Day 10 - 30 days of Great Thoughts - Mother Teresa

We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
-- Mother Teresa

Thanks to Brenda Lee Paul for this one!

Day 9 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Messengers

We understand that ordinary people are messengers of the most high. They go about their tasks in holy anonymity. Often, even unknown to themselves. Yet, if they had not been there, if they had not said what they said or did what they did, it would not be the way it is now. We would not be the way we are now. Never forget that you too yourself may be a messenger.
-- Lawrence Kushner --

Day 8 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Happy Birthday Lisa - I know you do all these things!

Think before you act
Buy beautiful books
Sleep more, look better, live longer
Contribute to charities
Cook with love
Learn how to relax . . . then relax
Handwrite your letters on lovely stationery
Sign up for a yoga class and, if you enjoy it, sign up for more
Join a book club
Search carefully for your personal style
Don't smoke
Take a long walk, then a long bath
Have faith in your abilities
Decorate with natural, simple things
Send thank-you cards
Do one special thing just for yourself each week
Cherish your friends
Enjoy life's processes
Develop your memory
Think of your cup as half full
Be courageous
Talk with children
Don't assume
Dance . . . and dance the slow dances
Offer assistance generously
Kiss the people you love as often as you can
Smile
Count your blessings
Know there are heroes
Be gracious
Give thanks . . and pray!

Day 7 - 30 Days of Great Quotes - The Station

The Station
by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent. We're traveling by passenger train, and out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hills, of biting winter and blazing summer and cavorting spring and docile fall.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. There sill be bands playing, and flags waving. And once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true. So many wishes will be fulfilled and so many pieces of our lives finally will be neatly fitted together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering ... waiting, waiting, waiting, for the station.
However, sooner or later we must realize there is no one station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.

"When we reach the station, that will be it !" we cry. Translated it means, "When I'm 18, that will be it ! When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz, that will be it ! When I put the last kid through college, that will be it ! When I have paid off the mortgage, that will be it ! When I win a promotion, that will be it ! When I reach the age of retirement, that will be it ! I shall live happily ever after !"

Unfortunately, once we get it, then it disappears. The station somehow hides itself at the end of an endless track.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. Rather, it is regret over yesterday or fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot oftener, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

All Rights Reserved Robert J. Hastings Estate

Day 6 - 30 Days of Great Quotes - Change

“In life when one door closes, another door always opens . . . but the hallways are a bitch.”

Ronnie Kaye
Spinning Straw Into Gold

Day 5 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Commitment

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

Day 4 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

--Rumi--

Day 3 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Eleanor Roosevelt - Part 1

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." When you're open to the opportunities for kindness that present themselves in the course of the day, you are lighting that candle.

Act spontaneously on thoughts of generosity that arise in your heart, without expecting anything in return. Notice what happens in consequence.

Ideas to Get You Started...

Kindness To Oneself

• Read a book or magazine that appeals to you
• Ask for what you want
• Write a thank you note to someone special in your life
• Refrain from magnifying your small problems
• Read How Not to Sweat the Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carson
• Leave the housework and play with your children
• Treat yourself to a weekend away
• Paint, draw or doodle a picture of how you are 'feeling'
• Get involved in your company's 'wellness' program
• Buy your pet a special treat and take them for a walk
• Learn how to relax through meditation or creative visualization
• Take a journal writing course
• Cut down on your coffee intake and drink more water
• Take a well-earned vacation
• List all the things you would love to try and dare yourself to do one
• Step outside of your comfort zone at work and do something that rekindles your passion
• Start a CD or tape club with your friends and swap favorite music to try something new
• Attend a social event and meet new people
• Create three positive affirmations and post them on your desk and at home
• Care about your body and nurture it with healthy foods for 2-4 weeks
• Create a sacred space or alter with special objects for your home
• Buy yourself a gift you've always wanted
• Commit to playing your favorite sport each week
• Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while
• Make popcorn and watch a favorite movie again
• Join a book club and explore your interest in reading more deeply
• Take a bubble bath by candlelight
• Go for walk
• Take yourself out on an artistic date to a place you have been putting off such as a museum or art gallery.
• Buy yourself flowers
• Work in nature and plant a small garden
• Treat yourself to a massage or spa day
• Buy a journal and start writing (check out http://www.thequestionjourney.com for a very cool one)
• Take a painting, ceramics, or pottery course
• Take a laughter workshop or stand up comedy course
• Create a gentle surrounding with music
• Celebrate who you are!

Original source unknown - if you know let me know and i'll give them credit

Day 2 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - The Starfish

Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the ocean to do his writing.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning, what are you doing?”

The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.”

I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”

“The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.”

“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all the way along it. You can possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish up and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said,
“I made a difference for that one.”

Day 1 - 30 Days of Great Thoughts - Maya Angelou - What I've Learned

Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou also said:

• 'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
• ''I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
• ''I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
• ''I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.
• ''I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
• ''I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.
• ''I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
• ''I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
• ''I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
• ''I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'
• 'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'