The story started with the funeral for Sadie, a long-forgotten great-aunt of the heroin, Lara. At the beginning of the story, my interest dwindled on the part where Sadie’s ghost first appeared before Lara. First off, she was really pushy and annoying for a ghost. Second, I do not really believe in people’s soul coming back in the form of ghosts. I thought that when one dies, the soul gets back to the hands of the Creator. And despite ignoring this fact because after all, the story was FICTION, I was still left wondering why Sadie didn’t return as the 100-year old woman that she was before she died. Without troubling herself to explain, Ms. Kinsella proved her point towards the end of the story through association. Undeniably, it got to me that even though we get older, there is this certain age wherein we are most happy that the soul inside retains this age despite the aging body. Definitely, I myself sometimes feel that the person inside me is from several years ago. Not that I’m that old, but I know I feel a lot younger than my actual age inside.

The story was really hilarious to start with. At first, I hated Sadie for disturbing her niece and humiliating her at several instances for just a piece of a dragonfly necklace! While reading, I kept wincing over the parts where Lara had to barge in during an unknown business meeting to ask the presiding guy for a date just because Sadie had a huge crush on him. And I especially despised her for interrupting a business talk which was Lara’s only hope to salvage her self-established business. So what really made me wish to have a ghost like Sadie by my side then?

Several reasons triggered this wish. First, I realized that a ghost by your side would be especially helpful in understanding other people’s actions. Lara was undergoing an emotional battle when her ex-boyfriend left her clueless. All the while, she made herself believe that Josh was just undergoing a “personal” phase. If not for her great-aunt’s ability to spy, she would never learn that her ex had moved on and was already dating another girl. Sadie also made her realize that Josh wasn’t really the level-headed person Lara thinks he is. Sure, the ghost didn’t help them get back. But at least she helped Lara to move on. Definitely, Lara was able to stalk her ex without being obvious.

Sadie was also quite responsible for bringing a new love life into Lara’s life. Ed was Sadie’s type of guy whom she dated through Lara and whom Lara went through so much humiliation just to have a date. But Ed and Lara unintentionally fell in love with each other and although this infuriated Sadie at first, she later on gave way. This could definitely add to the reasons for wishing to have a ghost like Sadie beside me. She had a great taste and good choice, unlike her niece. Not to mention the fact that Sadie was actually a famous historical icon which Lara found out in the course of searching for her great-aunt who disappeared because of the love triangle. But the best part of all was the friendship between the two. Sadie became the person whom Lara could confide everything while Lara helped Sadie discover the peace that she needed much more than having the necklace back. Sadie learned that the person she secretly loved most did love her back as much because of Lara’s research efforts.

The ending was quite sad. I almost wished that Sadie would refuse to receive the dragonfly necklace, which was the root cause of her ghostly appearance, and give it to Lara instead. If she does that however, she will not be able to rest. But that would be okay, because it means having her around forever. Well, I was glad Ms. Kinsella ended the story on her own way. It was sad but definitely better. It made the story even more realistic with the idea that the inevitable, although unwanted, is sometimes better.

“Poverty” has reduced but still remains a major concern for Nation. Poverty is not only the scarcity of resources, but is set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. “Hunger” and “Poverty” are powerful but familiar terms. Everyone knows what they mean, yet, they evoke different descriptions for everyone. 

            We watched 2 inspiring short films about poverty and hunger. These 2 films are entitled “SA KAMBAS NG LIPUNAN” and “CHICKEN A LA CARTE”. At present I know that poverty everywhere really existing, and who suffer from it are the young ones. I’ve experience the situation where in I’m kind of stupid to be hesitated to express my pity for those who are asking for money, to sustain their needs. I’m kind of inconsiderate of what they are begging. It’s just that I am thinking of myself but not about the situation they have now, being less fortunate of the society. I have also experience a situation where in I’m kind of judgmental person. I judge them to be bad and do bad things if they will approach you. I feel afraid of them; I think that they will take my cell phone, bag, my money in my pocket, or anything when I am walking on the street.

