Posts Tagged ‘quotes’

We’ve again reached that time of year when most people start thinking about all the things they want to change in their lives. For me, January 1 isn’t that significant. Hardly a week goes by that I’m not resolving to change or fix or start or stop something. New Year’s Day is the same with perhaps a little more enthusiasm because it’s not just a new day, week, or month, but a whole new year. But anyone can make resolutions. The challenge is to keep them.

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The best gift for me during the holiday season is the opportunity to spend time with my extended family. And I feel doubly blessed when I listen to some of my friends discuss the trials and tribulations of being with their families—particularly the delicate task of trying to bring together the families of both spouses. I actually like my family. Not only that, I like my brother’s in-laws, too. I even like my sister-in-law’s dog.

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When you think back on the favorite gifts you’ve received in your life, chances are the most memorable aren’t the grandest or costliest, but the ones that came from the heart when you needed a lift. Maybe you remember the day you were recovering from surgery and a friend stopped by with a home-cooked meal or an offer to clean your house. Or perhaps you remember how you were taking the bus to work every day when someone offered you the keys to an old clunker of a used car. Then again, maybe the best gift was just a hug on a day when the world seemed too dark and too lonely.

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Really? Then you must be five years old or the most shallow person on Planet Earth. So you’ve never said or done anything that’s hurt someone else? Never failed to take advantage of an opportunity? Never fallen on your face. Never said yes when you should have said no? Never said no when you wish you’d said yes? Never missed a chance to say a last good-bye?

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Be patient.

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My Pity Parties don’t occur when there’s really something to be upset about. No, during real crises, I’m usually too busy working the problem to have time for a Pity Party. I throw my best celebrations of misery when there’s nothing tangible to upset me. I throw them over the small things, the minor inconveniences and everyday disappointments that plague everyone.

So once a Pity Party begins, how can you turn out the lights and put yourself back into a rose-colored frame of mind? Try counting your blessings.

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At year’s end, people of many cultures look forward to sharing feasts with family and friends. And that means a lot of people are worrying about traveling, meal-planning, additional food expenses, and the inevitable family feuds.

Instead of worrying, try taking a moment to stop and smell the cornbread. That’s right, the cornbread. Or if you prefer, the apple pie, latkes, corned beef and cabbage, baklava, hoppin’ john, or tabbouleh.

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My mother was in the room next to his and frantically tried to quiet him. But he was red-faced, furious, and having none of it. So she brought the squalling little cuss to me.

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Police Chief Brody is tossing chum over the side of the Orca, the vessel he and his fellow hunters are using to track the great white shark that’s been menacing the beach resort of Amity Island. Suddenly the shark’s gigantic wide-stretched jaws emerge from the sea to snatch at the bait.

Stunned by the enormity of their prey, Brody backs into Orca’s cabin and tells its captain, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

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“Gotta get-get,” my nephew would chime as we all played the card game Uno. “Gotta get-get,” I’d reply. We’d keep this up for a bit before shifting to our own butchered version of the remaining lyrics to “Boom Boom Pow”: “I like that boom boom pow. Them chickens jackin’ my style. They try to copy my swagger … I’m so three thousand and eight. You so two thousand and late … I be rockin’ them beats.” Then with our best bass voices we’d turn to each other and croak: “Let the beat rock!”

 We’d be quiet for a while before one of us would start again with “Gotta get-get.” Finally, my brother grumbled, “I’d be happy if I never heard that song again.”

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