Begin Again: The New Days, a Poem by Edgar A. Guest

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We all have cherished memories of wonderful times in the past, and we also can remember times that weren’t so great. It’s okay to think of these every once in a while, but to dwell in the past…not such a good strategy.

As the poem below points out, living in the present moment and looking ahead to the bright promise of the future is a great way to begin again.

 

The New Days

         The old days, the old days, how oft the poets sing,        

The days of hope at dewy morn, the days of early spring,        

The days when every mead was fair, and every heart was true,        

And every maiden wore a smile, and every sky was blue        

The days when dreams were golden and every night brought rest,        

The old, old days of youth and love, the days they say were best        

But I—I sing the new days, the days that lie before,        

The days of hope and fancy, the days that I adore.     

    

The new days, the new days, the selfsame days they are;        

The selfsame sunshine heralds them, the selfsame evening star        

Shines out to light them on their way unto the Bygone Land,       

And with the selfsame arch of blue the world to-day is spanned.        

The new days, the new days, when friends are just as true,        

And maidens smile upon us all, the way they used to do,        

Dreams we know are golden dreams, hope springs in every breast;        

It cheers us in the dewy morn and soothes us when we rest.         

 

The new days, the new days, of them I want to sing,        

The new days with the fancies and the golden dreams they bring;        

The old days had their pleasures, but likewise have the new        

The gardens with their roses and the meadows bright with dew;        

We love to-day the selfsame way they loved in days of old;        

The world is bathed in beauty and it isn’t growing cold;        

There’s joy for us a-plenty, there are tasks for us to do,        

And life is worth the living, for the friends we know are true.

~Edgar A. Guest

 

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Back by Popular Demand: Sitting in Silence: Creating Space for Peace in Your Life

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Are you starting your day with a few moments of silence? Perhaps you’re ending your day with several minutes of silence. Maybe you start and end your day with a few minutes of silence!

The post below reminds us of one of the wonderful benefits of sitting in silence, even for only a few moments. This post was originally published on October 24, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

This world is a noisy, crazy–sometimes terrifying–place and it seems as if it’s getting noisier, crazier, and more terrifying by the minute. We’re overwhelmed by it all and, what’s worse, it seems as if there’s no relief coming anytime soon.

This is how Sitting in Silence can help. This practice gives you the opportunity to make much needed space–margin, as it’s called these days–in your life.

To be a vibrant, whole person who’s fully engaged in living life, you need this space. You need space to think, space to feel, space to make sense of things.  You need space to absorb your thoughts and feelings, and assimilate them into your life.  These are the basis of your success and happiness in life.

I urge and encourage you to Sit in Silence every single day. Do it first thing in the morning for fifteen minutes.  Stick with it for a month and see what happens.  I am positive you’ll be pleased with the calmness that will settle into your life.

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

 

Back by Popular Demand: A Quote for a Refreshing Night’s Sleep

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Science is confirming something mothers have known and encouraged for millennia: Get a good night’s sleep! Getting enough restful sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Below is a post with a quote that will help you get a good night’s sleep. It was published on April 16, 2016.

 

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“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This is excellent advice. Reviewing your day to look for ways to improve is one thing but going over your day and agonizing over it does no good whatsoever.

Berating yourself over the day does not turn back the clock and give you a second chance at it. It doesn’t erase what you did or did not do. The only thing agonizing and berating does is punish and torture you.

Where’s the good in that? There isn’t any–it doesn’t uplift you.

How does that help you move forward? It doesn’t.

How can you tell the difference between a healthy review of your day and agonizing over the day? With a healthy review, once you are finished, you put it aside and forget about it. When you are agonizing, you don’t put it aside. You keep poking at it, stirring it up, and you can’t leave it alone. It stays with you for hours–sometimes even through the night, disturbing your rest.

In order to train yourself to let the day go, post this quote on your bathroom mirror. As you’re washing up and getting ready for bed, read it and think about it. Let it’s simple wisdom loosen your grip on the day.

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Back by Popular Demand: 10 Quotes for When Fear Has You in Its Clutches

 

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We’ve all been afraid, especially when we’re going after our dreams. Fear seeps into our thoughts not only when we’re outside our comfort zone but even when we’re just thinking about maybe stepping a tiny bit outside, perhaps….

Below are 10 quotes that can boost your spirits and help you take the next step in spite of the fear and terror you may be feeling. The quotes below were originally posted on September 15, 2015.

