[Stay Strong] Your Mission...if you choose to accept it...

Vacation reprint... ;)  Sorry...

Enjoy!!

Doug

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "CIM" <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com>
Date: May 29, 2012 7:01 PM
Subject: [Stay Strong] Your Mission...if you choose to accept it...
To: <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com>
Cc:

Feel like you are drifting a bit through life, seeking purpose, not sure what you are here to do? 

Here is a suggestion:

"God has created me to do him some definite service.

He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. 

I have my mission.

I may never know it in this life , but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in the chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good  - I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of Peace, a preacher of Truth in my own place while not intending it, if I do but keep His Commandments.

Therefore I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him.

In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him.

If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain.

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends.

He may throw me among strangers.

He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me -

still,

He knows what He he is about.

  - John Henry Newman
    Excerpt from "Rediscover
    Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly

Stay Strong!!!

--
Posted By CIM to Stay Strong at 5/29/2012 07:01:00 PM

[Stay Strong] Don't ask "Why me?", ask for "More please" - only through hard lessons do we grow closer to our potential and our reward...

It has been granted to you... to suffer for Him. (Philippians 1:29)
>
> "God runs a costly school, for many of His lessons are learned through tears. Richard Baxter, the seventeenth-century Puritan preacher, once said, "O God, I thank You for the discipline I have endured in this body for fifty-eight years." And he certainly is not the only person who has turned trouble into triumph.
>
> Soon the school of our heavenly Father will close for us, for the end of the school term is closer every day.
>
> May we never run from a difficult lesson or flinch from the rod of discipline. Richer will be our crown, and sweeter will heaven be, if we cheerfully endure to the end. Then we will graduate in glory. Theodore L. Cuyler
>
> The world's finest china is fired in ovens at least three times, and some many more. Dresden china is always fired three times. Why is it forced to endure such intense heat? Shouldn't once or twice be enough? No, it is necessary to fire the china three times so the gold, crimson, and other colors are brighter, more beautiful, and permanently attached.
>
> We are fashioned after the same principle!!!
>
> The human trials of life are burned into us numerous times, and through God's grace, beautiful colors are formed in us and made to shine forever."
>
> Cortland Myers
>
> From Streams in the Desert
>
> Stay Strong.....this too shall pass!!!!
>
>
>
> --
> Posted By CIM to Stay Strong at 9/04/2012 07:53:00 AM

Harness your Power!!

"Our attitudes control our lives.
Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day,
for good or bad.
It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness
and control this great force."
  - Irving Berlin

Circumstances in our lives can change daily - from good to bad to ugly and back to good!

All that matters is HOW we deal with and react to those circumstances!

Let's check our attitudes constantly as the proper attitude of Hope, Faith and Good Cheer WILL carry us through any storm in our lives!!!

Harness this power and you will never go wrong!   It is just a matter of guiding our minds and our thoughts!!

We control this!!!!

Today is as good a day as any to start!

What do we have to lose?!

Stay Strong!!

Gethsemane

Gethsemane

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden's gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God pity those who cannot say:
"Not mine but thine";
Who only pray:
"Let this cup pass," and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane."
  - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Fwd: [Stay Strong] The Power of the Mind

"It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.
>
> It is what you think about."
> - Dale Carnegie
>
> How many times have we been in a fun place with all the trappings of fun and happiness, only to be thinking of something else that distracts us or makes us sad or anxious?
>
> It happens all the time!
>
> The beautiful thing about this fact and power of the mind is that it can work the other way as well!
>
> We hold the power - today -to create our own happiness and joy with our own minds, thoughts, and focus - regardless of our current circumstances!!
>
> Believe in this power because it is all that matters in our pursuit of peace and joy!!
>
> Material goods will not do it, wealth and power will not do it! 
>
> In fact, some of the most miserable people I know appear to have everything one could imagine in the material world, yet cannot buy or attain joy, peace, or happiness!!!
>
> We all know these people!!
>
> And we also know people who have been through Hell on earth, have nothing material to their name, yet are the happiest and most inspiring people on the planet!!!
>
> What more do we need to witness before we choose to change our thought patterns and improve our living???
>
> What are we using as our Goals? 
>
> What measurement are we using for our own happiness?
>
> The power to do this and change our mindsets exist in all of us today!! 
>
> Use it NOW and claim your rightful peace and joy in this very brief life!!!
>
> Stay Strong!!!!
>
Posted By CIM to Stay Strong at 7/17/2012 07:41:00 AM

Free to choose....

