ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Monday, August 18th, 2025

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

Monday, August 18, 2025

For Monday, August 18th, 2025

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 2025

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades. May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks, and boring grays of your every day.

Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals

In Texas

Sunrise: 6:59 am

Sunset: 8:14
pm

Life is a special occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Serendipity Day which encourages people to look for and appreciate the lovely things that are always out there, if only people took the time to notice them.

Serendipity means the emergence and development of a a happy accident or pleasant surprise, it is a day to encourage people two confront unexpected good fortune.

The word has been around since the mid 1700’s and was officially recognized for the first time in 2010. In general, serendipity refers to the capacity to make discoveries by chance.

Celebrate today by doing a random act of kindness, aiding someone else to take the next step toward their desires or being on the look out for happy surprises.

If you cannot see the bright side polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you’ve found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for,

Lawrence Block

Every day is a happy surprise for me and I’m thankful for each one I get Our weekend was full of serendipity. The place we stayed at was in a condo. It was nicely furnished and had everything we needed for our stay. It even had a washer and dryer. It you went out the front door there was balcony to sit on with a pool right in front of us. The beach, just down the street was called White Cap beach and was a happy suprise as my grandson loved jumping in the waves that never stopped rolling in.

We also met the nicest lady who told us about a wonderful place to eat. We went to the ANGRY MARLIN and enjoyed a delicious meals. My SIL had the best clam chowder he’d ever had. My DD and I had coconut shrimp which is my favorite and my grandson enjoyed a creamy alfredo dish.We’ve pretty much decided we’ll come back to this place whenever we want a trip to beach. The weekend went by so fast but we did enjoy every moment we were there.

We arrived back home after a beautiful drive home. It didn’t take us as long to get home as when we left for the beach, the traffic was much lighter. We saw giant wind farms and the first cotton fields I’ve seen since arriving in Texas.

I was surprised that I got a sun burn. I thought I was tanned enough to prevent that. I was wrong, I should have put more sunscreen on. Hopefully, I won’t peel too badly and it will turn into more tan lines.

For now, I’m content to sit on the shady porch and cool off by jumping in the pool, but I can’t wait to get back to beach.

I hope you all have a GREAT start to this new week! Happy Monday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road they are an important part or success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns, just find your next adventure - do it well, enjoy it and then, not now, think about what comes next.

Condoleezza Rice

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

13,575. for surprising happenings every day

13,576. for a serendiptuous vacation

13,577. for new friends and old friends that make our lives better.

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 EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Travel light and trust in serendipity.

Mike Brown

a smile,a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

4 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...: Celebrate today and be on the look out for happy surprises!; August 18, 2025 at 10:07 AM
jack69 said...: Never thought about the Serendipity Thing. Great idea of course. However I hate you got the sun burn. Remember in our youth, that was sorta common. LOL Like the name of the eating place..... From over this way!; August 18, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Kay G. said...: Oh my, that condo at the beach sounded just right! Heavenly to think of walking on a beach just now, maybe after the sun goes down though!; August 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Chatty Crone said...: I love the word serendipity - kind of like grateful, but you have to look for the good in things. Sorry you got sunburned!; August 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM

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