Secret of Happiness

One of the secrets of happiness known through out the years is to set abot the task of making every person we come in contact with better for knowing us--more cheerful, more courageous, and with greater faith in the knidness of God and man. In that moment, we begin to attain personal happiness for making the world around us a better place.

"He who goes forth bent upon always being kind, always helpful in the little daily events of life, will find skies tinted with gold, all his nights set with stars, unexpected flowers of pleasure springing forth up in his pathways, and all his tears shall turn into smiles."

As Byron once said,
"To have joy, one must share it,
Happiness is a twin."

Share your joy with others, and happiness will follow you,
Donna

Just Go Day by Day

Wow, it's a beautiful spring day. Weather is getting rather warm already.

Here's a little poem to encourage you to just live one day at a time:

I heard a still, small voice at evening softly say,
"Bear not thy yesterday into tomorrow,
Nor load this week with last week's load of sorrow.
Lift all thy burdens as they come, nor try
To weigh the present with the by and by.
One step and then another, take thy way;
Live day by day.

Live day by day.
Though autumn leaves are withering round thy way
Walk in the sunshine. It is all for thee.
Push straight ahead, as long as thou canst see;
Dread not the winter wither thou mayest go,
But when it comes, be thankful for the snow.
Onward and upward. Look and smile and pray;
Live day by day."

Take one day at a time. Live it joyfully. Make no room for worry or tears; just leave everything in God's care. There's that old saying, "Don't play catch with God."

Once you give Him your cares and concerns, LEAVE THEM THERE and have peace. Now, if you've done that, go have a happy day and rejoice!

In love,
Donna

The Spring Cleaning

Most of us are opening up our windows and letting the fresh air come in while doing our spring cleaning. Well, here's a poem for a little different kind of spring cleaning that is just as necessary, if not more so, for our life that I hope you'll enjoy:

Now open up the windows of the heart,
And let the sunshine penetrate the gloom;
Clear out the fears and doubts that grimly start
Like ghosts within the mind's dim haunted room.

Brush out the cobwebs that your malice worught,
And sweep away the grudges that you bear;
Replace each petty and ungracious thought
With one that is forgiving, true, and fair.

And when the task is finished, you will find
That happiness is destined to remain
Within the sunlit room of heart and mind,
And know your work has not been done in vain.

Have a beautiful day,
Donna

Open the Door

Open the door, let in the air,
The winds are sweet and the flowers fair;
Joy is abroad in the world today,
If our door is wide, it may come our way--
Open the door!

Open the door, let in the sun;

God hath a smile for every one;

He hath made the raindrops gold and gems,

He may change our tears to diadems---

Open the door!

Open the door of the soul; let in

Strong, pure thoughts which will banish sin;

They will grow and bloom with grace divine,

And their fruit shall be sweeter than that of the vine---

Open the door!

Open the door of the heart; let in

Empathy sweet for stranger and kin;

It will make the halls of the heart so fair

That angels may enter unaware---

Open the door!

God bless you,

Donna

Smile

A little saying for you:


If you think you've missed the mark,
Use a Smile;
If your life seems in the dark
Why, just Smile.
Don't give up in any fight;
There's a coming day that's bright,
There's a dawn beyond the night,
If you Smile.

Make it a happy day,

Donna

Words by Longfellow

"Let nothing disturb thee;
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing;
God never changeth.

Trust God. His love never fails.

Have a lovely day,
Donna

Climb the Mountains

John Muir once said, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you like sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

We have to climb the mountains, raise our faith level, to see clearly all the majesty that God has for us. If we stay in the lowlands, all we can see are the cares that surround us.

So rise above those cares, throw your burdens on Christ and leave them there as He tells us to do, and climb the mountains to receive good tidings and the peace of God.

Have a beauitful Sunday,
Donna

Love is the Savour of Life

Tell me how much one loves, and I will tell you how much he has seen God. Tell me how much he loves, and I will tell you how much he lives with God in his heart. Tell me how much he loves, and will tell you how far into the Kingdom of Heaven,-the kingdom of harmony-he has entered, for "Love is the fulfilling of the law."

Love inspires love; hatred inspires hatred. Love and good will stimulate and build up the body; hatred and malice corrodes health and tears it down. Love is the savour of life:

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.

"Give love, and love to your heart will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed."