            I realized after watching the movie, a flash back of what I did to the hungry individual, that I am really bad person, self-centered and damn. I think that I am a person without morality, feel enriching, and annoying; and pretending to be blind about the things that need my help. I am not worth to live in this place if what I think is just the world and me. I am so sorry for that. What I did is really a big sin to the society, to the world and to God. 
I should do even just a little thing, or the things that I really can for the welfare of those in need. I should struggle a lot rather than them because they are not obliged to do so. It is not there responsibility to travel from one place to another just to seek for money. 

When I watched the 2nd short film, I have mixed feelings. One part of me feels for the children who have to go through hunger and the possibility of not knowing if where their next meal will come from. And yet at the same time I feel warmth and inspired by what the man did in the short film; bringing the left-over to the children. The smiles on their faces are simply priceless. No words can describe the happiness. It is a shame indeed that most left-overs from restaurants are collected by trash companies. These food would have been good meals to those who are starving. As in the short film, although the food distributed to the children were all left-overs, they were still so happy when eating. I guess most wouldn’t know how it would feel to go hungry for days without food. It is hard to blame them since they do not have the awareness. And since most of these hungry people are so far away from them that they feel indifferent towards them.

I am educated enough, my range of thinking is good enough, and I already know how to start things move but don’t know how to move for those who do not experience what I do. I am aware about many things about poverty, I feel lose for them but just stop there, no action is being implemented. 
We are not here in this world just to understand for the things that must be understood, but to act what we really can. 

I suggest that we as a human who live with better nourishment should give even just a little time for them, by earning money, and maybe someday we can build a better living for them. We should share wholeheartedly, not just in terms of costly things but also in terms of caring and loving, as how God loves us and all of us.

Mirrors are designed to show what comes in front of them, as they are, unless they are made to be a concave or convex mirror to get the desired images. By being selfless and speaking from heart, one would gain lots of respect from others.

2. No Hidden Intentions:

Most people speak what they think others want to listen from them and do not speak what is there in their minds, thereby hiding their true intentions. While it is okay for some professions such as customer care, where one has to conceal their sadness and come out with a smile while serving, it is not good when the intentions that are pushed under the rugs are malicious.

3. Reflect Life:

Mirrors reflect what life offers to them, which could be anything from dirt that settles on them to the huge buildings and trees that are in front of them. However, they do not analyze what the contents are, which is good in terms of going to meet a person or a new arena with an open mind which does not carry any prejudice.

4. Self-Defects:

The person who has a cracked mirror would know that they would not get a proper image out of it. While they realize that it is the mirror’s fault and not the image’s, it is necessary to understand that most of our perceptions are a result of our preconceived notions and not what others do! How can a person be calm if being scolded for coming late by the boss and yell back if their spouse tells them that they are late!

5. Never Carry Junk:

The mirrors show the images of the objects, until they are in front of them. Once the object goes out of sight, the mirror would focus on reflecting the next object. Similarly, the persons should focus on the current affairs and should never carry their pains or agonies from their dark past.

6. Move On:

Once the objects moves out of the line of sight of the mirror, the mirror is busy in reflecting the next scene. Similarly, it is necessary that the person moves on in their lives, without worrying about the past or future!

7. Everybody’s Welcome:

Only a very few objects and persons are able to be warm to everyone and comfortable with everybody without any partiality and mirrors would top that list. While it is important to reflect to others’ thoughts, one has to be nice and wise in putting across their opinions.

8. Background is Important:

Without the mercury surface on the backside of the mirror, the reflections would not be possible. Therefore, even though one races into the future, it is necessary to respect their roots, be it mother tongue, nationality or even their faith systems. It is good to appreciate other elements in society without putting down their own!

9. Shatter, Still Perform:

Break a mirror into 100 tiny pieces and each one would reflect what they can. Similarly, life may come hard into us, but it is crucial to make sure to do what it takes and go that extra mile to help others.

10. Sand Grains to Smooth Glass:

Walk on the beach with bare feed and the grains of sand would cause itching and are very coarse. They even enter into the toe nails to cause irritation to septic infections. However, with the right processes, the same sand grains would become smooth glass materials and therefore it is necessary that the person is flexible to undergo through the tough times of life, with the belief that they are meant to make their life shining and smooth in future.

With some lessons learnt and many more that are hidden under the surface of the mirrors, one can have better quality of life.

