A Lesson on Being Nice

One of my biggest pet peeves is people that cannot be nice. Everyone is perfectly capable of being nice, some people just choose to be jerks or rude and snooty to others. We are all created equal when God places us on this earth. But some people gain the attitude that they are better than others and treat others with little or no respect at all. It really saddens me when I see people being mean to others, or belittling their family or friends, or their own children for that matter. It just isn't right.

Have you ever heard the theory about how we are nice to complete strangers but sometimes not so nice to our own family? There was an example in an e-mail one time about how if we bump into a perfect stranger in the store we will say "I'm sorry" and apologize, but if we bump into someone in our household while passing through the hallway or in a room, we yell at the person to "watch out." Sound familiar? Often times people do this and don't even realize it. I make a habit that if I have had a stressful day at work or am upset about something, NOT to take it out on my family or my daughters. Sometimes we have a bad day at work and we come home in a bad mood and are cranky with our spouse, kids, and family. If this happens, the best thing to do is to literally put all the bad stuff outside on the doorstep before you enter the household. Then once you enter the front door, you do not think about work, you do not worry about what you have to accomplish the next day, you just leave it outside your house and can pick it up in the morning on the way out the door. That way you are not cranky and yelling at family members who have nothing to do with the problems from a job or somewhere else. It's not the kids' fault that you had a bad day, so don't take it out on them. Not everyone is this way and thank God not everyone is like this or this world would be in even more trouble. But seriously, if this scenario describes you, take a step back and think about how it reflects on others. If you are grouchy with them for something they have no control over, it just causes friction and angry feelings between family members. And that does not make for a happy household!

Having a stressful day at work is only one scenario. Sometimes people are just grouchy or cranky in general. Only their close friends or family members know how they REALLY are behind closed doors. So many times people put on a happy face so that everyone else will think their life is perfect and that they have no problems. But we all have issues or problems at some point or another. And if we didn't, then we would not be human! So the best thing to do is when you have a problem, find a way to solve it. Do not let it fester and turn you into some kind of wicked monster that no one can stand to be around.


Why is it that some people can be nice to others' faces and then turn around and stab them in the back two seconds later? These people are called Two Face and that is a term I personally cannot stand. If someone is going to be like that around me, then that person will not be around me for very long. I cannot stand those people who are a "fake nice." They pretend to be your friend, and then use what information they can to run your name through the mud. That is another one of my biggest pet peeves. Usually people like this are huge gossipers and stir up drama as much as they possibly can.

Then there are some people that just cannot be happy no matter what happens in life. And not only are they not happy, but they try to drag others down with them. They can't be nice to other people, and they probably aren't nice to themselves either. The ultimate sad truth is that no matter what you do for the person, around the person, or anything you do in life is not good enough, nor will it ever be good enough. You could be a saint in this world, you could live a perfect life, you could discover oil and become rich, you could do alot of things right and it's still not good enough for that person. And when we have to deal with someone like this, it makes life difficult and it hurts. It physically, mentally, and emotionally hurts a person to the point they can only handle so much. And we all have our limits, some more than others. And usually when pushed to the limit, people will react differently. I personally start walking backwards, keep my distance, and push people like this away. I believe life is too short to fight over stupid petty things and if someone wants to dwell on every little detail of life, I feel sorry for them. I feel genuinely sorry for that person because they are missing out alot on life.

It's sad but sometimes it takes something drastic happening to someone to make them step back and look at how they are treating others, how they are taking life and everything for granted, and how they have turned into a person they don't even like or know anymore. Sometimes it takes someone dying, or a car wreck, or a disease, or a job loss, or a divorce, or a major change for that person to see the light. And even sometimes when something drastic happens, that person still doesn't get it. They don't understand what kind of person they have turned into, or the fact that no one wants to be around them because they feast on pessimistic thoughts all the time. It's almost as if the devil has grabbed a hold of them, and really won them over and refuses to let that person go. Sometimes God uses tragic events or the loss of a person on earth to make people realize what they have taken for granted, or uses those events to make people change their lives for the better. We never want to lose anyone near and dear to us, but people go to Heaven when their time arrives, whether we want them to go or not. Sometimes losing a loved one takes more of a toll on people than others realize. Regardless of the tragic event, sometimes it takes something like that to make people see the light and change into a good person that is hidden somewhere deep inside themselves.

