Friendship Bag

 

 Here is a gift idea you can make to give to a special friend.


 ~ Friendship Bag ~

Contents: roll of lifesavers, cotton ball, Hershey's Kiss, Hershey's Hug, Sweet Tarts, B-day candle, circle with happy face stickers, rubber band, pencil eraser(top), band-aid, recipe card with a recipe on it, paper clip, tissue, and a small smooth stone.  

Place all these items in a pretty gift bag. On the outside of the bag attach a sheet of paper or note card with the meanings below printed on it.

Contained in this Friendship Bag are a few reminders of friendship.

LIFESAVERS: To remind you of the many times others need help and we need theirs.
COTTON BALL: For the rough roads, seek the cushioned support of your family and friends.
RUBBER BAND: A reminder to stay flexible.
SWEET & SOUR CANDY: To help you appreciate the differences in others.
CANDY KISS: To remind you that everyone needs kisses.
CANDY HUG: To remind you that hugs are nice, too.
HAPPY FACE: Smiling not only increases your face value, it's contagious.
CANDLE: To remind you to share your light with others.
BAND-AID: For healing hurt feelings, yours and someone else's.
RECIPE CARD: To share a favorite with a friend as a symbol of caring.
PAPER CLIP: to help keep things together when they seem to be slipping out of control.
TISSUE: to wipe away a tear, your own or someone else's
SMALL SMOOTH STONE: to remind you that rough times help refine and polish--use for smoother tomorrows
ERASER: To remind you that everyday you can start with a clean slate.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Helen's 10 Commandments

Helen Steiner Rice's 10 Commandments

The personal commandments of Helen Steiner Rice emphasized optimism: 

1. Thou shalt be happy
2. Thou shalt use thy talents to make others glad.
3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble.
4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new day.
5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God.
6. Thou shalt not waste thy time and energy in useless worry.
7. Thou shalt look only on the bright side of life.
8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorrow.
9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.
10. Thou shalt say each morning -- I am a child of God and nothing can hurt me.

From: http://www.helensteinerrice.com/ 

I really like Helen's 10 Commandments.  I was reminded of her when I was in the store today. There was a 2011 Calendar with her name on it.  She has such great quotes.  So positive and optimistic. She was born in 1900 and died in 1981. Her quotes live on.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile 

Writer's Block

So, finally, after seven months of blogging once daily, I have come to a point where I don't know what I want to write about or post.  I think this is what they call "writer's block".  I've heard about it before, but I've never actually experienced it until now.  I may be feeling this way because I have been inundated with new learning.  This past weekend I was in a 20-hour course on Customer Relations, and then earlier this week I had another 16 hour training session for P.I.E.C.E.S..  I believe that there comes a point sometimes when one's creative energy and juices slow down and there's just nothing left to give. 

On the Bright Side, I do have a post for today.  It's not my usual type of post, but at least it's a post.  Sometimes I have people ask me, "How do you decide what you are going to write about?" or "What inspires your writing?".  What inspires me is day-to-day activities that I come across, and I try to think of three types of categories - Live, Love, Laugh.  I try to make sure that my blog post relates to one of these three areas.  So far, up until now, I have done just that.


My solution for Writer's Block is to write about it and to take a break.  When the block clears, I'll be back.

Have a great day.

~ Angela Gentile

Truths for Mature Humans

I received a version of this list on email the other day.  I found this version on various blogs and websites, and found it was too funny not to share.  Some made me laugh out loud.  I couldn't find the original author though. Enjoy!

 

Truths for Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

21. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

22. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

23. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

24. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

25. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

26. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

27. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

28. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

(Author unknown)


Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Babies and Dogs

Here are some cute videos about babies and dogs.  They made me smile, hope you enjoy the giggles, too.



Here's the link if you need it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG6ieU89tJM



Can't see this? Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmvyl1KAg-Y



Go here if you can't see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_I9ld-oDTs

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Thankful Thinking

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

Want a quick "pick-me-up"?  Think about all the things in your life that you are thankful for.  Expressing gratitude for what you have instantly makes you feel better.  What I am thankful for is different from what you are thankful for. Sometimes writing down or thinking about three positive things a day is helpful.  Here, I made a video.  Hope you enjoy. 



If you can't see this video, go to the YouTube link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G_J-lRVYiI

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus

What are you thankful for?

Cheers!

~ Angela Gentile

Civility, Politeness and Good Manners

Civility, politeness and good manners are things that we teach our children.  We hope that if we can instill civility in our community, in our world, there would be less hatred, bullying, suffering.  P. M. Forni has written books on Civility.  The first, "Choosing Civility", includes 25 rules of considerate conduct.  These rules are very basic, and appear to be very easy to follow:

1. Pay attention
2. Acknowledge others
3. Think the best
4. Listen
5. Be inclusive
6. Speak kindly
7. Don't speak ill
8. Accept and give praise
9. Respect even a subtle "no"
10. Respect others' opinions
11. Mind your body
12. Be agreeable
13. Keep it down (and rediscover silence)
14. Respect other people's time
15. Respect other people's space
16. Apologize earnestly
17. Assert yourself
18. Avoid personal questions
19. Care for your guests
20. Be a considerate guest
21. Think twice before asking for favors
22. Refrain from idle complaints
23. Accept and give constructive criticism
24. Respect the environment and be gentle
25. Don't shift responsibility and blame 

P.M. Forni also wrote a second book, called The Civility Solution: What to do when people are rude.  It's sad that we have to learn how to respond to situations like a salesperson ignoring you while she has a personal conversation with a co-worker; or a fellow driver giving you the infamous "finger".  How do we react to those rude people?  Maintaining civility, politeness and good manners in all respects can be quite the challenge.  I applaud those who can maintain their sense of cool when things heat up.  I will be picking up these books, and they look like they are easy reads.  I remember reading about etiquette. Now it's called civility. 


