DO YOU HAVE A LIFE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM?

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Would you like to raise your level of recommendation up a notch and have people speak of you with positive positives?   It is an achievement well within the reach of anyone and everyone.

Dress neatly.  Presenting your self as a disciple of sloppiness guarantees you will be treated exactly like you seem to be asking to be treated.  Surround yourself with beautiful surrounding beginning with yourself.

Another good place to begin is finding someone who needs your forgiveness and give it.  Not that being forgiven doesn’t have its good points but truly…forgiving another human being is a most powerful instrument for improving your life, it really is.  (And, of course, the liefe of the person you forgive)

Do at least one good deed a day.  Give your seat to an elderly person on the subway.  Say something nice to a salesperson.  Let someone pull out from a side street when the traffic is heavy.  Focus on looking for such opportunities and respond positively when they present themselves.

Start making a list of things in your life that have been going right.  If you don’t write them down you won’t remember them all.  If you write them down you will be amazed at how long your lists will have grown at the end of a year.

Work at being a nice person.  If you have the reputation of having a temper it won’t make friends and it will influence people in the wrong way.  Work at being a nice person, there I said it again…we are creatures of habit and every time you achieve niceness it will make it easier the next time.

Be charitable.  There is great warmth in it for you.  Be selfish and you court insecurity.  Look at the history of man and note how often great sacrifice produced great achievements.

How to achieve and have the achievement have lasting power?  Give a new improvement the 30 day test.  Just ONE and at the end of a month the repetition should have turned into a habit.   Multi-tasking is good but not when it comes to breaking bad habits or establishing new ones.

K.I.S.S.  Keep it simple stupid applies in this area as well as others.  The more complicated you make your adjustment the less likely it is that you will succeed.  You want to exercise.  Make it as simple as walking a half a mile rather than a long list of exercises that will either wear you out or not wear you out because you gave up half way through.  Add to but slowly.  Not all at once.

Make a public announcement to as many people as you can.  Resolutions kept in secret don’t have a very long shelf life. 

Good luck on improvement.  It’s a wonderful feeling.

 

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

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A SOUNDLESS HISTORY

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If you have a subject you would like Neil to write on just go to the bottom where it says comment and type in your subject; example...love or courage or faith or...

There are over 600 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

Try to think of history without sound.  Try to imagine great battles surrounded by complete silence.  Try to imagine diplomats from two opposing countries debating in silence. Suppose there had never been Roosevelt’s quiet fireside chats,

Hitler’s wild chattering,

Nero playing his fiddle,

Lincoln and his Gettysburg address,

The leadership voice of Washington at Valley Forge.

No shouts at Bunker Hill

Voices of hope echoing off the bow of the Mayflower.

History is recording sound at this very moment and slightly before and soon thereafter. What you have been saying on this day and will be saying and your words traveling through timeless space never to be quieted.

Can we play for a moment the WHAT IF game? 

What if someone had looked at the art of Adolph Hiller and praised him for having great talent and he had become a great artist instead of a dictator whose canvases became living pictures of battlefields and death.

What if Nero had not played a concert never to be forgotten and instead had governed with wisdom and the only flame Rome had seen were small candles around a family dinner table.

What if Lincoln had not had to make a Gettysburg address because the leaders in both North ad South had listened to each other and not felt obliged to settle their differences on fields of war.

What if George Washington had walked away from Valley Forge, leading his men to defeat and surrender and all the statements he made were never made and  therefore his voice was never heard as President of a new nation. 

Sounds!  And what sounds have you filled the world with in the last hour or day or week?  What words?  What thoughts decent and uplifting?  What thoughts indeed?

           

TO VISIT T Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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THINK ON THESE THINGS

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There are over 600 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

 

 

THINK ON THESE THINGS BELOW because dullness is not an indicator of a profound mind or a pious heart.  And a good thought provoking quote can enliven your own thinking or that of someone with whom you share it.

So yes think on these things and share some of these quotes.

Life is a grain of sand in all the oceans of eternity.

