LOVELIGHT
Magazine
________________________________________________________________________
Vol. 1, no. 9*******September 2004
________________________________________________________________________
Managing editors: Ada Maria Francis and Richard Shiningthunder Francis. Contributors to this issue: Loretta Carrier, Pat Fields, Christine Finer, Tom Gustin, Gene Janning, Mary McLocklin, Kathy Rice, Susan Smith, Geoffrey Stoemer.
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CYBERSCREEN DETAILS:
LOVELIGHT MAGAZINE
We want to start this issue with a special thanks for all who submitted articles, funny stuff, miniparables, and quotable quotes to the magazine. But to take care of details: Please include any submission within the body of your email. Items submitted as “attachments” or “forwards” make it very difficult for Maria to transfer to a common file. Sometimes, they work; as many times, they do not. Thanks for your cooperation.
Also, by way of “screenplay,” we need to make one note: among the texts that we have received some have contained no capital letters or no commas! Others have had sentences ran together confusingly. Since we want our, and your, messages to be clear, we are making the following very simple suggestions for submissions to Lovelight: in all submissions, please make sure that there are two spaces after every period that ends a sentence, also please judiciously make appropriate use of commas. By your kind indulgence we reserve the right to alter any piece or item before printing/publishing it in Lovelight magazine. Thanks very much for all your interest, and support of, Lovelight magazine.
Love,
Richard and Maria
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FENG SHUI CORNER, sent in by Pat Fields
Earth is associated with meditation.
We all know that fire in a heart means passion, but fire also governs the small intestine, circulation, virility, the tongue, heat, and bitterness.
Don't place your bed under an exposed beam. If this cannot be helped, install a false ceiling of fabric or hang wind chimes, flutes, or red fringe on the beam. Beams symbolize separation if they appear between a bed's occupants, and they represent health problems in any area of the body that they bisect.
Put your most often used utensils in the areas that correspond to their life areas.
Three kinds of luck determine your destiny: heaven luck, human-made luck, and pure luck. Heaven luck puts you in the right or wrong place at the right or wrong time. Human-made luck represents the opportunities you recognize or create yourself. Pure luck is just that: something wonderful or extraordinary that happens to you unexpectedly, such as finding a hundred-dollar bill on the ground next to your car.
Plant or place prosperity bamboo in appropriate life areas to stimulate the aspects of life associated with those areas, including family, health, harmony, nutrition, prosperity, and abundance. This plant also makes a lovely gift for friends, relatives, and new businesses.
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KAMI & KAMU: THE
CHILDREN’S BOOK
After a long time in prep, the children’s book has finally arrived. It is called Kami and Kamu: A Love So True-Blue, and it is about two camels who are very much in Love. The book has seventeen short chapters, written in rhyming couplets. It is not about wizards and extraterrestrials, but about everyday life: It teaches Love, respect for nature, friendship, wisdom, and other areas of spirituality. Still, it is designed to be read to kids from two to eight; kids nine or older can probably read it for themselves. The true “glory” of the book is its charming, sweet sketches. These are produced in full color. They portray the camels and friends (elephants, pups, rabbits, serpents, bumblebees) in sweetness and disarming cuteness. Because of the very high cost of the colors used in the sketches, production-costs for this little thin book were extraordinary. (We must charge $7 per copy.) Still, it would make a great birthday or Christmas gift for your little ones. Order from: rmfrancis@juno.com Order today!
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Aromatherapy Tidbits-- A Guide to Essential Oils, by Loretta Carrier
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already September. Children are back in school, the state fairs have come and gone, and after Labor Day, it will seem as though summer is over, even though that won’t actually happen for a couple of weeks. Although I absolutely love autumn, I still hate to see summer end. But then I think of all those fun fall activities, and I am energized again.
With a new season, new schedules, and a host of fall activities, the essential oil I thought might be appropriate is Lemon. Lemon oil comes from the rind of the lemon, and its clean and citrusy scent is thought of as joyful, uplifting and light. I like to think of it as the golden gift from the sun.
