Are You Happy?

Monday, July 27, 2015

Good Morning & HAPPY Monday, Everyone!!

Hope you had a great weekend! We enjoyed a little road trip to visit friends and relatives—There’s nothing like being with those you love and it was time to nurture some wonderful relationships. AMEN!!

Ya know, it’s simply amazing how often the subject of “happiness” comes up. Seems like it’s a daily conversation with this one or that one; however, it always comes up! Sadly though, I’m not hearing this: “man, I’m so happy I could just bust!”, or “I just never thought I could be so happy!”, or I never dreamed Life could be so happy!”

I’ve searched for some wise and wonderful insights on the subject to share with you here today and just ran across this piece recently. I admire this individual’s love and respect for Life and he definitely has the right ideas on the subject:

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“Two of the most amazing emotions one can feel are positivity and happiness. Happiness and positivity could really turn things around 180 degrees and could cause you to live like you’re on top of the world. They are contagious and transfer easily to other people. Happiness causes relaxation and comfort wherever it’s found and creates a positive aura you can feel.

Can you think of how happiness makes you healthy? Well, when you’re happy or excited, you feel relaxation and comfort. Although life always keeps us on our tiptoes with all the surprises it gives us, we need to remain strong and sustain our happiness.

Happiness is something that feeds the body, mind, and soul. It provides and boosts self-esteem and self-worth. Happiness is something that, depending on the person, could be endless and boundless. Now, sometimes people are tricked and think that they’re happy while they’re not. All we need to do is think of what happiness is to us. Just remember that happiness might be different from one person to another, and is priceless.

Let’s just mention that real happiness is found in giving, helping others, and contributing to society; therefore, go ahead and volunteer to draw smiles on other’s faces.”

Below are some things that HAPPY PEOPLE DO NOT DO:

1. Take More Than They Give – Happiness doesn’t come from what we get, but from what we give. Just think about how good it makes you feel by just giving out a little kindness. There are many ways we can give to others and in return, we become the receiver and are happier for it.

2. Be Part of Drama – Getting caught up in other people’s business and relationships can bring drama to your house, something you do not want to happen. Happy people tend to look, think, and occupy their brains with things they have some control over, while allowing others to live their own lives.

3.  Be Ungrateful – “It is not happy people that are thankful, it is thankful people that are happy.” Being grateful is a very appealing characteristic, because it can make a person very happy. Gratitude can cover being appreciative and thankful for all the blessings we have, the way people treat us, the beauty of the world and many other things.

4.  Look At The Empty Half Of The Cup – Always look at the bright side of things. Bad or hard circumstances are a test of our happiness and positivity. It’s easy to think long and hard about the failures and to get stuck in the problem; however, being truly happy will help you focus your efforts on the solution rather than the problem.

5. Discard Relationships – We need to take time off to value our relationships. It is becoming harder and harder to make time for those we love and care about. Our relationships are a big part of our happiness and something we need to take care of to stay happy.

6. Define Themselves By Only One Thing – “The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day.” This is so true because you have no option other than accepting where you are if you want happiness. It’s always okay to want more, but appreciating your current condition will serve you well.

7. Focus On Materialistic Things – There’s way more to life than just “stuff”. Happy people like stuff too, but favor and value memories and experiences over materialistic things.

8. Ignore Their Passions – Happy people just follow their passions and don’t let go of them.

9.  Stay Unbalanced – Staying balanced provides a sense of security and comfort, knowing that everything will work out. Happy people don’t waste their time & energy focusing on what they don’t have.

10.  Mistreat Others – There is a nice and simple way to think about this. Just treat others like you would like them to treat you. Ever heard of “The Golden Rule”?

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Well, I’m feeling even happier than when I started this Blog!!  How about YOU?! Just saying the word “HAPPY” makes me happier. Seriously. Try it.

My prayer for us ALL this week is that we’ll seek the Lord’s help in focusing our hearts and minds on what happiness truly means to us and what we need to do to live our gift of Life in that happiness.

GOD is Good! GOD is Great!!

Love,

Margaret

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to  achieve that beauty.”  —Maya Angelou

Note: A big “Thank You”  to my Inspower friend, Gonzalo Arzuaga for his always-inspiring outlook, attitude & gracious wisdom. Bravo!!

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WHO’S Giving Up?!!

Monday, July 20, 2015

WELCOME my dears, it’s BLOG time!!

Hopefully this past weekend was filled with good times which will make for some wonderful fond memories. My weekend, however, took a slightly different turn. It seems that I’ve got an awful lot of friends whose days are filled with doubt, sickness, grief and confusion—they asked me to pray for them. Of course I’m honored by this—praying for someone is a true blessing for me! Praying is my connection, my direct hot line to the Lord, so I’m receiving a real blessing when I go to Him in prayer to ask for blessings for others. See how that works? It’s POWERFUL!!

As I listen to some of the situations folks are facing, I often here this: “Some days I just want to give up!” Truth is, I understand how they feel—I’ve been there myself…more than once.

