Life & Death

For [an] ... old man there is no longer much difference between life and death, but for the sake of his family [his friends and his neighbors] and his family's destiny, there are things that he has to do before the last day comes, the loose ends of a whole long life to gather together and somehow tie up.
(Frederick Buechner, Listening To Your Life, 5 September)
31 December 2013

Truth

What do you dislike about many politicians, bureaucrats, big-business or big-labor executives, fast-talking salesmen and so on? The fact that they appear to be dishonest, and that truth is so very unimportant to them in their regular dealings with the public. When an institution comes to the point where all truth has been abandoned, then chaos is the inevitable result. Our social structure, as well as our individuals, need truth in order to survive.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Sky's The Limit, p. 309)
30 December 2013

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

Do not waste your time and energy fighting situations that are not worth a second thought. Don't allow your imagination to build small troubles into big ones. Try to see each situation clearly, give it only the value and attention it deserves.
(after One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 19 October)

The reason most of our belief systems aren't working is because they are big on systems and small on belief.
(Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day, 17 September)
29 December 2013

Consummate Hypocrisy

... it is a matter of consummate hypocrisy that members of Congress who pass forced retirement legislation for others would never pass the same laws for themselves, and insist on their right to go on serving in Congress into their eighties and nineties if they want to.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Sky's The Limit, p. 297)
28 December 2013

Best Practices

The term best practices is used in organizational settings to refer to any activity, process, method, or behavior that is judged to be the most effective. Best practices are those methods that are most efficient, effective, and result in fewer complications and failures. Best practices are not good ideas or suggestions. They are proven strategies for anyone who wants the best possible outcome in a given endeavor. ... Priorities are given for a reason: They are proven best practices that we ignore at our ... peril.
(David Jeremiah, Journey, 16 November 2013)
27 December 2013

This Day

This day is mine. It is unique. Nobody in the world has one exactly like it. It holds the sum of all my past experience and all my future potential. It belongs to me to do with whatever I like. I can fill it with joyous moments or ruin it with fruitless worry. If painful recollections of the past come into my mind, or frightening thoughts of the future, I will put them away. They cannot spoil today for me.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 28 October)

I will remember that a decision I make in a time of crisis might not be the one I would make when the crisis is past. I will not rashly take a step which I may afterward regret.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 29 October)
26 December 2013

Merry Christmas 2013 & Happy New Year 2014

Peace of the World

As evening drew on, hearts beat fast with anticipation, hands were full of ready gifts . ...  The night was past and the morning was come, the gifts were given and received, joy and peace made a flapping of wings in each heart, there was a great burst of carols, the Peace of the World had dawned, strife had passed away, every hand was linked in hand, every heart was singing.
(D.H. Lawrence)

Cyndi

Cyndi continues to look for work.  Two days a week she is Online Communications & Marketing Intern, Green Business Network at GreenAmerica.

Melva

Melva suffers from a condition called Dupuytren's Contracture which causes a growth on the tendons in the palm of her hands.  Years ago she had an operation on her left hand for this condition.  This year the problem was becoming quite annoying on the little finger of the right hand. The doctor she went to see, for a second opinion, suggested that she let him use a procedure that doesn't require surgery.  She decided to follow his recommendation.  She is happy to report that the results were very successful.

Melva continues to attend quilting class on Fridays at the Bowie Senior Center.  The class members participated in the annual Christmas Bazaar at the Center again this year.  They took in approximately $1500 which will be donated to the Bowie Food Pantry.

Melva made two lap quilts she wanted to send to Panama.  She was very upset when a baby quilt she sent earlier never arrived. Her brother, Julio, contacted us from the home of his wife's relatives here in Maryland.  We were surprised to learn that they were only two and a half miles from our house. We went to lunch at The Alamo Restaurant in Riverdale, MD. Afterwards we asked them to take the two quilts back to Panama with them.

Dick

Dick continues to enjoy attending the Bowie Seniors Computer Club twice a month at the Bowie Senior Center.  He helps with the maintenance of their website and with posting the schedules for the computer classes that are offered at the Center.  Members of the club serve as the instructors.

Dick enjoys staying in touch with former co-workers, family, genealogy friends, friends from days on AOL and new friends made because he is a member of the Facebook community.

Dick also continues to assist the Monroe County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society with their website and with their Facebook Page.

Dick's latest project is the HenthornFamily Wiki which he uses to share genealogy information and to learn about how Wikis work. In the course of developing this project he learned how to use the RootsWeb FreePages.  Did you know that you can post your own information on the Wiki?  If you are interested in trying this contact Dick.

