A HUSBAND OF NOBLE CHARACTER

A husband of noble character, who can find such a person? He is worth far more than a big bank balance.

His wife has full confidence in him, she can trust him anywhere and with anyone.

He has been a safe haven for her all of her life, he never deliberately hurts her.

He has carefully selected a career and works hard so that his family are never in need.

He gets up before dawn and makes his family coffee, he makes sure that he and his family know what they must do each day.

He invests carefully.

He is not afraid of hard work and does not shirk the ‘stinky’ tasks.

He is responsible in all he does; at work and at home-even if it means a few late nights.

He is good at what he does and is not afraid to tackle difficult tasks.

And added to this, he has a heart for the poor, the oppressed, and any person young or old that is suffering.

When there are storms, or flood, fires or drought he has no fear for his household because he has planned ahead for their protection.

His wife is not ashamed of him in the city where they live, and she is a respected woman.

He watches over his family and is not a couch potato.

His children love and respect him, his sons want to be like him.

His wife has realized that charm is deceptive, and handsomeness is skin-deep, but a man who honours God is to be praised.

(husband version adapted from the ‘’wife’’ version in Proverbs 31:10-31 by Marge Stahakis)    

KINDNESS

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school found he had only one penny left, and he was hungry. He decided to ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked her for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” ‘’You don’t owe me anything” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for kindness.”  He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Howard Kelly left that house he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and people was stronger also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that same woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized  her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do the best to save her life. From that day he gave her special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr Kelly asked the hospital to pass  the patient’s bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words: “Paid in full with one glass of milk.”  (signed) Dr Howard Kelly.

“I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”       William Penn

(From the book  “ Bucket of Surprises’’ Compiled by J.John & Mark Stibbe) 

TRANSFORMING TRAGEDIES

Joni Eareckson Tada lived a very active life all through her growing-up years, enjoying riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming.

However, in 1967 Joni dived into Chesapeake Bay not realising how shallow it was. Tragically she was paralysed from her shoulders down. She was only 17 years old…

During her two years of rehabilitation, according to her autobiography Joni, she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. However, during occupational therapy, she learned to paint with a brush between her teeth and began selling her artwork. She also writes this way, although for most writing tasks she relies on voice recognition software. To date, she has written over forty books, recorded several musical albums, and starred in an autobiographical movie of her life, and is an advocate for people with disabilities.

Joni wrote of her experiences in her 1976 international best-selling autobiography, Joni: The unforgettable story of a young woman's struggle against quadriplegia & depression, which has been distributed in many languages. The book was made into a 1980 feature film of the same name, starring herself. Her second book, A Step Further, was released in 1978.

Joni was able to transform a life event that was devastating….

1. A friend of mine transformed the tragedy of loosing her husband in a home invasion by starting a swim-school for underprivileged children.

2. The MOTH (Men of the Tin Hats) movement in South Africa was started by returning soldiers from WWII. It served as a social event that included the spouses of the soldiers and became a therapeutic process as they shared their stories with each other.

3. WALT DISNEY wanted to create a new type of light entertainment however, he experienced some crushing failures and early on in his career and soon found himself virtually homeless, sleeping in his office (where he befriended a tame mouse) and taking showers at the train station. Just a year after opening his doors, he was forced to declare bankruptcy.
   However, he did not let the setback knock him down. He spent his last dollars on a bus ticket, headed out to Hollywood and started the company that bears his name. The little mouse that he befriended became the inspiration for the cartoon  character Mickey Mouse..

We dare not allow tragedy to discolour our lives, however, it requires courage, the wisdom to recognise our ‘normal’ pain/grieving reaction, and to remember the words of Jesus that I hold onto often… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome this world.” (John 16:33)

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COURAGE

The general understanding of courage is bravery in the face of an enemy/threat etc. But there are many other forms of bravery; here are some examples……

1. A serious life-threatening diagnosis.. this requires courage to digest and accept. Initial shock and disbelief, panic, questioning, apprehension, fear of the treatment and side-effects.