Lemon trees were said to be first discovered in India, and then, over the centuries, were introduced to other warm countries such as Italy and Spain, and later, to Florida and California. Early travelers learned that they could prevent scurvy if they stocked up on fresh lemons and limes before a long voyage.
Lemon oil is cleansing, mentally warming, and aids in concentration. It is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal, making it an excellent treatment for colds and sore throats. It helps stimulate the immune system and is also helpful in treating fevers. Lemon is useful for dealing with dandruff and can cleanse and lighten the hair, especially for blondes.
Lemon is one of the adaptogens, meaning it can adapt its properties to suit your needs. That’s why lemon can relax you when you are stressed and energize you when you are tired.
Don’t forget that there’s nothing more inviting and cheering than a bowl of fresh lemons on your table. Try a white or blue bowl with the lemons, which you may even dress up, if you like, with a bit of whatever greenery you happen to have, and possibly even a deep green candle. This arrangement will rival a vase of flowers.
The following recipes will give you an idea of what joys you can have incorporating Lemon into your life.
4 ounces linseed oil
4 ounces white vinegar
30 drops Lemon
12 drops Lavender
Mix these oils just as you would a salad dressing, shaking well before each application. Spray onto furniture and rub into the wood with a soft cloth.
6 drops Lemon
1 drop Lavender
3 drops Orange
2 drops Rosemary
Mix the oils into 3 cups of water and spray around your home and work/study area for an energy lift.
3 drops Lemon
2 drops Lavender
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix all ingredients into a glass of warm water. Very effective for alleviating pain and fighting the germs that have taken up residence in your throat, and for freshening the breath. Lemon juice also makes an excellent mouthwash and gargle.
12 drops Lemon
4 drops Lavender
5 drops Fennel
Mix the oils together. Rub some of the oil around the liver area and the back of the neck. Put the rest in a warm bath.
5 drops Lemon
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Chamomile
3 drops Geranium
Mix the oils together and put into a quart of water and spritz the shaved area. For a more concentrated effect, blend the oils into 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil (canola oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil would work well here) and massage into the shaved area.
\ *******
PLAYING WITH WORDS
We at Lovelight magazine are such logophiles (word-lovers) that we want to include something about words. If you would like to, and if you make it possible, we could include something logophilic in Lovelight magazine every month.
Reasons why English is so
Difficult to Learn, sent in by Geoffrey Stoemer
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.***2) The farm was used to produce
produce.*** 3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.***4) We
must polish the Polish furniture.***5) He could lead if he would get the lead
out.***6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.***7) Since
there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the
present.***8) A bass was painted on the bass drum.***9) When shot at, the dove
dove into the bushes.***10) I did not object to the object.***11) The insurance
was invalid for the invalid.***12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how
to row.***13) They were too close to the door to close it.***14) The buck does
funny things when the does are present.***15) A seamstress and a sewer fell
down into a sewer line.***16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow
to sow.***17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.***18) After a number of
injections my jaw got number.***19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed
a tear.***20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.***21) How can I
intimate this to my most intimate friend?*******There is neither egg in
eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.***English
muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France (Surprise!).***Sweetmeats
are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.***Quicksand works
slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is
it a pig.***And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers
don't groce and hammers don't ham?***If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't
the plural of booth beeth?***One goose, 2 geese? So one moose, 2 meese?***Doesn't
it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?***If you have a bunch
of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it
an odd, or an end?***If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a
vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?***In what language do
people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run
and feet that smell?***How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?***You have to marvel at the
unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down,
in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which, an alarm goes off
by going on.
People, not computers, invented English and it reflects the creativity
of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.
That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the
lights are out, they are invisible.
P.S. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?
***
What Love Would Do, by Thomas Gustin (Yit)
Many fellow Students of Life have heard me say, “When you are not sure about what to do next, your best bet is to do what Love would do.” The feedback on this little gift from the Universe has always been very positive. Occasionally, it has been asked where it originated. Actually, it found me. Or more honestly, I (ego, little self) finally shut up long enough to permit my Higher Self to be heard. The following is a brief and fairly inaccurate presentation of what occurred:
It happened while I was first beginning successfully to “enter the Silence.” This “event” is also why it is always recommended that ALL fellow students learn to meditate. Real meditation is not just prayer, or simply contemplation, and certainly not merely guided meditation. The goal, and perhaps prerequisite, is completely to silence the “chatter-box” within. It is to dive below the turbulence of the conscious mind in order to perceive the subtle, yet ever present, flow of advice from your Higher Self within.
