Monday, November 21, 2011

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Inspirational THoughts

How many times have you had a thought about contacting someone, but didn't follow through?

I read a post this morning about someone who had a good friend that she had lost touch with and then had the chance to reconnect with, but then found out the friend had cancer. She thought about writing a card to say how much she appreciated her friendship, but just couldn't seem to get started...and then it was too late, her friend was gone.

How many times have you held on to something saying, "I'm keeping it for something special." You may have read a story about a husband finding a beautiful red slip in his wife's lingerie drawer that she was saving for "just the right time", but now she was gone.

Too often we let the moments pass, the moments that can change not only our life, but the life of the person we share with. Too often we let our busyness get in the way of reaching out and touching someone.

As I sit here typing this, I am reminded of my good neighbour down the road who is 96 and in failing health. Why am I not down there visiting her instead of sitting at my computer? Why not, indeed. I think I will call her up and see if she feels like a visit from me. I could certainly use a visit with her.

Stop and think for a moment....who do you need to reach out to right now?

Now, do it.

Fran

Saturday, November 12, 2011

We Remember

How many times lately have you turned to the obituaries page and seen the death notice of another soldier. I think all of our World War 1 Vets are gone and most of our World War 2 Vets as well. However, there are still many who are serving and giving their lives today. Even though the official Remembrance Day is over, I wanted to share this poem. It was sent to me in an email and I don't know who the author is. If someone does, please let me know so that I can acknowledge their gift.

Remembrance Day

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes to his neighbours
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For old Jim has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
Tho' a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state.
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young.
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Someone who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician’s stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension - though small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier -
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the soldier's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Please keep the memory of our soldiers in your mind all year long.

Fran

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thanks to Those Who Serve

I wrote this this morning while attending a Remembrance Day Service.

An hour of our time
Is it too much to ask,
to think about those who died
to keep our country safe?
To think about those who
continue to serve,
caring not for themselves,
but for those of us who remain here
safe and sound,
while they suffer in the trenches of wars
stationed far away from family and friends?
And yet, they continue to volunteer to serve.
No, an hour is not too much,
and a lifetime is not long enough.
Thank you to all who serve
and who have served in the past.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Fran Watson

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dreams

Impossible is Just a Word

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn't fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn't dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can't do this. It's too hard. It's too impossible. No one can do this. However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headings and strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As each of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’

As you continue through this process, you will find out that the goals you once thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic. Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

So dream on, friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

To your "impossible" dream

BANABU
Fran

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Optimist's Creed

by Christian D. Larson |

"Your Forces and How to Use Them"

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

To your success

BANABU

Fran Watson

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Where Are You Going?

10 Driving Tips On the Road To Your Dreams
- Tara Sage Steeves, Create Your Life Inc.

Where are YOU going?

I often rave about my GPS, a cherished "gift that keeps on giving". Not only do I love it because of the ease and confidence it offers me in finding my way, but this fabulous little computer also calculates my anticipated time of arrival. I just love that... Short of something catastrophic or a massive detour, I breathe easier knowing when and where I'll arrive at my destination.

But wait, there's more!

In the event of a missed turn, Jill (yes, that's her name) echos the word "recalculating" while identifying an alternate route that will take me to my destination. No judgment or panic, simply: recalculating. Ahhh...anyone who's ridden in my car with me knows first-hand, that I have great affection for my GPS.

On the road to realizing your dreams, there is much to be learned from this nifty little invention.


10 DRIVING TIPS ON THE ROAD TO YOUR DREAMS:

1. Unless you know your destination, a GPS will not be much use to you. You must choose a destination! This is not to say you can't change direction at any time, it just means that in order to receive guidance about where to go, you must begin by choosing which way to head. (By the way, there is of course not a thing wrong with a joy-ride, as long as you don't feel any particular urgency to get anywhere in particular.)

2. When would you like to arrive? Are you traveling, by foot, bike, car...? Take into account how fast you're able to travel for a steady distance, and when you would like to arrive. With a bit of planning, you'll be able to easily assess how soon to set out on your journey and what to pack.

