ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

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

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

For Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 2016

39 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:33 am

Sunset: 5:54 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Fat Tuesday. It's time to party it up, and eat!! Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Mardi Gras Day or Shrove Day. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want as the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Fat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for the long Lenten season.

Nowhere on the planet is Fat Tuesday celebrated more than on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The day is celebrated with festivities and parades and of course much food and drink. While in New Orleans, a big tradition is in wearing Mardi Gras beads and giving them to others. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Feast then Fast...

I was able to see Bourbon Street along with many members of my family a few years ago due the fact that we visited there when DS#2 retired from the military and that is what the pictures are of today. It wasn’t at Mardi Gras though, it was in the summertime. None the less, we had a great time and I bought some of those colorful beads to enjoy too.

I have this list of things I give up every year for Lent. It’s harder than what it might look but worthwhile.

Give up giving up and hang in there!

WHAT TO GIVE UP . . .

Give up complaining. . . . . . . .focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism. . . . . . . . . become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments . . .think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry. . . . . . . . . . . . . trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement. . . . .be full of hope.
Give up bitterness. . . . . . . . . . turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred. . . . . . . . . . . . . return good for evil.
Give up negativism . . . . . . . . .be positive.
Give up anger. . . . . . . . . . . . . .be more patient.
Give up pettiness. . . . . . . . . . .become mature.
Give up gloom. . . . . . . . . . . . . .enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy. . . . . . . . . . . .pray for trust.
Give up gossiping. . . . . . . . . . .control your tongue.
Give up sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turn to virtue.
Give up giving up. . . . . . . . . . . hang in there!

Good things to try and give up anytime of year!

One of my favorite things to enjoy on Fat Tuesday is a Polish treat known as Paczki, pronounced ponch-kee. They are like a fried donut filled with different types of jelly, but are much lighter and tastier than your normal jelly donut. The Polish fill them with Lekvar, Poppyseed and Rose Jelly too. Eating a Paczki on Fat Tuesday prepares the soul for the sacrifices of Lent.

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3574. for a day to feast before we fast

3575. for Pacski, a delicious treat

3576. for the wonderful memories of a great trip to Bourbon Street

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.

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Let the good times roll...

A little smile, a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

3 comments:

betty said...: I learned something new today with the colors of Mardi Gras; I didn't know what they stood for before, very interesting! I like your list of what to give up for Lent, a very good one for a lot of us to follow :)

betty; February 9, 2016 at 9:17 AM
Mary Ann said...: This was one of your best posts ever! I love the Lenten promises, and I hope you don't mind, but I am going to steal them!; February 9, 2016 at 4:47 PM
peggy said...: I didn't go out yesterday so I missed out on the jelly treat. We had pinto beans and cornbread instead. I am here looking for you on Wednesday morning. I hope you are just a wee bit late today and everything is okay. I usually blog with you while I have my first coffee.; February 10, 2016 at 8:54 AM

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