One day, I was chastising myself for being incredibly stupid all my life (mostly programmed by nurture). I also chastised myself for being so “completely useless” (also mostly from nurturing inputs). During a blissfully deep meditation session, the famous movie line of “Stupid is as stupid does” exploded as the only feeling and thought-flows in awareness. This was followed immediately by a more powerful sensation of the experience of “An angel is as an angel does.” Right away, the last and loudest thought awareness was “God is as God does. Do God by doing what Love would do.”
We are really “sparks from
God.” We are “part-God,”
if you will. So, when I am my most
true Self is when I am most God-like.
Creating from the desire to be the best being possible results,
eventually, in experiences of Peace, Joy, and Freedom. This occurs when “I do as Love
would do.” And now, you know the rest of the story.
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Cosmic Inquiries: Q&A
We are hoping to make this a regular part of Lovelight magazine. So, if you have any questions about practical Love, agapology (Love-psychology), spirituality, religion, psychology, philosophy, metaphysics, or parapsychology, please do send them along to: rmfrancis@juno.com
Q: I truly try to love all my neighbors. But sometimes I’m unclear; what does this mean? And does that mean that I must also respect everybody?
A: To "love your neighbor" has nothing to do with respect. For Love is given freely; but respect, like trust, must be earned. How do you earn respect? By proving your character to be one of honor, nobility, justice, and compassion.
Back to Love: If you "love" another because of what she is, or what she does, it is not real (unconditional) Love. For Love to be the real thing, you must love others because of what you are, because you have decided that you are a "child of the cosmos." This Love is real, for all real Love is unconditional Love.
Real Love is not given as "barter." It is not given in expectation of return or personal gain.
"Love" is often defined in very complex ways. So, what is the minimal Love, to be given to all people-- strangers and "enemies" included? It is this: You truly wish the best for that person. You wish that she discover peace, Love, enlightenment. You wish the best blessings for her. You wish her no harm. No more than this minimal Love is required towards strangers. This, of course, increases her peace-- and your own!
Can you "love" a truly violent and/or stupid person? Yes, for you can truly wish for her growth, understanding, and "someday" enlightenment. And this qualifies as "minimal," but real, Love.
*******
Jesus asked for forgiveness for his persecutors, who had crucified him, in Luke 23:34.
***
He said, "What you do to the least of these, my brothers, you do to Me," in Matthew 25:40.
***
The bios of Jesus, the Gospels, although not "history" in our modern literal sense, are great spiritual classics, well worth reading.
*******
JITTERY
AND TERRIFIED WORLDENDERS
Modern “prophecies” are nothing new. Psychics and fortune-tellers see them as their stock-in-trade. They almost never come true; so, there is no reason to fear them. The end of America, or of civilization, or even of the world, has been predicted for every year since there have been written records! None of this is anything new. It is all based upon imaginary embellishments of a book written two thousand years ago-- and it would take a lot to convince me that this writer was writing about the twenty-first century. Both Edgar Cayce and Nostradamus are much finer "prophets" than those who support this kind of worldender nonsense. And they both predicted the "end of the world" for 1999!
So much for fundy folly. The people who predicted the collapse of the government every year, from 1992 forward, need to get real lives. In modern times, fundy groups have, in fact, predicted the end every year since 1964! And many were "absolutely certain" that World War 2 would evolve straight into Armageddon.
These terrified reactionaries skillfully conceal themselves, hiding in "science-fiction theology" in the interwoven threads of real events, and probable ones. But their views are still fearbased, and hence, do not and cannot support Love. For that finest of reasons alone, we must reject their "gloom and doom, antichrist satanic" view of history.
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Telemarketertips, sent in by Christine Finer
Andy Rooney's tips for telemarketers: 1) The three “magic”
words are: "Hold On, Please.” Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off
(instead of hanging up immediately), would make each telemarketing call so much
more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. Then when you eventually hear the phone
company's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know it's time to go back and
hang up your handset.