Dick continues to maintain his interest in blogging.  He has four blogs on Google two of which he uses for genealogy. The other two: Mr. Dickie's Blog and Arrow Prayers he tries to update on a daily basis. Mr. Dickie's Blog is on an automatic feed to Dick's Facebook page. From any of the blogs you can navigate to the others using the sidebar links in the green area on the right of the screen.

We appreciate 

• the visits, 
• the phone calls, 
• the fun on Facebook 
• the many kindnesses shown throughout the year
• the Christmas cards and letters.

The Henthorns

Dick, Melva and Cyndi

Email: Dick.Henthorn@gmail.com

25 December 2013

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know 

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb 

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great "I AM"
(Written by Mark Lowry  & Buddy Greene, sung by Kathy Mattea and others)
24 December 2013

Desire of Knowing

Leave off that excessive desire of knowing; therein is found much distraction. There are many things the knowledge of which is of little or no profit to the soul. (Thomas a' Kempis, in One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 July)

Authority also preserves us from danger.  Without proper authority, the two alternatives are chaos (no one in charge) or oppression (a despot in charge).
(Cloud & Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 255)

I trust myself to participate in my life.  I am connected to the source of all energy and healing power.
(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 7 December)

Guard against self-justification and self-righteousness.  Be aware how easy it is to make excuses and to blame your misfortunes on others.
(after One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 19 June)

The good we do during our lives endures long after us.  Indeed, we may never be aware of our greatest contributions.
(Daily Guideposts - 2012, 19 June)

Do what you can with what you have, where you are.
(Theodore Roosevelt in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 3 November)

Our action or response should be appropriate to the situation.
(Harry & Emily Griffith, This Love We Share, 21 June)
23 December 2013

Peace

Try to be at peace with yourself and those around you - family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors and strangers - and to show patience for your own sake and theirs.  And remember to be gentle and accepting of yourself as well.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 44, 8 December)
22 December 2013

Detachment

I will not interfere with the working out of another's difficulties, however dear and close we may be to each other.  Detachment is essential to any healthy relationship between people.
(From One Day At A Time in Al-Anon found in The Color Of Light by Perry Tilleraas, 6 December)

This is a principle that I should always keep in mind.
(Mr. Dickie)
21 December 2013

Good & Bad Leaders

• Attitudes - When good leaders rule, people rejoice; when the wicked reign, people groan.
• Stability - When moral leaders rule, they establish justice; compromising leaders tear things down.
• Compassion - Good leaders express concern for the poor; bad leaders reflect no compassion for anyone.
• Honesty - When leaders pay attention to lies, their staff begins to esteem the same deceptions.
• Vision - Solid vision keeps everyone on track; chaos reigns whenever the vision lapses.

(John C. Maxwell - Leadership, 2 November)
20 December 2013

Stealing You Blind

The last twenty years have seen Americans lose a lot of money. There were the bankruptcies of companies like Enron and WorldCom in which investors and employees lost out, the bursting of the "dot.com" bubble in 2000, and the housing fiasco in 2008 which led to the economic recession.  Trillions of dollars of wealth have evaporated in these and other financial catastrophes.
(David Jeremiah, Journey, 13 October)
19 December 2013

The Gift

You have a unique gift to offer this world and you are unique in the entire history of creation.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 239)
18 December 2013

Today Is A Gift

Today is a gift.  

Today I will let myself plan for the future and live in the moment.

I only have to live this day.

Nothing more is asked of me.

(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 16 December)

17 December 2013

The Problem

The person who cares about the problem, owns the problem.

(Cloud and Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 68)

16 December 2013

Where Are You Going?

There are basically two kinds of people in the world:

• those who are growing personally and
• those who are going nowhere and stagnating.

(Cloud and Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 33)

What is your intuition telling you right now?

(John C. Maxwell, Leadership, 17 July)

Develop an attitude of gratitude for all that manifests into your life.

Be thankful and filled with awe and appreciation, even if what you desire hasn't arrived yet.

Even the darkest days of your life are to be looked on with gratitude.

(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 185)

15 December 2013

Get Out From Under

A good way to get out from under some of our daily problems is to stop reacting to everything that occurs.  Some of us have a constant drive to do something about everything that happens, everything that someone says to us.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 15 September)
14 December 2013

Don't Give Too Much

"Afterward when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, 

I said to myself, 'Don't give too much for the whistle.'"

