Martin Luther King quotes (Part 2)

Courtesy of http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html, below are more famous MLK quotations:

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

 
Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted. 

I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good. 

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. 

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. 

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. 

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood. 

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
 
I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.  

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

 
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.  

I submit that an individual who breaks the law that conscience tells him is unjust and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for law.  

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.  

I want to be the white man's brother, not his brother-in-law.

 
If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.  

If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing can be more redemptive.

If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control.  

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.  

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

 
It is incontestable and deplorable that Negroes have committed crimes; but they are derivative crimes. They are born of the greater crimes of the white society.  

It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.

 
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
 
Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.  

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

 
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.  

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. 

More MLK quotes tomorrow…

Happy Birthday, Martin!

photo credit:  americaslibrary.gov

I work for a company that recognizes the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a corporate holiday.  Because this federal holiday had always been a work day for me (except in the two years I was unemployed), the break from the workplace brought a bit of culture shock.  MLK's birthday is actually on the 15th of January, but the American nation celebrates it today and on the third Monday of this month.

MLK is special to me, not only because of his famous and timeless “I have a dream” speech, but because we share the same birthday month… and we're both hard-working Capricorns!

I have wondered how U.S. history would have turned out if this powerful man had dodged the assassin's bullet.

If anyone is interested in this outstanding American’s life and background, please click on this link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

Today I not only get to stay home and enjoy an extra day away from work, I can reflect on this great man’s memorable statements immortalized in history.  Courtesy of http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html, below are famous MLK quotations.

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

A lie cannot live.

A man can't ride your back unless it's bent. 

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live. 

A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan. 

A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. 

A right delayed is a right denied.

A riot is the language of the unheard. 

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. 

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem. 

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. 

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. 

An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. 

At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. 

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent. 

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. 

Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them. 

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

 
Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see. 

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. 

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. 

Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. 

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. 

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. 

 

More MLK quotes tomorrow…

How to say an amazing "Happy New Year!"

My friend Ken in Australia passed on the best New Year’s greeting in recent memory.  Thank you, Ken!  Besides the awesome performance of a Norwegian soprano named Sissel, the song is accompanied by all things breathtaking and beautiful… the birth of new life, nature’s inspiration, gorgeous sceneries, the sheer beauty of our two- and four-legged friends.  Watching this joyfully meaningful presentation has given me a better appreciation of the world we live in.

Enjoy!

* * *

Happy New Year!

Sissel Kyrkjebø (Norwegian; born 24 June 1969 in Bergen), also simply known as Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=x91rBzNKvlc&vq=large#t=160

Daily Companion prayers (Part 6)

 More from my Daily Companion...

Prayer for Our Nation
(from the Sacramentary)

All-Powerful God,
today we rededicate ourselves
     to Your service,
and to the works of
     justice and freedom for all.

As You have called us from many peoples
    to be one nation,
help us to give witness in our lives
     and in our life as a nation
to the rich diversity of Your gifts.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
     Amen.

Daily Companion prayers (Part 5)

More from my Daily Companion...

Memore

     Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother.  To you do I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

 

A Prayer to Mary

(Anonymous from the 3rd century)

     We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God.  Listen to our prayers anbd help us in our needs.  Save us from every danger, glorious and blessed Virgin.  Amen.  

Prayer for Reparation

     My loving Jesus, out of the grateful love I bear You, and to make reparation for my unfaithfulness to grace, I give You my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to you.  With Your help I resolve to sin no more.  Amen.  

Trust in the Heart of Christ
(St. Margaret Mary Alacogue)

O Heart of love,

I place all my trust in You.

I fear all things

from my own weakness,

but I hope for all things from your goodness.

Daily Companion prayers (Part 4)

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Prayer for Healing

     Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, like a watchful shepherd, You care for us and provide us with all that we need.  You shower us with Your love and send people into our lives to help care for us, especially in time of sickness or pain.

     I pray for healing for myself and for all who suffer because of illness or advanced age.  I pray especially for ____________.

     In the midst of our pain and weakness, strengthen our faith that we might be filled with hope in You.  In the midst of our frustration and discouragement, give us patience that we might accept our own limitations.  In the midst of our loneliness and fears, help us know we are not alone, that You walk with us each moment of our lives.