Too often times people let things fester for too long and that is a reason they cannot be nice to others. Families feud, friendships break up, couples break up, marriages break up, and the list goes on and on all because someone could not be nice. If we all do our part and have respect for other people, and keep our nose out of everyone else's business, cut down on the gossip all together, and don't stir drama up, this world would have alot more happier people. Some people get their high off of gossipping or stirring up trouble. And I'm sorry to say, but for those people, it's karma that will come back around and bite them in the butt some day.

Just remember close friends and family are really sometimes all you have. Even if you lose everything, your true friends and true family will always be there for you. But if you want to keep true friends and family, you must be a true friend or family member as well. You must respect others the way you want to be respected. You must treat others the way you want to be treated. It's just common sense and common decency to be a good person if you want others to be good to you. Family is family because they are blood related or adopted. Friends are friends because God has brought people into your life for a purpose.

I just wish everyone could be nice in this world. I wish everyone would think more positively and not be so negative all the time. I wish everyone could give respect to others that they expect in return. I wish people would keep their mouth shut and their opinions to themselves when it's going to hurt other people. I wish people would not make judgements about others and how they live their life. I wish people could all get along with bickering and fighting over petty crap. I wish more people could have my attitude and be nice and positive more often. I wish more people would pray to the Lord for guidance and for Him to show them their purpose in this life. I wish people would leave well enough alone and stop trying to drum up drama out of nothing. I wish people would stop gossiping to others and forming their own conclusions when they don't have all the facts. I wish people would stop telling others how they should be living their life. I wish people would wake up in the morning with a cheerful smile, do something good for someone else each day, and go to bed a happy person. I wish I had a genie that could make all this come true but that is wishful thinking.

If you find yourself being mean to others, being judgemental, being hateful, or being rude, why? Why do you want to live your life that way? Have you ever thought your actions and words hurt others to the point that you could lose them for good one day? Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and say that you do not like the person you have become? If so, it's time to make a change and the time is now. Do not wait until it's too late because tomorrow could be too late. The world could end tonight and you would not be guaranteed a spot in Heaven. Something bad could happen to you right now and you would never be able to apologize for the wrong things you have done in this world. Sometimes we need to be harsh on ourselves to make ourselves a better person. The time to do that is now; for tomorrow may be too late. If you are a mean person for too long, you will grow to be a bitter old person. And I pity people like that. I pray for everyone right now who needs to be a better and nicer person starting here and now. I pray that the Lord gives them the tools they need to be a better person for themselves and for the sake of others. Remember life is short, we only get one life to live so why not make the most of it? Enjoy life's simple little pleasures. Take a fresh breath of air and be grateful for the blessings that God has given you. Make a positive difference in this world. That is only the beginning. You must choose to live a nicer and happier life. May God help anyone who needs to be nicer to others. He is there; you just have to ask for His help. God Bless!

A Tough Friday

We must always remember to put our trust and faith in God at all times. Even in the most difficult and hard times, we must trust in the Lord. Sometimes we just need a little reminder to do that. I do trust in the Lord at all times, but sometimes it's not always the easiest thing to do. I just have to remember that what happens in life is out of my hands and I cannot control some things. But if I have faith and trust in the Lord, He will not steer me wrong. It's important we remember this each and every day!

Today was a difficult day. Grandma Becky was laid to rest and I am so grateful she is in Heaven with my baby Mindy (as we still call her) and the rest of the family that has gone one before us. The funeral was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. I have missed seeing all of my old family members from when I was married. They all told me I am still family and I am forever grateful for that. This family certainly is a wonderful bunch of people who have touched my life and changed me in so many ways.

