A Great reminder for the Day!
Be careful who your “friends” are!! Being too close to the wrong people can ruin you!
“Do not be misled. Bad Company corrupts good morals” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:33
My Good Time Stories
Inspirational, Motivational, and Heartwarming Stories
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A friend of mine mine recently asked his buddy who had just turned 70 years old and is heading towards 80, what sort of changes he was feeling about himself. The things he stated were interesting and things that I felt would be a good share. So, without further ado, here they are:
- After loving my parents, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started to love myself.
2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable and fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it
might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring her a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a
living than I am.
5. I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down
memory lane and relive their past.
6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not
on me.
7. I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for
me. And a small tip for the recipient…never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank You.”
8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9. I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat and neither am I in any race.
11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12. I have learned that it is better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas
with relationships, I will never be alone.
13. I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be my last.
14. I ma doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a
choice. You can be happy at any time, just chose to be!
I ask you, why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80? Why can’t we practice this these kinds of practices at any age or stage of our life?
What would YOU add to this list?
Have a wonderful day and remember to be kind 🙂
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There are a lot of problems, stresses, and anxiety that today’s world creates with millions of people around the globe. The sense of depression, dejection, gloom, and melancholy are pervasive in just about whatever place you go.
There is good news! Laughter, comedy, and humor has been proven to be a terrific way to counteract these negative, and sometimes hurtful, mindsets.
There are many, many benefits of laughter such as:
A. Increase Blood Flow: This in turn reduces your stress hormones, lowers your blood pressure and activates your immune system.
B. Laughter Reduces Pain: Exercise acts as a natural painkiller and so does laughter. Both work in the same way as a prescription or over-the-counter painkiller in the way they chemically affect the cell receptors in your brain and body. The body creates a naturally occurring hormone dopamine to relieve pain. We can increase our dopamine levels through both exercise and laughter, and reduce pain naturally. An article in the New England Medical Journal found that 10 minutes of belly laughter relieved pain for up to two hours!
C. Laughter can Prevent Disease:
Research has found laughter can improve your health and prevent disease by:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Releasing muscle tension
- Increasing feel-good hormones (dopamine, endorphins)
- Decreasing stress hormones
- Boosting the immune system
- Burning calories, and
- Giving an overall sense of well-being.
Also, laughter has been found to reduce tumors, increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments, and lengthen the lives of cancer patients.
FIND THE FUNNY IN LIFE!
D. Laughter Improves Emotional Health
Laughter is a factor of emotional healing. Whenever you start to feel sad, despondent or depressed, make yourself laugh.
1. Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.
2. What do you call a pig with laryngitis? Disgruntled.
3. A commander walks into a bar and orders everyone around.
4. Never buy flowers from a monk. Only you can prevent florist friars.
5. How much did the pirate pay to get his ears pierced? A buccaneer.
6. I once worked at a cheap pizza shop to get by. I kneaded the dough.
7. When I told my contractor I didn’t want carpeted steps, he gave me a blank stare.
8. Bono and The Edge walk into a Dublin bar and the bartender says, “Oh no, not U2 again.”
9. Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it’s a whole sentence.
10. I’m trying to organize a hide and seek tournament, but good players are really hard to find.
11. I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. I won’t lie, it was a rocky road.
12. What do you say to comfort a friend who’s struggling with grammar? There, their, they’re.
13. I went to the toy store and asked the assistant where the Schwarznegger dolls are and he replied, “Aisle B, back.”
14. What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up her own incision? Suture self.
15. I’ve started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It’s all about raisin awareness.
Laughter Really is GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!
Photo Credit; Rodolfo Quirós: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-woman-laughing-wearing-black-top-2219118/
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We all know the old story of “King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table“. Written by Roger Lanceyn Green and published in 1953, the summary of his book weaves together the stories from Sir Thomas Malory’s Arthurian chronicle Le Morte d’Arthur with other Arthurian poems and folktales from around Europe. He compiles the stories into a single grand narrative of King Arthur’s rise to power, the gathering of his knights, the quest for the Holy Grail, and Britain’s descent back into darkness.
No one knows that definitive number of Knights that sat at the Round Table, but it thought to have been around 12 (not including the King). The names of the Knights included Sir Tristan, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Sir Gaheris, Sir Geraint, Sir Percival, Sir Boris the Younger, Sir Lamorak, Sir Kay, Sir Gareth, Sir Bedivere, and Sir Galahad.
BUT…did you know the lesser Knights that sat at the Round Table? If you don’t, I am sure that you will be surprised by who they were…you actually may have heard of them before.
