I Ride The Dark Horse: November 2016

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Happiness To Hold On To ..

Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands,

but let it go and you learn at once,

how big and how precious it is ..

~ Maxim Gorky ~

I saw this quote and it left me with a profound feeling. After pondering for a bit, I am concluding that being happy is sometimes hard to see when we actually have it and sometimes leads us to take it for granted. In our worst times, just the thought of being happy is these moments is a feeling that we sometimes wonder if we will ever feel again. In order to avoid taking for granted being happy, we must take being happy seriously ..

Take Mr. Gorky for instance. His life was less than happy. Maksim Gorky is a pseudonym of Alekesi Maksimovich Peshkov, who was born into a poor Russian family in Nizhnii Novgorod on Volga River. Gorky lost his father at an early age, he was beaten by his stepfather and became on orphan at age 9, when his mother died. He was brought up by his grandmother, who helped his development as a storyteller. He was blessed with a brilliant memory but was unable to enter college. At 19, he attempted suicide but decided to write and became a recognized storyteller. He endured suffering, as alot of people have to, but took his talents and realized that writing secured what he needed and did not let the enormities of his anguish make excuses to what he thought to be his pitied existence. What a great lesson can be learned from him and a poignant outlook for this quote.

We must know that happiness may come in the morning, but the joy you have in your life, and the thirst to live fulfilled and satisfied is something that a person can have at all times if they are willing to work at it. I love working hard and I am the happiest when I am the busiest. I know that must sound really strange but it is true of me. My life is filled with employment, college classes, riding lessons, cello lessons, writing, housework, my land and animals, and taking care of my disabled husband. I am elated with a job well done and even more ecstatic when I happen upon a solution to make less work and more profit. Saving coupons, thrift stores, planning menus for my family, adding to my food storage makes me happy and fulfilled. I have dreams and goals as big as the Earth and day by day, slowly but surely, they are happening to me. More now than ever before.

So, if I can offer a piece of advice, do not take your happiness for granted and appreciate the small things in life. Appreciate the time that you spend with the people you love and appreciate every moment that you get to go after your dreams .. And I can do this because ..

I ride the dark horse ..

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Thursday, November 10, 2016

The Phenomenal Cycle of Compliments

Compliments are wonderful things. They do not cost anything, they take very little time, you can never run out of them and everybody likes them! Have you ever noticed the marvelous goodwill that paying a compliment creates? When we compliment someone, they feel good. And we feel good because we noticed the good. Both the giver and the receiver are uplifted.

Dr. James M. Read, a doctor of psychology, says, "Take notice of praiseworthy situations and say something? Most of us don't get or give nearly enough heart-felt compliments. The opportunities are all around. Catch your children being good .. and heap on the attention and praise. Notice a stranger doing something kind .. say something. Find a coworker going the extra mile .. don't let it go unnoticed.

The Savior was a wonderful example of giving genuine compliments. When Mary Magdalene stood outside the empty tomb, the Savior appeared and said to her, "Woman, why weepest thou? (John 20:25). I am intrigued by the term "woman". This term can be used disrespectfully as well as respectfully. But in the Savior's day, the term "woman" was so respectful that it was reserved to address the most regal of women. It was a compliment that the Savior called Mary by that name. He also referred to his mother by that name (See John 19:26). They were most definite the queens of women, deserving of such respect. It is even more inspiring and tender to note that He addressed the woman caught in adultery by that same term. When she was brought before Him, He showed her that same divine love and respect. I wonder how she felt at that moment. I am sure she viewed herself differently because of the respect He paid her.

Compliments lift us all. They fill our self-esteem and are one of those small and simple things that help great things come to pass. So, go ahead! Give as many compliments as your can today. I know that I will because ..

I ride the dark horse ..