(Benjamin Franklin in Journey by David Jeremiah, 15 September)

13 December 2013

Just For Today

Just for today I will live through this one day only and not tackle all my problems at once.
Those of the past need not concern me today; future ones can be faced as they arrive.
(From Just For Today, found in One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 30 June)
12 December 2013

Point Of View

We determine the quality of our life.
The kind of day we have is determined by our point of view.
(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 17 November)
11 December 2013

Your Life

... do a quick review, and note all of the people who've shown up as characters in this play called your life. It has all been perfect.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 20)

Retirement Anniversary

Last month, on 3 November 2013, I celebrated the twentieth anniversary of my retirement from The Library of Congress.  They offered early retirement buy-outs and I took them up on the offer. Looking back, it was the right thing for me to do.  I did miss the many friends I left behind.

Mr. Dickie

10 December 2013

New Idea

I will not resist the impact of a new idea. It may be just the one I've needed without being aware of it. I will make my mind more flexible and receptive to new points of view.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 18 July)
9 December 2013

Calm Yourself

Have you sometimes experienced defeat because you refused to calm yourself ...?
(Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day, 29 June)
8 December 2013

Regret

When people grow old, they are sometimes consumed with regret.

They wish they had done more, seen more, and accomplished more.

They feel that their lives are not justified, and they wish they could merit the esteem of their children and their communities.

They feel that they wasted too much time, and didn't seize opportunities in ways they can now see.

They wish life had taken a different turn.
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 295)
7 December 2013

Unscrupulous Leaders

The entire culture will benefit by having strong, inner-directed people as leaders and everyday citizens. A citizenry that thinks for itself, a country in which people know and trust themselves as individuals would be virtually immune to manipulation by unscrupulous leaders.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Sky's The Limit, p. 242)

... we need to be held accountable. We need to be "audited" by others to know how we are doing and what areas need more focus.
(Cloud & Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 31)
6 December 2013

Hurt Feelings

The [person] who is always having ... feelings hurt 

is about as pleasant a companion 

as a pebble in a shoe.

(Elbert Hubbard in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 3 December)

5 December 2013

Specifications

To expect life to be tailored to our specifications 

Is to invite frustration.

(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 9 July)

4 December 2013

Free Will

Free will is not the liberty to do whatever one likes, but the power of doing whatever one sees ought to be done, even in the face of otherwise overwhelming impulse.
(George MacDonald in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 4 November)
3 December 2013

Picture This

[For some amusement picture this] The flag-waving politicians with their hand in the till.
(Frederick Buechner, Listening To Your Life, p. 151)
2 December 2013

The Perfect Moment

The first three times you came with the same story [they] would listen and try to help. But if you showed up a fourth time and it was the same old tired things, the others in the circle would just get up and move ... it was time you did something about it.
(Amy E. Dean, Night Light, 21 November)

The perfect moment never arrives, there is never a convenient time.
(Promises Of Joy, p. 174)

... you can always make your own choices about how to handle the painful problems that come your way.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41 or 44, 29 October)

I was struck by how much of this man's inner focus was on dis-order, dis-harmony, and disease ...
(after Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention)

If I'm on the wrong track, I want to know it so I can correct my faults and attitude. Others can often see our problems more clearly than we can, and from that we get our best help.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 August)

To overcome my faults, I must first know what they are. Then I must admit to them, and, finally, with patient self-correction, diminish them, even if I cannot set myself wholly free.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 19 June)

Slavery, is anything that keeps you from your God-ordained destiny and the fulfillment of his promises for you.
(Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day, 8 August)

Whatever course you decide upon; there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires ... courage.
(Amy E. Dean, Night Light, 15 September)

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.
(Proverbs 12{15 (NRSV), Promises Of Joy, p. 167)

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise.
(Ephesian 5:15, in Promises Of Joy, p. 220)

Dis-Ease

At the first sign of disease, or at the first word from a doctor that you may be seriously ill, your thoughts and feelings shift. You make a sudden movement into your mortality, which you have probably ignored for years. Life now changes radically. Relationships shift. The things that give meaning are put into perspective. You wonder endlessly. You discover new fears. You try to sort out what is important from what is distracting.
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 267)
30 November 2013

Traditions

Not all traditions are good.

(after Three Minutes A Day by The Christophers, Vol. 41, 26 October)
29 November 2013

Thanksgiving

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.

Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.

Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.

(Henry Van Dyke, in Peace Flowing Like A Gentle River, 21 November)

28 November 2013

All Right

Today, I will accept myself just the way I am.

