Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow

Obituary from the London Times:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion his daughter, Responsibility, and his son Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights.
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

~~~~~

A GREAT RECIPE for LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in solitude for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
Pray. Talk to God about what is going on in your life.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement:
"My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for___________."

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
that is manufactured.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon,
broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like
a college kid with a maxed- out charge card.

9. Face the fact that life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Realize life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. Admit you are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past, so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. Remind yourself that no one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
"In five years, will this matter?"

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. Don't be so concerned about what other people think of you.

19. Know that GOD heals - but you have to ask Him. Pray.

20. Remember, however good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Stay in touch! Your job won't take care of you when you are sick,
but your friends will.

22. Forget envy - it is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
"I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________."

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Start listing your many blessings when you are feeling down.
You'll be smiling before you know it.

~~~~~

And finally, words of wisdom from a young Air Force officer of our acquaintance:

"I am going back to work for the American people (cue Bill Clinton, 1999). It's not the end of the world."