To Touch The Heart

To touch the heart of someone dear -
though it might sometimes cause a tear
to fall or rest upon the cheek -
'Tis something we all should seek.

For often hearts not touched at all,
start hardening and shrinking small.
And then the time it takes to grow
A loving heart again - is very slow.

For hearts expand as those who care -
extend their love and - let us share
a moment, space or special phrase,
that eases pain on dreary days.
Or simply starts our lips to smile,
and brightens time for just a while.

The ways and kinds and means of sharing,
it seems to me - are based on caring.
And though we're often worlds apart,
You still can touch my tender heart.
You can make me smile or shed a tear,
And I'll remember you year after year.
YOU "touched" my heart and helped me grow.
Friend, I just thought I'd tell you so

Beginning Today

~ Beginning Today ~

I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.

~ Beginning Today ~
I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.

~ Beginning Today ~
I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make "ME" happy . . . admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favourite music, soak in a bubble bath . . . pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.

~ Beginning Today ~
I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savour all the various flavours life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.

Be Good To Yourself Therapy
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Trust yourself. You know what you want and need.

Put yourself first. You can't be anything for anybody else unless you take
care of yourself.

Let your feelings be known. They are important.

Express your opinions. It's good to hear yourself talk.

Value your thinking. You do it well. If you don't value it, no one else
will.

Take the time and space you need.. Even if other people are wanting
something from you.

When you need something, don't talk yourself out of it. Even if you can't
have it, it's OK to need.

When you are scared, let someone know. Isolating yourself when you're scared
makes it worse.

When you feel like running away, let yourself feel the scare. Think about
what you fear will happen and decide what you need to do.

When you're angry, let yourself feel the anger. Decide what you want to do;
just feel it, express it, or take some action.

When you're sad, think about what would be comforting. When you're hurt,
tell the person who hurt you. Keeping it inside makes it grow.

When you have work to do and you don't want to do it, decide what really
needs to be done and what can wait.

When you want something from someone else, ask. You'll be okay if they say
no. Asking is being true to yourself.

When you need help, ask. Trust people to say no if they don't want to give.

When people turn you down, it usually has to do with them, and not with you.
Ask someone else for what you need.

When you feel alone, know there are people who want to be with you.
Fantasize what it would be like to be with each of them. Decide if you want
to make that happen.

When you feel anxious, let yourself know that in your head. You've moved
into the future to something scary your body has gotten up the energy for
it. Come back to the present.

When you want to say something loving to someone, go ahead. Expressing your
feeling is not a commitment.

When someone yells at you, physically support yourself by relaxing into your
chair or putting your feet firmly on the floor. Remember to breathe. Think
about the message they are trying to get across to you.

When you're harassing yourself, stop. You do it when you need something.
Figure out what you need and get it.

When everything seems wrong, you are overwhelmed and need some comforting.
Ask for it. Afterwards, you can think about what you need to do.

When you want to talk to someone new and are scared, breathe. Don't start
rehearsing, just plunge in. If it doesn't go well, you can stop.

If you're doing something you don't like to do, (such as smoking or
overeating), Stop. Think about what you really want. If you're stuck and
can't think clearly, talk out loud to someone.

When you can't think straight, Stop thinking. Feel.

When you're in need of love, reach out. There are people who love you.

When you're confused, it's usually because you think you should do one thing
and you want to do another. Dialogue with yourself or present both sides to
a friend.

When you feel harried, slow down. Deliberately slow your breathing, your
speech, and your movements.

When you have tears, cry. When you feel like crying and it's not a safe
place to cry, acknowledge your pain and promise yourself a good cry later.
Keep your promise.

When everything seems gray, look for color.

If one of these rules seems wrong for you, talk about it with someone. Then,
rewrite it so it fits you.

A Place for Me

A Place for Me

There is a special place in life,
That needs my humble skill,
A certain job I'm meant to do,
Which no one else can fulfill.

The time will be demanding,
And the pay is not too good
And yet I wouldn't change it
for a moment -- even if I could

There is a special place in life,
A goal I must attain,
A dream that I must follow,
Because I won't be back again.

There is a mark that I must leave,
However small it seems to be,
A legacy of love for those
Who follow after me

There is a special place in life,
That only I may share,
A little path that bears my name,
Awaiting me somewhere.

