Entries In This Blog

Entries in this blog

          ~ 2017 ~

~ I Do Not Put Limits On The Many Possibilities That Life Has To Offer ~ December 2017

~ I Rejoice That I Am Wide Minded ~ November 2017

~ Belief = Results ~ October 2017

~ September, The Time Of Next Beginnings ~ September 2017

~ A WONDERFUL Surprise!! ~ August 2017

~ July Is Birthday Month ~ July 2017

~ What Fathers Said ~ June 2017

~ Happy Day To You And Your Mother ~ May 2017

~ "Kick The Bucket" no! No! NO! ~ April 2017

~ When You Are 100 And Look Back... ~ March 2017

~ And Speaking Of Love, ~ February 2017

~ Three People Answer The Question...~ January 2017 

          ~ 2016 ~

~ What Is The Connection Between Christmas And A Cat... ~ December 2016

~ A Holiday To Remember ~ November 2016

~ Have You Thanked Your Computer Today And ~ October 2016

~ Have You Heard About The Traveling Salesman... ~ September 2016

~ Like Olympic Champions, Plan To Win, Not Just To Do Your Best ~ August 2016

~ Are You Making Yourself Sick? ~ July 2016

~ Forgiving Is Enabling ~ June 2016

~ Fathers Often Said Words ~ May 2016

~ Many Mothers Messages ~ April 2016

~Never In Thought Or Speech Will 'You' Claim ~ March 2016

~Hello 2016, Now That You Are Older... ~ February 2016

~Steal So No One Will Ever Know ~ January 2016

          ~ 2015 ~

~Goodbye 2015, You Are Leaving Too Soon ~ December 2015

~Avoid Conceited Gift Giving ~ December 2015

~Create A Thanks ~ Full Box ~ November 2015

~ I Avoid Thoughtless And Cruel Halloween Decorations ~ October 2013

~For Success, Use Words With Legs ~ September 2015

~Do You Honor Yourself? ~ August 2015

~Click, Click . . . I Do Not Know What That Is? ~ July 2015

~The Only Jumping I Do Is For Sports ~ June 2015

~Is Your Underwear Harming Your Body? ~ May 2015

~Are You Polite And Respectful To Yourself? ~ April 2015

~Do You Know The Other Side Of Yourself? ~ March 2015

~Count The Blessings That You Have Been To Others ~ February 2015

~Deflecting Questions You Do Not Want To Answer ~ January 2015

~I Am Your Brain, Why Are You Sabotaging Me? ~ January 2015

          ~ 2014 ~

~"The Failure To Have Never Failed Is A Major Failure." ~ August 2014

~Have A Happy ~ ~ August 2014

~Good Advice From Friends ~ July 2014

~Bring Worthwhile Changes Into Your Life ~ June 2014

~What Color Are Your Mother's Eyes? ~ June 2014

~Stop Smoking, The Simple, Always Effective Way ~January 2014

~A Spread Laughter Project (Additions added often) ~ January 2014

          ~ 2013 ~

~Only English, Or All Other Languages ~ December 2013

~Stop Disrespecting The Flag ~ December 2013

~Walnuts, Snow Forecaster ~ November 2013

           ~ 2012 ~

~Christmas Pictograms ~ December 2012

I Do Not Put Limits On The Many Possibilities That Life Has To Offer

            While waiting at the airport for my flight to arrive, I chatted with a woman and her young child and asked how the child liked flying.  The mother replied, “Oh, we're not flying, we're waiting for someone.  Then she added firmly, “I could never fly.”

            Her words have often surfaced in my mind, along with thoughts about how often people limit themselves and their lives by proclamations such as hers.

            While flying is not my, nor many other peoples, most favorite thing to do, by doing we have not only overcome a challenge but have, also, afforded ourselves great benefits not possible with other modes of transportation.

            Listen to yourself, do you ever say, “I'm afraid to do that.” or “I'd be afraid to do that.”  Of the two, the second is worse because it shows an anticipated fear, while the first one shows a current fear.

