LUCKY CHARM #9: Laugh! Tickle Me Thursday

Laughter is certainly the best medicine.  Humor is hoping healing, helping. Enjoy!

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a man below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 42 degrees north latitude and between 58 and 60 degrees west longitude."

"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.

"I am," replied the man, "but how did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost."

The man below responded, "You must be a manager."

"I am," replied the balloonist, "how did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are exactly in the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."  Cheers!!

LUCKY CHARM #8: Be a light, not a judge

As I look back on my life I can see that sometimes I have been greatly influenced by others' points of view, perspectives, opinions - some positive, some negative.  A lot of my life has been determined by what is called the "social mirror" - reacting to external, extrinsic stimulus or factors.  Dancing to another's beat.  The majority of us have lived our lives this way not really having the independent will, self-awareness or the conscience to choose a different way of thinking befitting of our true selves. 

Architecture states that "form follows function" and in human relations private victories precede public victories.  The Bible says that you should "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."  But if you have no personal integrity, if you cannot trust yourself, if you don't know yourself, how can you truly love yourself?  I believe that many of us don't even like ourselves much less love ourselves. We don't know who we are.  We never really examined or explored our lives.  We just go with the flow - being controlled by the puppet master (the puppet master being someone or something other than yourself directing your life).  The master says wear this, we wear it.  Eat this, we eat it.  Think this, we think it.  Never stopping to question, reason, examine if it is something we want, need or even jives with our internal values.  A life not examined ain't fit for living.  We all must explore, analyze, dig deep within ourselves to find out who we are, what we want to be and where we want to go, what really matters to us, what legacy we want to leave behind.  So that we can share this spectacular aspect of ourselves with the world.  The world is just waiting for us to don our true selves.  To bring our gifts and contributions to heal and help humankind in our particular field, work or interest.

The process of self-reflection begins with our mindset.  We must examine our own paradigms, frames of reference, theories, perspectives - our belief systems.  This is not an easy, overnight, quick-fix process and it might even take years, but it is well worth the effort.  

We reap quantum benefits when the principles of fairness, integrity, justice, balance, compassion, leadership, courage, empathy, generosity, community, character, love, understanding, wisdom and abundance thinking guide our lives.  What principles guide your life?  Cheers!!

LUCKY CHARM #7: BE HAPPY!!!

I was just reminded of how important it is that we need to focus on the beauty and pleasurable in the world.  If you should ever find yourself down in the dumps or feeling a little bit blue -- just remember to smile and find something - anything - to be happy about.  Focus on what brings you joy.  It could be a favorite song, a plant, a picture, your fave color or food, something in nature, a pet, something humorous, your children, friends, a hobby.  I happen to love the color pink.  Not only does it go with my complexion, but it is a color that indicates self-love.  Maybe you've done some volunteer or charity work.  That especially counts.  It gets your mind off your problems and focuses on helping others.  The point is to find something to be happy about, big or small.  Enjoy your day, your world, your LIFE!  Cheers!!

SMILE & SAY CHEESECAKE!!!

One of my most favorite things in the entire world is cheesecake. Hey!  It's still holiday time (to me, - until President's Day - at least) LOL!!  I promise I will lay off the foodstuff for a while.  I better, because I can put on 20 pounds just thinking about food.  LOL!  

Anydiddles.  Most folk I know, which includes a few men, enjoy cheesecake.  Some like it topped with their fave fruits such as blueberries and strawberries.



Some may even like theirs topped with nuts.










Some may think that simple is better.  But whatever, however you enjoy yours -- ENJOY!  Cheers!!