2) Do you ever get those phone calls with no one on the
other end? This is a telemarketing
technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time when you
answer. This technique is used to
determine the best time for a "real" salesperson to call back.
What you can do after answering:
Hit your # button 6 or 7 times, quickly. This confuses the machine; it
kicks your number out of their system.
3) Another Good Idea: When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away. When you get those "pre-approved" letters, do not throw away the postage-paid return envelope. It costs them more than 37cents if they receive them back. It costs them nothing if you throw them away! (It could be 50 cents or more.)
Why not also get rid of some of your other junk mail? Put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes. Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure that your name isn't on anything that you send them. You can even send the envelope back empty! Eventually, the banks and credit card companies will begin getting their own junk back in the mail. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it, twice! You get the idea!
*******
LAUGHTER THERAPY: CHUCKLES, SMILES, CHORTLES, GUFFAWS, AND SCREAMS
OF FUN!
Live Man Walking, sent in by Christine Finer,
My
grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. Now she's ninety-seven years old, and we
don't know where the heck she is.
***
The only reason that I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy
breathing again.
***
I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.
***
I have to exercise early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm
doing.
***
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
***
If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
*******
GOBBIES (GOOD OL’ BOYS) DON’T GET IT!
A couple of "gobby" hunters are out in the woods.
Suddenly, one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be
breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other redneck
starts to panic, then whips out his celfon and calls 911. He frantically
blurts out to the operator, "O my God! Help! My friend just died!
What can I do?"
The operator, trying to calm him says, "Take it easy. I can help. Just listen and follow my instructions. First, lets make sure that he's dead."
There's a short pause, and then the operator hears a loud gunshot. The redneck comes back on the line and says, "Okay. Now what?"
*******
The
World's thinnest books:
1. Humble and
Nongreedy Gurus, by Deepockets Chopra.***2. Compassionate Fundamentalists, by Tammy
Faye Baker.***3. Intelligent
Jehovah's Witnesses, by Imina Kult.***4. "End of the World" Prophecies that Came
True, by Ino Nawt.***
5. America's Most
Popular Lawyers, by George W. Greedbag.***6. Honest and Nongreedy Politicians, by Dick
Chaney.***7. People Who Believe
Me, by George Bush.***8. People I
Have Loved, by Saddam Hussein.***9. People Who Have Loved Me, same author.***10. Studies
in Wisdom and Humility, by Billy Graham.***11. My Moments of Peace and Generosity, by
George Bush.***12. Mike Tyson's Guide
to Dating Etiquette.***13. Spotted
Owl Recipes, by the EPA.***14. The Amish Phone Directory.***15. My Hunt for the Real Killer, by OJ
Simpson.***16. My Little Book of
Morals, by Bill Clinton, with Jimmy Swaggert.17. The Islamic Guide to Love and Forgiveness by I.
Putcha Down.
*******
Complaining: Major
Turn-off
A young man arrived at a monastery. He announced at the gate that he wanted to join the order. The abbot explained that this was a very strict monastery. All monks there had to take a vow of silence. The young man agreed to this. The life of a Trappist monk appealed to him.
So. Two years passed. The abbot came to the young monk.
"My son," he said, "you have kept your vow of silence now for 2 years. You
are now allowed 3 words.”
"I'm really cold," said the monk.
"No problem," said the abbot. "We'll put a heater in your room.”
Another 2 years passed. The abbot came to the young monk again. "My son," he said, "you have kept your vow of silence for a further 2 years. You are allowed another 3 words.”
"I'm really hungry," said the monk.
"No problem," said the abbot. "I'll tell the kitchen to increase your food
rations.”
Yet another 2 years passed. The abbot came to the (not so) young monk. "My son," he said, "you have kept your vow of silence for 6 years now. You are allowed 4 words this time!”
"I'm leaving the monastery," said the monk.
"I'm not surprised," said the abbot. "You've done nothing but complain
since you got here!"
