Daily Ramblings – Bonus Content

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Comfort, inspiration, My wish, Quotes, Solutions, trouble, West Wing

If you’ve been following my blog, particularly Thinking Thursdays, you’ll see an entry of West Wing in my entertainment section. I’ve watched this series all the way through about 9 times. I’m watching it again. I was thinking about this the other night, wondering why I like the show so much.

As I sit here writing, with West Wing playing in the background it came to me. I experienced one of those life experiences a few years back. My marriage was failing, my finances were collapsing, my work was unfulfilling, and it felt like I was watching myself walk off of a cliff and couldn’t stop it. It was a really tough time.

Guess what show I was watching to get some escape from my troubles? You guessed it–West Wing. I watch it today because the acting, the characters, the writing are phenomenal. I still tear up during different episodes and “feel” the stress the characters do in other episodes. West Wing was my comfort during a time that I didn’t think there was an end to my pain. It seemed at the time that everything I cared for was going away.

Then, it all changed. A solution presented itself in December of 2016. Initially, the solution seemed insane. I think this is what happens sometimes when we are at our “rope’s end”. We get really creative. We search our souls for anything–I mean anything–for relief. Then, out of nowhere, a solution arrives.

That solution, although imperfect, was liberation. It was a way that came my way when I was in the darkest period of my life. This proved to me that there is always an option, there is always a door, there is always a way out.

There is a very wise man that mentions that our greatest learning is during those periods in our life when we think that all is lost (paraphrased). This is one of the most simple and true statements of wisdom I have ever read.

This is one of the major reasons I decided to share the quotes I do on my blog. Quotes are the wisdom from the ages. They are sometimes offered by our contemporaries. At other times they are drawn from the times of the ancients.

I really enjoy sharing my thoughts with you. I enjoy passing on the things that affect me and awaken the dormant things inside that can only be reached by these quotes.

It is my wish that these words reach people. It is my wish that these words help others. This is my wish for you, my readers.

I’ll see you later today.

Until next time…

Dave

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Daily Ramblings – Funny Friday!

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Funny Friday, Happy, Joyful, Laughing, Lenny Bruce, Quotes

“When you’re eight years old nothing is your business.” – Lenny Bruce

The weekend is almost here! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quotes

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Chinese Proverb, Environment, Quotes, Trees

Today’s Quote:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

It’s never a bad time to plant a tree. It’s never a bad time to plant and grow an idea. It’s never a bad time to cherish our loved ones. It’s never a bad time to be grateful for the life we were given and all of the lessons we have learned.

Planting a tree can be abstracted in so many ways. I think this quote has more meaning than what is in plain sight. I think this is all about taking action now, rather than later. Of course, saving for retirement 20 years ago would have been the best time–but so is right now.

The key to this quote is all about living and loving today. We all make mistakes. We all miss potential opportunities. We all take things for granted at one time or another. This is all about yesterday. A yesterday you can do nothing about.

We worry about tomorrow. We worry about our health, the planet, our government, our kids, our animals, and all the rest. We miss the current moment, worrying about yesterday or tomorrow when we should be enjoying the present moment. Relish what you are eating. Relish the moment you are with a loved one. Relish the movie you are watching. Enjoy a quiet moment listening to the wind blow through the trees or watching a bird give itself a bath or a squirrel chewing on a piece of food it found in your backyard.

All of these moments are here and then they are gone–forever. You’ll find your life is much richer if you’ll only STOP and listen, feel, smell, and see what’s happening right NOW.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Anger, Choices, Contentment, Gratitude, Happiness, Quotes, Sydney Harris, Ungrateful, Unhappiness

Today’s Quote:

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?'” – Sydney Harris

Boy, what a great quote!

This quote really alerts us to our own attitudes. I post and discuss happiness and gratitude quite a bit because these states of mind are nothing more than an attitude. If you are happy, you are grateful for all that is going on. If you are not happy or require a certain fictional condition to be happy, then you will chase that for the rest of your life. I can almost guarantee if you are not happy–you are also not grateful.

Folks that are unhappy are that way because they choose to be. For some, being unhappy is their “happy” state. It’s weird to think of it this way, but it’s true. People choose to be or feel the way they do. It is not an involuntary act. If you are sad, you choose to be. If you are angry, you choose to be. If you are unhappy, you choose to be. The same goes for happiness, contented, and grateful. They are literally nothing more than a conscious choice.

Some folks are unconscious about their attitude, mood, or general outlook on life. This is also a choice. They choose to be unaware. They are an automaton simply moving through life like an unconscious machine. This state is a hell all by itself.

Be cognizant of your attitude. If you are unhappy, it is nothing more than taking a few moments and realizing how great life is to turn that unhappiness into happiness. Everything in life involves choosing something. Choose happiness, contentment, and gratefulness. It is a great way to live a life.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Achievement, Perseverance, Persistence, Quotes, Spryte Loriano, Success, Winning

Today’s Quote!

“Every great story on the planet happened when someone decided not to give up, but kept going no matter what.” – Spryte Loriano

Show me a story about success and the above quote will apply.