Please pray for Grandma Becky's sister, Isabelle. As Isabelle was stepping into the car to attend her sister's funeral, she lost her footing and fell straight backwards and hit her head. She had a huge bump on the back of her head and was rushed to the hospital. She has a blood clot on her brain and they are waiting to see if surgery is an option. From the little information I have, there would only be a 50% chance of survival if she went through surgery. So what are the chances of that? She is leaving to go to her sister's funeral and takes a fall and now they are waiting to see if she will survive this fall. God works in mysterious ways that we do not understand. So I ask that you please add this family to your prayers as they play the waiting game and see what happens.

I would like to thank the Lord again that Grandma Becky is finally at peace. She was such an amazing lady with a great sense of humor. Her funeral contained much laughter and even some dancing, as she told one grandson she wanted people laughing and dancing at her funeral. She is already missed and will be for a long time. Until we meet again Grandma Becky, take care of my Mindy Grace, we love and miss you from all of us in the family! God Bless...

Just a Reminder

I think we all need a daily reminder that life is what we make of it with the choices we make and God's guidance in making those decisions in life. We don't always understand the reason things happen, but there is always a purpose for whatever happens in life. We sometimes may not understand the purpose as to why some things happen the way they do, but the man upstairs will never steer us wrong. If we are supposed to be somewhere at a certain moment in time, He will make sure we are there. Sometimes things happen that change our direction we think we are supposed to be going. No matter what happens in life, know that there is always a reason for everything. We need to remember to continue to pray on a daily basis for guidance and thank God for our blessings He has given us on this earth!

Isn't it wonderful how we can look back on things we have been through in the past and learn from those actions? Isn't it wonderful how we can be grateful for something we have now that we did not have then? Isn't it amazing how God will bless us in time when we allow it? Isn't it wonderful how prayer along with time and patience will bring us to where we need to be? Isn't it fabulous how good the Lord is to all of us when we let him in?

The answer to all of the above questions is... YES! It is wonderful, amazing, and fabulous how good our Lord is to us when we follow his word. So this is just a little reminder we need to stay on the right path looking forward and pray for his guidance and He will bless us each and everyday. Sometimes it might take a little time to get where we are going, but when we get there, He will let us know we are where we are supposed to be. So go now, pray and thank the Lord for your blessings in this world!

I Pray You Enough

I Pray You Enough - this is an e-mail I have received a few times over the years. I thought it was worth posting on the blog to share with all the readers out there.


Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough too, Mom.'

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away and has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE..... To all my friends and loved ones, I PRAY YOU ENOUGH....

Some People Just Need Prayer

There are people in this world who think they have all they need in the world. They live life as though they are doing fine and that they have accomplished so much in this world. What some people do not understand is that the things they have and goals they have accomplished in life are not because of what they have done. It is because of what God has done in their life or the blessings he has provided for them. I believe that there is a God, I believe that God will provide for me when I need Him to, and I believe that God will take care of me when I need Him to. I give God credit for all things that have happened in my life, all the things I have accomplished, and all the blessings I have been given in this lifetime. Without Him in my life, I would not be where I am today.

There are people who attack others because they are not confident enough in themselves to be a good upstanding citizen. People can be mean or belittle others when they are scared; scared of losing what they have in life. It is these people I believe need prayer the most and need to be prayed for the most.

Often times we have to be the bigger person in a situation that is tough. But that is God wants us to do. Turn the other cheek, smile and move forward as though nothing has happened. And instead of being drug down in the situation, take advantage of it and pray for that person or those people. It's that person or those people who need to realize God can turn their life around if they will just allow Him in.

Do you know someone who needs to turn their life around or that needs God in their life? I would ask you now to pray for that person. Pray that they see the light before it is too late. Also pray that once they find God and find themselves, then they go on to be a mentor to others. That they become a mentor and lead others to God because of where they were once in their life or what they have been through in their life. Everyone knows at least someone who could use more positive influence in their life. Pray for that person NOW, do not wait until it is too late!