Happy New Year

Well here we are, another new year has dawned.

I hope that it brings each and every one of you everything that you desire.

Each new year is an opportunity to start anew. To put what has happened before behind you.

It is a chance to start with a clean slate, to promise yourself that you will do the best that you can.

Make today the day that you make those plans that you have been putting off.

Make today the start of something better, brighter.

Look forward to a year filled with love, laughter and joy.

But most of all have a very happy and prosperous new year as we welcome in 2016.

The mammogram bruise

The letter arrives,

And I realise it's true,

My three yearly test,

Has come round, it's due.

It's an important test,

For us ladies to do,

To look out for our health,

Before problems accrue.

I arrive on the day,

I'm early, I say,

Don't worry my dear,

You'll soon be away.

I enter a room,

Bare my top and then sit,

The time will soon pass,

It'll be my turn in a bit.

I go in to start,

Get twisted this way and that,

Boobie on there,

Now squish it quite flat!

The test isn't so bad,

Just a little tight squeeze,

A picture is taken,

My mind it will ease.

So why, you are thinking,

Have I mentioned a bruise?

Have I made a slight typo,

Really meant to say blues?

No dear reader,

An apt word I did choose,

Cos under my arm,

Is a mammogram bruise!

Cutting corners

We all have tasks and projects that we need to do, things that we need to see through to the end.

But in order for this to happen, we must put in the work to make it so.

Without this work, we will not get any closer to finishing these things.

Sometimes, we get to the point of thinking that it is not worth it. We lose sight of the finishing line.

At other times, we think that we can cut corners, make things move along quicker.

But by cutting corners, we miss out on valuable learning and problem solving.

We may get there quicker by cutting things out, but the result may be less than perfect, may not be quite what we had hoped for.

The longer route may seem much less tempting, but will we be happier in the end.

Instead of rushing, we should take the time to do a good job, rather than just an adequate one.

Our sense of achievement will be so much better, knowing that we have done the best that we can, learned as much as we can from the journey.

So when you are tempted to cut corners to make things quicker and easier, imagine how you will feel.

Will you be happy with just good enough? Or will you take your time to do the best job that you can.

Are you happy?

At this special time of year, we are all expected to be happy.

But happiness is not always automatic. We can be surrounded by family, love and laughter and still not feel happy.

Feeling happy is something that we can choose to be, and conversely, we can choose to be unhappy.

We can join in with the festivities and feel happy or we can sit on the sofa and feel grumpy.

Even when things are going wrong, we can choose to be happy and make the best of things or we can feel down in the dumps.

Feeling happy is a powerful thing. It releases hormones that are good for us. Being unhappy does the opposite and releases stress hormones, making us feel worse.

So how are you going to choose to feel today? Hopefully you will choose happiness.

And that happiness will in turn rub off on those around you, making them feel happier also.

Have a good day - be happy.

Christmas day!

Its Christmas Day!

Its finally here,

And I would like to wish you,

Some festive good cheer.

The dinner is cooking,

The family are here,

There's love and contentment,

From everyone near.

The TV is on,

To watch something fun

Maybe a film,

Once our dinner is done.

Maybe a walk is in order,

To burn off some grub,

As long as you don't,

Stop off at the pub!

Or a nice family game,

Charades are quite fun,

We'll smile and laugh,

Until the day's nearly done

The day has drawn on,

Night will soon fall,

I hope that you are all,

Having a ball.

Good will to everyone,

Wherever you are,

Merry Christmas to all,

Both near and afar!

Goodwill and patience

In just a few short days Christmas will be upon us.

This should be a time of goodwill and happiness, but as we rush around, getting stressed by all of our preparations, it is easy to forget this.

We fight crowds and deadlines in a last scramble to be ready for the big day.

We can easily get grumpy and bad tempered and take this out on other people, who do not deserve or need to be treated badly.

That person that is walking slowly in front of you when you are in a hurry - they may be in pain.

That person who is asking to go in front of you in the supermarket - they may need to rush home to a poorly relative.

Before snapping and reacting angrily, take a second to think. Find that inner goodwill and patience.

Help your fellow man instead of getting angry with them.

Your act of goodwill and kindness could be their light in an otherwise dark time.

Be a beacon of light - think of the needs of others, be kind.