"We can always choose to perceive things differently.
You can focus on what's wrong in your life,
or you can focus on what's right."
- Marianne Williamson

It really is that simple - but it does take some real work!

If we can just identify those creeping negative thoughts, fears and worries as they pop in our heads, and make a conscious decision to fight them off and beat them back - we will be amazed at the results!

Identify them and choose to focus on our blessings - or on a solution to the problem instead of the problem - life would be so much easier!!

We can do this - we make hundreds of decisions every single hour of the day - we just need to resolve to take this action and control our focus!

You decide how to feel - no one else!!
You control what you think of and what you will give credence to in your daily endeavors!

Why not choose the positive and the "next steps"?

Banish the past and the worry!

Master it and life seems like a breeze!!

Stay Strong!!

Re: [Stay Strong] Live and battle just this ONE day!!

There are two days of the week about which we should not worry...two days which should be kept from fear and apprehension.
>
> One of these days is called Yesterday, with it's mistakes and cares, it's faults and its blunders, aches and pains.

Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.

> All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.
>
> We cannot undo a single act we performed or erase a single word we said.
>
> Yesterday is GONE!
>
> The other day we should not worry about it Tomorrow, with it's possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance.
>
> Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control.
>
> Tomorrow's sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.
>
> Until it does, however, we have no stake in tomorrow, for its yet unborn.
>
> This leaves only one day - TODAY!
>
> Any one of us can fight the battle of just ONE day!!
>
> It is when you and I add burdens of two awful eternities - YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW - that we break down.
>
> It is not necessarily the experiences of today that disturbs one's peace of mind. It is often times the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring!
>
> Fight the urge to dwell on the past,  and embrace tomorrow with faith, hope and courage - but do not fear what it may bring!! 
>
> Let us therefore live ONE DAY AT A TIME.
>
> Stay Strong!   Just One Day!!!

> Posted By CIM to Stay Strong at 8/29/2012 08:18:00 AM

My wife and I won the Euro Millions Lottery of 41 Million British Pounds and we have decided to donate 1.5 million British Pounds to 6 individuals worldwide as our own charity project. Your email address was among the emails which were submitted to us by the Google, Inc as a web user, which was used for the draw with an electronic balloting system your email address came out as the 4th lucky beneficiary world wide.
To verify, please see our interview by visiting the web page below: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091124/EuroMillions-winners-Gareth-Catherine-Bull-scoop-41MILLION-lotto-jackpot.html
Send the below information for urgent processing.
Full Name:
Mobile No:
Age:
Country:
Send your response to

Congratulations once again,
Best Regards,
Gareth & Catherine Bull
gcb.foundation@postafiok.hu

[Stay Strong] Your own Path....

"As Schopenhauer says, when you look back on your life, it looks as though it were a plot, but when you are into it, it's a mess: just one surprise after another.
>
> Then, later, you see it was perfect.
>
> So I have a theory that if you are on your own path great things are going to come to you.
>
> Since it's your own path, and no one has ever been on it before, there's no precedent, so everything that happens is a surprise and is timely."
>
> —Joseph Campbell, from A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living, edited by Robert Walter, conceived by Diane K. Osbon (Joseph Campbell Foundation, 1991)
>
> Be very careful with what you choose to use as your "measuring stick" for success, happiness, and satisfaction!
>
> I urge you to step back and define what it is you WANT in this short life ..and be leery of comparing your life, your experiences, your relationships, your careers, etc to anyone else's life and experiences!!
>
> We are all on our own paths and we are not here to match and mimic anyone else's path!!
>
> You are unique and whether you know it or not you have a special purpose and reason for being on this earth.
>
> Do not choose your path without thinking of where you WANT that path to lead. 
>
> At least in the right direction!!
>
> STOP beating yourself up over your current, temporary life challenges, your perceived shortcomings, your past, your mistakes, your present state, etc.
>
> Perhaps you are SUPPOSED to be in the midst of these trials and struggles for a good reason..a reason we may not yet understand!
>
> Accept the path we are on!  Own it and make the best of it!!! 
>
> But KEEP MOVING down the path - YOUR OWN path....with faith and hope and trust that it is leading you to the place you are MEANT to be!!!!
>
> Believe it.....embrace it....and savor each unique and special challenge and eventual victory and joy that surely awaits you along your path l!!
>
> There will surely be some bumps on that path, but life would be pretty unsatisfying without the joy of overcoming them!!!
>
> Stay Strong!!!!

