Do Something for Yourself!

   A couple of days ago, I challenged you, "To love and to be loved," now I want you to do two things, every day for yourself. Remember that you are not at your best and are not able to help others, if you do not take care of yourself. It is not being selfish, it is how you can give to others.
   The first challenge is to meditate, at least once a day. Meditation is simple and can be accomplished in minutes. Jump on the Internet and you will immediately find meditation guidance. Try different leaders and types. Look under Chakras, also, for variety. I found both Chakras and Meditation on my Amazon Prime, but there are many sources to experiment with. Mix it up!
   Meditation is soothing, relaxing, and invigorating all at the same time. When I do mine I awaken to a whole new attitude and am completely refreshed, ready to take on the remainder of the day. Try it and let us know how you feel and successes.
   The second challenge is to learn something new each day. Some people think learning is only accomplished in the framework of a formal school setting. Wrong! I have learned something every day, as far back as I can remember. It is accomplished through reading most of the time. I love to read, whether it is my newspaper each morning, or a magazine, such as National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Eating Well, or my most recent book. I also learn from television. Watching news, history, movies and sports. Some of you may be wondering how with sports magazines or cooking magazines? Simple. These are my interests, also, and when I read them I learn something, I didn't know before. I feel, if a day passes by and in someway new information has not been added I have failed. My family, teases me about some of the information I come up with, but they also call me when they have questions.
   Begin this process, today. Don't push it off, thinking I'll start it tomorrow or next week. Start now. It takes minutes, but the habit and results will last a life time. Do it during the course of your routine. Learn that new fact! Mediate and rejuvenate your mind! There are no reasons, not to! Let me know how you are doing.

One Happiness

      "Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved." This is, perhaps, the most famous line written by French novelist, George Sand. What some may not know is this author was actually, Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin. She used the nom de plume or pen name of George Sand, because no woman in the 1800's could ever have been taken seriously as a writer.
   Today I am going to take my writing down a new path. In the past it was pure politics and if truth be told, draining. Politics and History has been a fascination of mine, since elementary school and it will now return to its proper place. A hobby.
   Now the new direction. Love. Happiness. Spirituality. Peace. Nature. Meditation. Harmony. That is where I am placing my emphasis. This is to help my family, friends, readers and myself. I have to be healed if I am to help the people I love. There is a toxic atmosphere in our countries. In our states. In our cities. In our neighborhoods. In our homes. It is hate, indifference, bigotry, intolerance, hostility and a break down of decency. No more. From any direction. The time has come to replace the negative with the positive. To love and be loved!
   "There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved." That is my mantra! That is my goal! To Love and be Loved! Repeat this to yourself, as many times as necessary to push those negative thoughts and feelings out of your mind. To love and be loved! It sounds incredible, doesn't it? As you say the words, smile! Come on! Picture me in your mind right now, sitting at the desk, typing this with a smile spread across my face. Does that idea make you laugh! Good!  My grandchildren would tell you I look maniacal or deranged. I think of it as happy. To love and be loved! To love and be loved! That is the goal.                                                                                                                                   Start each day with this idea and then spread it. Smile and spread love to everyone you interact with. Smile it makes them wonder what you are up to? Smile and then happiness will follow. Show politeness. Hold a door open for someone. Give them the opportunity to move in front of you in traffic. That one is really hard, but wave them through. Say thank you. When your family comes home, look up from the tv, I-pad, phone or any other distraction and greet them. Give them a hug and a kiss. This may freak them out, some may be suspicious or even, ask what's wrong. That's ok. Make it a habit and everyone will look forward to it and so will you. You will feel better. Your friends and family will feel better. They will spread it on to their families and friends. See where I am heading with this? To love and be loved!
   To love and be loved. Tell people, you love them. This is easy for family to say to each other, but tell your friends, you love them. Let people know. We all share this wonderful life and world, so let love and kindness flourish. It will start to shed light on the darkness of hatred and then the hate will die in that glow. To love and be loved!