Most girls have experiencing heartbreak, especially when a girl found out that her knight in shining armour had loved someone else or already got married. This girl’s dream and hope has been shattered. She felt no purpose why she always do the things that she usually do. She felt miserable why all her friends got married while she is left alone and still single. The reality of this, what her feeling is normal because she is absolutely 100% straight woman. Second, dealing with a wave of grief, anger, confusion, depression, low self-confidence, and jealousy would take time if she allowed herself to heal and if she decides to be happy for the man she loved and to be contented of the blessings and purpose given to her by God. 

I may not be an expert on this, but I am one of the millions of girls who had experienced a heartbreak with different kinds of situation. I also know how to feel heavy, empty, and sad when I see the man that I loved is already taken. It is like that my little dreamland had been shattered where I put all my hopes that I could be happily settled down with that man I loved. But, the truth is, God is not answering all the prayers because He has a purpose for everyone. But, I know that God has a purpose why He is not answering my prayers. First, my working relationship with my father must be improved. Second, I am starting to adjust to the life of adulthood. Third, I have to be financially independent. Fourth, my relationship with God must keep going too. 

Some people who are experiencing a heartbreak would resort to drugs, sex, and alcohol. But, I would resort myself to counseling, prayers, devotion, and reflection. 

Who is M. K. T.?

M. K. T. or also known as MARK is a volleyball varsitarian of Philippine Cultural High School(PCHS)- Main. After he went to Chiang Kai Shek College, he and his friends put up a small merchandising business. A friend of mine named G. L. U. said that he is a former bully of PCHS-Main. But, for me, he is friendly, nice, and sometimes naughty. M. K. T. and I already had a dispute online while we have flaring on Facebook thread. But, it took time for me to forgive him. And, I am still hoping that he is the ONE who can sweeps off my feet. I maybe unrealistic but he is the only one who can make me happy everytime when we talked on the phone at night before I go to sleep. I maybe cheap because I am chasing this poor guy but it is who I am and I consider that my feelings are normal. 

When we were in college, he used to tease me when I put make-up on my face. Maybe that Chinese school is not used to have students who always wear make-up. But, putting make-up on my face is fun. I am a girl. It is fun to celebrate womanhood. Then, I stopped putting make-up on my face, and my self-esteem got lowered. 

Now, with my counseling from my psychologist, I started to put make-up on my face and I gained back my confidence. I listened to psychiatrist who said that M. K. T.’s own opinion on my make-up doesn’t matter. So, it is my initiation to move on and forget the pasts as I took actions to gain back on my self-confidence.

First, I thought it is VERY EASY to forget him. I thought myself an Iron Lady. But, I am wrong. When I looked at the picture, my heart was shattered into pieces. But, when I am looking at the pictures of my Imaginary Babies, I still gained back my confidence because I cherished the memories when I met those kids who I considered as my Imaginary Babies. 

Now, I followed my dad’s advice. I have to go out to work for myself and for him. I have to face the reality that WE REALLY ARE NOT MEANT FOR EACH OTHER. And, GOD IS STILL GOOD BECAUSE HE HAS A PLAN FOR ME. I must not lose hope. I must continue dreaming to have a family of my own. I must continue to dream to have a sincere, kind, respectful, and loving man who can sweep off my feet and accept me for what I am. I must continue to live purposeful and fruitful and to have a respect for myself because I am a woman of dignity. 

I have five (5) classic kundimans that are dedicated to M. K. T., who is better known as MARK, and these are:

• Saan Ka Man Naroroon
• Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan
• Ngayon at Kailanman
• Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin
• Ikaw lang Ang Mamahalin

These are beautiful Filipino love songs (kundimans). I have a CD of these songs which I usually played it at home when I wanted to unwind or to relax. For me, it is not bad to express oneself as long as you did not hurt anyone’s feelings or dignity. And for me, this would be the last reflection or article blog about remembering the lad from my pasts.