Enjoy!

 

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”– Dale Carnegie

 

“Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to boldly walk through them.” – Orison Swett Marden

 

“It’s all right to be afraid. You just don’t let it stop you from doing your job.”– Jim Butcher

 

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”  – Confucius

 

“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action. Fear is nature’s way of warning us to get busy.” – Dr. Henry Link

　

“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.” – C. JoyBell C.

 

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

 

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” – Rosa Parks

 

“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.”  – Doug Firebaugh

“Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to step up and strike.” – Arthur Ashe

 

Keep these quotes handy during the week. When you become worried, fearful, or terrified, pull them out. Let their calm wisdom comfort and soothe you.   Then take the next step!

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Frenemies: 7 Quotes for the Upcoming Week

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Last week we started to talk about frenemies. With my computer and Internet troubles, we didn’t finish that discussion so we’ll continue it this week.

Here are 7 quotes about frenemies for this week. Let me know which one(s) ring true for you.

 

Thank you fake friends! You’ve only made me stronger and wiser. ~Unknown

 

Time will prove the worth of friendship. As time goes by we lose the false ones and keep the best. True friends stay when all the rest are gone. ~Ritu Ghatourey

 

Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back. They’re behind you for a reason. ~Unknown

 

An honest enemy is better than a false friend. When in doubt, pay more attention to what people do and less to what they say.   Actions not only speak louder than words, they are more difficult to fake. ~Zero Dean

 

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. ~The Buddha

 

A friend who stands with you in pressure is more valuable than a hundred ones who stand with you in pleasure. ~Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

 

Better to have an enemy who slaps you in the face than a friend who stabs you in the back.   ~Unknown

 

Tomorrow we’re going to be talking about handling the feelings you have after being with a frenemy.   Come back and join the conversation!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Frenemies: Another Tip to Deal with Them

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Yesterday we talked about 5 techniques to help us deal with frenemies. Today we’ll talk about one more: meditating.

Scientists have shown that meditating is good for you. A regular practice can help to lower blood pressure, fight insomnia and lead to a better night’s sleep, among other things.

Another thing meditation can do is to help us calm down and press the reset button after an attack by a frenemy.

No, you don’t have to twist yourself into an uncomfortable position and hold it forever; no, you don’t have to chant or “ohm”. All you need to do is to sit quietly and tune into the serene part of yourself.

Focus on that part of yourself that’s timeless and limitless. Doing this can help to put the situation and the frenemy in perspective.   In doing this you’ll see that your frenemy is someone to be pitied, rather than punched. It’s a sad, insecure person who’s worried about their prospects in the future who tends to be a frenemy. People who are creating a soul-prospering life tend to be authentic, helpful, and optimistic.

Also, when you go within, you’ll be reminded of your talents, gifts, and the soul-prospering life you’re crafting for yourself!

You can do it!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Opportunity by Walter Malone

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The world would have us believe that opportunities are rare and that if we don’t grab them when they come along, not only are they gone forever but there may not be other ones coming our way any time soon.

I like this poem because it tells us that the sentiment stated above is not true–not at all.   While certain opportunities may pass us by and be gone forever, each day brings with it not only a clean slate, but also a whole slew of new opportunities.

Enjoy the poem then afterward, in the comments section, let me know what you thought of it. Enjoy!

 

Opportunity

by Walter Malone

 

They do me wrong who say I come no more

When once I knock and fail to find you in;

For every day I stand outside your door

And bid you wake and rise to fight and win.

 

Wail not for precious chances passed away!

Weep not for golden ages on the wane!

Each night I burn the records of the day;

At sunrise every soul is born again.

 

Laugh like a boy at splendors that have sped;

To vanished joys be blind and deaf and dumb;

My judgments seal the dead past with its dead,

But never bind a moment yet to come.

 

Though deep in mire, wring not your hands and weep;

I lend an arm to all who say: “I can!”

No shamefac’d outcast ever sand so deep

But yet might rise and be again a man.

 

Dost thou behold thy lost youth all aghast?

Dost reel from righteous retribution’s blow?

Then turn from blotted archives of the past

And find the future’s pages white as snow!

 

Art thou a mourner?   Rouse thee from thy spell;

Art thou a sinner?   Sins may be forgiven!

Each morning gives thee wings to flee from hell;

Each night a star to guide thy feet to Heaven.

