A Tribute to Jack; written for Kate and her family: The Magnificent, Magical, Never Ending Adventure of Moo and Me:SPIRIT JOURNEY

Funny how someone I've never met can touch my heart so deeply... but then again... Love is contagious...

Sweet Jack is now soaring with the eagles, high above the clouds... running pain free through the meadows of vibrant flowers... he is walking hand in hand with God telling stories and finding out all about how the world was made... he is cherished by his sister Kate and his Mom's, Steph ,Jen and Gretchen... he is chasing around Tut and Shelby as they bark and run outside.... he is in the breeze that gently blows a kiss across the cheeks of those he loved... he is the inspiration for those going through hardships as his heart always cared for others.... He is that butterfly who's wings are felt across the ages...Jack may have only been 9 years old in human years, but he shared the knowledge of eternal Love...

The lesson he taught others, the wisdom held in that tiny body with the soul of an angel, was that we are all connected, we are all One, we are all Love.... Jack's body may be gone, but his spirit of Love and sharing, no... shining that Love to all he met... that, dear friends, lives on.. in you, in me, in all he touched... Thank you Jen for sharing your story on caringbridge... and thank you Kate for sharing the best brother ever... he left you big shoes to fill....... and from what Jack and your Mom's and Gretchen say, you have a giving spirit as well and will fill your own shoes well...

So, to everyone that sent prayers and healing;Thank You.... to all that will carry on Jacks legacy of Oneness and Love; Thank you...

And for all those doing and funding research for these deadly diseases and debilitating illnesses; Thank you.

There are some amazing video's on Camp jack's site that melt your heart but truly show the wonderful Spirit that was/is Jack... http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/campjack/journal thank you to Jacks sweet family for sharing him with us... I for one, will never be the same...

May God/Creator Bless you and keep you, may Light shine upon you and may Love fill your heart, mind body and soul, always.

Love and Light,

Nina P
 
A story written for Kate and her family.... Jack may not be here with a body, but he is only a heart beat away... in your memories,in your heart, and in your dreams.... Always...
 

The Magnificent, Magical, Never Ending Adventure

of  Moo and Me:

SPIRIT JOURNEY

There are so many places I want to be

With Kate, my Moms, Moo and Me

There is a story I have to tell

An amazing adventure, I know it well

It's a story of laughter, Love and tears

A story of Hope to quench all fears

For Moo and me, we would visit a lot

You see I went there when I was a tot

It's a colorful place where Love prevails

And Moos have wings and golden tails

I'd go there at night in my dreams

It all was as real, as real as it seems

It's a place where body's have no pain

And rainbow slides follow the rain

Joy and laughter fill the air

And all boys and girls have lots of hair

A place where ice cream is eaten all day

Moo even says, "It's better than hey!"

Come join us tonight it's not that far

Into the night, just beyond that star

Just say your prayers before going to bed

And then lay down your sleepy head

Think happy thoughts of gumdrop days

Let your mind float into a jelly haze

Your heart it beats quiet as a drum

Your breathing will ease into a hum

Your Spirit Journey's about to begin

To a place you can come again and again

It's how we can meet beyond that star

In with and through you, it's not that far

You can always find me in this place

A glowing smile is on my face

We'll meet you here every night past ten

And make you smile like we did back when...