            Although, they seem similar upon first encountering, the words, “I wouldn't do that!” are quite different.  For there can be valid reasons for the saying of them.  They are appropriate if someone was asked to drink a glass full of an unknown dark liquid.  The words ~ would not ~ indicates wisdom, while the words ~ could not ~ indicates fear.

            This is not to say that one should be foolhardy or reckless when limits are cast aside, but rather to look at all activities as a possibility of doing under certain circumstances.

            If I were asked to do hang gliding, I would say, “No, Thank you,” but if it were the only way to escape from a life-threatening situation, I would welcome the opportunity.  Therefore, it is wise for me, when asked, “Have you ever done hang gliding?” to respond with the words “Not yet” as this accustoms my mind to the possibility of doing it.

            While if I were to reply, “No, I could never do that,” I would be building fear from which it could be extremely difficult to extract myself, even if under life threatening conditions this was the only possible means of escape.  Now when I see hang gliding on television, instead of my past response of quickly turning to another channel while saying the “can never do” words, I now say firmly my new phrase “I can do it.”

Avoid limiting yourself.  Several months ago, the baseball world was lamenting the fact that a young, exceptionally good pitcher, had to have his left elbow operated on and would thus be unable to play for the season.  He was quoted as saying that his elbow had hurt since he first started playing baseball and that he always knew that someday that he would have trouble with it and would need a complicated operation.  He put limits on himself.  He affirmed for a condition and it became so.

There is a joy and a proud feeling when one has accomplished something, whether not done previously or repeatedly doing that which is a challenge.

            A rousing, invigorating proclamation of “I did it, by golly, I did it!” is the fuel that will invigorate one for years.

It was just after college, that un- athletic, often-sick me became determined to take a Red Cross canoe course in which it was required that I get both out of the canoe and then in again while in the middle of the lake, without upsetting the canoe.  The knowledge that through perseverance I learned to do it and passed the test has helped me get through a wide variety of happenings in the years thereafter; although none involved either a canoe or water.

            If one has doubts about her/his ability to do something, a statement to one’s self (or to others if needed,) of, “If I did (whatever?) before, then I can certainly do this now.” will make all sorts of actions possible.

People should do the things that will make themselves proud of themselves because accomplishing accomplishments can transform one’s life.

            “Beware of False Pride” is an old saying, yet, also of merit is ~ “Beware of False Modesty.”

            When people are praised for an accomplishment and they respond with, “Oh, it was nothing.” or the reverse response, “Oh, no, I'm not worthy of your praise.”  They are insulting the person who gave the compliment.  It is the same as saying “You don't know what you are talking about” or “Your judgment is poor if you can say that about poor little me.”

            Always a good response to a compliment, a speaking of the truth about something that was done, are the simple words, “Thank you” or “Yes, I am proud of myself for having done that.”

            The purpose of the entry this month is transformation.  In the springtime, plants are rising out of the ground, they may look the same as they did last year but each has grown in some way.  So too can each of us grow and change, thus transforming our lives by cutting the ties that bind us to limiting thoughts and actions.

I Rejoice That I Am Wide Minded

      No matter if there is narrowness of any type in my physical everyday life because my mind, my wonderful mind can take me any and all places.

     And I am thankful for me ~ sight-thru-ability ~ that allows me to overlay a mind-picture on an actual scene/seen.  It is like being in a theater where there is an image on the screen and the theater lights are on.

     Stuck in traffic, I do not fret, I turn off all of someone else’s ideas and music to happily, slowly say aloud to myself, “where do I want to go now, shall I float on a comfortable raft in the clear blue-green waters of the Caribbean Ocean off of a pleasant white sand fringed island?  There is just a little movement to the water because this is a quiet bay, while there may be crashing, noisy waves elsewhere, they are not heard in the quiet bay, there is only the pleasant sounds of gentle mini-waves lapping the beach and a slight breeze moving among the tall lush green island trees.

