Seize The Moment... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ ,n888888n, .8888888888b 888888888888nd8P~''8g, 88888888888888 _ `'~\. .n. `Y888888888888. / _ |~\\ (8"8b ,nnn.. 8888888b. | \ \m\|8888P ,d8888888888888888b. \8b|.\P~ ~P8~ 888888888888888P~~_~ `8B_| | ~888888888~'8' d8. ~ _/ ~Y8888P' ~\ | |~|~b,__ __--~ --~~\ ,d8888888b.\`\_/ __/~ \_ d88888888888b\_-~8888888bn. \8888P "Y888888888888"888888bn. /~'\_"__) "d88888888P,-~~-~888 / / ) ~\ ,888888/~' / / / 8' ( / / / |) ) / '"88(/ ~ / / | ( /_/ /~ \( _/ / (_(_ ( /~~\/ , O,/~\___/_/' ~~~ | \_ ( )( \_| -- by Gordon M"uller __--~"mb ,g8888b. _/ 8888b(.8P"~'~---__ / ~~~| / ,/~~~~--, `\ ( ~\,_) (/ ~-_`\ \ -__---~._ \ ~\\ ( )\\ )) `\ ) "-_ `| \__ __/ ~-__ __--~ ~~"~ ~~~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels For 2010 *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2010 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is soo hot it's smokin! It comes from a forward from our friend Jo Ann. I immediately decided it was a keeper. See if you think so too! Check it out here... ,sdPBbs. ,d$$$$$$$$b. d$P'`Y'`Y'`?$b d' ` ' \ `b / | \ \ / / \ | \ _,--' | \ | /' _/ \ | \ _/' /' | \ `-.__ __/' ,-' / | | \ `--...__ /' / | / \ \ `-. `\ / /;;,,__-' / / \ \ `-. / |;;;;;;;\ \ _|_ | /^\ /^\ /___\ /^\ \/^\ | # |__________ /^\/ \| | | # |__________\ . |_|/ | _ | # # # # | X | H | | /\ o / \ _,---._ `X' _________________ / \ /_______\ )_ _s_k_l_e_p_ _( /\ / | # # # | /_________________\ _,---._ / \ /| | | | [+] [+] [+] | /_______\ /____\//| | | o | # # # | |[+] |/ /|\ | |pb || | | (} / \ /H\ / \ Mountain Folk Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/folkart.html --- ...What an artist! Thanks Jo Ann! ======================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / | -= | /| ( | |/`< ) ) ( ; -=| _| ) \ \ / ____ /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / _ .'`/| _ / | '-._( __\ (__/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==========` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >THE FOURTH THURSDAY by Kristine Lowder When I was growing up in San Diego, California, the fourth Thursday in November was like a trip to Disneyland, a banana split with double hot fudge and extra summer vacation all rolled into one day. Prancing and cavorting like a frisky new colt in an open pasture, Thanksgiving trotted out laughter, music, sparkling cider, mouth- watering aromas, Mom's good china and silver service, and "Don't you dare come to the table dressed like that!" It was a day for dad's fabulous roast turkey, succulent and perfect, and mom's lime-pineapple Jell-o mold with walnuts. Mom worked so hard on that Jell-O concoction, no one had the heart to tell her we only ate it to be polite. I don't think any of us kids actually liked it. (It was the walnuts.) As the oldest daughter, it was my job to set the big oak table in the dining room -- the one reserved for special occasions -- and to dig out the His and Her pilgrim candles from the bottom drawer of the china hutch. Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim presided unlit as our wax Thanksgiving centerpieces for years. (I don't know what became of them, but suspect they now preside over a big Thanksgiving table in the sky.) Besides the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and endless quarters of football, we typically gathered around the television and watched the Peanuts gang in a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving as well as the entire string of Walton Thanksgiving specials, from 1973 to 1993. It seems incredible that so many Thanksgivings have come and gone since these holiday classics originally aired. Where did the time go? At last count the Walton Thanksgiving movies totaled three -- the original, "A Walton Thanksgiving," followed by "A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain" (1982) and in 1993, "A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion." Interesting, isn't it, that not Christmas, Easter or even Mother's Day but Thanksgiving inspired three separate movie specials? Someone once said, "On Thanksgiving, of all holidays, one should be at home." It's true, isn't it? Without family or friends, Thanksgiving is... well, it's like Abbott without Costello or Lucy without Ricky. Yes, sometimes distance, health, losses or external factors beyond our control preclude a traditional family get-together around the turkey and trimming-laden table. An unresolved conflict or festering wound may shadow an otherwise cozy gathering. But nothing says "home" quite like Thanksgiving. As autumn slides toward winter this year, I suddenly find myself at an age where memories stir more and more often and November seems both full and empty. This Thanksgiving will be full with whispers of grace -- kids, feasting, football, music, and maybe a Waltons re-run or two. This festive time of year is not only the entree to the holiday season, it's also soothing and strengthening, evoking faces and voices from the mists of memory like no other day. My grandparents, parents, favorite uncles and aunts are all gone. I feel their absence most acutely between November and December. My siblings are