For in your dreams we're never apart

I'm as close as the next beat of your heart

Thank you for coming to my castle in the sky

Where Moo and me can even fly

We can play hide and seek and jump some rope

You can even ride Moo, he'll canter and lope

Come a lot regardless the weather

I'll remind you next time when you find a feather

This Spirit Journey has no end

It's there for every man, woman and friend

So when you miss someone that you love

Go to this place given from Above

For in Love all is connected

On this I know, for I have reflected

Moo and Me; our adventures continue

Magnificent, Magical, Eternally with you

This Spirit Journey is one of the best

For in it I know we're eternally Blessed

In our dreams our worlds can combine

For that is a Promise from the Divine

We can meet and talk and even play

For Spirit's eternal come what may

So dear Kate, it's now up to you

To dream an adventure for us to do

So dream big little sister just like I said

Moo and me' will join you inside your head

I can't wait to see where you'll have us go

Just Spirit dream dear sister and make it so

Tell Mommies too; they can come along

Love makes it possible when it is strong

Journeys can happen inside of your heart

And when they do, we are never apart

Written for Kate and her family

with Love and Light

by Nina Ploetz

May you find comfort in knowing that Sweet Jack is always with you... and yes, "THE MAGNIFICENT, MAGICAL, NEVER ENDING ADVENTURE OF MOO AND ME" is true..... as long as he lives in your heart and mind.... the story never ends...

Blessings to you dear souls. Love is IN you, Hope is WITH you, and God's Light shines THROUGH you...ALWAYS and ALL WAYS

All photos are from Camp Jack and Kate site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/campjack/journal

Silence....

Silence:

It is when we silence the chattering of our mind that we can truly hear what is in our heart and find the still, clear purity that lies within the soul. Spiritual love carries us into the silence of our original state of being. This silence contains the power to create harmony in all relationships and the sweetness to sustain them. From: Thought for Today; www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk

of course I have to add my interpretive 2 cents...

Phone ringing, dog barking, kids screaming, dinner burning, toilets plugged, TV’s on Radio’s blaring, horn honking, baby crying, door bell buzzing, late for work, car won’t start,….

How on earth can anyone find silence? Life’s too crazy, to busy, to NOISY to even stop and think let alone be silent. The only clear purity seems to be the chaos called life. And to top it all off, the mind is racing with things to do, places to be, past conversations, idea’s, wishes, regrets, don’t forgets, what next, anger, love, lust, hate, frustrations, hardships, should have, could have, oh no I did, maybes, how can I, if only I ____, etc…, …. Again, I say, how can we silence the chattering of the mind and chaos of life?

Steal a moment for yourself that’s how. Sit in your favorite chair, go to your favorite place, wherever you can be with yourself and not be interrupted. For me it’s outside with nature, sitting under a shade tree or near a stream or pond. For you maybe it’s by the ocean, or lake, a walk in the park, a hot shower, or long soaking tub.... No matter where it is, make sure you are comfortable and have some time; time for you. Take five minutes, ten or even an hour if you can. It’s OK to be selfish sometimes. This type of selfishness will bring such harmony; it will empower you beyond imagination.

Breathe deep….in….out…. Let your shoulders relax……

Breathe deep…in…out…. Let the day roll away …….

Breathe deep…in….out…listen to the sound of your breathing…..

Breathe deep…in…..out…… let your mind wander…….

Breathe deep…in…out……feel the stresses ease………

Breathe deep…in….out…. and let go of frustrations……
Breathe deep…in….out…. and feel your body relax……
Breathe deep…in….out… and feel the air as it moves through you…..
Breath deep….in…out….. listen to the steady rhythm of your heart ..
Breathe deep…in…out….. let your soul wander……
Breathe deep….in…out…hear the quiet whisper of silence…..
Breathe deep…in…out….. feel the love around you……
Breathe deep….in…out…let the stillness overtake you…..
Breathe deep…in…out..listen to the wings of angels gracing your presence
Breathe deep…in….out…. sense the pure essence of yourself…..
Breathe deep….in….out….feel the Light envelope your soul….
Breathe deep ….in…out…listen to the Spirit of eternity…..
Breathe deep…in….out….. find the stillness of Peace…..
Breathe deep…in…..out….listen to the harmony of the ages entering your being….
Breathe deep…in…out….feel the Grace and Power of the Spirit…….
Breathe deep....in...out...feel the calming energy, giving you Peace and Understanding….
Breathe deep ..in...out...and know Unconditional Love; holding you, protecting you...
Breathe deep and feel the essence of your life…….
Breathe deep… and know all that you are and all you can be …..
Breathe deep and take the harmony of life with you..
Breathe deep and feel embraced with new found purpose and power.
Breathe deep and let yourself wander in this wonderful Spiritual Bliss.

