Be Thankful

Be Thankful

December 1, 2008

Watching the TV and reading the newspapers, blogs and magazines; has become fairly tedious recently. It seems like one endless competition as to who can be more pessimistic or a bigger naysayer or bigger bearer of doom and gloom.

And yet we have so much to be thankful.

Several years ago, during a Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting, a councilmember accused me of being an eternal Pollyanna. It was a criticism for which I have always been proud.

Over the Thanksgiving holidays I ran across the following words, which are applicable most anytime, however, in today’s environment, could not be more appropriate. KED

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Author unknown.

20081201 Be Thankful


Kevin Dayhoff Westgov.Net: Westminster Maryland Online

Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken

Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken

October 23, 2008
I’m not sure when Orson Scott Card said this; however the following quote ought to be an everyday mantra for anyone in the public spotlight.

It is certainly a thought that many in the blogosphere ought to take to heart…

It reminds me of the great admonition that I often repeated to myself when I was an elected official – although critics will suggest that I, all too often did not follow my own advice enough: “Never miss an opportunity to sit down and shut up.”

"Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken." Attributed to Orson Scott Card

20081023 Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken

http://www.ornery.org/

20080205 The Law of the Garbage Truck

The Law of the Garbage Truck.

February 5, 2008

Hat Tip: Analog

I received this in an e-mail and found it worthy of passing along:

How often do you let other people change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels.

However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what's important.

Five years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a taxicab in Indianapolis.

Here's what happened: I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And, I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital.'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.

They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and some times they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...

Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

####

20080205 The Law of the Garbage Truck

I am a Republican because:

I am a Republican because:

I believe the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I believe the proper role of government is to provide only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

Finally, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

20050503 I am a Republican because

Kevin Dayhoff Westgov.Net: Westminster Maryland Online