When do you choose to be happy?

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. 


I can choose which it shall be. 


Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. 


I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it."

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx
1890-1977, Comedian and Film Star

Before speaking.......

Someone who is about to admonish another must realize within himself five qualities before doing so [that he may be able to say], thus: "In due season will I speak, not out of season. In truth I will speak, not in falsehood. Gently will I speak, not harshly. To his profit will I speak, not to his loss. With kindly intent will I speak, not in anger."

- Vinaya Pitaka

RECIPE FOR A PROSPEROUS, PEACEFUL YEAR

It's 6 more days to New Year!

Take twelve, fine, full-grown months, see that these are free from all old memories of bitterness, rancor, hate and jealousy; cleanse them completely from every clinging spite: pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed as much as possible from the past.

Cut these months into 29, 30 or 31 equal parts. This batch will keep for just one year. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot in this way), but prepare one day at a time, as follows:

Into each day put
twelve parts of faith,
eleven of patience,
ten of courage,
nine of work,
eight of hope,
seven of fidelity,
six of liberality,
five of kindness,
four of rest,
three of prayer,
two of meditation,
and one well selected resolution.

If you have no conscientious scruples, put in about a teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Pour into the whole love ad libitum and mix with a vim. Cook thoroughly in a fervent heat; garnish with a few smiles and a sprig of joy; then serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness, and a Happy New Year is certain

99% perspiration

Don't bother about genius. Don't worry about being clever.
Trust to hard work, perseverance and determination.

- Sir Frederick Treves(1853-1923)

Where is He?

There was a little boy,
On the week's first day,
Coming home from Sunday School
And wandering on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass
And found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod
And blew out all the filler.

A bird's nest in a tree above,
So wisely placed on high,
Was just another wonder
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his crooked course
And hailed him from the lawn.
He asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.

"I've been to Sunday School," he said
As he turned a piece of sod,
And picking up a worm, he smiled,
"I've learned a lot from God!"

"That's a fine way," the neighbor said,
"For a boy to spend his time.
"Now if you can tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash the answer came,
The boy said without complaint,
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't!"

When we were young

Remember when we were young?   Life was so simple then...

 Symptoms and prognosis:

 1. Skippy heartbeat when you think of him/her.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Ventricular fibrillation and Myocardial Infarction.

 2. Restless trembling of hands, feet and other body parts.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Parkinson's Disease

 3. Constant smiling.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Bell's Palsy

 4. Absent mindedness, inability to focus on tasks at work or at home.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Early Onset of Alzheimer's Disease

 5. Weakening of knees and bursts of energy when she calls or comes over.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Multiple Sclerosis

 6. Inability to stop thinking about her.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

 7. Bruising on neck, and other tender areas.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Leukemia

 8. Insomnia.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

 9. Feeling that you can smell/hear/feel her when not in her presence.
 Symptoms then: Love
 Prognosis now: Schizophrenia