Tuesday, April 28, 2020

A DAILY BEACON of LIGHT and HOPE


 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...





I suppose one might regard Thomas Edison as one of the world's greatest failures. This man tried more than a thousand different light bulbs until he got it right. Have you ever failed at something a thousand times before you got it right? If you had, your name might be right up there with that of Thomas Edison.  Actually Edison didn't think of these failed experiments as failures. He regarded them as steps in a long process. But late in his life something happened to Thomas that would have defeated a lesser man. 



Thomas Edison's laboratory was virtually destroyed by fire in December, 1914.  Although the damage exceeded $2 million, the buildings were only insured for $238,000 because they were made of concrete and thought to be fireproof.  Much of Edison's life's work went up in spectacular flames that December night.

At the height of the fire, Edison's 24-year-old son, Charles, frantically searched for his father among the smoke and debris.  He finally found him, calmly watching the scene, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind.


"My heart ached for him," said Charles.  "He was 67 ... no longer a young man ... and everything was going up in flames.  When he saw me, he shouted, ‘Charles, where's your mother?'  When I told him I didn't know, he said, ‘Find her.  Bring her here.  She will never see anything like this as long as she lives.'"

The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster.  All our mistakes are burned up.  Thank God we can start anew." Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver his first phonograph.

~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~
Each setback and failure you experience also comes with a great opportunity. When one door closes, a window of possibility opens. The key is to look for the opportunity and avoid dwelling on failure. This sounds simple enough in theory, but how do you do that when you are standing there watching your own life's visions and possibilities go up in flames? The immediate response is to think defeat......"It's over, there's no hope."  But by thinking thoughts of defeat you are bound to feel defeated and hopeless. Instead, let those self defeating thoughts be what go up in flames. Your attitude is not determined by circumstances, but by how you respond to those circumstances. You determine your attitude; you always have the choice to respond either positively or negatively. What happens to a person is less important than what happens within them. What if Mr. Edison allowed discouragement to take over and chose to give up and quit instead? Hmmm.........we would probably all be sitting in the dark right now! I don't think anyone would have blamed him one bit if he had chosen that route - and it would have been the "natural" response - but he knew something that allowed him to rise above it. He knew it was ultimately how he responded to the setback that would make all the difference.



~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~
When you experience a failure, whether it be a job, a project, a relationship, or a financial endeavor, don't think of it as failure. Think of it instead as a great opportunity waiting to be seized upon. You may have to strain your brain, but find something good that will come of it. Take control of your thinking and change the way you want to naturally respond, even if it seems impossible at the time.




~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~
Say a prayer of gratitude for great examples like Thomas Edison. Ask that you will have the strength to respond to your setbacks in a positive way

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A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...



We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can
make which, over time, add up to big differences
that we often cannot foresee."-- Marian Wright Edelman


Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.

~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~
Yesterday as I was out running, I noticed a cute little girl about five years old on a scooter coming towards me.  When she was about 10 feet away from me, she suddenly got this big beaming smile on her face and said in a very loud and enthusiastic voice, "GOOOOOOD mowning!" (she couldn't pronounce her "r" ).  She was so full of energy and just beemed happiness. I was surprised the effect that one little greeting had on me.  She made my day!  I immediately felt cheerful and found a smile on my face too! (And while running no less! Now that is saying something!)  I am used to exchanging "hellos" or "good mornings" with other runners and walkers I pass each day, but that is almost an expected courtesy. Most of those greetings are much less than enthusiastic at best (probably because we are trying to keep from expanding any more oxygen than is absolutely necessary in order to keep those salutations from turning into something more like, "Do you know CPR?!!!" )  However because of that darling little girl, the next person I passed got a much more cheerful and enthusiastic "Good morning!" too. It was such a little thing she did, but it made a big impact on my day. It really is the little things that make the biggest difference. 