2. The wisdom to navigate your parental role in dealing with your teenagers’ serious misdemeanour.

3. The death of a loved one- we all will face this sometime in our lives. Our loss could be a parent, spouse, child, friend…

4. The courage when a serious decision must be made. The level of impact of your decision whether personally, affecting your partner, your family, friends, community. etc. The higher your position in life, the wider the impact of your decisions, for example, the impact of recent decisions made by presidents, governors, etc.

So, instead of taking the Ostrich approach of sticking our head in the sand, we need to have a ‘battle-plan’ to enable us to face the torpedo’s that can, and often will, come our way.

SOME SUGGESTIONS:-

• Avoid a ‘panic/knee-jerk reaction. Take a deep breath, assess the situation. Separate fact from supposition.

• Avoid jumping to conclusion and hastily leaping into action. Give yourself time to absorb the shock and to assess the facts rationally

• Ask questions, listen carefully, separate fact from supposition.

• Consider who could empathically and wisely support you. You do not have to ‘go it alone’.

• Afterwards, take time to debrief, consider the results then let it go.

THE PRAYER WE DARE TO PRAY

Growing deep inside of us is the hunger for authentic life; and a distaste for sham and phoniness. There is a deep admiration for the person who is aware and sensitive to other’s feelings which gives life a dimension of meaning.

The apprehensions that life at its core does not make sense, does not add up, prevents  us from fully functioning as human beings. Deeper than our own anxiety over guilt or death is our anxiety over emptiness and meaningless.

Jesus is the personification of authentic life. In our Lord’s Prayer, He gives us the feelings and attitudes we need to cultivate.

I cannot say … “Our” – if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.

I cannot say … “Father” –if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say … “Who art in Heaven” – if all my interests and pursuits are earthly things.

I cannot say … “Hallowed be Thy Name” – if I am called  by His name, am not holy.

I cannot say … “Thy kingdom come”  - if I am unwilling to give my sovereignty and accept the reign of God.

I cannot say … “Thy will be done” – if I am unwilling or resentful of having Him in my life.

I cannot say … “on earth as it is in Heaven” – unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.

I cannot say …  “Give us this day our daily bread” -  without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the needs of my fellow-men.

I cannot say …  “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”  -  If I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say …  “Lead us not into temptation” – if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say …  “Deliver us from evil” – if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say … “Amen” – Unless I can honestly say also, cost what it may, this is my prayer!

(Author unknown)

TODAY’S HUMOUR

One temperance Sunday the minister preached passionately against the dangers of alcohol.

He declared,
"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
The congregation replied, "AMEN!"

He continued,
"If I had all the wine in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
"AMEN!"

Growing more enthusiastic, he said,
"If I had all the whisky and spirits in the world, I'd throw them into the river!"
"AMEN!"

The sermon ended, and the minister sat down.

The song leader stood and announced,
"Our closing hymn is 'Shall We Gather at the River?'"

The congregation was suddenly very quiet.

My mother was a radiologist, and she met my father when he had an X-Ray. 
She must have seen something in him.

SOME ONE LINERS

• The Calendar Factory: I got fired from my job there yesterday.
  All I did was take a day off.

• The Fake Spaghetti: What do you call a counterfeit pasta dish?
  An impasta!

• The Golfing Wardrobe: Why does a golfer bring an extra pair of trousers?
  Just in case they get a hole-in-one.

• The Novel on Glue: Have you read it yet?
  It is impossible to put down

• The other day, my wife asked me to pass her lipstick, but I accidentally handed her a glue stick.
  She hasn’t spoken to me since.

PRAYERS CAN’T BE ANSWERED UNLESS…

PRAYERS CAN’T BE ANSWERED UNLESS THEY ARE PRAYED.

Life without purpose is barren indeed
They can’t be a harvest unless you plant seed.
They can’t be attainment unless there’s a goal.
And man’s but a robot unless there’s a soul.

