Mary Pierce

TODAY’S LAUGH: The news said, “Heavy rains stopped an Amtrak train in its tracks today…” Hmm. Isn’t that where trains usually are?

It’s the end of January. Remember all those goals and plans and resolutions you made a month ago? How are you doing? Are you “on track”? Or as DaMama used to say, “Has your trolley jumped its tracks?” And I hear some of you seat-of-the-pants people saying, “Tracks? WHAT tracks?”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT:  It’s never too late to start over. Every day offers a clean slate. There is no need to wait for a milestone, like the first of the year or a birthday where you turn “The Big Something-O.”

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, today is a brand new day. Another chance to start again. Forgive yourself for being human and move on.

Maybe that novel you dreamed about writing is still a dream. Start today with one sentence. Or one word. Just begin.

Maybe that closet you said you’d clean is still a mess. Start today with five minutes (use a timer) to focus on that task.

Maybe that recovery you swore you’d begin hasn’t begun yet. Start today with a tiny step in the direction of wellness. Make a call. Stop the habit for one day. Get some help. Today. Right now.

Maybe that hurt you were going to forgive is still festering. Begin today to let it go.

Maybe that promise you made to spend more time praying is still just a promise. Start now, right this minute. You don’t need a special place or time to connect. Just go ahead and pray. (Here’s a little more if you’re interested.)

A thousand and one things in this world exist to take us off track. (What derails you?) Don’t let a temporary delay take you completely off course. Getting derailed is easy. So is getting back on track. It’s as simple as choosing, right now, to do it.

Just do it.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me. May you be blessed–and be a blessing–today!

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P.S. JANUARY FREE BOOKS go to Mary McMahon and her friend Pat! Congratulations!

TODAY’S LAUGH: Philosopher William James said, “Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present– each person as he sees himself, each person as the other person sees him, and each person as he really is.”

“Ahhh,” said the people in my head, “That makes so much sense to us…”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Say what? There are three of me? Yes. I see it now. There’s FABULOUS ME–the “dream girl” in my head who never makes mistakes and takes care of business without missing a beat. (A dream indeed.) Then there’s FRANTIC ME who I catch racing as fast as she can trying hard to do and be all she can be. And there’s SOMETIMES ME, who bounces between those two extremes.

WHAT IF those three people could become one “normal” person with strengths and limitations, talents and faults…a “REAL ME“? WHAT IF I trusted my Maker to make me into the person I ought to be? WHAT IF, in the process, I gained patience, tolerance and respect for others, realizing that we’re all the same–works in progress?

WHAT IF, in every encounter with my fellow travelers, there were just the two of us, journeying together with understanding? Focusing more on giving to than on getting from each other. Forgiving hurts, helping carry one another’s burdens, encouraging one another.

WHAT IF I applied the rule of “love one another” to everyone in my life? (Who would I start with today?)

After all that thinking, I suggested to the three of me, “This three becoming one is a worthwhile goal, don’t we agree? And hey, if it doesn’t work, maybe we can get a group rate with a good shrink…”

I’m still waiting for my–er, their–responses.

May all of you be a blessing to all of somebody else today. Thanks for blessing my life!

P.S. Laugh with Mary Pierce Live on YouTube. Enjoy! (Did I REALLY say THAT??)

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JANUARY FRIEND-GIFT GIVEAWAY: Win a FREE BOOK for a friend who is a “gift” in your life.  How to enter: Use the “contact Mary” form on the left with “GIFT” in the subject line. Send me the name of someone who is a “gift” in your life. (You can even tell me why she’s so special–I love those stories!)  I’ll enter your name and your friend’s name in the drawing. If I draw your entry you’ll both win a book of your choice:

When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?, Confessions of a Prayer Wimp or 

When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?

Winner will be drawn on Monday January 26 at 8:00 CST and notified by email. (One entry per verified email address please and only US mailing addresses. Thanks.)