~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~
Take the time today to do something that may not seem like a big deal to you but may have a BIG impact on someone else. Write a thank you note, call or email a friend just to tell them you were thinking about them, take a treat to someone for no reason, give someone a sincere compliment, call an older person and ask if you can pick up something for them while you are at the store, or just simply SMILE  at everyone you see today! As you go about your day, do as many "little" things as you can think of. Then notice the difference in how you feel at the end of the day. There is no shortage of small acts you can do that will add up to make a big difference!


~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~
Pray for the inspiration to know what those little things are that you can do today to make a difference in someone's life.  Then DO IT!!!!
Make it great!!!
Love, Jodi 

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 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...


" People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle."--- Thich Nhat Hanh 

~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~

The human body/mind is a miracle, it's a miracle of design and engineering, and a biochemical masterpiece. Great artists, scientists and engineers are all amazed by its perfection. It's a walking miracle. And while it walks, it is privileged to see all the other amazing miracles on the earth.  Nature is full of impressive miracles that we often take for granted.  I have never been much of a "fall" person, (although Halloween is my favorite holiday!)  I have always loved spring the best, mainly because of the beautiful flowers and scents, but mostly because it means the cold is almost gone and heat is on it's way!  I guess fall has always been a reminder those wonderful warm days are soon to be a distant memory and winter is fast approaching. But this year, I have really enjoyed the spectacular colors and crispness in the air....(even though some days are still just a little too crisp for me! Can we say "wimp"?)  I have noticed certain trees have the most amazing mixture of colors -  reds, yellow, orange, maroon, and a deep purple. There aren't very many and they are hard to find, but they are really spectacular.  I'm not sure I ever really noticed them before this year.  They are one of those miracles. With an early snowstorm here in Utah a few weeks ago, it was an awesome sight to see brilliantly bright red trees on the mountains peering through that blanket of white.  Yet, another miracle. We tend to take for granted so many of the great gifts we have been given here on earth to enjoy, but they are everywhere if we take the time to look for them.



~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~

Take care of your miraculous body!  Yep, it's official.....you have a miraculous body!  Go on a walk today and get it moving.  While you are out walking notice all the miracles that surround you.  Really look and try and see those miracles that you might otherwise just walk on by.  Nature is full of them! Use your miraculous mind to take notice and find the wonder in each. You will be doing your body (and mind) good! 

~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~
Say a prayer of gratitude for the abundance of gifts and miracles that surround you daily. Pray that you will notice them more often.
"A five mile walk (about 10,000 steps) will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."
:: Former Surgeon General, Paul Dudley White


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...

  



Little boy, in a baseball hat,
Stands in a field, with his ball and bat,
says "I am the greatest, player of them all"
puts his bat on his shoulder, and tosses up his ball.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,
he swings his bat all the way around,
and the world's so still you can hear the sound
as the baseball falls, to the ground.

Now the little boy, doesn't say a word,
picks up his ball, he is undeterred,
Says "I am the greatest, there has ever been,"
and he grits his teeth, and tries it again.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,
he swings his bat all the way around,
and the world's so still you can hear the sound
as the baseball falls, to the ground.

He makes no excuses, He shows no fear,
He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers.

Little boy, he adjusts his hat
picks up his ball, stares at his bat,
says "I am the greatest, the game is on the line,"
and he gives his all, one last time.

And the ball goes up, like the moon so bright,
Swings his bat, with all his might,
and the world's as still, as still as can be,
and the baseball falls, and that's strike three.

Now its supper time, and his Mama calls,
little boy starts home, with his bat and ball,
says "I am the greatest, that is a fact,
but even I didn't know, I could pitch like that."

Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,
but even I didn't know, I could pitch that good."






