Look on the Bright Side

The man who has no money is poor, but one who has nothing but money is poorer than he. He only is rich who can enjoy without owning; he who is covetous is poor though he have millions. There are riches of intellect, and no man with an intellectual taste can be called poor. He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts, and multiply the griefs which he purposes to remove. He is rich as well as brave who can face poverty and misfortune with cheerfulness and courage.

We can so educate the will power that it will focus the thoughts upon the bright side of things, and upon objects which elevate the soul, thus forming a habit of happiness and goodness which will make us rich. The habit of making the best of everything and of always looking on the bright side of everything is a fortune in itself.
He is rich who values a good name above gold. Among the ancient Greeks and Romans honor was more sought after than wealth. Rome was imperial Rome no more when the imperial purple became an article of traffic.

This is the evil of trade, as well as of partisan politics. As Emerson remarks, it would put everything into market,—talent, beauty, virtue, and man himself.

Small things become great when a great soul sees them. The noble or heroic act of one man has sometimes elevated a nation. Many an honorable career has resulted from a kind word spoken in season or the warm grasp of a friendly hand.

"It was only a glad 'good-morning,'
As she passed along the way,
But it spread the morning's glory
Over the livelong day."

"Only a thought in passing—a smile, or encouraging word,
Has lifted many a burden no other gift could have stirred.

Love and Serving

There is no such thing as finding true happiness by searching for it directly. It must come, if it come at all, indirectly, or by the service, the love, and the happiness we give to others. So, there is no such thing as finding true greatness by searching for it directly. It always, without a single exception has come indirectly in this same way, and it is not at all probable that this great eternal law is going to be changed.

Then recognize it, put your life into harmony with it, and reap the rewards of its observance, or fail to recognize it and pay the penalty accordingly; for the law itself will remain unchanged.

Henry Drummond, in one of his most beautiful and valuable little works says—and how admirably and how truly!—that "love is the greatest thing in the world." Have you this greatest thing? Yes. How, then, does it manifest itself? In kindliness, in helpfulness, in service, to those around you? If so, well and good, you have it. If not, then I suspect that what you have been calling love is something else; and you have indeed been greatly fooled. In fact, I am sure it is; for if it does not manifest itself in this way, it cannot be true love, for this is the one grand and never-failing test. Love is the statics, helpfulness and service the dynamics, the former necessary to the latter, but the latter the more powerful, as action is always more powerful than potentiality; and, were it not for the dynamics, the statics might as well not be.

Helpfulness, kindliness, service, is but the expression of love. It is love in action; and unless love thus manifests itself in action, it is an indication that it is of that weak and sickly nature that needs exercise, growth, and development, that it may grow and become strong, healthy, vigorous, and true, instead of remaining a little, weak, indefinite, sentimental something or nothing.

Are you seeking for greatness, O brother of mine,
As the full, fleeting seasons and years glide away?
If seeking directly and for self alone,
The true and abiding you never can stay.
But all self forgetting, know well the law,
It's the hero, and not the self-seeker, who's crowned.
Then go lose your life in the service of others,
And, lo! with rare greatness and success will abound.

Summer Fun

Children love to play hard. How can you direct your child's energy into a lifelong love of physical activity? For many children, biking to the playground and playing kickball in the backyard have given way to watching television, playing video games and spending hours online. But it's never too late to get your kids off the couch.

They say that what you do speaks volumes louder than what we say! So, if we show them that we enjoy playing outside they are far more likely to embrace the notion! If we participate in sports and other healthy pursuits our children are far more likely to want to join in.

Even when the weather is 90 degrees outside, we can get out and work up a good sweat rather quickly. Be sure to bring along a big jug of water. Skip the soda during these hot Summer months. You can avoid some useless calories and show them the joys of drinking refreshing water! Get a water filter if the water out of your tap isn't that great.

The benefits of more play and less TV are numerous -

Regular physical activity may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also lower your odds of having heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or cancer. Research shows that people who are overweight, active, and fit live longer than people who are not overweight but are inactive and unfit. Also, physical activity lifts your spirits and gives you more energy.

Sign up for a tennis or basketball league this summer. Or go to the local pool and swim your way to better fitness! You don't have to spend a fortune at the local gym. Go to the park - its free! Bring along a basketball or a couple tennis racquets. Basketball is a great sport for the whole family to enjoy! Encourage your children to adopt healthy habits.

School's Out! Happy Summer Fun!

School is Out! Or soon will be! Kids all across this great land of ours are singing songs of joy with the passing of another school year! Time for some good, clean Summer fun. Playing baseball and soccer. Swimming at the local pool or lake. Running around the beach. Riding bikes and jumping rope. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Having fun this Summer is the perfect way for our children to enjoy a variety of healthy habits! Encourage your children to spend less time in front of the TV or video game and more time enjoying the great outdoors! Maybe if we lead by example they will learn to enjoy the countless gifts nature has to offer! Waves lapping up on the shore. The beautiful melodies from the birds in the trees.

Maybe we can take advantage of the Summer break to help our children develop some well balanced healthy habits. Spending some time at play. And some time reading or writing or creating things. Did you ever make a fort or a submarine out of an empty box? Or draw pictures on the sidewalk for hours on end?

Encourage your children to explore new things - and applaud their wonderful creations! Share a cool glass of lemonade or enjoy a big slice of watermelon.

Air up those bicycle tires and make sure their little headgear still fits properly! Enjoy a nice healthy family adventure on bikes or on foot! Toss some apples and grapes in your back pack and set out for one of your favorite places or even destinations unknown!

These last few days of May are just a wonderful time to spend outdoors. Swimming lessons will start soon at local pools everywhere. Or maybe its not too late to get your little one(s) signed up for a soccer team or baseball. The friendships they develop playing sports can last a lifetime. Hopefully a long and healthy lifetime!

Encourage your child to have fun this Summer! Show them the joys of having healthy fun outdoors! Lead them along the path to better health and fitness. Try these ten tips for better fitness.

Here's wishing you and your children a Happy Summer filled with a whole bunch of outdoor fun and adventure!

Play Time

"When I was your age I walked 10 miles to school through the snow..."

"Lets go outside and go to the park" I suggested. "No." He didn't even bother to look up from his video game.

Although he gets much pleasure out of that silly little hand-held game, I sometimes regret buying that contraption. Some days we barely venture outside at all. Mostly when the weather outside is freezing! A little time outdoors in the snow is good for you, isn't it?

Sometimes he surprises me and wants to go outside - or go to the gym and play basketball. ( Thank You, God! ) And still, I just wish I could get him to play outside more. He needs time to run around in the fresh air and explore and play with other kids!

Historically, active play has been the means by which children become healthy and fit. Due to environmental constraints - like a lack of safe, convenient places to play - and our busy schedules, many children just don’t have the chance to enjoy playing outside.

Some interesting research has lead to the following observations:

Girls with a more natural view (trees, grass, shrubs) performed better on standardized performance measures of concentration compared to girls who looked at a more barren setting (buildings, dirt, or paved surfaces).

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) had milder ADD symptoms after engaging in play outside versus playing inside. The “greener” the play setting (parks, farms, places with tall trees, grass, or natural water sources), the milder the symptoms.

What can we do? Somewhere I read that to a child Love is spelled T I M E. The time we actually spend with our children is one way they feel our love. And enjoying time together outdoors benefits us all.

Here's hoping we can raise happy and healthy children!