When you are ready, look around and see the beauty of life; feel the warmth of love within yourself; touch the purity of your heart; hear the harmony of your soul; and taste the sweetness of life. You are armed with the knowledge and power of the Spirit. Your mind quiets, your heart opens, and you are ready for whatever life has to offer.

For me, when I listen to the silence within, I have balance in my life. I'm empowered with the knowledge of my being and filled with pure Spiritual Love. A Peaceful harmony fills my heart and soul allowing for fuller relationships and a less stressful life. The secret is to find time to quiet the mind and listen to the beautiful Spirit, the Light if you will, that lives in us and guides us every day.

May you take time to listen to the silence of your heart.... and may you find the peaceful power of the Loving Spirit guiding you through relationships filling them with a renewed sweetness for life.

written with Love and Light, Nina P.

Take Time....

TAKE TIME:
Inspired by the Thought for Today:


Take Time: Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul. Take time to think, it is the source of power. Take time to read, it is the fountain of wisdom. Take time to love and be loved, it is a God-given privilege. Take time to work, it is the price of success.
From: Thought for Today www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk


Two very different days ..... you choose....


Alarm goes off you hit snooze (“just a few more minutes...”). Alarm goes off you hit snooze (“I need just a few more minutes…”). Alarm goes off, “Oh @#&^*!!! Look at the time!!” You fly out of bed grab your coffee (you set the night before to go off this morning to save you time). Take a sip, HOT, HOT, HOT…. Take another sip, jump in the shower, shampoo, shave, rinse, jump out dry off, hair dryer?… No time, it’ll be the put the car vents on high hair dryer again today,
Get dressed, breakfast?.... grab a breakfast bar and fly out of the house, get in the car and race off…

“Did I lock the door?” Back up put car in park… get out of car check door, yep it’s locked. Rush through traffic this lanes faster, good I’m in it, Look in your old lane and see a familiar car, hey, that car was 3 behind me…. Get back in original lane…

Made it! Finally at work, now to find parking… Around and around, there in the back… I’ll take it! Run… no… walk fast (it looks better) punch in just made it… whew…. Rush, Rush, Rush, time for lunch, grab a quick bite if your lucky, rush, rush, rush, Wow where did the time go? ... Punch out; find your car, “now where did I find that spot?”… Beep the key fob to hear where you parked it, listen, nothing…. beep again, listen… there I heard it….walk towards sound. Still don’t see it. Beep one last time, Ah, there it is tucked back in the corner, right where you left it…… get in buckle up and off to fight the traffic home…. Sitting in traffic now, “I have to remember to do this tomorrow, call so and so tomorrow… I should have done it today just didn’t have time…”

Finally, h o m e… Walk the dog, take out the trash, play with the kids, listen to my partners day, eat diner, oh that’s right I was supposed to stop and get dinner… @$*#&^! Forgot again, oh well grilled cheese and soup, not bad… help kids with their homework, watch a show or two, play on computer, time for bed…. Set the coffee for the morning…. Try to sleep...……

Sound familiar? ???

What would it be like if I set the alarm 20 minutes earlier and/or Got Up without hitting the snooze? Wow almost an hour earlier! (20 minutes you set it for and at least 20 for not hitting snooze twice)..... Try it...