In love and joy for this most beautiful day,
Donna

Give Him A Lift

Here is a very poignant poem about helping our fellow man.

Give him a lift! Don't kneel in prayer,
Nor moralize with his despair.
The man is down, and his need is great
Is ready help---not prayer and creed.

One grain of aid just now is more
To him than tomes of saintly lore;
Pray if you must, in your full heart,
But give him a lift--give him a start.

The world is full of good advice,
Of prayer and praise, and preaching nice;
But the generous souls who aid mankind
Are scarce as gold and hard to find.

Give like a Christian---speak in deeds.
A noble life's the best of creeds;
And he shall wear a royal crown
Who gives 'em a lift when they are down.
Amen

When someone's in need, no matter race or creed, help them. Blessings will come from above.

Love to you,
Donna

Taking Time Off-Conclusion

Whether you take time off every day to do something that you love, or you take that once a year vacation, do so with joy in your heart. Leave your cares behind! Don't worry about the house that didn't get cleaned or the extra paperwork you meant to do at the office. Put your mind as well as your body at rest and just enjoy the moment.

Busy moms absolutely need time off once in awhile. The doctor or lawyer needs to take a break. The store clerk and student needs time to recreate. No matter what your vocation or lifestyle, inorder to have joy in living, make the time to have fun. Make time to relax. It is good for your spirit and your health.

To your good health and well-being,
Donna

Take Time off-Cont'd

The idea of taking time off is sometimes very hard for people to do. Men and women get tied up in their business and it makes it difficult to make time to get away. Parents are involved with their children and home.

Experts are agreeing, though, that to take time off is so vital for your health as well as your mental well-being. It gets one out of the ruts of life and brings new freshness to the soul.

The key, however, is to really take time off which means to get away from noise, cell phones, computers, news on TV and radio, and newspapers. Get the quiet time that you need and that your spouse and/or family needs to totally relax. Getting away with your spouse without any outside interference of any kind can really rejuvenate a relationship and bring the joy back into your marriage.

More tomorrow...

Donna

To Live in Joy-Take Time Off

When our complex lives get us running into grooves of constant daily activity, we are prone to miss the bigger things of life. We are apt to forget to look up into the sky and watch the stars at night or even notice that there is a sky-to watch the birds or the clouds, or even notice the beauty of the leaves budding as they are doing now.

Stop to truly listen to the birds. Their singing in the morning is delightful and cheery this time of year. Go out in your back yard or on your balcony and watch the trees swaying in the March winds. Pause for a few moments and notice everything around you. One can not live without his soul taking pause, or as Whitman put it, "Where one can loaf and invite his soul."

We need changes from our duties and cares of everyday life. They are necessary for our health and vibrant living.

More tomorrow...

Look up at the beauty of the stars tonight,
Donna

Two Sayings for You

Just two little sayings for today:

"Remember that there is one thing better than making a living---making a life."

"Come over to the sunny side of life. There is room for all and it's a matter of choice." --Barnetta brown

Have a sunny day,
Donna

Just Be Tender

Just to be tender, just to be true,

Just to be glad the whole day through,

Just to be merciful, just to be mild,

Just to be trustful with faith like a child,

Just to be gentle and kind and sweet,

Just to be helpful with willing feet,

Just to be cheery when things go wrong,

Just to drive sadness away with a song,

Whether the hour is dark, or bright,

Just to be loyal to God and right,

Just to believe that God knows best,

Just in His promises ever to rest--

Just to let love sound its sweetest key,

That is God's will for you and for me.

May you have a beautiful Sunday,

Donna

Today Is Your Day

"Now" is a wonderful word. It is the moment we have. Living in the NOW gives us power since our concentration is in the moment; it is only on today. We are not regretting the past, or worrying about what is to come in the future, which, all too often, we find never comes anyway.

Today is your day-Live it,
Donna

Words of wisdom:

"Today is your day and mine, the only day we have, the day in which we play a part. What our part may signify in the great whole, we may not understand, but we are here to play it, and now is our time. This we know, it is not cynicism. It is for us to express love in terms of helpfulness. This we know, for we have learned from sad experience that any other source of life leads towards decay and waste." ---David Starr Jordan

So live life always in the now, in the today, and joy will be yours."

