A New Year’s Resolution for Generosity

By Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D.

Isn’t it wonderful? Every January 1, we get to have a fresh start. Ring out the old. Ring in the new. We can change something significant about our lives.
New Year’s resolutions are a statement of hope. We make them, not to scold ourselves, but to hold out the possibility that we can change something. So we swear we’ll finally lose that 10 (or more) pounds, that we’ll quit bad habits we enjoy, or we’ll hit the gym more often. Never mind that studies show that almost 90 percent of such resolutions are broken within two weeks of New Year’s. Our intentions were good. Oh well.
I think we break those self-promises almost as soon as they’re made because they are too ambitious. We ask ourselves to take on something that has been a long-term issue and then feel too discouraged or overwhelmed by the idea to really take it on. Then we feel even worse about ourselves because once again, we didn’t do it. So we have another piece of chocolate or another cigarette and promise that maybe we’ll go the gym tomorrow.

I think I have a better idea: Make those resolutions of good intention if you must. But I have something far simpler and more doable in mind. I would like everyone in the world to resolve to be a little more generous every day. Instead of trying to stop an old habit, why not try on a new one? Promise yourself that you will be a little more open-hearted and open-handed this year.
Generosity is good for you, the people around you and the planet. A University of Michigan study showed that people who are generous live longer, are generally healthier and less stressed, and have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Men who regularly did volunteer work had death rates 2.5 times lower than men who didn’t. Other studies show that people who actively participate in their community through acts of service and kindness have a higher level of self-esteem than those who don’t.
Generosity doesn’t have to be grand, although it can be. It doesn’t have to take a whole lot of extra time or money. It doesn’t require you to clean your house or organize your closets. It doesn’t require a membership in a self-help group or a gym or a club. All it takes is a little more thoughtfulness every day.
Below are five ways to put the resolution to be generous into action:

1. Give other people more slack. Often when people say or do unkind things, it has nothing to do with you. They’ve had a bad day or bad year. They’ve had disappointments and setbacks that have made them cynical, defensive or angry. Under their grim exterior is a person who is hurting. Chances are that if you had lived in their skin and experienced what they experienced, you’d be as difficult as they are. Have compassion. Resist the temptation to be mean or cynical or angry back.
2. Give yourself some slack. You’ve had your share of discouragement, disappointments, and setbacks too. That’s hard enough to handle without adding a layer of scolding and pessimism to the mix. Acknowledge the mistake or failure, sure. That’s how we learn. But then remind yourself that you’ve had better days and resolve to do what you need to do to make life turn around again.
3. Practice random acts of kindness and beauty at least a few times a day. Hold a door for someone. Smile at the person who bags your groceries. Praise the kid who made your sandwich at the lunch counter. Take that extra few seconds to acknowledge that other people do things for us almost every day. If you can add something pretty to the mix, by all means do it. Straighten up the kitchen at work. Take out the trash. Bring a flower to someone who least expects it.
4. Write thank-you notes. Put a stack of notecards on your desk or kitchen table. Take a moment every day to think about who deserves some appreciation. Slip one into your kids’ lunchboxes or your partner’s jacket pocket. Leave one for the person who delivers your mail. Send one out to the teacher who had a positive impact on your life or the doctor who has been there for you or the person at the drive-up window who gives you your coffee with a smile. Send one off to one of the celebrities who is doing something positive with their millions instead of buying five luxury homes.
5. Do some community service. It does take a village, not only to raise a child but also to make a community. Look around. Probably hundreds of people are doing things big and small to make your community a kinder, gentler place. Some are volunteering at the local survival center or food bank. Others help out at the schools. Still others are serving as youth group leaders or reading aloud to little kids at the library or the old folks at the senior center. There’s a need that is crying out for you to fill it. Add your time and your voice to the chorus of helpers. It will make your neighborhood or town or city a better place.

Let’s make a resolution that could start a revolution. Think about it. If everyone in the world made a resolution to be more generous this year – and did it – it could change the world for the better.
 

Life ~

libi—“my heart”

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake

THE SECRET HEART OF EVERY JEW

THE SECRET HEART OF EVERY JEW
By Aviva Mendelsohn

She walked down the street
With fear in her eyes,
What was in her heart
She would have to disguise.
If she let someone knew
How often she wept,
They would find out
The secret she’s kept.
She was a Jew
Deep down inside,
But that secret
She had to hide.
In 1948
She was finally free,
To live her own life
In her own country.
The pain she had felt
Will not fade away,
Forever in her heart
Her memories will stay.

Praise the LORD from the earth . . .

Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise the LORD from the earth . . .
Fire, hail, snow and clouds . . .
Mountains and all hills . . .
Beasts and all cattle . . .”   Psalm 148:3,7,8,9,10

Isa. 62:1.

"For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
Till her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns" -- Isa. 62:1.