If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there’s a contest, nobody can win.
For games can’t be one unless they are played,
And prayers can’t be answered unless they are prayed.

So whatever is wrong with your life today
You’ll find a solution if you kneel down and pray.
Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health,
Not just for honours and prestige and wealth.

But pray for a purpose to make life worth living
And pray for the joy of unselfish giving.
For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life’s purpose the choice of the Lord.
Author unknown

Whatever you have to face today….remember… ‍ ‍

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Joseph M. Scriven

A daily prayer of commitment.

O God our loving heavenly Father,
This day I thank you for all your many blessings,
and pray that you will take my life,
and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee.
Take my moments and this day
and let it flow in ceaseless gratitude and praise.

WISE WORDS

This very wise document was found in the Old Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore; it was dated as 1692.

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

CAN YOU SAY “NO”?

Saying no is difficult. Most of us want to be helpful and please others. Some of us are so sensitive that we say yes to phone solicitations, and to requests from others, just to avoid disappointing somebody, however, part of finding a spot on the cosmic dance floor is standing our ground.

I know this sounds harsh, but often ‘no’  is the kindest word to say for all concerned. Buying a candy bar, which you may not want, or agreeing to serve on one more committee, when you are already on three other committees, may seem kind at that moment, but if you are trying to cut back on sugar or simplify your life, it’s best to say no.

(‘’Just say no” by NANCY REAGAN from the book “Questions from your Cosmic Dance” by John Coleman)

Some thoughts to consider:-

• Listen carefully to the request. Ask questions if it is not clear. Know that you don’t have to agree immediately, unless it is a crisis.

• Consider, and share alternatives if you do not feel able to help. e.g. “Why don’t you ask Joe, he has the necessary plumbing skills”.

• You do not have to agree to every request, but can sensitively listen and decline, if necessary. You are showing your care by listening and giving helpful advice or, honestly admitting that is out of your capability.

• It would be a caring gesture to contact the person who requested help a few days later, to see if they were able to solve their problem. 

JOY THAT PERSISTS THROUGH PAIN

The hymn “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” (1882) by George Matheson comes from a very specific moment of personal crisis and reflection.

Matheson was a Scottish minister who became almost completely blind by his late teens. He had been engaged earlier in life, but the engagement was broken off when his fiancée decided she could not marry a man who would lose his sight. Later, he lived with the long-term reality of blindness while building a strong ministry and writing career.

The hymn itself is traditionally linked to an evening in 1882 when Matheson was staying alone at the manse in Innellan. It was the night his sister—who had supported him through much of his life, including his blindness—was getting married. That event is often described as a trigger for the hymn, bringing a renewed sense of personal loss and isolation.

Matheson later said the text came in a sudden flow of writing, completed in a few minutes, and that it felt almost “dictated” rather than carefully composed. He also described it as emerging from deep inner suffering rather than deliberate poetic construction.

What makes the hymn distinctive is that it turns that experience of loss into a structured reflection on divine persistence and care. Each verse develops a theme:

• Love that holds steady even in distress

• Light that remains present in uncertainty

• Joy that persists through pain

• The cross as a place where loss is transformed rather than avoided

In short, the background is not a single simple tragedy, but a convergence of lifelong blindness, earlier romantic loss, and a moment of family separation. The hymn is essentially Matheson working through that accumulated experience in theological terms rather than autobiographical complaint.

O Love, that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be. 

O Light, that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be. 

O Joy, that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be. 

O Cross, that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE

It can always be better…

Here are five relationship lessons by Jon Gordon…

1. THE MORE I LOVE MY WIFE, THE MORE I LOVE MY LIFE. It’s not about what she does for me. It’s not about keeping score. It is about deciding to be selfless, love her, serve her, and be there for her. When I do, we both get better.