 

Let me know what you think!   Thanks!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Thinking Thoughts, Part 1

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We’ve all heard that controlling our thoughts is the key to living the life of our dreams–our soul-prospering life. This is true; I can attest to it.

In my current situation, I find myself thrown together with someone who has a very strong personality and is incredibly opinionated. When I’m with these types of people I’m often overwhelmed by the force of their personalities. This current situation is giving me ample opportunity to learn at a deeper level how to control my thoughts.

When I feel overwhelmed it’s because I’m using the world’s judgment, values, and measuring tools to decide whether or not I’m good enough. I’m letting someone else decide my worthiness–or lack of it. I’m forgetting that, just like everyone else, at my core:

~I am good enough.

~I am awesome at being me

~I am valuable

~I am needed

~I am fully loaded with awesome gifts and talents

~I am capable and competent

~I am destined to make my mark

 

These statements are true about you, too!

Feel free to use the above statements and say them to yourself over and over and over again whenever you feel overwhelmed, intimidated, not good enough, or any other emotion that makes you feel less than. You are much, much more than you realize.

You are awesome!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

Back by Popular Demand: Wisdom from the Farm: The Strawberry Patch Part 2

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This post was originally published on June 16, 2014.

 

 

Let Ideas Ripen

Last week I used the strawberry patch at my local CSA as a metaphor for ideas (click here to be taken to that post). Today’s post is another thought I had inspired by the ripe and juicy berries!

Strawberries don’t ripen well if you pick them when they’re unripe or only partially ripe. They don’t fully sweeten. This is why the farmers at my CSA instruct us to pick only the berries that are red all the way to the tip of the fruit. These are the sweetest, juiciest, and most tasty strawberries.

Obviously, this means we have to leave the unripe ones alone, carefully moving them to the side in order to reach the ripe ones. We still have to check all the berries closely because, although they may be a luscious red at the top, they are still white and unripe at the tips: not yet ready!

Copyright 2014 Artisans Workshop Designs

It’s the same with ideas. Many require our patience so they have time to grow and develop. Even so, there are always a few that are ripe to the tips—ready and waiting for your action!

Your homework today is to put to the side the ideas that are not quite ready to be acted upon. They still need time for your skills and knowledge and events to come together in such a way that the time is perfect for action.

In the meantime, there are plenty of ideas that are ready to go—juicy red to the tips—and they’ll keep you plenty busy. Act on these ideas! As you move forward, you may find that working on these ideas hasten the ripening of the ones waiting in the wings.

You can do it—you can take action on those juicy ones as you patiently wait while other ideas ripen!

I’m so proud of you!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren

 

Thinking: How to Live a Soul-Prospering Life: Stop Thinking!

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This weekend I listened again to a few talks given by Eckhart Tolle that have been posted on YouTube. His messages made me realize that the biggest reason we may not be living soul-prospering lives is because we think too much!

We should stop thinking!

I don’t mean that we should shuffle along in a catatonic state; we need to realize, though, that our thoughts are generally negative and limiting.

We probably have recognized some of our default thoughts when we’re faced with difficulties or when we confront something new are ones such as:

 

I can’t;

 

It’s too hard;

 

It’s too much;

 

Ill never be able to learn;

 

It’s always one problem after another;

 

Why bother because nothing I do ever makes a difference….

 

But what about those thoughts that run through our minds that are just below our awareness?   While you may not be aware of them, you can tell if they’re positive or negative by how you are feeling.

For instance, if you’re feeling frustrated, tired, worried, sad, anxious, and other feelings along those lines, then we’re probably thinking something along the lines of:

 

I always get stuck with the awful jobs;

 

This is too hard for me;

 

My boss looked at me weird; am I going to get laid off;

 

It’s only 9:30 am; I can’t wait for this day to be over;

 

I’ll never make enough money….

 

What can we do about this, though?

 

It’s impossible for us to stop thinking and it’s probably unrealistic to think that we can completely eradicate our negative thoughts.

What we can do is to periodically check in with ourselves and notice how we’re feeling. When we find ourselves feeling negative, we should understand that we’ve allowed something to get under our skin and discombobulate us so we’re now feeling sad, angry, worried….

This week we’ll talk more about thinking and how to get a handle on ours. Come back tomorrow for the next installment!

Your Friend and Pep Pal,

Lauren