Monday, July 27, 2009

I BELIEVE...

In this post, which celebrates my 1000th posting, I list for you some of the things I have learned to be true in this life. And, some things that I live my life by. Some of these may sound a little familiar, but people have always copied me! :) I hope you will enjoy reading them...even if you do not agree with them all. You may find it interesting to do your own list. When you start to write down what you really believe...it gives you lots to think about. Be sure and let me know if you make a list, too. I may want to copy some of yours! :)


GENERAL

Be kinder than you have to be.

It is better to save.

Weeds take over very quickly.

You will not 'die' if you get rid of some of the stuff you think you should keep forever.

You do NOT have to color inside the lines!!!

Little children can always lift my spirits...they know lots of things we adults have forgotten.

Read...alot!

Children's books are great fun! Try reading one out loud sometimes...I promise you will smile. Better yet...read to a child.

Never take just 1 picture of things that are important to you. Take lots of the same thing. You will only get 2 or 3 that are worth keeping.

I love things that have been used and loved by someone else before me. Character becomes fused to an item when the owner enjoys it enough to use it often. These kinds of things are very valuable to me.

Just because another car has a turn signal that is blinking...does NOT mean it is actually planning to turn or change lanes any time in the near future.

Good manners will get you into a lot of places that nothing else will.

Don't be afraid to try new things.

Don't spit...EVER!

Learn to swim.

Always wear a helmet if you are riding a motorcycle or 4 wheeler. You can split your head wide open in your front yard just as well as anywhere else.

Hang your pictures...walls are meant to be adorned.

My telephone is for my convenience.

If you cross your eyes, when you are a child, they will not get stuck like that. But, if you cross your eyes as an adult...it will give you a terrific headache!

Find a place to record your thoughts...a diary, a journal or even a blog.

NEVER take more medication than you need...but take what you do need...on time.

It is not fun to clean out the inside of your car. But, if you don't...someone will need to ride with you.

ALWAYS take the buggy that you pushed to the car, and put it in the proper place. If there is not one...return it to the store. You never know who's watching.

I know this is true...I have hidden and watched. When you take dirty clothes from the hamper to the laundry room...THEY MULTIPLY! Wash them immediately...if you leave them in the laundry room alone, especially overnight, you're gonna be knee deep in dirty clothes!

LIFE:

Happiness is a choice.

You are on the road to growing up when you can laugh at yourself.

Everyone has a story.

Everybody is important to somebody.

Share.

Never get so grown up that you forget how to play.

Travel as often as you can. See as much of the of this beautiful planet as is possible.

Remember that word problem that we had to do every.single.year. in school? "A train leaves Point A a 1:00 travelling at 60 mph, serving cold drinks and cookies. Another train leaves Point B at 1:05 travelling at 150 mph, serving a full meal in the dining car. Your assignment is to figure out which one is going to run out of toilet tissue on the trip. Good Luck! And, as usual, should you or any of your team be caught, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence." Something similar to that. FYI...you will never, ever have to figure this out in real life.

Also, you will never have to figure out this equation: x + y = z - 4. Because adults have far better sense than to mix numbers and letters. One is for writing...one is for counting. And never the twain should meet!

BUT, you will ALWAYS, ALWAYS use grammar. Learn it! People notice bad grammar more than you think.

You are never old enough to be a know-it-all. You become truly wise when you realize just how much there is that you DON'T know and never will!

If someone asks for your opinion, give it to them. If they can't take it, they should never have asked.

It is OK to lose sometimes.

Be very careful when you point your finger at someone else...there are 3 pointing right back at you!......I've always heard this, did not say it first...

You really can choose your attitude.

You are never a failure...until you refuse to try again.

There will come a time when someone will ask you a question that is inappropriate or that you just don't want to answer. Just look at them and say, "Why do you ask?"

'Things' are not worth being upset about if they are lost or broken. 'People', on the other hand, are quite a different story.

A gentleman will always let a lady walk ahead of him, open the door for her, stand when she enters a room, and give up his seat to her. A lady will let him...and she will remember to say "Thank-You."

People remember a firm handshake and good manners way more than anything you may say.

One of my favorite quotes is this: "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." I didn't think that one up...and I don't know who did, but if they had not...I'm pretty sure I would have.