~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~
Most of you have probably heard this song.  It was recorded by Kenny Rogers in 1999.  I love it because it has such a great message. The first time I heard it, the ending caught me a bit off guard. This little boy was able to see the positive in what most would only see as failure. Instead of focusing on the fact that he couldn't hit the ball as he tossed it up to himself, he chose to turn it around and see the "other" side.......that he is an amazing pitcher!  I love his confidence!  Children are such great examples. They are not limited by preconceptions. They do what they want without being burdened by the concept of failure. As adults we tend to suppress our imagination and are quick to give up our dreams as we become fearful of failure. Don't let the child in you disappear....believe in yourself, hold onto your dreams and allow your imagination to run wild! Imagine that there is no such thing as failure and be determined to reach success. It all starts in the mind. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it this way, "Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your promotion."  Or in other words, you are in control of your thoughts. You can allow thoughts of self-doubt and failure to seep in or you can shut them out and slam the door on them allowing only positive thoughts to enter. You decide.  When you allow the positive to flow, you may just surprise yourself and be amazed at how well you can "pitch".....and maybe you'll even hit a "homerun"!




~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~
Start to become conscious of your thoughts and of your self talk. When you catch yourself saying negative things, stop immediately and substitute positives for the negatives. Rediscover that child within and choose to believe in yourself. Choose to believe that you can.
Take charge of your thoughts and your self talk. If you practice positive self-talk, combine that with visualizing yourself as you want to be and don't give in to doubt, you can become what you want to be. Didn't our mom's tell us that we could do anything we set our minds to? Have you lost that belief?  Find it again and combine that with positive self talk and see where it gets you. And in the process, don't forget your subconscious mind is very powerful. You're constantly programming your subconscious mind. You can choose whether to program yourself for success or failure. Your subconscious takes you literally. It does what you tell it. When you say, "I can't ..." your subconscious cooperates and your words act as a self fulfilling prophecy. Try telling yourself "I can do this ..."  then your subconscious will begin to cooperate and make it into a reality.




~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~
Ask for the strength you need to control your negative thoughts. Pray to develop a stronger belief in yourself. 
"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."  Norman Vincent Peale



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A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...




"The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak
becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong."
Thomas Carlyle
An Obstacle in Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.  The peasant learned what many of us never understand.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity for us to improve our condition.


 
Photo of gold coins
 
~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~When we see the obstacles placed in our path as impossible barriers to overcome then that will be the case.  If we allow them to prevent us from moving forward then we are choosing to be beaten by them.  If on the other hand we view our obstacles in a positive light, then they will become the very stepping stones we need to achieve success. Remember Thomas Edison and his amazing ability to go forth even while in the midst of defeat. He allowed his so called "failures" to be his launching pad that propelled him to achieve even greater things and to learn valuable lessons that could be learned no other way. He once said, "I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward." Norman Vincent Peale put it this way:  
"In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it."


~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~
Start today to view your own personal obstacles as necessary stepping stones that will make you stronger.  Begin to actually welcome them and quit spending so much energy trying to avoid or suppress them in your mind. Believe that each problem has value. Start today to look for it. You are the sole person responsible to view your barriers as gifts and not burdens. It's your choice. You always have a choice and sometimes it's simply only a choice of what your attitude will be. Turn your problems to your advantage and move forward where others are afraid to go.


~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~
Thank your Father in Heaven today for the obstacles He has placed in your path (yep!)  Then ask Him to help you see the gift each barrier has to freely give you if you will only look for it. 
 Make it great!!!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...


"Most smiles are started by another smile." Unknown 

"A smile confuses an approaching frown.".Author Unknown
"A laugh is a smile that bursts."Mary H. Waldrip
"One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger."Proverb
"A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks. "Charles Gordy
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."Mother Teresa
"Peace begins with a smile."
Mother Teresa

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever."Author Unknown
"If you're not using your smile, you're like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook."Les Giblin
"All people smile in the same language."Proverb
"Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart."Anthony J. D'Angelo
"If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it."Andy Rooney
"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."Phyllis Diller
"The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief."William Shakespeare


"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day."Author Unknown
"All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile."
Chris Hart

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. "Leo F. Buscaglia
"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available."
Jim Beggs 

"People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile."Lee Mildon 
"Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile." Unknown
SMILE!!!  It does a body AND soul good!  Me! 

