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Autumn Time

Hi. guys! I guess everyone is settling down for a while. It has been awfully quiet lately. I see where some of you are still dropping by for a visit, though. Kids are getting back to school and vacations are over. Time to get back to schedules. It is a hectic time of year. Just don’t forget to come by and say hello from time to time. We miss you when you don’t. If there are any newbie that have stopped for a visit, leave us a little note too.

I would love to see a nice long Fall. We enjoyed one last year. It is my most favorite season. I am thrilled when the crisp air has that hint of coolness. It is refreshing after the last hot days of summer that have lingered much too long. The oppressive heat replaced with breathable air. The rustling of the brightly colored leaves shaking the memory to produce memories of Falls experienced throughout the years. Orange pumpkins transformed into Halloween creatures by a few cuts of a sharp knife while the aroma of pies made from the meat fills the air. The brilliantly colored mums grouped together in a magnificent display resembling an artist’s pallet. Just thinking about it produces a joy in me that shows as it draws a smile on my face.

What is your favorite time of year? Why do you like it?

Until next time…

The waiting is over.

We are very pleased to present the person chosen to be in the latest Once Upon A Legend hero. Cameron is a much loved little boy by the person who entered in our contest. He is just one example of the Legends out there we see daily. Read about Cameron and his adventurous trip at http://www.shyjot.com/Cameron.html You will enjoy traveling with him on journey to some very far away places. We plan to offer more interesting opportunities in the future, so come back to find out about them. Don’t forget to tell your heroic Legend that you are glad they are part of your life.

Until next time…

Same Thing, Same Way

“Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting different results.”

I do not know who to give credit for most of the phrases I have written in my mind and heart as life principles. I do know who brought them to me usually. This one has been presented to me in various ways at various times in my life. I am certain you are familiar with the saying also.

There are many versions, but this is my current favorite. We understand that in a mathematical equation that you always get the same result to the same problem. There are many areas of existence that we know this to be true. It eludes us in other areas of life.

A woman dates the same type man and the relationship ends the same way. A worker does a job the same way but doesn’t receive a raise. A parent reacts the same way to unacceptable behavior; the child continues behaving the same way. You get the idea. You can probably name several yourself.

As in the fables of old, there is a moral. If you are receiving the same unwanted results, do something different or do the same thing in a different way. The results will surprise you.

After all, we can’t change others. We can only change ourselves and our attitude. People react to those changes. Keep looking to yourself and what you can and will change in order to change the results to a more positive conclusion.

This even works if you’re just in a rut of always taking the same route, eating at exactly the same time, etc. Try changing something small and see what happens.

Have a great day. I’m off to a birthday party.

Singing Pigs

Singing Pigs?!? Did you ever hear of such a thing? No and you probably won’t either.

I spent many hours several years back with a friend that often would say, “Never try to teach a pig to sing. It annoys the pig and waste your time.”

Now why would she say such a thing? Because she had learned through the years that try as you may, you can’t teach someone something that they don’t want to learn. Trying to do so only annoys them and waste your time.

Have you ever known someone that fits this category? Sure you have. Everyone has. It is most frustrating to deal with this type of person. It is a pretty smug feeling to be right and know that this pig could sing just by following a few simple directions. You are just trying to help them out after all. There is no reason for them to be so annoyed.

The bigger question is: Have you ever been the pig? Whoops, did you just cringe? That answer isn’t so much fun. Each of us has been the one that was stubborn, argumentative, and annoyed by someone trying to teach us to sing.

Now everyone has limitations on their abilities but that is not this discussion. Is it actually possible for a pig to sing? I don’t know, but I do know they are not the most cooperative animals around.

Maybe if today is the day you choose to be a pig, you could just open your mind a little and try to sing. You just might discover talents you never knew you had. Maybe you discover you don’t really have a talent for singing but you find enjoyment in the trying. Maybe repeating this saying as teacher or pig would help each person have a better attitude toward the situation.

Here’s hoping you stretch yourself this week and SING.

My Own Legend

I can tell you that one of the biggest honors I have enjoyed is to have my own legend written about me. I encourage you to take that step to send the information about your favorite someone to us. It is a great honor to know what someone believes to be your best qualities. Every time I read my legend, I stand a little taller and smile a lot bigger. It encourages me to be the person in the story. I wonder if those of you that know me would recognize me from the story or would you have chosen a different quality.

While the traits of a person are woven into a fanciful tale, the person shines through. I have seen this in all that Amanda has written. We have one sample on our website. You would recognize the hero instantly if you ever met him in person. I, like you, am anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the one selected. Good luck!

People Watching

I watch people always wondering what is happening in their lives. Sometimes there is a sadness that I feel as I watch. It is a cloud hanging in the air around the person. Putting one foot in front of the other takes every ounce of effort from the body. I wish I could do something for them. My mind wonders through several scenarios of what might by causing them such agony. I am most likely wrong on all accounts, but still I wonder. I whisper few soft words of encouragement to endure thinking they might just reach the person’s heart.

Then there are the people that are in such a happy place their feet barely touch the ground. Again my mind drifts as to the circumstances surrounding so much joy. My spirit lifts as I watch them float by in front of me. This time I whisper words of encouragement to imprint this moment so they can remember it when it is needed.

Watching others awakens me to the reality of how we each influence even the people we don’t know are watching. We can bring someone down or lift one up by our attitude. We should not fake our feelings, but instead be true to ourselves. Sometimes we do have bad days, weeks, or months. Sometimes we just get into a habit of being negative about everything.

Have you ever known someone who always looks for the positive in every situation? That person’s life has not always been easy. What makes the difference? Decision. The person decided to look for the best in everyone and everything. I have had the pleasure of knowing a few of these people. I want to be around them. Everyone that knows them wants to be around them.

It seems much easier to slip into looking for the things that are wrong. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all decided to look for good around us? Does that mean we ignore things that are wrong or evil? Do we have a Polly Anna attitude like the ostrich sticking its head in the sand? Of course not. We don’t put on blinders. But most of the things we let get us down aren’t that big. When we live a life of looking for good, it is easier to see the things that really do need our concern.

If you don’t believe me, go to a mall and find a place to sit where people pass. Then watch the people as they come and go. How do you feel when you see a smiling face? What about when the face is sighing, frowning, or just sad? What kind of person are you? What kind are you trying to become? The decision is yours.

Today

The evening sun is lowering to meet the western horizon. Its light adds a glimmer to the oak leaves outside my window. The rays warm my skin through the glass. It is hot but the sticky humid air of recent days is absent today bringing relief. The pale blue sky appears soft and calm fading to white where it kisses the treetops.

I pull the window open to feel the soft breeze on my warmed skin. The soft sound of voices drifts along the air currents from distant neighbors. The laughter of children playing summer games floats by mingling with the other sounds in the air.

I couldn’t have planned a more peacefully blissful evening. Sometime we just need to stop for a minute and drink in our surroundings. Too many times we give up a single precious moment of pure happiness by letting these moments slip by without noticing. I am overjoyed I noticed today.

Did you notice today?