Creed Worth Believing

On a the back of an old church program were printed these words:

"I will not worry.
I will not be afraid.
I will not give way to anger.
I will be kind to every man, woman, and child with whom I come in contact.
I will be cheerful and hopeful.
I will trust God and bravely face the future."

These are such simple rules to live by.

Have a great week-end.

In love and joy,
Donna

Don't Scatter Feathers

In tune with yesterday's post, there's a little story in regard to gossip.

There was a pastor who was having trouble in his little church with some of the ladies gossiping among themselves. He finally got up in the pulpit one day and related the story of a young man in a little town many years ago who took a some down filled pillows to the center of Main Street, opened them up, and scattered the feathers in the wind. They flew in every direction. A policeman came up to him and said quite sternly, "Pick up this mess, every last little feather!"

The young man replied, "I can't, they're all over. It would be impossible to pick them all up."

The pastor turned to the congregation with all seriousness in his eyes, and said, "That's the way it is with gossip. It's like taking that pillow of feathers and tossing those feathers into the wind through town. Once something is said, it just gets blown all over, in every household, and there's no taking it back."

Love one another, just as God loves you.

Only Listen to Good-Not Gossip

There was a writer, Ada Sweet, who had many words of wisdom that it would be wise for all of us to consider. I am going to post one of them for you here today:

"Avoid the personal view, the small view, the critical and fault finding view. Run away from gossip as from a pestilence, and keep in your soul great ideals and ideals to solace solitude. They will drive out petty worries, conceits and thoughts of carking care."

Do run from gossip. You know the old saying: If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck; it's a duck? Well, if it sounds like gossip, looks like gossip, and feels like gossip; it's gossip, and just walk away from it. Only listen to and share good things about one another. With that, you can't go wrong.

Live in happy thoughts,
Donna

Kindness to a Friend

A few days ago I posted that "no man can live to himself alone. There is a poem that ilustrates how kindness should be done as soon as one thinks about it. It was Charles Kingsley who said it so well:

"Friends, in this world of hurry
And work and sudden end,
If a thought comes quick of doing
A kindness to a friend,
Do it that very instant!
Don't put it off-don't wait!
What's the use of doing a kindness
If you do it a day too late!"

As We Sow We Reap

A prolific writer once said:

"The law is universal, absolute. Every effect has a cause. As we sow, we reap.
Here are the simple facts of life. No striving, no effort of will or thought can escape them. We forget the law of sowing and reaping applies not merely to putting the hand to the grindstone, earning, and sowing from it, but, also, to the thoughts, or the spirit we send out into the world."

Tithing from our harvest or earnings is one way to sow seed. In other words, giving financially to where you are being spiritually fed. However, you, also, sow with your words, deeds, and thoughts as you go through life. The way you sow, will return to you.

Sow with love,
Donna

Just a Little Thought

Having a lovely Sunday? Just a little thought for your day:

"We are made to radiate the perfume of good cheer and happiness as much as a rose was made to radiate its sweetness to every passerby."

God bless you,
Donna

"Hello Dolly"

There's nothing like a musical. We rented Hello Dolly last night and enjoyed every moment of it. Barbara Streisand was amazing in it.

When you need a boost of joy in your life, I suggest to rent a musical. Rent a musical that you enjoyed in your younger years. Really get into the happiness of the music and the story. Sing a-long with the actors, and have a good time. Make some pop corn, kick back, watch something happy and upbuilding, and relax. It's good for your soul.

Have a great evening,
Donna

"Relaxin' and havin' fun just puts a whole new light on everything."
Donna Kudabeck

Are You A Baby Boomer?

If you are, you're like my husband and I who are Baby Boomers: The group of adults born shortly after WWII who watched shows on those little, itty-bitty TV's which had one or two stations and the indian when there wasn't a show to view. That was a few years ago, and times have changed. We've come a long way, and we're "still here" as the song goes.

Many of the people we've met of our age look at themselves and wish they were younger again-wish they felt younger again. Do you ever long for the good ol' days and wish for the past days of youth? If so, there is a secret. If you wish to remain young, carry the joyousness and buoyancy of all those former years with you into the coming years: Be young at heart and in mind.

