Do you like to think about things? You knew that one of my goals for writing this column is to make the readers think. I call my bedroom "my think tank." I love to lie in bed and just think. That is why I get so much material for this column.
I've told you before we used to live on rabbits. I loved the brains. My son Dan used to tease me and tell me that's where I get my "hare brain ideas."
Here are some one-liners (and more-than-one-liners) that I appreciate. I call these thoughts "gold nuggets." Here goes:
1) Go where you are celebrated not tolerated.
2) Faith gives courage to conquer fear.
3) We should be building bridges not barriers.
4) It's not what I think about God that counts, but what he thinks of me.
5) Don't waste all your energy on the problem, but concentrate on the solution.
6) Think deeply on this one: things that are seen are temporal but things that are not seen are eternal.
7) We are on wrong diets. Instead of trying to get smaller physically, we should be trying to get bigger mentally (spiritually).
8) Love can not be forced or demanded.
9) Nor can you demand respect. It must be earned.
10) If you love someone, tell him today. Tomorrow may never come.
11) Doctors tell us newborn babies can die without touch. This is a need that never ceases. Who have you touched today?
12) At the end of your life, your head will remind you about all the things you have done. Your heart will remind you of all the things you should have done and didn't. You will have regrets.
13) It's better to be a failure than a coward. Like yourself for trying.
14) Don't wait until the flour is at the bottom of the barrel before you start saving it.
15) Life is an ongoing learning experience, so don't feel bad if you don't know it all today because you won't know it all tomorrow either.
16) You can't fight old age, but you can embrace life.
17) It takes two to tango, but it only takes one to make peace.
18) The first step in getting to the top is to get off your bottom! (I like that one!)
19) The biggest insult you can give anyone is to ignore them. The greatest compliment is to imitate them. Who is your idol?
20) Make friends with your new neighbors before a situation arises that can make you new enemies!
21) Here's a new rule to follow when you're watching TV: If it turns you on, turn it off!
22) Joy is not license.
23) If you ask yourself, "Should I?" you've answered your own question. Don't do it.
24) People get in debt buying things they don't need to impress people they don't know.
25) If you lose a friend, it's like a death but if you make a new friend, it's like giving birth.
26) Here's a biggie: If you're a male with long hair and you know the man who is going to do the job interview likes short hair - cut it before the interview! Do it his way. You need him more than he needs you! Give up the battle and win the war! In this way, surrender becomes victory! Be smart and win!
27) As for you girls, don't wear your skirt or dress too short! Modesty goes a long way!
28) Listen twice as much as you speak. That's why God gave you two ears and one mouth!
29) Never harbor a grudge. Believe me, that's no safe harbor!
30) Everything takes effort. If you want the fruit, climb the tree.
31) You can't praise others if you are dissatisfied with yourself.
I've given you a lot of advice I've learned through people, through reading and through experiences. Now I'm going to give you negative and positive words. Negative: disobedience, anger, criticism, fear, doubt, weakness, impatience, doubtful, misery, self-pity, hate, lust, sadness and cold-hearted. Positive: obedience, peace, praise, faith, trust, courage, patience, hopeful, joy, satisfaction, love, pure-hearted, gladness and compassion.
Of course there are a lot more that you can come up with. Use the positives as often as you can and refuse the negatives. It is said if you do something 21 consecutive days, it will become a habit. Train yourself. Before you know it, you will see amazing changes in your life!
These are not hard things to do. I'm not a psychiatrist nor do I have a college degree. I learned from my family, my school and my church. I'm just passing it on. If I can do it, so can you. Don't get discouraged. It's an ongoing process. Any little bit helps.
Margaret Valone is a Fredonia resident. Send comments on this column to lifestyles@observertoday.com
