A peaceful start to the day!

Good Morning, or whatever is the best greeting to you, in your part of the world!

Was up early this am; actually Alan got up for a tid moment and put the coffee on for me. Such a nice thing to do; and I am very appreciative of how beautifully he treats me each and every day! As if I were a 'Queen!'. He must hsve sensed I was awake this morning! It is so peaceful to be up early before the activity of the day begins. No phones, no people, total quiet! Save for the wonderful musical sounds of the robins and other happy bird bit chit chat.

Our dog Blue is comfortably lying on our blue chesterfield in our living room. It has only been recently, that we have allowed our 4.5 year young 'pup' to be on the furniture. I would have had him up since Day One; however, Alan finally 'relented' LOL! Not because of me; but he also senses that Blue is a lot more confident and trusting, when he is given a tidbit of extra loving comfort. When we 'found him', he was 3.5 months old; and sadly to write, he had been abused. It has taken a while for him to 'come out of his shell' and adjust. However, he realizes that we are not going to hurt him; rather we are his protective and caring 'parents'. Afterall, he is a family member!

Blue brings us so much joy; even yesterday; when he discovered a way to open up his dog food container. Hence, he enjoyed a bittid of extra breakfast, until we put a stop to it! LOL! He knows NOT to do that again; by us simply saying "NO", and turning the container around so that his claws can not open it. Blue Heelers are smart and intelligent dogs; and this dog is right up there! Of course, we are a bittidz bias! LOL! Apparently, it does take Blue Heelers a few years anyway to 'mature'; as they are 'just that way'. Blue is a cross between a Blue Heeler (Australian cattle / sheep dog) and an Australian Shepherd; basically the same thing; the ratio being approximately 95% Blue Heeler & 5% Shepherd / Sheep dog. Have written some posts (Jan / Feb / 09 etc) on him; if you wish to refer to them.

Am going to share some tidbitz thoughts quoted by John Maxwell, who is an awesome guest on the 'Hour of Power'; and www.hourofpower.org, is the website for you to follow along. You may find Dr. Robert Schuller's website, very uplifting; particularly during these challenging and trying times.

"Let me ask you a question. How many of you would raise your hands and say, "John, in the past I've had a bad morning? How many of you would raise your hand and say you've had a bad day? A bad week? Maybe you'd raise your hand and say I've had a bad day this week. Bad days happen, don't they?

As we follow Joseph on his dream journey, we find he had a lot of bad days, too. He had a lot of misfortunes. As a very innocent young teenager, he was sold into slavery in Egypt, and then, an innocent person, he was framed and put into prison. When he was in prison, he helped a fellow inmate, began to share with him his dreams, and asked to be remembered, and then he was forgotten.

If you look at the journey of Joseph, the thing that absolutely stands out is that he had a lot of very difficult times. In fact, he lost some of the best years of his life. Yet, not one time do we see Joseph have a bad attitude. Not one time do we see him do something or say something in his reaction to negative events that, perhaps, would be disappointing. You see, Joseph realized that it's not what happens to you, it's what happens in you that really counts.

You see, you and I cannot choose all the time what will happen to us, but we can choose at all times what happens within us. We cannot always choose the spirit of another toward us, but we can always choose the spirit within ourselves toward others. Why? Because our attitude is a choice. The attitude I have today is an attitude that I have chosen. The attitude that you have right now is the attitude that you have chosen. It's a choice.

That's a disgusting thought, isn't it? Wouldn't we rather blame someone else for our attitude? It's my boss, it's my work, it's my physical ailment, it's my spouse. We all would like to blame someone else for the attitude we have when it's not a good attitude. However, to be honest with you, it's a personal choice."

Tidbit - If you read, watch, and / or listen to John's message; it is very impactful; and may encourage you to enjoy a happier, simpler, and Blessed life.

Bittid - Appreciate the wisdom and understanding, that can be gained by 'Seek and Ye Shall Find'. It is ongoing!

Have to go for now; however, am looking forward to sharing a few tidbits from 'Enjoying Everyday Life' (Joyce Meyer - www.joycemeyer.org) a bit later. Also in the near bit future, a few bittids from 'Living Truth (Charles & Hilary Price - www.livingtruth.ca). Giving you their websites; should you wish to also tune into their insightful teachings of Jesus and of the Bible.

The above picture of Blue (without his perriwinkle blue bandana, that matches his blue eyes) was taken earlier this year, after his bath! LOL!

God Bless.