If I Had My Life To Live Over by Erma Bombeck

We are in the Thanksgiving Season here in the U.S. and it’s a great time to reflect on all of our blessings and gain a new perspective on our lives.  Erma Bombeck wrote the following piece after being diagnosed with cancer.  May we glean from her wisdom as we appreciate our life’s journey.

If I Had My Life To Live Over…

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “GOOD” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s” and more “I’m sorry’s” …..but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…..look at it and really see it… live it … and never give it back.

The Old Lady’s Rules…

On the wall of an old ladies’ home hangs the photograph of a womanly face of rare charm, strength, and serenity. The key to this life is found in a set of rules, beautifully printed and enclosed in the same frame with the portrait. Very often one sees older folk whom the years have made charming and one wonders how this has come about, how it is that life with some can be so prolonged and exquisite.

Some of the reasons are stated in the old clipping, accompanying the old portrait in the ladies’ home.

Here they are:

• She knew how to forget disagreeable things.
• She understood the art of enjoyment.
• She kept her nerves well in hand, and inflicted them on no one.
• She believed in the goodness of her own children, and in that of her neighbors.
• She mastered the art of saying pleasant words.
• She did not expect too much from her friends.
• She never forgot that kind words and a smile cost nothing, but are priceless treasures to the discouraged.
• She did unto others as she would be done by; and now that old age has come to her and there is a halo of white hair about her head, she is loved and adored.

~ ~ ~

Continue to walk in the wisdom of God and you, too, will be loved and adored.

Faith For Finances…God Wants You To Prosper!

Yesterday, I began a series on Blog Talk Radio, entitled, “Faith For Finances.”  In this terrible time we’re facing with the current economy, it is imperative that Christians get back on their faith and believe God to turn things around.  Whether you need a turnaround in your own house or you just want to stand in the gap for the national and world economy, following are scriptures to build your faith for finances.  In the first lesson on the radio broadcast, we are establishing the fact that GOD wants YOU to prosper.  Meditate on the following scriptures and incorporate them into your prayer time as you build your faith for finances and pray for economic turnaround!

3Jo 1:2   Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Jos 1:8   This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

Deu 8:18   But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. 

Job 36:11   If they obey and serve [him], they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 

Psa 1:1-3 ¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.   And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psa 35:27   Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. 

Psa 84:11   For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 

Psa 112:1-3 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.  His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.  Wealth and riches [shall be] in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.  

Pro 10:22   The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 

Again, get these scriptures into your spirit and know that it is God’s will for you to blessed.  It is his will for you to blessed in every way, including financially.  Despite the present economy, God wants his children to be blessed.

Click here for the radio broadcast.

Want to use this article in your ezine, blog, or website?  You have my permission as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Min. Patricia D. Samuels, MA is the founder of Patricia Samuels Ministries, Inc. and the International Association of Proverbs 31 Women.  Visit her websites today and be blessed by something you view, read, or hear:  http://www.patriciasamuels.org and http://www.iap31w.com.

November Expert Teleseminar: Organizing Expert, Standolyn Robertson

“THINGS IN PLACE”

 

IAP31W Expert: Standolyn Robertson
Date and time: November 16th at 3pm Eastern/2pm CST
Members-only teleseminar (you will be emailed the conference call number to connect)

Want to join us for this teleseminar? Become a member today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get on this call to learn from Standolyn’s wisdom.  You will obtain strategies, insights and ideas that are practical and can be implemented immediately to help you get Things in Place. 

 

About Standolyn Robertson 

She:

• Is the founder of Things in Place ®, a professional organizing consulting service located in Waltham, Massachusetts. Established in the year 2000.
• Is President of NAPO the National Association of Professional Organizers.
• Works with business professionals and entrepreneurs to eliminate office clutter and establish productive tools for success in the workplace.  She designs office organizational systems tailored to the unique learning style of her clients.
• Is the past president of NAPO-New England. She has also served as co-chair and a presenter for “Organizing U.”, an evening of public seminars on organizing, and as membership liaison for the chapter.
• Is a past board member and Programming Director of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. She is also an annual conference presenter for NSGCD.
• Earned her designation as a CPO®, Certified Professional Organizer.
• Has received her Level 2 Specialist Certification from the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. 
• Earned a degree in education from the University of Massachusetts
• Is featured in the media, including the NY Times, USA Today, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, NPR’s Here and Now to name a few.
• Sharpened her organizing skills and insights through a very colorful career. It’s a career that includes work in human resources at Universal Studios Orlando, in retail management, in community service—and as a working mother.

She currently resides in Waltham, Massachusetts, and spends much of her free time traveling with her husband and two college age sons.

Learn more…

 

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