It was the very first time I had met her.
She had a table full of canned applesauce and fresh bread warming on the counters.
Hmmm.
I liked this girl already.
She didn't even have to say a word!
So, next to the jars of applesauce, I spy a book:
"The Simple Living Guide" by Janet Luhrs
I searched for it at the library, checked it out, read it and bought it at Border's when I got a 40% off coupon.
It has chapters on:
Time
Money
Work
Simple Pleasures and Romance
Virtues
Families
Gardening
Holidays
Etc.
In the introduction it lists 28 Secrets to Happiness.
1. Live beneath your means and within your seams.
2. Return everything you borrow.
3. Donate blood.
4. Stop blaming other people.
5. Admit it when you make a mistake.
6. Give all the clothes you haven't worn in the last three years to charity.
7. Every day do something nice and try not to get caught.
8. Listen more; talk less.
9. Every day take a 30-minute walk in your neighborhood.
10. Skip 2 meals a week and give the money to the homeless.
11. Strive for excellence, not perfection.
12. Be on time.
13. Don't make excuses.
14. Don't argue.
15. Get organized.
16. Be kind to kind people.
17. Be even kinder to unkind people.
18. Let someone cut ahead of you in line.
19. Take time to be alone.
20. Reread a favorite book.
21. Cultivate good manners.
22. Be humble.
23. Understand and accept that life isn't always fair.
24. Know when to say something.
25. Know when to keep your mouth shut.
26. Don't criticize anyone for 24 hours.
27. Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.
28. Don't sweat the small stuff.
I like this list.
I would like to add forgiveness to the list.
~To forgive and to be forgiven.
Life is way too complicated without forgiveness!
Other than that, I think it's a wonderful list!
Does anyone have any other ideas?
2 comments:
Take some time to visit your elderly relatives or a widow that you know. I can assure you, you will probably be as blessed as they are because our elders have such great wisdom to share! Smile and laugh more because smiles and laughter are contagious and it'll be sure to brighten up one's day! Hold the door for people and stop being in such a rush! Send a card to someone you've had on your mind "just because." If people randomly "pop" into your head thru out the day, simply lift them up in prayer (I got that advice from a wise woman and it really sticks with me. . . thank you Joni ;o)) Even if you don't know what their needs are, our LORD in Heaven does so simply lift them up in the name of Jesus! Sugar goes a lot farther than vinegar so even if you know people gossip about you or don't like you it's not your problem! Be yourself and be thankful God made YOU . . unique by HIS HANDS. If you find yourself getting discouraged along the way just read Psalm 139 daily to remind you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made!!
BE STILL and know that GOD is GOD!
Laura- I enjoy peeking at your blog when I get a chance- about once every month or two. You have such positive ideas--
I remember our brief visit 2 years ago at church-- I would love to catch up for a longer time when you are up here again some day. Keep that in mind and give a holler if the chance comes up.
I read about your oldest going for chiropractor-- isn't that great when the find their passion?
Take care-
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