SING!

Family is very, very important. It is an institution God designed. Love the ones He chose for you.

Lots of people, including children, need to know that someone thinks they are capable.

Many times if you just pretend to be bold...you will find that you are.

Your life can turn upside down and inside out in a matter of hours...and it will never again be like it was. There is a word for this...life.

Don't blame what comes out of your mouth on anyone but yourself.

Slowly lowering yourself down into a swimming pool of cool, blue water on a hot, hot day is one of life's great pleasures.

Friends who are 'there' are the ones who really care.

When you go on trips, don't spend money on lots of little ratty souvenirs...purchase something nice for your home or a piece of art.Then you'll have it forever. Anything can be shipped to your home town.

SPIRITUAL:

We are on this earth for one reason...to serve God.

God loves to work miracles without any input from us. Perhaps because He wants us to remember that He knows best WHAT we need and WHEN we need it.

In the midst of sadness...you can find joy.

God doesn't 'comfort us' just so we will be comfortable. God 'comforts us' so that we may learn to 'comfort others'. 2 Corinthians 3: 3-4 "Praise be to God...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we ca comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Things will not always work out the way I want them to.
Things will not always work out the way I think they should.
Things will not always work out the way I think is best.
BUT...God can take ANYTHING, and 'work in it' for our good. Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him..."


God is Able.

Every prayer is heard and answered. The answers are: "Yes." "No." "Wait."

What would you do today, if you knew you may die tomorrow? Go and do it. We are not promised tomorrow...or even the next hour.

We are all gifted by God. See: 1 Corinthians 7: 7b "...each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift and another has that."

Let the people you love KNOW they are loved. You should never have to wonder if they knew after they are gone.

"You can't out give God." This is not my quote either...Pop has said that for as long as I can remember. The tithe comes first...always.

God's Word is ALWAYS true...whether we like it or not...whether we agree or not. It does not change. It is the final authority.

It may seem as if God has forgotten you, or isn't listening to your prayers. He never forgets, and He always listens. But, WE have to get quiet and still and listen for Him.

I think God most certainly laughs and has a sense of humor. We must seem awfully foolish to Him at times.

It is never OK to make another person feel inferior.

It is never OK to deliberately hurt someone's feelings.

Never presume that you know how another person is feeling. Every situation is different even if it looks the same. Circumstances alter many things...including feelings.

We should all be allowed to deal with our hurts in the way that is best for us. Your way and my way may not be the same. That doesn't make it wrong...just different. Be respectful.

If someone is hard to be kind and helpful to...do it anyway. They need it the most!

God WILL do what He ways He will do.

There are people in this world that need to be 'heard'. They just want to know that someone 'hears' what they say. They do not necessarily want you to do anything...just validate their feelings. A small thing for us to do...but a very big thing for them.

If no one is going to remember a mistake a month from now...it's just not worth worrying about now.

A dog can be a truer friend than a person.
A dog can understand things that people cannot.
Everyone needs a dog...to listen...to understand...to love.

STYLE:

Do not use the same purse summer and winter, and year after year. It doesn't have to be expensive, but change it to go with the season.

Change your eyeglass frames at least every 2 years. Styles change here, too. And an outdated frame cancels out anything else stylish you may be wearing.

Never, never, never wear any kind of foot covering with sandals. No hose, no socks, just your foot...properly pedicured, of course.

Middle age starts the very second that you buy a pair of pants with elastic all the way around. And, yes I have reached middle age.

A monogram added to anything elevates it to a higher style point.

A new pair of shoes can only make life better. It's true!

Never go to the mall with a list of things you need. Your search will be in vain. But, if you go just to 'browse' (not spend money)...you will find the perfect pants/dress/top/shoes. etc.

WOMEN:

Every woman needs to have 2 crowns in her wardrobe...one for everyday...and one for when she REALLY need to be THE QUEEN!

A crown and a tiara are not the same thing. It is the difference between a Princess and a Queen.

Everyone needs to have a good 'hissie fit' once in a while. It clears the brain of mush and stuff that has been cluttering up the space.

The older I get, the more I realize that I do not have the time to waste on doing things just to please someone else. As long as I please my Lord, myself, and my husband...all is well.

