I know I should be living in the present, but it feels good to remember good things that happened in the past. That is what memories are for, to be able to recall things. What is wrong with trying to remember how it felt like to fall in love for the first time? Hey, we all have our own version of that memory. How about remembering what it felt like to wake up to a cold rainy day when you were young. We take such things for granted now, but everything somehow had more meaning when we were younger.

I was a child of the 80’s, which means that I liked Star Trek the TV series, Voltes V, Horlicks, Bubble Yum, Atari, Speak & Spell, Game & Watch, the XT computer (loved it), Windows 3.1, WordStar, Karateka (the game), Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, The Legend of Kage, New Wave, Heavy Metal and so much more. I could go on, but I do not want this article to end up having a hundred pages. These are just some of the things that helped make my childhood a memorable one. Every time I come across something that reminds me of these things, I suddenly find myself remembering what was. Thank you YouTube for helping me remember.

I look back not because my life sucks now. I have a great life; I have an exciting job; I have a wife and two kids and I am healthy. I have a lot to be thankful for. I think the reason why I enjoy looking back is because everything seemed so simple back then. Long before there was CSI, we had 21 Jump Street. Long before there were high tech films such as Avatar, we had E.T. My generation was also the first to experience the evolution in technology when it came to home entertainment. My first game console was the Atari. There was nothing else like it at that time. I also witnessed the evolution of computer technology. I saw how the very expensive XT home computers evolve into the more affordable modern computers we have today. I was even witness to the evolution of the Windows operating system. Indeed, a lot has changed.

In closing, I just want to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with looking back and reminiscing the past. The past is there to be remembered and cherished. I would never let go of the memories of all the special times spent with my family. I would never let go of the memories of how life was so simple back then. I am not even willing to let go of the memories of how the air was easier to breathe back then and how it was safe to drink water straight from the faucet decades ago. Again, I know that I should live in the present but then, the memories are just too good to let go.

Is memories a reflection for us, or is it a lesson for us to look forward to? Do we feel happy or do we felt hurt and angry of what has happened to us? Do we keep on remembering the past or do we moved on and find ways to let the wounds heal by time?

It’s not as easy as ABC, when our lives has been put up with trials and test. Happiness seemed to be shortlived, and overshadowed with sadness and anger. Why do we feel disappointed over and over again? Why can’t we get over it as we wanted?

Truthfully it’s all depends on a person’s willpower. If we have the strength to move on, and set a goal for ourselves, life will turn out differently since we will be creating a new chapter of our lives. Is it worth all the troubles, when we pushed ourselves above the boundaries? Do we doubt on our capabilities? Truthfully, it’s really worth every time and effort that we invested in.

Think about it. Weigh all your good and bad memories, and do some reflections. Do we want to stay and moped around and stucked in a rut forever, or do we want to do something about it, set our priorities straight, and look forward towards the future?

Not all scars shows. Not all wounds heal. Sometimes you can’t see, the pain someone feels. We can’t compare someone else sufferings and experiences. We can only incorporate and commend particularly their endeavor and conviction to rise up after the fall. We may not always end up where we thought we were going; still we will always end up where we were meant to be.

Our destiny is never tied to anyone. Just because it’s not what you were expecting, doesn’t mean it’s not everything you’ve been waiting for…. It just means that there will come a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book. Everything you want comes after you stop looking for it. Yet, we‘re all given the choice and will to merge the game of life and play our cards right.

  Engrams start to take place in the child, once they are told the words “No” “Don’t” “Quit” “Stop” these words affect their psyche. Engrams are like computer programs, except they store data in the brain. Engrams play in the subconscious like a song on loop each time a child tries to engage in that activity. All determined by their mind state, senses and feelings during that experience.

  As we’ve seen through out history, repression doesn’t work. An engram will eat at the mind, until it is either deleted or dealt with. When children are young they are taught that “sex” is bad and they are instructed not to touch those “private parts.”  Now, by calling them “private parts” this part of the body becomes alienated, becomes not appropriate.