Here are the selected lyrics of the Filipino love songs that I dedicated to him: 

The lyrics of Hangang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan by Basil Valdez:

Hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan
Hanggang matapos ang kailan pa man
Ikaw ang siyang mamahalin at lagi nang sasambahin
Manalig kang di ka na luluha giliw

At kung sadyang siya lang ang iyong mahal
Asahan mong ako’y di hahadlang
Habang ikaw ay maligaya ako’y maghihintay
Maging hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan

Giliw kung sadyang siya lang ang iyong mahal
Asahan mong ako’y di hahadlang
Habang ikaw ay maligaya ako’y maghihintay
Maging hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan

The lyrics of Ngayon at Kailanman by Basil Valdez:

Ngayon at kailanman
Sumpa ko’y iibigin ka
Ngayon at kailanman
Hindi ka na mag-iisa
Ngayon at kailanman
Sa hirap ko ginhawa ka
Asahan may kasama ka sinta
Naroroon ako t’wina
Maaasahan mo t’wina
Ngayon at kailanman…

REFRAIN:
Sa bawat araw ang pag-ibig ko sa ‘yo liyag
Lalong tumatamis, tumitingkad
Bawat kahapon ay daig nitong bawat ngayon
Na daig ng bawat bukas

The lyrics of Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin by Martin Nievera:

Ikaw ang lahat sa akin,
kahit ika’y wala sa aking piling
isang magandang alaala
isang kahapon, lagi kong kasama
ikaw ang lahat sa akin
kahit ika’y di ko dapat ibigin
dapat ba kitang limutin
pano mapipigil ang isang damdamin
kung ang sinisigaw
ikaw ang lahat sa akin

at kung hindi ngayon
ang panahon, upang ikaw ay mahalin
bukas na walang hanggan
ako’y maghihintay pa rin

Conclusion: Now, I consider myself free from my past hurts. I am a free woman since the beginning. I am free to do what I am thinking to do. I am free to love myself. I am free to beautify myself. I am free to evolve myself. I am free to forgive others who hurt me in the pasts. I am free to forget all the unnecessary things. I am free to prioritize the things that are important. I am free create beautiful things out of my deep emotions. I am free to show to the world that I AM A STRONG WOMAN. A STRONG WOMAN never denies HER EMOTIONS. A STRONG WOMAN also cries when she has an emotional breakdown. A STRONG WOMAN learned to fix her own issues. I am a strong woman – a woman of faith and dignity. 

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, 

and sharing of pleasures.   For in the dew of 

little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

~Khalil Gibran

We should all share in our pleasures.   The smile is an outward expression of pleasure and kindness. A smile send out into the world so much positive energy.  It sends out the message of appreciation, of love, of joy, of acceptance and even more kindness.

It is hard to be filled with gratitude and not want to share joy, laughter and a smile.

Smiles can indeed be found anywhere when we truly look from the heart.

To share these finds, to share that joy, that expression of gratitude is so very needed in this world that seems to find new ways to hurt each other, each and every day.

We need to share and reach out out love, our kindness, our expression of acceptance and share our laughter that comes from within.

Laughter can cure our every growing illness of fear and worry.

A smile, a simple sincere smile can start to mend the broken spirit.

Taking time to pray and meditate and truly listen for that small still voice that says what is needed.

The voice that says you are loved, and you are a creation from the heavens.

We need to find our laughter, and share it.

We need to use our smile that resides with in and share it and light up another persons face and bring joy and love to them.

We can do it!  We should do it! We must do it! 

For when we share and give the love, it returns back in greater portions. 

Sharing and caring everyday will mend our pain and hurt.

Prayer and quiet time shared will inspire our soul.

Laughter and smiles shared will rebuild a hurting spirit.

Share these today.

As always smiles sent your way…. Today  and everyday  : )  Enjoy your day everyone : )

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On this day in history

1703 – The first Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed in the Great Storm of 1703.

1727 – The foundation stone to the Jerusalem’s Church in Berlin is laid.

1815 – Adoption of Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland.

1830 – St. Catherine Laboure experiences a vision of the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe, crushing a serpent with her feet, and emanating rays of light from her hands.

1839 – In Boston, Massachusetts, the American Statistical Association is founded.

1863 – American Civil War: Confederate cavalry leader John Hunt Morgan and several of his men escape the Ohio Penitentiary and return safely to the South.

1863 – American Civil War: Battle of Mine Run – Union forces under General George Meade position against troops led by Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

1868 – Indian Wars: Battle of Washita River – United States Army Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer leads an attack on Cheyenne living on reservation land.