My husband has an analogy that I like. He says, "I hear many say,'I'm reaching on in years. The Bible says that man's life will be 3 score and 10 years,' and they just accept that that should be their lifetime as if it were written in stone. I just got tired of hearing that phrase and went back to when God was talking in Genesis, when he said that our years would be 120. I accept that. It means we're just middle age. We've got a lot of living to do!"

He has a very optimistic outlook, and I love that. That's having a thought world like Ruskin describes when he wrote, "Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts. None of us yet know, for none of us have been taught in early youth, what fairy palaces we may build of beautiful thought--proof against all adversity."

If you would have your body be strong, be in good health, and beautiful as in your younger years, think young. Think happy. Think love, and you will internalize those thoughts in your body. In the degree you keep young in thought, will you remain young in body. In turn your body will aid your mind, for the body helps the mind the same as the mind helps the body.

In addition, never ever stop learning new things, going to new places, and meeting new friends. Never stop playing or having fun, and laughing out loud. And, never give up on your dreams. All these things gets one out of the ruts of life, and makes everyday a new adventure-one to look forward to. Keep building your "fairy palaces of beautiful thought" no matter what your age.

Live life to the fullest everyday,
Donna

Stop to Listen

There is a great need for silence in our life. We get so much noise by way of people, TV, and radio or CD's in the car and at home from morning till night, that it's often hard to get silence: The silence that allows us to hear-to hear from God. The following is a story that I relate to people to illustrate a lesson I've learned:

There was a man long ago who would go into the woods once a day and sit on a log with his notebook. His young son wondered why his father would go off alone and write down things that he quietly kept to himself. As his son became a young man, he asked his father about his habit of going off alone everyday. His father explained why he did that. He told him, "When I go to the woods by myself, that's my time to listen to God. I carefully write down, in proper sequence, my thoughts during that time of contemplation. Those times have given me great direction to my life. It has, also, always given me a great sense of peace when I review my notations at the end of the year. My record of my "Moments of Silence" is a confirmation and reminder to me of all the prayers that have been answered. I hope that you will learn to do the same throughout your life. It is a great gift that you can give to yourself."

I have come to learn over the years that there have been many well-known men of the past who were successful in business who sacredly kept times of silence. They would keep a notebook with them at all times to record their thoughts.

Take the time to listen to the voice within; the revelations of the soul. Write down your thoughts and senses during that time. By keeping such a record, you will find your direction and have a sense of peace knowing that God does speak if you regularly take a time to "Stop to Listen."

God be with you,
Donna

No Man Lives to Himself

One of the great laws of life is giving. Service for others is essential to our real happiness and to our highest welfare. No man can live to himself alone. We all call this planet home and our lives are all intricately woven together in one way or another. Share yourself and give love to all.

A fine writer, Edwin Markham, once said:

There is destiny that makes us brothers,
None goes his way alone;
All that we send into the livew of others,
Comes back into our own.

I love that little saying because it says so much.

Take care, and God bless,
Donna

Unconditional Love

It was President Lincoln who gave us a wonderful summary of life when he said,"After all, the one meaning of life is to be kind."

That's really very simple. Love, fellowship, empathy are all things that are the very foundation of a civilized, happy, ideal life and what makes us truly human. It is the very balance wheel of life itself. It gives us genuineness and simplicity in voice, in look, and in spirit that is so instinctively felt by us all, and to which every person universally responds. It is like the fragrance of a flower--the emanation of the soul.

If everyone displayed those characteristics, it would certainly solve a lot of the complex problems in all lines of human relations and endeavors where solutions seem nearly impossible, and it would bring order and sweetness to vast number of instances. They are the healing oil, so-to-speak, that can make everything run smoothly and effectively if taken to heart whether it be in family, business, community, or other relationships.

There is an interesting quote by Christine Rossetti which was: "One whom I knew intimately, and whose memory I revere, once in my hearing remarked that, 'unless we love people, we cannot understand them.' This was a new light to me." What a profound truth.

When we truly love others, we will be open to understand them and accept them as they are. That is true unconditional love, agape' love, of which Jesus spoke.

In love and joy,
Donna

"Humor is A Good Buffer"

On Sept. 9th of 1909, U.S. President Taft sent a greeting to the American Humorists' Association in Buffalo, New York. It went as follows:

"Please convey to the American Press Humorists in the convention in Buffalo my warmest regards. Tell them for me that they can be engaged in no better vocation than making people laugh. Humor is like the buffer between two heavy railroad cars. It relieves the jolts of life. It is a shock absorber. It makes the journey through the years easier, and brightens the pathway all along the route. We Americans could not get along without humor."

