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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

QUALITY OF LIFE BEGINS IN YOUR MIND

It's not what you have, but what you enjoy that constitutes your abundance.
Your real riches are riches in your head and heart.

Wealth without enjoyment is little consolation.
True satisfaction comes from appreciating what you have.

There are two ways of being happy:
you must either diminish your wants or augment your means.

It's always better to appreciate things you cannot have
than to have the things you cannot appreciate.

Your riches will always lie within you, not in your material possessions.

© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Reproduce freely but maintain Copyright notice.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Our Vacation is Finally Here

One more day and we will be off on our trip. I can not believe our vacation is finally here. We have been planning for months.

Although we have been hearing the warnings and watching the news on TV about Mexico, we are still going and confidant we will be fine. Where we will be staying is a good distance from the borders and our resort is gated and patrolled, which makes us feel safer.

This is also my first trip by plane, so it’s going to be an experience all the way around. We have much planned. From visiting Cozumel, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, exploring the ruins and of course relaxing at the beach.

I hope you all have a great week and I will let you know all about our trip when I return next week.

Friday, March 20, 2009

The Meaning of 'Laus Deo'

You may or may not be a religious person, but there are some interesting facts within this post. Read on...

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, In God We Trust from our currency and all mentions of "God" or other religious meanings, this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.,
are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter,probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you may want to share this.
Those words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America, Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. 'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6 Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848
deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.

Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'

I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America. Have you ever read it? Well, now is your opportunity...'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'


Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.'( Psalm 127: 1)

Now that you have read this post, can you believe that there have been changes made to the Washington Monument that makes the phrase "Laus Deo" non-viewable to the public? The National Park Service, which is a branch of the federal government, has censored "GOD" from the key display of America's Christian heritage in Washington.
I find this to be outrageous.

You can read a whole article about this by going to snopes.com HERE

What are your thoughts about this?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The 'Old' Version of My Favorite Things

How many remember watching the movie The Sound of Music? A timeless classic starring Julie Andrews. A very popular song from that movie was "My Favorite Things".
I'm sure you can hum that tune right now.

To commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special
appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.

One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the Sound Of Music.

She changed the lyrics...If you sing it, its especially funny!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunion s,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

I just love a great sense of humor.

Monday, March 9, 2009

The Passing of Common Sense

I can not believe a whole week has passed since I last wrote a post. Where does the time go?!

I am home from work today after having a bout with that stomach bug that has been going around. Going through some emails, I found this one that I wanted to share.

Interesting and sadly true. What do you think?

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults not children are
in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly pupil, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a pupil; but could
not inform parents when a pupil became pregnant and wanted to have an
abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses;
and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by
his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son,
Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone...
Do you remember him?

Sunday, March 1, 2009

LOVE

Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased.
Nor is it etched in stone, for a stone can break.
But it is inscribed on the heart and there it shall remain for ever

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