Do not stand at my grave and weep ~

Do not stand at my grave and weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep" is a Holocaust poem and elegy with a very interesting genesis, written in 1932 by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004). Although the origin of the poem was disputed for some time, Mary Frye's authorship was confirmed in 1998 after research by Abigail Van Buren, the newspaper columnist better known as "Dear Abby." The version below was published by The Times and The Sunday Times in Frye's obituary on November 5, 2004: Mary Frye wrote the poem in 1932. As far as we know, she had never written any poetry before, but the plight of a young German Jewish woman, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who was staying with her and her husband at the time, inspired the poem. Margaret Schwarzkopf had been concerned about her mother, who was ill in Germany, but she had been warned not to return because of increasing anti-Semitic unrest that was erupting into what became known as the Holocaust. When her mother died, the heartbroken young woman told Frye that she never had the chance to “stand by my mother’s grave and shed a tear”. Frye found herself composing a piece of verse on a brown paper shopping bag. Later she said that the words “just came to her” and expressed what she felt about life and death. 

10 of the world's biggest unsolved mysteries: Georgia Guidestones | MNN - Mother Nature Network

10 of the world's biggest unsolved mysteries: Georgia Guidestones | MNN - Mother Nature Network

A Mothers Heart ~

 Mother's Heart

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You're part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I'd daydream of the things we'd share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC's.
I thought of things you'd want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I'd need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.

 I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You're part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I'd daydream of the things we'd share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC's.
I thought of things you'd want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I'd need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.

Grace was in all her steps "

"Grace was in all her steps. Heaven in her eye. In every gesture, dignity and love." - John Milton

A handful of happiness,

A little bit of heaven
Drifted down from above -
A handful of happiness,
A heartful of love.
The mystery of life,
So sacred and sweet
The giver of joy
So deep and complete.
Precious and priceless,
So lovable, too
The world's sweetest miracle,
Baby girl, is you.

joy , thanksgiving , gratitude, love

"At this moment I am at peace and filled with joy , thanksgiving , gratitude, love and so looking forward to the next 3 months . I've lost 24 pounds and I'm so ready for change ♥ I am grateful to God , my husband , our son Jordon , Marlie and my Aliyah Grace !

My pure hearted Aliyah ~

The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.      

What does the fox say?

Dog goes woof
Cat goes meow
Bird goes tweet
and mouse goes squeek

Cow goes moo
Frog goes croak
and the elephant goes toot

Ducks say quack
and fish go blub
and the seal goes ow ow ow ow ow

But theres one sound
That no one knows
What does the fox say?

Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
What the fox say?

Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
What the fox say?

Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
What the fox say?

Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
What the fox say?

Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
and digging holes

Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly youre standing still

Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise

But if you meet
a friendly horse
Will you communicate by
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?

How will you speak to that !

12-23-2013

Christmas Lullaby
Author: Uknown

Sleep, baby, sleep! The Mother sings:
Heaven's angels kneel and fold their wings.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

With swathes of scented hay Thy bed
By Mary's hand at eve was spread.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

At midnight came the shepherds, they
Whom seraphs wakened by the way.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

And three kings from the East afar,
Ere dawn came, guided by the star.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

They brought Thee gifts of gold and gems,
Pure orient pearls, rich diadems.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Thou who liest slumbering there,
Art King of Kings, earth, ocean, air.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Sleep, baby, sleep! The shepherds sing:
Through heaven, through earth, hosannas ring.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

Christmas is forever

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

To every child, a good example.

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
Oren Arnold 

Only if we forgive others will we be forgiven.

Stories of Forgiveness

If we hold a grudge against someone, the door to God will be closed. It will be absolutely closed, with no way to him. Only if we forgive others will we be forgiven. I am sure that many prayers are not heard because the person praying has a grudge against someone, even if he is not aware of it. Jesus says more than once that before we pray we must forgive. If we want Jesus, we must have a forgiving heart.
- J. Heinrich Arnold

You're my favorite gift of all

You're my favorite gift of all
You've filled my heart with cheer , love , happiness !!!!! 12-26-2012

A Time Comes In Your Life

A Time Comes In Your Life
This isn't exactly a Christmas story, but it just might inspire you to take a moment to reflect this holiday season.
A time comes in your life when you finally get it. When in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks, and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out ~ ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears, and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon.  
You awaken to the fact that you're not perfect, that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are, and that's okay. (They're entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself; and in the process a sense of newfound confidence is born of self-approval.
You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you; and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own, and to take care of yourself and in the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties; and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.         
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with; and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.
You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing; and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.
You learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility, and the importance of setting boundaries, and learning to say NO.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry, and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then you learn about love. Romantic love and the familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving, and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship.
You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man or woman on your arm or the child that bears your name.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.
You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.
You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms just to make you happy. And, you learn that alone does not mean lonely. And you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10, and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK. And that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.
You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect; and you won't settle for less. And, you allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his/her touch and in the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect.
And you learn that your body really is your temple, and you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for, and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance.
You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help. You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time. FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it, and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.
You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve; and that sometimes-bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening.
And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state ~ the ego. You learn negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected, or they will suffocate the life out of you, and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to building bridges instead of walls.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself; and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never settle for less than your heart's desire.
And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and with Spirit by your side you take a stand; you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life that you want to live as best as you can.

~Author Unknown~
Thanks to Mary Lim for contributing this story.

"Joy in Christmas"

"Joy in Christmas"
Because there is joy in our hearts
that we are celebrating
together the birth of Jesus
with family and friends.

Being this Christmas
the reason and the time
to enjoy our unity
in this place where we are

God Bless us and all
of those who in our side are.
Author: Tayrina González - TayrinaScrapDesigns