What Is The Connection Between Christmas And A Cat...

...on the beach?  Sandy Claws, of course.  Two hundred years ago (i.e. long ago) while purchasing a few Christmas items at various stores, I turned on my car's radio and just happened to encounter this gem.  At home, I had the good sense to promptly write the riddle, (it is not a joke) on the next year's calendar on the December page, which I did for several years until it became a part of my memory.  Unless someone has a cat, I keep this exclusively for December.

     In this time of anticipation, as well as trepidation, gentle humor is needed especially this month so I offer these to you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     It has been said that if there had been three Wise Women, instead of Three Wise Men, that they would have asked directions, arrived at the stable in time to clean it, had a large cloth to cover the opening to the stable (said to be a cave), delivered baby Jesus and brought with them appropriate gifts of food and baby things.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     I have always been amazed that no one mentions the large manger in the stable, the Bible clearly states that when the Wise Men arrived at the stable, "They found Mary, Joseph and the baby in the manger."  The manger must have been big to have held the three of them.  Nice for Mary to lie down to rest, unusual to have the new father lie down after the birth of his baby, but he probably needed the rest after having to deliver the baby without ever seeing it done.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Someone asked Mary and Joseph why they always looked so sad in the paintings of them.

     "Because," replied Joseph, "we really wanted a girl."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     That reminds me that in a section of a magazine of true happenings sent in by readers were two that are appropriate here.  ~ An advertising agency employee reported that his company had done a print ad for a new company that featured the Holy Family.  After submitting the ad, he had received a telephone call from the company rejecting the ad.  The reason given was,

"This is an up-to-date, modern company, we don't want copies of paintings, get photographs."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     I have always found baffling the often heard friendly remark said by many people to friends, acquaintances and strangers, "If I don't see you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."  This implies that if, perchance, they do see each other, to have an un-merry Christmas and an un-happy New Year.  Stranger.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     The other true story was submitted by the friend of a teaching nun with a class of first graders.  She asked, "What is the name of the mother of Jesus?"

     "Mary," all the children chorused.

     "What is the name of the father of Jesus?"

     There was no response as the children sat quietly thinking, then one boy said excitedly, "I know, I know, Verge..."

     "Verge?" asked the baffled nun.

     "Yes," replied the boy, "Everybody knows that, Verge and Mary."

~ So these are my Gifts To You ~

Be certain to relate these to other people.

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I would enjoy reading from you, contact me at joaneastben@mail.com and the best way for me to reach you.

       

A Holiday To Remember

     Although my close family has passed on (mother and sister each by their doctors) I shall still be sharing Thanksgiving with my parents and my only sibling, my sister Nancy ~ in memory.

     Each year, I decide upon awaking that morning where I am going to go ~ will I be a young child again spending the day with Aunt Annelyle and Uncle Herbert in their large, gracious house with a dining room table that could easily seat twenty-two guests plus aunt at its head with uncle at its foot, and it did on special occasions.

     I had thought that I might spend Thanksgiving in Connecticut this year, but now that I have begun to remember, I will start on an early Thanksgiving with Aunt Annelyle.

     This time, I start with getting in the car, "What kind of car was it?"  I ask my Memory.

     Memory says, "Remember the photo albums."

     It was an excellent suggestion, I turn mental pages until I find on a right side page, near the top, a photo of the four of us in a stylish, for that era, black car arriving at grandparents house, we all look happy.  I savor this new-old memory.

     Can I remember the hour's drive there, not really, but I was about seven then and that was one hundred years ago.

     Golden Rules for any family or friends dinner or gathering that were always strictly enforced was that: 
     1 ~ Only one person could speak at a time on a subject of interest to everyone and that many, if not all, people could add to the subject.  
     2 ~ Taboo subjects were any forms of politics.  
     3 ~ No talk of religion, beyond the Blessing of the food, the occasion and the people gathered.
     4 ~ No mention of anything bathroom related, except in one instance, about a young child in the bathtub with his rubber ducky.
     5 ~ No talk of illness, hospitals or medical.
     6 ~ No criticism.
     7 ~ No loud talking.
     8 ~ Of course, good table manners, no elbows on table or talking while chewing.