  Once this program has been installed and nothing is done about it.It plays its vital role in the child’s mind, since sexuality is natural part of humanity it must be expressed in one way or another. Not even the priests have kept their word of celibacy. So repression, will only add  to the engram. Like a soda that’s been shaken up, it finds its way to pour out. Natural emotion, feelings and beliefs will rebel regardless of the dictator! Without even trying because their natural response is to be what they been created to be.

The child starts off being programmed by the programmer ( IE the parent.) So, the ultimate goal is for the child to become it’s own programmer.

It was quite shocking to my senses as I recall, I was after all only a small boy at the time.

Perhaps it was this scarring effect that makes it so prominent in my recollections. I had thought that my family life was quite good, up until that point. I know that it may be offensive to my mother that I am even writing on this topic, but from my perspective as long as I am not slandering, then there is no major issue.

It is probable that my memory is not a paragon of perfection, but I am writing as I recall to the best of my mind’s ability after so long.

I remember for years being angry at my mother for doing nothing less than (I thought @ the time) attempting to leave us (my sisters and I.) I honestly thought we did something to make her not want to be with us anymore.

It made no sense to me as a child, and makes even less sense to me now looking back. This is the first time I am deeply touching this topic, consider it an exercise to exorcise a lot of childhood trauma. I am happy to say my mother survived her attempted suicide and is still very much alive, although she still struggles with depression issues and such.

That though the radiance which was once so bright

be now forever taken from my sight.

Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor

in the grass, glory in the flower.

We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.

: o ) William Wordsworth

After a few times reading this you get the flavor of what he was talking about. Getting old with grace. Growing old is happening to all of us, he so eloquently explains in detail.

Maybe your not quite at the hour of splendor yet, but we should live our life now so that we don’t look back as he did.

Remembering all of the good that we shared, the laughter and the smiles and the deeds that made another persons life easier to live.  Thats what we should choose to remember.

We all hope not to grieve but to reminisce on what was so great and grand.

That should be our goal our everyday reoccurrence of life.

Take time to enjoy the coldness of winter. The blossom of spring. The gentle rain that falls that feeds our gardens.

Take time to enjoy the warmth and heat of summer and enjoy the splashing of kids at the local beach or pool.  No matter your age, stick your legs, or toes in the cool crisp water and feel the texture as it laps against your skin.

Enjoy the season, which ever your life is and then when your final hour of splendor arrives you won’t wonder where it went.  You will have it deep in your memory bank ready to withdraw at any time and enjoy.

Share your dreams and your laughter and your smiles along your journey no matter what season your in.

Video of the Day

Coming to a field or flower bead near you Enjoy ! : )

Scripture of the Day 

Job 17:9 (NLT)

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” 

Have a blessed day everyone

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  A lot has been made of this verse but I am going to simplify.  I’ll let the intellectuals find the needle.  What I am mostly interested in at this point in my life is the Father/Son relationship with God.  So I ask , “Why did our Father create us to look like Him?” 

  Can you think of anything more natural for a Father to do?  I can’t.  I wanted my children to look like me.  And if anyone said so, it pleased me. This is just another easy-to-understand hint from the Father on how much He wanted us to be His family.  From the beginning of time, He wanted this.  And nothing should be more pleasing to us, and to God, than for someone to say we look just like our Father in heaven.  Physically, they aren’t going to say this.  But spiritually?  Yes, they will.  All we have to do is to look like our Brother, Jesus, and we will look like our Father as well.  Because Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” John 14:9   So if we look like Jesus in our character and like the Father in our design, then we  look like the Father both from birth and also from rebirth!  See how much our Father desires us to be His children?!  Beautiful!  Both inside and out!  

  Don’t let anyone convince you that you are ugly.  It’s just not the truth.  We look like our Father and He is beautiful!