flung to the four compass corners of the United States. I miss them all. Thanksgiving in sunny San Diego is rarely cold, but the holiday can be chilly in other parts of the country. More than a thousand miles removed from my southern California roots, I'm never cold on Thanksgiving, no matter what the thermometer reads. The reminiscences of Thanksgivings past wrapped around family, friends and the fresh faces of Thanksgiving present promise a warm celebration. While my sister, brothers, cousins and other relatives aren't able to gather around the table as often as we'd like, we hold each other close in our hearts and the memories of past Thanksgivings strengthen and sustain us today. Indeed, Thanksgiving is even better than mom's lime-pineapple Jell-O WITHOUT the walnuts because I know that regardless of my address, wherever my loved ones are on the fourth Thursday in November, I'm home. -- Kristine Lowder __________________________________________________ Kristine is a multi-published author and resides in Washington State with her husband and their four sons. ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend Jo Ann :) .-""""--. _ _ / ) ( \/ ) / --"` \ / _ _ / _`:____ \/ ( \/ ) | .-' `\ \ / \ / .----'./ \/ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ _ _ \_| \ ._) | ( \/ ) _ _ / | \.__, / \ / ( \/ ) _.--' )`///-,-' _ _ \/ \ / / / _| (_\\ ( \/ ) \/ | (____/____) \ / \ ___/ | _ \/ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >Portrait of a Friend I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will search for answers. I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain, nor the future with its untold stories. But I can be there now when you need me to care. I can't keep your feet from stumbling. I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall. Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine; Yet I can share in your laughter. Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge; I can only support you, encourage you, and help you when you ask. I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship, from your values, from me. I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you. I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you, But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, room to be yourself. I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting, But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them back in place. I can't tell you who you are. I can only love you and be your friend. -Unknown --- ...Awww, thank you Jo Ann! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Practice What You Preach You can know all the scriptures, Have all the bibles you can reach, But when push comes to shove Do you practice what you preach? Anyone can go to church And collapse on the floor, But when Judgment Day comes Will you be at Heaven's door? You can have the biggest of fits And say the Holy ghost passed through, But is that really reflected In the things you do? You can yell far and wide Proclaiming your love for Christ, But what have you given him When for you He gave his life? You can lecture others About the wrong things they do, But before you look at others You need to look at you. You can condemn all the sinners Tell them they're headed south, But what have you done lately Besides run your mouth? You can call yourself a Christian Spend all your days at church, But while you are praising His name, Have you been doing the Lord's work? You can boast of good deeds To show us the spirit is within But why show it to us? You should show it to Him! You can memorize the bible Know it from front to back, But you don't use it to regulate others Regulate how you act! Take a good look at yourself Not at what others do, Because when He comes to get his children ... Will He be coming for you too? --Author Unknown --- ...Awesome advice! Thank You Jo Ann! Reminds me of these... Christianity! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html Slain In The Spirit! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/slaininthespirit.html ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) >TODAY'S ARTICLE == .__=\__ .__==__, jf' ~~=\, _=/~' `\, ._jZ' `\q, /=~ `\__ j5(/ `\./ V\\, Unknown .Z))' _____ | .____, \)/\ j5(K=~~ ~~~~\=_, | _/=~~~~' `~~+K\\, .Z)\/ `~=L | _=/~ t\ZL j5(_/.__/===========\__ ~q |j/ .__============___/\J(N, 4L#XXXL_________________XGm, \P .mXL_________________JXXXW8L ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~YKWmmWmmW@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For Such a Time as This!, by Phil Ware Just saying the phrase, "for such a time as this," reminds many of us of a story. The phrase was said to Queen Esther by her foster dad, Mordeccai. He was asking her to risk her life and go before the King without an invitation. The need was great and the concern was urgent. An evil leader in the land had arranged to have God's people murdered throughout the empire. If Esther didn't intervene, God's people would be slaughtered with the support of the government. Bottom line, the Holocaust would have happened more than 2,000 years earlier at the hands of the Persians. Esther accepted her