     Firm in my memory is the welcoming, the comradely with both the adults and the other well-behaved children.  We were served dinner in the handsome library two steps down from the dining room, french doors separated the two areas.  Board games were supplied after we children ate.  

     When the adults finished their five course meal, everyone went into the large living room for the entertainment ~ supplied by each guest, who knew several weeks prior to the day, a requirement to accepting the invitation.  I will save the details of that part for this year's Thanksgiving day.

     With or without an actual place to be or to go, you, also can travel in memory back to any era of your life.

     With imagination, you can create a new scenario, you can remove unpleasant people from the past or add a new charming one.  You can borrow from a scene in a movie, or a book as long as it is a happy, gentle conversation (no talk of politics) appreciative of the person who has prepared the food and for all that you are thankful for this year.

I Rejoice In My Excellent Memory 

And All The Happy Holidays Of The Past

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family, friends or you said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com and the best way to reach you.

Have You Thanked Your Computer Today And

     ...all things in your life?

     As a young child, you were probably taught the importance of having good manners, especially of saying ~ thank you ~ so that now it is automatic for anyone who has been helpful to you.

     When dogs have a ball thrown for them and are told to "Bring it back" and the dogs do so, they are usually patted, then thanked.

     Yet there is a huge category of ~ Beings ~ completely disregarded by the majority of the world's peoples, that is so-called "inanimate objects." 

     Even helpful Beings used many times a day are not thanked, despite what is generally thought, they have feelings too and appreciate being thanked.

     Before I purchased Calvin, my first computer, Christine was doing special book typing for me on her computer.  One day, she telephoned to say that her computer had been "acting up" and that she was having major problems with the "damn thing," surprising words from mild, mannered Christine.

     I asked her if she had ever asked her computer its name, she said that she had not thought to do so.  I explained that in a quiet alone time, she should relax, with a blank screen on the monitor, gently stoke a side of the screen saying and meaning it, "I regret that I have never asked you your name."  She said hesitantly that she would try it.  
     
     Later that day, after repeated difficulties with her computer, she decided to follow my suggestion.  She waited, did mind-relaxing, then suddenly clearly heard, "My name is Penelope."  A disbelieving Christine thanked Penelope, put her words on the screen saver.  Penelope immediatly healed and had a long life.

     Tomorrow morning say hello and thank you to your tooth brush.  I just noticed, tooth means one, why not ~ teeth brush?  Perhaps, it originated with the man who could only see singles and also named foot and eye doctors ~ when it should obviously be Feet and Eyes doctors.

     Have you thanked the unknown persons who invented the first and the current toilet and this marvelous Being itself?  Do you know that early versions of flush toilets existed since the 31st century B.C. in Britain?  The Romans had their also clever versions.  Englishman, Sir John Harington developed the early version of the modern flush toilet in 1596.  Many people initially did not want to use them thinking that it was unsanitary to have a "water closet" inside a house.  Some of this information came from Wikipedia, go to that site for interesting information about this important Being.

     Have you thanked your Bed, a Picture on your living room wall, your House, your Car, the Bus that is there for you when you need it, the tall Tree that shades your house from the summer's sun ~ each morning plan to thank at least five Beings.

     When something finishes, do not swear at it as so many people do, thank it for all it has done for you and all that it will continue to do in its recycled future.

All The Beings In My Life
Regardless Of Purpose, Size Or Age

Appreciate That I Thank Each Of Them

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family, friends or you said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com and the best way to reach you.

Copyright 2016

Have You Heard About The Traveling Salesman...