Practice goodwill and patience and most of all, have a very happy Christmas.

Neglected and ignored

Joan stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out at the tumultuous sea. The storms of the last few days had whipped it into a frenzied grey/green monster.

She watched the waves, giant crests of water, as they thundered towards the base of the cliff, hitting the rock with shuddering crashes.

Why had it come to this, she wondered.

Her mind drifted back to the early days of their marriage. They would cuddle up to each other, basking in their mutual love.

There would be long conversations over dinner, talking about their dreams and wishes for the future.

But now! Just this morning she had tried to talk to him, tell him something important, but he didn't even acknowledge her. There was no conversation, no reply, just silence.

She wiped away a tear. How much longer could she go on like this? Neglected, ignored. She felt so unloved.

She took a step closer to the edge.

A noise behind her made her turn. A young couple, hand in hand, very much in love, were walking along the path behind her, their two children ran ahead of them, giggling and playing.

Good morning they said, smiling as they passed. She smiled back, thinking how happy they looked.

That could have been her and George once.

She sighed. She had a lot to be thankful for, maybe she should give their marriage another try.

She turned and headed for home, the wind whipping her hair into a tangled mess.

She sat, waiting for him to come home.

The door slammed. "How did the hearing test go dear?" No answer!

He walked across the room and gave her a peck on the cheek. "The hospital says I need hearing aids" he said. "Well, it is to be expected when you're in your eighties, I suppose!"

She smiled, and told him that she loved him, but he didn't hear.

Maybe once he had his hearing aid, things would be different!

Have an amazing day

Today is a special day. We will never get the chance to live it again, to change it.

We should make today, and every day matter.

We should strive to do the best that we can, to make the most of this short day.

We can spend our day feeling sad, or we can fill it with joy and laughter.

We have the choice to smile or cry, to love or to hate.

Once this day is over, we should be able to look back, knowing that we made it a good day, a worthwhile day.

And when we wake, tomorrow will be a new today, ready to be enjoyed and lived to the full once more.

Enjoy each day and all of the surprises and joy that it brings, because one day, tomorrow will not come, and our actions throughout each of these days will be the memories of those that we leave behind.

Make sure that those memories are ones that will be treasured and cherished. Be the best that you can.

Have an amazing day.

Love and light

Cara shut the door behind her, hung up her coat and flopped onto the sofa.

Ah, what a day! Everyone had been running around like headless chickens, trying to get the work out before the holidays hit.

She was exhausted, stressed and had the headache from hell.

Tonight she had the house to herself. Everyone else was out at Christmas parties. What should she do?

I know, she thought, I'll pay a visit to my favourite place!

She kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable. Her eyes closed, her breathing slowed. A delicious feeling of calm filled every fibre of her being.

She opened her mind, reaching out into the abyss of the universe and waited.

Soon she felt it – the overwhelming love. It filled her mind, her body. She smiled.

And then the world around her winked out of existence. She was free!

She floated, a disembodied consciousness in the vastness of the universe. She knew everything, saw everything, understood everything.

The others gathered around her, the light, the love, the knowledge. The spark within every living being that had ever existed throughout time.

They came, shared, surrounding her with light and love. This was her favourite place. A place that she knew that she would return to when her mortal body died.

She wanted to stay, never to go back to the world of pain, normality, limitation.

But she had to, she had work to do on the Earth, good work, she had a message of love and hope to share.

Reluctantly, she returned to her body, feeling the heaviness and confines of it.

She stretched and smiled, and walked to the kitchen to make a drink.

Yeah, death wouldn't be so bad. Instead of brief visits, she would have the whole of eternity in her favourite place.

She sat down and sipped her tea, happy and relaxed.

Worried of worrying

Wouldn't it be fantastic to live a life free of worry.

No more worrying about what will happen in the future, no more worry about what has happened in the past.

But there will always be something in our life to worry and fret about.

We worry about what the outcomes of our actions will be, and this worry can make us feel uncomfortable, anxious and afraid.

Worry itself does not accomplish anything positive, it just makes things harder, it saps our energy, eats us away inside.

It is right to be concerned about things, it is in our nature, but when we begin to worry about things, and that worry threatens to burrow into our very being, it is time to try to stop.