role in history. At great risk, she went before the King, who gladly welcomed her. Through the work of God, of Esther's cleverness as well as beauty, and of her position in the palace, the evil man was eliminated, Mordeccai was praised, and God's people were saved. Esther recognized that God had brought her to her important position "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:12-16). But, what if this phrase, "for such a time as this," is not just about Esther? What if it is a challenge to each of us -- you and me -- personally? What if we were purposed by God to live in just this time? After all, wasn't this story recorded in Scripture to be one of our stories -- to help remind us of who we are? There are basically two choices to understand why we are here. * We are here by accident -- we are nothing more than a random combination of genetic material with no real purpose other than to live out our random fates. * We are here by God's plan -- we are put here intentionally to live out his purpose in our lives. If we choose the second, then where we live, who we are, what we have, and how we use those things are all eternally important. We realize that we are put in the position in which we find ourselves "for such a time as this"! As I was talking with a friend who is far wiser about money and investing than myself, I was verbalizing my concern about all the debt we are accumulating and that our kids and grandkids are going to have to pay for all of our responsibilities. This friend suggested that the incredible wealth we have enjoyed in the Western world over the last 80 years or so could be an anomaly -- not something we should assume will continue to last for generations and generations. He then said, "It's not about passing on our wealth to our kids and grandkids, but about what we do now with what we have received to advance the Kingdom of God." This was a powerful wake up call for me. I knew he was correct in his statement. Yet so many of us have been pre-occupied -- and some overwhelmed -- with the downturn in the economy. We have lost sight of all of our tremendous blessings. Having so much is not enough for us. There are understandable reasons for this. Some of it has to do with our human hearts always wanting more. However, there is also another issue. The brightest minds, the best video, and the most creative work in our culture is done to help us realize what we lack -- this is the work of advertisements. We are bombarded with messages manipulating us to want to get new and better versions of what we already have and to acquire the many things we think we lack. James Bryan Smith in his book The Good and Beautiful God, tells a powerfully convicting story about a birthday party for a young child. This little girl was not pleased with any of the gifts she was opening. As she tore into them, she cast them aside because none was the gift she wanted most. All the parents were mortified, the children giving gifts were disappointed, and the parents of the child were embarrassed. As Mr. Smith sat there thinking about the situation, the Holy Spirit convicted him that he was that child -- that he focused more on what he lacked than on all that God had so richly blessed him to have. As I read this chapter, I was convicted as well. There are those around us who are hurting. We are incredibly blessed, yet we often focus more on what we lack than on how we can use what we have to advance the Kingdom of God. We have not realized that God has put us in the position in which we find ourselves -- understanding English which is the new world language, living in a time where we can travel quickly, communicating globally in unparalleled ways via the computer and cell phone, and having the freedom to do these things in the name of Jesus. Who knows, but that we have come to our position for such a time as this! ----------------------------------------------- As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are those around us who are hurting. There are people all over the world who do not enjoy the blessings that we have. There are people hungering to know the love of God, the grace found in Jesus, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. All around are opportunities to help step up and make an eternal difference in the lives of precious people -- if you haven't gotten a copy, I encourage you to read Max Lucado's book, Outlive your Life and be inspired to make a difference! God knew you in the womb of your mother and has a plan and purpose for your life (Psalm 139:13-16). What you do with who you are and what you have can matter in the lives of others forever, because God put you here as part of his plan "for such a time as this"! ----------------------------------------------- (c) 2010 Phil Ware . All rights reserved. --- ...Aww, thank You Johanna! _____ .---...-. ,' -. `. ,' _____...' / - _ - \ : .' _ _ \\ : ' _)' : | :-(_).(_):: (_ ;) | | -' || \ _ / ; | _ || `..___..' `-'..____.'`' ;._: _; :_ / \ SSt ,' `' `. SSt Now isn't that beautiful? If all people understood that simple thing, then perhaps they would value their life here on earth and that of others while they have the opportunity to do so. We are here but for a short time... Gal.6: [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Check these out.. ,--.,-"";-"-. .