Bless My Computer

Someone dear sent me this poem and I had to share. It is quite cute and so appropriate for those of us who rely on our computers to communicate with friends and loved ones through email, blogs, and Facebook...


Dear Lord,


Every single evening 
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer 
Keeps running through my head:


God bless all my family 
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm and safe from harm 
For they're so close to me.


And God, there is one more thing 
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking, 
Please bless my computer too.


Now I know that it's unusual 
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second 
While I explain it to you, Lord.


You see, that little metal box 
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments 
Rest so many of my friends.


I know so much about them 
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal 
Takes me in to where they live.


By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us 
And from that our friendships grew.


Please take an extra minute 
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book 
That's filled with so much love.


Wherever else this prayer may reach 
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox 
And each person who hits 'send'.


When you update your Heavenly list 
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer 
Sent up to GOD.Com... Amen


Have a blessed day,
Donna

The Man Who Does

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who think first of difficulties, and those who think first of the importance of accomplishment in spite of the difficulties.  If a thing ought to be done, the presence of difficulties in the way should spur one on to be even more so determined to conquer the obstacle and further the reason to bring the successful end to fruition.

The trait of instantly showing why a thing can't be done is keeping far too many hindered by their own thoughts than any other factor. Anyone can point out the difficulties; anyone can give numerous reasons why something can't be accomplished. It calls for will and courage to look beyond the obstacles and say, "I can!"


If you want to stay where you are in the procession of life, keep steadily staying behind and give obstacles first place in your life. However, if you want to count for something more, something more than just average, something extraordinary, let every obstacle be a fresh incentive to action. 


Kick every negative thought out of your way. I mean for you to do that with all intentional mental effort. If some obstacle comes up, kick it away. Lock it behind the biggest, heaviest door you can imagine and throw away the key. Bury the obstacle under the heaviest boulder. Imagine huge strong angels standing guard over it, never to let it surface again. Whatever you can imagine that will keep that thought at bay, do it. 


Then let it go, "Let God," knowing without doubt that it is not present to affect you. Proceed with all abandonment to accomplish what you have feared up until now to do, and never look back. The key at that point is never looking back... That's the hard part. Keep "your eye on the prize." Only look forward, and be the man/woman of faith who does!


To your success,
Donna

The Next 10 minutes...How will you spend it?

Hi, I am so glad to be back posting. I have been writing about health, and a lot of other subjects, and yet, this is what is important to me. Blogging about the wonders of the world, and how each person fits into the grand scheme of things so intricately and  perfectly.  We need to just stop for a moment and realize how magical and miraculous we are and how wonderful life is.

I have a clock pictured here. It is almost at the ten minute mark. When you think of how infentisimal a mere 10 minutes is, it is somewhat mind-boggling. And yet, every increment of 10 minutes can make such a difference in our life.

We think thoughts and say words that go our into the universe and they do determine our very existence. Ten minutes spent growling at your circumstance, a problem, or at others, means 10 minutes of your own vital force spent in making worse your condition of which you complain or are upset. Every thought spent in hatred, envy, jealousy, etc., comes back to us like a boomerang. It flies back and  hurts us-Not the other person from which the thoughts centered upon. It doesn't destroy anyone else's luck or good fortune as we perceive it. It hurts only the person from which the thought or feeling came-you.

Does that make any sense then to waste one precious minute or even a nano-second angry at another or envious of anything they have? NO! It is a waste of YOUR precious forces within and your time which is irreplaceable.  Nothing you do can get that back.

So what should we then do? Rise up at each moment, every minute, and consider the NOW a gift to be treasured, and held sacred and fill it only with gratitude and joy. Use your thoughts, words, and feelings as building blocks to build your future starting at this moment in time.

See what the next few months will bring to you if you stop for a second before you think, speak, and feel some negative reaction to something or someone. Remember, as I posted before, it's the feeling you put into your thoughts and words that makes a difference. So choose wisely. Feel joy as you think good thoughts, and let every word you say be for good. Make that your choice starting today for all your minutes to come. It may take awhile to get into the habit, however, it is so worth the effort to begin doing so for the sake of your happiness and your health. Anger and envy takes a toll on the body.