***
Don’t Be Too Literal, sent in by Gene Janning
A man was driving down a road. A woman was driving down the
same road from the opposite direction. As they passed each other, the woman leaned out the window and yelled, "Pig!"
The man immediately leaned out his window and yelled,
"Stupid bitch!"
As the man rounded the next curve, he crashed into a huge pig in the middle of the road.
Lesson: Listen, and minimize interpretations!:)
***
Doctor's Notes, sent
in by Gene Janning
A man rushes into the ER and yells, "My wife's going to have
her baby in the cab!" I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress, and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs, and I was in the wrong one. Dr. Mark MacDonald, San Antonio, TX
***
At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. "Big breaths," I instructed.
"Yes, they used to be," remorsed the patient.
--Dr. Richard Byrnes, Seattle, WA
***
One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a
wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a "massive internal fart.
--Dr. Susan Steinberg
***
During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications. "Which one?" I asked.
"The patch. The nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'm running out of places to put it!" I had him quickly undress, and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see: Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now! the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one.
--Dr. Rebecca St. Clair, Norfolk, VA
***
While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I
asked, "How long have you been bedridden?"
After a look of complete confusion she answered, "Why, not for about twenty years-- when my husband was alive."
--Dr. Steven Swanson, Corvallis, OR
***
A Nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room, when a young
woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read, "Keep off the grass.” Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said "Sorry, had to mow the lawn."
*******
Street Crossing for Blondes, sent in by Gene Janning
The traffic light wasn't working on the corner of Broadway and 72nd Street, so the blonde stood with a large crowd of people waiting to cross. A cop was directing traffic. Finally, the cop blew his whistle, motioned to the crowd, and shouted, "Okay, pedestrians!" The swelling throng surged across Broadway -- all except the blonde, who stayed on the corner.
Half a minute later, he stopped the cars on Broadway and sent the 72nd Street traffic into motion. Again, he got around to the blonde's corner, where by this time she had again been joined by a crowd of people. Tweet! "Okay, pedestrians!" The crowd crossed the street, but again the blonde stayed put. She looked at her watch and tapped her foot as if she was in a hurry to get somewhere, but never budged from the sidewalk. The cop ran the traffic through seven more cycles, each time blowing his whistle and then yelling "Okay, pedestrians!" The blonde never moved. Finally, after the cop yelled "Okay, pedestrians!" for the eighth time. The blonde shouted across traffic, "Yo! Officer! Isn't it about time you let the Catholics cross?"
*******
Hospitahilarities, sent in by Susan Smith (Mooncat Dancing)
ACTUAL WRITINGS ON CHARTS IN HOSPITALS
1. The patient refused autopsy.***2. The patient has no previous history of suicides.***
3. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant, with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.***4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states that she was very hot in bed last night.***5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.***6. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day, it disappeared.***7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly.
She also appears to be depressed.***8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.***9. Discharge status: Alive, but without my permission.***
10. Patient had waffles for breakfast, and anorexia for lunch.***11. She is numb from her toes down.***12. While in er, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.***13. The skin was moist and dry.***14. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.***15. Patient was alert and unresponsive.***16. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.***17. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.***18. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.***19. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
***
Philosophy of Housecleaning, sent in by Christine Finer
I don't do windows because I love birds and don't want one to run into a clean
window and get hurt. (I am compassionate.)
I don't wax floors because I am terrified that a guest will slip, hurt herself,
I'll feel terrible and she might sue me. (I am careful and poor.)
I don't mind the dust bunnies because they are very good company, I have named
most of them, and they agree with everything I say. (I am imaginative.)
I don't disturb cobwebs because I want every creature to have a home of its
own.
I don't
Spring Clean because I love all the seasons, and don't want the others to get
jealous. (I am fair-minded.)
I don't plant a garden because I don't want to get in God's way, He is an
excellent designer. (I am courteous.)
I don't put things away because my family will never be able to find them
again. (I am considerate.)
I don't do gourmet meals when I entertain because I don't want my guests to
stress out over what to make when they invite me over for dinner.
I don't iron because I choose to believe them when they say "Permanent
Press". (I am trusting.)
I don't stress much on anything because "A Type" personalities die
young, and I want to stick around and become a wrinkled up crusty old woman!
