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Looking for the Gold

At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America.  He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States.  At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him.  In those days a millionaire was a rare person; conservatively speaking, a million dollars in his day would be equivalent to at least twenty million dollars today.

A reporter asked Carnegie how he had hired forty-three millionaires.  Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result. 

The reporter’s next question was, “How did you develop these men to become so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?”  Carnegie replied that men are developed the same way gold is mined.  When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn’t go into the mine looking for dirt – one goes in looking for the gold.

That’s exactly the way parents develop positive, successful kids.  Don’t look for flaws, warts, and blemishes.  Look for the gold, not for the dirt; the good, not the bad.  Look for the positive aspects of life.  Like everything else, the more good qualities we look for in our children, the more good qualities we are going to find.  –  Zig Ziglar, Raising Positive Kids In A Negative World

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Keep it Going Folks

To raise positive kids, you must understand that to provide ongoing motivation for yourself and the kids you need to receive motivational input on a regular basis.  With the positive input on a steady basis, you will automatically seek out and apply the positive approach to life’s daily challenges.  For example, welcome them in a positive manner.  Instead of asking, “How was your day?” or “What happened at school?” why not set the tone by asking them, “What did you do today that was fun?”; “What did you learn that you enjoyed learning?”; “Who did you meet or play with that you really like?”; “What did the teacher say that pleased you the most?”; “Did you say or do something nice for anyone?” (This approach also works wonders for the attitude and relationship of husbands and wives when they come in from work.)

This positive mind-set is especially important when the children first come home from school.  If you can instill a positive association with the school experience, chances are enhanced that their experience in school will be pleasant and positive.  Then at a later time, when you’re having some quite time with your children, you can ask them to tell you all about what happened that day.

This makes certain you’re not putting on rose-colored glasses and denying some of the problems that exist.  However, it does enable you, and them, to keep events of the day in perspective.  This procedure is important because children are inclined to let their imaginations run wild and blow simple little incidents completely out of proportion.  Many times parents have been shocked to learn that the first thing the child told them when he got home from school was not exactly what happened.  The child had simply described the event from his own perspective at that moment in time.  Unfortunately, this information often comes after mom or dad had gone to the school to “protect their child’s interests,” only to learn that their child “didn’t really mean it,” it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, or the incident had already been handled.  –  Zig Ziglar, Raising Positive Kids In A Negative World

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To all my family and friends  . . .  Just keep pedaling

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable.  It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take on my journey, My Lord's and mine. And we were off again.

He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten, scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says... "Pedal”.        –        Internet Email, Author Unknown

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Our prayers are not answered when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.   –    Morris Adler

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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

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Consider the postage stamp.  Its usefulness consists in its ability to stick to one thing til it gets there.  – Josh Billings

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One of the greatest American authorities on the human mind who ever lived was the philosopher William James, who said, “Believe and your belief will in time create the fact.”  And the essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Beware of what you want, because there is a strong likelihood that you will get it.”  If you want some bad thing and keep forming a picture of it, you will get it.  It will come to you.  The whole universe will conspire to give it to you.  If, on the contrary, you want some good thing, picturize it, believe it, until it becomes your real desire; for does the Bible not say if with all your heart you truly seek, you will find?  Get into your mind positive convictions about what you want to be, what you want to become, and what you want to do.  And you will get far towards attaining your goal.

– Norman Vincent Peale, In God We Trust – A Positive Faith for Troubled Times

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Please support the Humane Society of Sumner County.  The shelter at 16 Volunteer Drive needs laundry detergent, bleach, Pine Sol (name brand) and cat litter.  They also need newspapers and aluminum cans for recycling – bring them to the shelter and put them in the outside bins any time.  Consider joining the pet therapy program! 

And remember  . . . Don’t spend a PENNY ‘til you call JENNY!

Thank you! – Jenny Markham