“One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.” ~ Goethe
Day: April 22, 2020
Today’s Poem ~ Friends of Mind
Friends of Mine
James W. Foley
Good-morning, Brother Sunshine,
Good-morning, Sister Song,
I beg your humble pardon
If you’ve waited very long.
I thought I heard you rapping,
To shut you out were sin,
My heart is standing open,
Won’t you
walk
right
in?
Good-morning, Brother Gladness,
Good-morning, Sister Smile,
They told me you were coming,
So I waited on a while.
I’m lonesome here without you,
A weary while it’s been,
My heart is standing open,
Won’t you
walk
right
in?
Good-morning, Brother Kindness,
Good-morning, Sister Cheer,
I heard you were out calling,
So I waited for you here.
Some way, I keep forgetting
I have to toil or spin
When you are my companions,
Won’t you
walk
right
in?
✒️ Writers’ Wisdom ~ Writer’s Block, Finding the Door
“I know people who have suffered writer’s block, and I don’t think I’ve ever had it. A friend of mine, for three years he couldn’t write. And he said that he thought of stories and he knew the stories, could see the stories completely, but he could never find the door. Somehow that first sentence was never there. And without the door, he couldn’t do the story. I’ve never experienced that. But it’s a chilling thought.”
~ Donald E. Westlake
Today’s Smile 😃
Zeke: “I was coming out of the deli when a cable repairman asked me what time it was?”
Pat: “What did you tell him, Zeke?”
Zeke: “I told him it was between noon and five.”
🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ A No Cost Prescription for Good Health
No Cost Prescription: Smile & Cheery Outlook
Do you have a rosy outlook and see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty? If so, your good attitude may have even more benefits than you think. A growing number of scientific studies suggest optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people. . . . Having a positive attitude can boost your physical health, no matter what might be ailing you.
Tips for Changing from a pessimistic mindset to an optimistic:
Think positive thoughts about yourself and others.
Don’t compare yourself to others in a competitive way.
Find the good in every situation, even at difficult moments.
Focus on achieving a positive outcome in all circumstances.
Strive to improve your physical health through exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleeping habits and hygiene.
Challenge your mind every day by learning something new.
COVID-19 Is a Bummer – It Can’t Stop Good Things From Happening
COVID-19 Is a Bummer – It Can’t Stop Good Things From Happening
Here are a few of the good things I witnessed or experienced today:
- I met a new friend on my walk. He introduced me to two of his special friends, Tina Fay and Bailey. Tina Fay and Bailey are rescue dogs. Made my day.
- Went to the Supermarket and I got paper towels, disinfectant spray and everything else on my list – Home Run!
- A warm sun, gentle southerly breeze, and birds singing, nothing wrong with this painting and I’m sitting right in the middle of it.
- Don’t know when it will happen, but it will happen and we’ll have a vaccine and treatment to tame the beast. We’re a day closer and tomorrow we’ll be another day closer. Hang in there.
What I share are seemingly small and inconsequential things, but they are priceless to me.
Grateful for all the above.
If you’d like to share the good things you’ve witnessed on my blog, Email me (ray.brese@gmail.com) a short list (1 to 5 things. I’ll post and attribute them to you in the way you choose to be acknowledged (e.g., anonymous, name, Word Press blog (etc.).
🌞 Today’s Inspiration ~ Watch Where You are Looking
“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
👊 Today’s Power Thought ~ Keep on Churning
Times are tough, if I keep churning I’ll turn this milk into ice cream.
