It will be very interesting to know how many readers of this warm thoughts column make new year's resolutions. Have you kept those resolutions you so thoughtfully made? I can't remember when I received this gem in the mail. It was probably around Valentine's Day, a real gift for me to ponder. The article suggested that you plant your tongue firmly in cheek. And they also suggested that you make the following pledges for the year of our Lord, 2002.

Dozen Ways to Make Yourself Miserable and Quite a Few Others

Number one: count your troubles. Name them one by one at the breakfast table if anybody will listen or as soon as possible thereafter.

Number two: worry every day about something. Don't let yourself get out of practice. It won't add a cubit to your stature, but it may burn a few calories.

Number three: pity yourself. If you do enough of this, nobody else will have to do it for you.

Number four: devise clever but decent ways to serve God and mammon. After all, you've got a life to live.

Number five: make it your business to find out what the Joneses are buying this year and where they're going. Try to do them at least one better, even if you have to take out another loan to do it.

Number six: stay away from absolute. It's what's right for you that matters. Be your own person and don't allow yourself to get hung up on what others expect of you.

Number seven: make sure you get your rights. Nevermind other people's you have your life to live, they have theirs.

Number eight: Don't fall into any compassion traps. The sort of situation where people can walk all over you. If you get too involved in other people's troubles, you may neglect your own.

Number nine: don't let Bible reading and prayer get in the way of what's really relevant. Things like TV and newspapers. And visible things are eternal. You want to stick with the visible ones there where it's at right now.

Number 10: be right and be sure to let folks know it. If you catch yourself in the wrong don't breathe it to a soul.

Number 11: review daily the names of people who have hurt, wronged or insulted you keep those lists up to date and think of ways to get even without being thought of as unreasonable, uncivilized or unchristian.

Number 12: never forgive a wrong, clutch it forever and you'll never be unemployed. Resentment is a full time job.

Isn't it wonderful that we do have choices in life? We can even choose to break any new resolutions that we might make. There is a choice you have to make in everything you do and you must always keep in mind. The choice you make makes you. Choose carefully the company you keep for you may become what they are. 

George Washington stated, “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your reputation.”

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Dr. Luetta G. Werner

April 25 2002

Published in the Marion Record

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Till next time,

Trina