One of the very faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column recently sent me an article entitled, "You can Make a Difference." It was an article informing the public to take action on October 26th and make that day a day of caring. A National Day to inform us that the Make a Difference Day can help everyone to help others. The sixth annual event in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation takes place on October 26th. Mark your calendar! How do you plan to spend Make a Difference Day? It may be a month away but it is not too early to think about what you can do to help your community pull together a project for the day. You can also make a difference in the life of even one lonely shut-in, give a helping hand to a busy mother, write a letter of cheer to someone in need of an encouraging word, or touch the life of a child by sharing a gift of time with that child. Perhaps Saturday October 26th does not fit into your schedule, then make it October 27th or a day that will also Make a Difference Day for you or someone in need.
Episode 135: Thoughts on Love →
When I visit in the homes of family and friends, I will notice a sampler on the wall. These samplers often have words of wisdom, and on the little home on the prairie, I too, have a sampler hanging on the wall in the room where I serve guests a cup of Christmas tea.
Episode 113: Giving Thanks for Family →
A warm spirit of the approaching holiday season makes us especially thankful for family. Life is full of many reasons to celebrate, reflect and share our feelings during the coming holiday season. The United Nations designated 1994 as International Year of the Family with the theme of the year as "family resources and responsibilities in a changing world." The emblem of the International Year of the Family is a heart sheltered by a roof linked by another heart. It symbolizes life and love in a home where one finds warmth, caring, security, togetherness, tolerance, and acceptance. The open design is meant to indicate continuity with a hint of uncertainty the brushstroke with its open mind roof completes an abstract symbol representing the complexities of the family.
Episode 76: Giving Many Thanks →
Thanksgiving Day is a very special holiday for many families. Family traditions are often carried out on this day in many homes. It is also a good time to remember what we often forget - to say that we are grateful to be together. And to acknowledge with thanks, each other. It is a time to thank the people who have made a difference in our lives. Many warm thoughts come to mind. Recently I read some thoughts by Albert Schweitzer, a pioneer African missionary, and I would like to share his thoughts on thankfulness.
Episode 51: We Love Our Volunteers →
As I write this column, it still feels like a wintry day across the prairie land. We are still awaiting Spring Fling days and planting those trees on Arbor Day. Last week, April, 18th - 24th marked National Volunteer Week, and we thank all those volunteers who give of themselves and volunteer their services. The national average is that volunteers give over four hours a week of their time to volunteerism. And many of these volunteers say that they receive more than they can ever give, we pay tribute to the many volunteers who are willing to serve so unselfishly for their church community and country. You deserve our thanks. Cheers!
Last week, National Library week was also celebrated. We are encouraged to read more to keep our minds real active for teenagers and grandparents who may not be able to jog with the younger generation, they can still jog their minds. Reading to someone you love is an encouragement for those grandchildren to find joy and relaxation through the gift of reading books.
Episode 36: Bigger than Challenges →
This is the season to be thankful. But really isn't every day, a day to give thanks for our many challenges and blessings. It was many years ago that a dear friend taught me to always be thankful, no matter what happens, one day after listening to her, I stated that it seemed to me that she was being one day after listening to her I stated that it seemed to me that she was really being tried and tested her reply left an indelible impression on me. Her face was radiant and her eyes sparkled as she spoke, and fat ugly. I love God so much and I just can't look at all these troubles as problems.
Episode 35: Liberty →
November. The month of Remembrance Day, also known as Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day, how thankful we are to live in our America, liberty, so precious a gift for each of us. It is so special that we can enjoy our liberty every day here in America and our country we have the freedom to vote to participate and free enterprise, and to worship as we are lead. We need to be reminded often of their value. And the words of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key, the price of our liberty is made quite clear, a great price was paid by our forefathers. And that price is still being paid in our country today.
Episode 34: Learning from the Birds →
This is the time of year when some folks leave the prairie winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residents there will say, “The snowbirds are coming!”
About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south in a V formation. In the spring, they fly north, and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese. We can learn about sharing leadership from the geese. When the goose in the lead gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose takes over at the point position. We can also learn from the geese, to be interdependent and take turns and doing the hard tasks in a caring and sharing way.