1895 – At the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Alfred Nobel signs his last will and testament, setting aside his estate to establish the Nobel Prize after he dies.

1901 – The U.S. Army War College is established.

1924 – In New York City, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held.

1934 – Bank robber Baby Face Nelson dies in a shoot-out with the FBI.

1940 – World War II: At the Battle of Cape Spartivento, the Royal Navy engages the Regia Marina in the Mediterranean Sea.

1942 – World War II: At Toulon, the French navy scuttles its ships and submarines to keep them out of Nazi hands.

1944 – World War II: An explosion at a Royal Air Force ammunition dump at Fauld, Staffordshire kills seventy people.

1963 – The Convention on the Unification of Certain Points of Substantive Law on Patents for Invention is signed at Strasbourg.

1963 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson makes his first address to Congress as president following the assassination of John F. Kennedy five days prior.

1965 – Vietnam War: The Pentagon tells U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson that if planned operations are to succeed, the number of American troops in Vietnam has to be increased from 120,000 to 400,000.

1971 – The Soviet space program’s Mars 2 orbiter releases a descent module. It malfunctions and crashes, but it is the first man-made object to reach the surface of Mars.

1973 – The Twenty-fifth Amendment: The United States Senate votes 92 to 3 to confirm Gerald Ford as Vice President of the United States (on December 6, the House confirmed him 387 to 35).

1975 – The Provisional IRA assassinates Ross McWhirter, after a press conference in which McWhirter had announced a reward for the capture of those responsible for multiple bombings and shootings across England.

1978 – In San Francisco, California, city mayor George Moscone and openly gay city supervisor Harvey Milk are assassinated by former supervisor Dan White.

1983 – Avianca Flight 011, a Boeing 747 crashes near Madrid’s Barajas Airport, killing 181.

1989 – Avianca Flight 203, a Boeing 727, explodes in mid-air over Colombia, killing all 107 people on board and three people on the ground. The Medellín Cartel claimed responsibility for the attack.

1991 – The United Nations Security Council adopts Security Council Resolution 721, leading the way to the establishment of peacekeeping operations in Yugoslavia.

1992 – For the second time in a year, military forces try to overthrow president Carlos Andres Perez in Venezuela.

1999 – The left-wing Labour Party takes control of the New Zealand government with leader Helen Clark becoming the first elected female Prime Minister in New Zealand’s history.

2001 – A hydrogen atmosphere is discovered on the extrasolar planet Osiris by the Hubble Space Telescope, the first atmosphere detected on an extrasolar planet.

2004 – Pope John Paul II returns the relics of Saint John Chrysostom to the Eastern Orthodox Church.

2005 – The first partial human face transplant is completed in Amiens, France.

2006 – The Canadian House of Commons endorses Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s motion to declare Quebec a nation within a unified Canada.

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

PEPPERONI SOUP

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Your Daily Prayer 

Lord, thank you for another day of life for another day to make a difference.

I thank you for the nature outside of my door, thank you for sharing that.

Thanks for the goodness that surrounds me everyday may I be guided by my spirit to focus on those things instead of any the negative.

Help me to be kinder and gentler with myself, and more positive with my words.

May my self talk and expression flow towards the empowerment of my world and those around me.

May this day after our day of thanks give reminding me that gratitude for the simple pleasures of life and of memories made are the most significant things to reflect upon.

May I be guided and given the opportunity to share a smile.  Share a kind word and make a difference for another to brighten their day.

May we all take that step to reach out and shine our lift of love, joy and laughter.

Thanks for that love that is given and shared this time of year.  May we take this time to reach out and share our kindess and love that have been given to us.

May we become filled with gratitude that overflows.

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

: )

brought to you by Make ME Smile Online

written by Victor Yakin copyright protected 2011  

On this day in history

1778 – In the Hawaiian Islands, Captain James Cook becomes the first European to visit Maui.

1784 – The Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the United States established.

1789 – A national Thanksgiving Day is observed in the United States as recommended by President George Washington and approved by Congress.

1825 – At Union College in Schenectady, New York a group of college students form Kappa Alpha Society, the first college social fraternity.

1842 – The University of Notre Dame is founded.

