MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS ETC.

Roy, SU Gang and to everyone the world around --- Peace, Love, and God's 
Grace to you all.  

"Squeeze Joy from Each Minute......"

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa

This morning in church God reminded me, I am me.  I was created to be me by Him.  The more I continue to step into the person He created the more at peace, contented, and joyful I become.  And, I'm discovering the more I am me, the more I enjoy meeting and learning who others are.

This is a season of multiple holidays which are celebrated in this United States.  Christmas, Hanukkah (khä`nəkə, –n kä), and Kwanzaa are three which are celebrated during December.

By saying, greeting and wishing others a Merry Christmas I am sharing my belief. It is not in any way intended in disrespect, and it is not bragging.  I welcome others to share their belief by saying Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, or simply saying Hello.

And, if you are more comfortable simply saying - Happy Holidays, I am not here to say please, do not.

For many years I did not share myself with others as I felt I was less than others are.  Today, I am simply moving into being comfortable with the person God has created me to be.  Each of us is a creation, I believe of God, and you have your own beliefs.

The United States continues to be a melting pot of diversity, which I applaud.

By saying Merry Christmas I am simply sharing who I am, and I continue to look forward to learning who you are

Love

"Don't worry that children never listen to you. Worry that they are always watching you." - Robert
Fulghum

 This reminded me of something I recently said:  Words are not important.  We can speak until we are blue in the face.  Oh, that is an old phrase and for some that might not be a familiar phrase. Literal thinkers might wonder how anything other than paint or when cannot breath your face turns blue.

Actions when combined with words are more powerful for those little eyes and ears.  When we swear as we connect or come close to another driver, for example.  There are other things that we do as examples for children that when reflected upon, can think oh, wish that did not happen.

This is a great time of year to begin to apply other actions to carry into the next year, rather than wait for New Year's Eve promises that fall away oh, so quickly.  Think love rather than annoyance, think love rather than impatience, think love rather than being stubborn.  Think about that policeman whose photo went viral when he bought boots and socks for a man in need.

LOVE can overcome so much.  Happy Saturday this first one this month of Christmas.  And, if Christmas is not your holiday, LOVE can still be part of your month.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving -- I give thanks for:

1.  For God and the person I've become since surrendering myself to Him.
2.  The day and all possibilities.
3.  For freedom for all, to shop or not shop, and for all to do as they wish.
4.  Thanks so much to all those who have fought and continue to fight and uphold the value of freedom, Thank you for those who have protected our freedom and who continue to safeguard us many times even when we do wrong.  The first responders and all those who volunteer to make this country better for those who need a leg up.
5.  Thankful for the health and well being of myself and of those I love.
6.   Thankful for all who have commented and the opportunity this site has provided to share with all who find this blog helpful among the myriad of blogs.
7.  Thankful for my friend and photographer who keeps this site more entertaining.
8.  Thankful for my day job and this day off.
9.  Time for having time, and will take time to truly identify and acknowledge  being thankful and all that it truly means.

 And, now eat.........

Under Construction

Been a bit quiet lately as the hard drive decided to fail. It is being looked at to see if can salvage anything since the last backup. Hope everyone is enjoying the fall season. Please send questions or thoughts, as am using a Nook Tablet. It helps, yet look forward to being back in full swing. "Squeeze joy from each minute, time does not return, yet our memories do."

Learning - something new every day AND

http://www.khanacademy.org

Became aware of this site a couple of months ago.  And, in -A Tidbit style, will simply suggest you check it out for yourselves and your children as the school year is beginning.

Sal Khan created this virtually free website and schools in California have begun to adopt the format. And, what better way to learn about it, than to follow the link above.  Or do a Google search for Sal Khan or Khan Academy.

Learning begins and continues with any age.  Perhaps you will find this post as you are taking a few minutes this Labor Day to relax, enjoy and prepare as September begins and the pace quickens.

Why should California have all the fun!!!!

New Phone - Old Ring Tone

Just got a new cell phone.  A bit to get used to.  Yet the ring tone is the same.  Yeah!  

Myxer.com

For anyone who needs a change or, like me, have a new phone and would like the ring tone you had. 

Many are free or a very nominal charge.

Namaste

"Romantic" and "Real"

"In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love, you want the other person." -
Margaret Anderson

  

Romantic love - ah the vision, the thoughts, and the person.  Romantic love often occurs in the head, and not in reality.  "Romantic" love does not necessarily withstand reality.  Something like a photograph or a vision of what love is.

"Real" love occurs in real life, where the relationship is not imagined, there is connection, there is visibility there is availability there is vulnerability, there is truth.  Have many thoughts on this and will share as the days unfold.

And, a combination of both is a treasure.  In this community what you think matters, please share.

If love, it shows....