This monkey has a big smile

~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~Are you smiling yetA smile is really such a simple and little thing that we can all do.  It doesn't take much effort, but sometimes we just forget to do it.  A smile is an instant mood-booster, both for the person smiling and for everyone else around. When you smile at someone, you will likely elicit a smile back. Your smile helps them, their return smile helps you.  Smile, and not only does it improve your appearance, it improves all of you. When you smile, you can't help being more positive toward life. A smile costs you nothing, and yet it can bring so very much. Take a look around, and you'll see that the most successful and fulfilled people are those who smile the most. I remember a lady in my church I grew up in that always had a smile on her face. It wasn't a big cheesy grin, but just a peaceful smile. I don't remember her ever without a smile. Of course at the time I always thought she never had any reason to frown, but later on I learned she had just as many problems as everyone else.  She just made a conscious effort to smile all the time. There is now compelling evidence that just the act of smiling causes people to actually feel happy. Studies were done that required people to smile - no matter how they really felt at first - which resulted in increased positive feelings.  Frowning conversely decreased their positive feelings. The study showed that smiling leads to physiological changes in the brain that alter the temperature of the blood, which in turn makes people feel happier.  So what are you waiting for???  Get SMILING!!!!


~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~Select one or two of the above quotes (I gave you PLENTY to choose from!) and memorize them. When you are feeling the temptation to let a frown creep in, repeat the quotes in your mind until you feel like SMILING! THEN SMILE AWAY!  Even when you can't think of a reason to smile, smile anyway. Once you smile, you'll surely create plenty of good reasons and happy feelings. Smile even when you are alone and see if you notice a difference in your mood. Say............"CHEEEEEEEEEEEEESE!"


~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~Pray to be a light in others lives through your smile today!  

 


 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...



The secret of health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.”- Buddha

  
~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~Are you only concerned with adding days to your life, and forgetting to add life to your days? When you do this you are not living in the present moment. When you live in the "now", you immerse yourself in what you are doing so you can fully enjoy it. A few years ago, on a trip to Puerto Rico, we spent part of a day on a private island. The only way to get there was by a large boat. I remember lounging on this beautiful tropical beach, sipping a Pina Colada, soaking in the healing rays of the warm sun, while starring out at the most amazing and incredible bluish-turquoise ocean I had ever seen. I was in Paradise! But instead of becoming totally absorbed in this very rare "moment" that I had dreamed about for years, I was consumed with worry that we were going to miss the boat that would take us back to the main island. I knew if we missed it we would be stranded there overnight. Yes, I can think of worse things now....but at the time I did not want to miss that boat! (Maybe that Pina Colada had an extra ingredient or two added to it I wasn't aware of!) As I look back on that "moment" I wish I could recapture it. If I could, this time around I would allow myself to be completely in it..... I'd let Dave worry about the boat!  We spend so much time worrying about the future (which is good in moderation) or the past (which isn't good even in moderation!) that we tend to sacrifice the moments we are living NOW. There is no greater time than the present...the now...this very moment. It will never return. We must make the most of it.


~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~Be at peace with THIS moment. Remember that the ONLY moment in which you can truly be happy, is the present moment. The present moment is also the only time you have control of. When you think about it, there really is no other moment you can live. Now is all there is. So let go of the thoughts that are keeping you from being present in the present and be happy now! Because if not NOW, then WHEN? 


~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~Say a prayer of gratitude for this day and this moment. Cherish it... for it will pass all too soon.  





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A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...




Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't.
Because men do what they often shouldn't,
Because crops fail, and plans g wrong—
Some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite ofhe care and doubt,
It seems at the last that things work ou
Because we lose where we hoped to gain,
Because we suffer a little pain,
Because we must work when we'd like to play—
Some of us whimper along life's way.
But somehow, as day always follows the night,
Most of our troubles work out all right.