A 'sister' is the truest friend. She and you share what no one else can.

When you misplace something...don't fret. Just think of it as playing a game of hide and seek with yourself! You'll win...either way!

Always save unsettling news until after your husband has eaten.

NEVER tell him how much things cost. Trust me on this one.

It has been said that most men never mature beyond the age of 12. I raised 4 men...there are days when this is 100% true.I read this statistic in a book, this is my comment on it.

Mothers do not have to 'SEE' everything they see.
Mothers do not have to 'HEAR' everything they hear.

Moms, save your 'big guns' for something important...don't waste them on the little stuff.

You can buy all the ingredients, slave in the hot kitchen, and work your fingers raw...and everyone will rave about the cake.
You can have a relaxing day and stop by the bakery on the way home...and everyone will rave about the cake.

Always dress to please yourself. If you do not FEEL comfortable...you will not ACT comfortable.

Learn what your friend's weaknesses are, and don't tempt them. Unless it's their birthday...or Christmas...or a shopping day. Mine are chocolate. And purses. And shoes. And...

It is perfectly fine to 'go off the deep end' once in a while. Just be sure you can swim.

If I am so worried about what you may think of me that it keeps me from having fun...shame on me!

Even when I think I have finally gotten things figured out...I don't.

You are stronger than you think you are.

Enjoy your grey hairs. Every one you have tells the story of a strong woman...who survived!

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."Proverbs 16;31

There will ALWAYS be a better day!


God is just as awesome in the tiny things He created such as butterflies and dragonflies as He is in the biggest such as the elephant or the Grand Canyon.


ACT OLD LATER!


**********************************
OK, after I worked so hard on this post for several days, just so it can be #1000...I see that I have gone ahead and posted a picture of a pink suitcase on a beach as #1000. Oh, well...let's just say that I intended this to be the start of the second thousand posts I write, M'Kay?

17 comments:

Kathy Wargo said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your list!!

gabbyvargas1 said...

Queen,
Princess Shirley must be really stylish... she has a monogram on EVERYTHING!!!!

Love and kisses,
Jolie

Love Being A Nonny said...

Read them all. Love them all.

Jean said...

Wow, I would have to work on something like this for a year. You do know a lot, and I'm glad I know you!

I hope you and your family are all doing better tonight.

southerninspiration said...

Wow, 1000???? REALLY????? that is amazing......and I love, love love your list...especially the spiritual ones....so, so true.
I do read your blog often but don't always comment.....you are a wise woman!

Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on 1000 posts! And all of them great.

This one, in particular. A lot to think about. You are a wise woman.

Hope you're feeling better.

nancygrayce said...

I'm wondering if we're somehow twins. I totally agree with each and everything you wrote, down to I've raised 4 men.....and a husband or so. :)

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Dianne said...

Tonja...I giggled out loud at several things on your list, particularly in the 'style' category...you are a HOOT! I also agree with many things you had to say...makes me think perhaps I should start working on a list of my own. I'll keep you posted...and I'm continuing to keep you in my prayers.

RachelD said...

What a perfectly wonderful, cover-everything list! I'm copying it all down---it's better than that "All I Need to Know . . ." book from a coupla decades ago.

Even though I could be your older sister, I've looked on you from the very first e-mail about our blogs as my Foster-Something. I can't imagine admiring anyone I've never met more.

Congratulations on your M Post. I'm WAY back there, with 1/5 of that number. Best always, r

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Sharon said...

Well my friend you are feeling much better, and I enjoyed your list.
Congrats on your 1000 post, that is awesome.

Have a beautiful day my friend :)

andi said...

You rock! What great words of wisdom!

Yours,
Shani

Gram said...

Love your list, many touched my heart, but I laughed at the one about crossing your eyes as an adult. I needed a good laugh this morning - thank you!

Zaankali said...

I am printing it out and hanging on to it. I love it.
Hugs!

Dona said...

Great List! I need to make a copy and read them daily!

Southern Lady said...

Congratulations on over a thousand posts, Tonja. What a wonderful milestone!

I loved your list of the things you have learned in life, especially this one: "There will ALWAYS be a better day!"

I hope each day is a better one for you and your sweet family, my friend. Take care of yourself and get well!