Unless God is the conductor on your streetcar you are riding on a folly-trolly.

It is unlikely there’ll be a reduction in the wages of sin.

Forbidden fruit creates many jams.

People are like tea bags—you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are.

Superior people talk about ideas; average people talk about things; little people talk about other people.

It is better to swallow your pride than to have to eat angry words.

What is morally wrong cannot be economically right.

Character is what a person is when on vacation.

You won’t get dizzy doing good turns.

           

TO VISIT Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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GROWTH (2ND IN SERIES)

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There are over 600 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

 

A group of tourists were visiting a high mountain obscure  village and came upon an old man leaning against a gnarled tree..

In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"

The old man squinted at the questioner and replied, "Nope, only babies."

An inane question brought a profound answer.

There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God.

Growth takes time, and as I Timothy 3:6 and 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.

(growth) Romans 8:5

Give tomorrow’s flowers of faith and glad goodness a chance to bloom.

(growth) Romans 8:5

Pray to receive the gift of understanding that lets you smile, the gift of prayer that transcends even understanding, the gift of love that makes the tragic bearable and the kind wonderful.

(growth) Romans 8:5

Let the school of life teach you because your principle is God and your heart is full of this Principal.

(growth) Romans 8:5

Let it become a permanent part of your nature; the positive acceptance of the fact that for every darkness there is a sunrise, for every tear a smile and for every shattered dream a dream fulfilled.  Indeed, what you are, what you feel and what you think are all measured on the stretch of eternity and held in the mind of the Creator.

           

TO VISIT Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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GROWTH (1ST IN SERIES)

Do you know why a ten ton elephant can be kept from wandering by a stake only strong enough to prevent a baby elephant of 300 pounds for going where he will?

The elephants memory.  That is what.  When he is a baby and tries to pull away from the stake that is strong to prevent his going anywhere he soon learns he cannot pull the stake out of the ground. 

Persistently, over and over again he tries, but to no avail. 

And one day he gives up and never tries again.

Thus when he is grown and could rip the stake from the ground with no more than a twitch of his muscles he is restrained from any forward progress because he has been taught to believe it is impossible.

So it is with some people. 

Someone told them when they were young that they had no talent or had no brains or were just no good.  And they were told that time and time again until they came to believe it…and now in their adult years they no longer try and have not tried for years…they are beaten down from the beginning…

So if you were told that one day by someone, whatever negative thought it was…ignore it and go out and prove those somebodies wrong…

And oh yes…parents…if this is what you are doing to your child…filling them with negative thoughts…cease and desist…and instead give them growth tablets…positive thoughts…shouts ‘YOU CAN…YOU CAN..YOU CAN…”

 

(growth)  Romans 8:5

Live in such a manner you can live with yourself and find it pleasure instead of pain.  Make some path a little brighter, some load a little lighter for a stranger or a friend.

(growth)  Romans 8:5

Pray each day a prayer worth praying, and live one moment each day so fine it would be worth living again.

Romans 8:5

Accept with fortitude your days of dismay and move with faith toward better tomorrows. 

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There are over 600 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

           

TO VISIT Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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10 STEPS TO A HAPPIER RETIREMENT

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It has been said that the trouble with retirement is you never get a day off.  Therefore, to benefit the most from it…think on the following.

           

Think of retirement not as a time of being “over the hill” but rather a time to view the world from a different hill. Consider what you are retiring to, not just what you are retiring from.  Yes, it should be a time for smelling the roses, but also a time for planting some.

1.      You may be working into your nineties and loving every minute of it or need to switch gears and get as far away from work as possible…but whether it is a vacation or an avocation, nature abhors a vacuum.

2.      Whatever amount of time you have left before retirement, save more and spend less.  Don’t buy everything within sight.  Rather try buying with more insight.

3.      And as a motivation, stop and figure out what your annual income would be if you were forced into retirement tomorrow.  Then figure what you will retire with at say 70, not even thinking 65.

4.      Today, the experts figure you need twenty times your present income in the bank, if you want to retire in the same financial neighborhood of your present income.