Love, joy, and peace bring vitality and well-being to body, soul, and spirit. In one of my previous posts, I wrote that "Cheerfulness is a Life-giver," so Live in joy!

Have a most blessed day,
Donna

Story of Seeds-Plant Wisely

Hope you enjoy...

A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different.

He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.”

The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have just given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim still didn’t have anything growing and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach. It was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.

When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, but a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown,”said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front.

Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim.

He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!”

Jim couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t even grow his seed?

“How could he be the new CEO?” the others said.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success .

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

Looking forward to telling you more stories, poems, and expressing positive words t of encouragement for your life.

Take care, God bless...
Donna

Wishing You a Very Happy & Prosperous 2010

Hello Friend,

It is so hard to imagine that the New Year is just a few hours from now. So much has happened this year around the world; some good & some not so good. However, whatever has happened in your personal life, no matter where you are, you are still here. Isn't that wonderful? Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success: Feel that success. A whole, clear, glorious year lies before you.

In the year to come, you can regain any health or fortune lost and find renewed peace and happiness. So let the past go. Be thankful for where you are, and look forward to 2010 with great expectation and excitement!

Here is a lovely New Year poem for you. Hope you enjoy it.

New Year

As the old year sinks down to Time's ocean,
Stand ready to launch with the new,
And waste no regrets, no emotion,
As the masts and the spars past from view.

Weep not if some treasures go under
And sink in the rotten ship's hold,
That blithe, bonny barque sailing yonder
May bring you more wealth than the old.

For the world is forever improving,
All the past is not worth one today,
And whatever deserves our true loving
Is stronger than death and decay.

Old love, was it wasted devotion?
Old friends were they weak or untrue?
Well, let them sink in mid ocean
And gaily sail on to the new.

Throw overboard toil misdirected,
Throw overboard ill-advised hope,
With aims which, your soul has detected,
Have self as their center and scope.

Throw overboard useless regretting
For deeds which you cannot undo.
And learn the great art of forgetting
Old things that embitter the new.

Sing who will of dead years departed,
I shroud them and bid them adieu,
And the song that I sing, happy hearted,
Is a song of a glorious new!

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Wishing you & Yours a healthy, happy, peaceful, & prosperous New Year!

Rev. Donna & Family

Are You Ready to Take the Jump?

How many times have you wanted to do something different, but it was scary to make a change? Do you have dreams of going back to school, changing jobs, starting a business of your own, writing a book, moving to a new city that is beautiful and exciting that you have often thought of, or even taking a trip to some far away country; however, the thought of doing something different terrifies you so you stay right where you are and keep doing the same thing that you hate and lacks joy?

People stay doing what they have always done because of their comfort zone. It feels safe. Often the what ifs keep coming up in their heads. You know the little man called What If. He's the one that says what if this happened? Or, what if that happened if I did such and such? "I might Fail" is a common thought that occurs in the mind.

The following saying that I love reminds me of the the third Indiana Jones movie where Indiana had to step out into a dark nothingness to save his father's life. Once he stepped out, however, he discovered a solid path below his feet that allowed him to get what he needed. He had the courage to believe and just did it. It is a great movie and a great scene.

Become all that you dream of becoming. Make sure that what you do on your life's journey is joy-filled. Here's the little saying for you.

The jump is so frightening,
Between where I am and where I want to be,

Because of all I may become,
I will close my eyes and leap!

Have a beautiful day, and may you have safe traveling during the holiday month,
Rev. Donna

Are You an Optimist?

Did you know that if you are an optimist looking at a situation you are right. And, if you are a pessimist observing the same situation you are right. You are just looking at the circumstances from a different perspective. However, that perspective can be either detrimental to your health or not.

"Thoughts are things". They are as real as the chair or sofa you are sitting on. That is because the thoughts that spin around in your head affect the trillions of cells in your body. All your cells individually have a consciousness which affect all your other cells. Don't quite believe me? Consider this.

Have you at one time gotten quite angry and as a result have gotten sick. Has your blood pressure gone up? Or, while you were eating, did someone say something hurtful and afterward you became sick to your stomach? Or, perhaps you had an argument with your child or spouse, and you got a terrible headache. All these physical symptoms were a direct result of the thoughts you had which affected your emotions which affected your body! It all started with your thoughts and your reaction to what was said or done to you.

