A Perfect Day to Stand and Stare

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

Leisure

What is life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep and cows:

 

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

 

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance:

 

No time to wait till her mouth can enrich that smile her eyes began?

 

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

~W.H. Davies

 

Your homework today is to stand and stare. No matter how busy you are, you can fit in a few moments here and there of noticing and being in awe of the wonders around you. Remember that oftentimes these wonders can be small and ordinary, but they are what makes living your life worthwhile.

Extra credit: schedule regular moments each day to stand and stare!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

In Spite of Fear

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Fear kills your potential it be who you are and who you can become. The trick is to acknowledge it—and then let it go. Blocking out fear never works. You’re just closing the door. You know it’s still behind the door, lurking. But if you open the door and greet it, you’ve made an appropriate acquaintance with that emotion: Hi, I know you’re there, but, no, you can’t come in right now.

~Apolo Ohno

 

 

 

This quote reminds us that everyone feels fear. Everyone is unsure and has to figure out what to do in spite of their uncertainty.

 

There’s nothing wrong with you if you feel fear. You aren’t “less than” if you are nervous and anxious. Successful and unsuccessful people are alike in that they both become frightened from time-to-time, complete with teeth chattering and knees knocking. The difference is that successful people manage to move forward, even just a teensy tiny bit. Unsuccessful people shiver and shake and that’s it.

 

 

 

 

 

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Your homework today is to join the ranks of those who are successful by finding a small step that you can take today. Break it into a teeny tiny piece and then take that step!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Small Kindnesses

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Drop a Pebble in the Water 

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

 

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,

And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;

You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

 

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,

And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.

 

Drop and unkind work, or careless: in a minute you forget;

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripple circling yet,

And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,

And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

 

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

 

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;

But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling yet,

And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music and be heard

Over miles and miles of water just by dropping on kind word.

~James W. Foley

 

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Your homework is to extend Thanksgiving into this holiday season and beyond. Not only does the recipient of your small kindnesses benefit, but research has shown that the giver benefits as well through increased confidence, among other things. This confidence then helps you take the next step. Go for it!

You can do it!

I’m proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Thank you for following my blog. I appreciate it very much. I hope you continue to receive support and encouragement from the posts.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Along with everything in your life that you’re grateful for, remember to be thankful for yourself.

 

Thank you for going for your dreams.

Thank you for taking a chance on yourself.

Thank you for digging deep and discovering new talents and abilities within.

Thank you for never giving up.

Thank you for taking steps and making progress no matter how small or humble.

 

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Your homework today is to write down the things about yourself that you are grateful for. Make sure you keep this list handy so you can refer to it on days when you need a boost.

You can do it!

I’m so very proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

 

Thoughts on Thankfulness

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Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

~W.T. Purkiser

 

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

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

 

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.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.

~Ralph H. Blum

 

Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.

~Rabbi Harold Kushner

 

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.

~Brother David Steindl-Rast

 

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Good Thoughts

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

 

No matter where you find yourself and no matter how limiting your circumstances are, you can always think your own thoughts. It’s the mark of a courageous person, a person of high character and integrity, who chooses to search for the gift in a difficult situation and who begins and ends each day with hopefulness.

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Your homework today is to hold good thoughts. Of course, from time-to-time you may become discouraged but, as quickly as you can, turn your thoughts toward the hopeful.

Then take the next step!

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Believe in Yourself

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Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.

~Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

 

This quote reminds us that no matter what, trust yourself. Follow the Still Small Voice and the whisperings of your heart and soul. Believing in yourself and what you know to be true and good for your life is the direct route to a satisfying life full of contentment and peace.

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Your homework is to take the next step toward your dreams—the dreams of your heart and soul.

You can do it!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren