The Bank Account of Life

Thanks to Norm Mitchell for sharing this sweet story.

The Bank Account of Life

This is something we should all remember.

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who
is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair
fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally
blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently
passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the
nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual
description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an
eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.
Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is
arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.
It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I
can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts
of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for
the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life."

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Make a Career of Living Happily Ever After...

"A very good career choice would be to gravitate toward those activities and to embrace those desires that harmonize with your core intentions, which are freedom and growth—and joy.

Make a "career" of living a happy life rather than trying to find work that will produce enough income that you can do things with your money that will then make you happy.

When feeling happy is of paramount importance to you—and what you do "for a living" makes you happy—you have found the best of all combinations."

--- Abraham-Hicks

Uncharted Territory

Thanks to Eda for sharing this inspirational quote.


"There is no 'right way' to do anything, there is only the way you are doing it. Never be afraid to "try your hand" because you don't want to make a mistake or not do something "right."
Success in life comes from being willing to move into Uncharted Territory.
Always remember: Life begins at the end of your Comfort Zone.
You will not have to think but a second to know exactly why you received this message today."

~Love, Your Friend.... Neale Donald Walsch

Dante on Love

"The love of God, unutterable and perfect, flows into a pure soul the way that light rushes into a transparent object.

The more love that it finds, the more it gives itself; so that, as we grow clear and open, the more complete the joy of heaven is.

And the more souls who resonate together, the greater the intensity of their love, and mirror-like, each soul reflects the other."

--Dante (poet supreme)

Unfolding

I am a lovely pink rosebud
Turning my face to the sun
Unfurling each petal with new life
Releasing my fragrance to all

Receive it thyself, O my friend
Breathe it deeply within thee
Unfolding the petals of your heart
Release your pure essence of love


By Delores

Redneck Caviar

Thanks to Yonnie for sharing this recipe that many of us at SESC 2008 enjoyed!

REDNECK CAVIAR

2 cans black eyed peas, drained
2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes, drained
I can black beans, drained
2 lg bell peppers, chopped
12 sm green onions, chopped (top and all)
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped fine
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp parsley flakes
16 oz bottle Zesty Italian dressing

Mix all together, refrigerate for at least 12 hours. Serve with Frito Scoops.