It's Christmas Time Again!

Put your problems on probation

Run your troubles off the track,

Throw your worries out the window

Get the monkeys off your back.

Silence all your inner critics

With your conscience make amends,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you

Let all the fighting cease,

Give your differences a breather

And declare a time of peace,

Don't let angry feelings taint

The precious time you have to spend,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water

Or a gentle summer breeze,

Like a fresh bouquet of flowers

Or the smell of autumn leaves,

It's a banquet for the spirit

Filled with family, food and friends,

So allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!












Thanks to my friend Nettie for posting this on the notice board on Yuwie's social networking site. http://ww2.yuwie.com/profile/?id=79769

She sure knows what the Christmas spirit is all about.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas. May it be filled with happiness, joy, love and laughter.

Make Change a Positive Part of Your Life

You must avoid breaking when things don't go your way.
You'll always be secure to the degree that you accept change.
True security comes from being able to bend your insecurities.
Recognize and accept that change will inevitably take place.
You'll become secure, not by standing still, but by growing, moving, and staying energized.
Be secure in the knowledge that you can deal with anything that happens to you.
Have the courage to bet on your ideas.
Take some calculated risks and act on your dreams.
There is no permanent security on this earth, there is only opportunity.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~Will Rogers

Positive Quotes for Sept. 9, 2009

Create your own dreams and follow them until they are a reality.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Keep clearly in mind where you would like to go and then patiently and harmoniously follow the flow of the river of life until it takes you there.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Replace your weaknesses with positives, let yesterday become a memory and tomorrow a promise.

Positive Thoughts for September 8th, 2009

Enjoy the little things in life ... for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things.

It matters not what you are thought to be, but what you are .

To change the World, change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality and begin to act accordingly.

Until We Meet Again

Having to say goodbye is so hard to do, instead I prefer to say "until we meet again"

Last week my friend Angela and her family moved back to her hometown in Winnipeg. For the past 7 years they lived in Quebec and we became very good friends. We played ball, hockey and volleyball together. We traveled to numerous tournaments with our family and we shared many meals and stories.

My friends and I organized a special evening to let them know how much we appreciate them and to underline the difference they made in our lives. We also wanted them to be aware that in Quebec they will always have friends to come home to.

I wrote a poem entitled "Until We Meet Again" especially for Angela and her family. I would like to share it with you... so here it goes.

Until We Meet Again

The hardest part of any friendship
is when it’s time to say goodbye.
And even though I wish you’d stay
I believe everything happens for a reason.


For life is a journey that needs to be travelled
and I am certain you'll make it through.
I want you to know and never forget
that I will surely miss you my friend.

So follow your heart and never give up
as dreams and wishes do come true.
For I know that someday we'll meet again,
most likely on the ice or at the park.

Angela, Brad, Danielle and Gabe,
Here in Quebec you’ve made many friends
It is your home away from home
It is also where you’ll find the best poutine

When the moment comes we’ll laugh again
We’ll share a meal and memories,
Have a few drinks while getting up to date
And be grateful for this special reunion.

Angela, I wish you and your family well
Until we meet again.

Your friend Chantal

Quotes for Today, Monday July 27, 2009

I have neglected my readers, I hope you forgive me.

Wishing you a lovely summer.

Here are a few inspirational quotes that I gathered here and there.


You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel ~Author Unknown~

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman~

The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to be always calm to let each wave of life wash us a little farther up the shore. ~Cyril Connolly~

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller~

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that
it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I learned that the little things can be the
special things in life.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend
who was sick, and I learned that we all have to
help take care of each other..


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you give of your time and money to help people
who had nothing, and I learned that those who have
something should give to those who don't.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when
you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to
be responsible when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that
sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything
that I could be.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to
be a good and productive person when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things
I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'


LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.


Live simply. Love generously.


Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Are you unbreakable

I belong to an Internet club called positive-club. I receive free inspirational stories every week, recently I received this story and wanted to share it with you.


My friend Hans Zimmer had a serious motorcycle accident and lost the use of his left hand.
"Fortunately I'm right handed," he told me as he adroitly served me a cup of tea. "It's amazing what I can do with just one hand."


Despite the loss of his fingers, he learned to fly an airplane in less than a year. But one day, while flying over a mountainous region, his plane had engine problems and crashed. He survived, but was paralyzed from head to foot.


I visited him in the hospital. He smiled at me. "Nothing that happens is really of any importance," he said. "What matters is what I decide to do now!"


I was dumbfounded. I thought my friend was just pretending, and that as soon as I left he would start crying and regretting his situation. That might have been what he did on that day, but he wasn't finished yet. Life still had some fine surprises in store for him.


He met the woman of his life during a conference for handicapped people. He invented a system of digital writing that responded to voice commands. And he sold millions of copies of a book that he wrote about developing the new system.


On the back cover he wrote this short note: "Before becoming paralyzed, I could do a million different things. Now I can only do 990,000. But what sensible person would worry about the 10,000 things he can no longer do, while there are 990,000 things left?" ________________

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Epictetus

I hope you enjoyed it and when facing adversity I also hope you'll remember this story.

Quotes for today, Tuesday April 14, 2009

Let no man imagine he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and wherever he may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.

Henry George


One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is LOVE.

Sophocles

The Love of My Life

As I mentioned in my blog introduction, I am not a writer nor a publisher. I love reading beautiful poems and positive inspirations. On my husband's 60th anniversary I wanted to do something special for the occasion, I wanted him to know how much I appreciate and love him.

I wrote a poem dedicated to the love of my life. Through my eyes and my heart I hoped he would discover the man I love and cherish.

I offer you the translation of this poem, it was first written in french, the language we speak and express ourselves.