     Be with us, Lord, in our time of need.  Heal us in body, soul and spirit that we may rejoice in Your grace and blessings in this world and come to enjoy the fullness of Your presence in the life to come.

     We make this prayer in Your Name, for You are our Risen Lord, Jesus.  Amen.

Prayer of Being Forgiven

     Loving Lord, mindful of Your mercy and the love that took You to the cross, I place myself before You and ask Your forgiveness for all times when I have failed to follow You.

     Lord Jesus, forgive me and help me become more like You each day.  Amen.

Day by Day
(St. Richard of Chichester)

     Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings which You have given me, for all the pains and insults which You have borne for me.

     Merciful Friend, Brother and Redeemer, may I know You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly, day by day.  Amen.

Daily Companion prayers (Part 3)

More from my Daily Companion...

Act of Contrition

     O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You.  I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.  Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit

 Come, Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of Your faithful

and kindle in them

the fire of Your love.

Prayer of Mother Teresa
(Blessed Teresa of Calcutta)

Make us worthy, Lord,

to serve our fellow human beings

throughout the world

who live and die in poverty and hunger,

Give them through our hands this day

their daily bread,

and by understanding love,

give peace and joy.  Amen.

Psalm 23

     The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  In verdant pastures, He gives me repose; beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul.

     He guides me in right paths for His Name's sake.  Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for You are at my side, with Your rod and staff that give me courage.

     You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

     Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

The Jesus Prayer

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me, a sinner!

Daily Companion prayers (Part 2)

More from my Daily Companion...

Prayer Before a Crucifix

     Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Your Face I humbly kneel; and with burning soul I pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of Faith, Hope and Charity, true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment.  I contemplate with great love and tender pity your five wounds, pondering upon them within me, calling to mind the words which David Your prophet said of You, my Jesus, "They have pierced My Hands and My Feet; they have numbered all My Bones."

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

Water from Christ's side, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strenghten me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within Your Wounds hide me.

Suffer me not to be separated from you.

From the malicious enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto You.

That I may praise You and Your saints

and with Your angels forever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

     my memory, my understanding

     and my entire will.

You have given me whatever I am or

     possess.  I give it back to You to be

     entirely subject to Your Will.

Only give me Your love and Your grace.

     With these I am rich enough and ask for

     nothing more.  Amen.

Daily Companion prayers

More from my Daily Companion...

Morning Offering

     O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for all the intentions of  Your Sacred Heart, in reparation for my sins, and for the intentions of the Holy Father.

At the Beginning of the Day 

     Almighty God, You have given us this day; strengthen us with Your power and keep us from falling into sin, so that whatever we say or think or do may be in Your service and for the sake of Your kingdom.

     We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Act of Faith

     O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  I believe that Your Divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe these and all the truths, which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. 

Act of Hope

     O my God, relying on Your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.  Amen.

Act of Love

     O my God, I love You above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because You are all good and worthy of all my love.  I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You.  I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon for all whom I have injured.  Amen.

Prayers for peace

One of my charities sent me a valuable holiday present:  a Daily Companion rich in prayers. 

I would like to share a few of the prayers contained...

Prayer for Peace of Mind

     Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You knowing that You love me, care for me, and will never abandon me.

     I want to be like Mary, who, in spite of her sorrows and great pain, was able to enjoy peace of mind in the midst of her suffering, confident that God was at her side to give her courage.

     Help me to know that my suffering and pain too will pass, as You guide me along the right path and that only goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life.

     Jesus, heal my heart and grant me peace of mind.  Amen.

Serenity Prayer

     God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
     where there is hatred, let me sow love;
     where there is injury, pardon;
     where there is doubt, faith;
     where there is despair, hope;
     where there is darkness, light;
     and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
     grant that I may not so much seek
     to be consoled as to console;
     to be understood as to understand;
     to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
     it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
     and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Birthday Proud

Today I officially became a sexagenarian.  To be honest, I don’t like the sound of the word, but there’s no denying that I have joined the Age 60+ Club.

Since my birthday last year, I looked forward to today.  Entering the sixth decade of my life… without any serious ailment, physical injury nor permanent emotional trauma, mind you… is personally considered a gigantic accomplishment.  Like most human beings, I have faltered along the way, but I never compromised my moral values and beliefs as a child of God.  I have bragging rights to never getting a mug shot!

