Life's Lessons

Lessons Life Taught Me
By: Regina Brett, 90 years old

For the record, this was too good to pass up. It was Ms. Brett’s intent to share this before it is too late. I agree with her and reproduce this list of valuable lessons for the benefit of anyone willing to learn from our experiences. I guarantee you that there is something for everyone here:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it. (Don’t forget to apologize when you regain your good sense.)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile (more so with women).
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of any eye. But don’t worry, God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger. (Requires interpretation.)
19. It’ never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes o going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words “In five years will this matter?
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything. (Then decide whether to continue your association with them.)
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything; give time time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles. (Especially when you have Faith and Hope in the unseen, higher Order.)
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do. (When God finished creating, He looked at everything and said it was good.)
34. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
36. Careless and thoughtless abuse and destruction of the body while young ,becomes a personal shame in mature age.
37. Your children get only one childhood. (Parental responsibility is vital to see that your children’s base foundation is sound.)
38. Your children are not your friends; they’re your children to raise the best you can and for you to be a worthy example for them, not the other way around.
39. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
40. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
41. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we would grab ours back.
42. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
43. The best is yet to come.
44. Whoever said “a minute of anger is 60 seconds you lose of happiness” was correct. Avoid anger and tell yourself “This too will pass.”
45. It’s true that you can always count on death and taxes. You can add “change” to that list.
46. Yield.
47. God has not repealed the Ten Commandments, or made them suggestions. They remain God’s Law as our way to live with faith, hope and charity.
48. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
49. Live your life in such a manner that you can believe and lovingly say, “Come Lord, Jesus”(Rev.22:20), and, no matter how long you live you’ll be prepared to accept all that happens to you.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

God bless. Merry Christmas! Thanks for visiting. Bob

Engineers and Managers

Levity for today.
A man in a hot air balloon realized that 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 a half hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The man below said, "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 fult."
Thanks for visiting. - Bob facta non verba

The Pride of Democracy Tarnished

I often refer to circumstances in the world that apply to "End Times." One of which is a noticeable disregard for what is right. What we see going on in parts of the world, sadly, including the leadership of the United States, is being accepted as normal: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits...That justify the wicked for gifts, and take away the justice of the just from him" (Isaias 5: 20,23).
Right now governments and blocks of states, e.g. the OAS and EU (Organization of American States) and (European Union's of countries) condemned a democratic government, namely Honduras, that refused to allow its sitting president to change or convert the course of it country to a dictatorial state by changing, for his own benefit, the country's constitution.
The supreme governing body, elected to protect their country had enough of their adament president who would imitate Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, by illegally usurping and designing powers to set himself up as president for life. Honduras did not agree. As a consequence the self-interested dictator was whisked out of the country in the middle of the night and an interim president named until new elections can take place.
I see nothing wrong with this self-preservation action by a governing body of citizens elected to protect the people and their country.
So, why are professed democracies and not-so-democratic countries punishing the country of Honduras for doing what should have been done? And, the United States, the once bastion of Democracy, leading the pack? Let me venture a guess.
Obama and his stooges (Hilliry Clinton, et al) are of that establishment that do not like freedom as America is (or has been) known for. That's why we freely use the term "Liberals." Ganging up on Honduras for protecting themselves from internal evil intentions is way off the mark of decency and a stand against Democracy, and cannot be condoned. After all Americans might get similar ideas (without the help of the present ruling democratic party, of course).
I never thought in over three-quarters of a century, that I'd ever find myself severly criticising my own Government for international affairs that sides with evil. Obama and his people, liberal democrat representatives,and RINO turncoats (all elected by the people) are actively dismantling liberty and freedom at home in this country, and must ensure that, whenever possible, condemn the exercise of Liberty and Freedom (of action) by other democratically established countries whenever and wherever they can. Proof? Notice the lack of condemnation toward Muslim IRAN; and the timidity that took place in Russia during the recent presidential visit (both countries have also condemned Honduras). These people and others around the world watch closely at Hilliry's threat of punishment through sanctions aimed at Democratic Honduras. Why do American act this way now?
You can say that America is sick and needs attention (an uprising) by its people. It is way off the mark of decency with its stand against Democracy. It is not at all pretty. America (all elected officials and the voting population) ought to be ashamed of itself for allowing an inexperienced nincompoop like Obama to seriously tarnish the magnificent history of young America by leading or siding with other evil leaders and dictators of the world. It's enough to make one cry.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero" (= enjoy the present day, trusting as little as possible to the morrow)

