Inspiration is a fragile thing...
Just a breeze,
touching the green foliage of a city park.
Just a whisper from the soul of a friend.
Just a line of verse clipped from some book.
Inspiration...
Who can say where it is born, and why it leaves us?
Who can tell the reasons for its being or not being?
Only this...
I can think inspiration comes from the Heart of Heaven...
To give the lift of wings,
and the breath of divine music
to those of us who are earthbound.

~By Margaret Sangster~

AN INSPIRATIONAL POEM

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
Whe he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~By Helen Stiener Rice~

L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.R.S.E.L.F.

Let go of the "shoulds" in your life.
Open up to the miracle of now.
Value your uniqueness.
Explore your dreams and passions.

Yield to life - go with the flow.
Obey the voice of your Spirit.
Unwind - get cozy and comfy.
Renew yourself - body and soul.
Surround yourself with caring people.
Express yourself - be true to you.
Linger longer at what you enjoy.
Feel God's special love for you.

~Author Unknown~

YOU HAVE WORTH

Do not undermine your worth
by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals
by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted
the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up
when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over
until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread
that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances
that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life
by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love
is too hold it too tightly;
In addition, the best way to keep love
is to give it wings.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast that you forget
not only where you have been,
but also where you are going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey
to be savored each step of the way.

~Nancye Sims.(shawn26@gte.net)~

A WORLD OF DREAMS

Lean against a tree,
And dream your world of dreams.
Work hard at what you like to do,
And try to overcome all obstacles.
Laugh at your mistakes,
And praise yourself for learning from them.
Pick some flowers,
And appreciate the beauty of nature.
Say hello to strangers,
And enjoy the people you know.
Don't be afraid to show your emotions,
Laughing and crying makes you feel better.
Love your friends and family
with your entire being,
They are the most important part of your life.
Feel the calmness on a quiet sunny day,
Find a rainbow and live your world of dreams.
Always remember life is better than it seems.

~Author Unknown~

A CREED TO LIVE BY.

Don't dismiss your Dreams;
to be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don't run through life so fast
that you forget where you've been,
But also where you're going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savoured every step of the way.
Don't undermine your worth
by comparing yourself with others:
It is because we are different
that each of us is special.
Don't set your goals
by what other people deem important:
Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted
the things closest to your heart.
Cling to that as you would your life,
for without them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past or the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give,
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

~Nancye Sims.(shawn26@gte.net)~

ONE

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,

You see it's up to YOU!

~Author Unknown~

ALWAYS

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But don't forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

~Author Unknown~

REMEMBER TODAY

Sometimes we tend to forget,
You have a purpose that is all your own,
No one else is you.
You have dreams and hopes and desires,
Listen to your heart for a while.

Remember today all the blessings you have,
There's beauty in every direction you look.
Enjoy the abundance that is already yours,
The world is a wonderful place and your're here.

Remember today that you get what you give,
Your world is a mirror of your inner self.
Love will be yours when you give it away.

Remember today that life is creation.
As long as you live,
you can always contribute Your own special voice.

Remember today is a special time,
Make the best of it while you can.

~Author Unknown~

HOW OFTEN WE WISH FOR ANOTHER CHANCE

How often we wish for another chance
To make a fresh beginning.
A change to blot out our mistakes.
And change failure into winning.
And it does not take a special time
To make a brand-new start,
It only takes the deep desire
To try with all our heart,
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving,
To add a little sunshine
To the world in which we're living.

So never give up in despair
And think that you are through,
For there's always a tomorrow
And a chance to start anew.

~Author Unknown~

RELISH THE MOMENT

Yesterday belongs to history,
tomorrow belongs to God.
Yesterday's a fading sunset,
tomorrow's a faint sunrise.
Only today is there light
enough to love and live.
So, gently close the door on yesterday
and throw the key away.
It isn't the burdens of today
that drive men and women mad,
but rather the regret over yesterday
and the fear of tomorrow.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto,
especial when coupled with Psalms 118:24:

"This is the day which the Lord hath made:
we will rejoice and be glad in it"

So stop pacing the aisles
and counting the miles.
Instead...,
Swim more rivers, climb more mountains,
Kiss more babies, count more stars.
Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot more often.
Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds.
Watch more sunsets.
Life must be lived as we go along.

~Author Unknown~

IF TODAY...

"If you planted hope today
In any hopeless heart.
If someone's burden was lighter
Because you did your part.
If you caused a laugh
That chased some tears away.
If tonight your name is named
When someone kneels to pray.
Then your day has been well spent."

~Author Unknown~

SUNSHINE AND RAIN

No Life is useless and no day is vain,
For God has a purpose for sunshine and rain

All are discouraged and everyone cries
But we're never alone beneath cloudy skies,

All hearts can break... they're fragile as glass
But God will mend them, and this too shall pass.

Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we fail
So follow your dream whatever the trail,

For no one's a loser who gives it his best,
and you can stand tall above all the rest.

Those who are faithful are noble at heart,
And no life is useless when God has a part.

Be swift to give praises and slow to complain....
God has a purpose for sunshine and rain.

~By Clay Harrison~

WORDS OF WISDOM

Do more than exist, Live
Do more than touch, Feel
Do more than look, Observe
Do more than read, Absorb
Do more than hear, Listen
Do more than listen, Understand
Do more than think, Ponder
Do more than talk, Say Something!

~Author Unknown~

OBSTACLES

For a long time it seemed to me
that real life was about to begin,
but there was always some obstacle in the way.
Something had to be got through first,
some unfinished business;
time still to be served,
a debt to be paid.
Then life would begin.
At last it dawned on me
that these obstacles were my life.

~By Bette Howland~

I ASKED GOD FOR STRENGTH...

I asked God for strength,
that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health,
that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power,
that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things,
that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

~Author Unknown~

BALANCE WITHIN