Mary Pierce

Hello Friends

We’re going through a rough patch around here. We appreciate your support and patience and your prayers for DaMama and our family. In the meantime, may you and yours be blessed.

Mary

TODAY’S LAUGH: Ooh, ooh! I’m SO excited. I just got this email (as is):

“Greeting to You Respectful, sorry if this mail will come as surprise. I just felt like empting myself to confide in you, my father die two years ago. He keep $14.5M. US dollars deposit on financial institution, help me transfer this money in your country. I offer you 25%. Please I need your reply. Ernest Prayer hopes you good Health and Blessings.”

Wow. Confided in! Empted to! AND I’m going to be RICH! How lucky can I be? And I’ve never even MET “Ernest Prayer”!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Silly, isn’t it? You’re too smart to fall for this kind of scam. But what about the other “scammers” in this life, closer to home. (You know who I’m talking about.) You’re too smart to keep falling for them! Make these promises to yourself:

Promise #1: Today I will expect people to keep their promises. I deserve to be treated well.

Promise #2: Today I will trust my instincts (I know lies when I hear them) and stop believing lies about myself.

Promise #3: Today I will respect myself and expect others to do the same.

If you need encouragement from somebody else (friend, counselor) to keep these promises, get the support you need. Today.

Now imagine someone sending you this message: “My friend, you are worthy of respect. You deserve to be treated well. You are loved.”

Now that message–the truth about you–is worth getting excited about!

It is my earnest prayer that you will be blessed today with courage and the respect you deserve!

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AND SO GOES THE NOSE: The first batch of noses are blowin’ outta here, on their way to all who’ve asked for one. Wear them in good health. (Send me a picture of you in your nose for my Facebook “Nose Nation” album!)

SPECIAL NOSE OFFER CONTINUES: Help me change the world, one nose at a time! Contact Mary with “Why I Need a Nose” in the subject line. Tell me your story and be sure to include your mailing address. Your nose is waiting for you!

Take a little laugh break! Listen here (~4 minutes)…

TODAY’S LAUGH: I read this advice on a blog: “Can’t afford a vacation? Let your mind wander.” Hmm. No airfare. No vacation wardrobe to buy. No expensive diet plan trying to lose weight to look good in vacation wardrobe. No huge restaurant tabs (after I realize I’ll never see these people again, so who cares how I look in the vacation wardrobe).

I realized that the cheapest vacation ever is letting my mind wander. Then I realized that I’ve been “vacationing” like that for years - every day!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: We did take a real vacation awhile back to Honolulu. Anytime I want to, I can open the photos of that week and let my mind wander back to those blue skies, sandy beaches, and swaying palms. In an instant, I’m there. Paradise. My Happy Place. And it’s an instant lift for my winter-weary spirit. A wandering mind can be a wonderful thing!

So where does your mind wander when you give it free rein? Find the photos, or close your eyes and remember. Let your mind wander to that happy time in that special place. Give your weary spirit a lift today.

Or maybe you need more today than a little mind wandering. Maybe you’re overdue for a real vacation. What step can you take today to make it happen? Maybe a little online research? Asking for the time off from work? Just taking that step will lift your spirits.

Gotta run now–my mind is wandering off without me. Mmm, that pineapple! Ahh, the waves…the warmth…Aloha, paradise…

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SO GOES THE NOSE. Last week’s special offer continues! Just CONTACT MARY with “WHY I NEED A NOSE” in the subject line. Tell me your story (get silly if you wanna), your mailing address, and your nose will be on its way. (Do it now, before your mind wanders!)

Life is serious. Having a clown nose handy helps. Join me: LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE NOSE AT A TIME!

Take a little laugh break! Listen in… (4 minutes)

Today’s Laugh: A picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case, a thousand clown noses. Well, 960 of them to be exact. Talk about fun! How often in life do we find ourselves up to our necks in noses?

Today’s Encouragement: Those who’ve heard me speak know the story of my BFF who had cancer, and how we went together to her first chemo sessions wearing clown noses. Wow! What an impact we had! Like I told you, some of them had not laughed in a long, long time–we could tell. (And that one lady laughed so hard I’m pretty sure she wet herself.)