-;-/ / / .- `\ .-. ` ( ' ' ` ; `\/ \ \ / \ / (. C . ) | .-. | | _ / (` / | \ /}| | )(\ | `-> (____.| / ||| / \=====| | |\| | |====| \ _/ ` \__/=====| |` `-'======| \ |=======/ | |=======| | .--, ########\ |/ / jgs |_|__|| ` `--. ,---;-'--'\ `--. `---`-------'-.___,___.---' Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html A KAIROS Moment http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/kairosmoment.html =============================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ,--""""-., .'` ', / | | _ / __,'(,-'/ `\ _. / .=="=| '-. | .'===,=|-. | / /===\==\| \ \ _;' | I always make time to play! |====\==\ '.___,u' \__/ |===.##,=\ |==/####\='-.__ \#|#####|`/^|_))._________________ #######/`| |_.-'""""""=' ] #####/\/ /__,________;------.---' jgs `###' |_/ V V >SEIZE THE MOMENT! I have a friend who is just possibly the wisest woman on the planet. She lives by a three-word philosophy: seize the moment. Too many people, she says, put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming, or are too rigid to depart from their routine. She wonders how many women on the Titanic skipped dessert in an effort to cut back. How many women will eat at home because by the time their husband suggested they eat out, something had already been thawed? Does the word, "refrigeration" mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in for a visit and sat in silence while you finished that episode of "Jeopardy"? I cannot count the times I have called my sister and said, "How about going to lunch together in half an hour?" She would gasp and stammer, "I can't." The reasons? I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday. I had a late breakfast. It looks like rain. And my favorite? "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together. Because we cram so much into our lives, we even have to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the "conditions" are perfect: We'll visit the grandparents more when Stevie is potty-trained. We'll entertain more once we replace the living room carpet. We'll go on that second honeymoon once we get those last two kids out of the house. But life has a way of accelerating as you get older. The days get shorter, but the list of promises to ourselves only gets longer. One morning, we awaken and all we really have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things have settled down a bit...." When anyone calls my "seize the moment" friend, she is open to adventure and makes herself available for last minute trips. She keeps an open mind about new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. I talk with her for five minutes and I'm ready to trade my bad feet for a pair of roller blades. You know, my lips had not touched ice cream in ten years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my hips with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. [Mikey's Funnies, edited by Mark Raymond] as seen in Mark's Musings -<>- >ONE FOR ME, ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR ME... Newly married, my husband and I had, had several heated discussions concerning the division of household chores. I complained that I was doing the lion’s share. Not long after, I returned home and found every second room vacuumed, the dishes washed and the laundry done and folded. I was even more touched to find "I love you" drawn in the dust on every second shelf of the bookcases. as seen in Da Mouse Tracks -<>- ,-"""-. / - -'. db, 0 0 '---. 88b, \ 8888 0 | 8888, '.____,'/ Y88P \ .------' jgs `` |=( / ', | \ | \ | | ; | | | ,_(__/ / `--\ .-' | ||__ / '--.` '------` >HOW TO BE HAPPY Find joy in the people and places around you! Last night, I had dinner with a friend who has everything I want: a beautiful brownstone house filled with expensive furniture, a smart and funny husband, an adorable baby girl and a published novel. She just told me that she's miserable. "I know it's terrible," she said. "I have nothing to complain about. But I've always been miserable. I get it from my mother - she was a real grump." I was surprised; I had always thought she was happy. Not that I ever asked her. Of course she's happy, I figured, she has all the toys. This deduction is a common mistake, says David Niven, Ph.D., author of "The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People." "One thing that continually shocks people is that the events of a person's life have little to do with how happy he or she is," says Dr. Niven. Rather, as my friend suspected, genetics is about 50 percent responsible for our level of happiness, says Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Ph.D., author of the groundbreaking book "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience." Fortunately, we have a significant amount of control over the other half. Here are some ways to tend to your mental health and happiness today: _ ,="` `""=, o / ,=="""'=; , __ ~ / ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / / \`-;_ \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | /` _ \ ) `""``` | , ; /`\/ `\ \ /.