Rated G

I BELIEVE

I believe in miracles
and dreams that will come true.
I believe in tender moments
and friendship, through and through.

I believe in stardust
and moonbeams all aglow.
I believe there's magic
and more there than we know.

I believe in reaching out
and touching from the heart.
I believe that if we touch,
a gift we can impart.

I believe that if you cry
your tears are not in vain.
And when you're sad and lonely,
others know your pain.

I believe that when we laugh
a sparkle starts to shine.
And I just know that spark will spread
from more hearts than just mine.

I believe that hidden
in the quiet of the night.
There's magic moths and gypsies,
a fairy and a sprite.

I believe that if you dance
the dances of your heart,
that greater happiness will find
a brand new way to start.

I believe the gifts you have,
are there for you to share.
And when you give from the heart,
the whole world knows you care.

I believe that if you give,
even just to one.
That gift will grow in magnitude,
before the day is done.

I believe that comfort comes
from giving part of me.
And if I share with others,
there's more for all to see.

I believe that love is still
the greatest gift of all.
And when it's given from the heart,
then not one of us will fall.

The Blessed Test

I woke up this morning
and knew that today,
the sun would not be shining
and the clouds would be gray.

As I stepped outside,
rain fell upon my head.
My car wouldn't start
so I walked to school instead.

I forgot all of my assignments.
I failed all of my tests.
I dropped my head in disgust
and asked the Lord for one request.

"Lord, why is that things
won't go my way?"
He gently replied, "Dear child
it is because you didn't thank me yesterday.

I woke you up and enable you
to see the sun again
I gave you shelter, protected your family,
and even let you make a new friend.

I blessed you far greater
than I have before.
But you were too busy
to thank me once more.

You don't feel sick
because I maintained your health.
You had money in your pocket
because I maintained your wealth.

You had shoes on your feet
and clothes to wear, too.
You had plenty of food to eat,
and what did you do?

You ignored me
and went about your tasks.
But when you wanted something
you never hesitated to ask.

I was there when you needed me,
and that wasn't too long ago.
But when things started going your way,
it was me you did not know.

As if that weren't enough,
I provided my favorite luxuries.
This was something I didn't have to do
- they weren't even necessities.

And when it was time to get on your knees
and show your gratitude,
you decided that after such a fulfilling day,
you weren't in the mood.

So I decided to give
you a little test.
To show you how it would feel
to stop being blessed."

I began to realize
what the Lord was saying.
And when I got home I fell
to my knees and started praying.

He said, "My child you have learned
and you know I do forgive.
But remember to remember this day
as long as you shall live.

I love filling your life with joy,
and your pain I'll alleviate it.
But just a simple thank you would show
how much you appreciate it."

~Author Unknown~

"Take a moment to listen today
"To what your children are trying to say.

"Listen today, whatever you do,
"Or they won't be there to listen to you.

"Listen to their problems, listen to their needs;
"Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds.

"Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,
"Find out what's the matter, find out what they're after-

"But tell them that you love them, every single night,
"And though you scold them, be sure you hold them tight

"Tell them, 'Everything's all right-Tomorrows looking bright!"
" Take a moment to listen today ,
" To what your children are trying to say.

"Listen today, whatever you do,
"And they will come back to listen to you."

True friends will always stay with you,
Through good times and through bad.
They'll take the time to listen,
When something's made you sad.

When you're feeling lonely,
They'll let you know they care.
They may be very busy but,
They'll find the time to share.

True friends are happy for you,
When good things come your way.
They'll celebrate your triumphs,
And encourage you each day.

If you have a friend that's true,
Count your blessings for this gift.
For that will stay with you forever,
When the rest have gone adrift.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He has bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.

O, Remember times when
things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
but all at once the dark clouds broke,
and sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength & courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking
from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

For all of you aspiring poets out there...

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I do not like them green eggs and ham.
I despise them, Sam-I-am.

Would you like them far or near?

I wouldn’t like them far or near,
I wouldn’t like them there or here.
And as for with a fuzzy fox?
You might as well stick me in a box!!
And send me off aboard the next train,
And make me eat them in the rain!
Or lock me in a haunted house,
Where my only companion is the mouse!
Why can’t you get it through your head?
It’s something that I’ve said and said...
I do not like green eggs and ham!
I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

The Heart Of A Woman

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up against injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without new shoes
so their children can have them.
They go to the doctor
with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear
about a birth or a new marriage.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They have sorrow at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think
there is no strength left.

They know that a hug
and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all sizes,
in all colors and shapes.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!
Women do more than just give birth.
They bring joy and hope.
They give compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

Just for today...

I will live through the next twelve hours
and try not to tackle all of
life's problems at once.

I will learn something useful.

I will learn something
that requires effort, thought
and concentration.

I will be agreeable.

I will look my best,
be courteous
and considerate.

I will not find fault with friend,
relative or colleague.

I will not try to change anyone but myself.

I will have a program.
I might not follow it exactly,
but I will have it.
It will save myself from two enemies
- hurry and indecision.

I will believe in myself.

I will give my best to the world,
and feel confident that the world
will give its best to me.

~ FREEDOM ~

THE ORIGINAL VERSION:
If you love something,
Set it free...
If it comes back, it's yours,
If it doesn't, it never was yours....

THE PESSIMIST VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
If she ever comes back, she's yours,
If she doesn't, well, as expected, she never was.

THE OPTIMIST VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
Don't worry, she will come back.

THE SUSPICIOUS VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
If she ever comes back, ask her why.