The bottom line is this: Life can be pretty serious. Having a clown nose handy helps. That’s why I ordered so many. I plan to change the world, one nose at a time. (Mwah, hah, hah, she laughs evilly. And nasally.)

ODE TO A NOSE

Life gotcha down? Feelin’ blue?
You’ll be amazed what a new nose can do!
Let it give your day a cheerful start,
Lift your spirits and lighten your heart.
Here’s a new motto to end this rhyme:
“LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE NOSE AT A TIME!”

May you be blessed with joy today as you lighten up!

P.S. SPECIAL OFFER (don’t blow it!):  CONTACT MARY with “WHY I NEED A NOSE” in the subject line. Give me your story (get silly if you wanna) and address. I’ll pick a nose just for you (sorry) and mail it.

Once you get it, send me a picture of freshly-nosed you and I’ll post the picture on my Facebook. We’ll start our own Nose Nation, get group insurance rates, lobby Congress… Today the nose - tomorrow the WORLD! (I’ll probably have to limit this - I only have so much postage…I’ll let you know.)

IF YOU WERE AT THE JOY CONFERENCE IN APPLETON LAST SATURDAY, I made you a promise. Ask and you shall receive…your nose.

P.P.S. The BEST gift EVER: Send someone who needs a lift a bouquet of a dozen long-stemmed red noses! (Happy Valentine’s Day, Jonesy!)

Take  a break, listen and laugh along (4 minutes)…

TODAY’S LAUGH: I mentioned to DaMama that Groundhog Day was coming. “What? AGAIN!?” she said, as if it was just Groundhog Day yesterday. I told her about the Bill Murray movie, where he keeps reliving February 2nd in Punxsutawney, PA.

Then, hoping to trigger some fond memories (like the day I was born maybe?), I asked her, “Is there a day you’d like to keep reliving, over and over again?”

“Yes,” she said. “Tomorrow!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Two questions come to mind: (1) Is there a day in my past that I’d like to live over again?

Maybe reliving those precious baby days of first smiles and wet kisses. Or the day I first met DaHusband. (Mmm. That leather jacket…) Or maybe just one of those October days with an impossibly blue sky and trees afire, when all feels right in this warm and wonderful world.

How about you? What day(s) would you choose? (Comment or send an email and I’ll post for you.)

On the flip side, we all have those days we would NOT want to repeat, don’t we? Life is too short to dwell on those! Forgive yourself and move on.

The second question: (2) How can I make today a day worth reliving?

What makes a day worth living? Not its activities, but the attitude with which I live it.

So for today, I begin with a prayer to trust God for the courage to do right, to be kind, patient, merciful, forgiving, loving, faithful, gentle, joyful, peaceable and self-controlled. And pray that I am granted the grace to relive that,  tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

May you be blessed with a day worth living today.

P.S. I’m expecting delivery of 960 clown noses on Wednesday. Can’t wait to see what that looks like!

Listen in to “Say WHO?” Today’s Laugh on radio…

TODAY’S LAUGH: The other morning I woke DaMama up and a few minutes into the morning routine, she looked at me, frowned and said, “I know I know you, but I just don’t know who you are.”

I gave her a hint. “My name is the same as Jesus’ mother.”

DaMama smiled in recognition. “Aha! You’re Mrs. Christ!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: How wonderful to have a moment of laughter in the middle of it all. And I’d have missed that moment if I’d rushed on with the tasks at hand. Life with DaMama keeps me in the moment. (And taking notes, because she gives me great material!)

“Live in the moment” sounds easy. It’s not, with all the noise and clamor of life. So many distractions keep us from being where we are. But we miss a lot that way.

Living in the moment means we shut out everything but what life is offering us, right here, right now.

Wherever you are, be 100% present. While at work, work for all you’re worth. Give 100% to the task at hand. (Make the boss glad she hired you!)

When at home, be 100% present. Give your loved ones all of yourself. Laugh, hug, talk, and enjoy life together. (Make the family glad you showed up!)