The knight who refused to fight: Sir Render
The knight no one believed: Sir Real
The knight too big to sit at the table: Sir Round
The knight who designed the table: Sir Cumference
The uncover knight: Sir Veillance
The knight who was never killed in battle: Sir Vivor
The knight who exceeded expectations: Sir Passed
The knight who showed up unexpectedly: Sir Prize
The knight who overcame obstacles: Sir Mount
The knight who funded the kingdom: Sir Tax
The knight who wore the biggest pants: Sir Pants Alot
The knight who kept the maps up-to-date: Sir Veyor
The knight who drank too much: Sir Rhosis
The knight who stood in for the king: Sir Rogate
The knight who stood out among the rest: Sir Perb
The knight with the fragile ego: Sir Amic
The knight who performed in three rings: Sir Cus
The saddest knight of them all: Sir Rowful
The knight who wasn’t needed: Sir Perfluous
The knight who liked to dance: Sir Prance Alot
Who was your favorite knight?
Do you know of one that wasn’t listed?
I hope you enjoyed the giggles!!
Have an AWESOME day!!!
Photo Credit: Maria Pop via Pexels
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The great Chinese movie actor, Jackie Chan, once said, “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life”. It is so true! The great thing about showing kindness towards others is that it is free! It costs you nothing but can have a tremendous positive influence on the person who is receiving your kind deed.
The following story has been around for a while but is a great illustration demonstrating how one act of kindness can change another individual’s life FOREVER!
One day, when I was a freshman in high school,
I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.
His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, ‘Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?
He must really be a nerd.’
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged
my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.
They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him…
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes .
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks.’
They really should get lives.
He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’
There was a big smile on his face.
It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.
As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.
He said he had gone to private school before now.
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football
with my friends.
He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know
Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.
I stopped him and said, ‘Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!
He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think about college.
Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never
be a problem.
He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd.
He had to prepare a speech for graduation.
I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle.
He looked great.
He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.
He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.
Boy, sometimes I was jealous!
Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!’
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled….
“Thanks,” he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began …
“Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.
Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly your friends….
I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.
I am going to tell you a story”
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.
He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
“Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable”
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person’s life.
For better or for worse.
God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
Photo Credit by Anna Tarazevich: https://www.pexels.com/photo/text-6268695/
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Do you think you are old? Do you feel like time has caught up with you and that all of the “good and productive” years are behind you? If you do, I have great news for you…you are wrong!
An extensive study in the U.S.A found that the most productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age.
The 2nd. most productive stage of the human being is from 70 to 80 years of age.
The 3rd. most productive stage is from 50 to 60 years of age.
The average age of NOBEL PRIZE winners is 62 years old.
The average age of the presidents of prominent companies in the world is 63 years.
The average age of the pastors of the 100 largest churches in the U.S.A. is 71.
The average age of the Popes is 76 years.
This tells us in a way that it has been determined, that the best years of your life are between 60 and 80 years.
A study published in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE found that at age 60, you reach the TOP of your potential and this continues into your 80s.
Therefore, if you are between 60 -70 or 70-80 you are in the BEST and 2nd. level of your life.
So, the next time you think you are old (or tell someone else that hey are old), remember, when you are “old” this time of your life is just beginning!
SOURCE: N.Engl.J .Med. 70,389 (2018) .
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Every once on a while, I come across a great story that will put a smile on my face and really make my day. The following story, featured in, “Human Psychology Facts“, is a fascinating tale of survival and good fortune. Enjoy!
It was 4:00 in the afternoon and Henry Collins had just gotten off of work. The weather looked ominous, but Henry had his priorities straight – time for a beer.
Temperatures were plummeting. Winds were gusting. Lightning was dancing across the sky. The sun had even turned a reddish shade of scary.
But Henry took the long two mile trek across the Mississippi River to his favorite saloon in East St. Louis. No, none of that unlimited free Budweiser, Michelob and Busch crap which were available at the largest brewery in the world, right down the street. Henry wanted his genuine German ale.
He finally got to his favorite saloon as the rains began flooding the mud streets. As two tornadoes began their swath of destruction, ripping to shreds more than 8000 houses and buildings, Henry got his beer. The date was May 27, 1896.
As the roof came off the saloon, Henry held on tight to the bar with his one hand, the other still clinging to his ale. The swing doors were ripped off the hinges. Henry couldn’t hold on any longer. Up he went, “tumbling” according to witnesses as the tornado gave him a lift. Out he went, soaring through the air, getting tossed about with the debris and some of the more than 1000 victims of the third deadliest tornado in recorded history.
But Henry was lucky this day. The tornado dumped him feet first on the muddy ground. And although he had a severely broken shoulder, God had blessed him – there was still some beer in the glass he was holding. Henry gave a toast to his good fortune, finished off his beer and went back to the saloon for a refill.
Photo Credit: Ralph W. lambrecht: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lightning-and-tornado-hitting-village-1446076/
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Life can sometimes get us down. We can feel inadequate, useless, and meaningless to the people and the world around us. The truth is that we CAN have a positive influence on others just by doing or saying one small thing. Sometimes, that one small thing can make a difference and have a big impact of the life of someone.
I recently came across a great poem that I felt would be a terrific way to encourage and help you realize that you that can be that one person to uplift someone else today! Unfortunately, I do not know the author’s name (if you know, please LMK).
