March | 2016 | Grandma’s Stories

Mar 13th From the “JEWISH JOURNAL”

Ten Steps For Spiritual Growth

Love deeply and many things.

The aim of life should be to grow, to be better than we were yesterday, to find what makes us special and to use that gift to give back in order to help others grow. Part of the definition of love is helping another grow. To grow- we need to move away from negativity and hatred, and move in the direction of love. Love is what helps us grow. Ten suggestions for spiritual growth:

1- Surround yourself with people you admire. Follow those who can show you how to live and how to love. Choose mentors and model their lives. Befriend those who expand your horizons as well as those who challenge your beliefs.

2- Walk away from noise. We are constantly bombarded by unnecessary information that distract us from our goals, that drag us down. Too many people weight us down with pettiness and gossip. It’s easy to be caught up with the trivial. That’s why reality shows are wildly popular. But that’s how we shrink- not grow. Walk away from the unimportant. Don’t engage every argument. Sometimes silence is the best answer.

3- Read in a quiet place. Empty your mind and read. Read what makes you fall in love. Read what makes you cry. Read what makes your spirit soar.

4- Consider listening to a TED talk weekly. Experts in every field spend 18 minutes to squeeze the essence of their lives in a presentation. Open yourself and be inspired.

5- Just as athletes cross-train, learn from multiple disciplines. Excellence exists everywhere- in art, music, poetry, business, medicine, technology, even politics. Cross-train your mind and your spirit. Learn from other faiths and subject that you have not explored before. As van Gogh said- love deeply and many things.

6- Routinely do what makes you uncomfortable. Find out why you are afraid in that zone. Figuring out vulnerabilities is the best way to access the courage to grow.

7- Learn to enjoy solitude. If you are not comfortable with your own thoughts alone, you will not grow. Be alone together with a friend.

8- Fall in love with nature. Look and look again. Learn to be awed both by the magnificent rainbow and by the common dawn.

9- Look for magic. Where everyone sees the mundane, find a miracle.

10- Pray. Pray to whatever intangible force that inspires you. Pray to the God inside your heart. Pray not to change God, but so that you can feel closer to the Source.

Do something that’s not on this list.

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Mar 12th “Words to LIVE by.”

Read the following “WORDS”

“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.”

The above “UNKNOWN Quote” was sent to me…and I had to read and re-read several times – – there is something there – – seems that a message – – so …..

In LIFE — – here we are…looks like we are on a road all alone…we learn… and then put ourselves into trying “WHAT” we think we are here for – – but – – things just are not going our way – – in fact for every step that we go forward – – we find ourselves going backwards at least two steps – – problems piling up – – and everywhere we think that the next step is – – for us to take – – we hit a “Hill” turning into mountains of difficulties.

Someone with a little more knowledge than ourselves…someone that seems to be accomplishing that which we want for ourselves – – just may have some good information that we could use. So…we seek them out and their final word for us – – is to stay “FOCUSED” – – – their words were to put your “DREAM” down on paper. Read that which we are dreaming to do and accomplish by “such and such” date – remembering to FOCUS on the “AIM to the FINISH LINE” is what LIFE is all about.

So in remembering…”BIRDS FLY a STRAIGHT ROUTE” – – just as an “ARROW” – – once the aim is set for the project – – if for any “UNKNOWN” reason – -we hit a set back – – sometimes…that “DOOR” is closing – – so that we will re-focus – – as something so much better will be the new “VISION” on the future “HORIZON” for a super project to be developed!

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Mar 11th “Performers – that “LOVE” each other”

“HOW or WHAT” do you say …. to get “MAN’s” best friend and your most “favorite birds of a feather” …to mind so well and all in line…so very perfect … and all paying attention – – almost forgot the “hamster – – looks like he has the choice resting place!”

Displaying

An unusual family of one man’s pets:

an eccentric but tight-knit group that consists of

one golden retriever,

one hamster, and eight birds.

31-year-old Luiz Higa of São Paulo, Brazil,

tells Peta Pixel that his golden retriever,

Bob, is a little less than two years old.

He started with Bob, a cockatiel and a parakeet.

“Since the beginning I put them together

to see Their behavior,” he tells us.

“It was nice, so I decided to have them play

together during my free time.”

He then added more birds and a hamster

to the group.

Higa’s photos show the group posing,

playing, exploring, and resting together.

It just doesn’t get any better than this.

The one absolute, unselfish friend that a man can have

in this selfish world-the one that never deserts him,

the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous –

is his dog!!!

This is so over the top…just could not believe that these small birds…a small hamster…and this big dog – – were just the best of good buddies!

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Mar 10th “SEW Quilts for ANGELS”

Check this out… and see where in Missouri this “QUILT” was on display… What can we all do …to do something worthwhile for the “ANGELS” that we only have for a very short time…with us on earth???

Pediatric Cancer Foundation Sews a Quilt for Angels

Survivor Malcolm Sutherland-Foggio is making sure victims of pediatric cancer are always remembered

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Mar 10th “Remembering – GOOD FRIEND’s – Birthday!”

On the left and wearing the white sweater…is “VIOLET LESSOR” – a very good friend for a good many years! In this photo … “Violet Lessor” is in her early eighties – – and on this particular occasion – – we…the ALDRICH FAMILY – are entertaining “VIOLET” for a day that started with CHURCH SERVICE and later for a brunch – – as we all like celebrating BIRTHDAYS – – as we all have so much FUN just reminiscing – – all the good times – – because that is how I feel – – enjoy TODAY – so that when you have the time – – you always remember the “GOOD TIMES!”

Put that in your “BOOK” – – In LIFE…never let an older FAMILY member and or even a GOOD FRIEND – – never be … just forgotten – – as some may live alone – – and having done their LIFE’s WORK – – are NOW – – left to live all alone – – with never a visit – – is the number one thing …that no one should ever have to suffer.

There are so many older citizens living in “SENIOR CITIZEN HOMES” – – and they may as well be in a ” jail” – – no one comes to visit – – no one calls them on the telephone – – and never ever do they receive a piece of mail ….all HOLIDAYS… they are forgotten … and nothing for them on their BIRTHDAYS. “HOW can we be so cruel… to those that we once LOVED?”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY…. VIOLET” – – – NOW… Starting… on her 104th year in HEAVEN!

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Mar 8th “Women…DO IT TODAY!”

“Women’s Day…Some DAY… I WILL…”

“A woman’s guess is much more accurate than a man’s certainty.” – Rudyard Kipling
“A woman is like a tea bag — you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Margaret Thatcher

There are few people in the world who are brave enoough to take risks for a cause that is greater than they are.

Celebrate and enjoy “TODAY” – – doing that which is special to you – and puts “YOU” into that extra special mood – – making this the BEST FIRST DAY…for the rest of your LIFE.

For a real change…do just one thing… that you have put off – – for so long – – TODAY is the DAY – – to do it!

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