(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 15 October)

27 November 2013

On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Even if you are generally upbeat and walk on the sunny side of the street, you cannot ignore the surprises, sometimes painful ones, life has in store for each of us.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 29 October)
26 November 2013

The Problem In Life

But the problem in life is that we all, in some situations, come to the end of our abilities, strength, knowledge, and experience, and at that moment, just having faith in faith, or belief in belief, or even faith in ourselves is not enough. We need more.
(Cloud & Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 19)
25 November 2013

Trouble

How much trouble he avoids who does not look to see what others say or do, but only what he does himself, that it may be just and pure.
(Marcus Aurelius: Meditations in One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 22 July)
24 November 2013

Live Intentionally

Don't let your life speed out of control. Live intentionally. Slice out time from your schedule to do something today that will last beyond your lifetime.
(Betty Johnson in Promises Of Joy, p. 189)
23 November 2013

Discernment

... practice discernment.

Relationships can get messy; people often harbor personal agendas and attempt to mask their true motives or to make them sound more noble than they really are.
(Leadership, John C. Maxwell, 15 July)
22 November 2013

Confrontation

Any way you look at it, confrontation is part of relationships...

(Cloud and Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 242)

21 November 2013

Time Is Passing

... time is passing and you don't have all the time in the world to accomplish what you desire.
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 297)

One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
(Luke 12:15 in Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 44, by The Christophers, 24 October)

Don't stop the flow of abundant energy by hoarding or owning what you receive. Keep it moving. Use your prosperity in the service of others, and for causes greater than your ego.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p.185)

I urge you to simply accept the fact that you'll never get it all done and begin to live more fully in the only moment that you have - now!
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 194)

Although I cannot expect to achieve perfection, I can observe my progress and enjoy the deep satisfactions it can bring me.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 24 June)

Your home is your castle. Keep it clean and healthful as you can.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 44, 20 October)

Solving a problem starts with changing your viewpoint.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 19 October)

My goal will be to make myself entirely ready to let go of the negative habits of thought that have been reflected in the happenings of my life.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 June)

The defects of character I want to be rid of, are sure to have deep roots in habit. My daily conscious cooperation will be needed as I ... try to deal with them patiently, one by one.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 20 June)

The dark night of illness sets severe limits on what you can do. It forces you to slow down and focus on things that matter.  It keeps you in one place and on your back...
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 282)

This day belongs to me. I can do wonderful things with it, creative things, including the creation of order in my surroundings and in my mind. Nobody else owns my particular segment of time, so it depends on me how well I will fill every moment to my satisfaction.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 30 July)

The choices we make nearly always reflect our true character.
(John C. Maxwell, Leadership, 4 August)

Character isn't created in a crisis, it only comes to light. Everything you have done in the past -- and the things you have neglected to do -- come to a head when you're under pressure.
(John C. Maxwell, Leadership, 31 July)

[Often people] ... have personal patterns they are unable to change, ways of thinking, behaving, and living that defeat their best efforts.
(Cloud and Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 11)

Confront because you want to help solve a problem...
(Cloud and Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 228)

Positive confrontation is a sure sign that you care for a person and have their best interests at heart. Each time you build up ... [a person] and identify their problems, you give them an opportunity to grow.
(John C. Maxwell, Leadership, 28 July)

All confrontations require love so that the person you confront can metabolize the truth without feeling hated, bad, or defensive.
(Cloud and Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 226)

Finally, you may need to accept that the person ... [you are confronting] won't change. You may be dealing with a person who is ... [unable to listen or change] and confrontation may not help. At some point you may need to evaluate if you need to leave the relationship or setting because of the problem... or you may conclude that although you don't like what is going on, the advantages and good things make it worthwhile to stay. (Cloud and Townsend, Boundaries Face To Face, p. 263)

The true test of human contentedness is not wealth, but the answer to the questions, "Why am I here?" and, "What happens when I die?"
(I failed to record the source.)

Compiled by Richard E. Henthorn
20 November 2013

Free Lunch

All over the country, people are suffering the consequences of desiring rewards without investment. Many bought houses and cars they couldn't afford; and because finance companies were willing to fund those bad loans, they ignored good judgment and only saw the rewards they could have with little to no sacrifice.  Those rewards they thought they could have so easily are in jeopardy or gone completely; and the reality that we can't have something for nothing is here to stay.
(David Jeremiah, Journey, 26 July)
19 November 2013

Live From Your Soul

You can live from your soul rather than your self. This means to be less in control, less certain of the truth of things but more in touch with your intuitions and emotions. It means to be less focused on the self and more identified with others.  It means to understand that you are part of nature and that your soul, which is the source of your identity is a piece of the world's soul. Your roots reach downward, not into the brain, but into the soul.
(Thomas Moore, Dark Nights Of The Soul, p. 294)
18 November 2013

Take Two Pills And Call Me In The Morning

There's nothing natural about living a life filled with stress and anxiety, having feelings of despair and depression, and needing pills to tranquilize yourself.
(Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, The Power Of Intention, p. 188)
(17 November 2013)