Alarm goes off, get up get your cup of coffee... Sit by a window and drink your coffee. Wake up with the birds; listen to the sounds of morning….Eat Breakfast, read part of the paper. Take a long hot shower, get ready for work. Smile! Laugh at your pet looking at you with those pathetically cute eyes! Kiss the family and wish them a good day…

Get in the car and notice the sky, the colors, the trees, the buildings, think about the funny story you heard or read about yesterday, chuckle… “Oh I’m here already, wow that was quick!” Drive around and hey there’s a spot, I’ll take it. Hum your way into work, smile and say good morning to people, (hey someone smiled back)… get busy doing my work, and it’s time for lunch already. Ask a co-worker to join you maybe even take the long way back just to get in a short walk, back to work…. Wow it’s quitting time already…. Pick up everything…. Say “see you tomorrow” to your co-workers, walk to the car, yep right where you left it! Get in, turn on your favorite station and sing along on the way home, stop and pick up dinner or groceries...

Home already!?! Hug your family; ask them how their day was. Listen. Play with the kids. Have a family dinner talking about what good things happened today and what plans they have. Help with homework and chores, play a family game or go for a family walk before dark. Laugh with your family and or friends. Watch a show together, get ready for bed. Talk with each family member and tell them “Good night, sleep well, I love you”… Set coffee to go off an hour earlier….Go to bed, read a favorite author or write in your newly started journal….. Turn out the light and have the most restful sleep you’ve had in a long, long time…

The choice is yours and mine my friend; the choice to Take Time:

Take time to breathe... Take time to Love… Take time to listen… Take time to work… Take time to laugh…Take time for family and others…Take time to play… Take time to be with yourself… Take time for your spirit, your soul….. Take time to meditate, pray…Take time to live….

Take Time....

by Nina P.



I'm not sure why I changed from "I "to "you" while writing this.... except that thats how it came to me; the interchanging of perspective I sometimes get on life....

Mastery is a Journey.... ...

As part of a "martial arts/meditation" class I was taking, we had to read and write our thoughts on George Leonard's book: Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfilment (If you have the chance, read some of his work...very insightful...)

Below is my interpretation inspired by George Leonard:

Mastery’s a Journey

Written by Nina P. (4/1/2007)

Inspired by the book:
Mastery
The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
By George Leonard

Life, it is a journey

of Mastery or not
A choice that is all ours

of many that we’ve got

Like a child learns to walk

at first it seems too hard
Letting go of inhibitions

to change our inner guard

Step by step you’re on your way

Small steps are for a while
Persistence and with patience

you’ll be walking with such style

The path it may be long

like some great distant star
With consciousness, awareness

you’re sure to get that far

Practice and then practice

the art of your own walk
Finding Joy in the journey

that’s walking with the talk

The Master he continues

learning as he goes
Loving all the pathways,

even the plateaus

The Dabbler he may start,

and stutter, and then stop
The Obsessive feels that he

must always be on top

The Hacker may just settle

for the middle ground
Never reaching deep inside

to see what is around

The value of this Mastery

is not just a quick fix
If that is what you want,

then you can call it nix

Try patient dedication

I know you’ll persevere
For what was once so far

is simply now quite near

Homeostasis,

it is what our bodies need
Finding our own balance

it is our soul to feed

There are five keys,

to unlock the Master’s door
Keep on the path, be patient,

and there will be much more

Key one is find a Teacher

one that you do trust
Knowledge, values, and great skills

they all are a must

Then you must be willing

to learn from their command
For Master, Teacher, Learner

they change from hand to hand.

Practice and then practice

is key number two
It’s try, and try again

in everything you do

The Journey for the journey

not the goal at the end
Loving all the practice

is the message that we send

Surrender of yourself

as your Teacher has taught
Surrender your successes

is to farther your own thought

Be a fool and be humble

and surrender all your pride
Wobble and then weave

like on your first bike ride

The key to surrender

is key number three
No experts, only learners

surrender and you’ll see

Intentionality

is key number four
Practice in the mind

that’s it, and so much more

Meditate, relax

be mentally aware
See yourself doing it,

as if you’re really there

This technique has been tried

and always proven true
A Master uses vision,

can that Master be you?

