Beginnings and Endings

In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.

- Albert Einstein

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed one, we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

All good things have an end and new good things begin.

Life !!!

Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.


Sing Your Life!

Tears

There is a sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.

They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.

They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.

- Washington Irving

Those who don't know how to weep with their whole heart, don't know how to laugh either

- Golda Meir

Tears and laughter cleanse the heart.

- jlh

Critics Are Everywhere

There's an old saying - and I believe it's true - "Nobody has ever erected a statue to a critic." Davy Crockett had a simple motto which said, "Make sure you're right - then go ahead." The reality is, all of us have faced our own moments (sometimes much longer than that) of criticism.
No matter what your career or occupation, the more successful you become, the more criticism you are likely to receive. Some of that criticism is based on jealousy; some will come from those who don't understand your objectives, and some from those who make a habit of finding fault like there was a reward for it. Actually, only those who don't attempt anything will remain above criticism. 

Failure

Justifying a fault doubles it.

Life's greatest failure--trying to please everyone.

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame others for his failures.

A man doesn't become a failure until he is satisfied with being one.

In every soul is deposited the germ of a great future.

The Awakened One

I just miss the bus and curse, losing my patience in the rain. Pulling my collar up I walk to try and soothe my temper. An old man passes safe and dry underneath a wide umbrella.Not a single drop marks his suit while I am soaked right through.

He carries slowly on down the road, while I make a mad dash for cover. He looks across at me and smiles. I glare at him, and still he smiles.I swear at him, but still he smiles. I give up and smile, he starts to laugh.  “Good,” he says,   “Now, don’t forget,” pointing up at the umbrella,

  “Be prepared and stay aware, you never know when it’s going to rain.”

Forgiveness

We are most like God when we forgive.

- Anonymous

Forgiveness does not change the past,

but it does enlarge the future.

- Paul Boese

The key to forgiveness is to forgive from the heart -- not from the mind.

- Sheri Rosenthal

Unconditional forgiveness is the path to your own inner peace.

- jlh