
Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Making a Speech
Inspirational and Self Help Blog with a Save the World Complex...
by Joi 2 Comments
by Joi 3 Comments
I believe in animal rights, and high among them is the right to the gentle stroke of a human hand. – Robert Brault
Photo Credit: The one website I’m on at least 3 times a day, I Can Has Cheezburger.com – The only thing I’m on more than ICHC is caffeine.
by Joi 11 Comments
Focus: Concentration is the secret of strength.
Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come. – Perry Paxton
Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts. – Soren Kierkegaard
When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance. – Joel Osteen
I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention. – Diane Sawyer
I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done. – Marie Curie
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. – Buddha
Focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear. – Anthony Robbins
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced. – Swami Vivekananda
We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right. – Marianne Williamson
Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. – Alan Loy McGinnis
I just try to concentrate on concentrating. – Martina Navratilova
I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work. – Thomas Edison
More Quotes About Focus!
* The breathtakingly beautiful art print at the top of the post is by Brian Horisk. It features one of the most gorgeous, threatened, and misunderstood animals on earth, the wolf.
You can buy the Art Print at AllPosters.com. What a beauty!
by Joi 7 Comments
Seriously. Why do people hunt doves? Why would anyone deliberately… for the sport of it… want to intentionally destroy something so completely innocent and helpless? Why want to take anything beautiful out of the world? Shouldn’t we want to bring more beauty INTO the world and work to KEEP the beautiful things around us. I just can’t wrap my head around getting all suited up, grabbing weapons of destruction and pain and heading off in pursuit of killing something.
Three mornings ago, I noticed how full our front yard was with doves. There were quite a few cardinals, as always, but the beautiful symbol of peace seemed to be everywhere – enjoying the seeds, the crumbs, the scenery. I grabbed a cup of coffee, went outside and just enjoyed the show. Since then, however, the fields surrounding our house have been full of gunfire – hunters blasting away at the silence and serenity. Not only do the trees (and yard) seem barren, we can’t even sit outside and enjoy nature.
It sounds like we’re on a Civil War battlefield.
Anyone who reads any of my blogs knows that every now and again, I let off a little steam – usually aimed at people who are bringing harm to children or animals. Eh, this is another instance of the steam and another instance of me trying to wrap my head around something that seems completely and utterly senseless.
Wolves, doves, bears… why hunt and kill anything you aren’t going to even eat? For crying out loud, take up golf or bowling. Play Madden Football. You know, something that doesn’t involve the loss of a life.
Rant over. Steam released.
by Joi 3 Comments
I just finished a book that can only be described as completely beautiful and precious. I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I’m all kinds of animal obsessed. So much so that the term animal lover just doesn’t seem to cover it. We have 3 cats (plus a few strays that I’ve already named, but can’t quite touch yet), 3 hamsters, and a host of cuties that come into our yard each day and night. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do name our possums, rabbits, and raccoons. You have not seen cute until you’ve seen a raccoon with a bunch of grapes!
We currently have 4 bird feeders and I’d name my feathered friends as well, but they number in the gazillions. Besides I don’t have to call them for them to flock to me. All it takes is the rattling of bird seed, a bag of popcorn, or a loaf of bread.
Our dog, sadly, passed away over a year ago and we haven’t gotten another one yet. I’m working on my husband as well as our outside cats. None are budging, yet, but if the hubby remembers how much he loved walking Wednesday, at least he may reconsider.
Anyway, a few of my favorite authors are also animal lovers extraordinaire: Allen and Linda Anderson. This book is their latest: Angel Animals Book of Inspiration: Divine Messengers of Wisdom and Compassion. It’s also probably my favorite book of theirs.
A few days ago, I posted about one of the stories in this wonderful book on my Dream Blog, click the link to read it – the story is about an iguana (oooh, I’ve never had one of those). The story is very interesting.
This beautiful book is available on Amazon for just a little over $10 – are you kidding me?! You could buy one for every animal lover you know and have birthday, Father’s Day, and Christmas gifts that will make them smile ear to proverbial ear.
Angel Animals Book of Inspiration: Divine Messengers of Wisdom and Compassion is a collection of true stories by animal lovers – all about the remarkable animals that have touched their lives.
These are animals that’ll make you smile, laugh, and sometimes even cry. As they’re moving your emotions and stirring your heart, they’ll also inspire you and touch you in a way that you’ll want to share with others. I’ve already shared a few stories with my daughters and their boyfriends. When it comes to animal lovers, my youngest daughter’s boyfriend is a kindred spirit. When they first started dating, there was a big snake on our patio, completely uninvited. That’s where this animal lover draws the DO NOT CROSS line. When this young man saw the snake, his face lit up. When most people would have tried to kill the animal, he took the time to catch it and take it to a field to release it safely. He even talked sweetly to it the entire time – the way I talk to animals with fur and feathers. If I’m not mistaken, he called it baby once.
A sentiment I couldn’t get entirely behind, but I knew the kid was a soul mate.
You’ll want to share these beautiful stories with all of the animal lovers in your life – even the snake handlers.
“As a lifelong animal lover, I am delighted to see them celebrated in such a positive way. You and your pet will enjoy reading this together.” – Betty White
Some of the animals you’ll fall in love with are:
Richard Simmons’ beautiful Dalmations
A Llama with wings!
Cassidy the blue eyed cat
The Dolphin who loved the song “Amazing Grace”
Jasper, a neglected cat who was fortunate enough to be adopted by very sweet and loving parents
And too many more to even list… including, of course, the iguana I mentioned above.
The stories in Angel Animals Book of Inspiration: Divine Messengers of Wisdom and Compassion made me think more about the animals in my own life – how they’ve helped us through hard times and how they’ve touched us in ways we didn’t think possible.
One instance that comes to mind involves my mother. Right after my dad passed away, their beautiful lab had to be put to sleep. What was a heartbreaking time for all of us was about as close to unbearable as possible for my mother. Mom, was also an extreme animal lover, understandably was going through an extremely hard time. One afternoon, she looked out her front door and saw an adorable, frisky, white, little dog staring back at her – wagging his tail so much that it nearly knocked him down! Naturally, she brought him inside. She contacted the local radio stations and put up a few “missing dog” posters. Deep down, I somehow knew that an “owner” wouldn’t show up. I knew the owner was her – because, frankly, I’ve seen God work before and am familiar with His style.
I’ve known many, many dogs in my life but I can honestly say that this dog had the sweetest nature of any dog I’ve ever met. He was simply a joy to be around. He was playful, loving, sweet, and possessed an incredible sense of humor. As all pet lovers know, all animals have different levels of humor. This little dog was a riot and seemed to love NOTHING more than making our mom laugh.
Like I said, I’m familiar with God’s style.
Please grab at least one copy of this book, it won’t just touch your heart, it’ll gently squeeze it.