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Category: Self-Improvement

Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

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Once in a Blue Moon: Full moon shining in a blue landscapeHousework must be done often. Otherwise, the house becomes a mess. However, many of us have chores we hate. We only do those chores once in a blue moon. We put them off as long as possible.

Once in a blue moon means rarely.

Something seldom occurs. It does happen, but not often. Examples include:

  • Family reunions
  • Pay raises
  • New houses

A blue moon is usually defined as the second full moon in a calendar month.

That happens about once every three years. The Phrase Finder offers an interesting explanation of the mistake behind that definition.

We can enjoy blue moons even though:

  • The definition may have begun as an error.
  • A blue moon is not blue.

Enjoy blue moons when they occur. Let them remind you to rise and shine. Make the most of every day, whether rare or routine.

[The Lord] made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down (Psalm 104:19 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood and Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by kien virak from Pixabay.

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Can’t Hear Myself Think

Can’t Hear Myself Think

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Can't Hear Myself Think--stream of water in a wooded areaSometimes life gets so loud I can’t hear myself think.

Too much noise makes concentration difficult.

Phones ring and ding. Traffic buzzes and beeps. Timers chime. Alarms sound. Emergency alerts test. Televisions and radios blare.  Dogs bark. People talk, laugh, and cry.

When the noise becomes too great, I try to get away. Although I prefer to walk, any exercise helps.

Inner noise also makes it hard to think.

My brain gets overloaded with:

  • Chores to do
  • Bills to pay
  • People to contact
  • Problems to solve
  • Paperwork to complete

When I can’t hear myself think, my mind needs a rest.

Although exercise gives some relief, my greatest help comes through time alone with God in prayer. If I remember to be still, God soothes my soul. When I can’t hear myself think, such moments of silence are golden – priceless treasures of time.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

Can you identify? What helps you quieten the noise? Please comment.

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil--old cart and carriagesOld wagons, carts, and carriages remind us that the squeaky wheel gets the oil (or grease). Their rides equal hours of fun — if the wheels work well.

However, when a wheel starts to squeak, it stands out from the others. It differs, but not in a good way. It:

  • Irritates
  • Angers
  • Makes us wish it would stop

A squeaky wheel demands attention.

No one likes that constant noise. It gets on our nerves, so we give it the attention it demands. We oil (or grease) it.

The person who complains the loudest and longest also gets the most attention.

Yet, choose carefully when to squeak and when to stay quiet.

Several situations compel us to speak up.

We should voice our concerns about:

  • Abuse or neglect
  • Serious consumer complaints
  • Obvious needs we can help

Yet, noise about everything all the time makes people avoid us.

Remember, silence can be golden. If we constantly fly off the handle, we harm ourselves as well as others.

A word to the wise: Speak up when we should make noise. Shut up when we need peace and quiet.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion.

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Nest Egg

Nest Egg

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Nest Egg--robin's nest in a hole in a tree trunkDo you have a nest egg? Perhaps you hide it in a special place at your home. Maybe in a sock or a cookie jar? Or you might keep it in a bank or other financial institution.

Family members might be aware of your nest egg. Or maybe only you know about it.

A nest egg is money saved for a later time.

Planned uses include:

  • Buying a house
  • Retirement
  • Emergencies
  • Travel
  • A rainy day

Nest eggs may be large or small.

Small ones help with:

  • Christmas or birthday gifts
  • Toys
  • Clothes or shoes
  • A fancy meal

This expression comes from leaving an egg in a chicken’s nest.

A nest egg can be real or fake. Its purpose is to encourage the chicken to lay more eggs.

Most people think of nest eggs for personal use. However, the idea can be expanded to the needs of others. Since you can’t take it with you, what fun to save in order to give it away.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

(I know the above picture is a robin’s egg rather than a chicken’s. Yet isn’t it lovely?)

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

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On the Up and Up

On the Up and Up

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On the Up and Up--hot air balloons in front of cloudsOn the up and up sometimes refers to people becoming successful.

With high goals and hard work, they strive for a good:

  • Income
  • Reputation
  • Position

They rise in the business world.

On the up and up also refers to anything improving.

  • Health
  • Work
  • Relationships

Today’s focus relates to behavior.

People on the up and up are:

  • Honest
  • Dependable
  • Respectable
  • Fair

Anything they say can be taken to the bank. As good as their word, they have no need to hide anything they do.

  • When they make a deal, they honor their agreement.
  • If they share information, no one doubts its truth.
  • When they promise to do something, they do it.

People whose behavior is on the up and up live clean, moral, legally upright lives.

