that time in history:
* "As we look back now on those long-ago years, we realize they weren't all that bad. We not only survived, we may well have become better and stronger people for the experience."
* "Depression years, yet I always remember them with a smile."
* "In both good times and bad, our parents always had time for us. We never had much money, but we had all the love any parents could possibly give their children."
* "My grandparents taught me a lot about life, They taught me not to judge a book by its cover, and that money means nothing compared to decency and character. When someone wandered by and needed a meal, they found some small task for that person to do so that they could feel they'd worked for their food."
* "The Depression was terrible in some ways, but taught many Americans a better way to live. We began to not only think more about others, but to help them."
* "I'll never forget those years, neighbors helping neighbors, sharing whatever good fortune came their way, doctors rendering services regardless of patients' finances, and worship with friends whose faith far outdistanced their troubles."I hope in spite of the fear and violence and uncertainty about the future that's swirling around us today, that we can learn to love and have faith for what lies ahead. Just like the generations before us learned to do.
Have a great day,
Carol -
60 years after the war ended, two old men emerged from the dense jungle of a Philippine island and declared they were soldiers. What does that have to do with us today?
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The Japanese men, both in their 80s, said they had been hiding on the island after being involved in fierce battles with U.S. forces.
The soldiers had remained in the jungle and mountains since then, unaware that the war had ended 60 years before, and afraid that they would be charged with desertion if they were found. They were afraid and hid, year after year, until their lives were almost over.
Today we have a world-wide epidemic of fear. Many of us have been hiding for months, afraid to leave our homes or even hug our families. Afraid of an unseen enemy that could take our lives.
As an older person, part of the vulnerable population, I also stayed in my home for a long time. Constant negative news and social media updates allowed the fear and despair to creep into my life.
When I finally went out to do some shopping, seeing the people around me with their masks on fed that fear. I could see it in other people too. The young masked woman with her masked husband, pulling him back whenever he got anywhere near someone else. Or the older man walking home with his groceries, not another person in sight, yet still wearing his mask. Or the lone driver of a car, wearing a mask even then.
A recent conversation with the mothers of teens made me realize how many young people are afraid of the thought of going back to school and of taking the school bus, even though their age demographic are less susceptible to the virus. Are we raising a generation full of fear?
I understand that fear, but I refuse to hide any longer, letting my life slip away inside the four walls of my house. My times, and yours, are in Godās hands. Iāve read about people who have been in house explosions and should have died, but they didnāt. Or the freak accidents that never should have caused a death, but they did. No matter how careful we are, how much we try to take care of ourselves, there are no guarantees in life.
And thatās why I choose to leave my home, to greet the people around me, to live while I have the opportunity. If Iām required to wear a mask, I have a face shield. That way I can smile at those I meet, and maybe, just maybe, that smile will chase away the fear that is threatening to swallow them up. We need each other so much, especially in times like this. Why not go and encourage someone today?
Have a wonderful day,
Carol
Your Chief Encourager -
I do a lot of reading and gathering stories, and Iām afraid that this time I forgot to write down the original source so I can give proper credit. This story has two parts and Iāll finish off with one of my own.
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While a man was driving down a country road, he lost control of his car and wound up in the ditch. He walked to the closest farmhouse and asked for help pulling the car out. The farmer agreed to hitch up his old mule Dusty and pull the farmer out. But the first time the farmer cracked his whip, he said āPull Buck, pullā and nothing happened. Again he cracked the whip and yelled āPull, Clyde, pullā and still nothing happened. The third time, the farmer called āpull, Dusty, pullā and Dusty pulled until the car was finally out of the ditch.
When the man thanked the farmer, he asked why if the muleās name was Dusty, did he say āPull, Buckā and āPull, Clydeā. The farmer smiled and explained that since Dusty was old and almost blind, he didnāt have much confidence. If Dusty thought he had to do all the work himself, he would probably have given up and not even tried.
Sometimes weāre like Dusty. We see the mountains God is calling us to climb and we give up even before we start. But that wasnāt the case with Wilma Rudolph.
Wilma was the twentieth of twenty-two children and because of a premature birth, was not expected to live. The doctors were wrong, but when Wilma was four years old, she got pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralyzed left leg. At the age of nine, Wilma removed the metal leg brace she had depended on for five years and began walking without it. By thirteen, she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle.
That same year, Wilma decided she wanted to compete in races. She entered her first race and came in last. For the next three years, she came in last in every race she entered. But Wilma kept running until the day came that she won a race. Eventually, the little girl who was not supposed to live and then who was not supposed to be able to walk would win three Olympic gold medals in track events.
