The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.


© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

What would normal look like?

Sometimes I wish I could be normal just for a day.

I could express how I feel without pissing people off.
I could get things done quickly and efficiently.
I could feel confident enough to go places by myself like church or just for a walk.
I could walk into a store and not panic, because they moved everything around.
I could go where there are crowds of people and not get panicked.
I could sweep and mop the floors without hurting my back.
I could go up and down stairs without my knees bothering me.
I could be supportive without overdoing it.
I could spend time with my friends without worrying about being annoying.
I could express concern for others without acting overbearing.
I could hear people arguing without becoming anxious.
I could take criticism without it affecting my self worth.
I could go someplace without weird smells bothering me.
I could tolerate loud/weird sounds and music, without wanting to cover my ears.
I could wear scratchy sweaters and things with tags, without wanting to scratch my skin off.
I could think clearly and not be distracted by every little sound, movement, and shiny object.
I could tolerate overhead lights, without wanting to wear a hat.
I could tolerate messy rooms without wanting to hide.
I could fill out paperwork without feeling overwhelmed.
I could look in the mirror without seeing every flaw.
I could figure out how to be happy by myself.
I could talk to people without taking things literally.
I could stop obsessing about the future, and what may or may not happen,
and just enjoy the present.


I am not normal, I will never be normal, I can only ever be me.
However perhaps in time and with help, I could become a better me.

21 Days of Inspiration, Wednesday: The Law of Least Effort

I have no idea where this comes from as someone had posted it on a forum I belong to, however I found it helpful so I thought I'd share. Enjoy! ;-)




21 Days of Inspiration
Wednesday: The Law of Least Effort


When your actions are motivated by love, your energy multiplies and you're able to create anything you want. When you seek power and control over others, you waste energy chasing the illusion of happiness. Set your intentions on expanding love and you will be able to manifest your desires with effortless ease.


"The softest of stuff in the world quickly penetrates the hardest. Insubstantial, it enters where no room is." ~ Lao-Tzu


Week 3 - Day 18 - Acceptance 


When everything is flowing according to our idea of how things should be, it's easy to feel in harmony with the rhythms of the universe. When there is a lack of alignment between what we want and how our life is unfolding, we're more likely to feel disharmony, stress, or frustration. Yet it is our resistance to what is happening in the present moment that intensifies our distress. Whether we're getting a root canal or finding out that we've lost our job, our fear and the frightening stories we tell ourselves about our situation magnify our pain.


The present moment is not always easy to accept, but learning to listen to the sensations in our body and the message they are sending will calm our emotional turbulence and ultimately will enable us to benefit from the experience.


Connect to your body, accept this moment, know that change is inevitable, and become clear on what you would like to see manifest. Your ability to co-create the next moment requires acceptance of the present.

...and Now for Something Perfectly Silly ;-)

In honor of National Draw a Dinosaur Day may I present my drawing (click on it to see a bigger version):

     “There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.”

The RESOLUTION for Women

I do solemnly resolve before God to embrace my current season of life and live with a spirit of contentment.

I Will champion God's model for womanhood and teach it to my children.

I Will celebrate my God-given uniqueness and the distinctions He has placed in others.

I Will live as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His Word.

I Will seek to devote the best of myself to the primary roles God has entrusted to me.

I Will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and esteem others more highly than myself.

I Will forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I Will not tolerate evil influences in myself or my home but will embrace a life of purity.

I Will pursue justice, love mercy, and extend compassion toward others.

I Will be faithful to my husband and honor him in my conduct and in my conversation, and will aspire to be a suitable partner to help him reach his God-given potential.

I Will teach my children to love God, respect authority and live responsibly.

I Will cultivate a peaceful home where God's presence is sensed.

I Will make today's decisions with tomorrow's impact in mind and consider my current choices in light of future generations.

I Will courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.---Joshua 24:15

From the movie "Courageous"

You can find the text of the men's version here.

The Prodigal Wife

Praying
long into the night
each breath
as laboured as the last.
Surely the
end will
come soon
as the sun rises
never has the pain hurt so much.
In the darkness
cold clammy hands reach
out for her throat
making her heart tremble as
early trains wail in the night.
Her eyes close as an
owl hoots
making it's way home
east and the sun is rising.

My Love and Apology Languages

I believe it's important to know what these are and crucial to know your partner's, if you're in a relationship. You can take the tests here. These are mine: Love Language Scores: 7 Words of Affirmation 8 Quality Time 1 Receiving Gifts 4 Acts of Service 10 Physical Touch Interpreting and Using Your Profile Score: The highest score indicates your primary love  language (the highest score is 12). It's not  uncommon to have two high scores, although  one language does have a slight edge for most  people. That just means two languages are  important to you. The lower scores indicate  those languages you seldom use to communicate  love and which probably don't affect you very  much on an emotional level.

Physical Touch This language isn't all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is  Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding  hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face--they can all be  ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and  accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Apology Language Scores: 8 Expressing Regret 4 Accepting Responsibility 6 Making Restitution 0 Genuinely Repenting 2 Requesting Apology Interpreting and Using Your Profile Score: The highest score indicates your primary apology language (the highest score possible is 20). It's  not uncommon to have two high scores, although  one language does have a slight edge for most  people. That just means you may feel equally  receptive to two or more of the apology languages. Expressing Regret You have chosen Expressing Regret as your primary Apology Language. What you  want to hear in an apology is an immediate expression of sorrow for causing you  pain. A simple "I'm sorry" goes a long way.