Instead of concentrating on what could be or what was, we should turn our thoughts and actions to a positive energy.

Make plans, take action and put those worries where they belong. To the back of our mind.

Be positive and don't allow worry to rule your day.

Christmas

I love December,

My favourite month of all,

Good will and love,

Children to enthral.

The shops, full of lights,

And goodies to buy,

Cards, paper, food,

Many things we do spy.

We rush and stress,

Get weary and tire,

Feel like we're being dragged,

Down into the mire!

But at the end of the month,

It's soon Christmas day.

And we want it to be perfect,

In every way.

But don't lose sight,

Of what it's about,

Not spending money,

Not, gadding about.

It's to celebrate a birth,

Many years, long ago,

A baby so perfect,

In a manager, amid snow.

So when you sit down,

To eat Christmas lunch,

Remember why we celebrate,

When on parsnips you crunch!

The Black Friday blues

It's Black Friday,

It's that time of year,

To bag a good bargain,

Be of good cheer.

Shall I battle the crowds,

Maybe go into town,

To save a few pennies,

It would be stressful, I frown!

So I sit on the sofa,

And go on the net,

I can shop in such comfort,

On that you can bet.

I hit the first site,

See bargains with glee,

That's lots of nice savings,

Plenty of goodies for me.

Into my basket,

The items I pop,

Then it is time,

To pay for my shop.

Welcome back!

The page it does say,

Input your password,

And then you can pay.

But I can't remember,

It's been quite a while

Send a reminder,

It's easy, I smile.

But it's not to be,

Because the link,

Goes to the wrong place!

I sit, groan and think!

I can't be bothered,

With shopping right now.

My head is now pounding,

There's sweat on my brow!

I think I'll just wait,

For a day, maybe two,

Then maybe my order,

Will checkout, go through.

With all good intentions,

I started my day,

But now, Black Friday,

Please go away!

Christmas shopping

Anne closed the front door behind her and leaned against it with a weary sigh.

When did Christmas shopping become such a battle? She asked herself.

Kicking off her shoes, she flung her many shopping bags onto the sofa and padded through to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.

She was cold, tired and grumpy. Rubbing her fingertips against her throbbing temples, she sank down into her favourite chair.

Oh, those crowds! Everybody seemed to be standing right where she needed to get to, either that, or they suddenly stopped right in front of her, nearly causing an accident.

And the traffic! It was bumper to bumper all the way into town and finding a parking space – well that was a whole new level of frustration!

But she was home now, her shopping was finished.

Now all that was left was to wrap the presents and decorate the house ready for her family's arrival tomorrow.

Sometimes, she hated Christmas, it just seemed like too much hassle! Maybe next year she would go on a cruise on her own.

No dinner to cook, no shopping, no running herself ragged to make Christmas perfect for everybody.

She hugged her mug and glanced out of the window at the darkening sky. Fat, white flakes of snow began to fall.

Hmm maybe the weather men have got it right for once! They had said that it would be a white Christmas.

In the distance, she heard singing. She stood up and peered out of the window. A group of children were out Carol Singing with their parents.

She arose and opened the front door. She stood, listening, to the children for a while, and put some coins into the charity bucket that they were carrying.

How nice of them to give their time to raise money like that. It really was in the spirit of the season.

The children left, and she closed the door, still smiling.

Right, time to do some wrapping, she said to herself.

Maybe Christmas wasn't so bad after all.

Did you notice?

Did you notice the sky,

As blue as the sea,

Shining so brightly, 

On you and on me.

Did you notice the air, 

Fresh and cool,

Whipping up leaves,

Like a windy whirlpool.

Did you notice the smile of your child,

The feel of her skin.

Her soft, tender touch,

Leaves you quite in a spin.

Did you notice the love, 

Felt in your heart.

When you looked in the eyes 

Of your true sweetheart.

Did you know that you're blessed,

There is so much love,

Your life and your dreams, 

They fit like a glove.

So when the times, they get hard,

And you feel you must cry,

Remember these things, 

Smile and sigh.

Your life is so blessed, 

Is so good and so fine

That you should be quite happy, 

And write it in rhyme.

Have courage

Sometimes we have to make decisions that are difficult.

Often having to make these decisions makes us afraid, sometimes to the point that we do not make a decision at all.