ONE
One tree can give life to a forest,
One smile can start a friendship,
One hand can uplift a soul,
One idea can shape the future,
One candle can wipe out darkness,
One laugh can conquer gloom,
One ray of hope can lift your spirits,
One touch can show you care,
One life can make a difference,
Be that ‘ONE’ today!!
Photo Credit: Pexels
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A son took his old father to a restaurant for an evening dinner. The father, being very ole and weak, dropped food and spilled his drink on his shirt and pants and the dinner progressed. Other diners watched him in disgust as his son calmly sat by him.
After he had finished eating, his son was not at all embarrassed. He quietly walked his father to the washroom, wiped off his food particles, mopped up his spilled drink, combed his hair, then fitted his spectacles firmly.
When they came out of the restroom, the entire restaurant was watching them in dead silence…not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that.
The son settled the bill and started to walk his father out of the dinning hall.
At that time, an old man amongst the diners called out to the son and asked him, “Don’t you think you have something behind?”.
The son replied, “No sir, I haven’t”.
The old man retorted, “Yes you have! You have left a lesson for every son and a hope for every father”.
The restaurant was silent.
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you”.
~ Deuteronomy 5:16
Photo by Rene Asmussen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/restaurant-table-and-chairs-1581384/
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Photo Credit: Marcos Rios via Pexels Have you ever felt like life is just getting too complicated and too hard? The hustle and bustle of everyday life can simply begin to feel overwhelming and depressing. Despite the times when things seem to be at their lowest point…the good news is this…THINGS WILL GET BETTER! We need to remember to stay determined, focused, and hold the hope we must maintain to reach the goals close to our heart.
The following story is a great reminder to keep your hope alive and keep an optimistic attitude as we continue our daily routines in life.
During a brutal study at Harvard in the 1950’s, Dr. Curt Richter placed rats in a pool of water to test how long they could tread water.
On average, each rat would give up and sink after about 15 minutes.
But right before they gave up due to exhaustion, the researchers would pluck them out of the water, dry them off, let them rest for a few minutes…then put them back in the water for a second round.
In the second round of the experiment…how long do you think they lasted?
Now remember, they had just swum until failure only a few short minutes before.
How long do you think?
Another 15 minutes?
10 Minutes?
5 Minutes?
No!
60 HOURS!!!
That is not an error!
That’s right! 60 hours of swimming.
The conclusion drawn was that since the rats BELIEVED that they would eventually be rescued, they could push their bodies way past what they previously thought possible.
I leave you with this thought:
If hope can cause exhausted rats to swim for that long…WHAT WOULD A BELIEF IN YOURSELF AND YOUR ABILITIES DO FOR YOU?
Remember what you are capable of.
Remember your goals.
Remember why you are here.
KEEP SWIMMING!
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Photo Credit: Karolina Grabowska via Pexels Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job from a timber
merchant and he got it. The pay was exceptional, and the work conditions were great. The woodcutter was determined to do his best.His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work. He was told to cut down as many trees as he could then bring them back to him.
The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.
“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Keep up the great work!”
The woodcutter was very motivated by the boss words and the next day woodcutter could only cut down 15 trees.
Determined, the third day he tried even harder, but sadly, he only removed 10 trees.
Day after day he was bringing back less and less trees.
“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought to himself. He decided to go to his boss
and apologize. He said that he simply could not understand what was going on.“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe.
I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”Reflections:
Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy with the hustle and bustle of life that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”.
In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever.
Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s
nothing wrong with staying busy, working hard, and being active but we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get
close to our Creator, giving more time for our family, taking time to read etc.
We all need to take time to relax, meditate, learn and grow. We all need to enjoy the little things in life. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull, depressed and lose our effectiveness and appreciation towards others.Remember: the most important things in life are the things that you cannot see!
Source: Moral Stories – Pablo Chiemelie Akunna (revised)
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Hershel Walker at 49 years old! I recently read the following little story, written by Larry Jeremiah, that I thought would be a fascinating thought to share. Have you ever has a project that you wanted to complete, made a New Year resolution, plan on starting a weight loss program, or a host of other things, then lose focus or come up with an excuse as to why you didn’t complete them?
The following story is about a famous college/ NFL player…and now politician, that you may not have known about. It is a great inspiration…
Hershel Walker never had it easy.
Born one out of seven children, his family was lower-middle-class.
At school it was even worse he went to an all-white school and got bullied for his ethnicity.
He also was the worst student in the class getting really bad grades.
The constant mishaps gave him emotional trauma which caused him to develop a stutter.
At the time he was overweight, dumb and had no confidence whatsoever.
One summer he went back home and complained to his mother.
Walker’s mother taught him not to use these problems as excuses in life.
Walker said that is when he developed a workout regiment that eventually expanded to 1,500 pushups and 2,000 situps daily, admitting “it almost became like a drug to me.”
He read a book every day out loud in order for him to not have a stutter anymore.
He came back to school with one goal in mind, never become that person he was anymore.
He joined the track team and the football team.
He uses his life examples in extolling the value of hard work when he speaks to today’s youth.
What’s your excuse?
My Good Time Stories 