Happy Easter

This day reminds us that there is hope.  Jesus Christ conquered death over 2,000 years ago giving us hope for a bright and everlasting life if we believe and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior.

While we live in this imperfect world because of us, imperfect people, we will encounter problems.  Let not these problems wear you down but make these your challenges, your springboard to achieve your dreams and goals.  Press on because the battle has been won.  Stop worrying; rather, put your energy to positive use.

Do Not Worry
At the height of the world war, Winston Churchill was working 18 hours a day.  He was asked if he worried about his responsibilities.  His answer was that he was too busy to worry.  He did not have time for worry. We cannot do two things at the same time.  If we are busy and enthusiastic about doing something exciting, we can’t feel dragged down by worry. 

Learn from your kids’ Mother Goose rhyme, “For every ailment under the sun there is a remedy or there is none.  If there is one, try to find it; if there be none, never mind it.”

Even renowned businessmen do not worry.  This is probably one of the reasons why they succeed.

When I can’t handle events, I let them handle themselves. – Henry Ford    
When I am up against a tough situation, if I can do anything about it, I do it.  If I can’t, I just forget about it.  – K.T. Keller, Chrysler Corporation

We need to steer our minds to free us from worry.  The great philosopher Marcus Aurelius said, “Our life is what our thoughts make it”.  Our mind is extremely powerful.  It has the power to make us feel what we think. If we think happy thoughts, we will be happy.  If we think of fear, we become fearful.  If we think failure thoughts, we are most likely to fail. 

I love this cheerful and constructive thinking program written by the late Sibyl F. Partridge entitled, “Just for Today”.  

1. Just for today I will be happy.  This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

2. Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.  I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

3. Just for today I will take care of my body.  I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

4. Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind.  I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

5. Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways; I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.

6. Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

7. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once.  I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

8. Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurrying and indecision.

9. Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax.  In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

10. Just for today I will be unafraid, especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

Remember that there is hope.  Happy Easter.