But not making a decision, is in itself a decision, but it is not always the right course to take.

Although we know that it is going to be difficult to make a decision at times, if we are sure that we are doing the right thing, then we should have the courage to go ahead.

If we never do anything that we find hard, we will never move forward, we will be forever stuck in the present.

Next time you come across something difficult, make that decision with courage, feel the fear, but do what is ultimately for the best.

Have courage, be positive and  move forward.

Practice

When we first begin something new, it is often difficult for us.

Sometimes we feel like giving up because we do not find this new task easy.

It is rare for us to do something different and do a perfect job the first time.

Sometimes we look at people and see them doing things with ease, think that they have some kind of secret.

But often the only secret that they have is practice.

Our bodies, minds and spirits are built to adapt, to learn and to grow through action.

By practicing we teach our bodies and mind new ways of working.

Before we know it, that task that was so difficult becomes easier and we are the person that others think has some hidden secret.

Don't give up when things are difficult - practice, grow and learn.

Peace

As I sit here typing, I am watching the horrifying news from Paris on the television.

Such a waste of innocent lives, and many other lives will be forever changed.

My heart goes out to all of those that have been affected by this.

These events have made my mind turn once again to peace.

This is both peace within ourselves and peace for the world.

Peace starts within each and every one of us.

Instead of resorting to violence, anger and frustration, we should respond to situations with love and peace.

Peace is not weakness, it is not defeat, it is a confident, powerful and effective thing.


It makes us committed to do right, rather than being overcome by hatred and anger.

Being at peace will not only help us to deal with the bad things that happen to us, but it also helps those around us to feel calmer.

Be at peace, radiate it, be a shinning light in the darkness.

Make the time

How many times have you said 'I don't have the time'?

We all say it, but is it really true, or is it simply an excuse not to do something that we don't want to do.

If we really, truly want to achieve something, then we can find the time to do it.

It may need a little thinking about, we may need to examine our life and find some space by evaluating our priorities, but if we want it enough, then we will find the time.

By finding the time to do the important things, our life will be more enriched, more fulfilling.

So instead of immediately saying that you don't have the time to do something, either be honest to yourself and others and say that you do not want to do it. Or, if it is something that is important to you, find the time.

Make time, follow your dreams and move forward.

Little by little

In order to realise our dreams, we have to move towards them.

This journey may be short or it may be long, but unless we keep moving forward, we will never reach our destination.

There may be times when we feel like we have lost our momentum and that we will never get there, when we feel like just giving up.

But even if we slow down the speed of our journey, it is important to keep moving, even if this is  only in small steps.

Little by little, these small steps add up, they bring us ever closer to our goal.

Before you know it, you will have made the distance between you and the finish line a lot smaller.

So keep moving, little by little, and take another step towards your dreams.

Today is my Birthday

Today is my Birthday,

My own special day.

And I plan to enjoy it,

In every way.

It's hard to believe,

Half a century has gone by,

So much time,

It surely does fly.

A visit from family,

A bottle of wine,

A glass, perhaps two,

Would suit me just fine.

My friends on Facebook,

Will message with glee

Happy Birthday,

They will say just for me!

My day will be spent,

With frolics and fun,

From the dawns early light,

Until the day's nearly done.

But one thing is sure,

Birthdays wouldn't be such fun,

Without friends and family,

There'd be nearly none!

So if you are reading,

And do wish me good cheer,

I thank you so much,

For being right here.

Communication

Communication is an important part of our lives.

It gives us a chance to share our hopes, wishes, dreams and fears with other people.

It is also an important part of keeping a relationship alive.

To be listened to makes us feel loved, important, cared about.

And a lack of communication leaves us feeling unloved and unhappy.

Communication is a two way process. We need to be listened to when we speak and we need to listen to others when they speak to us.

A one way conversation is a fruitless and depressing thing.

So remember to take the time to communicate, to speak and be listened to and to listen in return.

We all have many valuable things to say, and we all have valuable things to listen to.

So keep that two way street open - communicate.

Sadness

Everyone at some time in their life feels sadness.

This may be because of the loss of a loved one or the disappointment of a missed opportunity.

Sadness hurts, sadness is difficult.

But the reason that we feel sadness is because we care.

