Tag Archives: books

Getting Along With Others

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“Mine your own material” was assignment sixteen from #everydayinspiration. Well, I spent quite a few hours doing some mining and came up with the following, due to so much unrest in today’s world. It’s material from a past post which I’ve edited for this one…words of wisdom from various sources for peaceful living.

If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you…The Purpose Driven Life – page 143.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels…be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful…2 Timothy 2:23, 24

Thoughtless words can leave lasting wounds. God did not put us on earth to hurt people’s feelings. (Source unknown)

I am resolved in all human contact to meet petulance with patience, questionings with kindness, hatred with love, eager always to do the kindly deed that brings the joy of service and that alone makes human life truly human…Ralph Waldo Trine, In Tune with the Infinite.

Love your enemies for they tell you your faults….Benjamin Franklin.

…Encourage each other daily….Hebrews 3:13.

Compassion is to share with another whatever it is that circumstances are bringing to bear on that other. It means to be with, to share, to overlap, no matter how difficult or painful it may be…Madeleine L’Engle, Author…A Wrinkle in Time among other books.

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can…John Wesley.

Let everyone you meet be happier for having met you, for having spoken to you. This you can do by spreading joy….Edgar Cayce.

…Never hold grudges…Forgive the person who offends you…Col. 3:1

…Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippi9ans 2:3,4.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people…Romans 12:18

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

When the choice is to be right or to be kind, always make the choice that brings peace. Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow…Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead…Just walk beside me and be my friend…Albert Camus, French Novelist 1913-1960

Our world right now is in much need of getting along with others, and we all need to do our part, however small it may be, however infinitesimal, be it ours to do by all the means we can as John Wesley so wisely said.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the Cue

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Day fifteen of the #everydayinspiration challenge suggested taking a cue from your reader for this blog. The reader I chose is arwen1968 who, in response to my June 30th blog, “To Write or Not to Wrie”  suggested many things to write about including books. I chose books by one author in particular…Frederick Beuchner…mainly because of one of his quotes: “You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”

Another reason I chose this author was due to a Facebook comment that took exception to another of his quotes, surely due to misinterpretation.

I have posted about Frederick Beuchner once before, with good response, and a few questions about the man, so included in this blog is a bit from Wikipedia:

Carl Frederick Buechner (born July 11, 1926) is an American writer and theologian. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the author of more than thirty published books.[1] His work encompasses different genres, including fiction, autobiography, essays and sermons, and his career has spanned six decades. Buechner’s books have been translated into many languages for publication around the world. He is best known for his works A Long Day’s Dying (his first work, published in 1950); The Book of Bebb, a tetralogy based on the character Leo Bebb published in 1979;Godric, a first person narrative of the life of the medieval saint, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1981; Brendan, a second novel narrating a saint’s life, published in 1987; Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations with Frederick Buechner (1992); and his autobiographical works The Sacred Journey (1982), Now and Then (1983), Telling Secrets (1991), and The Eyes of the Heart: Memoirs of the Lost and Found (1999). He has been called “Major talent” and “…a very good writer indeed” by the New York Times, and “one of our most original storytellers” by USA Today.Annie Dillard (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek) says: “Frederick Buechner is one of our finest writers.” [2]

Buechner’s work has often been praised for its ability to inspire readers to see the grace in their daily lives. As stated in the London Free Press, “He is one of our great novelists because he is one of our finest religious writers.”[3] He has been a finalist for the National Book Award[4]Presented by the National Book Foundation and the Pulitzer Prize,[5] and has been awarded eight honorary degrees from such institutions asYale University[6] and the Virginia Theological Seminary.[7] In addition, Buechner has been the recipient of the O. Henry Award,[8] the Rosenthal Award, the Christianity and Literature Belles Lettres Prize, and has been recognized by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.[9]He is continually listed among the most read authors by Christian audiences.[citation needed

To you, arwen1968, I say, “Thanks for the cue.”

 

 

If We Were Having Coffee Right Now

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If we were having coffee right now, I would ask you, “So, what’s new and interesting in your life?” Hopefully, you would then relate to me your hopes and dreams and sorrows. You would tell me about your son having cancer, your daughter finding a nice place to live with her boyfriend to whom she recently became engaged; your brand new baby girl being the new center of your universe; your hopes to be a catalyst in restoring harmony to fractured friendships.