THE IMPATIENT VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
If she doesn't comes back within some time limit,
forget her.

THE PATIENT VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
If she doesn't come back, continue to wait
until she comes back ...

THE PLAYFUL VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free ...
* If she comes back, and if you love her still,
set her free again, repeat *

THE LAWYER'S VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free...
Clause 1a of Paragraph 13a-1 in the second
amendment of the Matrimonial Freedom Act clearly states that...

THE BILL GATES VERSION:
If you love somebody,
Set her free...
If she comes back,
I think we can charge her for re-installation fees
and tell her that she's also going to get an upgrade.

THE STATISTICIAN'S VERSION::
If you love somebody,
Set her free...
If she loves you, the probability of her coming back is high
If she doesn't, your relationship was improbable anyway.

THE POSSESSIVE VERSION:
If you love somebody
don't ever set her free.

THE MBA VERSION:
If you love somebody
set her free...
instantaneously...
and look for others simultaneously.

THE PSYCHOLOGIST'S VERSION:
If you love somebody
set her free...
If she comes back, her super ego is dominant
If she doesn't come, back her id is supreme
If she doesn't go, she must be crazy.

THE FINANCE EXPERT VERSION:
If you love somebody
set her free...
If she comes back, its time to look for fresh loans.
If she doesn't, write her off as an asset gone bad.

Rated G

This poem was written by an old woman living in a nursing home in England. It was found among her things when she died.

What do you see, nurses? What do you see?
Are you thinking when you look at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes,

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice- "I do wish you'd try."
Who seems not to notice, The things that you do,
And forever is losing a sock or a shoe.

Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you think, is that what you see?
Open your eyes, nurse, you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still,
As I use at your bidding, and eat at your will,
I'm a small child of ten, with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters who loved one another,

A young girl of 16, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at 20, my heart give a leap.
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At 25 now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home.
A women of 30, my young now grow so fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.

At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At 50 once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead.
I look at the future and shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known,

I'm an old women now and nature is cruel,
Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart.
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my battered heart swells,
I remember the joys and I remember the pain,
And I'm living and loving life over again,

I think of the years all too few- gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
Open your eyes, nurse open and see.
Not an empty old women, look closer- see ME.

~Author Unknown~

I went into a public-’ouse to get a pint o’ beer,
The publican ’e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.”
The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I:

O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play,—
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but ’adn’t none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-’alls,
But when it comes to fightin’, Lord! they’ll shove me in the stalls!

For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, wait outside”;
But it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide,—
The troopship’s on the tide, my boys, the troopship’s on the tide,
O it’s “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper’s on the tide.
Yes, makin’ mock o’ uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an’ they’re starvation cheap;
An’ hustlin’ drunken soldiers when they’re goin’ large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin’ in full kit.

Then it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, ’ow’s yer soul?”
But it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll,—
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it’s “Thin red line of ’eroes” when the drums begin to roll.
We aren’t no thin red ’eroes, nor we aren’t no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An’ if sometimes our conduck isn’t all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don’t grow into plaster saints;

While it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, fall be’ind”,
But it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind,—
There’s trouble in the wind, my boys, there’s trouble in the wind,
O it’s “Please to walk in front, sir”, when there’s trouble in the wind.
You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.

For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ’is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool—you bet that Tommy sees!

[from "Barrack Room Ballads"]

A Mother's Prayer

Tonight I picked up Joshua's toys and put them all away. And
frowned to think of so much work created by his play.

But as I closed the small toy crate, I turned and saw him there
Asleep upon his little bed, hugging the Teddy bear.

Resentment fled and in it's stead I felt such love and care
And kneeling by his little bed I whispered this small prayer.

"Oh, Lord, today I screamed at Joshua, some small mistake he'd made
His hazel eyes grew wide with fear as I finished my tirade.

And later when he came to me to share some childish treasure,
Oh, Lord, I acted so impatient, he felt my keen displeasure.

And once I even struck him when he got out of hand
His little body wracked with sobs, he couldn't understand.

Oh, Lord, you know I'm truly sorry for the awful things I've done.
Help me be a better mother, teach me how to love my son.

Show me how to be more gentle with each childish little whim,
And when I hurt within, Oh GOD! don't let me take it out on him."

I felt a whole lot better when I'd said this little prayer.
I kissed my baby's tear-stained cheek and smoothed his golden hair.

And I whispered confidentially to dear old Teddy bear:
"Tomorrow will be different I know, I've said a prayer!"

(Crystal L. Jackson; from Poetry.com)

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there…to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create whom you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold you head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create you own life and then go out and live it.

Share this with anyone whom you believe
has made a difference in your life!

"If you take your eyes off your goals, all you see is obstacles."

~Author Unknown~

THE SECOND TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shall not worry,
for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

2. Thou shall not be fearful,
for most of the things we fear never come to pass.

3. Thou shall not cross bridges before you come to them,
for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.

4. Thou shall face each problem as it comes.
You can only handle one at a time anyway.

5. Thou shall not take problems to bed with you,
for they make very poor bedfellows.

6. Thou shall not borrow other people's problems.
They can better care for them than you can.

7. Thou shall not try to relive yesterday for good or ill,
it is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening
in your life and be happy now!

8. Thou shall be a good listener,
for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from
your own. It is hard to learn something new when you are
talking, and some people do know more than you do.

9. Thou shall not become "bogged down" by frustration,
for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only
interfere with positive action.

10. Thou shall count thy blessings,
never overlooking the small ones,
for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one