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--' .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` | ~ | / ~ | .-'__ .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ \ '. `\ jgs ) `-. ~ / `-._ | , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( ` Appreciate the moment: Many of us view happiness as a future state: something we'll achieve when we get that great job, beautiful home or handsome husband. And while we do often feel quite elated when we attain these goals, the bliss is usually short-lived - and quickly followed by a desire for something else, whether it's more money, a renovated kitchen or flowers on Valentine's Day. "That's why winning the lottery or getting a promotion doesn't work. You're always looking toward the next step," explains Dr. Csikszentmihalyi. To break that looking-ahead cycle, you need to cultivate an appreciation of your life as it is now - dissatisfying job and all. Csikszentmihalyi says people have a natural tendency to think about what's not working in their lives and ignore the good stuff. So make a list of everything that you love about your life - Thursday-night Chardonnays with the girls, the nature trail nearby, the way your two-year-old looks in her Halloween costume - and then remind yourself to really savor them. .'\ /`. .'.-.`-'.-.`. ..._: .-. .-. :_... .' '-.(o ) (o ).-' `. : _ _ _`~(_)~`_ _ _ : : /: ' .-=_ _=-. ` ;\ : : :|-.._ ' ` _..-|: : : `:| |`:-:-.-:-:'| |:' : `. `.| | | | | | |.' .' `. `-:_| | |_:-' .' jgs `-._ ```` _.-' ``-------'' Give yourself a higher calling: Csikszentmihalyi says that people are happy when they feel that they are contributing to something greater than themselves, whether through their job, family or community. "Happy people don't ruminate about themselves and their problems. They say, Life is short. I'd better do something useful." But you don't have to have a large family or a job vaccinating orphans in order to lead a fulfilling life. Take the real-estate agent I know. Truly invested in helping people find the right home, he will often steer prospective tenants away from listings he considers subpar, depending upon their needs and desires. If he was strictly out for his commission, he wouldn't get nearly the same job satisfaction (and, in the long run, he probably wouldn't make as much money, either). So think about the ways you can transform your perspective of your daily tasks. .:::::::. .::::::::::::. .::::::::::::=='=-, _;;;;=='''` _; / __,,==::::. \___,,,===''':::::::::::. ;|_ __ `::::::::::. :\__. __.` ::-.::::::: ::)#_\ `#_\ : _,\:::::. ::| ` _/:::::: ::| ,. |\::::::: ::; / ;:::::: :::\ .-._, / ;::::: ':::\ \^/ / ;::::: ':::\ ` /` ;::::: ':::'.__.:\ ;::::: ':::::::::| ;::::: :::::::::| .-. \::::: ::::::::/__.' '.\:::: ::::::(`/ / \|::: ::::-'--'`|--'--'--|::: .::' / | | | / |::' .:/ `"---"'`| | /:: jgs .:; | |-'|' Build small acts of kindness into your day: You can always build small acts of kindness into your day, such as giving up your seat on the bus, putting a quarter in a stranger's ready-to-expire parking meter or clicking on The Breast Cancer Site (www.thebreastcancersite.com), where you can help fund mammograms for poor women. These things do make a difference in others' lives. You flow, girl (or guy). .-"""-. / \ \ / .-"""-.-`.-.-.< _ / _,-\ ()()_/:) \ / , ` `| '-..-| \-.,___, / \ `-.__/ / jgs / `-.__.-\` / /| ___\ ( ( |.-"` `'\ \ \/ {}{} | \| / \ , / ( __`;-;'__`) `//'` `||` _// || .-"-._,(__) .(__).-""-. / \ / \ \ / \ / `'-------` `--------'` Find your flow: We've all had those moments when things feel completely right in our world. Perhaps you were cross-country skiing through a beautiful ice-coated forest or creating a scrapbook of snapshots and ticket stubs from your trip to Los Angeles. You spent the day completely immersed in the activity, and when you finally looked at your watch, you were startled to realize how much time had passed. Csikszentmihalyi says these moments of complete absorption are when people are happiest, a state he calls "flow." "These are the moments people treasure in their lives, and the more of them you get, the better off you are," he says. To find your flow, first get a hobby - an activity you do for pure enjoyment. Think about the stuff you loved to do as a kid - ballet lessons, pottery, pickup basketballl - and then just go with it. , //\ / | ; | /_| .-"` `"-. /` `\ / \ .-.,_| .-""""-. | | `",_,-' (((-. '( \ (`"=._.'/ ( (o>'-`"# , '.`"-'` / `--` '==; /\\ `'--'`\ _.'~~ / | \ `.,___,-} | | | ) { } \ \ (.--==---==-------=' o { } ",/` (_) (_) (_) (_) \ / / () o () () ^| \ () ( () o ; / `\ \ ; / } | ) \ / /` } / ,-' |=,_ | /,_ ,'/ | _,.-`/ `"=\ \\ \ | ."` \ | \ \`\ \ | | \ \ `\ \ `\ \ | | \ \ `\ \ \ \ | | \ \ \ \ \ \ | | \ \ \ \ \ \ | | \ \ \ \ \ \ | | ) \ \ \ ) \ jgs `) \ ^ww ) \ ^ww ^ww ^ww Examine your options: One crucial difference between happy people and unhappy people is that the former believe they have choices. Two workers could be toiling away at the same understimulating job with the same impossible-to-please boss but have completely different experiences: one feeling that the situation is hopeless, the other seeing a way out, either through moving up in the company or dusting off her resume. So even if the happy person stays on the job, she still feels she is doing so by choice. __,,,,,,,,,_ .