1863 – President Abraham Lincoln proclaims November 26 as a national Thanksgiving Day, to be celebrated annually on the final Thursday of November (since 1941, on the fourth Thursday).

1909 – Sigma Alpha Mu is founded in the City College of New York by 8 Jewish young men.

1913 – Phi Sigma Sigma is founded at Hunter College in New York City.

1917 – The National Hockey League is formed, with the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas as its first teams.

1922 – Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon become the first people to enter the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in over 3000 years.

1922 – Toll of the Sea debuts as the first general release film to use two-tone Technicolor (The Gulf Between is the first film to do so but it is not widely distributed).

1943 – World War II: HMT Rohna sunk by the Luftwaffe in an air attack in the Mediterranean north of Béjaïa, Algeria.

1944 – World War II: A German V-2 rocket hits a Woolworth’s shop on New Cross High Street, United Kingdom, killing 168 shoppers.

1944 – World War II: Germany begins V-1 and V-2 attacks on Antwerp, Belgium.

1950 – Korean War: Troops from the People’s Republic of China launch a massive counterattack in North Korea against South Korean and United Nations forces (Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River and Battle of Chosin Reservoir), ending any hopes of a quick end to the conflict.

1965 – In the Hammaguir launch facility in the Sahara Desert, France launches a Diamant-A rocket with its first satellite, Asterix-1 on board, becoming the third country to enter outer space.

1968 – Vietnam War: United States Air Force helicopter pilot James P. Fleming rescues an Army Special Forces unit pinned down by Viet Cong fire and is later awarded the Medal of Honor.

1970 – In Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of rain fall in a minute, the heaviest rainfall ever recorded.

1977 – ‘Vrillon’, claiming to be the representative of the ‘Ashtar Galactic Command’, takes over Britain’s Southern Television for six minutes at 5:12 pm.

1983 – Brink’s-MAT robbery: In London, 6,800 gold bars worth nearly £26 million are stolen from the Brink’s-MAT vault at Heathrow Airport.

1986 – Iran-Contra scandal: U.S. President Ronald Reagan announces the members of what will become known as the Tower Commission.

1998 – Tony Blair becomes the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Republic of Ireland’s parliament.

2003 – Concorde makes its final flight, over Bristol, England.

2004 – Ruzhou School massacre: a man stabs and kills eight people and seriously wounds another four in a school dormitory in Ruzhou, China.

2008 – Terrorists attack Mumbai in India and the city is held in siege for 3 days.

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

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

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Your Daily Prayer 

Lord, thank you for another day of life.

Thanks you for the ability to learn, to seek and to understand not just the world around me but myself.

Help me to be kinder and gentler with myself, and more positive with my words.

May I encourage myself as the year progresses and take time out to learn the power of simple gratitude and kindness to others.

May this day after our day of thanks give reminding me that gratitude for the simple pleasures of life and of memories made are the most significant things to reflect upon.

May I be guided and given the opportunity to share a smile.  Share a kind word and make a difference for another to brighten their day.

May we all take that step to reach out and shine our lift of love, joy and laughter.

Thanks for that love that is given and shared this time of year.  May we take this time to reach out and share our kindess and love that have been given to us.

May we become filled with gratitude that overflows.

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

: )

brought to you by Make ME Smile Online

written by Victor Yakin copyright protected 2011  

Human memory is a marvelous but fallacious instrument. 

The memories which lie within us are not carved in stone; 

not only do they tend to become erased as the years go by, but

 often they change, or even increase by incorporating extraneous features.

~Primo Levi

Black Friday, as I write this many of been standing in line, in the cold in some places waiting for their chance to get that big bargain.  To spend their cash, or their credit and make someone’s Christmas more special.  The madness of it all black friday.  

Not a big shopper at all, thats just me, I do much of my shopping online. It is easier, and I have more warmth at my computer than trudging through the snow or cold.  

Better memories are made, at least thats me.  I do love to watch from a distance the folks on the news crawl and clamor over each other to get the latest bargain.  It makes me smile and laugh that I can understand the chaos of it all from a distance.