The Paradox of our Age

Is it true that we can go to the moon and back, but can't walk across the street to meet our neighbor? Yep! Sure is. After having read this somewhere recently, it occurred to me that my own archives contain more truisms and thought I'd share some of them with you. Proceed at your own risk.

• We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers
• Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints
• We spend more, but truly enjoy less
• We have bigger houses, but smaller families
• More conveniences, but less time
• We have more degrees, but less common sense
• More knowledge, but less judgment
• More experts, but more problems
• More medicine, but less wellness
• We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch too much TV, and pray too seldom
• We've learned how to make a living, but not a life
• We've added years to life, not life to years
• We've conquered outer space, but not inner space
• We've done larger things, but not better things
• We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul
• We've split the atom, but not our prejudice
• We write more, but learn less; plan more but accomplish less
• We've learned to rush, but not to wait
• We have higher incomes, but lower morals; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success
• We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication
• We've become long on quantity, but short on quality
• These are the times of fast food and slow digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships
• These are the times of more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition
• These are the days of dual incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses to hold broken homes
• These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill
• It's a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom

All of these contradictory, absurd statements exist. In more recent times others have been added. In case you haven't noticed we're in real trouble. A bunch of renegades, with stealth support, are running (and ruining) this beautiful country. And they're moving fast to remake America. It seems that right now nothing and no one can stop them.

All anyone, from radio talk show hosts (who claim millions of listeners) or any organization seems to be able to do is talk, talk, talk, and complain to no end, along with their mailings to add money to their coffers in the guise of using the money to "fight and convert" the dictators and evil-doers. That is virtually an impossible job, given that those they want to convert don't seem to care whether or not they do right. All those elected to an office care about is a continuous flow of donation dollars (lots of them in most cases) into their reelection campaigns so they can continue to spend a lifetime telling lies to their constiuents. With the power of responsible voting, it doesn't have to be that way.

Here are new contridictions:

• Right now I see the time we're presently in where right is wrong and wrong is right. (E.G. What's right about legally killing unborn babies with feelings at any point during pregnancy? and a heart that begins to beat at 18 days? How can you not see something wrong here and do something about it where you can?)
• We now have a president that plans to eleminate the elderly by denying them appropriate medical care because of the cost and that, according to him, are too old to spend the money on. What, pray you, would you call this if not legalizing murder. What is wrong with this scenario when one person can dictate to a following that readily support his wishes? (Democrats, Liberals, Republicans in name only that timidly and fearfully support errors.)

(The last person I knew that was of this caliber was Adolph Hitler. He too was but one man starting his designs for the world with a bunch of off-the-wall goons. They caused so much damage in the world that millions were murdered, never to rise from the ashes again. And, let us remember the hundreds of thousands of warriors that died or were bodily or mentally injured defending freedom.)

• Our leaders were once leaders, with a moral code, now are immoral, unethetical, selfish. "Selling their soul to the Devil" without conscience has become commonplace
• Americans were once more concerned about their country and partook of their responsibility, now have become apathetic, carelessly risking losing a unique way of life borne through unbeliveable sacrifice, admired by the world at large.
• The admiration of America is now seriously waning because of our lessening the value of human life and promoting same with American taxpayer dollars throughout the world by financially supporting Planned Parenthood's Abortion dens.
• There are more deficient acts taking place and have taken place too numerous to mention here. One example only is ACORN. Investigated for its illegal acts involving vote fraud, but never brought to justice. You can expect that kind of result with a dictorial president that will threaten you for doing your job. There's no other explanation for "incomplete justice."
• Obama and his henchmen, and his critical, unnamed backers like Billionaire George Soros, have an agenda that is moving as fast as a bullet. Right now no one is standing up to the plate to reverse the damage being done.
• By 2012, the next national election, a great deal of damage to this country and the fabric that made it the greatest country in the world for the past over 233 years will have been done. We need an unusually qualified, courageous, daring person to emerge and be supported to take strong hold of the reins of this Govenment. Returning it to what Abraham Lincoln called it: "Of the people, by the people, and for the people..." not to parish from the earth.