You are either heading in a happy, healthy direction within or you are heading in a destructive direction within. You can't do both at the same time. We'll discuss more of this in coming posts.

But, for now try the 24 hour mental diet. Some say 30 days. But let's start out with a smaller increment of time at first. If you are a true pessimist, and don't feel bad if you are; 90% or more of the people on the planet think negative thoughts most of the time. And. it is no wonder with the radio, TV, newspaper, and other people, mostly negative, input most expose themselves to all day long.

For the next 24 hours, think on happy, joyful-filled thoughts. If you have a negative thought sneak into mind-or, neggies as I call them-turn the switch to a happy thought immediately and see how much better you feel physically. If you only start out with 4 to 6 hours, that will be a beginning. Do it tomorrow to begin with. No matter what is happening around you, turn your happy thoughts on for a specific time. FEEL happy. If you have to, put some joyous music on and dance around your house. Sing and laugh out loud. Bring out the child within again. It is the feeling that is the key that WILL turn your life around.

Till next time...

Live life in abundance!
Rev. Donna

Live in Joy!

Hope you are having a blessed day. I am going to get back to the basic thought of this blog; and that is Living in JOY.

When things have got you down, do you know what you have to do? Just be glad. Sounds strange? No, it's the only thing you can do. Put a smile on your face and a song in your heart, and just be glad. If you live in joy, live in the now, and live in the excitement of knowing you are right where you should be, you'll begin to totally trust God knowing that no matter what, you're in His hands.

You're always in His hands. Don't try to fix things. Just live in a joy-filled state and have peace knowing that "all is well." You are loved; you are God's child; you are eternal. So, live in JOY!!!

Live life abundantly,
Donna

How Are We Like Horton the Elephant? Read On...

Our health is so important to our well-being. But, did you know that our emotions and feelings are connected to our health? Every cell communicates with one another. I liken it to the Dr. Seuss story, Horton Hears a Who.

Horton the elephant took responsibility to save this "world" that existed on the fluff of a weed. That is how we are in a way. We have our thoughts. They are powerful. More powerful than we often realize. And, our thoughts are responsible for the welfare of the trillions of cells within us.

There are outside influences, of course, such as the chemicals in the environment and the foods we eat that can influence our health. We have to be wise and avoid harmful, non-nutritive foods and substances for our body's sake. However, we can contribute health and wellness or we can contribute sickness to our own bodies by what we think and feel, too. Our emotions play a vital part in our own well-being.

Take responsibility for the world within you. Choose to have happy thoughts, and thus happier cells. Dwell on thoughts of peace and prosperity. Guard your thoughts so as not to slip back in the past, or harbor regret. Enjoy every moment of every day and embrace life. You'll see better health if you enter each day with a cheerful heart.

In love & joy,
Donna

Being A Grandmother is Delicious!

My husband and I had a lovely evening out with my son and his beautiful girlfriend last night having sorbettos and gellatos. Oh, are they good! We had never had one until a few weeks ago. If you haven't tried them, by all means do so soon.

I was asked what it was like being a grandmother. I though a bit for the perfect one word to describe it and then I said, "Delicious."

It was a description I heard in the movie Nanny McPhee. The father described his children as being delicious. What a wonderful word to use. Each child is unique, and a miracle of divine creation. So, they are indeed, "Delicious." Watch the movie if you can. It is a lovely story.

Have a beautiful day,
Donna

God Says to Take Care of the Earth

Hi, It has been some time since I posted. I have been blogging on some of the other social networks writing about the environment and this beautiful planet we all call home; the only home we have. I usually only write about spiritual aspects of life here at Live in Joy; my original love and my first blog from 2006.

One of my passions is studying what the original Hebrew and Greek words in scripture actually meant. One of these is "take care" at Genesis --- It is not to be taken lightly. It means to care to the extent of cherishing as a mother for her child. It means to tenderly watch over, not letting any harm come to it whatsoever, and so much more.

Are we really "taking care" of the earth as is commanded of us in Genesis. Take a quick peak at http://www.yourlifeandhome.wordpress.com/ and read about some of the things people are doing to this home of ours, and the legacy we will leave to our children if we don't change our daily habits.