2. ENCOURAGE INSTEAD OF COMPETING. Many couples get jealous, if their spouse is enjoying success, rather than encouraging them. When you support and advocate for each other, you grow individually and strengthen your team.

3. DON’T QUIT. Sometimes marriage is great and sometimes it isn’t. Too many people give up, thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. It isn’t.  Plant yourself, nurture your relationship, invest time and energy in your spouse, and you will grow into who you’re meant to be. Marriage is where you learn to give and take and compromise, where you work on your individual issues and heal together.

4.  HAVE A SHARED MISSION. My wife and I knew we weren’t together just for ourselves. We felt our mission was to raise champions who will make a difference in the world. We aren’t perfect parents, we have made mistakes, but our mission inspired us to give our very best- especially this past year with two teenagers and a challenging year.

5. INVITE GOD INTO YOUR MARRIAGE. Years ago, when we hit a tough patch, a guy told me how he and his wife prayed together every night. So, I asked God what our prayer should be. It came to me a few days later, and we have said it every night since. It has made a difference that leads to forgiveness, healing, and growth.

   (‘Word for Today’ Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec/2025) 

TODAY’S HUMOUR

• I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes.
  She gave me a hug.
  

• Why don’t skeletons fight each other?
  They don’t have the guts.
  

• I used to play piano by ear.
  Now I use my hands.
  

• Parallel lines have so much in common.
  It’s a shame they’ll never meet.
  

• Why did the scarecrow win an award?
  Because he was outstanding in his field.
  

• I asked the librarian if the library had books on paranoia.
  She whispered, “They’re right behind you.”
  

• I told my doctor I broke my arm in two places.
  He told me to stop going to those places.
  

• What do you call a line of men waiting to get haircuts?
  Barberqueue.
  

• Why should you never fall in love with a tennis player?
  Because to them, love means nothing.
  

• How do trees access their email?
  They log in.

A SOMBRE WARNING...

For a long time, I have had a feeling of discomfort when reading about AI, and of late a deepening concern regarding the increasing dependence on this tool/entity.

As a writer, I can quickly identify an authentic, human script vs an AI generated one.

Some of my concerns are the shrinking of brain mass in humans because of lack of use, the insidious usurping human intelligence, the loss of the ‘soul’ in written works, etc.

Prof Stephen Hawking warned that artificial intelligence could end mankind’ (2 December, 2014). "Humans, who are limited by slow biological evolution, couldn't compete and would be superseded". This warning came in response to a question about a revamp of the technology he uses to communicate, which involves a basic form of AI. Prof Hawking says the primitive forms of artificial intelligence developed so far have already proved very useful, but he fears the consequences of creating something that can match or surpass humans.

A while ago we watched a movie where loving parents gave their young daughter a robot to keep her company. It seemed a perfect solution; the robot looked like a little girl, could speak, walk etc. The twist came when this delightful little robot assumed a dominating, dangerous personality when alone with the little girl. Obviously, this was total fiction but I suspect that the theme was expressing the dark side of creating robots.

So the dilemma we are facing is; what ‘advancement’ is good and will benefit humanity? And, what ‘advancement’ will lead to the demise of humanity as we know it? 

FIVE STYLES OF MANAGING CONFLICT

1. The Turtle: Any signs of conflict causes withdrawal. The Turtle’s style is that of avoidance. Will rather avoid conflict than face it. Is low on both goals and relationships.

2. The Shark: Tackles conflict head on. Is not concerned much with needs of others and assumes that conflict is settled by one person winning and the other losing. Is high on goals and low on relationship – achieve goal at any cost.

3. The Teddy Bear: Smoothes over conflict. Avoids in favour of harmony. Does not believe that conflict can be resolved without it affecting the relationship unless someone gives way. Is high on relationship and low on goals.

4. The Fox: Is prepared to meet the other half-way. Will concede part and persuade the other side to do the same. Both sides win but both sides also lose. More or less ambivalent towards goals and relationships.

