ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Decide to be happy today, to live with what is yours – your family, your business, your job, your luck. If you can’t have what you like, maybe you can like what you have.

Just for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable, responsive, caring, and understanding. Be your best, dress your best, talk softly, and look for the bright side of things. Praise people for what they do and do not criticize them for what they cannot do. If someone does something stupid, forgive and forget. After all, it’s just for one day.

Who knows, it might turn out to be a nice day.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

I'm looking out the window
and the day is drab and dreary,
And I'm trying to console myself
by thinking something cheery
I know it's simply horrible
to get in such a slump
And I also know it's up to me
to get across the hump
And I realize I'm selfish
to mention this to you
For, gee, you might be feeling
a little 'low-down' too
but often when I feel like this
I tell myself it's true
That I am not the only one
who feels 'low-down and blue'
And just knowing there are others
who feel the way I do
Renews my sinking spirit
and keeps me smiling through
and know that it's natural
to take a 'spirit-dive'
Provides the spunk and courage
to hang on and survive
And while there are a lot of moods
that we can drive away
by looking on the BRIGHT SIDE
in all we do and say,
There also is a loneliness
that God meant us to feel
But, gee, it sure is mighty hard
to know which one is real
And I'd hate to be a 'sad sack'
who never saw the sun
And just complained that every day
was such a dreary one.
But I know that all the dark days
are just part of God's plan
We should accept them graciously
and do the best we can...
So I'll just keep on trying
for I know it's 'Gospel true'
there never was a cloud so dark
the sun could not shine through!

by Helen Steiner Rice

On the Bright Side Newsletter

I send this little letter out each morning to all my family and friends and even to a few people that I've never met. Many of them send it on to others too. So in order to make it available to more people I post the 'brighter side' of the news here each day in this journal.

The letter began as an effort to keep in touch with my family as they are spread out in all directions. My family, friends and God are the most important things in my life.

You'll find quotes, poems and stories and even a few recipes included in this newsletter. I try to find something new each day to share.

In a world that very often publishes only the dark side of things I felt that others would be encouraged to hear about
'the bright side'.

'On Ya'-ma

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

For Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 12TH, 2012

9 DAYS UNTIL WINTER
13 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !

It's WEDNESDAY

POINSETTIA DAY

These beautiful flowers are recognized as a symbol of Christmas. Poinsettia Day was pronounced as an Act of Congress. It is in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who died on December 12, 1851. Poinsett was the first Ambassador to Mexico who brought the plant back to his plantation in the U.S. He grew the plants in his Greenville, S.C plantation and gave them out as gifts to friends.

In Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to bring to church for Christmas. On her way to church, she picked some plants by the side of the road. As she entered the church, the ends of the leaves turned into bright, brilliant red flowers. You guessed it... Poinsettias.

Its no coincidence that the Poinsettia isthe plant for Christmas. Its brightly-coloured leaves offer a sense of hope, strength and peace. What's more, they also work to relieve stress during the busy festive season.

The red Poinsettia is known as the 'Christmas Star', but the Poinsettia will brighten up any room all the way through the winter months.

The vibrant red poinsettia celebrates the magic of Christmas.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Advent Week 2, Part 2 - THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.

Phyllis Theroux

It can be a simple Thanks for the help note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

As Advent goes, so goes Christmas. As Christmas goes, so goes the new year. As years go, so go our lives. As our lives go, so go our nations and the world. After we have prepared the way of the Lord this Advent, we can meet the Christ of Christmas. Our love for Him and trust in Him will change our lives, families, countries, and the world.

Remember though that fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make,

The Christmas Ten Commandments
Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas shopping list.

Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

Author Unknown

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Everything in life is most fundamentally a gift. And you receive it best and you live it best by holding it with very open hands.

Leo O'Donovan

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.

52. for my delightful little snowman planter that holds my poinsettias.

53. for Christmas legends that tell of miracles

54. for the color red that brightens a dark winter day

Three gifts angelic

55. My angel collection

56. for our Angel and Star on her first Christmas

57. for angel windchimes

Gift exchanges make love last longer.

Swedish Proverb

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

4 comments:

Barb said...: Happy Wednesday, Pam!!

I love poinsettias....have them all over the house in red and white.

The little ones are adorable!

Barb ♥; December 12, 2012 at 9:31 AM
betty said...: I like those 10 commandments of Christmas; something we need to take to heart as we continue to prepare for it. So cute picture of your two grands! Adorable!!

Seems like a lot of the churches I've gone to like to decorate with pointsettas; beautiful flowers indeed!

betty; December 12, 2012 at 9:46 AM
linda m said...: I love your Ten Commandments of Christmas! Blessings; December 12, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Jean said...: I love poinsettias they're so pretty at Christmas time. It’s getting colder down here, but I like cold weather this time of the year. I'm hoping the shot will kick in and I will have a pain free Christmas. Take care and stay warm. Jean; December 13, 2012 at 4:55 AM

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THE BRIGHT SIDE

RECIPES AND CRAFTS

Labels

Followers

THE BRIGHT SIDE

On the Bright Side Newsletter

Award from Aging Disgracefully

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

Blog Archive

About Me

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

For Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

4 comments: