03.20.08
Generous
Never suppress a generous thought. - Camilla Kimball
03.01.08
Be Kinder than is Necessary
In church a couple of weeks ago, my neighbor shared a quote that I would like to share with all my readers:
“Be kinder than is necessary because almost everyone you meet is fighting some sort of a battle.” -Unknown
01.26.08
Online Journaling with Pyxlin
When my children were young I would bribe them with a treat if they would write in their journal. My oldest son would wine and complain about writing, but he knew he had to write in his journal to get a treat. He messily fulfilled the bare minimum requirements to get his treat. Now when my son expresses his enthusiasm for journaling, I ask myself, “Can this be my son who hated to write in his journal.” I am so pleased to watch how he enjoys keeping an online journal with Pyxlin . His increased vision of the importance of recording dates, interesting information, experiences and memories that he and his posterity can later read and refer back to will someday be priceless.
Even though I would like to take credit for my son becoming an advocate of journaling, in all reality the advancement of technology is what converted my son to journaling. I must admit, writing in a journal the old way is not near as enticing as the versatility and convenience that is offered with online journaling. You can quickly type an entry that can be edited or changed, load photos with ease along with your written entry, and if you choose, the ability to publish a hard bound journal.
For years, I often wanted to add photos to my journal entries, but I usually didn’t have the picture(s) developed yet, and by the time I got my film developed, I had added more entries and forgot to leave a space to add a picture. Most generally, my good intentions to add a photo went unrealized, and when I did tape a photo in my journal, it would later fall out, and have to be retaped in. With Pyxlin you will never have to worry about saving space for, or losing a photo again. The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” is now a convenient reality that can happen frequently and easily.
The internet is an amazing tool that has changed our lives. Each week you read about new technology that has been released improving the ease of normal daily tasks. Although I am 48 years old, I am learning not to be afraid of taking advantage of advancements in technology, and I am actually finding out that most new technology is user friendly and EASY. Try writing in your journal with Pyxlin, I think you’ll love it.
01.11.08
Stay Clean with Aprons
I was cooking the other day, and I looked down at the front of my shirt, and I thought to myself, “I have got to learn to wear an apron more consistently”.
Aprons can be a fun, colorful item as well as utilitarian product. When logoed with clever sayings or tag lines, they are an excellent way to advertise your brand.
12.28.07
Remembered Quote from Hope Floats
I am not the type that remembers dialogue from movies, but this quote at the end of the movie, Hope Floats has stayed in my memory.
“Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That’s what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will…”
-Birdee from the film Hope Floats
I sure hope I can make the middle count, and with any luck maybe the ending won’t be sad.
10.03.07
Fasting and Fast Sundays
I don’t love fasting or fast Sundays, but I believe in them. Have you ever heard of fast Sunday? Let me explain.
In my religion the first Sunday of the month is set aside to fast for 24 hours with a purpose in mind such as fasting and praying for someone who is sick or unemployed, or asking God to bless us with rain. In conjunction with the fast we are asked to make a donation for the amount we would have spent on the two skipped meals. My church uses these donations to help the poor and needy with food and clothes.
Several years ago, the leaders of my church asked us to ten times the amount of our fast offerings, and that if we would have the faith to give more abundantly, we would be blessed. Although our family was struggling to make ends meet, my husband and I decided that we should exercise our faith by paying a more generous fast offering. Our financial situation did not seem to improve; however, we were able to pay all our monthly bills even though we were donating ten times more to fast offerings.
We have continued the tradition of paying a generous fast offering because it makes us feel good, and brings us peace. Today, we don’t miss the money we pay to fast offerings because it has become a monthly habit that we do without giving it a second thought.
As I study the scriptures, I have realized that generally most miracles come about through mighty fasting and prayer. As I grow older, I find myself fasting and praying two or three times a month to increase my faith mostly in behalf of my children who are making critical lifetime decisions.
When I fast, I not only feel spiritually strenghtened, I feel better physically. I believe for optimum health that the body needs a rest from digesting at least once a month.
When I complete my fast, I appreciate the abundance of many wonderful foods and treats like:
Golden Trio of Treats from Maple Ridge Farms
Pecan Turtle and Cashews in a Green Box from Maple Ridge Farms
08.21.07
Piano Lessons
Playing the piano is a needed talent that brings one satisfaction and opportunties. For this reason, I am coaxing my son to take piano lessons by allowing him to play video games comparable to the amount of time he practices the piano. I actually do not approve of time spent (or rather time wasted) playing video games, but I am okay using them as an incentive to get my son to practice the piano.
My family is religious, and my husband and I have noted that there is always a shortage of accompanists at various church meetings and activities. Although my son doesn’t enjoy practicing the piano, I believe he will later appreciate the opportunties it will afford him.
My oldest daughter didn’t like practicing the piano when she was young either, but now she loves to play the piano and receives great joy serving others with her piano skills.
For those interested in piano promotional products, here are some cool ideas:
07.14.07
To be a good teacher, you must be a willingly learner
In the documentary, “The Revolution”, broadcast on the History Channel, it was stated that it is the opinion of many that George Washington’s most outstanding leadership attribute was his ability to listen and learn from others. George Washington had opinions, but he often changed them after hearing the ideas and opinions of others.
Near the beginning of the war, George Washington’s army lost the battle of New York. This loss tormented Washington, and he was compassionate about regaining control of the city because he felt the city was taken by England because of his inexperience and poor judgment. When the French army finally arrived in America, Washington felt with the additional strength to the patriot army, they were now strong enough to recapture New York. The French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, felt they should attack at Yorktown rather than New York. Although George Washington was passionate about recapturing New York, he listened and thought about Rochambeau’s logic, and then agreed that it would be better to attack Yorktown. Even though the battle of Yorktown was not the end of the war, it was the battle that won the war.
A religious leader, Boyd K. Packer recently stated, “To be a good teacher, you must be a willing learner.” (lds.org: Worldwide Training Meeting) I think if George Washington were alive today, his words would be a little different, but the meaning would be the same, ”To be a good leader, you must willingly listen and learn from others”.
07.09.07
Six Foods to Avoid
If you haven’t noticed by my blog entries, I have taken a renewed interest in becoming fit. A couple of weeks ago, I caught the end of Oprah Winfrey who was speaking to Bob Greene about his new book the, “The Best Life Diet”
Bob Greene said when trying to lose weight you need to temporarily eliminate the following:
- High Fat Dairy Products
- Regular Pasta (use whole grain pasta which can be purchased at most grocery stores)
- White Bread (again purchase whole grain bread)
- Fried Foods
- Trans Fat Foods like Margarine and Vegetable Shortenings
- Soft Drinks
These foods can occasionally be added back into your diet in moderate portions.
06.29.07
Stamp out Least
I really liked and agree with today’s blog enty by Seth Godin’s, “Most and Least” .
You’ve seen this in countless organizations. A few people get in the habit of least, then a whole department does, and the next thing you know, it’s an entire airline. Least is contagious…………….