Hello friends, How often to you say or hear other say, "I'm so busy" or "I don't have time to...?" In years past I have said the same thing myself - but no more! I have now eliminated the word "busy" from my vocabulary. There are much better words, like "active" or "engaged" that can be used instead. And remember, we all have the same amount of time, and even though it may not feel like it, we DO have enough time to do what is important. I feel it is a matter of prioritizing... a matter of choice. Affirm that you do have time to do whatever you want by stating... "I always miraculously have enough time to do what is most important for me. Time expands to meet my needs." Do you ever feel that you do not have time to take care of yourself or to do something special just for YOU? We all get caught up in doing for others, and while it is great to serve others, one important thing to practice also is to... "Remember to be as kind to yourself as you are to others." So often we place others' happiness before our own... and while that is what I was taught to do most of my life, I now believe that in order to have something of value to give to others I must first "remember to be as kind to myself as I am to others." Many of us give to others to the point of exhaustion. It is important to remember to take care of ourselves too and that may require a new way of thinking. Consider "lowering the bar" and expect less from yourself. Does it really matter if there is a little dust under the refrigerator or laundry in the dryer when you have guests over? Give yourself a break. You deserve it... and when you take good care of yourself you will have much more to give to those you love. It feels good to know that it's ok to take care of myself - because I want to have more to give. It's a beautiful cycle! When you find yourself tensed from extensive activity in your life, remember one of my favorite quotes from Louise Hay... "I relax all my neck muscles, and I let go of any tension in my shoulders." Repeat that affirmation a few times and watch the tension flow out of your shoulders. A-a-a-a-a-h I hope that incorporating these thoughts and affirmations in your life will assist you in creating a life that honors both yourself and those you love. There is always enough time for what is really important.

Hi, Linda, Alongside this could be included the following which was sent to me by my good friend Gouardhead:- Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping? Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie? Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend? Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book? Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church? Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute? Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip? Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible? Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there? Not the same subject entirely but the message is the same. Regards Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

Thank you Linda for your words. That was just what I needed to do...and the tension is gone :-) Take care Blanka

Hi Linda, Words to live by! I'm taking them to heart and intend to be kinder to myself than I usually am. Now I'm off to catch up with accounting!

Hi Linda Another good series of Awakenings! And ARTHUR Above, I applaud you for the EXCELLENT points that you have put together. One that I think to me is very important that should be included in your list is : Isn't it funny that lots of people who don't go to church, pray, believe much in the truth of the bible, etc, always do this when they are hurt, in trouble, have lost or are losing something dear to their hearts, are victims of crimes, are in a hurricane & in need of help.............That is when the words: "God please help me" come out. WOW is all I can say. ------------------------------------- Place a FREE AD on me: http://FreeAdTraffic.com