Christmas Present

Fast forward a few days from now, Christmas Day, as little Andrew unwraps Optimus Prime on Christmas morning and a smile breaks across his features when the large toy lights up and nearly comes to life, flashing and beeping and driving Andy’s parents crazy.

But in a few moments, Andy discards the toy and begins unwrapping the rest of his presents, extracting each box from under the tree, one by one—some long, some tall, some heavy, some light. Each box reveals a new toy. Each shred of green-and-red wrapping paper, a flash of happiness.

An hour later, however, little Andy is crying hysterically. Based on his fits, this has undoubtedly been the worst Christmas ever. Sure, Andrew received many of the things on his list, but he’s far more concerned with what he didn’t receive. The toys in front of him simply remind him of what he doesn’t have.

This sounds childish, but don’t we do the same thing? Don’t we often look at the things around us and wish we had more? Don’t we covet that new car, those new clothes, that new iPhone?

What if Andy was happy with the toys in front of him? What if we were, too?

December 21, 2012 0

The Beauty of Simplicity

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

By Leonardo Da Vinci

via Daily Quote: The Beauty of Simplicity.

December 21, 2012 0

How To Be Successful In Life: 13 Tips From The World’s Most Successful People

Stepcase Lifehack

Get more here: How To Be Successful In Life: 13 Tips From The World’s Most Successful People.

December 21, 2012 1

10 Creepy Santas Whose Laps We Want Nothing To Do With

mental_floss on tumblr

Get more here: 10 Creepy Santas Whose Laps We Want Nothing To Do With.

December 21, 2012 0

quotediaryofficial: CLICK HERE for more life, love,…

quotediaryofficial:

CLICK HERE for more life, love, friendship and inspiring quotes!

via Tumblr

December 21, 2012 0

cabinporn: Barn for salvage in Whiting, VT.

cabinporn:

Barn for salvage in Whiting, VT.

via Tumblr

December 21, 2012 0

December 21, 2012 4

Newgrange solstice crowds disappointed

Scores of people gathered outside the Newgrange passage tomb in Co Meath this morning for the annual winter solstice.

Newgrange, located in the Boyne Valley, is a 5,000-year-old tomb famous for the winter solstice illumination which lights up the passage and chamber if weather allows and can be viewed by a select group of people inside.

Access to the chamber is limited and is decided by lottery each year.

Twelve lucky names were drawn from more than 30,000 people who applied for a ticket.

The remainder were the six winners of a schools art competition for 10- to 13-year-olds, along with their guardians.

Unfortunately, heavy cloud cover meant the sun failed to hit the spot this morning and provide those gathered with an unforgettable experience.

Despite this, spokeswoman for the Office of Public Works Clare Tuffy said it was a great event.

“There was a lovely atmosphere and everyone was very excited to be there, but unfortunately there was no sun,” she said.

Solstice lottery winner Mary Craig said she was disappointed with the lack of sun, but that she still enjoyed her time within the monument.

“It was fantastic. It wasn’t very sunny which was very disappointing, but it was great to be in there,” she said.

“There was some light coming in, so we could see light, but the fact that we were there and people 5,000 years ago had been there before you, just makes you feel very insignificant.”

via Newgrange solstice crowds disappointed – The Irish Times – Fri, Dec 21, 2012.

December 21, 2012 0

The only person you are destined to become…

simple-reminders:

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo by Jenni Young

via Tumblr

December 21, 2012 1

Tell me, what is it you plan to do?

simple-reminders:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver

Photo by Jenni Young

via Tumblr

December 21, 2012 0

American Minute for December 21st

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.”

These were the words of John Newton, a former slave ship captain, who died DECEMBER 21, 1807.

At age 11, his mother died and he went to sea with his father.

He fell in love with Mary Catlett while on shore leave, but overstaying his visit, he missed his ship’s departure and was pressed by a gang onto the HMS Harwich.

His reckless behavior caused him to be traded to a slave ship.

While on a West African plantation buying slaves, his employer enslaved him.

He was rescued, but continued his immoral life, deriding Christians with blasphemy that shocked even sailors.

During a storm that nearly sank them, he first prayed.

He read Thomas a Kempis’ ‘Imitation of Christ,’ left the slave-trade and became a minister, preaching the rest of his life against slavery.

Having encouraged William Wilberforce to end slavery in England, his tombstone read,

“John Newton, Clerk,

once an infidel and libertine,

a servant of slaves in Africa,

was, by the rich mercy

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

preserved, restored, pardoned,

and appointed to preach the faith

he had long labored to destroy.”

via American Minute for December 21st.

December 21, 2012 0

Girl, you are on FIRE! Great post about one of the great truths of relationships; the most important one you have is with yourself — all else flows from that one truth and understanding the only things you can control are your perception or your procedures…

December 21, 2012 0

There’s Only 2 Options

Live Life Quotes, Love Life Quotes, Live Life Happy

via There’s Only 2 Options.

December 21, 2012 0

Sometimes God/Universe Takes Away Everything

Live Life Quotes, Love Life Quotes, Live Life Happy

via Sometimes God/Universe Takes Away Everything.

December 21, 2012 1

How to Turn Off Negative Thoughts in Your Mind

Barring psychological illness, we are all largely responsible for our own emotional health and well-being. What does that mean? That what we say to ourselves over and over for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years, has a dramatic effect on how we see ourselves. This also contributes to many of the mental health disorders we see rampant today: what we choose to have continually playing in our brains stays there, and there’s a real problem when we start buying into the negative thoughts we have about ourselves.

I discovered how powerful the effect of conditioning is firsthand when I was listening to some oldies the other day on the radio—I was amazed at how quickly I could belt out the words to songs I hadn’t heard in decades. How could I remember all those lyrics from so long ago? Because I was conditioned by them. I listened and sang those words day in and day out for what seemed like forever, until they were burned into my brain cells, and some of those old songs even provoked strong feelings in me as I took a quick trip down memory lane.

The mind is a powerful thing, and in a nanosecond, it can elevate or crush our mood because of the beliefs lurking behind our feelings.

If you think I’m kidding, try it yourself: think of an old song, or even the lyrics to one of your favorite television shows. Those of us who are old enough can belt out the opening line to The Beverly Hillbillies in our sleep.

So, what does all this have to do with our emotional health? Everything.

Many of us have problems with negative thoughts playing on the channel of our minds, but if you’re engaging in it consistently, and you believe it, it could be eroding your sense of self-esteem. Here are a few beliefs that indicate you may need to switch the station:

I’m a loser

I’m not good enough

I don’t deserve….

No one likes me

I suck at relationships

I’m a failure

Negative thoughts conjures up bad feelings and hooks you into believing that what those old tapes in your head are playing is actually true. In short, it brings your focus to your failures, and that gets you nowhere.

What can you do?

Full story at: How to Turn Off Negative Thoughts in Your Mind.