     Honking horns translate into a flock of ducks flying in a V high in the cloudless sky.

  Enjoy Everyday By Being A Wide Minded Person

Belief = Results

     The husband had a new job that required a move to another town, so on an autumn afternoon, the man and his wife drove to the town.

     As they entered, they saw an older man raking leaves near the curb.  The husband drove opposite the man and stopped as his wife opened her side window so that she could speak to the man.

     “What kind of people live in this town?”  she asked him.

     The man leaned on his rake handle and stared thoughtfully into space for a moment before asking, “What kind of people live in your town?”

     The woman quickly replied, “They are unfriendly, unpleasant people.”

     “Then,” the man said, “You will find the same kind of people here.”

     This story, that I now suspect my father developed for the benefit of my sister and me, was told to us at least once a year if either Nancy or I complained about some matter.  The entire story did not need to be retold just “Rake man” said by one of our wise parents to remind us...

 Perceiving situations in a negative way 

will result in a negative experience.

September, The Time Of Next Beginnings

     Everyone has multitudes of beginnings from conception to their "stepping over" time.

     For thousands of people, September not January, begins new experiences and opportunities, a new life style, new attitudes and opinions as people become students and attend school.

     Young children start with Kindergarten.  Kinder is German for children and garten, which is often mispronounced as garden means garden or enclosure.

     Many years after school or college graduation, personally or by a family member or a friend, numerous people are still tuned to the start of school.

     Important to keep in mind when starting school or any new experience, whether for the first time or the manyith time is to enter with optimism, and confidence, avoiding taking any preconceived prejudices with you.

     September is the 9th month, in Asian countries, 9 is considered an especially important lucky number because it is the highest single number.

     The word September comes from the Latin word "sept" as it was originally the 7th month.  Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, inserted his name and that of his son's, Augustus into the middle of the calendar, thus changing it from ten to twelve months. 

     Americans refer to this season as ~ Fall, a term that I have never liked, much preferring the lovely word ~ Autumn.

     In 1798, Samuel Johnson Jr. compiled the first American dictionary.  Although born and raised in England, he had become resentful of many aspects of life there, so he moved to America.  He felt that a country that had broken away from England should have its own dictionary.  He changed the spelling and pronunciation of many words as well as gave new meanings to words, such as replacing the word ~ Autumn ~ with the word ~ Fall.

September is a special month, 

I take advantage of all it has to offer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Except for Americans, more Russians have come on this 
blog site than any other country. 

 Please email me to tell me about yourselves.

A WONDERFUL Surprise!!!

     Through the years as I have written these monthly mini-articles, I have wondered about the people who read my blog entries.

     Now with thankfulnesses to a new feature that has been added to the site, I have learned to my great joy that there are readers in eleven countries in addition to America.  

     There may be more since only the top ten are listed.  

     ISN'T THAT AMAZING?!

     Equally as amazing are the countries listed.  I would have thought that Canada would head the list followed by England, but England is not on the list (yet) and Canada is fourth from the bottom in number of hits.  The country with a sizeable lead is Russia, followed closely by France.

     This initial assumption, I later realized, came because I assumed that everyone was reading my blog in English, as my current computer skills and knowledge do not encompass such and I have land-line telephones with no wish for any other type.

     It is inspiring to think of my past words and these that I am now writing as well as future words being translated into so many other languages.

     This will be excellent publicity when my almost completed first book is launched on eBooks.  Another book is half finished, with three others in the works.

     I want to say a special hello to all my readers and make known who you all are.