The truth is, turning a year older today gave me fleeting moments of depression.  You see, it finally dawned on me:  I am ooold!  What hangs like a dark cloud over my head is the fact that I have really not accomplished a lot.  I promised Miriam (my former boss’s wife who has left this world) that I would write a book.  Now almost three decades later, I am not even close to getting it done!

Besides my unfulfilled writing goal, there are other things that remain unfinished.  No matter how hard I tried to make it happen, I almost always hit a wall… or got seriously distracted… or just plain procrastinated on the mission.

What gives me a great deal of comfort is that now I know that age is just a number.  Turning 60 doesn’t make me feel ancient.  It is a beautiful two-digit number and I say that with much confidence.  After years overcoming the peaks and valleys of various life stages, I can say with much pride that I am a survivor.  I have bounced back from emotional and financial adversity… I may have been temporarily fractured and many times broken, but the awesome truth is... I am still standing!  Praise the Good Lord!

When I look back, I feel immense gratitude for all the people who made me who I am today.  My teachers in school and mentors in life who brought me inspiration… the invaluable friendships that have brought me strength and joy… romantic relationships that taught me the "all or nothing" kind of love... the battle scars I now wear with pride and dignity.

If there is anyone I feel most thankful for, I give thanks to God for Dom and Sol, my wonderful parents who are no longer with me.  They took good care of me until I was in my 20’s… raised me, clothed me, educated me and instilled wonderful core values that accompanied my journey through life.  Children brought up by loving and responsible parents are the world’s luckiest.  I am forever grateful for such blessing.

My parents were both good and generous people, always sharing their graces with the less fortunate.  I believe that generosity is an awesome trait that is contagious.  From my parents’ example, I developed a soft spot for people who are down on their luck.

So today as I enter my sixth decade, I give honor to my mother and father for the kind of human being I have turned out to be.  My regret is that they are no longer here to appreciate what I have done with my life.  I know that they are both in a better place, watching over me and guiding me to keep me from falling.  Wherever they are, I know that they are happy... and I hope that I have made them PROUD.  Thank you, Mom and Dad!

Panhandling... easy money?

New Year's Day found me doing an un-New Year's Day tradition:  shopping at Walmart.  Being a superstitious soul, I've always spent the first day of the new year at home minding my business, away from places where spending would be the order of the day.  You see, I grew up believing that splurging on the first day of the year might turn out to be a year-round exercise in spending.

This time something made me deviate from my norm.  Change is always good, I convinced myself.  Besides, I was curious to see what the public mood was like on Day One of 2012.  Based on where I live, my neighbors weren't actually ecstatic, not jumping up and down that the New Year had arrived, so I had to leave my comfort zone to take a pulse on the masses.

At the train station while waiting for the ride that would take me closer to Walmart, a young man with the biggest ear phones I had ever seen approached me to ask if I had fifty cents.  I had more than that amount in my bag, but instead of handing him money, I asked if he would take a bus pass.  His eyes hesitated for a nano second, but accepted the offer.  Much to my utter disappointment, he didn't even thank me!

He promptly went to other people waiting for their rides or working the ticket machine and asked them the same question.  When my train arrived, the young man hopped on it and got off at my stop.  He continued his modus operandi of asking fifty cents from every man and woman he encountered.

I headed to Walmart and took my time picking up merchandise.  Because I'm a cyber shopper by choice, every time I go to a store I feel the need to take my time and savor the experience.  Instead of checking out with a live counter clerk, I went to the self-checkout lane, scanned and bagged the items myself.

At the train station, I immediately recognized the young man who asked me for money.  I figured that for the two hours I spent at the store, he must have already collected quite a sum of money from his panhandling effort.

I couldn't help but feel dismayed that someone like him, who's young and apparently healthy, would have the nerve to ask for strangers' money.  At Walmart there was an employee in a wheelchair stocking shelves working hard for a living.  There should be a law against able-bodied citizens flaunting their sloth and harassing others for spare change!

Citizens like that young man contribute to the degenerating culture of America.  Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but I certainly hope that panhandling will soon be considered a petty crime.  It's a menace to society and only contributes to the depressing scenery of our times. 