Believe!

"Life is not easy for any of us.
> But what of that?
> We must have perseverance
> and above all confidence in ourselves.
> We must believe that we are gifted for something
> and that this thing must be attained."
>   - Marie Curie
>
> We are all exactly where we are supposed to be right now.
>
> Challenges and trials are unavoidable and inevitable and should be embraced - not feared!!
>
> Cast aside all fear of the unknown and cleanse your mind of the negative "what if" scenarios that never seem to come to fruition yet take up 99% of our thoughts on a daily basis.
>
> Focus instead on the fact that everything works itself out. No matter your trial or your current cross to bear, believe me that you will come through it - stronger,  wiser, and more aware of the draining impact of needless worry.
>
> You are in this challenge because that is what life is...To steal Wesley's line from The Princess' Bride - "Life is Pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something."
>
> But just as trials and challenges are part of life, so are the rewards for persevering and overcoming them!
>
> Therefore do not hide in the dark in fear of what awaits us as each new sun arises - instead meet the challenge and battle with confidence,  with passion, with unwavering strength and conviction that NO PROBLEM is insurmountable nor is it going to last forever!
>
> Believe it - get off the back of your heels and go on the offensive!
>
> Smile through it - accept it - and most importantly know that you will be btter for it!!
>
> "This too shall pass" is a FACT - not an empty cliche!
>
> It is all going to be ok - it always is!!!
>
> Stay Strong
>
> (Photo courtesy of Bobby OT)

Believe!

"Life is not easy for any of us.
But what of that?
We must have perseverance
and above all confidence in ourselves.
We must believe that we are gifted for something
and that this thing must be attained."
  - Marie Curie

We are all exactly where we are supposed to be right now.

Challenges and trials are unavoidable and inevitable and should be embraced - not feared!!

Cast aside all fear of the unknown and cleanse your mind of the negative "what if" scenarios that never seem to come to fruition yet take up 99% of our thoughts on a daily basis.

Focus instead on the fact that everything works itself out. No matter your trial or your current cross to bear, believe me that you will come through it - stronger,  wiser, and more aware of the draining impact of needless worry.

You are in this challenge because that is what life is...To steal Wesley's line from The Princess' Bride - "Life is Pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something."

But just as trials and challenges are part of life, so are the rewards for persevering and overcoming them!

Therefore do not hide in the dark in fear of what awaits us as each new sun arises - instead meet the challenge and battle with confidence,  with passion, with unwavering strength and conviction that NO PROBLEM is insurmountable nor is it going to last forever!

Believe it - get off the back of your heels and go on the offensive!

Smile through it - accept it - and most importantly know that you will be btter for it!!

"This too shall pass" is a FACT - not an empty cliche!

It is all going to be ok - it always is!!!

Stay Strong

(Photo courtesy of Bobby OT)

Today's Goal - 100 Smiles.

"Every time you smile at someone,
it is an action of love,
a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
   - Mother Teresa

Nothing is more powerful, more impactful and more important to us a humans than the small act of a simple smile!

It is so easy to do and as you have probably heard a million times already,  it takes 3700 muscles in our faces to make a frown but only 2 to smile! 

Ok don't quote that because I made up the numbers but you get the gist!!

It is amazing if you spend a bit of time and reflect on how some people never seem to smile ..at all!! 

A smile is one of life's guaranteed self-fulfilling prophesies!!!

Force a smile enough and you WILL feel better!!!

It is amazing!

Don't believe me? Try it today!  Lead every interaction with a smile today!

Even if you are just passing someone in the hall, street or elevator - smile at them and I will guarantee not only will your day improve, but the GIFT you are providing someone else whose day may be less than stellar is immeasurable!!!

So easy..so within our control .. and so overlooked and under-utilized!!

Stay Strong and enjoy the beautiful day ..which incidentally flowed from yesterday's messy rain!  ;)

Re: Thought on a rainy day.....

Doug thanks for being that angel that whispers in our ears every day and centers our day!  Another great quote that guides my day and it is regarding faith - 

"I believe in the sun, even when it does not shine.

I believe in love, even when it is not felt.

I believe in God, even when he is silent."

Anonymous and found on concentration camp wall

Let go, go God

On Aug 13, 2013, at 8:10 AM, Douglas Flaherty <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com> wrote:

"I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this?
Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.
I will love the sun for it warms my bones; 
yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.
I will love the light for it shows me the way;
yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.
I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;
yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge."
   - Og Mandino

Stay Strong... the sun will shine again!