We all desire joy in the lives of our children and in the lives of the many generations to come. So to fulfill that wish, let's be wise, and careful to live without unecessary waste and pollution such as plastic bottles. Those plastic bottles are mounting up to the tune of billions and billions every year. And, that plastic pollution will not go away for 1,000 years! Incredible and somewhat scary, isn't it? So much is being dumped into the oceans affecting life.

I'm optimistic enough, however, to believe that we can make a difference individually and collectively. It's not too late. Let's help each child growing up to live in joy and prosperity and to realize their dreams in a beautiful, well cared for world just as we have been blessed to enjoy.

Blessings to all,
Donna

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Spring is almost here. The clocks have changed and the birds are singing. Is this a good time to start your own life anew? It indeed is! Change how you speak if nothing else.

We all say things that sabotage our lives. We say words that seem so innocent, and yet have such an impact on our personal world and those around us. We all live in our own world that we create with our WORDS: Powerful, life-changing words that can be good or very bad.

Remember the fairy tale, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? What are your thieves that take things away from you everyday. Is it words that express worry or fear? Do you accentuate your aches and pains? Do you criticize your spouse or children and make jest of them or situations-all in fun? Every time we say something, put "as you wish" after it. If you do that, you may discover that many words you say everyday may be stealing happiness from you. Choose wisely what words you use.

Have a great day,
Donna

Attainment of Joy is Possible

Here's a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. She was very famous in the late 1800's, early 1900's for her poetry. Heads of state would carry with them her little books of wisdom. She couldn't have said it better about how we do have the power to attain the joy we so desire. Enjoy these words of this great poet.

Attainment

Use all your hidden forces,

Do not miss the purpose of this life, and do not wait

For circumstances to mould or change your fate;

In your own self lies Destiny,

Let this vast truth cast out all fear, all prejudice,

All hesitation, and

Know that you are great.

So dominate environment, and enter into bliss.

Love largely, and hate nothing.

Hold no aim that does not chord with universal good.

Hear what the voices of silence say--

All joys are yours if you put forth your claim.

Once let the spiritual laws be understood,

Material things must answer and obey.

Get that "joy, joy, joy, joy down into your heart." Think beautiful thoughts every day. Feel them. Keep close watch over what you think and speak as if it means your life, because it DOES. Joy and happiness are yours if you do this.

God bless you,

Donna

Cheerfulness As A Life Giver!

Greetings to you. I love the topic of cheerfulness. People tell me that it's hard to be always cheerful in the world we live in today. There are so many that express depression, worry, and sadness that keeps them from feeling joy. However, cheerfulness is Life-Power. So what can we do to find cheerfulness? It's hiding within you.

Try this: Sit quietly in your favorite spot. Breathe deeply and think very happy thoughts. Think upon a very happy memory, or a vision of what would make you happy. Make it as real as if you have already done it. Feel it! Bring those feelings deep within you-into your gut. This is so important because cheerfulness brings health and well-being to your very soul. It's vital for a healthy life.

Do this several times a day. Laugh out loud, too. Make your own world of cheerfulness. I promise you: If you do this every day for a week, you will begin to feel better. You'll feel more peace within yourself. You'll start loving yourself and the world around you more.

If everyone knew the power of cheerfulness as a health tonic, and the power of laughter as a life-prolonger, the sadness which now clouds the minds of so many would disappear, and I suspect that doctors would find fewer patients in their waiting rooms. Our emotions affect us just as much as the foods we eat and the outside elements do.

Try this little experiment. Let me know how you're doing. You are an awesome creation and deserve a life filled with joy. God bless you.

In joy,
Donna

"Laughter heals the heart."

You and Today

It's already two weeks into the New Year. Are you beginning this new year in a state of joy? If you are having difficulty releasing from the past, and are carrying within you thoughts of regrets or sadness from last year, I have a little poem for you.

You and Today

With every rising of the sun
Think of your life as just begun.

The past has shriveled and buried deep,
All yesterdays--there let them sleep.

Nor seek to summon back one ghost
Of that innumerable host.

Concern yourself with but today;
Woo it and teach to obey.

Your wish and will, since time began,
Today has been the friend of man.

But in his blindness and his sorrow,
Man looks to yesterday and tomorrow.

You and today! a soul sublime
And the great pregnant hour of time.

With God between to bind the train,
Go forth, I say--attain--attain.

