Good morning! Just wanted to share a wonderful "to do" list I got my email inbox today from Mary Southerland. You can subscribe to to receive terrific inspiration, stories and Bible verses daily from Girlfriends in God. I believe I've mentioned it before, but if not, thought this would be a wonderful way to start your day and let you know (or someone YOU know!) who might be interested in subscribing also. Today's truth is based on the verse:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV).
..as the author reflects on her 61 years of living and what she's learned. (She said she came across this list, so I do not know who the original author is) My 39th birthday is around the corner (not that I'm sweating it) and I thought all these things practical suggestions are a really great way to approach this next year of abundant living! Enjoy! (Bold is emphasis is mine, things I especially need to remind myself to do/keep doing!) :)How to Stay Young
1. Throw out non-essential numbers such as your age, weight and height.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. If you really need a grouch, there are probably family members to fill that need.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Just never let the brain idle.
4. Enjoy the simple things. When the children are young, that is all you can afford. When they are in college that is all you can afford. When they are grown, and you are on retirement, that is all you can afford.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. Laugh so much that you can be tracked in the store by your distinctive laughter.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person that is with us our entire life is ourselves.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies or whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Go to the mall, the next county, a foreign country - but not guilt.
10. Tell the people you love how much you love them every chance you get. Never assume they know.
11. Don't worry about things you cannot change or do anything about. Accept them and move on.
12. Read more and dust less.*
13. Spend more time with your family and friends and less time working.
14. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. Recognize these moments now and cherish them.
15. Do not "save" anything. Use your good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the next blossom of flowers you see.
16. Wear your best outfit to the market.
17. Don't save your good perfume for only special occasions. Use it even if you are going shopping or just to the bank.
18. "Someday" and "one of these days" should vanish from your vocabulary. If it is worth seeing or hearing or doing, go and see or hear or do it now.Hope just ONE of these suggestions touches your heart! The email always closes with questions to ask yourself, a prayer, and links with more resources. I highly recommend it. Have a blessed day! Thank you for visiting!
* NO ONE needs to remind me about this one! Dust? where?? I don't see it...! ;)
Have you ever had the feeling that God is doing just about everything but out right yelling at you to get your attention? Here lately it seems that everything I've been reading, studying or just thinking about keeps getting repeated and/or re-emphasized over and over to me and in so many ways and with so many different facets of my life. This post was just another one of those little incidences. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful message here and a blessed reminder of what the important things are in life.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've seen some of these before, there are lessons here that I can't be reminded of too many times. Thanks for the great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteMel, you have such beautiful balance in your life. I love that you write about the most beautiful craft things AND those things that seem small but are so important in our everyday lives. Kudos to you!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Melanie!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put Melanie...someone told me that I smelled nice today and I was wearing my best perfume. I was at home crafting with my girlfriend, lol. I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for posting this for so many others to see. Have a good evening :)S
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, dear friend! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMelanie, whatever was going on with your blog RSS feed finally seems to have worked istelf out. I've gotten a month worth of posts in the last week!
ReplyDeleteI love this list. AS for dusting (and vacuuming)my motto is "I dust and vacuum once a year whether it needs it or not!"
Thank you Melanie for sharing this site. I look forward to an encouraging email every day. Love the list - all is so true!! Hugs, Sharon :o)
ReplyDeletesee...i KNEW there was a reason I don't dust :)
ReplyDeleteMelanie, thank you for sharing this post today. I copied the list to put in my journal as a daily reminder.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the dusting....LOL
Have a great day.