Professor Forni can be seen here, on YouTube"  Civility:  Commitment to Kindness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL8nvCmR7P4&feature=related

Let's be more civil to each other.  Let's put an end to rudeness!

~ Angela Gentile

How to Build Global Community

I have this poster and I just love it.  It is about building global community.  I wanted to share the messages with you here.  Read though each statement, and really think about what it means to you.  These messages make me think about people of all different cultures, different languages, different customs.  I think about how each person brings a rich cultural perspective and history and that we can all learn from each other.

HOW TO BUILD GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Think of no one as "them"    Don't confuse your comfort with your safety    Talk to strangers    Imagine other cultures through their poetry and novels    Listen to music you don't understand    Dance to it Act locally Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture    Question consumption    Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation    Look for fair trade and union labels    Help build economies from the bottom up    Acquire few needs    Learn a second (or third) language    Visit people, places and cultures -- not tourist attractions    Learn people's history    Re-define progress    Know physical and political geography    Play games from other cultures    Watch films with subtitles    Know your heritage    Honor everyone's holidays    Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too    Read the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights    Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water    Know where your bank banks    Never believe you have a right to anyone else's resources    Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination    Question military/corporate connections    Don't confuse money with wealth, or time with money    Have a pen/email pal    Honor indigenous cultures    Judge governance by how well it meets all people's needs    Be skeptical about what you read    Eat adventurously    Enjoy vegetables, beans and grains in your diet    Choose curiosity over certainty    Know where your water comes from and where your wastes go    Pledge allegiance to the earth: question nationalism    Think South, Central and North -- there are many Americans    Assume that many others share your dreams    Know that no one is silent though many are not heard    Work to change this.

Have a wonderful day!

~ Angela Gentile

The Sexiest Music Video Ever

Is there anything sexier than sex on the beach?

    What is the sexiest music video that has ever been made? As I was doing my research to find the answer to this question, this 20-year-old video came up on many "sexy" lists. The black and white music video, "Wicked Game", by Chris Isaak is a beautiful, romantic, and simple video that was produced in 1989. I remember hearing this song on the radio, and it has a "haunting" sexy sound to it. The woman in the video is very striking. Her name is Helena Christenson, and she was crowned Miss Denmark in 1986.  This video is full of sensuality and it is very nicely done.  I think it's a beautiful video and it deserves the prize of sexiest video ever.

From YouTube: "Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it didn't become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who was obsessed with David Lynch films, began playing the song and it quickly became a nationwide top ten hit in January 1991, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the only hit song of his career in the U.S. Video directed by Herb Ritts.




If you are having trouble viewing this video, go to this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAOxCqSxRD0

WICKED GAME (Lyrics)

The world was on fire
No one could save me but you.
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No, I don't want to fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
No, I don't want to fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
With you
With you

What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do
To let me dream of you
What a wicked thing to say
You never felt this way
What a wicked thing to do
To make me dream of you
And I don't wanna fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
And I don't want to fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart]

{World was on fire
No one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No I don't wanna fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart
No I don't wanna fall in love
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
With you
With you

Nobody loves no one

Enjoy your day!

~ Angela Gentile

Bully Blaster

How can you get back at the bullies?  Rub your success right in their face!

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle was on Oprah earlier this week, and she wore sparkly shoes and looked radiant and polished as she sang for the audience.  She talked about her new book and her new CD.  She also talked about how she was bullied as a child. She said she tried to fight back and she didn't feel loved.  Thanks to her newfound stardom, things have changed a lot.  Oprah asked Susan if she felt like a princess, and Susan said she did, because she feels loved now.  Oprah asked her to talk about what it was like to be bullied as a child, and Susan said it was devastating. The physical abuse was difficult, but the worst was the name calling (and she wouldn't share what names she was called).  Oprah asked if these bullies were still around, and Susan said she thought they were.  Oprah then said, with a mischevious look on her face, "You should send them a signed copy of your newest CD.  With a note, saying How do you like me now?  Susan's face lit up and she and Oprah did a high five.  The audience was cheering with delight.  A message that Susan wanted to share was that she said it's a good thing if you can focus on something and do it well.

Susan sang a beautiful song on Oprah's stage, and there was a large choir singing with her. It was nice to see such a heartfelt interview and performance.  Watch Susan Boyle perform Don't Dream it's Over, here: http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Watch-Susan-Boyle-Perform-Dont-Dream-Its-Over-Video_1

Her new autobiography, The Woman I was Born to Be, and her new CD The Gift are sure to entertain.

I wonder what those bullies are thinking of her now?

~ Angela Gentile