• A classic night of romance with a candle-light dinner, tuxedo and evening dress, and chocolates for dessert.
• Give your honey some sugar and make Valentine sugar-cookies together…frosting-fights are always a romantic playful way to spend time together. 
• If you live somewhere warm, decorate a spot in the park with hearts hanging from the trees and create your own romantic getaway in nature.
• For those who live in snowy places: Spray paint the snow with red and pink hearts, make your own mural together and lay in the snow doing snow angels! Hot chocolate with some peppermint and a warm fire afterwards are always a plus.
• If your sweetheart happens to go to work on Valentine’s you could provide them with their own heart-attack, when they are out of the office put red and pink hearts EVERYWHERE. Plaster them on the walls, chairs, computer, and whatever else is handy. On each heart, write a reason why you love your honey, it will make their Valentine’s Day that much brighter!
• For those with a passion for cake-decorating share a little passion with your loved one while making and decorating a cake together.
• Send your honey on a scavenger-hunt all around town, to places you spend time together, and places that have special memories etc. The last destination is where you will spend time together eating, talking, hugging, kissing, and just doing what you have planned!
• Send your lover flowers with a sweet note expressing your passion and love. Some rich chocolate should be included.
• Spread petals on your bed with incense burning and when your spouse wakes up have the whole house created into a spa to spend all day relaxing at.
• Make it simple! Go out to dinner and after that watch as many chick-flicks as you can fit in!
• Write your love story together.
• Go on a Valentine’s Day drive with your favorite treats in the car, and a CD of love songs playing.
• Sketch each other’s faces with a Valentine’s theme.
• Go dancing, and then surprise your special sweetheart with a dozen roses at the end of the night.
• Give your significant other one rose during every hour of the day, along with a heart-shaped note about why you love them. ♥

These are just a few different ideas of how to make your Valentine’s Day memorable. I know what my plans are for my sweetheart on Valentines Day! Good luck to all those looking for romantic ideas! Don’t let this Valentine’s Day pass without expressing your love and adoration to your sweetheart. Let the Valentine’s sunrise touch your heart and warm your soul. Have a Happy Valentine’s Season!

I was born near the tail end of the baby boom generation. My dad worked in a factory and my mother stayed home. We were quite poor but I didn’t know it because I always felt secure. My childhood was spent in Southern California in a house surrounded by fields and orange groves.

  My parents were young and my dad had a record player that I was fascinated with. It had a huge turntable covered in felt and it was built into a case that had a lid and could be latched. That record player had a wonderful, unique smell that I will always remember. It looked something like this:

  He had a stack of vinyl 45 records that were so exciting. Mostly Elvis Presley, but I also remember Bob Luman, Bobby Darin, Ferlin Husky, Johnny Cash and Jimmy Rogers. Since a 45 had a big hole in the middle, it was necessary to keep a supply of spindle adaptors. Without it, the record wouldn’t stay centered on the turntable.

  We had a black and white television and TV was free, although programming was pretty limited. There were no video games or internet. Our telephone was a corded rotary dial type and we had only one for the whole house. It was ok though because back then, kids spent a lot of time outdoors and parents didn’t worry much about kidnappings and such. We climbed trees, played kickball, and ate oranges and walnuts all day long from the trees around the neighborhood.

  Sodas were sold in tall glass bottles back then which could be taken, when empty, back to the store and exchanged for money. My sister and I would collect them and when we had enough, we would redeem them for penny candy. We could easily come away with a good sized bag full of a variety of candy and gum. Later I would pay at the dentist’s office.

  In 1964, the Beatles landed in America and although I was only 5 years old, I fell in love with them. There were plenty of cartoons on TV, but my favorite shows were Shindig, Hullabaloo and Bandstand. These were all musical variety shows that featured the popular stars of the day and teenagers dancing.

  The fashions of the time were nearly as exciting as the music. The girls were wearing go go boots, bell bottoms and mini skirts, while the boys were sporting long hair and clothes with paisley prints and stripes.

  Popular toys were Tonka trucks and Barbie dolls. I wanted a Barbie but I got Midge instead. She didn’t seem as glamorous as Barbie.

