This is an oldie but goodie. It is especially good advice for parents to give their teenage children. I did not create it...but it is worth posting here for you to read. I love you all more than I can ever say in words. I hope that you know that. As a mom, the only things that I want for you are to be happy, healthy, and to know the Lord. I can not give you any of those things. They are all results of choices that you will make. Choose wisely! XXOO
I can share your life...but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things...but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions...but I cannot always lead you.
I can allow you freedom...but I cannot account for you.
I can take you to church...but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong...but I cannot decide for you.
I can give you love...but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend...but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share...but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect...but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can tell you the facts of life...but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about lofty goals...but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you to obey...but I cannot answer for your actions.
I can warn you about sins...but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as my child...but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you...but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus...but I cannot make him your Savior.
I can teach you about prayer...but I cannot make you pray.
I can tell you how to live...but I cannot give you eternal life.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Six "B's"
I was working on giving "anemptynesthappens" a facelift whenI came across a cute little "blinkie". (It was entitled The Six "B's" and was posted at the top of the page when I wrote this...but have since changed it to another cute "blinkie".)
BE TRUE - I have been over this one with you already...no need for redundancy!
BE HUMBLE - There is nothing worse than someone who is "so full of themsleves". You know the type...I am certain you have crossed paths with one or two of these individuals in your lifetime...and believe me when I say you will run into a million more in the years to come! No one likes a "show-off". It is okay to know your strengths...and to be confident. But do not "toot your own horn".
BE PRAYERFUL - You will often hear people say "well, there's nothing else I can do but pray". I may have even been guilty of saying that myself. But here's the truth...praying should never be a last resort. Praying should be a constant in your life. Pray for anything...and everything...anyone...and everyone...any day...and every day!
BE GRATEFUL - Yep, I think I covered this too!
BE SMART - God gave each of you free will. That means that you will have the opportunity to make many choices throughout life. ALWAYS think before you speak...and think before you act. Take other people's feelings and the consequences of your actions into consideration.
BE CLEAN - This one I found funny...until I gave it some thought. I don't really think it means to make sure you have on clean underwear before you go out in case you are in an accident...although that is what your grandmother always told me! But how about this...keep your thoughts, words, and actions "clean". That way you will be sure to know that you ARE being the BEST person that you can be! XXOO
BE TRUE - I have been over this one with you already...no need for redundancy!
BE HUMBLE - There is nothing worse than someone who is "so full of themsleves". You know the type...I am certain you have crossed paths with one or two of these individuals in your lifetime...and believe me when I say you will run into a million more in the years to come! No one likes a "show-off". It is okay to know your strengths...and to be confident. But do not "toot your own horn".
BE PRAYERFUL - You will often hear people say "well, there's nothing else I can do but pray". I may have even been guilty of saying that myself. But here's the truth...praying should never be a last resort. Praying should be a constant in your life. Pray for anything...and everything...anyone...and everyone...any day...and every day!
BE GRATEFUL - Yep, I think I covered this too!
BE SMART - God gave each of you free will. That means that you will have the opportunity to make many choices throughout life. ALWAYS think before you speak...and think before you act. Take other people's feelings and the consequences of your actions into consideration.
BE CLEAN - This one I found funny...until I gave it some thought. I don't really think it means to make sure you have on clean underwear before you go out in case you are in an accident...although that is what your grandmother always told me! But how about this...keep your thoughts, words, and actions "clean". That way you will be sure to know that you ARE being the BEST person that you can be! XXOO
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Don't Drink The Koolaid...
So, I was watching Oprah again...I know...I need a life...but I really enjoy her shows! :) Anyway...she mentioned the old saying "don't drink the koolaid". I am certain I never used that one when you were growing up.
It means..."don't do something just because everyone else is doing it"..."don't follow the crowd"..."don't buckle under to peer pressure"..."DON'T compromise who you are so that you can fit in".
In other words...ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF regardless of the circumstances you may find yourself in. After all, you will live your entire life either regretting or embracing the consequences of your actions.
My hope is that there are never any regrets...but if there are...you learned a valuable lesson along the way. XXOO
It means..."don't do something just because everyone else is doing it"..."don't follow the crowd"..."don't buckle under to peer pressure"..."DON'T compromise who you are so that you can fit in".
In other words...ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF regardless of the circumstances you may find yourself in. After all, you will live your entire life either regretting or embracing the consequences of your actions.
My hope is that there are never any regrets...but if there are...you learned a valuable lesson along the way. XXOO
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Gratitude Attitide
I have been reminded more often than I care to remember just how important it is to be grateful. You should not only be grateful, but learn to express that gratitude!
Live your life being truly grateful for what you do have, not dwelling on what you don't have. We recently have been through a most difficult time as a family...losing someone so precious and innocent. My heart still hurts every day. I cry more often than I care to admit. But in all of that pain, I am grateful for the times that I got to hold Carter. I am grateful that he touched my life in a way that no one else ever can....and that he was a part of me and filled my life with joy...even if for too short of a time. Although I can not begin to know how Carrie feels every day, the depth of her sadness, I pray that someday she can focus on the happy times with Carter and not the loss of him. XXOO
I am grateful for countless things in my life. When I focus on those things I am filled with a happiness that words can not express. In those times it takes a lot to make me sad or angry.
My great grandmother often said to me "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". Now while I did not understand why anyone would want to catch those pesky creatures, I did understand the underlying meaning. It is always better to deal with people in kindness and with a smile than to be unkind and a sourpuss. :) And if you are focusing on those things that you are grateful for it is easy to have a "gratitude attitude"...that can also be contagious. You will find that when you live with a happy, positive heart you will attract happy, positive energy from others.
And live longer, too! XXOO
Live your life being truly grateful for what you do have, not dwelling on what you don't have. We recently have been through a most difficult time as a family...losing someone so precious and innocent. My heart still hurts every day. I cry more often than I care to admit. But in all of that pain, I am grateful for the times that I got to hold Carter. I am grateful that he touched my life in a way that no one else ever can....and that he was a part of me and filled my life with joy...even if for too short of a time. Although I can not begin to know how Carrie feels every day, the depth of her sadness, I pray that someday she can focus on the happy times with Carter and not the loss of him. XXOO
I am grateful for countless things in my life. When I focus on those things I am filled with a happiness that words can not express. In those times it takes a lot to make me sad or angry.
My great grandmother often said to me "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". Now while I did not understand why anyone would want to catch those pesky creatures, I did understand the underlying meaning. It is always better to deal with people in kindness and with a smile than to be unkind and a sourpuss. :) And if you are focusing on those things that you are grateful for it is easy to have a "gratitude attitude"...that can also be contagious. You will find that when you live with a happy, positive heart you will attract happy, positive energy from others.
And live longer, too! XXOO
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