***
Great Truths, sent in by Susan Smith
(Mooncat Dancing)
GREAT TRUTHS
THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how
hard you try, you can't baptize cats.***2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad,
don't let her brush your hair.***3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her
back. They always catch the second person.***4) Never ask your 3-year old
brother to hold a tomato.***5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.***6)
Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.***7) Never hold a Dust-Buster
and a cat at the same time.***8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass
of milk.***9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.***10)
GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS
HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree.***2) Families are
like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.***3) Today's mighty oak is just
yesterday's nut that held its ground.***4) Laughing is good exercise, like “jogging
inside.”
***
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.***2) Forget the health
food. I need all the preservatives I can get.***3) It's frustrating when you
know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.***4) Wisdom
comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.***5)
THE FOUR
STAGES OF LIFE:
a) You believe in
Santa Claus.
b) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
c) You are Santa Claus. And
d) You look like Santa Claus.
***
Always remember
to forget the troubles that pass your way BUT never forget to remember the
blessings that come each day.
Deep Peace and Many Blessings
Susan in Cincy--aka Mooncat Dancing
*************************
Love Is All
*************************
Mooncat Creations
http://www.geocities.com/mooncat48/
Touching Little Lives of Ohio
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/index.html
***
Reasons to Complain, sent in by Christine Finer
Here are some actual maintenance
complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the
maintenance crews.
Problem: "Left tire almost needs replacement."*** Solution:
"Almost replaced left tire."
Problem: "Test flight OK, except autoland very rough."***Solution:
"Autoland not installed on this aircraft."
Problem: "Evidence of hydraulic leak"***Solution: "Evidence
removed."
Problem: "Autopilot in
altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent."***Solution: "Cannot
reproduce problem on ground."
Problem: "Number three engine
missing."***Solution: "Engine found on right wing after brief
search."
*******
Miniparable: God Right Next to You!
A little boy
wanted to meet God. He packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a
six-pack of
root beer and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man, sitting
in the park just staring at some pigeons, talking to them tenderly.
“These
little brothers and sisters,” said the old guy, a twinkle in his bright
eyes, “are here to teach us Love.” The boy smiled, sat down
next to him, and opened his suitcase. He
was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man
looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. The old guy gratefully accepted it and smiled. His smile
was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again. It was one of those
smiles that lights up the heart and the world. So the kid offered him a root
beer. Again, he smiled. The boy was delighted! They sat there
all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy got up to
leave. But before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around,
ran back to the old man, and gave him a big, sincere hug. Love glowed
around them in that poignant, tender moment. The old man gave him his
biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother
was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What
did you do today that
made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God."
However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much
younger than I expected."
***
Too often we
underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an
honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a
life around. People come into our
lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Send this to people who have
touched your life in a special
way. Let them know how important
they are. Have lunch with God!
*******
Thanks for touching my life!
*******
Miniparable: The “Just Right Size” of a Dog, sent in by Kathy Rice
“We've been back to this
animal shelter five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of
this," the mother told the volunteer.
"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked, nodding towards the little girl.
"Puppy size!" replied the mother. We have seen most of the puppies here," she said in frustration. Just then, her daughter Danielle moved closer. "Well, did you find one?" asked her mom.
"No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother’s hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.
Over the next few days, both her mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," her Dad finally said in frustration.
"And we don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," her Mom added.
They were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, her mom sat in the small waiting room. There was an observation window. Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling to take a closer look. One by one, the dogs were brought out, and she held each one. She said, "Sorry, you're not the one.”
It was the last cage. The volunteer opened the cage door; the child carefully picked up the pup, and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"
"But it's the same size," her mom
said.
"No, not ‘size’ but ‘sighs.’ When I
held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember?
When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of
your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!"
Her mom didn't know whether to laugh or
cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
Danielle said,” Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it," she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh.
I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a
sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot
day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen;
you will be surprised at what you hear. Life is not measured by the breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
*******
Love in Time of Crisis, sent in by Susan Smith
As is true of most elementary schools, it was typical in ours to have a parade of students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. I often dropped in to lend a hand or give a hug.
