faith – Page 139 – hugsnblessings

cause i’m happy!

Published on February 8, 2016 by Dawn Marie8 Comments

it’s the monday giggles….

Ahem….

It may be a tad pre-mature, but the weather is so wonderfully unseasonable I’ve decided it’s officially time for my (drumroll…) Annual Spring joke!

(giggle.)

What is invisible and smells like worms?

(giggle…giggle.)

BIRD FARTS!!!!

(giggles!!!)

“I’ve told you a hundred times Dawn…you’re FUN, not FUNNY.” Thunder

Okay, so admittedly I’m not very good at telling jokes.

HOWEVER…

I AM HAPPIER THAN I DESERVE

AND

I DON’T CARE

HOW MUCH I SHOW IT!

AND i do always hope-ity hope everyone will join in the joy right beside me!

(giggle…giggle…& giggle.)

“Have the courage to be happy!”

Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2012

In what has been tagged ‘Pope Francis’ 10 Commandments for a Happy Life,’ he stressed his motto of ‘Live and let live’ as the main ingredient for a happy life!

Here’s the list of the Pope’s guidelines to happiness, according to a Catholic News Service translation of his interview:

1. “Live and let live.”

2. “Be giving of yourself to others…If you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric…And stagnant water becomes putrid.”

3. “Proceed calmly [in life].”

4. “A healthy sense of leisure…Consumerism has brought us anxiety, [causing us to lose a] healthy culture of leisure.” [At this point, the pope also urged families to turn off the TV when they’re eating together.]

5. “Sunday is for family.”

6. “We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities, they will get into drugs.”

7. “[Environmental degradation] is one of the biggest challenges we have. I think a question that we’re not asking ourselves is: ‘Isn’t humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?”

8. “Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, ‘I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down.’ Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy.”

9. “We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: ‘I am talking to you in order to persuade you.’ No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.”

10. “We are living in a time of many wars, [and] the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive.”

(giggles.)

I just love our Papa!

And through Sacred Scripture, I believe God affirms what Pope Francis is saying! Here are a few of my personal favorites, which take me to my happy place.

(giggle.)

John 16:33 – I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.

1 John 4:8 – He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Exodus 14:14 – The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.

Romans 8:28 – We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are the called according to his purpose.

Lots to smile about!

Lots to be happy for!

Praise, praise, praising Him,

all the more!!

And then of course there’s this little blessing to be happy & giggly over!

hugs n’ blessings to all those “courageous enough to be happy!!”

*Music by Pharrell Williams.

toadstools & the queen

Published on February 7, 2016February 24, 2016 by Dawn Marie2 Comments

e62098d2cf4d87442446341e5902adca — Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Brown Photography

An anxious man once advised:

“All I can tell you is exactly what my father-in-law advised me early in my own marriage: “You have a choice to make, you either get on that train or you get out of the way because this train is not stopping.” And just so you know…it never will.”

Moral of the story: A train’s tightly shackled caboose always follows along…because it can’t go anywhere without it.

Readings of the day for Friday, February 5, 2016.

Gospel Reading

Mark 6:14-29 (RSV)

King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Divine Love was found in the friends who came to gather what remained.

hugs n’ blessings to all who receive mercy,

for the sake of his sorrowful passion,

from the one True Prince of heaven.

i will ‘to-do’ it!

Published on February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

it’s the monday giggles…

Our daughter is getting married this year.

Hence, Emily Post (the queen of etiquette,) has become my new BFF.

And even though we have never met…

I love Emily!

She keeps me on track. She keeps me motivated.

She answers my questions when I do not know what to do!

And even when I may decide not to follow her sound advice (which is often,) she continues to applaud my efforts in this mother-of-the-bride role.

Yes, I love Emily!

Because she approves of our daughter’s glitter and sparkle and most definately understands the important etiquette of bedazzling one’s straight-jacket too!

Here is the first piece of wisdom she shared with me:

“Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!

Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.

Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves—because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it’s likely that you’re going to find yourself juggling the roles of adviser, therapist, communications hub, and trouble-shooter. You’ll need to be able to:

Keep the planning process on track without nagging.
Offer guidance without being pushy.
And be a rock of supportive encouragement—even if you disagree with the couple on a particular decision.

All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as throwing an engagement party, spreading the word about gift registries, contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter or son’s new in-laws, arranging a bridal shower, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.”

Now…if I could simply get my new BFF Emily “to actually to-do-it-too!”