Today, Réjean, I want you to look at yourself, not in a mirror to fix your hair but through my eyes. I would like for you to see who you are, I want you to see past your little wrinkles in the corner of your eyes that add to your charm.

Réjean, you are an extraordinary man, passionate and devoted. You are not afraid to put in the effort to provide for your family. In your presence the room lights up and you bring happiness to people. You are my sunshine and the man of my life.

Réjean, you are a true friend, funny and respectful. You have a way of making people feel good about themselves, you listen to them and let them know they are important. You are my best friend, I admire and appreciate you so much.

Réjean, you are a wonderful lover and mate. Cuddled up in your arms I am the happiest woman in the world. You have a special place in my heart reserved just for you and you’re the only one that has access to it.

Réjean, you are an incredible father, responsible and generous. Your children know that they can count on you and that you are always there for them. You share your experiences and you teach them the values of life. You are concerned about their happiness and you assure their security. I thank you for giving me this precious gift of love.

A man like you, Réjean, is a real blessing in my life. Constant source of happiness and joy, you're a real gem that I keep as a precious treasure. May this anniversary be very special because someone so wonderful is worthy to receive only the best.

I wish you many more beautiful years filled with joy, love, health and surprises. I wish you to achieve your dreams and live your passions intensely.

A Perfect Recipe For The Time We Live In

I would love to share this poem with as many people as possible. With all the crimes, the hatred and the wars all over the world, I strongly believe if we follow this Great Recipe we can make a difference, we can change the world.

I challenge everyone to try this recipe, serve it as often as you wish, for breakfast, for lunch or dinner. Share it with friends,
family, co-workers, neighbours and while you're at it... share it with a stranger.


A Perfect Recipe

Fold two hands together,
And express a dash of sorrow.
Marinate it overnight,
And work on it tomorrow.

Chop one grudge in tiny pieces,
Add several cups of love.
Dredge with a large sized smile,
Mix with the ingredients above.

Dissolve the hate within you,
By doing a good deed.
Cut in and help your friend,
If he/she should be in need.

Stir in laughter, love and kindness,
From the heart it has to come.
Toss with genuine forgiveness,
And give your friends some.

The amount of people served,
Will depend on you.
It can serve the whole wide world.
If you really want it to!!!

Author unknown

The Yellow Shirt

The yellow shirt had long sleeves, four extra-large pockets trimmed in black thread and snaps up the front. It was faded from years of wear, but still in decent shape. I found it in 1963 when I was home from college on Christmas break, rummaging through bags of clothes Mom intended to give away. 'You're not taking that old thing, are you?' Mom said when she saw me packing the yellow shirt. 'I wore that when I was pregnant with your brother in 1954!'

'It's just the thing to wear over my clothes during art class, Mom. Thanks!' I slipped it into my suitcase before she could object. The yellow shirt be came a part of my college wardrobe. I loved it. After graduation, I wore the shirt the day I moved into my new apartment and on Saturday mornings when I cleaned.

The next year, I married. When I became pregnant, I wore the yellow shirt during big-belly days. I missed Mom and the rest of my family, since we were in Colorado and they were in Illinois, but that shirt helped. I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 15 years earlier.

That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom. When Mom wrote to thank me for her 'real' gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely. She never mentioned it again.


The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture.

Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom. The shirt!

And so the pattern was set.

On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress. I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp. The yellow shirt was just what I needed nowwhile refinishing furniture. The walnut stains added character.

In 1975 my husband and I divorced. With my three children, I prepared to move back to Illinois. As I packed, a deep depression overtook me. I wondered if I could make it on my own. I wondered if I would find a job. I paged through the Bible, looking for comfort. In Ephesians, I read, 'So use every piece of God's armour to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will be standing up.'

I tried to picture myself wearing God's armour, but all I saw was the stained yellow shirt. Slowly, it dawned on me. Wasn't my mother's love a piece of God's armour? My courage was renewed.

Unpacking in our new home, I knew I had to get the shirt back to Mother. The next time I visited her, I tucked it in her bottom dresser drawer.

Meanwhile, I found a good job at a radio station. A year later I discovered the yellow shirt hidden in a rag bag in my cleaning closet.

Something new had been added. Embroidered in bright green across the breast pocket were the words 'I BELONG TO PAT.'

Not to be outdone, I got out my own embroidery materials and added an apostrophe and seven more letters. Now the shirt proudly proclaimed, 'I BELONG TO PAT'S MOTHER.' But I didn't stop there. I zig-zagged all the frayed seams, then had a friend mail the shirt in a fancy box to Mom from Arlington, VA.


We enclosed an official looking letter from 'The Institute for the Destitute,' announcing that she was the recipient of an award for good deeds. I would have given anything to see Mom's face when she opened the box. But, of course, she never mentioned it.

Two years later, in 1978, I remarried. The day of our wedding, Harold and I put our car in a friend's garage to avoid practical jokers. After the wedding, while my husband drove us to our honeymoon suite, I reached for a pillow in the car to rest my head. It felt lumpy. I unzipped the case and found, wrapped in wedding paper, the yellow shirt. Inside a pocket was a note: 'Read John 14:27-29. I love you both, Mother.'

That night I paged through the Bible in a hotel room and found the verses: 'I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, for now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do, you will believe in me.'

The shirt was Mother's final gift. She had known for three months that she had terminal Lou Gehrig's disease. Mother died the following year at age 57.

I was tempted to send the yellow shirt with her to her grave. But I'm glad I didn't, because it is a vivid reminder of the love-filled game she and I played for 16 years. Besides, my older daughter is in college now, majoring in art. And every art student needs a baggy yellow shirt with big pockets.

Unknowne author

I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did. It saddens me because I don't have a close relationship with my mom... but we're working on it.