    

Spanish mystery

Josie (my BFF) forwarded this Spanish mystery with the following comments:  I wonder if someone snuck it in there the last time it was refaced???  Or it could have been a revelation of the future just like Da Vinci's drawings of the airplane???

What do you think???



The newest 7 wonders in the world

These breathtaking pictures are circulating in the e-mail universe with Thai captions.  Thanks to Rollie, my BFF Josie's friend, who forwarded a copy with English translations.  Fortunately, someone was kind enough to translate so that the non-Thai speaking folks can not only enjoy the views, but appreciate the descriptions.  Thank you, whoever you are!  Thanks, Josie for sharing these marvelous sceneries!

 

Revealed seven natural wonders. Indonesia - Phil spin-off's - Vietnam Top 7 Wonders Foundation. The vote revealed 7 natural wonders of the modern city of Zurich. Switzerland Prior to announcing the official results early as 2556.

1. The Amazon rainforest in South America. Larger than 5.5 million square kilometers. Covering an area of ​​over 9 countries in South America. Amazon rainforest the size for half the area of rainforest left on Earth. And biodiversity in the world.

 2. Halong Bay in Vietnam. Famous rock in the shape and size vary. Ao(lake) is larger than 1553 square kilometers. Is longer than 120 kilometers and has a small rocky island, less than 1969 islands.

3. Waterfall Goa Su was in Argentina. It is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Falls are more than 2.7 kilometers, with a small waterfall over 275 of the world's largest waterfall, the neck is the Devil (Devil's Throat) is higher than 80 meters.

4. The island of Jeju in the Republic of Korea. The island is the largest in South Korea. An area of ​​1846 square kilometers. Middle Island is home to the highest mountain in South Korea, which is off to the volcano.

5. Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Cover the three islands in Indonesia. Larger than 1817 square kilometers. The animal reserve is the Komodo dragon.

6. The underground Puerto Princess City in the Philippines is a river that is subject to more than 8.2 kilometers long limestone cave features is the wind blowing through the cave before it falls into the South China Sea. This underground river is the largest underground river in the world.

 

7 Table Mountain House. In South Africa This mount features a stone that last longer than 6 million years and is a rich area of ​​over 1470 varieties of flowers.

Why kids need a pet

Contributed by my BFF Josie's pal Rollie (thank you!), these pictures are adorable!  Josie and I love the last photo where the dog seems to be saying a fervent prayer to its GOD DOG.



Back in the saddle

October was a time when I truly felt God's blessings.  It was when I received tangible confirmation that the Good Lord looks out for me.

If you’ve been following my blogs, you know that last September I lost my seven-year old full-time employment due to corporate downsizing.  It was a job I really loved and provided a good reason to wake up pumped up and raring to go each workday morning.  Because I was months from turning 60, the layoff brought fears of permanent unemployment.  More and more folks are losing their jobs these days and competition in the job market got tougher.

Well, to my good fortune, I happened to work with a guy whose wife is the division president of a growing national organization.  On my final day in the office last August, he sat me down and told me about his spouse’s company.  The gesture was totally unexpected because although I had the opportunity to work with him for the last couple of years, I wasn’t really close enough to deserve a recommendation.  I couldn't help but believe that he had recognized the hard work and quality performance I contributed to the company I was leaving.

Well, long story short, through this man’s kindness, I got my foot in the door, so to speak.  I had sent applications to different companies which resulted in one telephone interview and three e-mailed rejections.  I wasn’t kidding myself… the saying “it’s not what you know, but WHO you know” is what can actually translate into a job gain these days.  One can submit online applications many times over, but there is no assurance that resumes are being reviewed.  Chances are, they are simply landing in a black hole in cyberspace.  For instance, in 2002 when I first got laid off, I sent 355 applications and did 16 face-to-face interviews.  The 16th meeting finally ended my long, frustrating job search.  

Last year I interviewed on Monday in the last week of September.  My first impression as I walked into the reception area was feeling like I had “come home.”  The receptionist was all smiles and joyful and the energy of the place was young and upbeat.  The staff looked happy!  Right away, the company had me at hello.

The team that the candidate hired would be working with... the Regional Manager and two administrative folks... sat in the interview room.  They all wanted to make sure that I could work my way through an Excel spreadsheet.  At the back of my mind, I was screaming, "My personal life operates on Excel spreadsheets!", but I kept my mouth shut.   