So in a way, sadness is something to be embraced, because without the caring that caused it, our lives would not be so blessed.

We should accept this sadness and the reason for it, without letting it become an overwhelming force.

We should use it as a leaning experience because after the crushing initial sadness passes, there is a new appreciation of what we have, how precious our lives really are.

So even in the depths of our sadness, we should try to find the strength to carry on, to move forward.

Feel, move on, grow, remember.

What's draining your energy?

We all go through periods where we feel exhausted for no apparent reason.

Often, this is caused by situations that we find ourselves in or from the people that surround us.

These things can, quite literally, sap our energy away.

When we find ourselves cocooned in negativity, we will feel tired and drained.

But if we try to see the positive side of our adversity, rather than only the negative side, or spend time with happy, positive people, we will feel better.

Take the time to examine your life, see what is causing your energy leeches.

Take the time to change how you think and deal with them.

Make the change, regain your energy and move forward towards your goals.

Wait for it!

How often have you felt that overwhelming need to do or have something right at this second?

Sometimes taking the plunge and having it now is acceptable, but there are times when it is really better to wait a while.

If we step back and wait, sometimes the outcome can be better.

It gives us a chance to examine what it is that we want and whether it is truly the right thing for us to do right now.

By waiting, we may find that there is something better suited to our needs and will save us the frustration of having or doing something that just isn't quite right.

We may also find that by waiting, we realise that we didn't really want it after all, which will leave room in our life for something more fulfilling.

So before jumping in with both feet, step back and wait a bit. Think it through, look at alternatives.

Wait for it and make sure that what you finally decide to do is the best possible fit for your needs.

Have a great day

What sort of day are you going to have today?

Will it be just a standard run of the mill one, or will you have a great day?

How your day goes is, for the greater part, chosen by your attitude to it.

You can drift through it, just getting by, or you can chose to make it special.

You can choose to do your best, make a difference, or you can choose not to.

Every day holds the opportunities to make it great.

Even normal days carry these chances, you just have to make the most of them when they appear.

Today is your day, choose to make it great!

Live kindly

Acts of kindness come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. From the small ones right up to the huge.

Some people live a life of kindness, incorporating it into every day situations, other people do a huge act of kindness once in a while.

Acts of selfless kindness are welcomed, but the best ones are the ones that are done quietly, consistently, the ones that do not call attention to themselves.

The people that boast of their kind acts aren't the truly special people.

The truly special people are the ones that are quietly kind every day of their lives.

They bring sunshine and smiles to everybody that their lives touch.

They don't brag, boast or use acts of kindness as a way of making themselves look more important.

They do it for no other reason than that they care deeply.

Every day we are surrounded by these angels of kindness, who quietly make our lives run just that little bit more smoothly and happily.

So today and every day, live kindly. Make a difference.

What can you do?

Each of us our own talents and abilities. Each of us has a brain which is capable of learning complex, new things.

We are amazing creatures with the ability to do amazing things.

We are only limited by our own minds.

If we really set our mind to doing something, then we will usually find a way if we want it enough.

So instead of concentrating on what we can't do, we should concentrate on achieving what we do want to do.

We should use our strong and able mind to find a way, to learn new skills, to help us on our way.

Use that positive power to strive to succeed.

Learn, grow, achieve.

My beautiful life

Sometimes, I think that life has given me a raw deal, has cast more than its fair share of obstacles in my way.

But when I think about it, my life is beautiful and blessed.

There is always enough food to eat.

If I am sick I can see a Doctor.

I have a house which is dry and warm.

I have a loving family.

Yes, things do happen which are difficult, make life more of a challenge, but I am also incredibly lucky to have these things.

For many, these things that we take for granted, are just a dream.

So the next time that you think that life has given you a raw deal, really stop to think about just how much you really do have.

How beautiful and blessed your life really is.

Happy Halloween

Tonight is the night,

It's Halloween!

Expect lots of callers,

From tot up to teen.

What will they wear,

Vampire, ghost or ghoul?

Some of their costumes,

Are really quite cool!

They run door to door,

Lots of small feet,

Hoping for sweets,

And nice things to eat.

Trick or Treat,

Is the opening cry,

Then into the dish,

For treats they do vie.

The night wears on,

And the callers tail off.

