It's a New Year, and I'm still here!

Happy New Year everyone.  If you read last month's post, you will know that I had asked for feedback and comments on whether or not this blog newsletter is being read, and whether or not it is relevant.  Well, I didn't receive as many comments as I would have hoped for, but what I did receive was all positive and uplifting, so I will continue.

To start this month, I have attached a link to a short video from Dave Liniger, who is the founder and Chairman of the Board of RE/MAX International.  It's Dave's predictions for the coming year.  Keep in mind, this man has been right on the mark for pretty well all of the last 40 years.  (RE/MAX turns 40 this year!).  While his comments apply to the U.S., most of what he says is applicable to Canada as well.  Although we don't have the default mortgage problem that they have south of the border, the other points are worth noting.

One bright, crisp morning we loaded up the grandchildren and went to the golf course for a bit of tobogganing.  This old toboggan has been in the family since I was a boy.

 I had to take  two photos to get everyone in to our Christmas dinner picture.  We had 18 sit down at our place on Christmas Eve.  (The 5 children are not visible, as they were at a different table).

Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?

Compact 2 bedroom home on a large, natural lot in the Rosemont area.  Ultimate privacy with an excellent view.  More details on web-site.  Note:  If you should  go looking for this home, although the address is "Robertson Ave.", you will find it off of West Gore Street, along a laneway west of Vancouver St.  That's how you get the ultimate privacy I mentioned above!

Wise Words
A few END-OF-THE-DAY questions for YOU!
Did I make someone giggle, smile or laugh today?
Did I take the time to really listen to someone today, with rapt attention, as if nothing else mattered in that precious moment but the words they spoke and the look in their eyes?
Did I allow myself to focus on all the blessings in my life today instead of contemplating the things I don't have?
Did I take a moment to imagine what I would like to experience in my life, if for no other reason than in the imagining, is the living, and in the living, comes the joy and delight?
Did I let go today, let go of resentments and unforgivingness that I have been holding onto, all the while realizing that another person may be wounded too and struggling with their own pain?
Did I keep my word today, no matter how simple a promise I may have made, knowing it meant a whole lot to someone else?
Did I make a conscious choice just to be happy today, no matter what is happening in my own life, just for the next moment, and the next moment and the next?
Did I stop caring about what other people think of me, and give myself permission to be who I am regardless of their good opinion of me or not? Did I set myself free today just by doing that?
Was I successful in noticing and appreciating the bounty before me wherever I went or was I just too busy or lost in my own thoughts to notice?
Did I contribute something beautiful to the world today? A new creation of some kind, a poem, a dinner, a dance?
Was I kind today to anyone or anything that crossed my path, no matter how trivial or how monumental? Did I give away my heart?
Is one person richer because of me today, because of my presence on the planet, my essence, my decision to keep on going no matter what?
Did I learn something new today, something about life, something about myself, something about another that I didn't know before?
Did I let go of my attachment to being right today, and open my mind to the possibility of another way, without judgement?
Will someone sleep better tonight because of me? Will they awaken in the morning believing in themselves again, and walk with their head held high?
Was I the answer to someone's prayers today?
If today was to be my last day on the planet, would I feel happy about how I lived it?

Veronica Hay

Sewing Machine Ad 

The following is an ad from a newspaper which appeared four days in a row - the last three hopelessly trying to correct the first day's mistake.
MONDAY:
For sale: R. D. Jones has one sewing machine for sale. Phone 948-0707 after 7 P.M.. and ask for Mrs. Kelly who lives with him cheap.
TUESDAY:
Notice: We regret having erred In R. D. Jones' ad yesterday. It should have read "One sewing machine for sale cheap. Phone 948-0707 and ask for Mrs. Kelly, who lives with him after 7 P.M."
WEDNESDAY:
Notice: R. D. Jones has informed us that he has received several annoying telephone calls because of the error we made in the classified ad yesterday. The ad stands correct as follows: "For sale -- R. D. Jones has one sewing machine for sale. Cheap. Phone 948-0707 after 7 P.M. and ask for Mrs. Kelly who loves with him."
THURSDAY:
Notice: I, R. D. Jones, have no sewing machine for sale. I intentionally broke it. Don't call 948-0707 as I have had the phone disconnected. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Kelly. Until yesterday she was my housekeeper, but she has now quit.
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*

Thank you to those who commented to me after last month's post.  These are always welcome.  If, at any time, you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please just send me an e-mail or comment on the blog, and I will remove your e-mail address from the recipient list.

Lorne