If Mastery is practice

and enjoying the plateaus,
The Edge is then a catalyst

that changes ebbs to flows

Lest we be the Dabbler

or Hacker deep inside
We must reset our limits

ride the wave in the tide

For in this last key,

we challenge of our self
Striving harder, reaching higher

towards the upper shelf

Plateaus they will shift

as we reach for higher ground
Safely practice with great purpose

your presence all around

Mastery’s a Journey

a Peaceful way to live
So lift your feet, start walking

the paths not mine to give

Your life will change immensely

such energy you’ll see
Use mind and body fitness

for that there is no fee

Get up, get out, and do

procrastinate no more
Face your fears and change,

be different than before

Acknowledge all the negatives

and put them in their place
Accentuate the positives

let Truth be your new face

Be gentle with yourself

but oh not too sincere
Prioritize your life

stay focused on what’s dear.

Look down into your dark side

but not to point of fright
For humor is a gift

that turns darkness into light

So keep on with commitments

take action step by step
Set goals and keep on moving

for pep begets more pep

Put all things in perspective

keep flow of energy
Rest when it is needed

it’s all part of Mastery

Follow rest with action

keep motivation strong
A Competitiveness nature,

keeps pulling you along

The pitfalls there are many

of self they do arise
Acknowledge them and move along

for you are not their prize

Take pleasure in the practice

each moment great and small
Be fully aware of everything

use your senses all

Nothing in life is commonplace

and nothing’s in between.
There are threads that join our every act

can infinity be seen?

A Masters Journey has no end

perfections never serge
For all the paths of Mastery

eventually do merge

Relax and Center

be Fully Present to begin
Feel power, life’s force energy

your Chi from deep within

Now Practice with Great Purpose

find Joy along the way
Mastery is Balance,

Awareness, and Learning everyday

Smile

Thought for Today: Smile

Of all the things you wear, your smile is the most important. (from
www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk )

My Smile goes out to each of you today....

How Simple yet important; smile! Have you ever walked into a room of frowns or stern faces? Did it immediately affect you and your mood? Even if the room is quiet and serious, have you ever caught that one person that smile's at you? A genuine, hello, how are you, don’t worry its OK smile. Didn't you immediately feel calmer? Wasn't your spirit just a little lighter?

There are many smiles. That smile of support, of friendship, of letting you know you’re not alone, of love, of pure silliness and laughter, a smile of TGIF, etc…. A smile can illuminate the soul. It can brighten someone else’s day more than you may know. A smile is like a rainbow, it brightens the day, lifts the spirit, and brings a sence of Joy, Peace and Hope.

A Smile can also brighten your own day. If you’re a little down, smile anyway and it won’t take you long to see people smiling back. Your mood will lighten as you see your smile returned.

So SMILE Today. Spread a warm blanket over someone’s soul. Illuminate the darkness; Spread that feeling of support, joy, acknowledgement of another….. Just SMILE it costs nothing but does SO Much!! Smile its contagious!

May the Light of a Smile brighten your soul today; May the warmth of a smile warm your heart today; And May the Spirit of a smile lift you today to heights you never knew were possible.

Love, Light and a Smile to you today and always,
Nina P. (3/27/09)
Written in honor of my nephew Richard. Who's Smile would light up a room, and who's Giggle was contagious. Thank You Richard for the love and joy you brought us all. We still feel the Joy, Warmth and Hope of your smile in every rainbow....

There is a Light in All of Us....