Make this year your beginning to Live in Joy!

Blessings,

Donna

Look At the Season Through the Eyes of a Child

Do you have little children around you? If you want to really see what the spirit of the season reveals, look through the eyes of a child.

Adults often live alone or in a retirement village somewhere. Retirees have their friends to celebrate the holidays with; however, things are often missed, moments of wonder, unless you have a child in your midst.

If you won't be spending the holidays with children in your own family, visit an orphanage, a boy's club, or a homeless shelter. Bring some presents and a snack. Reveal to someone this season the love of Christ through you. People ask for miracles: Be the miracle and watch the eyes of a small child light up. Your life will light up too, and you'll feel your youth all over again.

Who knows; maybe that little act of kindness will become a friendship that will last all year long bringing moments of joy to both your lives.

God bless you,
Donna

Holidays Are Just About Here-Are You Stressed Out?

It's a very busy time-so much to do. I hope that you're not losing out on the joy of life over the stresses of meeting deadlines and "shopping till you drop."

Hi, I've been on a bit of a hiatus since my last post. I got on the proverbial merry-go-round myself and had to stop. Life can get one in a tail spin if you don't watch out.

Are you a perfectionist? I admit that I am. I have to remind myself of what's actually important in life this time of year. If the last decoration doesn't get up, or the Christmas dinner isn't absolutely perfect, or, heaven forbid, Aunt Susie didn't get her gift in time even though you mailed it two weeks ago, learn to stop and relax.

Stop and enjoy a cup of tea with your Santa or Mrs. Claus. Make some cookies with your children-you, too, Dad, even though they'll make a mess and persnickety Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary may stop over.

This is family time. Just be grateful! That's what this whole season is all about; being thankful, grateful for all that we are, all that we have, and for being alive.

Until next time...Love to all.

God bless,
Donna

Keep Moving Forward

Something has gone awry. What ever it was, it shouldn't have happened, you tell yourself. But it did.

The "It" can stop you in your tracks and you can become paralyzed with the moment. Sometimes the "It" paralyzes you for years.

Suggestion: Look whatever "it" is straight on; whether it be a circumstance, a person, a tragedy. If "it" has stolen days, months, or years, confront "it" at the moment it happened; at the age you were at the time. Take that person you were and mentally hold yourself, love yourself, and forgive yourself and whoever or whatever else was involved at the time.

Release so that you can keep moving forward. If you stay in unforgiveness or regret and remorse, it is death to your soul. To have the freedom to feel joy again is to have life. Have life again. Move forward.

Forgive yourself and others. Love yourself, and "Keep Moving Forward."

Love to you,
Donna

The Path with a Heart

Are you following a path with a heart? What is that, you ask? It's the course of life that fulfills you. It's following your passion, or, as one might say, your God-given path.

Thirty-seven years ago my husband and I found a framed saying in an old barn sale. It was the "The Path With A Heart." We have had it hanging in our homes ever since. I would like to share a few lines with you:

"I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question. This question is one a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was young, and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: Does this path have a heart?"

I was going over one of my latest blogs, "I Asked God", and I spoke of always knowing that you are in the Potter's hands. I stopped to reflect on that a bit and felt I should add something to that statement for a moment here.

Sometimes we can get off track. We all know the feeling of being in the right place. Yet, because of circumstances, anxiousness, fear, worry, or being enticed like the character Pinocchio, we can veer off-track of our destiny. We have to get into the habit of stopping once in awhile and asking ourselves if what we are doing is involving our life's passion. Each one of us has unique gifts that are given to us. If we do our work using them, life just seems to flow naturally. If, however, we continue to do things contrary to our gifts or neglect to involve those gifts in our work, we find an emptiness within and life is burdensome.

Are you staying in the Potter's hands? If not, you have to make the move to get back in His hands. Trust Him, and have patience. Have the patience to wait for Him to open the doors for the next step in life's journey that He has already prepared for you; steps that are filled with joyful expectation of what will come next; and steps full of inward peace: "The Path With A Heart."


In love & joy,

Donna

"For me there is only the traveling on paths that have a heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And, there I travel looking, looking, breathlessly. ---The last lines of "The Path With A Heart." May you have a wondrous journey following your Path With A Heart. God bless