-' ___ .\ / /__ `\ , `\ ,""") / @ \ =\ : `\ .\_/`"'".`~'""'~' : `\ :. _\____,; . ;`. `\ : `\_| .) .: .' `. \ ' \...:/ /\`. `. \ `-._\::/ ./. \ `. ; \ _.)--'`--....-'.' ( \_) `. \ | _( -== .' \ `"'' .( -=- ,' \ ( =-= ) \ `( -= ) . `\ .' `( - ); ; `\ ; `( _.'.' .' \ , ; .';`"'~~'` .' .'; ;' ). \\\_; ;: :'(( _.' ( ; ). jgs .'`: ''"' \ ; ) _,-----'" `._ .-' - ._; )' / / __.`._ .' / `--' `'`'`'`'`''""" `": , ; :_/ / .' `''--'` Cultivate friends and activities that will increase your sense of options: Anything from taking night classes to joining an Internet dating service to sitting down with a good friend and brainstorming about your dreams for the future. Actually, you're already doing one of those things. Studies show that people who use computers tend to be happier than people who don't. "People feel a sense of possibilities when they use their computer," says Niven. "It gives you access to information and to connections. If you have an interest in an obscure hobby, there may not be anyone in your town who shares it, but you can probably find at least 100 people online who do." _ .-' '-. / \ |,-,-,-,-,| ___ | _)_(_ | (/ \) | _\_/_ /) / \_/ \// |( )\/ ||)_( |/ \ n| | / \ | |_|___| \|/ jgs _/L\_ Nurture your relationships: Having a strong connection to others - be they family or friends - is a crucial part of mental health; but unnfortunately, many of us simply focus on what our relationships are or aren't giving us rather than asking ourselves what we can do to bolster the people in our lives. But Csikszentmihalyi says the key to having fulfilling relationships is to invest in others without expecting anything back. "It can't be quid pro quo," he says. Paradoxically, those who expect the least from loved ones, usually get the most. "That's the interesting thing," says Csikszentmihalyi. "The less you try, the more you succeed." By Sara Eckel Reprinted from MSN.com © 2001 Microsoft Corporation To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. --- ...Check Out These... Self Talk! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html Walking In Power! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Our Valuable Anchor - You are not alone! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Attitude Is Everything 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude2.html Believe In Your Dreams! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/dream.html Top Reasons To Smile! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html ============================================================ >-->From Inspired Buffalo: . \ | / _\|/_ .' ' ' '. ___ _.|.--.--.|.___.--'___`-. .'.'|| | ||`----'"` ``'` .'.' ||()|()|| .___..-'.' / \ `----'"` / .-. \ Heck! I'll Do it Tomorrow! (.'.(___).'.) `.__.-.__.' jgs |_| |_| `.`-'.' `"` >Tomorrow He was going to be all he wanted to be, Tomorrow. No one should be kinder or braver than he, Tomorrow. A friend who was troubled and weary he knew, Tomorrow. Who'd be glad for a lift and needed it, too, Tomorrow. On him he would call and see what he could do, Tomorrow. The greatest of workers this man would have been, Tomorrow. The world would have known him, had he ever seen Tomorrow. But in fact he passed on and faded from view, And all that he left here when living was through Was a mountain of things he intended to do -- Tomorrow. - Author unknown -<>- .-------. oO{-JACKPOT-}Oo .=============. __ | [a] [X] [o] |( ) | [$] [$] [$] | || | [X] [o] [$] | || | |_|| | xxx ::::::: |--' | ooo ::::::: | | $$$ ::::::: | | | | __ === | |_____/__\____| /###############\ /#################\ |#JGS###############| >Gimme, Gimme, Gimme "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6 Gene Barron writes how, when he was a boy, his family had a neighbor who frequently came to their back door. Her reason for coming was always the same, "I just wanted to borrow _______." The problem was that she never came at any other time--only when she wanted something. My mother was always gracious and gave her what she wanted, but didn't appreciate her as much as the other neighbors--especially the one who came frequently but never asked for anything. She would simply say, "Just stopped by for a visit." When it comes to prayer, it is true that God does want us to make our requests known to him, but sometimes I feel my prayers are more, "Give me ... give me ... give me!" I know God is gracious and does hear and answer my prayers, but how much better it would be to come to him not only in times of trouble and need, but to daily come to him with, "Dear God, I'm just calling in for a visit. What can I do for you today?" Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you do want me to bring my requests to you, but please help me to think of others' needs when I pray, and especially bring praise and thanksgiving to you. And today, is there anything I can do for you? Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen." --- ...When you look at that verse, you can better understand what God's will is if you don't over look that simple first couple of words... - Be Anxious for nothing - There you have the key - look what Anxious means... 