Life At It's Best

Some mornings you just wake up feeling on top of the world. This is one of those. The contributing factors are many...fantastic music on the stereo. Oldies, 1970's. The kind that stirs the youthful blood still left in my veins. Reminds me that life is fun, life is to be grabbed hold of and enjoyed. Sometimes life presents itself with some hardships and if you allow it, it can get you down. Some things like Mei-Lings health issues are in the back of your mind all of the time but worry changes nothing. Worry is a thief that you allow to steal your life. I have seen too many "worriers" that have surrendered to this vile termite of the soul and soon nothing is left but the dust of what the person was meant to be. Live life with joy, grab hold of all the good things around you and fly with them.
Here is some wisdom for the day. These are quotes that have changed my thinking over the years and I strive to make them my understanding.
the pictures today....some of my present joys. A book in the mail from my dear friend Sunny over at http://easternsierrasunshine.blogspot.com/ We have known each other for years and years and this gal knows me well. By the way, I love the movie, its my favorite, but the book is much better. Thanks Sunny, made my day when it came and am so enjoying the read.
The other picture, new kitchen stuff in the living room. Planning, working, building and creating with the man of my dreams a kitchen of my dreams. What could be better !
Here are some bits of wisdom...
if you are put off by who wrote these, you need to sit back, take a deep breath and realize that wisdom is not exclusive of just one faith.

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." - Dalai Lama

"A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life." - Dalai Lama

"We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection." - Dalai Lama

"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." - Dalai Lama

"If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry." - Dalai Lama

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy." - Dalai Lama

"To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. Rather than speaking badly about people and in ways that will produce friction and unrest in their lives, we should practice a purer perception of them, and when we speak of others, speak of their good qualities." - Dalai Lama

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - Dalai Lama

"Just as you have the instinctive natural desire to be happy and overcome suffering, so do all sentient beings; just as you have the right to fulfill this innate aspiration, so do all sentient beings. So on what exact grounds do you discriminate?" - Dalai Lama

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher." - Dalai Lama

"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness ... the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives." - Dalai Lama

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." - Dalai Lama

"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves." - Dalai Lama

"Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on other's kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?" - Dalai Lama

"If one's life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation." - Dalai Lama

"Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion." - Dalai Lama

"I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world." - Dalai Lama

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged." - Dalai Lama

"The ultimate authority must always rest with the individuals own reason and critical analysis." - Dalai Lama

the day so far...
music playing in the background.....Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
The smell of pine sol filling the house from scrubbing floors
Work clothes on, a shirt that says, "Celebrate Life" and old worn out jeans.
Hot sunny morning out, its summer in Texas
Getting ready to lay a new floor in the kitchen
Breakfast, a pina colada soy protein smoothie with spirulina and a frozen banana added