Then, by some “miraculous” change of events, GOD will step in and WE DON’T GIVE UP—How could we? He’s there, right by our side, every step of the way!

“Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new Life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see here now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”  (portions taken from—2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Jesus said, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. – John 13:7 

If you ever doubt yourself or your Life remember this: YOU are loved. YOU are worth it. YOU are incredible. YOU can get through anything—YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!!

I  AM  in you. “I AM”—GOD

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My prayer for us all this week is that we’ll stay focused on the power of the Almighty and believe in Him. We are weak but He is strong.

Jesus said unto him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” —Mark 9:23

GOD is Good!! GOD is Great!!

Love,

Margaret

“Let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.  – 1 Peter 3:4

So, What Are YOU Afraid Of?

Monday, July 13, 2015

It’s BLOG time —Welcome, Everyone!!

These last several months have taken me to incredible unchartered waters…geographically and figuratively speaking. I’m working on a new book and it’s turning out to be quite a challenge—in every way possible! I’ve considered passing on it several times now and for various reasons, but this “little” voice in my head keeps saying, “oh no ya don’t, you’re in over your head now, and there’s no turning back!!”

Well, this is when I remind myself that “the great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”  In this particular case, however, I’m the one doing the doubting! So, just what is my problem? What am I afraid of?

I’m of the mindset that fear and self-doubt can cripple us, causing us to live our gift of Life without gusto and a healthy lust for Life. WHAT?! This is no way to live and certainly not what GOD intended for us at all. So, If I allow that to happen, then what am I saying? “Sorry, Jesus, I’ll sit this one out; thanks but no thanks for all your suffering & dying on the cross for me.”  The very thought of this breaks my heart and makes me ashamed.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”—Psalm 121:1-2/KJV   

If we walk our talk and live our faith, then when we’re self-doubting and afraid (we’re human, this happens sometimes), we just need to go to the Lord in prayer with an earnest heart. He’s right there—waiting for us…as always.

“Life comes in the form of opportunities which are very easy to recognize—once they have been wasted.”  —  Jovan

If you’re having a problem with something, anything, don’t walk away from it—face it, deal with it, pray about it, LISTEN…THEN make a decision and move on.

As for me, I’m gonna MOVE ON AND FINISH MY BOOK!!

HALLELUJAH!!

GOD is Good. GOD is Great!!

Love,

Margaret

When we are weak, He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves us. I’m not religious, I’m saved by Christ. Don’t EVER lose your Faith—It will take you to many places…like Anywhere and Everywhere!! Amen.

Happy Fourth of July — USAUSAUSAUSA!!

Monday, July 4, 2016

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence…and what guts it took to live the life of a true Patriot?! Well, I believe today is the day to reflect upon this, as “reflection” is part of this country’s greatness!! Here’s the story with some very interesting facts you just may not know…

*Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and were tortured before they died.

*Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

*Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army & another had two sons captured.

*Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Just what kind of men were these 56, anyway?

*Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

*Eleven were merchants.

*Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated. They signed the Declaration of Independence anyway, knowing full-well that the penalty would be death if captured.

*Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

*Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.

*Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillary, Hall, Clyne, Walton, Gwinnette, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

*At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

*Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

*John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Let’s all remember that “freedom is never free!” So take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and thank these courageous patriots, our forefathers, for the price they paid for us to live in and enjoy that freedom. Patriotism is not a SIN, and the Forth of July means more than a beer, picnics and baseball games! On this day of all days, we must not take our freedom for granted, nor ever forget what these 56 Patriots sacrificed for us! Please!!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”   —The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

A SONG NOW MUCH IN VOGUE IN NORTH AMERICA -1768 February 11, 1768, celebrated author, John Dickinson1 of Delaware, sent this to James Otis of Massachusetts stating: “I enclose you a song for American freedom…”

Come join band in hand, brave Americans all,

And rouse your bold hearts at fair Libery’s call;

No tyrannous acts, shall suppress your just claim,

Or, stain with dishonor America’s name.

In Freedom we’re born and in freedom we’ll live;

Our purses are ready, Steady, Friends, steady,

Not as slaves, bust as freemen our money we’ll give.

Our worthy forefathers—let’s give them a cheer-

To climates unknown, did courageously steer;

Thro’ oceans to deserts, for freedom they came,

And, dying, bequeath’d us their freedom and fame.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis’d,

So highly, so wisely, their birthrights they priz’d;

We’ll keep what they gave, we will piously keep,

Nor frustrate their toils on the land or the deep.

The Tree, their own hands had to Liberty rear’d,

They lived to behold growing strong and rever’d;

With transport then cried –

“Now our wishes we gain,

For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.”

Happy 4th of July and may GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Love,

Margaret

Note:  A special thanks for contributions to today’s Blog, to “a Canuck friend in Nova Scotia”, and interestingly enough, not EVEN an American, but certainly one who treasures FREEDOM!! Hallelujah!     ˜