There is a Light in All of Us

There is a Light in all of us
If we but only look
So look inside it’s there you see
As written in The Book

When darkness comes as it will do
Rely on that Great Light
And soon the darkness fades away
As will that hard felt plight

Stresses come as life we live
It’s part of humankind
If all you see is dark and bleak
Desperation you will find

Pointing fingers all around
For isn’t that the cause?
“It’s him, it’s her; it can’t be me”
We say without a pause

It’s easier to look outside
Than to turn within
But when we look inside instead
The healing can begin

Self healing may be needed
But often we don’t see
Being part of us so long
It’s our only way to be

Let go of our complacency
Is hard but it’s a must
To lift that shroud of darkness
It’s the Light we must trust

Starting now we must look within
To heal us from the past
Cleaning out our closets
For healing that will last

Forgive yourself and others too
Feel changes come alive
For when our fear and pain collide
Only Hope and Love Survive

Remember after every storm
There is a rainbow of Hope
The Light beyond the clouds is there
Giving us ways to cope

So go on now and find the Light
It’s there inside of you
With Faith & Hope & Love you see
Grace and Light will see you through

By Nina P. Ploetz 3/19/09

Nina P's thoughts on : Generosity...

"Generosity: Do not hide the treasures in your heart in fear that they will be stolen - instead share them and find they multiply. " (Thought for Today http://www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk/)

As I like to say: when I write, a Hand touches mine,
so here it goes.....

In these times of loosing jobs and declining economy, it's hard to think of generosity. We want to keep, hoard, guard what we have: to keep us safe for the future, right?..... Well not exactly.... What good is keeping, hoarding, guarding what we have if we do not enjoy the life we are given? We live in fear and depression rather than living in Faith, Hope and Love. I can keep all I have and not share it with anyone. If I do, I'm always worried about: "What's going to happen? Will I be OK? will there be enough? What will I do? How can I get more?...." I'm sure you can add even more "What if's" here too, the list could be endless. All of these fears seem all to real. They are aren't they? again I say not exactly....

Lets turn some of this around before the stress level gets too high. Instead of the "What if's" lets ,focus on the "What Have's". Tomorrow is not a promise to us, if it happens, it is a Gift. Yesterday is gone and no matter how hard we try, we can't get it back. That gives us today.... now....... this very moment.
So lets do an assessment of now, this very moment. Look, feel, smell, hear, taste what you have right now where ever you are. Let's focus on the time of year: it's Spring!......I can touch rain that falls bringing with it Hope of new beginnings, I know that in stillness there is motion, I can see the Son shine and the the first signs of spring poking through the ground all green, new and fragile. I can feel the cool breeze of an angle kiss across my cheek, I can smell the earth of spring, I can taste the water that sustains life.

What does Spring mean to you? It means growth, renewal, fresh, hope, awakening, new life.... There is such a spirit of generosity in spring and so, many lessons it gives. That little sprout of green struggling it's way through the dark, soil, small and fragile at first, not knowing what lies ahead. It reaches up from the darkness of despair awakening, reaching towards a new life. It doesn't know if there will be food or water enough to sustain its life tomorrow. Yet it is there Today, growing, awakening, unfolding, giving of itself...

Take a walk outdoors, if you can, and look around until you find a little green starting to grow. (Or even a plant you might have indoors) It has no way of sustaining itself yet it grows (Faith). It has no way of making sure it won't get hurt or broken or even die tomorrow yet today, it is here, living, surviving, believing it will make it ( Hope). It has no money, no way to give, no means of generosity, yet it is here today for us to look at (Love).... You see, like life, it's all in how you look at it, what perspective you take. Do you look at it with the doubts and fears of what you don't have, or might not have? or , do have a perspective of Faith, Hope and Love? Do you Believe? .What's inside you?

In this time of early spring, coming from the dark, cold, dreary days of winter; didn't that little tiny frail bit of green poking through the soil give you a little Hope? Didn't it give you Smile and didn't it lift your heart a little and make you realize "Ah yes Spring Really is coming"? This frail little green sprout with "nothing" gave of itself to you.....

This lesson is for all of us. We must learn to give freely: a smile, a hug, a kind word, a hand out to someone in need, etc... be generous today. Try it!!

