Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week?

At that time, your bucket was full.

A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen.

When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher.

There must be a million ways to raise the level in another’s bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him a hand when his work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listing to him.

When one’s bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper.

Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket.

This, too, can be done in a million ways.

Lets say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of thick, sticky chocolate milk that spills over the table cloth, on a lady’s skirt, down onto the carpet. I am embarrassed. “Bright Eyes” across the table says, “You upset that glass of chocolate milk.” I made a mistake, I know I did, and then he told me about it! He got his dipper in my bucket!

Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake (“Red pencil” mentality!)

Buckets are filled and buckets are emptied.

Emptied many times because people don’t really think about what are doing. When a person’s bucket is emptied, he is very different than when it is full. You say to a person whose bucket is empty, “That is a pretty tie you have,” and he may reply in a very irritated, defensive manner.

Although there is a limit to such an analogy, there are people who seem to have holes in their buckets. When a person has a hole in his bucket, he irritates lots of people by trying to get his dipper in their buckets. This is when he really needs somebody to pour it in his bucket because he keeps losing.

The story of our lives is the interplay of the bucket and the dipper. Everyone has both.

The unyielding secret of the bucket and the dipper is that when you fill another’s bucket it does not take anything out of your own bucket. The level in our own bucket gets higher when we fill another’s, and, on the other hand, when we dip into another’s bucket we do not fill our own … we lose a little.

For a variety of reasons, people hesitate filling the bucket of another and consequently do not experience the fun, joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction connected with making another person happy. Some reasons for this hesitancy are that people think it sounds “fakey,” or the other person will be suspicious of the motive, or it is “brown-nosing.”

Therefore, let us put aside our dipper and resolve to touch someone’s life in order to fill their bucket.

Author Unknown

My Mom - Pauline Bass - Age21

Wanted to wish ALL of you a Very Happy Mothers Day!!!

This article is dedicated to my Mom; Pauline Bass 3/21/23 – 3/22/92

I love her and miss her and am so grateful for her love, her kindness and her wisdom.  She was my inspiration!  She was my best friend.

If you have been with me, you’ve probably read some of the stories she used to tell me, such as “How Do You Perceive The World?”.

Mom loved poems and inspirational quotes.  Here are a couple that I found, and wanted to share them with you.

Your Mother Is Always With You
~Author Unknown

She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She’s the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.

She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.

She’s crystallized in every tear drop.

She’s the place you came from, your first home.

She’s the map you follow with every step that you take.

She’s your first love and your first heart break.

Nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space, not even death…

will ever separate you from your mother…

You carry her inside you heart!

Generations come and go … But, oh all the lessons passed down from mother to daughter to her daughter and on.  Here is a 4 generation picture taken on my first Mothers Day in 1980 … The baby is my daughter Amy, my mom is holding her, then there is my maternal grandma, Bessie and me – Cindy ….

Mother’s Love  ~Author Unknown

There are times when only a Mother’s love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a Mother’s love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we’ve dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother’s faith
Can help us on life’s way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.

For a Mother’s heart and a Mother’s faith
And a Mother’s steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above.

To ALL Mothers, and Grandmothers, I’m wishing you a very Happy Mothers Day!!!

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said …

“You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one …

“You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.”

Author Unknown

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What a fantastic story and lesson!

How many times in your life have you said something in anger wishing you could take it back?

Anger can be a deadly weapon. It can do so much harm – both to yourself and to those around you.

Just as the little boy in the story above learned how to control his anger – YOU TOO can learn to control yours.

Life can be very difficult and it’s not reasonable to expect that you will live in the state of harmony and bliss for the rest of your life. The reality is that in the daily push and pull of your life there are many sources of conflict and anger.

Most people have had lifelong beliefs that conflict and anger are “bad” and should be avoided at all costs. In “How to Handle Conflict and Manage Anger” by Denis Waitley he shows you how to handle conflict and anger productively and to be able to take advantage of the opportunities provided.

The important thing is to not let your anger get the best of you. When that unpleasant feeling starts building up inside of you the best thing to do is to close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths, and think of 5 things that make you very happy …. Could be your spouse, children, grandchildren, a vacation, your house, soaking in the tub, your car, fishing, getting a massage etc…

Your mind can not hold joy and anger at the same time. This gives you a moment to think clearly about the situation and to make better choices.

Start controlling your temper today and live a happier fuller life

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 “wolves” inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,  “Which wolf wins the battle?”

The Old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Author Unknown

The wolves simply represent our thoughts

The thoughts we choose determine our attitude and our actions

You feed the one that you think about the most.  This is why it is so important for you to be aware of your thoughts!  We have up to 60,000 thoughts each and every day.  What are you thinking about the most?

If most of your day is spent blaming others for your life … Or if you’re caught in the “Could’ve and Should’ve” mentality, you are feeding the evil wolf.  If you’re like me you may not really like the word evil, but this  type of thinking is bringing everything into your life that YOU DO NOT WANT – so isn’t that evil?  The sad truth is that you are bringing it on yourself.

I also wouldn’t consider your “ego” to be necessarily evil.  Your ego simply tries to keep you safe from harm.  Maybe the author meant an over-inflated ego …

On the other hand, if your thoughts focus on kindness, love, generosity and truth your life will mirror back the same.  You need to be true to yourself.  Find your authentic self.  Feed the good wolf – the one that will ultimately bring you peace and happiness.  The one that will inspire and enrich your life.