3. Give yourself some extra time so you can stop along the way to refuel.

4. Remember: You are in the drivers seat.

5. Enjoy the ride. Half the fun is getting there.

6. If it feels daunting to go it alone, find others who are heading in a similar direction to join you. (See below for more info on this!)

7. Pace yourself.

8. Glance in the rear-view mirror periodically, but keep your primary focus on what's in front of you.

9. Celebrate each milestone along the way, knowing that every step counts.

10. Don't doubt and question whether or not you'll get there! Just keep going...



Dreaming together creates a very special bond. Similar to how a GPS can guide you to your destination, our programs will guide you to realize your life dreams and goals - and take the most direct route!

You don't have to use any more precious fuel spinning your wheels. If you are tired of going it alone or know it's time to ask for directions, our programs are here to move you forward at an accelerated pace...

"We are not even half-way through The Dream-Acceleration™ Program, and I have been having one incredible synergistic day after another! Tara said this process would be mysterious and profound - and she wasn't kidding! After living most of my life letting life happen to me, I am finally making my life happen on my terms by applying the tips and step-by-step tools that I have learned over these short few weeks. Tears of joy have been to my soul, what soap is to the body! I'm so excited about the clarity I have, and the realization that I really don't have to do it alone. Now, there's no question in my mind that I will LIVE my dream, not just dream it. Thank you!" ~ Laurie G.

"The Dream Circle allows each person to voice their dreams with no fear of put-down. It's exciting to see how seeds developed as each session moved along and witnessing how dreams morph or become far more defined. The inspiration is two-fold. It feels so very good to help others by offering positive, constructive feedback, and in turn that same constructive feedback helps you crystalize your own dream more clearly. Together we created a circle where each other's ideas evolved from concepts, to an outline, to attainability. It was magical." ~ Hilary S., Newport, RI



(c) Copyright 2010-2012 Tara Sage Steeves. All rights reserved.

Click here for more information on how to claim your seat in an upcoming program!

May your dreams always inspire more than they intimidate.

Tara Sage Steeves is a Dream Realization Coach, author, speaker, facilitator, and founder of Create Your Life! and The Dream Party®. She delights in supporting the exciting, and sometimes intimidating, process of dream realization – and does so with creative vigor! Contact Us


Take part in an upcoming seminar and get other free gifts at Tara's website.

I'm signed up....join me for this life changing experience!

BANABU

Fran Watson

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Lord's Prayer - beautifully done by Vance Perry



The beginning's a bit weird, but the rest makes up for that.

I hope you enjoyed this. He has a number of other ones. I have been siting here for almost an hour listening to him and decided to share.

BANABU

Fran

Purified

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Psalm 66:10 “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.”

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


Purified in Jesus

Jesus, lover of my soul
Keep me safe, and keep me whole.
Let me live my life for Thee,
Truly blessed and truly free.
May I give the ones I love
A sense of presence from above.
May those who know me know You too
And may they be no longer blue,
But full of love and joy and cheer
As they work their way through every year.

May I be always growing,
And may I be always knowing,
Of your love and trust in me,
That I will turn to you and be…
Not do, or run or speak, just be
The person that you want of me.
The one you’ve molded,
And shaped and burned to get the gold.

April 1, 2007
copyright Fran Watson


The silversmith and the goldsmith start their work with impure silver and gold ore. Through the refining process they remove all of the impurities in the ore. This process involves fire, time. and the close attention of the smith. The smith puts the ore in the fire to burn out some of the impurities, then takes it out and shapes it, then back in the fire. All the while he keeps a close eye on this precious metal. When he can see his reflection in the silver, he knows it is done. God too looks to see his reflection in our lives and when He sees it, He knows that we are ready.

Are you being tested? Are you suffering trials and tribulations? Perhaps you too are being purified so that God will be able to see His reflection in you.

To your shining beauty!!

Peace and love

Fran Watson