Memories of my days as a store manager, assistant manager for the big box department stores of the 70’s and 1980’s.   I worked for Hills Department Stores and Ames most of my career and the stories of Cabbage Patch Kids, Teddy Ruxpin, talking bears and Tickle me Elmo would have you rolling in laughter.  The madness of it all watching grown adults run down asiles of a store to get to the hot item.  The phone calls each day, ‘did you get more’?

Often the answer was no but they called back the next day.

Memories are great we can reflect on them and reject them if they don’t make us happy or smile.  They are our memories after all do with them what you wish.

I understand and promote the power of a gratitude journal.  We should all understand that is our life is worth living then it is worth recording the important stuff.  

Our grandchildren and our children will appreciate the record, the written record of what we thought, what we bought, what we cared about and who cared about us.

Take the time to not only make the memories and share the love and joy with another but take time to summarize the memoreis in to a journal.  The memories will be more accurate for one and the other thing it will become a reminder of a holiday that just went way to fast.

What jokes got told that were just so darn funny?

What item on the table did you just want to ask for the recipe?

How did the evening end?   What smiles were shared and how much did you really eat?

Memories are like a soft breeze on the beach that brings in the ocean air and gently touches our skin with comfort.  Memoreis choose them, make them and keep the ones to reflect upon when the moment is called upon again.

Take time to record them in a journal, on a computer, in a blog.  Somewhere take the time to record them. 

What joy they may bring to someone down the road of the future.  What joy they may bring to another.

So here is hoping all the thanksgiving memories you made are warm and filled with joy.  The leftovers securely put away for an afternoon snack.  The dishes done and toweled away in their proper place.

Enjoy the day and as always smiles to you this day  : )

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On this day in history

1343 – A tsunami, caused by the earthquake in the Tyrrhenian Sea, devastates Naples (Italy) and the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, among other places.

1667 – A deadly earthquake rocks Shemakha in the Caucasus, killing 80,000 people.

1703 – The Great Storm of 1703, the greatest windstorm ever recorded in the southern part of Great Britain, reaches its peak intensity which it maintains through November 27. Winds gust up to 120 mph, and 9,000 people die.

1758 – French and Indian War: British forces capture Fort Duquesne from French control. Fort Pitt is built nearby and it grows into modern Pittsburgh.

1759 – An earthquake hits the Mediterranean destroying Beirut and Damascus and killing 30,000-40,000.

1783 – American Revolutionary War: The last British troops leave New York City three months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

1833 – A massive undersea earthquake, estimated magnitude between 8.7-9.2 rocks Sumatra, producing a massive tsunami all along the Indonesian coast.

1839 – A cyclone slams India with high winds and a 40 foot storm surge, destroying the port city of Coringa (which has never been completely rebuilt). The storm wave sweeps inland, taking with it 20,000 ships and thousands of people. An estimated 300,000 deaths result from the disaster.

1863 – American Civil War: Battle of Missionary Ridge – At Missionary Ridge in Tennessee, Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant break the Siege of Chattanooga by routing Confederate troops under General Braxton Bragg.

1864 – American Civil War: A group of Confederate operatives calling themselves the Confederate Army of Manhattan starts fires in more than 20 locations in an unsuccessful attempt to burn down New York City.

1874 – The United States Greenback Party is established as a political party consisting primarily of farmers affected by the Panic of 1873.

1926 – The deadliest November tornado outbreak in U.S. history strikes on Thanksgiving day. 27 twisters of great strength are reported in the Midwest, including the strongest November tornado, an estimated F4, that devastates Heber Springs, Arkansas. There are 51 deaths in Arkansas alone, 76 deaths and over 400 injuries in all.

1947 – Red Scare: The “Hollywood Ten” are blacklisted by Hollywood movie studios.

1947 – New Zealand ratifies the Statute of Westminster and thus becomes independent of legislative control by the United Kingdom.

1963 – President John F. Kennedy is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

1970 – In Japan, author Yukio Mishima and one compatriot commit ritualistic suicide after an unsuccessful coup attempt.

1984 – 36 top musicians gather in a Notting Hill studio and record Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas in order to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

1986 – Iran Contra Affair: US Attorney General Edwin Meese announces that profits from covert weapons sales to Iran were illegally diverted to the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

1987 – Typhoon Nina pummels the Philippines with category 5 winds of 165 mph and a surge that destroys entire villages. At least 1,036 deaths are attributed to the storm.

