by B.J. Armstrong

June - the sixth month of the year....
It's the beginning of summer. It is also end of a school year...
Wow! We can rest our minds and brains as we enjoy the activities of the summer.

For us 'older' ones, we can reflect and reminisce about the 'good ole days.' Isn't it strange how everyone wants to live a long life but nobody wants to get old? But age we must .. and as we look back on the past, we realize that each person has a personal mission statement that represents their life. What is yours? Could it be -  a lifetime balance of personal, family, career and community roles you feel that you have accomplished?

Our life must deal with vision-based and principal-based values. It's not enough to have values without vision. We want to be good but we also want to be good for something. Those that attain their 'goals in life' (and I sincerely hope you are one of them) are people that are:

*determined
*imaginative
*confident
*creative

*persevering
*courageous

The future is rushing at us at breakneck speed. Our concentration must not be on our past or on the present, but on the future.

"God has given you this day to use as you will. You can waste it or you can use it for good." ---- Anonymous

Life is a journey. If you are living, then you are still on the road. We all need to have an attitude or gratitude in everything we do. Learning to be thankful is the

golden thread woven through every truly successful life. As we go through life; remember ... nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. I love this quote, "If we encountered a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he read." Author unknown.

One of the most beautiful compensations of this life is that .. no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. And it is really up to the individual person. One smile begins a friendship. One word starts a conversation. One touch shows that you care.

Maybe it's that time in our life that we need to Take Time .....
1. Take time to think: it is the source of your power.
2. Take time to play: it is the secret of your youth.
3. Take time to read: it is the foundation of your knowledge
4. Take time to laugh: it really is your best medicine
5. Take time to dream: it will take you to the stars.
6. Take time to pray: it is your touch with almighty God.
7. Take time to reach out to others: it will give your life significance.

Is it really that big of a deal if your neighbor's dog chases a squirrel into your flower bed? Resist the temptation to let things come before people. Get involved in a worthwhile project that tugs at your heart. You'll find people there with a similar heart. I love the following poem. Read it and then read it again slowly.....

Deep optimism is aware of problems;
but recognizes the solutions;
knows about difficulties;
but believes they can overcome;
sees the negative;
but accentuates the positive;
is exposed to the worst;
but expects the best;
has reason to complain;
but prefers to smile. 
-- William Arthur Ward.

May God grant us the wisdom .. to discover the right ... the will to choose it ... and the strength to make it endure.  -- King Arthur

Remind yourself that no matter what happens .... 24 hours from now ... this day will be gone forever!!!
.