Wherever you are, right now, clear the distractions. Forget multi-tasking. Give 100% of your focus and energy to this moment. Right here. Right now.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, BE there, with all your heart. 100%.

And in this moment, may you be blessed!

LISTEN AND LAUGH ALONG to Today’s Laugh audio… (What’s YOUR gift?)

TODAY’S LAUGH: I confess. I’m hooked on the American Idol auditions. Look at this guy.

Larry Platt is his name and he’s an internet sensation, enjoying his moment in the spotlight.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Larry’s living proof that you don’t have to wait until you’re polished, professional or perfect to have an impact in this world. You just need a lot of passion and some courage.

Seriously. LOOK at this guy! Larry Platt got out there. He made his statement. He took his shot.

How about you? What’s your dream? What’s holding you back?

Are you listening to that little voice that says you can’t do it–or you shouldn’t do it!–so don’t even try? (Where did that liar come from anyway?)

We all–even the most accomplished among us–hear that little voice. I am grateful that Larry didn’t listen. I’m grateful that Susan Boyle didn’t listen. Grateful that Mozart, Edison, Curie, Bell and the rest didn’t listen to the voices of doubt and discouragement. I’m grateful they took their shots.

Maybe one day somebody will be inspired watching you, listening to your song, reading your words, enjoying your art–whatever it is that comes from your passion and courage–and be grateful that you took your shot.

May you be filled with passion and courage today, and may you be an inspiration–right here, right now–to everyone you meet!

TODAY’S LAUGH: Four-year-old grandson Joey was here the other night for dinner. Spying the bowl of leftover holiday candy, he asked if he could have a piece. I said, “We have to eat dinner first, and then we’ll eat ALL the leftover Christmas candy! How would you like that?” (I thought it was a GREAT idea.)

“No,” Joey said, ‘We should only have two or three pieces so we don’t get a tummy ache.” (There was pity for his foolish grandma in that look he gave me!)

From the mouths of babes…

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Joey was right, of course. I just didn’t expect such wisdom from a four-year-old. But thinking about it later, plenty of wisdom has come my way over the years from unexpected sources.

For instance, a stranger made a “random” comment to me in the grocery store one day that changed my outlook on life. Another day, a friend asked a simple question that led me to make huge changes in my life. I’ve been impacted by a “Dear Abby” column, a quote from a favorite author, and people I’ve heard on the radio.

One long-ago evening, I listened to a message left on my voicemail by a “wrong number” that was exactly what I needed to hear at that time. And at a time when I felt lost and hopeless, it wasn’t a preacher but my tough Marine Corps cousin who pointed me back to God.

Timely words. Unexpected sources. Such words have inspired me to forgive, to forget, to move forward, to slow down, to love, to share, and to laugh. And even to eat more sensibly. (Thanks Joey!)

How about you? Who has offered a bit of wisdom, an unexpected “timely word” to you? If you can, let that person know how much their word meant to you.

Maybe today you’ll hear a “timely word” that will lead you toward greater love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, healing, self-control, gratitude or faithfulness. Whatever it is that you need.

And today may you find comfort and courage in the certainty that you –whoever you are, in the middle of whatever it is–you are loved!

You are loved.

LISTEN IN and LAUGH ALONG…

TODAY’S LAUGH: As DaMama ate her dinner the other night I said, “It’s a new year, Mom, and the time people usually give up bad habits and such. Is there anything you want to give up for the new year?”

“Yes,” she said. “This dinner.” I couldn’t blame her; it’d been three nights in a row of leftover turkey, stuffing and gravy. Ugh.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: DaMama likes to keep life simple. She lives for today–actually more for the moment.

Following her lead, I’ve decided not to make the usual dozen resolutions I fail to keep past the first week of January. Instead I’m framing my desires for the new year in terms of “less and more.”

Less lazy leftovering, more conscious cooking. Less loafing, more moving. Less procrastination, more action. You get the idea.

What if I spent a minute less today feeling sorry for myself, and spent a minute more encouraging somebody else?

What if I spent a few dollars less this week on my own wants (Do I really NEED MORE stuff?) and donated a few dollars more to others less fortunate?