Give Hope through a smile today. Have Faith and Love in your heart. Walk around with a Positive Attitude and Smile! Yep that's all: Be Generous with your Smile and Positive Attitude of Love, Hope, and Compassion. Now take a walk and be aware of the people around you, their reaction to you. See how many look at you and smile back!!! How did it make you feel to have someone smile back at you? Did it lift your spirits? Did it make your smile broader, your heart fuller? Your gift of generosity just came back to you and multiplied. For you gave your smile generously,freely, and it was returned to you!!!!!
And guess what?....., now that persons heart was lifted and their heart renewed a little..... and ....... they now might smile at someone.... and the gift is passed yet again, and again, and again.... Your seemingly small gift has now grown beyond expectation...

So give away a little today and gain allot!! Take that treasure in your heart, share it and watch it be passed forward.... All this without any human control.... watch it grow.... Like that small bit of green, watch it grow stronger every day, watch it keep giving Hope and Love back to its viewer and all that's around. It may just turn out to be the most beautiful flower you'll ever see; a gift grown from the seed in your heart given away selflessly ... to all that look...

What started as a seed in the darkness of fear has survived the storms and hardships; now Awakens and Grows strong. Growing deep roots of Faith with Grace and Courage....Through the gift of Hope, Love and Light: the once small frail seed,has come out of the darkness, growing stronger in the Light, a gift of generosity, freely given... Be generous with these gifts of your heart and see how they multiply not only in your life, but those around you.....

May you find a true Spirit of Generosity Living inside you. May your spirits be lifted by the rainbows of Hope after the storms in your life. May you find Strength in the Son above, shining down warming your soul, encouraging you to grow. May you find Faith to live today without fear of what might come, but live today in the Love that is freely given to you... the Love that is inside you, sustaining you, and nothing can take from.... the Love and Hope you can generously give away; knowing that if you give Love and Hope, it will Multiply uncontrollably, gracing the lives of others as well as your own. With the seed of Love and True Light in your heart, there is an Awakening of Spirit and all things are possible.....

May God Bless you today and always and may the seeds that are planted, grow and flourish, in you, through you, with you always.

Nina P.

Musings on Thought for Today.....

Thought for Today : Character: When you do not upset yourself thinking about how others must change and instead you concentrate on your own change, good things start to happen. First, you will feel better about yourself. Second, you will start to have positive feelings towards others and start to understand them. Third, others start having a more positive attitude towards you.
(brought to you from: www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk)

... if my coworker only did this, than....... My boss needs an attitude adjustment, than..... if my spouse would pay more attention, than..... if, than,..... they need to, than.... See the pattern? As the Good Book says, we need to remove the log from our selves before we can look at the speck in our neighbor.... Not always an easy task. Its easier to blame someone else than to change ourselves; change our attitude. It's easier to look the other way than to look within and see our own shortcomings. The only problem is, Change is an inside job. If I change , than.....

I tell people all the time; "the only thing constant in life is change". I don't usually follow that with ..."you can't change another person, the only person you can change is you".. but maybe I should. It is so easy to look at someone, else for our shortcomings. It's easier because than we don't have to change, we can always point the finger elsewhere. How many times have you or I said, " I can't believe it, they did it again, they need to stop it, it drives me crazy,....". The same things bother me that bothered me yesterday about someone, why don't they realize they need to.... I dare say most of us have caught ourselves in those situations.

This is where the Thought of the day : Character comes in. If we look at those situations from a different perspective. Hmm ... Next time you catch yourself saying "there they go again and it bothers me", (here's the key...) stop and think why?, what is inside me that it bothers me so much? What do I need to change? There it is, the answer.... I need to be more accepting of, That person cleaning all the time....maybe I need to clear my clutter and don't want to look at it yet,....... That slob not cleaning anything.....maybe I'm too sterile inside and need to let in a little life.... I can't believe they haven't moved on from that situation yet......maybe I'm stuck in my own..... It is so easy to look outside, and so hard to look inside, but we must.

