The Greenridge Herbal Thymes

Leave your Troubles at the Front Door

Years ago, a friend shared this story with me, and I used it in one of my editorial columns when I was working for a magazine. Every time I read it, or think about it, I really benefit.

Here it is...

The Trouble Tree

A young and ambitious man named John hired a carpenter to restore an old house. The carpenter had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup refused to start.

While John drove him home, the carpenter sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited John in to meet his family. As they walked toward the front door, the carpenter paused briefly at a small tree, touching tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked John to the car. They passed the tree and curiosity got the better of John. He asked him about what he'd seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick 'em up, and there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

-author unknown

I hope that if you have had any troubles this week, you will remember to hang them on your "trouble tree" before going inside. If you don't have a trouble tree, maybe you'll find one now.
Have a nice weekend everyone!!!

Daffodils

One of my favorite poems to welcome the new spring:

Daffodils
by Williams Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills.
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a boy:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company;
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

An Old Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Another Traditional Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

The Beauty of a Woman

March is Women's History Month. This gives us a chance to reflect on respect and admiration of women. Recently, a friend of mine shared this wonderful poem which I will gladly pass along:

The Beauty of a Woman

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

The above poem was written by the late educator-humorist Sam Levinson for his grandchild and read by Audrey Hepburn on Christmas Eve, 1992. It was also used by Ms. Hepburn on occasion when she was asked for beauty tips. [From Audrey Hepburn by Barry Paris, 1996, Putnam]

Footprints on the Beach, in the Sand, by the Ocean

The other day we were at the beach and I photographed these lovely footprints from my daughter. She is only 2-1/2 but I can't believe how big her feet are getting. What happened to my little baby I used to hold in my arms? Anyways, it reminded me of the famous poem, "Footprints in the Sand" which everyone knows. It's always nice to come across a poem every once in awhile and be reminded of the wonders of life and the many angels that guide and protect us as we are on this amazing journey. So, here it is:

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed of walking along the shores of different lands. I could tell that You were with me by the footprints in the sand. As I gazed upon the heavens, I saw pages of my life. It was then I realized that You remained there by my side. When the clouds began to gather and the rains came falling down, I looked to only find one set of footprints on the ground. I said, "Lord, why did You leave me in the troubled times of life? I believed that You would always walk beside me day and night." (Then I heard:) "My precious child, I'd never leave you. I have carved you on the hollow of My hand. It's then I carried you in My arms, When you see one set of footprints in the sand" Dear Lord, will You be with me as I travel through the years? Will You be there in the struggles? Will You wipe away the tears? As my eyes turn toward the ocean and the shores of distant lands, I'm still thinking of the single set of footprints in the sand. (I heard Him say:) "My precious child, I'd never leave you. I have carved you on the hollow of My hand. It's then I carried you in My arms, When you see one set of footprints in the sand." Will I hear the angels singing, as my life comes to an end. Oh Lord, I long to see You. Will You be there once again? My eyes turn toward the heavens, along the path of foreign lands, Once more, I'm thinking of the set of footprints in the sand. (Jesus said:) "My precious child, I'd never leave you. See your name carved on the hollow of My hand. I'm here to carry you to your home. You will see one set of footprints in the sand

My girls....

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, beloved Martin Luther King, Jr. evoked the name of Lincoln in his "I Have a Dream" speech, which is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The next year, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here is some of the transcript from his powerful speech that day:

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today."

Taken from a Martin Luther King, Jr. Speech

What is your dream today? Love, peace, hope? Whatever your dream is, I hope you dream it, live it, fulfill it.

Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr. for pointing our nation in a greater moral direction, your light and love continues to shine through us as we remember and honor your life. Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, Jr.!

A New Year Poem

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

- William Arthur Ward

A New Year, A New You

Today in church our minister talked about taking "inventory" of ourselves, our lives, and reflecting on all that we want to be and all that we don't want to be. We participated in a wonderful burning bowl ceremony where we wrote on paper things that we want to release in the coming year. It is a way of letting go of what no longer works for us. We threw away or "deleted" things from the past that we do not want to keep in our hearts, our minds, our souls. It was amazing to watch as a small piece of paper was able to symbolize such a significant spiritual transition as we make our way into the new year.

If you have time to do this, it's a special way of making room in your heart for more happiness, joy, and love. Life is so precious and one of my New Year's resolutions is to really take time to appreciate life's beauty in all of its forms. Here is a quote that I keep by my desk to remind me of how precious life is and how thankful I am for all of life's blessings:

Every life, every season, every day, every moment is a gift; precious and brief

-Anonymous

Although every day is not perfect, and there will always be ups and downs, we should always strive to find the good in each day, and in each person. Forgiveness is essential, and Oprah defines it as "letting go of the hope that you cannot change the past." Forgiveness does not mean giving in or condoning inappropriate behavior. It may inspire you to start setting healthy boundaries for you and your family to prevent yourself from being placed in an emotionally hurtful situation.

Those who wish to sing Always find a song

-Author unknown

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and I hope that you will enjoy much love, laughter, good health, and peace. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with us!

Light, love, and harmony always,

Welcome 2008!!!

The Night Before Christmas for Moms

It was the night before Christmas,
when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring,
and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Dora and Diego,
flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot,
which fell with a shrug.
"Oh great," muttered the mom,
"Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat."
Appeared from thin air was the mother's new twin.
Same hair, same eyes, Same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust," She'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, Watch The Young & the Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true!
"I'll shop. I'll read., I'll sleep a whole night through! "

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
"Mommy?! I scared... and I am wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.
"You the best mommy ever. " I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. "
That's my child's love, she's trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, "
Only one loving mother, is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
When they'll be too old, for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right."

- Author Unknown

My Thanksgiving Prayer

I wrote this to read at our Thanksgiving dinner. Feel free to print this out and use it at your dinner.

Heartfelt thanks for all that we have
So many blessings on our life's path
Thankfulness for all that we eat,
Each breath we take
Each tender heartbeat.

For our shelter,
warmth and heat,
Prayers for our brave soldiers,
to come back home
in health and peace.

We pray for children around the world
every little precious boy and girl
for how they brighten up our days
with laughter, love, hugs, and play

Graceful blessings to all families
big and small and strong and weak
That they may find strength, hope and joy
and we all can give thanks and let love rejoice