Summer is moving along at what seems, to me, to be at a frenetic pace. And, a new picture will be available soon. There seems to be a bit of a hold up with the transfer from Kodak Gallery to Shutter Fly, and perhaps a bit of the summertime slow down.

Listening in church today and heard something I wanted to share. Reference was being made to 1 Corinthians 13, and it may be familiar to many as being part of a wedding ceremony. During the sermon I heard each of the following.

 "If love, it shows."   In your eyes, in your voice, in your actions, etc.


"We can put on a show without love."  In their actions and voice.


Suggestion: This is a distinction, and very possible that some do not know how to love. Your thoughts? Happy Summer!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day is a greeting that many will hear.

I would like to thank all those who have served in the armed forces, for all those who were unable to join the military, and have made a difference volunteering and doing something on behalf of others. You are remembered; your choices have made differences, and your actions are appreciated. Thank you!!!!!

Blessed Memorial Day -- as this day is celebrated, most everyone has a long weekend. Picnics are planned, sleep late, travel and move about with ease and most importantly with Freedom. Unless on the lamb and running away from, over the shoulder we do not need to pay attention to.

We as Americans can walk forward, walk toward something, or have the freedom to say, maybe I will turn around to finish something not previously done.

That might be the largest challenge as Americans that we do have - the ability to choose to make a choice. Our lives are the outcome, typically, of our choices. Sometimes our choices are dependent on circumstances that occur. Someone goes through a red light, their choice affects our circumstances. Someone picks up a gun and robs us, their choice affects our circumstances.

And, then our choices continue -- do we choose fear or freedom. Our life is full of choices.

Caution: When making a choice - your choice may have an effect on others. When making a choice perhaps think Freedom for yourself and for others. You have the freedom to drive fast others have the freedom to drive slower. You have the freedom to run others have the freedom to walk or ride in a wheelchair or hobble on crutches. Allowing for your freedom and allow for others to have their freedom. America is the land of choices -- God Bless America!!!

Happy Easter

Good Friday has passed and Easter is on its way. Easter is full of celebration, and meaning, traditions and love, and new beginnings all around us as it occurs in the season of Spring.

This is the season in the Christian calendar that Jesus is tortured and dies as a man, through our sins. Our sins separate us from God, as they also did with Jesus.

Easter affords us the opportunity to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, which also represents the death of our lives with sin.

Our new life continues to offer new opportunities away from sin. I am doing something new this year, for me. I am singing in our church choir for the Easter services. During a practice session this past week, a choir member mentioned forgiveness and the challenges that humans have with it. She asked how many more lashes did Jesus need to take. Did Jesus need to take 3 more lashes or, perhaps 6, before we can take the steps to forgive. Or perhaps 10 more lashes for us to change another habit or release another negative or sinful thought.

Easter is a season of new beginnings. As we turn our lives over to God, He will forgive us and give us strength.

Happy Easter, happy new day.

Accustomed To Equals What Expect and Allow

Good Morning. It has been some time since I last posted A-Tidbit.

As I have a day job and then all the things that make up a life and living that life have taken precedence. God continues to speak to me and I with Him, and today the words in the title arrived over and over.

What we are accustomed to will be what we allow and what we expect in our lives with ourselves and others.

If we get accustomed to lots of salt on our food, we expect it; then we take steps to ensure we get what we are accustomed to and expect. If not enough salt, we add more.

When we are accustomed to and allow others to treat us badly, that is what typically happens. As when it happens, it is expected and therefore many times we do not turn away from that person or experience.

Occasionally that person is ourselves. When we expect nothing more, we allow less than what is optimal.

This can happen within many of the environments that comprise our lives, and with some large, and very visible and obvious to others minute and miniscule.

Suggestion: Allow what you want rather than what you are accustomed to. Allow yourself to begin, to try, to take a step. Allow yourself to listen to God, or perhaps to listen for God.

Love is......

Happy Saturday, today. Happy Sunday, tomorrow. Happy Monday and Happy Tuesday, which happens to be February 14, 2012 - St. Valentine's Day.

Each day, not just Tuesday, is perfect for love.

I make this wish for all - Happy Valentine's Day and best wishes for adding much love in all of our days before and each day after Tuesday.

Happy New Year - It lays out before us, 2012,

as an open palette, a book with empty pages. Many have made New Year's Resolutions, many have gone back to work and many, like myself, head back tomorrow. My thoughts a few minutes ago touched upon the possible vastness, the choices to make, the myriad of possibilities and many opportunities that lay within the days that will unfold in 2012.

Suggestion: I have decided to live each day to it's best, it's fullest. Not living it as it is my last. Not knowing if tomorrow will come; yet, being open to it being there. Making choices today to allow tomorrow to grow and prosper and be better than today.

Happy New Year EVERYONE!