5. The Owl. Uses confrontation as a means of managing conflict. Sees conflict as a means of improving the relationship. Highly values both goals and relationships and therefore seeks solutions that will satisfy both groups. i.e. a third way.

NOTE: Conflict is inevitable, conflict is not necessarily negative, conflict can be productive if used properly, avoidance of conflict can cause distancing. Our challenge – learn how to have constructive conflict, it probably will be unique to each person.

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN GIANTS

St Augustine (354-430)

Bishop of Hippo – great doctor of the Latin Church.

Born in North Africa, son of a pagan father and devout mother.

At the age of 16 went to Carthage to complete his education in law, became interested in philosophy and abandoned his Christian heritage. Offered a professorship in Rome where he founded his own school of rhetoric.

Came under the influence of Plato and St Ambrose. After a long inner struggle, again embraced the Christian faith.

Returned to Africa and formed a religious community and in 391 was ordained as a priest.

In 34 years in this monastic community, he wrote a vast number of books. Wonderful theological insights.

Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471)

In 1399 at the age of 19 Thomas became a monk in the Augustinian monastery where he stayed all his life. He was made Superior (A superior is the leader or head of an 'order' of religious persons) in 1429. His outer life was not significant; he lived and died a simple monk.

His inner life was deep and rich- the lasting achievement was when he edited Gerhard Groote’s diary and out of it came “The Imitation of Christ”

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)

Born of a noble family in Spain. Belonged to a long line of nobility – he participated in the revelry of the royalty- gambling, duelling, romance..

In 1517 he did service in the army and in May 1521 received a serious leg wound from a cannonball. He underwent several surgical operations which left his right leg shorter than the left leg. Returned to Loyola to recuperate, and had nothing to do, so he read. When he read the book ‘The Life of Christ’, (Vita Christi) by Ludolph of Saxony (1374), he was converted. He also read ‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas a Kempis, and stories of St Francis.

He became determined to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, disposed of all his worldly goods, and clothed himself in sackcloth.

His ship was detained for a year in Manresa (a town in Spain) and here he wrote a large portion of “The Spiritual Exercises” (1522-1524). These exercises became the standard for Jesuit retreats and are still in use today. 

BECOMING MORE POSITIVE

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends know that there is something to them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

(Christian D Larson)

WISDOM TO LIVE BY

Over the years I have collected wise proverbs, idioms, sayings, that I found helpful to ponder on. Here are a few of them…

1. Where God guides, He provides.

2. Putting God first in all things.

3. Action creates motivation. Don't wait to "feel like it." Start the task, and the motivation usually follows five minutes later.

4. You can’t "fix" people. You can love them and support them, but you can’t do the work for them.

5. Kindness is free, but invaluable. The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter (whatever problems you are having with the meal), is not a nice person. (This is very important. It is always true.)

6. Time is the only non-renewable resource. You can always make more money, but you can’t get back an hour spent on things that don't matter.

7. Your health is your true wealth. Small habits in your 30s and 40s pay massive dividends (or debts) when you hit 60 and 70’s.

8. Listening says, ‘You are worth my time. To listen is to honour the fact that someone else’s world is as real as your own.

9. Vulnerability is a strength. Being real about your struggles invites others to do the same, creating deeper bonds.

10. It’s never too late to start. Whether it's a hobby, a career shift, or a new habit, the "best time" was yesterday, but the second-best time is now.

11. Silence is a valid answer. Never miss a good chance to shut up. You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

12. The “Good Old Days” are right now. Don’t spend so much time looking back or forward that you miss the life you’re currently living.

13. Don’t Fear Failure. The fact is most of the glorious successes in life come from experiences of past failures.

14. Nourish Relationships. No road is long with good company.

15. Always have an attitude of Gratitude. The older you get, the more you realize how much power gratitude gives you in making your outlook positive.

16. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

17. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved and never will achieve, it’s full potential, that word would be “meetings.”

