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Can't Say it Enough! + Life Sucks Sometimes + Why Did They Get Married?

Good Morning from Prince Edward Island!

The newsletter is a little late today. Sorry.

Put the kettle on, get out the best china, it is time we chatted about something really important. 

WORDS. 

I love what I do. 

But there are times when it is struggle. 

It was challenging writing something today.  

Then I remembered the ‘words’ someone wrote to me. And they buoyed me.

“Thank you for helping me during a very tough time in my life. This past year... has caused me some pretty sleepless nights, self-doubt, and despair. Reading the good stuff you send my way has helped me remember to be an encourager to others, to stay positive as I worked through my new normal and try to get past the loss. So thank you and know that what you do before hitting 'send' each morning DOES make a difference!"

Words Matter. 

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." 
- Martin Luther King Jr.

What we say internally and externally affects our world. 

Be careful. 

A couple who had been married for sixty years and was asked what their secrets were. “Think before you speak,” resonated. 

Recently, a dear friend posted a video sharing concern for others and community on social media. Her anguish & despair could be felt vibrating through the screen. It broke my heart. Standing in the bully arena; she spoke. Young teenagers picking on a young teen who they 'thought' gay. And this young teen means everything in the world to the speaker.

Damage Done. Words Matter. 

To see the pain inflicted and the wound torn open was too much for her not to speak up and out. She was attempting to reach parents and teachers regarding the importance of choosing words that built up others not tear them down. 

An important message not just for teachers and parents. 

Every soul is beautiful and precious;
is worthy of dignity and respect and deserving of peace, joy and love. ~Bryant Mc Gill 

What we do, what we say, and how we do or say it matters. 

History honours exceptional humans in a positive way through generational stories.  We need to enable others to learn good character, how to be strong, to live with dignity and display grace towards others. 

Give.

Never take a person’s dignity. It is worth everything to them and nothing to you.

Dignity is more important to the human spirit than wealth.
~ Jaqueline Novogratz

 

Life sucks. Sometimes it just does. 

If dignity is my compass, then I must carry on and not give up. 

There will always be challenges ahead. If I have the ability to choose my response to them; I have a response-ability. 

My father spoke a great lesson into my life years ago.  I was upset with him. He wouldn’t bail me out of a problem. I was 24 at the time and my first business failed. 

While I expressed my frustration, he remained calm. When I finished my rant, he said, “Son, I am sorry I can’t help you with this, but if you have a problem best face it.” 

At the time I was unable to accept his wisdom. 

Weeks later and many times since, his wisdom has rewarded me many times over when I took his words to heart and honoured them. 

The times I don’t; strife is my shadow. 

I need to be mindful of my shadows. Are the internal or external words I am using; positive or negative? 

We have choices each day to use words as a positive force or a negative force in our lives and the lives of others. This goes beyond just positive thinking. It is positive doing. 

I read earlier this week about a person who after waking, washes his face, looks in the mirror and states emphatically, I LOVE YOU, and I WILL LOOK AFTER YOU TODAY. 

What we say to ourselves matters. Words really do matter. 

"Getting the most out of life isn’t about how much you keep for yourself,
but how much you pour into others."
~ David Stoddard

This video can be a bit disturbing to watch, but the words are powerful and so true. 

Just a snippet of the lyrics to Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Change!

A quote I am pondering...

“I am fundamentally an optimist.
Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say.
Part of being optimistic is keeping
one's head pointed toward the sun,
one's feet moving forward.
There were many dark moments
when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but
I would not and could not give myself up to despair.”
—Nelson Mandela

This week, I seemed to listen a lot to a new album by Lang Lang. Bach Goldberg Variations. Dozens of artists have recorded these works. It is a unique interpretation of this classic classical piece of music. Take a sample listen here. 

Wishing you a nice weekend. 

Taking care of business: Every week we put up new gift box ideas. Click to see

Take care and stay safe. 

With Love from Prince Edward Island,

Bruce & Millie

Ps. Your Morning Smile

Grade school children were asked the question, "Why did your mom marry your dad?"

These are some responses:

  1. She got too old to do anything else with him.
  2. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
  3. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world, and Mom eats a lot!
Previous article Happy News + Rewilding + Magicians Dilemma

Comments

Marion Sawatzki - November 18, 2020

Thanks, Bruce for another thoughtful post. We have to be reminded sometimes that words matter immensely! All the best and stay healthy.
Marion from NS

Julie - November 16, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed the blog today Bruce. Watching that video brought tears to my eyes…only we can bring about change. 👍 Thanks for sharing that! Sometimes we need to be reminded about that.

Jack & Lillian Paul - November 15, 2020

Thank you for another great Blog Bruce. Your words brighten us each week. I agree with Zyna in Winnepeg as Ontario is also badly infected with Covid and possible headed for another lock down. The Atlantic Bubble has been so good to keep our Island family safe. As a friend’s daughter said the other day "I couldn’t have Mom for Easter or her birthday or Thanksgiving and now it looks like no Christmas. I understand life “Sucks” these days but we all have to do what we can to make it better. Stay safe & give each other a hug including Millie. Lillian

Susan - November 15, 2020

Sending you a hug today…I have a print framed in my office that says, “Just when you think you will never smile again, life comes back.” Hang in. Hang on. Look around for the love that is surely there.

Dave Stroud - November 15, 2020

Bruce , Definitely food for thought. Thanks for the pick me up first thing in the morning. God bless.

Beth - November 15, 2020

And to everyone in Canada (and Z in Winnipeg)
Hang On.
We are all with you.
B, Australia

Beth - November 15, 2020

Yep, sometimes life does suck. That’s just how it is. But yes, words matter and make a difference and I really appreciate yours. I love the pictures and the smiles from you and Millie too. Oh, and the preserves. And yes, the kettle is on anytime. Beth. Australia

Annie - November 14, 2020

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your blog – it is a breath of fresh air every Saturday morning, and a steady reminder to use my words as you do – to encourage, to engage, to give dignity and grace to the hearer. And I strive to instill that reminder in my students – your words are contagious, and they are making a difference in my life, in my students’ lives, and in the lives they uplift with their words. Again, thank you.

Susan E-J - November 14, 2020

Hi there Bruce,
My heart went out to you when I read your Blog today. I didn’t actually get here until 3 pm Ontario time, 4 pm in PEI, so didn’t even realize you were “late” :) I’m with Zyna from Winnipeg too – thank you for your beautiful, empathetic words, Zyna! I reiterate some of them for you here, “Don’t think that you have to be the eternal cheerleader! Your words and caring choices have sustained so many of us SO often. SO I, for one, truly appreciate that you can share your innermost thoughts and ideas with us – even more sobering and darker thoughts – and allow us a forum for return….”
Do take care, Bruce – and my thanks, as always, for sharing your thoughtful reflections, music selections, and the funnies with us every weekend, many of your insightful quotations find their way into my own Journals… To share Zyna’s words once again, “You are loved and needed out here.” AND Tomorrow’s another day – enjoy, Bruce!
Very best, Susan.

Lynn - November 14, 2020

Thank you as always for you thought-provoking blog. I found it very helpful. You’re so right — words do matter. Sadly, I’ve seen little children cringe and shrink at the words spoken to them, and adults too. Having been a recipient of more than my share of that, I have determined to make sure my words do not harm, but help to heal and encourage growth. I’m not always successful, I know, but I’m trying. We can do so much damage with our tongues which is why the book of James warns us about what we do with them.
May you be refreshed after pouring out so much for us, your readers, and others!
peace and blessings
Lynn

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