There is a hand that I must hold,
A word that I must say,
A smile that I must give
For there are tears to blow away.

There is a special place in life
that I was meant to fill.
A sunny spot where flowers grow,
upon a windy hill.

There's always a tomorrow and the
best is yet to be,
And somewhere in this world,
I know there is a place for me.

Love ThySelf

LOVE THYSELF
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When I love me, things will change.

I won't be so wrapped up in thinking that I'm not good enough.

I won't try to perfect the way I look for anyone.

I won't need to, for true beauty lies within.

> When I love me, life will be different, I won't care if people hate me, or if they don't like who I'm friends with. I won't let them judge me I'll do my best not to judge others because of my own insecurity.

> When I love me, I'll be able to forget about all the bad things in my life.

I'll see the glass half full, rather than half empty.

I'll make choices to the best of my ability and without someone else's

> i n put. That way, I'll know in my heart it was the right thing to do.

> When I love me, nothing will get me down. I'll be

> able to look in the mirror and smile, because I'll

> happy with what I see. I won't be ashamed of what I look like or what I wear.

I won't have to be someone I'm not just to please my peers.

> When I love me. I'll be abale to be myself.

I'll say what's on my mind and not feel as if I've said the wrong thing.

I'll believe in myself and believe that I can accomplish my goals. I'll tell everyone, "Hey, I did that, and I did it on my own."

> When I love, I'll be able to feel whole. My life will finally come together and I'll be truly happy.

I won't have to regret what I've done in the past or what I'm destined to do in the future. I feel like I'm worth something and that I helped make a difference.

> But most of all, when I love me, I'll be able to pass

> on that love, so other can be happy like me.

Everyone deserves to love themselves. No one should ever feel

> that they aren't loved by themselves; because in

> the end, it won't matter how popular you were, or how

> you dressed or who your friends were. You only need to worry about you and

> if you loved yourself.

Some day, I'll realize that I did..I just didn't know it.

Benefits of Being a Men N Women

BENEFITS OF BEING A WOMAN
We got off the Titanic first. Our boyfriend's clothes make us look elfin and gorgeous. Guys look like complete idiots in ours. We can be groupies. Male groupies are stalkers. We can cry and get off speeding fines. We've never lusted after a cartoon character or the central figure in a computer game. Taxis stop for us. Men die earlier, so we get to cash in on the life insurance. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing. Free drinks, Free dinners, Free moving (you get the point). We can hug our friend without wondering if she thinks we're gay. We can hug our friend without wondering if WE'RE gay. New lipstick gives us a whole new lease on life. If we're not making enough money we can blame the glass ceiling. It's possible to live our whole lives without ever taking a group shower. No fashion faux pas we make could ever rival The Speedo. We don't have to fart to amuse ourselves. If we forget to shave, no one has to know. We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her butt. If we have a zit, we know how to conceal it. If we're dumb, some people will find it cute. We don't have to memorize Caddyshack or Fletch to fit in. We have the ability to dress ourselves and match. We can talk to people of the opposite sex without having to picture them naked. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we're aware that we look like an idiot. Our friends won't think we're weird if we ask whether there's spinach in our teeth. There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems. We'll never regret piercing our ears. We can fully assess a person just by looking at their shoes. We'll never discover we've been duped by a Wonder bra. >We know which glass was ours by the lipstick mark. We have enough sense to realize that the easiest way to get out of being lost is to ask for directions.

IT'S GOOD TO BE A MAN TOO
Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. You don't give a rat's butt if someone doesn't notice your new haircut. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just too icky looking. Same work... more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding Dress $5000; Tux rental $100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood, ALL the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You can leave the motel bed unmade. You can kill your own food. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. Your underwear is $6.95 for a three-pack. If you are 34 and single, nobody notices. Everything on your face stays its original color. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger's seat. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You don't have to clean your apartment if the maid is coming. You can quietly watch a game with your buddy for hours without ever thinking "He's mad at me." You don't mooch off other's desserts. You are not expected to know the names of more than five colors. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. You don't have to shave below your neck. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons. You can "do" your nails with a pocketknife or your teeth. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. Christmas shopping can be accomplished for 25 relatives, on December 24th, in 45 minutes.