Yoakumjames's Weblog -- Everyday Thoughts for Everyday People

What Do You Think? Thought 58

yoakumjames — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:57:32 +0000

All the hardships that come to you in life, all the tribulations and nightmares, all the things you see as punishments from above are really like gifts. They are an opportunity to grow, which is the sole purpose in life.

Do you agree?

Proverbs to Provoke and Make You Wonder

yoakumjames — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:59:14 +0000

What do they mean?

– A hard beginning maketh a good ending.

– When the sun shineth, make hay.

– A new broom sweeps clean.

– Two heads are better than one.

– Children and fools can not lie.

– Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

– Here today, gone tomorrow.

– A penny for your thoughts.

– A stitch in time saves nine.

– All is well ends well.

– Tis an ill wind that bloweth ano man the good.

What’s on Your Mind — Thought 57?

Thoughts from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

yoakumjames — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:40:45 +0000

I recently finished reading a very thought provoking book, The Wheel of Life: A Memoir of Living and Dying, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. This is one of the best books I have read in a while; I highly recommend it.

The book tells of Elisabeth’s life adventures and her life’s lessons. She provides many insights. Here are a few:

– Everyone goes through hardships in life. The more you go thrugh, the more learn and grow.

– Adversity only makes you stronger.

– When you learn your lessons, the pain goes away.

– Our only purpose is life is growth. There are no accidents.

– There is within each of us a potential for goodness beyond our imagining; for giving which seeks no reward; for listening without judgment; for loving unconditionally.

– You should live until you die.

– You can not heal the world, without healing yourself first.

– If you are ready for spiritual experiences and you are not afraid, you will have them yourself. You do not need a guru or a baba to tell you how to do it.

– Death is but a transition from this life to another existence where there is no more pain and anguish.

– Everything is bearable when there is love.

– The only thing that lives forever is love.

– Dying is nothing to fear. It can be the most wonderful experience of your life. It all depends on how you have lived.

What do you think? Thought 56.

What’s On Your Mind? Thought 55

yoakumjames — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:22:50 +0000

“It is better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.”

– James Thurber

What do you think? Give me your thoughts and I will give mine.

Father of Daughters — Thought 54

yoakumjames — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:56:27 +0000

As the father of two successful and ambitious daughters, successful women intrigue me. Here’s some history of female governors.

Mrs. Nellie Taylor Ross of Wyoming was the first women governor in the U.S. She was elected to fill the unexpired four-year term of her husband, William Ross. She took office on January 5, 1925.

A few days later, Miriam Wallace (Ma) Ferguson, also elected in 1924, became governor of Texas and, like Mrs. Ross served from 1925-27; she served again 1933-35.

Lurleen Burns Wallace, elected 1966, became the Alabama governor on January 16, 1967, succeeding her husband, George. She died of cancer on May 7, 1968.

Ella Tamburri Grasso, as the Democratic candidate in Connecticut, became the fourth woman governor in U.S. history. Her three predecessors, women governors of states, were also Democrats but, unlike Mrs. Grasso, had been preceded by their husbands.

– From “I Didn’t Know That” by Lavinia Donler, 1978

Thoughts on My Daughter — Thought 53

yoakumjames — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:12:08 +0000

My daughter is a photographer. I was so proud when she graduated with her B.A. in photography this past May. So this bit on the beginnings of photography caught my attention.

– From “I Didn’t Know That!” by Lavania Dobler, 1978.

Who made is possible for anyone to become a photographer?

George Eastman who, in 1879, invented and patented a machine for coating the glass plates then used in cameras. A few years later he perfected flexible rolls of film and designed the roll holder for winding them.

By May, 1888, Eastman had made the first of the little cameras that soon became so popular. By 1900 he had a dollar camera to sell.

He thought a long time about the right trademark for his camera. He wanted a short word that everyone could pronounce. The letter “K” appealed to him. It was the first letter of his mother’s surname. Then he decided that two “Ks” would be much better, one at the beginning of the word and another at “K” at the end. Actually, he created a new word, Kodak. “If is isn’t an Eastman, it isn’t a Kodak.

Where Did the Pretzel Get it’s Design – Thought 52

yoakumjames — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:24:08 +0000

The pretzel is a kind of German Biscuit. It is brittle and twisted, with a glazed, salted surface. Pretzel comes from the Latin word pretiola, meaning a small reward. The pretzel was first made by monks in southern Europe as a reward for children who learned their prayers. It was shaped to represent the crossed arms of a child praying.

The first commercial pretzel bakery in the United States opened in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 1861. Pretzels were once twisted by hand, and a few bakeries still use this method. But most use twisting machines today.

– From the book “I Didn’t Know That!” by Lavinia Dobler, 1978

Interesting . . . a praying child. What do you think?

What’s On Your Mind — Thought 51

yoakumjames — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:50:57 +0000

Why Do We Say “God Bless You” or “Gesundheit” When A Person Sneezes?

Long ago ancient people thought that the soul or spirit of a person was in the breath or air in the head. Not understanding the human body, people also believed that a sneeze might expel this spirit unless God prevented it. So it was important to say immediately, “God Bless You,” or “Gesundheit” (good health in German), or “Salud” (health in Spanish).

If a person from the Far East happened to be near when you sneezed, he or she would quickly clasp hands and bow toward you. This was a way of saying, “May your soul not escape from you!”

– From the book “I Didn’t Know That” by Lavinia Dobler, 1978

What’s On Your Mind — Continuing Tribute to Theresa Hummel

yoakumjames — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:00:15 +0000

I received a card from the family of Theresa Hummel. I wanted to share it.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card,
Or sat quietly in a chair:
Perhaps you sent beautiful flowers,
If so, we saw them there.
Perhaps you sent or spoke kind words
As any friend could say;
Perhaps you were not there at all
Just thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console the heart
We thank you so much, whatever the part.

Tribute to Theresa Hummel
November 27, 1932 — August 6, 2009

What’s On Your Mind — Thought 49

yoakumjames — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:01:22 +0000

What Do You Think?

Sin is basically damage, a rupture in a relationship. It is not really about breaking a rule. Sin is doing something or failing to to something which results in harming a relationship (i.e., with God — not being conscious of God, not praying; with others — anger, gossip, lying; with yourself and with creation (littering, being wasteful, etc.).

Do You Agree?

Mortal sin is the most serious (e.g., murder, mutilation, grand larceny, adultery, destroying a person’s reputation, etc.). For a sin to be mortal it must be a serious matter; there must be sufficient reflection, and it is done with full consent of the will. Its matter is serious; it weighs upon the soul. It gravely affects your relationship with God and your neighbor. It deprives you of the state of grace. Venial sin, on the other hand, is less serious, not as mindful, but nevertheless, violates God’s law of love.

What Do You Think?