  Other toys that were heavily advertised were the Slinky, which is still sold today, Wheelo and Gaylord the Bassett Hound. I owned Gaylord and I seem to remember he required a lot of batteries, so when his power ran out, that was the end of playing with him. By pulling on his leash, he would be triggered to walk, with a lot of motor and gear noise I might add.

Gaylord        Wheelo

  I’m very happy I was born a baby boomer and I would not trade it for anything else. Things were far from perfect but it was a good time to grow up. Much progress has been made since then in science, medicine, civil rights, technology and general knowledge as it should be, but I will always feel nostalgic for the simpler life of the sixties.

‘People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. 

But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.’

~ Thomas Szasz

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‘Only the shallow know themselves.’

~ Oscar Wilde

Reflection on Christmas Eve’s past.

So many memories it is hard to choose, not all of them where good in a troubled home.   Many of them I created on my own but as a young child the imagination and wonder create awesome things.

The Christmas tree growing up was one of those silver aluminum trees you know the turntable at the bottom that sup around and the wooden powers with holes in them to hold those wonderful metallic branches that stayed and was pulled out of a paper sleeve to keep them safe all year.  LOL.

Those big glass ornaments with awesome bright colors.  One or two broke every year. It was bound to happen and you were glad it was not you. It makes me smile thinking of the tree construction each year.

The small metal globe with the spinning stain glass plastic disc.  It had a huge bulb inside and when you plugged it in the disc spun slowly and the light shown through.  It let up the tree that was the Christmas lights.

The manger a wooden nativity scene with plastic figures and a music box wind up key that played silent night, holy night.  I would watch the tree spin, the bulbs shine and the colors reflect off. Always like to hand a bult close to the manger and as the tree spun it would just grace the top of the manger and make a tap on the roof. LOL

Great memories that tree and light show.

I am sure you have many as well.

All that we have

Possessions are not all that we have or all that we are.  They do not go with us and when they stay behind they mean little to those who obtain them.

What does matter is the self we created.  The memories we shared and passed on.  I do laugh at those that say they are working on finding themselves when in fact they should be creating themselves.

No, we all can rest and wait for the time to slowly tick by and wait for that great idea or passion to fall into place.  

I would rather step out and search and find and create the course that I go forward on.

So this season, create more memories that you can look back on with a smile and a chuckle.

This season share a simple sincere smile or laughter with those you love.

This season start a new tradition of gratitude, a life that you design, and curiosity that knows no limits.

Live ~ Love ~ Laugh ~ Dream ~ Share with those you most cherish.  Smiles to you this season and a very Merry Christmas : )

This weeks affirmation fits right here :

I live with an abundant attitude.  I appreciate what surrounds me, I see love and possibility in everything that is presented to me.  When challenges confront me, I welcome them because I see growth and opportunity.  It is a new chance to share in my knowledge of appreciation and love.  I am grateful for everything that brings me love and joy.  Love surrounds me.  Joy flows freely from my spirit.  I am grateful!  I appreciate and look forward to the new year and I will live in gratitude for all that I have.

Trust in these words this week,  Say them, repeat them and each day watch the shift in your beliefs.

Words with power, with emotion and words that will help affirm your design of a better you.

Use your mirror time and face time each day to acknowledge that you are loved and that you are truly grateful for all that you have.

By your creator, and by the reflection in that mirror.  You are loved. Take the time for you!  It is within you right now to make your day more joyful, happier, and designed the way you choose. Its your turn to act! 

Smiles as always sent your way.  Today and always. : )

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On this day in history

563 – The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by earthquakes.

1294 – Pope Boniface VIII is elected Pope, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned.

1777 – Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island, is discovered by James Cook.

1814 – The Treaty of Ghent is signed ending the War of 1812.

1826 – The Eggnog Riot at the United States Military Academy begins that night, wrapping up the following morning.

1851 – Library of Congress burns.

1865 – The Ku Klux Klan is formed.