There's a few sweets left,

That I think I will scoff!

Time to settle down,

A film, scary I'm sure,

Turn off the lights,

Lock up the door.

So to all of you friends,

Now I have set the scene,

Have a very happy,

Halloween!

Doctor Google!

I'm feeling kind of dizzy,

Maybe it's the flu!

Let's ask Google.

It'll know what to do.

Oh dear, the results are in,

The diagnosis is clear,

Google says cancer,

For my life I do fear!

I feel very scared,

Let's Google once more.

Eeek, scare stories!

My jaw hits the floor.

It might be quite simple,

Do not fret,

But Google,

Hasn't finished quite yet!

It could be a tumour,

Or some other rare thing

Maybe I should,

Give my doctor a ring!

Don't be so worried,

My family says

It's nothing so bad,

You'll be better in days.

If you're feeling a bit ill,

The moral is clear,

Don't google your symptoms,

Or death you will fear!

Yet more pills!

I'm getting quite old,

But feeling quite fit,

I'm going to the Doc,

In just a little bit.

You haven't been here,

For year upon year,

You need a check up,

These are the words that I fear!

Your fat's a bit high,

Just take this pill!

It'll protect your heart,

You won't get so ill!

I take my daily pill,

But oh, I feel sick!

Back to the Doctor,

I rush very quick!

Here, try this new drug,

As well as the first,

It'll counteract the effects,

He cajoled and coerced!

I took the new pill,

But soon I did find,

My head felt so dizzy,

Thought I was losing my mind!

Back I did go,

More pills, five, six and seven!

I feel so ill,

Think I might go to heaven!

I go back again,

Is there another way,

So I can feel fit,

Run jump and play?

Well you could stop the pill,

Eat healthily, go to the gym,

Your fat will go down,

If you eat veg and slim!

What about the rest?

Can I stop them all too?

Yes, said the Doc,

It'll be better for you.

So I stopped all the pills,

Got healthy and fit,

And now I don't feel ill,

No, not one little bit!

A letter to my unborn son

The day that I found out that I was carrying you inside me was one of the happiest days of my life.

Weeks passed and something didn't feel quite right, but I hoped that you were well, growing stronger within me every day.

But then one day, there was so much blood! A trip to the hospital. A scan. No heartbeat. Drugs, pain and tears, and then you were gone.

All that was left was emptiness.

I never got to hold you, see your face, kiss your brow.

I never got to see you walk, go to school, grow up.

You would be 23 now – a man.

I often wonder what you would have looked like. Would you have my curly hair and blue eyes?

What interests would you have had, what job would you have taken?

Would you have a wife, children of your own by now?

Only one thing is certain my son. One day we will be together again.

Until then, I will love you always.

Set a date

Often there are things that we need to do, but we never seem to get around to doing them. It becomes something that we will do some day

But the problem is that the some day never arrives, and meanwhile the task just sits there, taunting us.

Over the years, the I'll get around to it one day list grows and grows.

After a while, there are so many tasks, that we don't know where to start, so we don't.

In this situation, it is useful to list what needs to be done and to set a date to do it.

By having a date written down, we will have a positive point to work towards.

It will give us the push that we need to get us going on the task.

So instead of just looking at the room which need decorating, or the room that needs decluttering, set a date, stick to it and get the job done.

True love

It is easy to love someone or something when all is going well, but it is not so easy to love when the going gets tough.

This is when true love arrives.

It is not so easy to love that special person when they are angry or are trying your patience.

It's not so easy to love when all you want to do is sleep, but they will not let you.

But to continue to love someone at these trying times is true love.

It is the love that survives adversity, illness and arguments.

It is the love that grows and burns after the first flush is over.

There are times when true love can be hard and all you want to do is to walk away.

But true love won't let you, because it runs deep within your being.

True love makes you strong, gives you a deep sense of belonging.

Embrace true love, because it truly is a gift worth keeping.

I love books!

I love books!

I read them all the time.

Big books, small books,

Romance, thriller, crime.

I learned to read,

When I was just four,

There wasn't a book

That I found a bore.

That smell, oh gosh,

Paper and ink,

It pulls me in,

Tickles me pink!

A good story, an escape,

Can never be beat,

Mountains to climb,

People to greet!

