Happy New Year

We have reached another New Year.
As we move forward, take some time
to look back, and think about what you
have learned and apply it to the future.
Pray that the love of God
will unite people all over the world in peace,

Hold Tightly to What Is Truly Important in Life.
Author Unknown

*Hold on to faith;
it is the source of believing
that all things are possible.
It is fiber and strength of a confident soul.

*Hold on to hope;
it banishes doubt
and enables attitudes to be positive and cheerful.

*Hold on to trust;
it is at the core of fruitful relationships
that are secure and content.

*Hold on to love;
it is life's greatest gift of all,
for it shares, cares, and gives meaning to life.

*Hold on to family and friends;
they are the most important people in your life,
and they make the world a better place.
They are your roots and the beginnings
that you grew from; they are the vine that has
grown through time to nourish you,
help you on your way, and always remain close by.

*Hold on to all that you are and all that you have learned;
for these things are what make you unique.
Don't ignore what you feel and what you believe is right
and important; your heart has a way of
speaking louder than your mind.

*Hold on to your dreams;
achieve them diligently and honestly.
Never take the easy way or surrender to deceit.
Remember others on your way and take
time to care for their needs.
Enjoy the beauty around you. Have the courage
to see things differently and clearly.
Make the world a better place one day at a time,
and don't let go of the important things
that give meaning to your life.

Author Unknown

Time Management
One day, an expert in time management was speaking
to a group of business students and, to drive home a
point, used an illustration those students will never
forget. As he stood in front of the group of high
powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz."

Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar
and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced
about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them,
one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to
the top and no more rocks would fit inside,he asked,
"Isthis jar full?"

Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?"
He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel.
Then he dumped somegravel in and shook the jar causing pieces
of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the
big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not", one of
them answered."Good" he replied. He reached under the table
and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand
in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the
rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question,
"Is this jar full?" "No", the class shouted.

Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water
and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of
this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said,
"The point is, no matter how full yourschedule is, if you try
really hard you can always fit some more things in it."

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth
this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big
rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the
'big rocks' in
your life? Your children; Your loved ones;
Your education; Your dreams; A worthy cause; Teaching or mentoring others; Doing things that you love; Time for yourself;
Your health; Your significant other. "Remember to put these
BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you
sweat the little stuff the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill
your life
with little things you worry about that don't
really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time
you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks)."

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on
this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the
'big rocks' in my life? Then put those in your jar first.
Pass this along to those you care about, that are your "big rocks"!
Author Unknown

THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS
www.MikeysFunnies.com

'Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt--
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
'Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Blinking 2003 star by Ritva