Monday, 31 December 2018

Door

The question will not be, “What am I going to do with my life?”
 It will be, “Which door do I walk through?”
 - Kristine Carlson

Friday, 28 December 2018

Racing

We have allowed technology to run us at a faster and faster pace. 
But where on earth do we think we are racing to? 
- Kristine Carlson

Wednesday, 26 December 2018

Things

If you take a step back, it’s fairly obvious
 that if things were going to make you feel complete,
 they already would have! 
- Kristine Carlson

Tuesday, 25 December 2018

Merry Christmas

Gifts 
To your enemy...forgiveness. 
To your opponent...tolerance. 
To a friend...your heart. 
To a customer...service. 
To all men...charity. 
To every child… a good example. 
To yourself...respect.
- author unknown

Monday, 24 December 2018

Maturity

The ultimate sign of maturity
 is when you do something, 
even if your parents approve! 
- Kristine Carlson

Friday, 21 December 2018

December 21, 2018 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings

   “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

   I’m sure you’ve heard that little homily before, and seems to become more popular around Christmas time.

   While this is considered to be an antidote to the “gimme’s,” and encourage people to be more generous, it really isn’t as true a sentiment as we’ve been led to believe, and has unfortunately made receiving a bad thing in our society.

  First off, if everyone is giving, or supposed to be giving, who are they actually giving to?  Who is really receiving their gifts?  Is there even anyone left to receive what is being given?

  Second, can you really be considered a giver if someone doesn’t accept or receive your gift?  Have you really given something away if there isn't a recipient on the other side to acknowledge it?

  Third, it is impossible to give something to someone without receiving something in return.  I don’t mean a tangible reciprocated gift, but that by giving gifts to others, or doing a service, we receive (experience) more warmth, joy, compassion, and love in our hearts.

   And, lastly, receiving isn’t evil.  When we refuse to accept another’s gift, we are really rejecting the other person’s desire to bring joy, or be of service, in our lives.  The same qualities we desire when we give.   In fact, I recently heard someone say that graciously receiving what others give is the greatest gift that you can give to anyone.

   Just as it is impossible to only and continuously exhale (or inhale, for that matter), it is impossible to only and continuously give.  And, just as with our breathing, with the exhale creating space and leading automatically into the inhale and so on, when we give something we are automatically creating space to receive something new.  Each gift given gives to both the recipient AND the giver, and each give received is received by both the recipient and the giver.


   We are told Christmas is the season of giving...it is not really.  It is the season of BOTH giving and receiving.  So, this year we should remember, “it is more blessed to give AND to receive.”  Merry Christmas!

Beth 

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://sites.google.com/site/thechautauqua25/home/December%2021%2C%202018%20Chautauqua.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Stop

Stop running around simply because 
“you gotta keep up, and you gotta keep going.”
 - Kristine Carlson

Monday, 17 December 2018

Surprised

Instead of being upset when things don’t go according to plans, 
instead be pleasantly surprised when, once in a while, 
something you plan actually meets your expectations!
 - Kristine Carlson

Friday, 14 December 2018

Masterpiece

Make each day your masterpiece.
 - John Wooden

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Anxious

Whoever said being anxious 
gets more accomplished?
 - Bob Burg & John David Mann

Monday, 10 December 2018

Foolish

Sometimes you feel foolish, even look foolish, 
but you do the thing anyway.
 - Bob Burg & John David Mann

Friday, 7 December 2018

December 7, 2018 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings

  If you were to write out a list of everything you wanted in life for your loved ones, what would be on that list? Why not pause and actually write it out right now.

   And, what if you were to write out a list of everything you wanted in life for yourself, what would you include on your list?  What are your “must haves?”

   Now, if you are like the vast majority of people in this world, the first list will include a majority of items such as health, happiness, comfort if they are going through grief, peace of mind if they are experiencing worries or anxieties, and calm if their lives are full of chaos and drama.

   The second list, again if you are like most people, will include a majority of items such as vehicles, a larger home or second home, electronics and other technological toys, more money, etc.

   It is interesting that we humans wish for pleasant states of mind and body for others, for ease and happiness, yet for ourselves, we tend to wish for more “stuff.”

  Yet, what we wish for others, is really a sign of what we want and need ourselves, and shows what we think is really missing from our lives.  While it might be nice to get the latest phone, or newest model vehicle, at the end of the day, or the bottom of the list as it were, what we really crave is the same as all people...happiness.


   You can’t wrap up happiness and peace of mind, but you can wrap your arms around those you love and give them a hug, or smile at everyone you encounter during your day.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://sites.google.com/site/thechautauqua25/home/December%207%2C%202018%20Chautauqua.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

Better

Do the best you can until you know better. 
Then when you know better, do better.
 - Maya Angelou

Monday, 3 December 2018

Magic Wand

Stop wishing you had a magic wand; 
become the magic wand.
 - Donna Smallin

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