If we were having coffee right now, I would share that my book, My Precious Life, has caught the eye of an Indigo/Chapters store and a future book signing is in the offing. I would tell you that a new and extremely expensive cholesterol lowering drug has been offered to me, and is completely covered by my drug plan, allowing me access to a potentially life-saving medication.

If we were having coffee right now, I would thank you for being in my life and tell you how much I appreciate you. I would thank you for being my friend, my family, my go-to in times of happiness and in times of distress. If we were having coffee right now, I wouldn’t be sitting here all alone blogging up a storm.

If we were having coffee right now, I would explain that WordPress began a twenty day blogging assignment offering an assortment of topics to write about. This is number eleven and is about a virtual coffee date. I wouldn’t want you thinking that my latest posts were my own idea. They stemmed from #everydayinspiration and have been really good discipline for me to pick up a theme and run with it. Some have been very well received and some not so much, but in the end I’ve noticed many new followers, and more comments than usual.

If we were having coffee right now, it would be time for me to bid you adieu and thank you for being here and sharing this virtual coffee date. Until next time…

 

 

 

A Dream is Just a Dream

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One of my grandsons told me about a recent dream he had about me, but before I tell you what it was I have to explain that I have always had a penchant for angels and freely talk about how much I love and believe in them. Also, one of my favorite quotes is With God All Things are Possible (Matthew 19:26) and most people know this about me. So, here is what my twenty-five year old grandson told me about his dream.

“Nana, I had a dream that you died and I was crying, but then I noticed that I had a tattoo on my shoulder. It was angel wings with the words All Things are Possible.”

I don’t recall him saying so, but I think the tattoo made him feel a little less sad that I had died. I asked him if he was going to go and get the tattoo. “No, not yet,” he replied.

It made me happy that he shared that dream with me, and we followed up with a lengthy conversation about many other things.

It could be said that a dream is just a dream unless it is a nightmare, but I have had many meaningful dreams throughout my life and have written about them freely in my book, MY PRECIOUS LIFE.

Does anyone have any thoughts on dreams? I’d love to hear them.

 

 

See It When You Believe It

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After watching the movie, Field of Dreams, with Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones the other night, I was reminded of a quote, You will see it when you believe it. I think that might be the title of a book written by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

Too often we use the opposite of that quote which is I’ll believe it when I see it.

This was the third time for me watching this movie simply because of the good vibes it produces from beginning to end, from the whispering voice Kevin hears and follows, to the wonderful baseball heroes of the past, to the selflessness of Burt Lancaster’s character, Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham at the end of the movie.

Has it happened for you…something you believed in becoming a reality?

It happened for me with my book, “My Precious Life”. I had often talked about writing a book but lacked the confidence to follow through, until I heard that quote, You will see it when you believe it. And then I began believing I would write a book. A year later I held the book in my hand.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22

 

Gold Star Junkie

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downloadDo you like to be appreciated; to be told you’re doing a good job, to be loved for who you are?

I saw an interview with author Gretchen Rubin and Oprah Winfrey last night. Gretchen wrote The Happiness Project, a book about creating your own happiness by concentrating on what you can change in your life to make happiness a reality rather than a longing.

The following are some of the helpful hints mentioned in the book:

Be yourself (authentic)

Let it go (the garbage we carry)

Act the way you want to feel (sing in the morning)

Be polite and be fair (respect others)

Don’t be calculating (don’t expect return favors)

There is only love (love is the tonic)

Oprah asked Gretchen if she liked to be praised (don’t we all?) and Gretchen’s response was, “Oh yes! I’m a gold star junkie. I loved to see those gold stars on the top of my homework when I was a child.”

Someone once said to me, “You only like to hear good things.” Well, yes, I do. It makes me happy to hear good things. It makes me happy to be appreciated, to be truly loved for who I am. But it makes me happier to see others happy and to help contribute to their happiness in any small way.

While visiting someone in hospital, she made this remark, “It makes me happy to see your face.” Gold Star!

Yup, I’m a gold star junkie…and a gold star goes to all who read this blog.