My mother was born with a heart defect and throughout her childhood was never allowed to participate in sports or be very active. In fact, the doctor told my grandmother that mom wouldnāt live past the age of 18.
Two years ago, my mother did pass away, in her early 90ās. She regretted missing out on so much as a child because of other peopleās thoughts and as an adult led a full and energetic life, including horseback riding and curling, as well as raising six children. (that's her in the photo)
Imagine if mom had given up on life all those years ago. She may even have decided not to ever marry or have a family. And I wouldnāt be here to encourage you never to give up ā no matter how things may seem, no matter what anyone says, or what may stand in your way. Go out today and climb those mountains!
Have a great day!
Carol
Your Chief Encourager -
The following story about the duck comes from the book āWill Daylight Comeā by Richard Hoefler. It goes like this:
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A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. Johnny practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandmaās backyard he spied her pet duck. On an impulse, he took aim with his slingshot and let fly. The stone hit the duck and it fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all.
After lunch that day, Grandma said, āSally, letās wash the dishes.ā But Sally said, āJohnny told me he wanted to help you in the kitchen today, didnāt you, Johnny?ā And she whispered to him āRemember the duck!ā So Johnny did the dishes.
Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, āIām sorry, but I need Sally to help make the supper.ā Sally smiled and said, āThatās all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.ā Again, she whispered, āRemember the duck.ā Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. Finally, after several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sallyās, he couldnāt stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he had killed the duck.
āI know, Johnnyā she said, giving him a hug. āI was at the window and saw the whole thing. But I love you and forgive you. I wondered how long you would let Sally bother you.
God gave each of us a conscience, that little voice inside us that says we shouldnāt have done that. But like the little boy, we try to do good things to make up for it. We try to be so good that we wonāt hear that little voice anymore. But God ā just like the grandma ā sees everything we do and just wants us to confess and say weāre sorry.
Because He loves us, He is more than willing to forgive us. Even though He already knows, He wants us to come to Him and confess. And if we need to confess and ask forgiveness of another person, we need to do that too.
Taking care of our conscience whenever we feel bothered by anything keeps it sensitive and alert. If we make excuses for ourselves and refuse to listen to our conscience, it will eventually become dull and hard. And a world full of people without much of a conscience is a scary world indeed.
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Have you ever heard the story of The Mouse Trap ( author unknown)? It goes like this, with my thoughts added afterwards:
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A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house - like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember: when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another. Each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry.
Most of our lives may have been fairly self-centered, mainly looking out for ourselves and whatās best for us. But I think with all the turmoil around us these days, we are realizing how interconnected we all are.
I read a puzzle comparison about how each person is like a piece of a jig saw puzzle: each of us is necessary, each of us is entirely unique, not one of us is more or less valuable, when a piece is missing, the whole picture suffers, and we are most effective when we stay connected!
I love that comparison and can see our puzzle coming together in so many ways. People are keeping an eye out for one another. We are making an effort to be an encouragement to those who are struggling. We are appreciating our blessings and the people who help to make those blessings possible. We are taking our eyes off of ourselves and caring for other people. And when this pandemic is over, I look forward to seeing the beautiful puzzle we will have created together.
Have a wonderful day,
Carol -
Fear is a very present part of our lives at one time or another and can't be avoided. But how we deal with fear can make all the difference.
Wishing you peace and joy in spite of everything going on around us,
Carol -
On this Good Friday, my hope is that you will take your eyes off the black dot, no matter how big it may seem and appreciate the reason this is called Good Friday.
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The Black Dot ā Author Unknown
One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.
The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.
To everyone's surprise, there were no questions-just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone's faces, told them the following: "I want you to write about what you see there." The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.
At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.
All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain:
"I'm not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot - and the same thing happens in our lives. We insist on focusing only on the black dot - the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your the eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you.ā
My thoughts: Where is your focus right now? Is it on the black dot of sickness around us that never seems like it will ever end? Or are your eyes on all the white space around us ā the dedication and service of health care workers and other essential services, the kindness and caring of so many for their fellow man, the families spending quality time together, people slowing down and engaging in hobbies and appreciating the world around us. Even the opportunities to connect virtually when we canāt be with our loved ones.
Iāll leave you with two verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Job 8:21 - He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Take care,
Carol -
These days I think we all need a little encouragement. On this podcast I mention how I start my mornings to add some positivity to my life and I mention a hymn that has helped me many times. The words for it are written below.
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
many a burden, many a care.But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deepBut God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.Author: Annie Johnson Flint
Take care,
Carol -
These days itās cold and dreary here in Southern Ontario, Canada and Iām wishing I were somewhere else. It reminded me of something I read in a book called "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow
It goes like this:
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āIt was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days and the great outdoors.
