BRING THE HOPE

The Help

I went to see "The Help" with Mrs. Bring The Hope last week and I have to say that it's worth checking out. The story of overcoming life's challenges and standing up for what you believe is good to hear and the acting is very good.

One of the recurring scenes in the movie is that of a housemaid named Aibileen, played by Viola Davis, who encourages a young child by saying "You is kind. You is smart. And you is important." Grammar aside, the message is powerful and as the child repeats the message, you see the power of suggestion taking hold.

What words and phrases do you use to guide yourself and/or others around you?

 

My Fitness Pal

Hey, friends. If you're anything like me, you occasionally lose the battle of the bulge and find yourself needing to drop a few pounds (or in my case, 15 lbs) to get back into tip-top shape. That's where I was two weeks ago and I'm happy to say that I'm now making good progress tipping the scales in a more positive direction.

Exercise has been a big part of my game plan, but I have a new secret weapon as well. Maybe you've heard of it, it's a smart phone app called "MyFitness Pal" and it's awesome. It's a calorie counter to be sure, but it's a lot more than that too. It allowed me to set a target weight and the calories that I could consume each day to meet that goal. But, it also allows me to punch in the exercising that I do and see how many calories I'm burning through those activities.

It's really easy to use and it's been great for me to have something to help hold me accountable. Maybe you've found another smart phone app like this that works for you. If so, share a comment on it. But, I'm pleased with MyFitness Pal and it's free for the option that I choose. I'm assuming you can pay more if you want more features.

Anyway, it's working for me and I wanted to share that info with you. If you want to Bring The Hope, it helps to be happy and healthy. And for me, staying in shape is a back part of that equation.

Have a great day. 

Wise Words From Betty Ford

Do you ever wonder about the meaning of life? 

Have you ever made a bucket list? 

We all have the gift of time and it's up to us on how we spend it.  Last night, I heard a news clip of an interview with Betty Ford where she said, "I think that we're put on Eart to help others. And if we can, we ought to do that."

There's a lot of power in those words and I think the late Betty Ford had it figured out. Helping others gives meaning to our lives and it's worth of our bucket lists.

Have a great weekend.

Some Words About Courage

We all like to ramble on about our beliefs and the things that we care about. But, we can learn a lot by closing our pie holes and thoughtfully listening to people who have views that are divergent from our own. I think that courage is keeping an open mind and I love this quote.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."~Winston Churchill.

 

 

Happiness is...

I like this. I'm always thinking about great stuff that I should be doing.  Now, I just need to spend more time actually doing the stuff that I think about.

Robert Frost has a famous quote that reads, "Freedom lies in being bold." I think happiness lies in there too. 

Dream big and have a great day.

 

Live Simply

We all need words to live by.  These are some good ones.

 

 

 

For All That is to Come, Yes!

Are your best days ahead of you or behind you?

Do you have big dreams for the future?

Life is meant to be lived and there's not better day than today to get busy living.

I heard a great message yesterday that included this quote from D. Hammerskjold that reads...

"For all that has been, thanks. For all that is to come, yes!"

That's awesome. I count my blessings for all that I have and I look forward to all that will be.

Have a great week.

Happiness

Are you happy?  If not, you might want to think about how to get happy.  This quote might help...

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not our circumstances." - Martha Washington

Go, Martha. It's cool that we get to decide.  Have a great weekend.

Ric Elias Says "Choose To Be Happy"

Have you heard the story from Ric Elias regarding the life-changing experience that he's had since surviving the "miracle on the Hudson?"  Ric is a high-powered CEO who used to be caught up in ego and power.  Now, he's switched gears and he's more caught up in being a great dad and eliminating the negativity that used to surround him.

I like Ric's story and I think that it's good to remind ourselves that we get to decide how we spend our time and how we view the world.  Ric says that he "chooses to be happy" and I think there is magic in that phrase. 

If we sit around waiting for happiness to find us, the world will probably pass us by.  But, if we choose to be happy today, in this very moment, we will find deeper meaning in our lives and our relationships.

If you have five minutes to spare, take a look at one of Ric's recent talks about his experience.  Have a great week. 

 

The Paradoxical Commandments

I love this and I thought that you might too.  Give the world the best that you have to give today. 

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.