My message to you here and now: Live and love your God-given life. Don't fall in with the paradox of our age. You should know that there's another world beyond your wildest dreams that you ought not to ignore. You are only here for a little while, then ...

For now it's your turn to be bold for God and Country; pass on the contridictions that are increasing; do what you can right where you are to actually take a stand. Fear nothing and nobody. Have courage. If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. In that instance you become part of the problem.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob Mk 11: 22

Belonging Or Not?

The Member Who Never Came Back

It amuses me now to think that your Organization spends so much time looking for new members - when I was there all the time. Do you remember me?

I'm the fellow who came to every meeting, but nobody paid any attention to me. I tried several times to be friendly, but everyone seemed to have his own friends to talk to and sit with. I sat down among some unfamiliar faces several times, but they didn't pay much attention to me.

I hoped somebody would ask me to join one of the committees or somehow participate and contribute, but no one did.

Finally, because of illness in the family, I missed a meeting. At the next meeting no one asked me where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much where I was the month before.

On the next meeting date, I decided to stay home to watch a good television program. When I attended the next meeting no one asked me where I had been. I guess it didn't matter very much whether I was there or not.

You might say that I'm a good guy, a good family man, and a responsible person. Do you know who else I am?

I'm the member who never came back!

Attention Membership Committee Chairperson. The above is more prevalant than you realize. Don't be guilty of such a situation if you value your organization's mission or purpose for being. This is not a fabricated story.

Thanks for visiting. - Bob facta non verba

Getting Things Out of the Way

It’s Not Easy. . .
To apologize
To begin over
To be unselfish
To take advice
To admit error
To be charitable
To keep trying
To be considerate
To forgive and forget
To recognize the silver lining
BUT IT ALWAYS PAYS!
Mother Teresa would say: "Do it anyway."

A few more things I’d like to put forth while still wishing I’d thought of them first:

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have put them on my knees,
Lead us not into temptation – we can find the way ourselves.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
It’s not hard to meet expenses – they’re everywhere.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.
When you’re finally holding all the cards – why does everyone else
decide to play something else.
If you’re living on the edge, be sure you’re wearing your seat belt.
Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat
cause kids.
Thanks for letting me get these things off my chest. - Bob

FYI FDIC & Congress Make a Good Move

It ain't often nowadays that you see our Government doing anything worthwhile for "the People."
No kidding. I have a hard time recalling any good coming from the "People's House" in recent times. But here's a good move for the people that I've been thinking about as a possible catastrophe at years' end. You may remember how the federal deposit insurance coverage was for up to $100,000 before the present financial crisis took hold of our economy. And Congress made a move to change that insurance coverage (FDIC) to $250,000 per depositor through December 2009. Why they put such a timetable on that change was always a curiosity of mine. I suppose they knew it was an error on their part for a one year stint. It was recognized by someone because May 19th Congress extended the temporary $250,000 coverage through December 31, 2013.
That means that if you (or your family) have $250,000 or less in all of your deposit accounts at the same insured bank, you don't need to worry about your insurance coverage - your deposits are fully insured through
at least 2013. And as always, you may qualify for more than the basic insurance coverage at one insured bank because the FDIC provides separate insurance coverage for deposits held in different "ownership categories" such as single accounts and joint accounts.
For more information about your FDIC insurance coverage, start at http://www.myfdicinsurance.gov/ or phone toll-free 1-877-275-3342 (which translates to 1-877-ASK-FDIC.
What does all this mean to you? It means you are fully protected if the bank fails. Be sure to look on the bank entry door and service windows for the sign that reads: FDIC Insured. If they are there, rest easy.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob "toujours en vedette"