One morning, I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl's scraped knee. Her blonde hair was matted, and she was shivering. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull it on. "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my lap and snuggled up against me.
Soon after, I discovered that I had cancer. I pondered whether or not to tell the students. I decided to tell them. The empathy and concern I saw in their faces told me that I had made the right decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help. I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures and prayers.
As the children solemnly filed out, my little blonde friend darted out of line, and threw herself into my arms. "Don't be afraid, Dr. Perry," she said earnestly. "I know you'll be back because now it's our turn to take care of you."
No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had written. A video of every class in the school singing “get well” songs accompanied me to the next appointment. By the third visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You.”
Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming, until they covered every wall of my room.
Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands. "I feel like I've stepped into Disneyland," my doctor laughed. That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived, adorned with messages written on paper apples. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens of their caring.
At long last, I grew well enough to return to work. I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have forgotten all about me? I wondered. What if they don't want a skinny bald principal? What if... I caught sight of the school marquee. "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. Everywhere I looked, there were pink ribbons -- ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs, even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too.
My little blonde buddy greeted me. "You're back, Dr. Perry! You're back!" she called. "See, I told you we'd take care of you!”
I hugged her tightly. In the back of my mind, I faintly heard my music box playing, "I will always love you."
***
HELP “STAMP” OUT BREAST CANCER
2004 could be when a cure for breastcancer is found!!!! We could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps. The US Postal Service recently released its new "Fund the Cure" stamp. Instead of the normal 37 cents for a stamp, this one costs 40 cents. The additional 3 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" book costs $7.40. This one is only $8. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office. But it means so much! What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week!
So, please purchase some of these stamps. And email your friends to do the same.
*******
ANIMALFRIENDS: NATIVE AMERICAN LEGEND, sent in by Christine Finer
Animals do not suffer less because they have no words. There is an Indian legend which says that, when a human dies, there is a bridge that she must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that the human encountered during her lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge, and which are turned away.
*******
ANIMALFRIENDS IN GROUPS, sent in by Christine Finer
A group of unicorns is called a blessing. Twelve or more cows are known as a "flink." A group of frogs is called an “army.” A group of rhinos is called a “crash.” A group of kangaroos is called a “mob.” A group of whales is called a “pod.” A group of geese is called a “gaggle.” A group of ravens is called a “murder.” A group of larks is called an “exaltation.” A group of owls is called a “parliament.”
*******
LETTING GO, sent in by Christine Finer
To "let go" does not mean to stop caring. It means simply that I can't do it for someone else. To "let go" is not to cut myself off. It's the realization that I can't control another. To "let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means that the outcome is not in my hands. To "let go" is not to change or blame another. It's to make the most of myself. To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive. To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being. To "let go" is not to be in the middle of arranging
all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their destinies. To "let go" is not to postpone. It's to permit another to face reality. To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept. To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead, to search out my own shortcomings, and correct them. To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it. To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future. To "let go" is to fear less, and to love more.
*******
INNER PEACE EPIDEMIC , sent in by Christine Finer
This could pose a serious threat to what has,
up to now,
been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.
Some signs and symptoms of Inner Peace: A tendency to think and act spontaneously
rather than on fears based on past experience.***An unmistakable ability to
enjoy each moment.***A loss of interest in judging other people.***A loss of
interest in interpreting the actions of others.***A loss of interest in
conflict.***A loss of the ability to worry
(This is a very serious symptom.)***Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.***Contented
feelings of connectedness with others and nature.***Frequent attacks of
smiling.***An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them
happen.***An increasing susceptibility to the love extended by others, as well
as the uncontrollable urge to love them back.
*******
NOTABLE AND QUOTABLE QUOTES ABOUT IMPORTANT STUFF, sent in by Christine Finer
"... no matter what our difficulties may be, we recognize that there is a deep untroubled stream flowing below all surface troubles, and that we are of one substance with that stream. The Soul knows no difficulties.”-- James Thornton
***
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”-- Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
***
“No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be
strong, gentle and
good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and
comforted by the very existence of that goodness.”-- Phillips Brooks
(1835-1893), American bishop
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