What if I spent a little less time worrying, “What’s in this for me?” and a little more time figuring out, “How can I bless others in this situation?”

What if I spent less time being afraid and more time trusting God? Less time complaining and more time being thankful.

Perfection I can’t do, but “less and more” I can manage. Every little step is progress in the direction of a better life.

How about you? What “less and more” will you pursue today?

Wishing you a happy, healthy–blessed–New Year!

Listen to some Christmas Encouragement from me to you…

Today’s Laugh: I couldn’t resist “elfing” the family - DaHusband, DaMama, DaDog and me -  just for fun. And I must say, it’s delightful to see DaMama moving like that!

We wish you and yours a blessed and joy-filled holiday season and the happiest New Year ever!

Today’s Encouragement: Here’s a Christmas message I wrote a few years back. Wherever in your life this Christmas finds you, know that you are loved. Merry Christmas!

Feelin’ Scroogey

On a not-too-long-ago Saturday after Thanksgiving, Terry and I wrestled the eight-foot Frasier fir into the house and anchored it in the tree stand. Then Terry brushed the needles from his jeans and headed outside to tackle the outdoor lights—a “guy job” if ever there was one.

“Decorate the tree any way you’d like,” he said as the door closed. A “gal job,” evidently. Bah. Humbug.

I was feelin’ Scroogey.

Decorating the tree with the children had been our annual tradition, accompanied by hot chocolate in special Christmas mugs and the old Sesame Street Christmas album on the record player. (Album? Record player? How old am I?)

We amassed quite a collection of ornaments, adding one each year for each child. And wherever we traveled, we picked up an ornament souvenir. Every ornament had a story.

Year after year I’d told the children those stories, sipped the hot chocolate, and listened to the music. But this year I was decorating solo. This year the nest was empty. And cold. So was my Scroogey heart.

I opened the box of ornaments. The “Katy 1980″ wooden doll ornament looked so much like my daughter back then, right down to the white-blonde string hair.

“Where are you, little stringy-haired girl?” I asked the ornament. Living in the college dorm. Grown up. Gone.

“Humph!” I said as I hung her on the tree.

Next I found the “Betsy 1986″ ballerina ornament, with her toe shoes and tutu. Where was she? Too, too far away. Halfway across the country “finding herself.” Would she ever find herself home again? And where had “Alex 1978″ gone? All grown up and working in another state.

“Bah!” I bawled as I dangled them from the evergreen. I hung up the six white felt star ornaments we’d picked up at a fast food restaurant. That day Terry and I went Christmas shopping with our combined six children–our version of the Brady Bunch. We’d stopped for lunch. The ornaments came with the kiddy meals.

“Kids!” I griped as I stuck them on the tree. “Growing up…just like that!”

I grumbled and mourned my way through the ornament box. Each one made me miss someone or something. I felt more hum-buggy by the minute.

Toward the bottom of the box I found an ornament from a long-ago church Christmas Tea. Each little net bag filled with potpourri and tied with gold cord represented one of God’s gifts to us. The tag on mine read, “Gratitude.”

Humph! I thought. What do I have to be grateful for this year? Left alone in a cold house full of empty echoes of Christmases past. What is the point, Lord?

I looked at the tree. One of several Victorian-style ornaments caught the afternoon sun; its sequins, beads and baubles glinted. These ornaments were survivors from my childhood, given to me year after year by my best friend who was, at that moment, battling cancer. And surviving.

Shining on another branch was a tiny White House ornament Terry and I bought on a trip to Washington a year before his heart surgery. Terry was, at that moment, strong enough to be outside stringing up the lights.

I looked again at those six stars. Our six children were, at that moment, healthy and happy, living life and chasing dreams.

All those years, all those people, all those memories. All those blessings. Our Christmas tree, bearing witness to God’s many gifts to us, and a symbol of His greatest gift—the Christ tree, decorated by God’s Son Himself, for us all.

Jesus, God’s Son—His birth was the point of it all. I took a deep breath. Maybe I did have something to celebrate after all. I began with a whispered prayer.

Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord…

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P.S. I’ll be back on January 5th with more laughter and encouragement for you. Until then, may you be blessed!