'full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried' You see why God says this to you? He does not want any of the above for you and tells you to pray to Him instead! "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6 God loves you and wants the best for you - always! -<>- , /) // (/ _/ ______ ) ( (-----( /INK\ \ \ \___/ \ \ jgs _)_____) `------` >The Letter Snow drifted down from the wintery sky as I walked out to check the mail. Katie, my Irish setter at my side along with Rudy, my yellow lab and Sandi my Collie in stride as the snow crunched beneath my footsteps. This time of year always made me a bit sad. Was it because I am an only child or because my mother was in a nursing home with dementia, or because my father had been gone for forty years now. Perhaps it was due to my younger son's poor choice in life and his alienation to me. For whatever reason, I felt alone even though I had a wonderful wife and her family loved me... still I wanted my family, my blood...but there was none. I opened the mailbox retrieved the mail and started back to the house, the dogs were playing and jumping. I looked through the mail, the usual bills and adds...but wait.. a letter from my father's widow. She must be close to 90. I pushed the rest of the mail in my pocket and hurried to the house. I removed my coat and boots and sat in front of the fireplace by my reading chair and opened the letter............... Dear Bobby, (she never knew my real name was B.J.) I had this letter of your fathers for more than 40 years. He wanted me to keep it until I felt like I had to send it to you. I am dying. He was sober when he wrote this. We both know he was a drunk most of his life and you probably never knew him when he was sober. I tried to 'fix' him, but could not. I put him in a sanitarium for a few months and he wrote this letter to you when his mind was clear. He wanted you to understand who he was. He wanted you to read it when you were a grown man an adult. He hoped you could find it in your heart to forgive him. (I loved him, but never forgave him.) I heard you never forgave him, nor loved him. Well that is between you and him. I have never read this letter. I will probably never write another letter again. I should pass on within a week. Pray for me... Love, Victoria With trembling hands, I opened the letter.... Dear son...Manny (Manny..I had forgotten that term.. he called me Manny when he was sober. It was a term of endearment. I was his little man.) I put down the letter and went into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. Manny...Manny. I had not even thought of that word in decades, maybe fifty years, Manny. Dear son... Manny, What can I write or what can I do to make up for all the things that I have done to you and your mother? I feel like a fool. I have a disease. I am ashamed. I should be a father to you and yet I am worshiping a bottle. For that I ask your forgiveness. Know that I love you and always have been proud of you. I am fighting a battle. I do not know if I can win or not. If you get this letter, I lost and the bottle won. If that happens I am talking to you from the grave. If the bottle won then you probably really hated me. I probably did some horrible things, things I would not have done if I did not have this disease. Remember what I told you about the first drink I took in Seneca, Kansas. I knew I was hooked. For God's sake son, do not tempt fate. Be stronger than me. If you are reading this, then I am gone. I hope I am in Heaven, if so, I will try to watch over you, my son. Will you have sons, daughters? My choices have doomed me son. Please learn from me and teach your children well, then teach your grandchildren. Remember the time I hit your grandmother and knocked her to the sidewalk, my mother? All because she didn't want me to drink. Wherever I am, there is no drink. Now, I am sober, but the fire is in my head and the torture is there. I know I have a shadow, a deep dark shadow, one that is inside of me. If you are reading this letter, the shadow has overtaken me. I am writing this letter to let you know that once I was a man, like you who had hopes and dreams. I was once in love and had a son. I was a tail gunner in a B-24 bomber in the 8th Army Air Corps. I loved my mother, hated my father. Life can be cruel and kind, it seems we are entangled in a complex web. My brother killed himself due to drugs. My other brother became an severe alcoholic, finally find AA and is now recovering. I need for you to understand this is in your blood. Your mom's side is strong thank God. Also, the good news is our side is full of artists, musicians, I hope you find your talent. I wish you the very best in life son... son...what a beautiful sound. I hope, sincerely hope you have the pleasure to have a son one day. With my Love,,,, From Beyond...Dad I folded the letter and put it in my pocket.... I walked upstairs and hugged my wife and wept. "What is the matter?" She asked "I need to forgive someone. Would you like to come with me?" I said. We drove to the cemetery and there we walked hand in hand to my father's marker. We laid a Christmas wreath on his marker. We put a Christmas card on the wreath with a photo of us. I put a photo of my sons and grandchildren on it. Lastly I spoke to my father, "Forgive me for not understanding that you were ill. Forgive me for not loving you as a son. If forgiveness is what you need father, then I forgive you with all my heart. May your soul rest in peace. Amen." Somehow it seemed right to lay an Easter Lilly and a Poinsettia there.... a birth and a resurrection The end BJ Cassady --- ...Check out this... Alcohol And Drug Use! