Mellow Monday

Chloe is peeking her head out to say Happy Spring!  It still doesn't feel like spring here...but we are hoping to see temps in the 40's this week...so we gotta be happy about that!

Chloe's Inspiration for the Day:

Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.T. Alan Armstrong

Inspiration for the Day

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 
Leo Buscaglia

Just a Dog...

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," 

or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." 

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." 

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." 

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," 

but I did not once feel slighted. 

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," 

and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. 

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand 

phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." 

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, 

and pure unbridled joy. 

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. 

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. 

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, 

the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. 

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away 

from myself and the worries of the day. 

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", 

but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being 

"just a man or woman." 

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" 

just smile... 

because they "just don't understand." 

by Richard Biby 

Dream BIG!

If there were ever a time to dare,

to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing,

it is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily-

but for something that tugs at your heart,

something that's your aspiration,

something that's your dream.

You owe it to yourself

to make your days here count.

Have fun.

Dig deep.

Stretch.

Dream big.

~From a Macintosh computer ad, 1991~

Inspiration for the Day: The Beemer Edition

Our lives improve only when we take chances...and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.

Walter Anderson

Words to Live By

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The World Would Be A Better Place If...

We followed ...

The Native American Code Of Ethics

1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. If it was not earned or given, it is not yours.

6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.

7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.

12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.

Wouldn't this be a much happier world if we could all live by this code?

Have a great weekend!!

It Is Just a Dog...

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog",
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile...
because they "just don't understand."

by Richard Biby

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Contributing Editor VHD 

I am joining the Thoughtless Thursday BlogHop with Ruckus, MKClinton, and Love is Being Owned by a Husky

 

Thoughtless Thursday

By Ruckus the Eskie and co-hosts Love is being owned by a Husky and M.K Clinton

- See more at: http://www.ruckustheeskie.com/2016/02/thoughtless-thursday-110-panda-express.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:#sthash.n4qF7OoU.dpuf

Thoughtless Thursday

By Ruckus the Eskie and co-hosts Love is being owned by a Husky and M.K Clinton

- See more at: http://www.ruckustheeskie.com/2016/02/thoughtless-thursday-110-panda-express.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:#sthash.n4qF7OoU.dpuf