An adventure is had,

On sea, sky and land,

All of it held,

In the palm of a hand.

Now I am techy,

I've got a Kindle,

But my love of paper books,

It will never dwindle.

But, oh the excitement,

Of a thousand good reads

On a device so small,

Imagination it feeds

I love my new gadget,

It's full of good stuff,

But of paper backed books,

I cannot get enough.

Targeted advertising woes

Picture the scene: you've just spent hours perusing various interweb sites to find the perfect present for that someone special.

You're certain that they are going to love what you have got them. It's not something that they had asked for, but it's right up their street.

You pay and wait eagerly for the parcel to be delivered, so that you can hide it in a cunning place where they will never find it.

So, fast forward a week, and said gift is squirreled away safely and all is well........................or so it seems!

I am happily checking what my friends on Facebook are up to and I get up to  make a drink, leaving my laptop on the sofa.

I come back and the 'someone special' is sitting on the sofa with a big grin on their face, looking at my computer screen.

And there, for all to see, in the targeted ads is the present that I had bought for them - lovely! Talk about ruining the surprise.

Birthday and Christmas season will soon be upon me and once more I will be looking for that special gift.

But this year I've beaten the ads. I've found a way of turning off the targeted ads. It was very simple in the end. When I was on Facebook, I noticed a little arrow and a link to the Ad Choices site, where I could stop targeted ads from showing up.

So this year, I can shop online for my loved ones, safe in the knowledge that my laptop won't spoil the surprise - unless they work out my hiding place that is.

Kindness

How often do you choose to be kind?

Being kind makes a big difference to those around you and also to your own feelings and emotions.

Many people seem to be naturally kind all of the time, but for other people, there are times when it has to be a conscious decision.

There are some situations where we can choose to be kind, or choose not to - it is up to us.

Being kind can really brighten somebody's day, restore their faith in the goodness of the human race.

Kindness comes in all shapes and forms. It can be simple, like helping somebody who is struggling with heavy bags.

Or it can be a lifelong vocation in which kindness to others is central.

Today, and everyday, we should make an effort to be kind. It will benefit both us and the life that we are being kind to.

Make the effort, be the difference.

Life and death

The one certainty in the life of everybody on this planet is that they are going to die one day.

Hopefully, that day will be at the end of a long life full of joy.

But how often do we think about death?

In our busy lives we rush here and there, filling our days with routine and work.

Our time on this Earth is finite and time that we fritter away can never be reclaimed.

If we knew that our death was imminent, would we do things differently?

The answer would, of course, be yes.

We would set our life in order, settle feuds, do the things that we had always planned to do but had never got around to.

But what if today was your last day? How would you live it? Would you waste it or would you pack it with experience.

One thing is certain - one day it will be your last day. Make every moment until then count.

Give and take

There are some people in life who only give, and others that only take.

Whilst this may suit a few people, generally it does not.

If we constantly give and never receive, we can become disillusioned with our fellow man.

And conversely it is not fair to be a taker and never give back.

If we fit strongly into either the giver or taker category, then we should strive to become more balanced.

Sometimes it is difficult to achieve, but we should still try our best to do so.

If a person always gives to us, then we should make a conscious effort to give them something in return.

Sometimes all that is needed is to say thank you, to acknowledge their efforts and to make them feel wanted.

If this does not happen, then the person can begin to feel undervalued and upset.

And if we are a person that always takes, then we should make the effort to give, to help and make somebody else feel good.

So think about give and take today. Keep the balance right, today and always.

Lady of the night

Time for work! Cara grabbed her keys and got ready to leave.

She shivered and pulled her coat closer around her, closed the door of the cottage and walked out into the darkness.

This was a lovely little village in the middle of nowhere and a place that she felt safe and secure, away from the hurly burly of the nearby city.

Her neighbours were mostly elderly couples, spending their days pottering around their garden, enjoying their retirement.

It had taken them a while to get used to her, accept her as one of their own. But with her smart clothes and clipped English accent she began to make friends, enjoy a daily chat about roses and tea.

But, oh, would the residents be so friendly if they knew what she did? A smile played on her lips as she climbed into the car.

Half an hour later she arrived at her destination.

She opened the door and blaring music assailed her ears, the smell of smoke stung her eyes and nose.