The merry-go-round will keep going in circles until we let go of ourselves and change our position. We must look at ourselves, what we're hanging on to and why. We get comfortable with ourselves and don't want to change or don't see the need to change. We get stuck on that merry-go-round and think we'll always have fun, get a-long, be OK. After all aren't we all reaching for that brass ring? Take a Look away from the brass ring and see what's outside. There are all kinds of possibilities. We need to slow the ride down, look at ourselves, change our attitudes, our thoughts, ourselves.... We need to get off the merry-go-round of complacency and start the walk of inner change.

When a behavior in someone else triggers a negative response from you, look inside, and ask why.... When a type of person walks by and you have hate or animosity towards them, look inside yourself and ask why..... when your frustrated because they keep doing that, look inside and ask yourself why.... If you can't look inside at that moment, instead of responding in a negative way, say a small prayer of love and acceptance for that person, situation etc... then go back when you have time, when it's quiet, and contemplate your inner response and look for the why..... I need to be more forgiving, I need to be more accepting, I need to be more helpful, I need to be less jealous, I need to be more loving, I need to clean out my own house,.... Find out the inner why, the inner fears,....

Once you start looking at it from the inside, and making those inner changes, your true character will come out. . .We all have shortcomings, we put ourselves, our ego's in the way of what we truly are meant to be.

Try it today, when you start with the if only they'd... stop yourself, look within, and make that change. Get off the merry-go-round of complacency and take that first step towards true and God given change inside. You will be truly amazed at how things change around you.... Not because of their change but because of yours..... yep.... it's an inside job.

And who's at the core living in, with and though us, deep inside our soul? Yep the Light of Lights, the Hope of Hopes, The Love of Loves, is waiting there for you to look within, ask for guidance, make that inner change...... become strong in inner character through Grace and Love.

May God Bless you today and always with Love, Forgiveness, Hope, Grace and Acceptance, and bring Peace and Joy into your soul.....
Love and Light,
Nina

Life and Rainbows (inspired by an e-mail)

The rainbow pictures are the only ones I took. The others were in the e-mail that was sent around a few years ago.... I hope you enjoy!

I had to write this poem below; a Hand touched mine, so here it goes:

Life and Rainbows:

When you look at life with hateful eyes
all you see is fear and lies
If you look at life with eyes of fear
bleak and hopeless are always near
So look at life with Faithful Love
the Son shines on you from above
Your fear will fade and so will hate
look around and you'll see your fate
For on the bleakest of your days
you'll find something to be amazed

With one special moment or maybe event
like a family of ducks is what He meant

To look at life with Forgiving Grace
the wave you missed, the dolphins raced

When angered over catastrophic things
you survived because of Angels wings

So turn your stresses inside out
helping others is what it's all about

Look around when you're lost and alone
many new friends are near your home

Luck comes from love and those you touch
your life will change I know that much

When some look on and laugh and point
stand strong in Faith for He anoints

With Power and Grace you'll carry on
His strength you can always rely upon
His Rainbow is there we just have to look
after each hardship as He wrote in His book
So when life's been hard and you’re feeling down
that "Rainbow's" for you just look around

It may be a smile, some food, or His great art
a feeling of warmth that fills your heart.
Look at life with open eyes
a rainbow's there, it's His surprise
So let your breath be taken away
look for His Blessings in every day.
Written by Nina P. Ploetz 12/9/2006

AN OLD POEM

I wrote this poem for Jonathan who was like a real brother to me and who, from age six until the day he got into the wrong crowd, displayed extraordinary fondness for me as his Kuya (elder brother).

Masterpiece

I love you because
you have not outgrown saying
these magic words that make
my spirit soar.

I love you for giving me
a kind of love that nourishes
my love-starved soul.

I love you because
you have broken so many rules
just to help me attain a splendid
thing very near perfection.

But most of all, I love you because
of all the work done at my best
your friendship is my masterpiece!