18. Nobody cares if you dance well. Just get up and dance.

19. Watch Your Words. Words are powerful, they can bless and be helpful to another, but they can also be destructive.

20. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip. Often people that criticise your life are usually the same people that don't know the price you paid to get where you are today. True friends see the full picture of your soul.

21. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

22. Humour is a survival tool. If you can laugh at yourself, you’ll never run out of entertainment.

23. Forgive and forget.. "When you forgive, you in no way change the past — but you sure do change the future."

24. Regret is heavier than failure. Trying and failing feels much better than wondering "what if" for twenty years.

25. Asking for help isn't weakness. It's an acknowledgement that we are built for community, not isolation.

26. In all your problems, ‘Let Go, and Let God’.

27. The Greatest Commandment remains, ‘Love God, Neighbour and Yourself’.

28. GOD LOVES YOU ANYWAY.

TODAY’S HUMOUR

Did you hear about the guy that lost his left arm and leg in a car crash?‍ ‍He’s all right now.

How do crazy people go through theforest? They take the psycho path.

How do you get Holy water? Boil the hell out of it.

How does a spoiled rich girl change a lightbulb? She says, “Daddy I want a new apartment.

What did the fish say when he hit the dam wall? “Dam”

What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroids.

What do prisoners use to call each other? Cell phones.

What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work?‍ ‍A stick.

What do you call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate Clauses.

What do you call four bull fighters in quicksand? Quatro sinko.

What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk.

A deliberate refocussing …Be Thankful

Those that are thankless are blind to the many good things in their lives…

Sometimes it is because they have been hurt and wounded by life.

Some are so captured by the ‘tinsel’ of life, that they cannot appreciate the gold.

Some are trapped in a survival for existence, and their lives are days of endless toil.

Some do not want to look deeply into life and frantically seek distraction in work and endless entertainment.

Perhaps being thankful does not come naturally to us, we become complacent…

However,

We can CULTIVATE thankfulness, teach ourselves to see the reasons to be thankful each day.

Each new day to live, and love, is a gift from God, so let us be thankful.

 All that our eyes can see in nature, is created by God, so let us be thankful.

All new life is a promise filled with possibilities, so let us be thankful.

All pain and sorrow can build character, so let us be thankful.

Each person has in their soul the image of God, so let us be thankful.

Each failure is an unforgettable lesson in wisdom, so let us be thankful.

Each compassionate, loving act, makes God’s kingdom come, so let us be thankful.

Each departing soul leaves their mark upon this earth, so let us be thankful.

Each man, woman, child is precious in God’s sight, so let us be thankful.

God loved us so much that He came to earth to tell us of His love, so let us be thankful.

CHANGES TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES

These suggestions are guidelines to start our journey to keep improving the quality of our lives. It would be advisable to make the changes gradually. In this way you can assess the value of the change before proceeding to the next.

1. Developing a clear sense of purpose; meaningful roles and responsibilities.

2.  Discovering your unique talents. Be aware that social pressure can confuse you.

3.  Include physical exercise as a regular part of your day

4. Begin healthy sleep:

   4.1 Check your bedroom for possible irritants e.g. lighting, noise factors ventilation etc, “Good sleep cleans the body cells”

   4.2 Avoid naps in the day and have a regular bedtime.

   4.3 Stress management: Creatively deal with stressful issues early in the dayand develop a ‘plan of action’.

   4.4 Recognise that as we age our stress levels may increase which often are irrational.

   4.5 Check the side-effects of medications and/or supplements you are taking.

   4.6 Check your diet; be aware of any foods, drinks etc. that might be negatively affecting you. These can cause low-grade inflammation, for example - I was unaware for a long time that coffee was upsetting my liver.

   4.7 Include physical exercise as a regular part of your day.

   4.8 Be aware that inhaling/ingesting artificial substances has an effect.

   4.9 Note that social isolation can have detrimental effects.

   4.10 Include a healthy, enjoyable recreation into your lifestyle.

Add years to your life, and, life to your years!