<image-1-711452.jpeg>

RE: Thought on a rainy day.....

Sun always shining somewhere………

From: Douglas Flaherty [mailto:douglas.flaherty@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 8:10 AM
Subject: Thought on a rainy day.....

"I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this?
Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.
I will love the sun for it warms my bones; 
yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.
I will love the light for it shows me the way;
yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.
I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;
yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge."
   - Og Mandino
Stay Strong... the sun will shine again!

RE: Thought on a rainy day.....

Great email my friend.

You can always find a rainbow after the storms.

John l



-------- Original message --------
From: Douglas Flaherty <douglas.flaherty@gmail.com>
Date: 08/13/2013 8:10 AM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Thought on a rainy day.....

"I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this?
Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.
I will love the sun for it warms my bones; 
yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.
I will love the light for it shows me the way;
yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.
I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;
yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge."
   - Og Mandino

Stay Strong... the sun will shine again!

Thought on a rainy day.....

"I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this?
Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.
I will love the sun for it warms my bones; 
yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit.
I will love the light for it shows me the way;
yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.
I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart;
yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge."
   - Og Mandino

Stay Strong... the sun will shine again!

Blessings

"Each day, much more good happens than bad.
More babies born than people killed,
more people well fed than hungry,
more people housed than homeless,
more people with jobs than jobless,
more people healthy than sick,
more reasons to thank God than to curse Him.
Yet, especially when watching the "news,"
people focus almost entirely on the negative.
Let's turn that around.
Focus on the positive.
Be grateful for life's many blessings.

The enlightened give thanks
for what most people take for granted."
       - Michael Beckwith

It is very easy to allow negative thoughts to cascade down on us and quickly become overwhelmed with thw "bad" things currently occurring in our lives.

However, this cascading and negative focus can be beaten back and eventually overcome if we are diligent and alert to the moment it rears it's ugly head!

Just the fact that you can read this, that you got out of bed this am, that you can leave your house and be pain free are four MAJOR blessings we completely overlook and take for granted every single day!!!

And these are just the tip of the iceberg as far as blessings go!

We should be ashamed and humbled when we begin to add up the thousands of blessings that we npt only enjoy but NEGLECT to recognize and take for granted every hour of our day!

When you feel negative, stressed,  overwhelmed and are lamenting over your "problems", try to imagine how many people in this world would give all they had to lay claim to any one of the four simple blessings I mentioned above?? 

So snap out of it - all of our "problems" are embarrasing in the grand scheme of things and we should all be down on our knees each morning and evening giving THANKS for all that we are blessed to have in our lives!

Next time you catch yourself in a woe is me moment, please remember all of those who would gladly switch with you and I just to get out of bed in the morning - for starters!!  Pray for them and their strength and honor them by giving Thanks each and every day!

Stay Strong!!!

Do it now.. tomorrow may be too late

"You cannot do a kindness too soon,for you never know how soon it will be too late."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today is the day to do whatever it Is you have been waiting to do!

Whether an act of kindness, starting a new career, implementing a new idea, starting a workout regimen, reaching out to someone you have not seen in a while, or telling someone you appreciate and love them - do not wait for tomorrow!

As my close rockstar friend Barry Kingston wrote in one if his terrific hit songs.. "it's later than you think...."

And it Is later than we all think indeed!!

A long journey of 10, 000 miles begins with one small step!

Take that small step today!! You will be amazed the momentum you create and how far that one step will take you!

And know that you are never alone on that path!!  But you have to GET ON the path to reach your destination!

What are you waiting for?  Begin now!!! You will not regret it!!!!

Stay Strong!

Peace is yours. .. just want it!

Your inner Peace is a choice,
and it has nothing to do with
what other people do or think.
- Gerald Jampolsky

Trust!! You are on the Right Path!!

David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill. 
Ps 78:72
 
When you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the RIGHT one…

Meanwhile keep on as you are, and consider the absence of indication to be the indication of God's will that you are on His track…
 
As you go down the long corridor, you will find that He has preceded you, and locked many doors which you would fain have entered; but be sure that beyond these there is one which He has left unlocked.

Open it and enter, and you will find yourself face to face with a bend of the river of opportunity, broader and deeper than anything you had dared to imagine in your sunniest dreams.

Launch forth upon it; it conducts to the open sea.

Trust, Have Faith, and Stay Strong!!