EVER SO LITTLE BETTER MATTERS

"Do not let yourselves be discouraged or embittered by the smallness of the success you are likely to achieve in trying to make life better. You certainly would not be able, in a single generation, to create an earthly paradise. Who could expect that? But, if you make life ever so little better, you will have done splendidly, and your lives will have been worthwhile." ------ Arnold Toynbee
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That's a good piece of wisdom there!

Just because you can only do things small or you think yourself too small to do great things, is not reason enough not to do anything at all. Because you can make a difference just being yourself right there where God has planted you. He meant for you to grow and flourish right there with who you are, flawed and imperfect, but with the unique talent which He wisely poured into your life for a definite reason.
So if you have a lovely singing voice... Sing! If you can paint... Paint! If you love to write... Write! Or be kind... gentle... be a good listener to other people's woes..... be a ready helping hand to those in need..... be a visible inspiration to others..... be blessed with wisdom to share..... be a compassionate heart that can understand another person's pain...... etc. All these and more are the gifts from above given you to make your life better and those it must serve.

Each one may be considered tiny probably insignificant compared to what the bigger world outside adores -- the grand and grander gesture of achievement ... but .... and but you have made a difference still. And this God can see and will be very pleased by it. Seeing that you have not put to waste your gifts and instead have nurtured and harnessed it to serve His plan for your life. He will use you even more for greater and bigger things. Because if you can be trusted with so little.... then surely you can be trusted with even more .... so much much.

Be your own kind of beautiful, by God's design.
Blessings to you and your loved ones!!

STOP WAILING YOU'RE ORDINARY

Good morning, world! :-)
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A quote I have always loved and I am sure that you will, too, is this.......

"My mother knew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that -- "Achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best in you. Success is being praised by others, and that's nice, too, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success." --------- Helen Hayes

Unquote.

And yet success, more often than not, is what we aim for. Success by what the world teaches us. That success the world holds up as its standard. That which is accompanied by applause, trophies, title and recognition; that one which brings you to the center of the stage with the spotlight on you and you feeling so pleased with yourself. But that's nice too. I don't mind seeing myself up there on that stage..... Being there in that fantastic moment savoring the sweet feel of applause!

But wait......

Because I remember mom tell me long ago that success for the most part is a feeling from within rather than it is from without. It's what you experience or feel in your core and does not necessarily depend on what transpires externally on a grand or grander scale. I think what she meant was it does not matter if the task be minute or colossal but if you gave it your best shot, did your best with it, you are just as successful as the person who invented the light bulb. That would be, by the best standards in point of value, a huge success. That in any language is quite an achievement ---- being your best you!

Well, all that considered, we can call ourselves achievers every day! Right? Because every day as we get on with our respective lives we give it everything we've got. Giving everything to life with what we are and with what we are allowed to have. We study hard, work hard, think hard, honest in our hearts, tumble and fall with bad breaks and yet rise up again much stronger everytime.

I have achieved much in my life, too. Just like everybody else. Maybe it won't hug the headlines but in my tiny corner of the world the spotlight's on me. And the applause I hear I think is the applause of a happy God who I believe is mighty pleased with it. After all as I understand it, God does not require extraordinary things only from extraordinary people ......... but rather that ordinary puny people (like us) do mundane tasks (which sometimes admittedly can be quite so boring and bland) extraordinarily well with who they are and what they have. 

Because honestly.....

It’s not the little or much but rather the honest sincere heart that brings it to the table which pleases a mighty God. 

Blessings, everyone. Give the day and life and God your best shot. Have a great day

GOOD BETTER BEST - NEVER LET IT REST UNTIL GOOD BE BETTER AND BETTER BEST

 

With the music of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons (Walk Like A Man) playing in the background, I went through my old files with the goal (again) of sorting it down to minimum clutter. Decluttering is a never-ending task, as you would certainly agree. Yet it has to be done, otherwise you will find yourself with stuff mountain-high which half of it you may no longer need or stuff which has definitely outlived its time.

A few minutes into the task I stumbled on this piece of writing. I read through it. Then thought maybe I have posted this long ago but when I can't remember. But certainly it brought back fond memories of long ago.... which brought a smile to my heart. So I thought I would like to honor those old wonderful friendships with a fond wish that wherever they are I pray life has been good to them.

Here is the piece in full......
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"Images came to life one day as I sat by the window looking out to a dull day. That of a young girl in high school and a best friend who saw herself as insignificant incompetent. That of an office-mate who didn't think that he could deserve a promotion. That of a niece who thought herself to be a loser. But all three were good at some talent or skill. I remember them so well.

Then came one day when.......

-----Dina was pushed by her English teacher to join a campus essay contest. She came out besting the best. She was sent off to represent the school in a national competition; won that.

-----James was sent by his boss to handle a project at their provincial branch office. He improved their sales dramatically within a year. He became the manager of that branch.

-----Leah was asked by an uncle to assist in an NGO sponsored community activity for street children. The children adored her. She later headed similar community activities and became known for her highly-rated organizational skills and efficiency.
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Sometimes .....

we don't get to know our potential nor see the spark of genius within ourselves. Sometimes we need a little push from someone who sees us for what we are…. who sees our genius or potential. 

And when that happens, it now becomes our responsibility to let it shine even so much more. There can no longer be an excuse for not letting our star shine and shine even brighter. We should aspire to do what we do best at anytime, anyplace, with whoever is sent us, with every opportunity that knocks on our doors. 

We should be who we are constantly, consistently, unbendingly, uncompromisingly... regardless... because that's who and what we are. The best is our yardstick. The goal is to live life with our best.

That too, incidentally, is by God’s design.

 "Good, better, best. Never let it rest until good be better and better best." ---------- Mother Goose rhyme "

-0-

Don't let anyone stop you from your best. Be the best. No one can or will do it for you. Besides....... there's no one else like you.


God bless you, everybody!

LIFE RIGHT NOW

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This morning I found this beautiful post and quote from a dear friend Rizza.........

"Your life is right now! It's not later! It's not in that time of retirement. It's not when the lover gets here. It's not when you've moved into the new house. It's not when you get the better job. Your life is right now. It will always be right now. You might as well decide to start enjoying your life right now, because it's not ever going to get better than right now —until it gets better right now!"     -------- Abraham