ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Wednesday, December 26th, 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 26, 2012

For Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

DECEMBER 26TH, 2012

84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

It's WEDNESDAY

BOXING DAY

Boxing Day is celebrated in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other former British commonwealth countries. It is a legal holiday in these countries. This is also St. Stephans Day, where Boxing Day gets some of it's roots. On St. Stephans' Day, churches opened their collection boxes to the poor.

Boxing Day was an expression of appreciation and thanks, much like Christmas tips are today.

The roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages . On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate. Usually celebrated the day after Christmas, some would celebrate the following Monday when Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday.

Those gifts were given in boxes so hence the name Boxing Day

Today, the giving of boxes includes filling boxes with food and clothing for the needy and performing volunteer work. Monetary gifts to charity are also common.

If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.

Bob Hope

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

God has not called us to see through each other, but to see each other through.

Author Unknown

Very few of us here in the US have even heard of Boxing Day or know why it is celebrated, so I thought it would be nice to share a little of what others do with you all today. Since I've been blogging for quite awhile now, I've made a few friends in Canada and England. It's nice to learn about what others do and I always like to think I learn something new every day.

I remember a time as a young girl when I had a pen pal. One of my teachers encouraged us all to write to someone far away. I really don't know how she got the names, but my pen pal was from England. I probably have some of those letters stored away somewhere in the attic. Blogging is a lot like that. We'd share what is going on with each other and pictures of our surroundings and of our families.

I know that a trip to England is never going to happen for me, but I've seen a lot of pictures of the places there. I'm an arm chair traveler for the most part and do appreciate seeing places I'll never be able to go.

We are expecting more snow here today. Parts of our area are under a blizzard warning and they are saying the best thing to do is stay home if you can. I can and I am. Take good care everyone!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

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.

I’ll be sharing thanks to God for these gifts each day,

110. for friends in other countries

111. for having a mind that still works, most of the time anyway

112. for traditions that remind us that there is always a reason to celebrate

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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 !

Instead of counting your days, make your days count.

Author Unknown

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,

2 comments:

betty said...: I hadn't known the meaning of Boxing Day, but did know it gets celebrated the day after Christmas. Interesting tradition! I do agree that blogging is like having pen pals; we do get to learn about so many other people and customs and traditions without ever leaving the "comfort" of home!

betty; December 26, 2012 at 3:48 PM
Marie Rayner said...: Pam, I've grown up with Boxing Day. It's a Canadian thing as well, probably because we are a commonwealth country. Love all of the pictures of your Christmas. Happy Times. Very cold and wet here today. Sending you much love and Happy New Year wishes. xxoo; December 27, 2012 at 4:09 AM

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For Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

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