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Asking For Directions http://www.buffaloschips.com/qiwiopq.htm Baby & Dog http://www.buffaloschips.com/sshssm.htm Baxter Black So Lucky To Be An American http://www.buffaloschips.com/ksksks.htm Mary Did You Know http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsddsshsjsk.htm Math 911 http://www.buffaloschips.com/gsdsdsll.htm Max Porta Potty http://www.buffaloschips.com/gssshdj.htm McDogo http://www.buffaloschips.com/gasew.htm McElway Basketball http://www.buffaloschips.com/gahdjjs.htm Are Angels Real? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html I Believe In You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Jesus Laughing Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Awesome Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/awesome.html Rollin' On The River! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/river.html Classic Chevy Collection! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevy.html Peek-A-Boo Panda! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panda.html When Sandman Attacks! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandman.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com ========================================================= >-->From SermondFodder: |V| .::| |::. ::__| |__:: >____ ____< :: | | :: '::| |::' | | | | jgs |A| >The Story Behind the Chilean Miners' Jesus T-Shirts As miners were being pulled from Chile's San Jose mine Wednesday, most were wearing tan T-shirts over their coveralls. The Chilean government told reporters the green coveralls were designed to help absorb the sweat as they ascended to the top. But Wes Little, a CNN editor/producer in Atlanta, wondered why the miners were wearing the T-shirt over their coveralls. He noticed a logo on the T-shirt's left sleeve for the Jesus Film Project. Here's what we found: The Jesus Film Project is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International, the massive Orlando, Florida-based evangelical ministry. The Jesus Film Project tells us they have translated the film into 1,105 languages and that it has been seen in every country. You can watch or listen to over a 1,000 of the translations here. The main goal of TJFP's ministry is to create and distribute effective media in every language, says Berry Fiess, the group's director of field information services. Seventeen days into the mine accident, CCCI country director for Chile, Christian Maureira, started contacting public officials to see if they could send the miners a copy of the film. Fiess said Maureira was able to reach a daughter and a brother of miner Jose Henriquez. Through that family contact, the group was able to send an MP3 audio version of the Jesus film and an MP3 audio version of the New Testament in Spanish to Henriquez down in the mine. The Jesus film explains that the New Testament tells how Jesus is laid in a tomb-like cave after his crucifixion. Three days later, Jesus is said to have risen from the dead. In the Jesus film, women come to the tomb and find the stone that blocked the entrance has been rolled away, the cave empty. It is unclear if the miners saw the resurrection story as a parallel for their hoped-for rescue, but Jose Henriquez passed along a letter to CCCI's Maureira from inside the mine. Fiess shared the English translation with CNN: Thank you for this tremendous blessing for me and my coworkers. It will be good for our spiritual edification. I am fine because Christ lives in me. We have prayer services at 12 noon and 6 pm. "At the end of the letter," Fiess said, "(Henriquez) said goodbye with Psalm 95:4, which says, `In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.'" A few days later, Henriquez asked Maureira to get them special T-shirts. "The T-shirts were a gift from Campus Crusade for Christ Chile," Fiess said. "In the front you can read, `Gracias Senor' – `Thank you Lord.'" And on the back, Psalm 95:4. [In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.] "Apparently, all the miners liked them," Fiess said. "It kind of solidified them." From: http://www.journezine.com/ and from From CNN.com ================================================================ _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' .-. / |_ /| __| |__ / ` |_/ [__ __] / \ / | | / '--;_ | | _\ `\ | | / |`-.___. / | | ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I can see it, but because I can see all that it touches. -- C. S. 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