     ...who every night had to stay in a cheap room to save money.  One very hot night, the heat in the room was so stifling he could not sleep and he had endured a great many difficult situations in the past...noisy exposed metal bed springs, rats, icicles, loud voices, dreadful smells, he had managed to get some sleep in them all.  This room, however, made him feel that he was deep inside of a furnace.

     He had tried opening the single window when he had first entered the room, but it was screwed shut.  Desperate for some cool outside air, without turning on a light, it would just make the room hotter, he threw one of his shoes at the window and was rewarded by the sound of breaking and falling glass.

     "Ah~h, how good that cool air feels," he said aloud, "now I'll be able to sleep."  And he did.

     Awakening refreshed, he made a baffling discover, his thrown shoe had not broken the window, the shards of glass were on the top of the dresser from that shattered mirror.

~ ~ ~

     Many times through my childhood, my father related this true story to illustrate the power of the mind.

     In the mid 1900's, the famous minister of Marble Collegiate Church on 5th Avenue in New York City, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale authored a book whose title The Power of Positive Thinking has entered the popular culture and is often used by a wide variety of people.

Our minds propelled by a strong purpose

can achieve amazing results.

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family and/or friends said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2016

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

     The Olympics has generated numerous interesting programs on radio, television and online media.  During these programs, there have often been interviews with both Olympics champions and their coaches.

     Repeatedly heard was, "I never said that I would do my best, I always said I'd win the race." 

     Coaches said, "To be champions, they have to constantly think and say that they will win, that they are the best."

     The champion athletes set goals, affirmed for them and work to them.  It is usually said that one works "towards" her/his goals, however, the word "towards" does not indicate that one has reached the goal or even that she/he ever really anticipated doing so.

     These are certainly not the people who say, "I just take one day at a time and try to get through it."  (delete, delete)  "I'm lucky if I can get a week planned."  (delete, delete).

     This day-by-day attitude is a tread-water situation that while basically keeping one afloat, achieves little.  Those who swim to a boat or to the shore have sought their goal and achieved it.

     So determine your goals daily, monthly as well as "By this time next year, I will have achieved..."

Think and say Goal affirmations regularly,

knowing that to do so will

allow them to become true.

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family and/or friends said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2016

Are You Making Yourself Sick?

     On a call-in radio program recently, a woman said, "Although, I'm sick, I just had to call to tell you that I am sick and tired of all the yelling the candidates are doing, I am really tired of it!  Neither one of them is acting with the dignity and good manners for a president.  I am sick and tired of it all!"

     Most likely, this woman does not have the slightest idea that she is strongly affirming for health conditions she would not want.  
     The woman is unknowingly experiencing the power of affirmations, repeatedly said words become reality.

     Strange is that she has not listened to herself, to her own words.  If someone were to call it to her attention, she would probably say as numerous other people have done and do ~ "Oh, its just an expression, it doesn't mean anything."

     What is so difficult to understand about the simple word ~ sick, even young children know the meaning of that word as well as the equally as obvious word ~ tired.  Most children have personally experienced the condition that those words describe and know that they are undesirable.  Where between childhood and adulthood had common sense departed?

     I am an expert on this subject because of the many unwanted conditions and situations that resulted from my previously said "ill chosen" words.

     Frank is an intelligent man with numerous talents including being a gifted healer.  There was one unnecessary word that he often used even when he gave talks.

     I was just beginning to understand the power of words. I pondered his often used word, an idea came into my mind, a question to ask Frank, a very personal question, I did not know him very well, did I dare?  I decided that God had given me this knowledge for a reason and therefore that I did not have a choice.

       Taking a deep breather, I telephoned Frank and after telling him my name, I put the expected question aside and said it as a statement instead, "You have a continuing problem with constipation, I know because of what you regularly and often say."

     "Well, yes," he said hesitantly, "but I certainly don't want it so what could I possibly be saying?"

     "You are using the word ~ damn ~ and when it is said, it could be d~a~m, which means to stop anything behind it from continuing.  Your body knows that this is a condition that you must really want because you say it so often."