Because we cannot forever smile,
Because we must trudge in the dust awhile,
Because we think that the way is long—
Some of us whimper that life's all wrong.
But somehow we live and our sky grows bright,
And everything seems to work out all right.
Double Rainbow near Rio Vista

So bend to your trouble and meet your care,
For the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair.
Let the rain come down, as it must and will,
But keep on working and hoping still.
For in spite of the grumblers who stand about,
Somehow, it seems, all things work out.

Edgar 


~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~Whenever I hear the words, "it will all work out", I think of President Hinckley.  One of the things I love most about him is his optimistic spirit.  He is always reminding us that "things will work out."  His attitude is contagious. I believe he knows what he is talking about.  How could he not with his long life full of experiences and lessons he has witnessed first hand? We all have our share of trials and tribulations, but getting bogged down with the things that life throws at us will not improve things. If we can just trust and believe that things will work out (even though it may not be as fast as we would like) it helps us have a healthier perspective and makes those burdens not seem quite so heavy. Even though we will have discouraging days and occasional setbacks, given time and patience and perseverance.....things WILL work out.  Here is a great quote from President Hinckley:

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers" (Jordan Utah South regional conference, 1 Mar. 1997).         

~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~Follow the counsel of a Prophet of God and don't worry!  He assures us it isn't as bad as we sometimes think it is. It can be easy to get in the worry habit. Challenge yourself that when you begin to worry this week, you will stop yourself immediately and repeat in your mind (over and over if necessary!)..."it will all work out!"  Then do as Pres. Hinckley counsels and DO YOUR BEST!  He has promised us if we do that, then it WILL all work out. Trust God and pray to Him with faith believing that it will!


~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~Ask for the patience and endurance to trust that things WILL work out!

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 A Daily Beacon of Light and Hope... 

  May this shining beam of light and hope help brighten those stormy days of life...


"Storms Bring Out the Eagles,
But the Little Birds Take Cover"

When the "storms of life"
Gather darkly ahead,
I think of these wonderful words
I once read.
And I say to myself
As "threatening clouds" hover,
Don't "fold up your wings"
And "run for cover."

But like the eagle,
"Spread wide your wings"
And "soar far above"
The troubles life brings.

For the eagle knows
That the higher he flies,
The more tranquil and brighter
Become the skies.

And there is nothing in life
God ever asks us to bear
That we can't soar above
"On the wings of prayer."

And in looking back over
The "storm you passed through,"
You'll find you gained strength
And new courage, too.

For in facing "life's storms"
With an eagle's wings,
You can fly far above
Earth's small, petty things.


~ Helen Steiner Rice ~

 
~~~~~A Time to Think~~~~~It's been said that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks. The eagle will fly to a high spot and wait for the winds to come.  When the storm hits, the great bird sets it's wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle soars, actually using the storm to lift it higher. When the storms of life hit us, we can respond similarly.  We can survive them - even rise above them if we are spiritually prepared. Our Heavenly Father can lift us above those storms that might otherwise crush us. Just as the eagle feels the calm above the storm, we too can feel God's peace even while in the midst of tribulation. We will become strengthened when we believe that some good can come from our difficulties. When the storms of life come - as they surely will-  we can rise above them by turning our hearts to God. In one of my favorite scriptures, Isaiah gives this promise: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.


~~~~~A Time to Act~~~~~Let the storms of life bring out the eagle in you. Do those things now that will help lift you when you need it most. You will be lifted as you diligently search the scriptures and ponder the words of God. You will be lifted as you make your personal prayers more meaningful and then take the time to listen. You will be lifted as you listen to inspiring music. You will be lifted as you show kindness to others and serve those around you. Find the ways that specifically lift you and then make (and take) the time to do those things daily so you build a reserve of strength for when you need it most.

~~~~~A Time to Pray~~~~~Pray that you will have the courage of an eagle and be blessed with the ability to rise above the storms in your life.

Punta Nariga Spain Lighthouse HD Wallpaper - WallpaperFX


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