thought for the day

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions." - Bill McKibben

A smile can start a conversation without saying a word.
Fresh Thinking from Daisy

Another great quote found on the inside of the sour cream lid, of all places. A smile can turn your day around. A smile can turn somebody else's day around. Try it. Smile at a random stranger today. Smile at a family member who may be driving you crazy today. Smile at the stranger who cuts you off on the road today. Smile at the unkind friend who may have upset you today. Smile at everyone...make someones day :-). Who knows??? You just might even make a new friend today!

kindness

i totally believe in this. i'm sending out a challenge to all who read my blog. find a stranger(or someone you know) today & do something nice/simple to brighten their day!
it can be anything...small or big!
ready...set...go!
p.s. if you take on the challenge, leave a comment & share your random kindness.

words to live by

I came across this quote while preparing for my YW's lesson last week. Our lesson was all about having good thoughts. We talked about the things that can help us to have positive thoughts all the time. This quote has become my new mantra ...definitely good words to live by. I used some more of my scrapbook stash(scraps) & even used one of my old clock stamps on the handouts. I found candy watches to attach to each handout for the girls.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Author unknown

Of all places...

to find another happy quote for my side bar. I found this great quote on the packaging of the Daisy sour cream container at the dinner table tonight -LOL. The new quote reads:
"Little acts of kindness can add up to a lifetime of happiness".
I love this & truly believe it!

Speaking of little acts of kindness, look what John & I received in the mail this week.


















My ever so thoughtful friend, Free sent these items in a sweet little package to John & myslef. First off, I loved the beautiful hand made cards that she created. She not only created a card for me, but one for John too. She wrote us each a sweet note. While she was visiting with us in June, John had mentioned that the violin was his favorite instrument(he took lessons as a child). She sent him a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra CD for his car ride to & from work. For me, she included a darling little Trendy Trees stamp set from Stampin' Up. I love it & can't wait to play with them. Thanks for the sweet little act of Kindness, Free. You made our week! We love you!

Take a minute this next week & see if someone you know (or maybe even a complete stranger) could use a little, simple act of kindness from you!

Simple Inspirations

I am always jotting down quotes that I hear, see & love. Unfortunately, lots of them get jotted down on random things like: receipts, my hand, Post It Notes, napkins (You get the idea). They don't always make it into my little notebook. I am hoping to post some of my favorites along the way, here on my BLOG. I was flipping thru a magazine this morning & read this:

"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not". ~Samuel Johnson

I have not been able to stop thinking about this quote all day. I think it it going to be my new motto/chant to myself as I live day to day. I love it when I find a quote that really makes me stop, think & have the desire to try harder. Simple inspirations!

What inspires you?