An Experiment into the Mind

Carefully follow the instructions below I will attempt to read your mind and tell you your answer:

• Think of a number between 2 and 9

• Multiply the number by 9

• Add the two digits together

• Subtract 5 from the number you now have

• Convert the number into a letter -
• 1 = a
• 2 = b
• 3 = c
• etc
  

• Think of a European Country starting with that letter

• Now think of the second letter of that country

• Think of an animal that starts with that letter

(This must be an animal - not a bird - so if you are thinking of an eagle think again!)

• What colour is your animal?

• Now concentrate carefully on your answers

Check below to see if I have read your mind.......





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What you are thinking..........?????????
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You are thinking of a grey elephant that comes from Denmark.

So how did I do??

A Life In Your Hands

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn;
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight;
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy;
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty;
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient;
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence;
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate;
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice;
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith;
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself;
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Dorothy Law Holte

Prayer

Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life, and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love, and burn up the
thorns of my sins, kindling my heart with the
flame of thy love.
Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart
and reign there.
For thou alone art my King and my Lord.

ST. DIMITRI OF RASTOV

"Oh, help and bother!"

"Oh, help!" said Pooh.
"I'd better go back." "Oh, bother!" said Pooh.
"I shall have to go on." "I can't do either!" said Pooh.
"Oh, help and bother!"

Lately my community has been impacted and is discussing topics brought up by Pete Scazzero pastor of New Life Fellowship located in Queens, New York. He has written Emotionally Healthy Church and Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Additionally, he has series on the topic of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality on the church web site. LINK
His past two messages have used a metaphor of a wall that will appear in the path of our journey that we must choose to go through.

I am reminded of the above quote by Pooh. So many decide to not do either.

My Daily Goal

"I try to make everybody's day a little more surreal."
-- Calvin of Calvin & Hobbes

I accomplished this today. Frank, who works on the construction job where I am spending my retirement mentioned in passing that it has been decided that I am “whacked”.
If you understand that drugs and alcohol are the path to construction you will understand the enigma of a 52 year old school headmaster stripping forms and tying steel. (Not to mention lifting and carrying 150 cement blocks onto the second floor slab 15 minutes before quitting time – but I digress)

Nevertheless it is a job that pays well and allows me to come and go as I please. (And I get the strangest looks from people who know what I am doing.)

Old Age Is Fierce

Many years ago I heard this from older construction workers when I was just a young buck. Now that I am returning to day labor as a form carpenter at 52 years of age I have come to understand.
After spending the past four weeks in North Carolina (without computer access) I am becoming reaquainted with various blogs and my typical internet information fix.

Anyway, staying with the theme a few thoughts on aging:

Signs that you are getting old:

• Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work.
• In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
• It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump.
• It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.
• It takes twice as long to look half as good.
• No one expects you to run into a burning building.
• People call at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
• People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
• The clothes you've put away until they come back in style... come back in style.
• The twinkle in your eye is only the reflection of the sun on your bifocals.
• There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
• Things you buy now won't wear out.
• When getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
• When happy hour is a nap.

A Prayer of St. Patrick

For Protection and Enlightment

May the strength of God pilot us
May the power of God preserve us
May the wisdom of God instruct us
May the hand of God protect us
May the way of God direct us
May the shield of God defend us
May the hosts of God protect us
Now and always