Monday, 16 March 2015

Rules for a Happy Life




 photo d1a5d8e47cdb2489c1f1e1b824f06ec5_zpsjtanrcth.jpg

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
-2 Timothy1:7  

Be not afraid.    I believe I am a person of courage.  Were it not so I would not have been able to pick up all I had and move over here to a whole new country to begin a whole new life.  I think I have always been a person of courage, even if I didn't always recognize that quality.  As I look back through the years I can see many instances where I have had to face tremendous odds in the face of adversity.   Thankfully I am also a person of great Faith.   Faith and courage go hand in hand.

 photo 5a101fb55e6b60e2fd9c3f20ea74e596_zpsg2hkyvne.jpg

Dance in the rain.   It's a bit like making lemonade when life hands you lemons.  I believe in making the most with what I have been given.   Which means making the most of my talents, seeing the glass as half full, and yes  . . .  being able to dance in the rain.

 photo 7f8c7171a867cd8c3395d3835ed2ee30_zpswmroyco6.jpg

Love without boundaries.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” -Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom 

Love others.  It is the second of the two great commandments.   If all loved God first and then others as  themselves, this world would be truly transformed.   Do not judge.  When you point a finger at someone else, three are pointing back at you.  Change begins with one.

 photo f54050969843ef51ec772108a06cd0c5_zpsemdubl4z.jpg

Be kind.  It costs nothing and reaps great rewards.  Kindness is in and of itself a reward all on it's own.    Life is easier when you are kind.  Life is sweeter when you are kind.  I don't think we begin to truly live our lives until we learn to give them away.

 photo 1aa60193d432dcbab7743274ebbb5113_zpsdf7wht6w.jpg

Always look on the bright side.  Know that it could always be worse.  Actively seek out the silver lining in every cloud.


 photo cc3b5c830cc358bf0224ab3b98e4e60b_zpsn1hqnmat.jpg

Choose your friends wisely.  Surround yourself with good people.

 photo 01fe5151d49e173582b8a97d1eb54950_zps3zseenka.jpg

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and always take time to smell the roses.

 photo 3c3f20f24b81734c6f00fe1c9de88054_zps0siuxffc.jpg

Never stop learning.  Ask questions.  Look for answers.  Decide for yourself.

 photo 8bb17cc8b572ad168960dff3c17198b0_zpskymhi16c.jpg

Be curious.  Aware.  Present.

 photo 5c6b2e983c6bcf69fe92b096c2824374_zpsrayycrpp.jpg

Pray always.  For self.  For Others.   For answers.  For courage.   For strength.   In belief.   Expect answers.

 photo 93c974edb15c1104539dbc5468af7fd1_zpszdn5cv6e.jpg

Be grateful. In all things.  For all things.   At all times.

 photo e2f5d00785ab251dc9e082eff188e06e_zpsvqifbufc.jpg


If you do get caught with your hands in the cookie jar . . .  own it.

 photo b2afa6fc121efdb37780496bc7ea1fe9_zps1pdrbvhg.jpg

Don't be afraid to share the spotlight.  Happiness shared is happiness doubled.

 photo 64ad647b68c51ede433699d065815dd7_zps6kgrvn3n.jpg

Know when to run.

 photo efca330624b35cc309f9ea67b55db7cd_zpsqyniyqx3.jpg

Read good books.  Listen to good music.  Garbage in . . .  garbage out.

 photo 9728a81d6f31284518321dc36e0bf838_zpsfate69ib.jpg

Don't worry.   Be happy.

The end.

 photo DSCN0980_zpsjbueg75q.jpg

Cooking in the kitchen today . . .  Leona's Lazy Chicken.

Happy Monday.  Don't forget.

 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!


7 comments:

  1. wonderful uplifting words this morning. every one of them so true...if only everyone would count the blessings that have been showered down upon them and be thankful what a wonderful world this would be, Hope that you have had a loevly weekend...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good morning Marie.

    My internet is very patchy tonight. Thank you for your words.

    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm one that has learned to always look on the bright side. Every day may not be good but there is always some good in every day. We just have to look for it. I do think that faith goes hand in hand with courage. There is nothing impossible with God by your side. Hope your week is off to a great start.Happy Monday !

    ReplyDelete
  4. You ARE courageous,I am a worrywart.
    I love the pics you've chosen today..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Sybil. Life is hard. I don't think anyone leads a truly charmed life. One has to actively seek out the goodness. It's there. We just have to look for it! xoxo

    Thanks Suzan. Love you! xoxo

    Pam, you are one of the Bright sided-est people I know! xoxo

    Thanks Monique. I am a worry wart too, but I try hard to squelch it! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a beautiful post. love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you so much Cheri! God bless you! xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!