It was summer but it was autumn I wanted; the colourful leaves and the cool dry air.
It was autumn but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter but it was spring I wanted; the warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and the respect.
I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and the free spirit.
I was retired but it was middle-age that I wanted; the presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over but I never got what I wanted.ā
Can you relate to any of that? I know I certainly can. When I was young I couldnāt wait until I was 16, then it was 18, then 21. I look back fondly at all of those years now, but where was the contentment with what I had when I had it?
I wanted children but then looked forward to the day they were a little older and a bit less work. Then I wished they were younger and still liked to cuddle and spend time with me.
I wanted time for me, to do what I liked and not have to answer to time restraints or the wishes of other people. Now I have all the time to myself I want and itās kind of lonely. I want to be around people more.
It seems contentment is an elusive dream, always out of my reach. Maybe thatās why the Bible says in Psalm 118:24 ā āThis is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.ā
Whether Iām old or young, in a good situation or a bad one, whether the sun is shining or itās not ā Iām still breathing, so I might as well be happy that I have today and enjoy it while I can, wherever I may be!
Have a great day,
Carol -
Have you heard the story of the little bird before? Here are my thoughts on it and our reactions to the things that happen in our lives, especially now, as we make choices about the ways we respond to our circumstances.
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A little bird was flying south for the winter. He got so cold that he froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped manure on the little bird. As he lay there in the manure, the bird began to realize how warm he was. The manure was actually thawing him out!
He lay there warm and happy, but soon he began to complain about the odor. A passing cat heard the little bird complaining. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of manure and promptly dug him out - and then ate him.
The moral of the story is that not everyone who drops manure on you is your enemy (sometimes they are even unaware they've done it) and not everyone who digs you out is your friend. So instead of complaining when you're in a miserable situation, know when to speak and when to keep quiet.
For instance, when those I love complain and tell me how awful their circumstances are, it affects my view of the person they feel has done something to them. Then, even though things are rosy again, I've still been left with the smell of the wrongs that were supposedly committed and it isn't that easy for me to forget.
There are also times when being dug out of the manure in our lives can do us more harm than good. There may be things we were meant to learn while we are in those situations and being rescued isn't any help to us. It's like our attempts to help a butterfly out of her cocoon. We may think we are doing a good thing, but that butterfly would die because there wasn't time for her wings to strengthen before she was freed.
What messy things do you need to go through in your life?
I read recently about a lady who became a drug addict at 15 years old and for the next 15 years of her life that was her story. As a result of that lifestyle, she wound up in prison. After she was released, it took many more years, but she ended up becoming a pastor who specifically went into womenās prisons and ministered to the ladies there. Now she has purchased a large home where female ex-offenders can go to live when they are released until they get on their feet again. You can read more about Cynthia and her amazing story at recoverychick.com
If you or I had met that lady during her years as a drug addict, we would probably have thought she was so buried in garbage that she would never amount to anything. And we would have been so wrong. No one is beyond hope. As I volunteer with the homeless, the addicted, and those in prison, I donāt want to ever forget that story. I want to see past all the outward things to the potential within each person I meet.
As our world changes, may we be those who see the good in people, who encourage, help, and bring out the best in others.
Take care,
Carol
Your Chief Encourager -
Often we hear things repeated, or we read about them online and we take it for granted that whatever it is must be true. But in this age of rampant false information, we need to take the extra time to check our facts.
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For instance, I found a quiz that I thought would be good for this podcast. In many places online it's mentioned as the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. But before blindly following and repeating what many say is a fact, I decided to do some research first and found that Shulz made no such statements.
We don't know who the real creator of the quiz is, but it's been circulating on the Internet since at least 2000, and somewhere along the way someone believed that Schulz had authored the quiz. From there, the story continued to spread. When facts get distorted, it takes a while to straighten them out.
Regardless who wrote this quiz, it's worth repeating because of the truth it contains. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just think about them and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. (I had to Google what that even is, since I don't really follow sports. Apparently the Heisman trophy is awarded annually to the outstanding player in NCAA football.)
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? If you have a real interest in those topics, you may have been able to answer some of them. The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday, even those that are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies .. Awards tarnish ... Achievements are forgotten. Praise and certificates are buried with their owners.
Now here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Wasn't that easier than the original questions?
The lesson here is that the people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.
Now I'm challenging you to care for other people, to make a difference in their lives the way someone did for you. Who are you going to spend time with today?
Carol
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Have you ever considered how much the things we think about affect our lives, either positively or negatively?