5.      When the time comes think long and hard before you move into a retirement community or a smaller home. Think long before you act (too short a time).

6.      When you think of long term nursing care, think statistics – the average nursing home stay is two to three years. Consider a bigger deductible vs. a bigger premium.  But then, don’t spend so much time thinking you become your own worst enemy.  And yes, again…let any conclusion simmer for awhile rather than immediately bringing them to a boil.

7.       If at all possible, pay off your mortgage.  It’s very comforting to know that, if needed, there is the possibility of a reverse mortgage rather than an ongoing mortgage payment that, with a reduced income, can be increasingly difficult to pay.

8.      Think capital preservation as well as capital appreciation.  There are countless formulas, but the stock market is always a giant question mark.  Remember, if an investment seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.

9.       Last and certainly not least talk to a financial manager.  However, check them out carefully because you don’t want one with any kind of vested interest in his or her proposals.  And you certainly want first class recommendations about financial managers from friends rather than ads.

             It may be an over-simplification but I think not too much so; Prepare for retirement so it will not be a time of sadness but of hope.

These are suggestions not edicts.  They are not written in stone.  So realize that your situation may dictate the exact opposite of some or all of them...but at least they are something to get you thinking.

TO VISIT Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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FAITH AND FINANCES

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There are over 600 stories and commentaries on this blog. It is added to daily.

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." Philippians 4:12-13

If you have a roof over hour head; rented or owned you’re rich.

If you own a car and can drive you are rich; look at the millions around the world who have no means of transportation but their legs.

If you have enough food to eat, you’re rich.  Thinks of all those who get by with two or only one meal a day. 

If you have extra clothes in your closet, you’re rich.  Did you think on this the last time you donated to the salvation army.

If you’ve got enough money to go out to eat occasionally, you’re rich.

 

I early learned that if I didn’t allow God to help me manage my money it would manage me.  In short, like many or most, greed has sometimes been my guide and financial common sense has suffered along the way.

So I carry around with me a wrinkled and worn piece of paper that has some lessons that have been my friend for a long while and perhaps some of them these ideas will become your friends too.

Your American Express card?  Please leave home without it.

Poor money management means you will rob Peter and then you will be tempted to rob Paul.

Never regard a lottery ticket as an investment.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Have a two pronged goal when it comes to earning money.  Do not seek poverty.  There is nothing spiritual about being poor.  But do seek generosity.

Do not chose to be a slave to money which is what any of us do when we consistently spend more than we make.  I found it interesting to read that credit card companies will let me borrow 250% more than I can possibly pay back.  And why not?  It is to their interest to place me under the bondage of interest.

Luke 14:28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Save but don’t hoard.  And while managing your money constantly remind yourself that it is really God’s money. Because I doubt you’ll ever see a Brink’s truck following a hearse.

Don’t go to the financial page first thing in the morning.  Miss a day or two, both you and your investments will survive. Make a point of not being obsessed with checking and over checking.

Experts say: at least 10% of our income should be saved for future needs, the unexpected, for our children’s education, for our retirement, for an inheritance for our children and grandchildren.

Don’t marry your job.  If even on vacation you have to call back to the office or are pursuing another get rich quick scheme then you are in serious trouble.  (I’m semi retired now but this was a good reminder when I wasn’t)

I don’t remember who said it but it’s certainly worth remembering, “If you love money and use people, that’s bad.  If you love people and use money, that’s good.”

TO VISIT T Neil’s other blog WYRICK’S WRITING (A variety of serializations; a novel, a 2^nd book Sixty Plus and not Holding (How to get by in life with a host of plusses no matter what your age) on Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday varying subjects) (3 times a week added to)

Some recent topic titles are:ONE LOG ON A FIRE, TWO JOLLY GREEN GIANTS; LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, WISDOM IS

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL

 

http://wyrickswritings.blogspot.com

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To view his One Man Dramas on film (see by millions, live and on film and on video)(Martin Luther, Ben Franklin, Charles Wesley, Abraham Lincoln)

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING

 

http://www.speakerneil.com/

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