My Precious Life – Book and Blog

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Product DetailsYesterday, My Precious Life, the blog, realized ten-thousand views. That is something I never dreamed of when I started blogging in April of last year. This is blog number two-hundred-and-ninety-nine, and let me take this opportunity to thank all who have followed My Precious Life and thereby contributed to its success.

As happy as I am with this accomplishment, it would bring even more happiness to have these numbers translate into book sales.

Here is a brief overview of the book for those who have not read it yet:

Pain and poverty paved the way to peace and spiritual prosperity in the life of the author, Patricia Ann Boyes, ordinary person.

In this memoir she takes us from a three-year-old child witnessing her mother’s brutal beatings, to a seventeen-year-old suffering the throes of childbirth; through a bitter marriage breakdown, and on to new love, entrepreneurship, and a battle with cancer. 

This memoir will not compare with that of the rich and famous or with the extraordinary drama of the Malalas of the world, but it may compare in some ways with the lives of other ordinary people who also have a story to tell, lessons to learn, and obstacles to overcome.

It’s a story of believing God’s promises and learning life’s lessons.

Someone once said, “Don’t die with your words or your music still in you.”

The author has taken this advice.

I also took the advice of Jeremiah 30:2 “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.”

The book may be purchased online or by ordering from a local book store. It is available in soft or hard cover and e-book.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_5?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A3048891%2Ck%3AMy+Precious+Life&keywords=My+Precious+Life&ie=UTF8&qid=1435275694&rnid=2941120011

http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D934986&field-keywords=my+precious+life&rh=n%3A934986%2Ck%3Amy+precious+life

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D67&field-keywords=my+precious+life

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/my-precious-life?keyword=my+precious+life&store=book

Thank you and happy reading.

Just Say Yes

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Here is an excerpt from his book, “The Quest of Character” by Charles R. Swindoll. It was brought to my attention by the late Rev. Frank Conkey, a former pastor of my church, and later a guest pastor upon occasion.

“As the pages of the calendar turn, and turn again, we’re reminded of the Lord’s power to change the times and the seasons. Brisk blustery days replace hot, still ones. Flowers grace the fields and then fade away. Leaves bud on naked limbs, open wide to the summer breeze then die in a flame of color. Take time today to rejoice in God’s presence as you acknowledge his right to bring change into your life. Are you sensitive to his working? Are you listening? Are you available and open to change? Tell him today.”

Just say yes. “Yes, Lord, I am listening and I am open; let me hear your word.”

Here too, is an excerpt of a prayer by Rev. Conkey:

“We pray for men and women in middle life who handle adjustments wisely and skillfully, who not only enjoy success but carry defeats and losses with courage; for older persons who keep youthful in spirit and vision, and have steadfast faith in you.”

These writings came to me at a challenging time in my life and were very apropos. By listening and being open to change, we are able to make transitions in our lives with less difficulty.

Are you sensitive to His working? Are you listening? Are you available and open to change?

Just say yes.

For I Know the Plans I Have for You

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Have you read that verse in Jeremiah? Have you believed the promise of it? To me it is one of the most exciting verses in the Bible.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

In my case I had called upon Him and prayed to Him before I knew anything about this verse. Although His plans were in place for me before I was born, they only became apparent to me in hindsight. But now that I know there are plans for my life it is exciting to live in the expectation of them.

It is a sure thing that my book, My Precious Life, was one of those plans. Another verse, Jeremiah 30:2 “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you” was the message that prompted the book.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…what a promise!

 

A Time to Love

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A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

Is there ever a time not to love? There are many kinds of love and many people to love. We love our families, our spouses, our friends; we love babies, our pets, our jobs; we love to sing, to dance, to play, to eat, to sleep; love encompasses a myriad of things. And hate? I even hate that word! There should never be a time to hate unless it’s all the things that go against the grains of humanity. I strongly urged my children to intensely dislike something or someone rather than entertain the emotion of hate.

War and Peace…a great book by Leo Tolstoy! There have been many times of war, both in Biblical times and in our world today. Does there need to be a time of war? Some say yes and I guess it’s true, but a time of peace is to be sought after, longed for, and I suppose…fought for.

The way I see it, love begets peace, and hate begets war. But Solomon says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”