Your thoughts and your attitude are what create your life.  Which wolf do you choose?

TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination–for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

“Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!”

From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion–it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to a 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 mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 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 oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.

“Used Here By Permission, 2010″ The Robert J. Hastings Estate

This was one of my mothers favorite poems. She had numerous clippings of it,a nd would give them to everyone.  My mom always reminded me to enjoy the journey – that the destination – the station is just an illusion.

The Station by Robert J Hastings was published several times in the Ann Landers columns, and was reprinted by Readers Digest.

I believe everyone needs to read The Station by Robert J Hastings and really take it to heart.  Mr. Hastings wish was for everyone to realize that the the true joy to life is finding joy in the journey.

If this poem has touched you – I’d love to hear from you!

It’s really a shame that many of our school chidlren don’t know why we celebrate the 4th.  We celebrate it because it is America’s “Indepence Day” the day America became a free Nation.

We live in a great nation that allows us the freedom to be who we want to be.  We have the freedom to voice our opinions, the freedom to marry whom we wish, the freedom to choose our own career or start our own business, where women are free too – and are equal.

Regardless of your political views or your personal views of war -  we ask that you take the time to honor all the men and women, past and present, that have fought for your freedom

Hope you have a Happy, Safe, Fun 4th of July!

Freedom Quotes:

“Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be.”
Daniel J. Boorstin

“The greatest lesson we can learn from the past. . . is that freedom is at the core of every successful nation in the world.”
Unknown

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE — Author unknown

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He’d stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers’ tears?

How many pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
No, freedom isn’t free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant “Amen,”

When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington

No, freedom isn’t free.

Enjoy Your Freedom!!!

I believe…

I believe…
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and, you must forgive them for that.

I believe…
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe…
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe…
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them

I believe…
That you can keep going long after you can’t.

I believe…
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe…
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe…
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe…
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!

I believe…
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I believe…
That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I believe…
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I believe…
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe…
That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other, And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe…
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe…
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I believe…
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you … you will find the strength to help.

I believe…
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe…
That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you

Author Unknown

The 1st Sunday in August is Friendship Day. It’s also Sisters Day, Forgiveness Day and American Family Day. It’s crazy how just about every day of the year is some sort of day ….

Friendship is the foundation to any relationship. A friend shares dreams, sorrows and secrets – don’t you share these things with your family as well? I believe that family members are friends too.

Friendships need to be nurtured. The only way this happens is by spending time together so take the time today (and every day) to show your family and friends what they mean to you.

Here’s one of my favorite poems about friendship. I believe it describes perfectly – what a true friend is.

If I Could Catch a Rainbow
By Sandra Lewis Pringle

If I could catch a rainbow, I would do it, just for you,
And, share with you, its beauty, on the days you’re feeling blue.

If I could, I would build a mountain, you could call your very own.
A place to find serenity, a place just to be alone.

If I could, I would take your troubles, and toss them into the sea.
But, all these things, I’m finding, are impossible for me.

I cannot build a mountain, or catch a rainbow fair;
but, let me be, what I know best,
A Friend, who’s always there.

I promise to defend you, should the occasion ever rise,
And, I promise to wipe away the tears,
which might stream from your weeping eyes.

Let me be the trusted Friend, the one that you know best.
I will never leave you, on that, you can surely rest.

One day as he peered out of his whole he saw the farmer and his wife open a package.  The mouse was aghast when he saw that it contained a mouse trap!

The mouse ran into the farmyard screaming “There is a mousetrap in the house!  There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken raised here head and replied “Mr. Mouse, I can see why this is of concern to you – but it’s of no consequence to me.  It’s not my problem and I can’t be bothered by it.”

The mouse ran to the pig and screeched “There is a mousetrap in the house.”

“I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers.” And the pig went back to eating.

The mouse than pleaded with the cow, “There’s a mousetrap in the house.”

The cow let out a long Mooooo and said “A mousetrap huh, I’m in no danger.  I understand your concern and suggest you try to stay clear of it.”

The mouse crawled back to his crack in the wall feeling rejected and all alone.

That night the mouse was awakened by a loud sound of a mouse trap catching its prey.  Delighted the farmers wife rushed to see what was caught.  As it was dark she could not see that it was a venomous snake that got its tail caught in the trap.

The snake bit the farmers wife whom was rushed to the hospital.  She returned home with a high fever.

So the farmer took his hatchet out to the barnyard for the main ingredient in some fresh chicken soup for his wife in hope that she would get well.

The farmers wife continued to get sicker.  Family and friends gathered at the farmhouse to sit with her as she needed round the clock attention.  In order to feed them the farmer butchered the pig.

Sadly the farmers wife died.  So many people came to her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered in order to provide food for all of them to eat.

Just think if the chicken, the pig or the cow took the mousse problem more seriously and tried to help him, all of their lives might have been spared.

When you see an injustice or someone facing a problem, don’t turn your back on them.  It may concern you more than you think it does.

We are all in the journey of life.  We should keep an eye out for one another and be willing to encourage and support one another.

Note: I got this in an email the other day.  I did some research and could not find a definitive owner, so I am guessing the author is unknown.  If this is your work – please let me know and I will give you credit.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

***************************************

When you take the road less traveled … you nurture and grow your true self.

Don’t fall into the trap of following the crowd. Be a leader. Be a trend setter. Believe in your abilities. Treasure the fact that you are a unique individual.

Be true to yourself … and that will make all the difference!