1992 – The Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia votes to split the country into the Czech Republic and Slovakia from January 1, 1993.n.

1996 – An ice storm strikes the central U.S. killing 26 people. A powerful windstorm affects Florida and winds gust over 90 mph, toppling trees and flipping trailers.

1999 – The United Nations establishes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to commemorate the murder of three Mirabal Sisters for resistance against the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship in Dominican Republic.

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

After – Thanksgiving Turkey Soup 

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Your Daily Prayer 

Lord, thank you for another day of life.

Thanks you for the nature that sits upon my door step, may I notice and enjoy it more.

May this day after our day of thanks give reminding me that gratitude for the simple pleasures of life and of memories made are the most significant things to reflect upon.

May I be guided and given the opportunity to share a smile.  Share a kind word and make a difference for another to brighten their day.

May we all take that step to reach out and shine our lift of love, joy and laughter.

Thanks for that love that is given and shared this time of year.  May we take this time to reach out and share our kindess and love that have been given to us.

May we become filled with gratitude that overflows.

Thank you for the gift of life and faith that your grace is enough.

May I appreciate life each moment shared this holiday season.

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

: )

brought to you by Make ME Smile Online

written by Victor Yakin copyright protected 2011  

This page would usually be giving new updates of more of “Improving Society” and so forth. Also, this page would be talking about me and my reasons for wanting a better society. Depending on the number of views I get, I would decide whether or not I would continue this series. There is no point posting these articles on teaching how society could improve if even a minority of society doesn’t read it.

Updates:

My first article is ‘Why People Play Video Games?’ which will come in a week or so.

The articles that are following it are topics based about gender rights and things taken for granted.

If you have a suggestion on what I should post, please comment on this page below.

About Me:

Writing these articles so that society can improve is not the only reason I write this. I also write this because some of the articles I write about are what I need to improve on. I am making myself a reflection and making the things that I need to work on so that I am a good member of society.

via

“Words can make a deeper scar than silence can heal.” – Author Unknown

I am talking about words.

I find them the easiest, most effortless way to hurt another person

One does not need to have super powers in order to use them.

One only has to be able to contract those tiny muscles that make up one’s mouth. 

It is that simple.

And the next thing we know, the other person is crying.

The other person was made to feel bad about himself.

The other person’s heart was torn to pieces.

Or…

The other person could be suffering in silence;

We think s/he is perfectly okay but deep inside, s/he is dying of the pain.

It is so simple to let go of words.

But once they finally come out from our mouths, we can never take them back.

We will never be able to undo the damage we’ve done to the other person.

We will never be able to change how we’ve made another person feel.

Words…

They can make or break a person.

One needs to use them wisely.

Take care and God bless!

In everyday life we are focused on a task, another person or entity or merely the endless loops of thought that occur in our minds.  It is only when we step away from it all and experience the blissful joy of a restful peace without purpose other than itself that our true self has the opportunity to come to the fore.

I recommend clasping your hands around a nice, warm aromatic cup of tea.  Sit comfortably in the softest comfy chair or couch you can find, and relax your muscles.   Breathe in and out slowly, and watch the thoughts and emotions bubble to the surface.  They can occur as blissfully light, colorful soap bubbles or as that which emotes from the La Brea tar pits, or anything in between.  Notice how soon something arises to fill the gap you have just created.  Nature abhors a vacuum and part of being aware is being aware of something.  I enjoy letting my mind experience the various sounds in the environment as a gentle way of letting go of imbedded thoughts, leaving me free to watch the bubbles arise.  The key here is to observe them as they enter your view and allow them to leave just as freely and easily.

After centering this way, you can do what I refer to as the Inspiration Matrix.

The key to this is your passion in life.  What drives you?  What gives you fire?  What lends you wings?  What keeps you going when all hope is faint or lost?  What truly holds the key to your heart?  If it is a person, what abstract quality is it about that person that inspires you?  If it is an abstract quality such as freedom or liberty, what is your reason for holding it so dear?  What experiences in life have led you to cherish it as you do? 

The deeper you go the more intimate you become with yourself and the more you can center your life around your true nature.