They want to do what is right. They may not become rich or famous. However, they find far greater success than money or fame. Their choices give them a clear conscience – a gift money can never buy.

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you” (Psalm 25:21 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay

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Let It Be

Let It Be

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Let It Be--Green River Lake sceneLet it be. Let it lie. Let sleeping dogs lie. All mean about the same.

To let it be means to leave a situation alone.

  • Wait rather than discuss it.
  • Don’t think too much about it.
  • Choose not to act yet.
  • Don’t dwell on the negative.
  • Get away from it.
  • Relax.

Let it be also relates to people.

We give people space when we let them be. We don’t bother them. They (or we) may need time, so we leave them alone for a while.

We may have to deal with the situation or person later.

However, extra time allows us to:

  • Gain more understanding
  • Think more clearly
  • Prepare a plan

Added time also helps us avoid getting in a jam or opening a can of worms.

 A few situations demand immediate attention.

We must act quickly. When that happens, let’s act wisely. We want to use our information and resources in the best possible way.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

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Meet Yourself Coming and Going

Meet Yourself Coming and Going

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Meet Yourself Coming and Going-coming and going signs pointing in opposite directionsDo you ever meet yourself coming and going? With too many irons in the fire, you start one job, walk away, and see another job that needs attention. You begin the new chore, turn around, and see something else to do. After moving from one task to another, you realize you have finished nothing.

Does that sound familiar?

To meet yourself coming and going, you feel pulled in several directions.

You find yourself with:

  • Too much to do
  • Little time to do it
  • Uncertainty when you will get everything done

Too many chores usually mean too little rest.

You never find time to:

  • Sleep
  • Relax
  • Enjoy life

You must slow down or you will get down.

Failure to rest eventually means you run out of steam. You either give up or get sick. No one can go forever. You have to take care of yourself in order to do what needs to be done.

In order to keep going, you first learn to be still — how to:

  • Rest
  • Relax
  • Recharge your strength.

You focus on what must be done rather than all you want to do.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8 NIV).

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Thank you to the person who made this suggestion, based on my recent activity. I confess I must plead guilty as charged.

Don’t Sweat It

Don’t Sweat It

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Don't Sweat It-Fan in the foreground; sun in the backgroundLast week we explored sweating bullets. This week we look at a better plan: Don’t sweat it.

Don’t sweat it means not to worry about it.

When troubles arise, sweating bullets does no good. In fact, it frequently causes great harm.

  • Upset stomach
  • Headaches
  • Tight Muscles.
  • Sleep Loss

“Ain’t no need to worry.”

Several years ago, I watched an interview of a baseball player. I don’t remember the player or his team. However, I do remember this wise (but grammatically incorrect) quote.

He explained that if we worry about something that never happens, we waste all that time and energy. Therefore, “ain’t no need to worry.”

Then he said if we worry about something that does happen, we failed to stop it. Again, “ain’t no need to worry.”

 “Why worry when we can pray?”

This quote comes from my friend Marian Woosley.

Her grammatically correct message reminds us to shake off our worry. Pray about our concerns. Let go and let God have control.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22 NIV).

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Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay.

Make No Bones About It

Make No Bones About It

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Make No Bones About It-a cup of soupWhen we serve soup, we want no bones about it. We may cook bones in our soup, but we take them out when we eat. Swallowed bones often result in a visit to the hospital.

The origin of make no bones about it is uncertain.

According to The Free Dictionary, possibilities include:

  • Boneless soup or stew
  • Dice (originally made from bones) thrown with no hesitation

Make no bones about it means to be open and honest.

We:

No one has to guess our meaning. We speak frankly.

However, we want to be honest without being mean.

The truth often hurts as much as a lie. Therefore, if a truth helps no one, let’s bite our tongue. Some words are better left unspoken.

Always speak the truth in love.

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Image by RitaE from Pixabay.

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Big Head

Big Head

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Big Head--Closeup of lion's headLions have a big head, a loud roar, and a reputation as king of the jungle. Although big, strong, and fast, lions can be caught and controlled by smaller, weaker, and slower lion tamers.

People with a big head think they are better or more important than everyone else.

They:

Their actions say:

  • I am better than you.
  • Look at me.
  • I am number one.

Pride controls people with a big head.

Self rules. Everything and everyone else take second place.

However, like lions, pride often leads to a fall.

Humility offers a better way.

Humble people recognize the worth in everyone. They treat others with:

  • Respect
  • Love
  • Wisdom
  • Compassion

When people treat one another as they wish to be treated, everyone wins. Our world becomes a better place.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NIV).

Thanks to Betty C. Johnson for the suggestion. Image by Kevinsphotos from Pixabay

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