TODAY’S LAUGH: I fixed DaMama’s hair and gave her a manicure last week. She said, “Such treatment–I feel like a rich lady!” I teased her with, “By the way, where’s that rich husband of yours? I want to know if I’m in his will.”

“Sorry,” she said without missing a beat, “you’re in his WON’T!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: That’s my mother–the way she always used to be. Once in awhile, she comes back to me like a surprise gift.  I’m so grateful for the small gifts that come my way, like the moment of laughter we shared that morning. I especially appreciate those gifts in this caregiving time of life–when time seems to be taking away so much more than it is giving.

What small gifts will you be offered today? Perhaps you’ll be given the raucous embrace of a toddler or the delight of laughter shared with a good friend. Maybe your gift will be the resurfacing of a fond memory or rediscovering a forgotten joy.

Be alert! Life is handing out small gifts constantly. We just need to be aware enough to accept them–embrace them–when they come our way and be thankful.

May you be blessed today, and be a blessing to someone else along the way.

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JANUARY FRIEND-GIFT GIVEAWAY: Maybe your small gift will be a FREE BOOK for a friend who is a “gift” in your life.  How to enter: Use the “contact Mary” form on the left with “GIFT” in the subject line. Send me the name of someone who is a “gift” in your life. I’ll enter your name and your friend’s name in the drawing. If I draw your entry you’ll both win a book of your choice:

When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?, Confessions of a Prayer Wimp or 

When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?

Winner will be drawn on Monday January 26 at 8:00 CST and notified by email. (One entry per verified email address please and only US mailing addresses. Thanks.)

P.S. to EVENT PLANNERS: If you are looking for laughter and encouragement, contact me for your caregiver events, business conferences, hospital staff development or nurses’ events or women’s wellness conferences– I’m booking now for 2009 and I’d love to help you out!

Church event planners, book now for May 2009 “Joy of Connection” Mother’s Day events and “Joy to Your World” Christmas events for December 2009. (I’d love to donate a set of my books to your church library with your confirmed event.)

(For extra laughs: Be sure to read the comment/saga from “Anonymous Sis” below!)

TODAY’S LAUGH: A little note in my office says, “I.N.E.” DaHusband puzzled over it the other day. “Does it stand for ‘I’m Not Excited’ or maybe, ‘It Never Ends’?”

“What? I wasn’t listening,” I said.

“Humph!” he humphed.”Obviously it stands for I’M NOT ‘EARING!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: The little note is a time management marvel. It stands for “IF NOTHING ELSE.” It reminds me as I plan my work to focus on the most important things on my list. For instance, when I look at all the writing I have to do I decide, “If nothing else, I’ll write such-and-such today.” I look at my emails waiting for reply and decide, “If nothing else, I’ll reply to so-and-so today.” I glance at the household chore list and decide, “If nothing else, I’ll take a nap today.”

You get the idea.

What’s your I.N.E. for today–the single most important thing you want to accomplish? Maybe your I.N.E. will be to start that novel or clean that closet. Maybe you’ll contact a long-lost friend or forgive a long-festering hurt. Maybe your I.N.E. will be to take a first step on the road to recovery. Maybe your I.N.E. will be spending time in prayer.

What if every day this week you only got the most important things done? How great would THAT be?

For today–If Nothing Else–share a smile with someone. And thanks for sharing a smile with me!

P.S. The I.N.E. idea was inspired by this on the Franklin Planner website. Check it out!

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Is anyone out there in need of laughter and stress relief? (Anyone NOT?)

Event planners for caregiver events, business conferences, hospital staff development or nurses’ events or women’s conferences– I’m booking now for 2009 and I’d love to help you out!

Church event planners: Contact me now for May 2009 Mother’s Day events. Also I’ll be accepting three Christmas events for December 2009. Contact me early. Thanks!  (I’d love to donate a set of my books to your church library with your confirmed event.)