She flung off her coat to reveal the sexy, scant underwear beneath, climbed onto the stage, caressed the pole and danced!

Dear reader, I am sorry

Dear reader I am sorry,

This is my plight!

I can't think what to write,

Though I try with such might.

My mind has gone blank,

And my fingers are still,

I'm trying to think,

With all of my will.

Maybe in time,

Thoughts they will glow,

Images bright,

Words surely flow!

But until that time,

I'll sit and I'll think

Then I'll write you some more,

As quick as a wink!

Puzzle magazine woes!

I love a good puzzle,

Crosswords and such,

They keep my mind nimble,

I enjoy them so much.

More than twenty years back,

A new company came,

Offering puzzle mags,

And prizes to claim.

I paid for the mags,

And had so much fun,

Writing and filling,

Dreaming of what could be won!

Over the years,

Things were just fine,

Mags were arriving,

Always on time.

Then the mags didn't come,

Quite out of the blue,

What could have happened,

Could you give us a clue?

You won't miss the mags,

The editor said,

We'll send them quite soon,

But here's something I dread.

I have a life subscription,

And once dead,  time won't come back,

Unless you revive me,

Give me mags that I lack!

As well as no mags, there's another pet peeve:
Most weeks I get a letter,
Pay for this mag,
It's new and it's better!

But why should I pay?
I just want what I'm due!
I really don't want,
Something that's new!

So the months have gone past,

Of waiting I tire,

I won't buy any more mags,

Before I expire!

Flu jab season

The weather is cooler,

It's that time of year.

It's flu jab season,

That is quite clear.

The surgery,

Festooned with banners that say,

Make an appointment,

Do it today!

So I sign up right then,

To get the job done,

I know it will hurt,

Won't be much fun.

But the flu it worse,

Two weeks feeling rough,

Instead a quick jab,

It's really not tough.

Today is the day,

I pull up my sleeve,

And quick as a flash.

It's done and I leave.

I smile and I think,

I'm safe for a year,

The flu bugs can come,

But I really won't fear.

My arm is a bit sore,

But I really don't mind,

Because catching the flu,

Can be a bit of a bind!

So have you booked yours?

If I can be so bold,

It's free, in some countries,
If you're poorly or old.

So go and get done,

As quick as a flash,

Be protected and safe,

To the clinic, go dash.

Cause and effect

Everything that we do has a cause and effect.

Our words and actions are powerful things. They have the ability to bring hope and love or to bring despair and hate.

How we react in a given situation or person can lead to a very different outcome.

We can use our words and actions to bring a positive outcome or we can use them to bring negativity.

Even if the situation that we find ourselves in is not good, we can make it easier to deal with by speaking and acting in a positive way.

So how will you use your day today? Will it be a day full of love, joy and positivity, or will it be a day of negative thoughts and actions?

The power is in your hands. Use it wisely.

Clearly define

In order to have a dream or goal to work towards, you need to define it clearly within your own mind.

If you have only a vague idea of what it is that you want to achieve, then you will find it hard to reach your destination.

If you visualise your goal in infinite detail, imagining yourself achieving it, feeling how good it is, then you are giving yourself something tangible to work towards.

It is often useful to write down your goals, break them down into small steps, each getting ever closer to the finish line.

Once you have it written down in black and white, you can start to tick off each step. This will keep you on track, keep the goal fresh and vibrant in your mind.

So clearly define those hopes, dreams and goals today.

Make them real and clear in your mind and work towards feeling the joy of success.

I don't feel like it!

I don't feel like it! How often do we say these words?

Sometimes when an opportunity to do something arises, we just aren't in the mood to do it.

There are other times when something has been on our to do list for ages, but we never seem to be in the right mood to get it done, so it just sits there, taunting us for yet another day.

But if we always wait until we are in the right mood to do something, it may  never get done and we could also be missing out on some exciting new things that we would enjoy.

There are times when we just need to tell ourselves that no matter how we feel, we just need to get on and do it!

Not getting around to doing something eventually weighs us down and the simplest of things grows to mammoth proportions in our mind.

Once we have done the task in hand, we will feel better. We will feel lighter and happier.

So come on, get going, even if you don't feel like it. You may even find that you enjoy yourself.