1906 – Radio: Reginald Fessenden transmits the first radio broadcast; consisting of a poetry reading, a violin solo, and a speech.

1913 – The Italian Hall Disaster (”1913 Massacre”) in Calumet, Michigan results in the death of 73 Christmas party goers held by striking mine workers, including 59 children.

1914 – World War I: The “Christmas truce” begins.

1924 – Albania becomes a republic.

1939 – World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.

1941 – World War II: Kuching is conquered by Japanese forces.

1943 – World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the Supreme Allied Commander.

1953 – Tangiwai disaster: A railway bridge is destroyed by a lahar at Tangiwai, in the Central North Island of New Zealand, sending a fully loaded passenger train into the Whangaehu River, and killing 153 people.

1955 – NORAD Tracks Santa for the first time in what will become an annual Christmas Eve tradition.

1964 – Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon to demonstrate they can strike an American installation in the heavily guarded capital.

1966 – A Canadair CL-44 chartered by the United States military crashes into a small village in South Vietnam, killing 129.

1968 – The crew of the USS Pueblo is released by North Korea after being held for 11 months on suspicion of spying.

1968 – Apollo Program: The crew of Apollo 8 enters into orbit around the Moon, becoming the first humans to do so. They performed 10 lunar orbits and broadcast live TV pictures that became the famous Christmas Eve Broadcast, one of the most watched programs in history.

1973 – District of Columbia Home Rule Act is passed, allowing residents of Washington, D.C. to elect their own local government.

1974 – Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin, Australia.

1979 – The first European Ariane rocket is launched.

1980 – Witnesses report the first of several sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England, an incident called “Britain’s Roswell”.

1997 – The Sid El-Antri massacre (or Sidi Lamri) in Algeria kills 50-100 people.

2000 – The Texas 7 hold up a sports store in Irving, Texas. Police officer Aubrey Hawkins is murdered during the robbery.

2003 – The Spanish police thwart an attempt by ETA to detonate 50 kg of explosives at 3:55 p.m. inside Madrid’s busy Chamartín Station.

2008 – Lord’s Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group, begins a series of attacks on Democratic Republic of the Congo, massacring more than 400.

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My daily recipe for today.  Hope you enjoy : )  From allrecipes.com

Indian Spiced Chex® Mix

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New Feature Only on Thursday  Weekly Sudoku Puzzle 

Sudoku by Sudokuhints.com

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Your Daily Prayer 

Lord, thank you for today and all its majesty and beauty.

Thanks for the gift of our free will may we all choose wisely.

Thank you for all the abundance that I have in my life.  

Help me to understand all the possibilities that come along with this abundance.

Thank you for this day, this holiday that we set aside for those we care about.

Bless our families, our friends, those in need of hope and faith may be in some way help to inspire their lives.

May I stand out among the crowd and give freely the love that burns inside my spirit.

Help my free flowing spirit to feel your presence, your spirit, your love, your direction.

May I share a smile, a sincere smile and perhaps a kind word or deed.

Help me to live a life by design that I choose not one that is chosen for me.

On keeping things more attainable and filling this time of year with the simple things of life.

Giving thanks

Showing appreciation

Expressing the real reason for the season.

For the power of words and your words that you placed in the Bible.

Thanks for the gift of love may I understand that everything was designed with love and only man and his wrong intentions created hate.

Help all of us to become better givers of self.

Help us to become the gift that this world needs.

A bit kinder, more gentle, more in tune with the power and influence we really do all have.

To share to be that beacon of light.

To share a simple sincere smile.

To reach out with our hands and arms to help another person get a foot hold once again.

Help me to make a difference with a simple sincere smile, a kind word or even a act of kindness or love. 

I give you praise and the glory for all of that

With humility and gratitude I thank you

Amen

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Daily Information

A very cool time piece for the web

Sunrise  

Sunset

Next Full Moon

Days till Spring 

Sharing a smile ~  Sending you love ~  Pass it on

: )

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written by Victor Yakin copyright protected 2011