Let laughter and joy fill your life always,
Donna

Thought for a Sunday

"God has not given us vast learning to solve all the problems, or unfailing wisdom to direct all the wanderings of our brother's lives. What He does give us, to every one of us, is the power to be spiritual, and by our spirituality to lift and enlarge the lives we touch."
Philip Brooks

Opportunities? Grasp Them

Have we all learned the lesson of grasping opportunities the moment they appear? If your opportunities seem to get away or be elusive, there is a little story that I want to share with you.

A lady was seated under a large oak tree in the autumn of a year long ago while reading her favorite book. Suddenly the wind brought the most beautifully tinted leaf and laid it by her side. She looked down and marveled at its intricate color pattern with its glorious oranges, reds, and yellows swirling together. She thought to herself, "What a lovely leaf! I mustn't forget to pick it up after I finish this chapter! I have to press it in my book and save it." But when she finished that chapter and looked for the leaf---it was gone.

If the wind could have spoken, I probably would have said, "Madam, I brought you that leaf and placed it where you could secure it by merely reaching out your hand to take it. But you chose to leave it until a more convenient time; therefore, I have sent it away, where though you search forever, you will never find it again; and even if, after many days' searching you could find it, it would not be the same, the beautiful tints would be gone."

Compare the story of the leaf with your opportunities. Be aware of the those that come your way when they appear, and take a hold of them when in your grasp.

Have a beautiful Saturday. Do something fun. Enjoy yourself-enjoy LIFE!

Donna

Abounding Health

If we continually see ourselves as frail, weak, or infirm, our subconscious mind takes hold of that thought, seizes upon the pattern that is sent, and builds cell structure accordingly. That is one reason why one, who is chronically thinking and talking of their ailments and symptoms or who is complaining and fearing, is never truly well. It is when we live half-hearted by worrying or fearing, vacillating between faith and fear, which always will bring unsatisfactory results in life and your health.

That is why it is so important to to believe, and picture yourself in your mind continually as well, strong, healthy, and active to furnish a pattern for the mind to follow. Give a positive suggestion to the subconscious so that it will begin to build cell tissue having the "stamp," if you will, of the force of healthy, vital, active life, which in turns means abounding health and strength for you. Whatever is pictured in the mind and lived in, the Life Force will produce.

It may take time. However, there is so much benefit to living in JOY, love, happiness, and faith-assured, un-vacillating faith. Live it. Feel it. Make it a part of your very being. Your cells will love you for it.

Stay happy, & God bless you,
Donna

Health Through Love

In a sense love is everything. It is the key to life, to our happiness, and to our health: Yes, our health. We must be diligent in eating right, and by getting enough exercise, fresh air, sunshine, and good water. However, in addition, we must think and feel love thoughts-happy thoughts, if we are to stay healthy.

A prophet of old proclaimed a wonderful chemistry of life: "A merry heart doeth good like medicine." And the beauty of it is that it does good not only for yourself, but your partner, neighbors, and your friends.

I well know that this works. I was home-bound and frequently totally bedridden for weeks on end over a period of 11 years from an injury. With the prospect of being in a wheel chair, I took this scripture very seriously. In my thoughts and conversation, I had to begin to speak ONLY love/happy thoughts and very often that wasn't the easiest thing to do. Do you remember what I said of Helen Keller in a former post? She said she had to "jealously guard her thoughts." I had to do the same.

To dwell on the negative side of things is always destructive. This is true of the body the same as it is true of everything else. I literally began to send love thoughts with strong feeling out to every cell of my body while visualizing wholeness in every area, and I continue to do that. As a result, my state of health began to improve, and keeps on improving. Thinking and feeling happy thoughts, also, helped to maintain a good relationship with my family and spouse during some very difficult years.

It hasn't happened overnight. However, I have learned that through faith, patience and perseverance in guarding my thoughts, there is no condition , no experience that rightly viewed and rightly turned and used will not bring us stores of good through love.

Are you in a state of poor health? You can do the same. More on this tomorrow...

Have a beautiful, joyful, hope-filled day,
Donna