With my almost four decade of corporate experience, I didn't feel the need to sell myself.  I spoke from my core and if that wasn't good enough, I didn't know what else would convince them that I was a perfect match for the position.  There was a lot of laughing during the time I spent with the folks and it was the most fun job interview I ever had.  I couldn’t help but feel that if I didn’t get the job, I would be extremely disappointed.

When I left the place, there was no assurance that I would get hired for the position.  Two hours later, my telephone was ringing as I walked in the door.  It was the Regional Manager calling with a job offer!

No doubt about it, Jesus once again showed me that He is a Good and Caring God and wants only what’s right for me.  Instead of keeping me unemployed for some time like the two miserable years following a previous layoff, this time He just gave me a one month vacation.  The time off from the workplace allowed me to get rid of my layoff-related heartache and move on to my next home-away-from home.

The first week in October was a very good time in my life not only because I started a new exciting full-time job, it reinforced my belief that good seeds sowed do reap an amazing harvest.  I have had the lovely support of the people in my life who prayed for my success and well-being for which I am eternally grateful.  But above all, the Lord Almighty Who has the power to control human destiny made certain that I got what I deserved. 

For the past few months I hesitated to write about my new work life because I wanted to wait until I've passed my probation period with flying colors.  Today marks my 91st day with my new awesome employer.  It certainly gives me a lovely reason to celebrate and share the good news.

My New Year looks good and promising.  Thank You, Jesus!

Grateful living

It's another New Year and my wish for everyone is to wear gratitude like a second skin... for our blessings (that make life sheer joy), for life's unpredictable challenges (that test and develop character)... for just being here.

I found the following gratitude-related quotes that should inspire a lifetime of appreciation.  Developing the habit of gratefulness not only lifts up positive energy in the Universe, it brings good karma to those who religiously practice it.

I dare everyone to unleash a "thankful you"!

* * *

Meister Eckhart:  If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

Author Unknown:  Get down on your knees and thank God you’re still on your feet.

Cicero:  A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.

William Arthur Ward:  Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

Baha’u’llah:  A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even if he lives in paradise.

Thornton Wilder:  We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

William Arthur Ward:  Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words.

David O. McKay:  Gratitude is shown in acts.

Author Unknown:  Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.

Albert Schweitzer:  To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.

Ralph Marston:  What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it – would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.

Albert Pike:  What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

Daphne Rose Kingma:  Saying thank you creates love.

The Dalai Lama  The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.

Edwin Arlington Robinson:  Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.

Malayan Proverb:  One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.

Author Unknown:  No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.

Lionel Hampton:  Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

Joseph Adisson:  Gratitude is the best attitude. There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy:  As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

G.B. Stern:  Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.

James Allen:  No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.

Voltaire:  Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Seneca:  Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.

Author Unknown:  Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.

Jean Harris:  You learn about gratitude by giving. You learn about humility by receiving, and in the pecking order of human qualities, I’d probably put humility somewhere before gratitude.

William Arthur Ward:  God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?

Elie Wiesel:  When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.

G.K. Chesterton:  I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Louise L. Hay:  I find that the more willing I am to be grateful for the small things in life, the bigger stuff just seems to show up from unexpected sources, and I am constantly looking forward to each day with all the surprises that keep coming my way!

Sarah Ban Breathnach:  You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson:  I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

Melody Beattie:  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Fred De Witt Van Amburgh:  None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.

The Hausa of Nigeria:  Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.

Ralph Marston:  Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.

Gordon T. Watts:  The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude.

Author Unknown:  Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.

Sarah Ban Breathnach:  Every time we remember to say thank you, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.

Jean Baptiste Massieu:  Gratitude is the memory of the heart.


New Year's prayer

The following prayer has appeared on this site perhaps twice before.  Because what our world needs now is more people bending on their knees and praying, I am sharing this prayer once more.  This version was passed on by Lina (a forever friend).  Thanks, Lina, and abundant blessings to all!

GOD IS LOVE, and His Grace is sufficient for all your needs.

Each and every one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can.  Keep the faith.

This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.  There is no cost but a lot of rewards.  Let’s continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.  Show them a new revelation of your love and power.  Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.  Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy.

Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace.  Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.  Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.  In Jesus' precious name.   Amen.