     ~ Hello ~ America
     ~ Здравствуйте ~ Russia
     ~ Bonjour ~ France
     ~ Hallo ~ Germany
     ~ Merhaba ~ Turkey
     ~ Buna ~ Romania
     ~ Hello ~ Canada
     ~ Здравствуйте ~ Ukraine
~ Hola ~ Spain
     ~ Dia dhuit ~ Ireland
     ~ cześć ~ Poland
     ~ Hallo ~ The Netherlands

     I have been to France, Germany, The Netherlands and Canada (as well as other countries) as a Visitor, never a tourist, especially not that obnoxious, dreadful creature ~ an American Tourist!!!  In other months I will relate how I retaliated against some of them for causing so many people to think poorly of Americans.

     I would so much like to hear your comments and learn about your life.  I plan to get maps and information about the countries I have not visited.

 Again, I am so-o-o pleased to learn about my International Family.

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Greetings:  I would like to see a message from you.  Contact me at joaneastben@mail.com

July Is Birthday Month

     ... in my family since both my parents were born in this month. Mother's Natal day is July 25th while my Father and America shared a July 4th birthday.  As young children, my sister, Nancy (my only sibling) and I were extremely proud that unlike the fathers of other children, people liked our daddy so much that there were parades in the morning, a circus during the day and even fireworks at night that were easily seen from our front porch.

     As very young girls, Nancy and I were pleased that my birthday is in May and Nancy's in October.  We were certain that our always clever Father had made the arrangements that put our birthdays in our favorite season and also a few days from the birthday of the grandmother that we were the most alike, even to eye color.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     A cousin had twin boys on Christmas Day.  For four years, a few Christmas gifts were opened early Christmas morning, then after the boys had a long nap, the parents and twins went to a Grandparent's large house to a Sunroom that was birthday decorated for a simple family birthday party.

     The month before their fifth birthday, the boys asked why other children had parties with their friends not at Christmas.  Their mother showed them a large calendar that displayed the entire year on one side, she blacked out days to avoid, such as, the week before and on holidays, first day of school etcetera.  She told them to take as long as they liked to decide on the date for their birthday.  They made their decision within a half hour.  The clever boys had not chosen one date as their mother had expected, but two, one in the Spring and the other in the Autumn.  Although, it always required explanation, every one thought it an excellent idea.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Memory of those clever twins inspired me to give a unique, much appreciated and thereafter always used, birthday gift to a new friend whose natal day is December 26th.  I asked a printing company (before computers) to print in green ink 25 post cards for which I had designed a flower border on the blank side, while on the other side sharing the address had in bold italics, "I Have A New Birthday!"

     These were included in an overly large white gift box among much tissue paper with a black-inked proclamation that I had made, matted and framed.  Using the silver paper circle from inside a fat bottle cap and two short pieces of red ribbon, I made a fairly good replica of an official seal to affix to my proclamation.  In calligraphy I wrote, "I, Joan Eastman-Bennett, in the power and faith invested in me, do proclaim that the new celebrated birthday for Ruth Anderson shall henceforth and forever more be May First."     
     I, tell you these details so that you could, perhaps use this idea yourself someday. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Paul, a special man in my life, said that when he was eight years on his April eighth birthday, his parents gave him eight of several presents, eight toy soldiers, eight small pieces of candy, he could not recall the others.  Recently, I learned that when a date and an age coincide, it is termed a Golden Birthday.

     A friend said that her family gave her a special celebration on her 7th day, 7th month birthday in 1977.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     For a totally God-oriented family, both personally and all outlying parts thereof, it is surprising that no one had previously thought of the idea of my middle-aged cousin, Jay Robinson of Gloucester, Massachusetts who recently stated just before his aunt's birthday party, "I think we should start this with a thank you prayer."  And so it was done, one from the party giver and one from the Birthday Gal herself.  Since Jay has had many disappointments in his life, I recommended that these two thank you prayers be termed, "Jay's-Thank-Yous."  So before the next and all thereafter birthday and anniversary get-togethers or parties tell your guests when you invite them that there will be a "Jay's-Thank-Yous" first. 

~ ~ ~

A 
Happy, 

Healthy, 

Prosperous 

   Birthday To You.  

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Greetings:  I would like to see a message from you.  Contact me at joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2017