ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: For Sunday, December 21st, 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

Sunday, December 21, 2025

For Sunday, December 21st, 2025

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 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: 7:23 am

Sut: 5:38
pm

Goodbye fall. Welcome Winter !

Life is a special occasion!

Hallmark

Today is the Winter Solstice which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is marked by the point at with the North Pole is at its farthest from the sun during its yearly orbit around the sun. Today is the beginning of winter !

Depending on how far north a person is their day can range from 9.5 hours to absolutely no sunrise at all On the bright side the days will gradually become longer until the Summer solstice.

Around the world since ancient times, celebrations festivals, rituals and holidays recognizing the winter solstice have varied culture to culture.

Winter lovers enjoy the shortest day of the year. Those longing for more sunlight, prepare to celebrate, longer days are ahead.

If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.

Anne Bradstreet

I’m one who longs for more sunlight so the move I made to Texas has been the best thing I could have ever done. We definitely have more of it than Ohio ever did, even in the summer.

What I’m celebrating is that after today, the daylight hours will increase. I’ve noticed our Sunrise and Sunset hours have already changed and each day for a while, and have gotten longer, minute by minute. Since were are further south, I guess that is what has made the difference.

It’s supposed be in the 70’s today and I’m looking forward to it. I know that in Ohio it’s been down in the teens.

Next month I’m going take a winter break and go to Florida to visit with my son and his family that live there. They are warmer than we are! They have a new home and I’m looking forward to seeing it.

The pictures today are of past winters in Ohio. I don’t miss their winters but I do miss the people I know there.

I hope you all have a RELAXING Sunday!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk besides the fire: it is the time for home.

Edith Sitwell

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

13,919. for Texas in winter

13,920. for a winter break in Florida

13,921. for longer days and sunshine!

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

There is snow place like home.

a smile,a word of cheer,

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

2 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...: Celebrate today, longer days are ahead!; December 21, 2025 at 9:18 AM
jack69 said...: Yeah, we too notice we have more sunlight down here in Florida vs NC. Enjoyed the info on the post today and want to thank you for the comments on the Shipslog. YES segregation was a terrible thing but so normal when that is all you knew. Funny that, for a short period in my life down here in the south, black kids were my closest friends when I was 4-6 yrs old in the country.; December 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM

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For Sunday, December 21st, 2025

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