All of us face diversity, challenges, and sometimes even disaster. Those that win, keep going, and going, and going.

If you have a goal, keep going, regardless of how slow your pace. You will get there.

Just do not quit.

See you tomorrow!

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Achievement, Action, Goal Setting, Planning, Quotes

Today’s Quote:

“Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them.” – Anonymous

This is a great quote and so apropos, considering the last few quotes I’ve posted. This is about truly committing to doing something and going for it. This applies to everything.

Sure, you can wait for the right person to come into your life, but why wait? If you are interested in finding a guy or gal, start going after it. You can use dating apps, visit places the people you would like to meet frequent, or even just reach out to your network and notify those closest to you to keep an eye out for someone who might be looking as well.

The same thing goes for anything else. You won’t achieve what you want or get what you want by waiting for it. Decide what you want, set a plan of action, and execute. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it and avoid over thinking it.

Happy Tuesday all!

See you tomorrow…

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Accomplishment, Planning, Quotes, Setting Goals, William Shakespeare

Today’s Quote:

“Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing.” – William Shakespeare

I’m currently reading a book by Marcus Aurelius called “Meditations”. It is interesting to note how much of our present-day thought has been influenced by both of these men. I think that each of us should be taking the time to really plan out our actions; really watch what we are doing and accomplishing. Too many people just “wing it”. Though they may feel free, the effectiveness of these individuals is questionable.

Take the time to really plan out your day. Start today! It will make a difference in your life, knowing you are doing exactly what you planned to do. If you take this further, set a goal for a few months off and concentrate your efforts on this one goal for 12-13 weeks. You’ll be interested to know that this is the focus of one of the journals I’ll be writing about and posting here before the end of the weekend. I hope all of you can read it.

Setting goals, planning the steps to meet those goals, and accomplishing goals is a constant circle of activity. Accomplish this goal, on to the next. I hope this inspires some of you to plan each day and move closer to the things you want in life.

See you tomorrow…

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Quotes, Wayne Dyer

“You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

It’s a pretty common human phenomenon to feel lonely when we’ve lost a loved one for any reason. Whether it’s a boy or girlfriend, husband or wife, even a trusted animal companion. Some of us are so afraid of being alone we rush off to the next person we can find if only to fill the emptiness we feel.

This quote is truth. Before you can be happy with others you have to be happy with yourself. Take some time when you’ve gone through a split. Enjoy the freedom to do what you want when you want. To watch whatever show you want without having to cater to someone else’s tastes.

Maybe you can participate in some self-improvement. Exercise, meditate, take a college course, or learn something new. Another thing that may help is contributing some of your time to a charitable function. Working in a food kitchen, packing foods for families or any other like activity will get your mind off of yourself and perhaps, make a few friends along the way.

If you’ve lost a pet, working in a shelter may be the trick. Most shelters always accept volunteers to clean the animal cages or walk the dogs.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today’s quote. Have a great Wednesday!

Until tomorrow!!

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quote

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Emerson, Quotes

“Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have you ever watched nature? As Emerson states, nature is never in a rush. Nature does what nature needs to and nothing more. The seasons come; the seasons go. The squirrels are constantly gathering food, the bees are collecting pollen from the freshly bloomed flowers, and the crickets can be heard at night.

Unlike us, none of these creatures is in a rush. Their actions are rhythmic, purposeful, and deliberate, following a ritual every day, guided by some internal clock only known to nature, expending just enough energy and nothing more, and always prepared for the changes that are inevitable each year.

Just think about how stress-free our lives would be, if only we could duplicate the economy, efficiency, and rituals of nature. I try to follow rituals on a daily basis because they are quite efficient. You get into a groove at certain times of the day and move from one step to the next. These rituals allow me to do things that I deem very important each day, from eating right, meditating, reading, and exercising.

Setting up rituals is pretty easy. You simply choose some things you would like to do each day, and then you put them on your calendar each day at a set time. It’s easy if you group like-things together like reading habits, exercise habits, writing habits, and any other habit you have built or would like to build.

What daily rituals do you follow? Are they predominantly around getting to work in the morning and going to bed at night, or do you use other times of the day?

See you again tomorrow…

Daily Ramblings – Daily Quotes

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Ella Baker, Franklin Jones, Hugh Black, Quotes, wisdom

“The very first condition of lasting happiness is that a life should be full of purpose, aiming at something outside self.” – Hugh Black

“One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody’s listening.” – Franklin P. Jones

“Give light and people will find the way.” – Ella Baker

We are all unique and each of us fulfills a purpose. Perhaps you are a housewife, a writer, a gamer, a poet, a singer, etc. Whatever role you fill, realize it is exactly what you are supposed to be doing. If you aren’t happy with your current circumstances change them, but realize that the change doesn’t require a change in your outer world, but your inner one. Happiness is available to you today, but so is sadness. It is your choice.

My Dad made a statement to me when I was younger and complaining about work. He said, “Son, work is only work if you think of it as work. If you think of it as fun, work becomes fun.” It is our internal attitude. It is our awareness, our consciousness, that makes life a joy or drudgery. Change the way you look at your world and your world will change.

Until tomorrow…