     "Are you sure that I use the word a lot, I don't remember..."

  "Stop, never put the words, 'I don't' in front of the word...remember... that is also an affirmation and you want to always keep your memory and mind in excellent working condition."

     "Do not substitute the word ~ darn ~ for damn, because that word means to 'sew together a hole.'  Thus closing the opening.

     I have been finding for myself and other people a substitute word, but for you, it would be better if you wrote the word on, at least, ten pieces of paper or index cards, then put a large black X over the word, place a card in every room in your apartment, one in both your car and your pant's packet."  I told Frank, "Also, tell a close friend or someone you see often that you have been told that the word ~ damn ~ is not in keeping with your profession so anytime s/he hears you say the word to say ~ beep ~ and you will give her/him a dollar.  Do not make any other changes.  Telephone me when the condition no longer exists."

     "It can't be that simple," Frank said, "but I'll try it."

     "Trying will not work, that is a weak word.  Say, 'I will do that' and there will be results."

     "Be careful," I told Frank, "that when you do your affirmation which you should say several times a day, that you do not create the reverse condition."

     About ten days later, my secretary reported a strange message on the answering machine, no name just, "All clear, thank you so much."

     Read the excellent book, 

"You Body Believes Every Word You Say" 

by Barbara Hoberman Levine.

Say what you mean

And mean what you say

All parts of my body and mind 

are in excellent condition

now and forever. ~

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family and/or friends said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2016

Forgiving Is Enabling

     Great multitudes of books and articles as well as sermons and lectures through the ages have been produced on the subject of forgiveness.

     However, the majority seem to have missed two major aspects.
          ~ To forgive is to allow a person to avoid taking responsibility for or to have any discomfort for an action.
          ~ To forgive allows the person "To get away with" unacceptable behavior."

     By absolving the act or occurrence, it removes the opportunity for the offender to have learned the needed life lessons.

     It is bad enough when a person dishonors you, but much worse is when you have so little respect for yourself that you allow yourself to be disrespected.

     Even if the offender says, "Please forgive me," this, "Kiss and make up" so-called solution is not the solution because it makes you an enabler.

     The word ~ enabler ~ was first in public awareness through Alcoholics Anonymous, referring to people who purchased alcoholic beverages for alcoholics.

     Those enablers thought that they were being nice, so too are the people who too quickly forgive someone who has said or done a mental or physical hurtful act or action.

     As soon as the offense occurs, if you are together, tell the offender, "Your remark is unkind (hurtful, disrespectful, uncalled for).

     An often good response, instead of an angry snap back comment is to quietly ask, "What was the purpose of your remark?"

     I was pleased with myself when I responded to an insulting remark by a so-called friend by saying "Your are really amazing, I know that you have had a great deal of practice to have truly mastered the art of the insulting, hurtful remark.  If prizes were given, you would certainly win First Prize."

     If possible, I leave or if said on the telephone, I say, "Your comment is disrespectful" and I immediately discontinue the call.

     When the offender says, "Oh, I didn't really mean it."

     A response could be, "You are too smart (or intelligent) to say something that you do not mean."

     If an offender says, "Forgive me," reply with, "Why should I forgive you?  What is the benefit of such an action?  What will you do to balance your action if I decide later to do so?"

     I personally, and many other people have followed my advice after an unkind or insulting remark, I leave, I do not stay with the remark maker.

     One disrespectful, teasing or hurtful remark could, after a time, be forgiven, however, if such behavior continues, have respect for yourself ~ move on ~ to meet new to you people, who can become new friends and new experiences. 

~ Think Through All Aspects Carefully,

Avoid Being An Enabler ~

----------------------------------------------------------    

Greetings: I have based many of these monthly writings on quotes from family and friends.  What meaningful quotes have your family and/or friends said that you can share?  Email the quote(s) and a sentence or two concerning each, plus your name, town and state to joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2017