WIT & WISDOM:

HAVING MOM OVER FOR DINNER!

Scott invited his mother over for dinner. During the course of the
meal, Scott's mother couldn't help but keep noticing how beautiful Scott's
roommate, Stephanie, was. Scott's mom had long been suspicious of a
relationship between Scott and Stephanie, and this had only made her more
curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two react,
she started to wonder if there was more between Scott and Stephanie
than met the eye. Reading his mom's thoughts, Scott volunteered, "I know
what you must be thinking, but I assure you Stephanie and I are just
roommates."

About a week later, Stephanie came to Scott saying, "Ever since your
mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver
gravy ladle; You don't suppose she took it, do you?" Scott said, "Well, I
doubt it, but I'll send her an e-mail just to be sure."

So he sat down and wrote:

Dear Mom: I'm not saying that you did take the gravy ladle from the
house, I'm not saying that you did not take the gravy ladle but the fact
remains that one has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love, Scott.

Several days later, Scott received an email back from his mother that
read:

Dear Son: I'm not saying that you do sleep with Stephanie, I'm not
saying that you do not sleep with Stephanie. But the fact remains that if
Stephanie is sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy
ladle by now. Love, Mom.

HOW TO STAY IN LOVE
--by Steve Goodier

After careful consideration and endless debate The Perfect Man has
finally been named: "Mr. Potato Head." He's tan. He's cute. He knows the
importance of accessorizing. And if he looks at another girl, you can
rearrange his face.

Jean Kerr quipped, "Personally, I think if a woman hasn't met the right
man by the time she's 24, she may be lucky." We become cynical about
love, don't we? We're tempted to believe that real love is a myth, a
long-term relationship is a marathon and romance is for kids.

One person said, "Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed
with a relative." But does marriage have to kill romance? Is marriage
really nothing but a long banquet at which the dessert is served first?

I believe in love and romance. I believe it is something that can last
forever, if it is carefully cultivated. Here are some tips for keeping
romance alive and for staying in love:

FIND time to date. Time to be alone and tell each other of your love.
You spent time alone at first...why did you quit? My wife and I get away
alone every week. Just to refocus on each other. And to fall in love
again.

UNDERSTAND what delights the other and make it happen. "The romance is
over," says Marlys Huffman, "when you see a rosebush and start looking
for aphids instead of picking a bouquet." Does she like to be surprised
by flowers? Does he have a favorite dish or activity? Does she enjoy
spontaneous affection? Know what brings pleasure to your partner -- and
delight him/her!

NEVER forget why you got together in the first place. When you focus
first on his faults you're not thinking about his strengths. When you're
busy pointing out her imperfections, you're not enjoying those
qualities that attracted you to her initially. Choose to appreciate that which
first drew you together and your romance will grow.

The first letter of these three tips spells the word FUN. Have fun
together. Laugh. Go on outings. Plan time to enjoy one another. Remember,
"the family the PLAYS together also STAYS together"!

A woman from Charleston, South Carolina was overheard to remark that it
was her 53rd wedding anniversary. When asked if she planned a special
celebration, she smiled and said softly, "When you have a nice man, it
really doesn't matter." I suspect they learned the secrets of staying in
love.

Just in case you're not presently with Mr. or Miss Exactly Right, there
ARE some things you can do to bring romance back into your life. And
though your relationship may never be perfect, it CAN be perfectly
wonderful.

==========
MARITAL COUNSELING

A husband and wife go to a after 15 years of marriage. The counselor
asks them what the problem is and the wife goes into a tirade listing
every problem they have ever had in the 15 years they've been married.
She goes on and on and on.

Finally, the counselor gets up, walks around the desk, embraces the
wife and kisses her passionately. The woman shuts up and sits quietly in a
daze. The counselor turns to the husband and says, "This is what your
wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?"

The husband thinks for a moment and replies, "Well, I can drop her off
here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I play golf."

MIND SET: LIFE IS A JOURNEY
--from the Times of India

If you are looking for enlightenment, you may ask yourself where do I
begin? There is only one place you can start your journey of
enlightenment, and that is your life's journey.

A place you could start is where you are right now. Let's start with
the knowledge that you already know the answers you are seeking, you are
simply pretending that you do not know or that you have forgotten.

First you must start to understand the apparent paradox that you are
alone on your journey, and yet you are at one with everything and
everyone else in the universe. You need to acknowledge that you are a divine
being, a part of all that is.

Know that all that has gone in your life before this moment has brought
you to where you are right now, that there is a purpose for everything
that happens. Rejoice in every obstacle you are faced with in your
lifetime, and that it is both a gift and an opportunity. This has certainly
enabled you to grow.

Remember that the only thing that stands between you and fulfilment of
your heart's desires is your own fears. Start to face the truth and
take note that every moment is an opportunity to create a new reality,
NOW, and in every moment of your life. Base this on the unlimited
possibilities of what can be, not on your fears of what has happened in your
past.

Start to understand that your successes and your happiness is limited,
only by what you believe is possible. The range of possibilities are
only restricted by limited human understanding. Trust the universe, it
will show you the answers when you are open to receive them.

Now perhaps some of these ideas are new to you, perhaps you want to
reject them as nonsense or as impossible, that is your right. You don't
have to accept anything in life or what I say. You have your own free
will to reject or accept that there might be something in these ideas,
even if it is not clear, right now, what or how or why.

As you continue your journey of enlightenment and self-discovery you
may find some things that made no sense at the time, might then begin to
seem possible and perhaps even probable.

What is important is that you apply yourself with an open mind and an
open heart. Rejecting everything that is out of your hands just because
it does not make sense will not lead to spiritual understanding.

Everyone's path is different, so do not assume that what works for
someone else will necessarily work for you, or vice versa.

You need to find for yourself those things that work for you and those
that do not. You will also find the speed of your journey and the
timing of events in everyone's lives will vary. It's important not to give
yourself a hard time just because events are not happening as quickly as
you would like or that your experiences are different from someone
else's.

Spiritual awakening is about understanding your higher consciousness.
It means letting go of old beliefs and fears, releasing old ways of
being, and doing and thinking in ways in which you feel comfortable.

It means accepting responsibility for your life and accepting the power
you have. This means not placing your power over others but using that
power on yourself.

The mind can be a barrier to spiritual enlightenment. You should
experience your life, not contemplate it. You need to look deep within
yourself to find those things that are keeping you in the past. You will need
to face up to your fears before you can let go and move on.

It will certainly get uncomfortable at times but remember there is no
growth without risk and enlightenment can not work without growth, love,
trust, understanding and compassion.

You are perfect just the way you are although if you wish to grow in
love and light you need to be prepared to place yourself into situations
that will take you to the limits and you may feel uncomfortable.

The fact is that they are only uncomfortable to you, no one else. There
may be times when you need to face up to some unpleasant truths. You
have nothing to gain by trying to deceive yourself or others. When you
take the easy options it will not lead to growth and enlightenment. So

are you ready to take the risk and to take yourself on?

There are no teachers; you are your own teacher. Just as you would
learn from a teacher you learn from yourself. The two go hand in hand, just
as the only way you can receive is for you to give, the only way to be
loved is to give love back, and the only way to be forgiven is for you
to forgive.

The most important thing to remember is to love, respect, and honour
and forgive ourselves as well as others. This is a journey so enjoy the
travelling and don't forget to smell the roses on the way.

WHAT IS LOVE?

http://www.ordinarywords.com/love/