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Famed physician Ben Carson had an uncontrolled temper as a young man, to the point that he almost hit his mother. Ben did hit a boy in the hallway at school and another time threw a rock at a boy and broke his glasses. Every time he told himself that he didnāt mean to hurt anyone and could control his temper.
Finally, he got angry with his best friend for changing the station on the radio, whipped out his switchblade and threw it at him. The blade hit his friend in the stomach but broke when it connected with the large metal belt buckle he wore.
Ben almost killed his best friend and almost ruined his life because he couldnāt control his temper. He finally realized what a problem he had and spent four hours praying and asking God to heal his anger. After that, he never had a problem with anger again. Imagine what the world may have missed if Ben Carson hadnāt done that.
I realized after reading that story that it isnāt just temper that saps my energy, itās whenever I let my emotions run wild. My husband can be late for dinner and Iāve already imagined all kinds of terrible scenarios and how Iāll cope with them. As well as upsetting me, allowing my thoughts to have free rein is a big waste of time. And the majority of the things we imagine never come to pass!
In the book Never Again, the author says:
āWherever you go, there you are.
Whatever you own, you are still the same person.
Whoever you are with, you are still you.
Wherever you work, you are still the same person.If I hate my life, moving my same life to another building is not going to help.ā
That reminded me of a time in my early twenties. My marriage had just ended and I was all ready to pack up and move hundreds of miles away, to a place where I didnāt know anyone. My wise mother advised me not to, that the grass wouldnāt be any greener somewhere else. Thankfully I listened.
Another aspect of the power of our thoughts comes from a daily devotional called āCome Away My Belovedā by Frances J. Roberts.
She says: āWorry is an actively destructive force. Anxiety produces tension, and tension is the road to pain. Fear is devastating to the physical well-being of the body. Anger throws poison into the system that no antibiotic can ever counteract.
Resentments and ill will bring about more arthritis than is caused by the wrong diet. More asthma is caused by repressed fury than by pollen or cat fur. Ten minutes of unbridled temper can waste enough strength to do a half-day of work.ā
I know from experience that Ms Roberts is right. If I get really upset about something I end up feeling totally drained physically. I also know that itās impossible for me to be thankful and negative at the same time.
As you go about your daily life today, I hope your thoughts uplift and encourage you, and as a result, others will also be encouraged by you too.
All the best,
Carol -
A few weeks ago I turned 71 and now find myself much more reflective than ever before. Where has the time gone? Did I waste it or use it wisely? Do I even remember how I spent all those years that are now behind me?
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Sometimes thereās regret for things I didnāt do when I had the chance or things Iāve done that I wish I hadnāt. But I canāt change the past and I donāt want to waste whatever time I have left daydreaming about the future and missing what I have right now.
Part of my thinking is because Iāve been listening to a song called One Day At A Time. One of the lines says āyesterday's gone and tomorrow may never be mine.ā
The fact that today needs to be my focus has made me thankful for so many little things ā a comfortable rocker and the ability to sit in it and relax, a warm home, freedom from the stress of having to get to a job or cope with a deadline.
But no matter how pleasant my life may be, itās not without anxiety. No one makes it through this life without challenges and heartache. When those days threaten to upset me, Iām reminded of the words of an old hymn, āGod has not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God has not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, undying love.
And thatās enough to give me peace, knowing that God has promised one day at a time!
Carol
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Have you noticed how much we can learn from birds? In this episode of Purpose For Your Life, we can learn some lessons from ducks and geese and how they take care of one another. Then we look at eagles and some of the many times eagles are mentioned in the Bible and why. I hope when you finish listening to the podcast you'll agree with me that if God cares for the birds the way he does, we can be sure that He loves and cares for us so much more!
Like Luke 12:6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." - Imagine, even our hair is numbered.
Have a wonderful day and remember how special you are.
Carol -
Hi there, I finally got around to creating another podcast. I think I need to take some lessons in perseverance myself. I hope you enjoy this week's story of Richard MontaƱez, and his journey from poverty to success.
Do you have your own success story? It may not be as drastic of a life journey as some may have had but that does not mean that it is any less valuable or worthy. We all have our own life lessons to learn and our own purpose in life. And we are all here to share and help each other. Leave a comment below and share with the rest of us one of your success stories. We would love to hear it!
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I get so excited by all of the possibilities that technology offers, especially for people who may feel at a disadvantage because of their health, background, or age. I had the chance to talk about that at the LEAP online summit where I was interviewed and wanted to share part of it with you.
Scroll down to listen.And this is the quote from Steve Ballmer:
"The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential."I hope it encourages you to get out of your comfort zone and would love to hear about your experiences.
Carol
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