Be Smart

Notice something amiss?

Many websites list ideas of how you can "seem more smart." If appearing intelligent is of any concern to you, forget taking their advice and learn to spell instead. Relying on spell-check is foolhardy! It will not always be there to save you.  

Correct spelling and grammar will shine a spotlight of intelligence on you faster than your college degree can (and in many cases, more accurately than your degree). People are smart in different areas, I know-- I certainly have no gift for math.  Just trust me on the spelling, okay? There are many different ways of being smart, but few faster ways of appearing stupid than poor spelling.

 

The Sun In Your Heart

Do you feel at the end of your rope? Exhausted? Depressed or angry? Alone? I understand; I know how you feel, and someone else does too. He's the "big guy upstairs," and He knows all about you. So if you feel wrung out, drained, or just don't want to try anymore-- this is for you.

I'm laughing at clouds--so dark up above;

The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love.
Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place--
Come on with the rain! I've a smile on my face!

For years people smiled and told me "You're in control of the way you feel. You can always control your attitude!" I still do not believe this. Especially considering physiological chemicals your body reacts to (or produces on its own), things are not always in your control. But there is something that can help, and that will cheer and lift both you and those around you that you can control: gratitude.

Make a habit of finding something to be thankful for when you feel low. Even if it's "gee those clouds look pretty," or "I'm glad I have a full tank of gas," or "I'm so glad I can walk up stairs without help," gratitude will help, I promise you. Maybe just a little, but it will help.

Storms in life are unavoidable, and many many times it seems black clouds hover only over our own heads. Instead of trying to fight the storm, because often, nothing can make the rain stop, instead use gratitude to put the sun in your heart. You'll find your own reasons to dance and sing in the rain.

Here's advice from an experienced professional:

"Will prayers that do not demand much of your thought merit much attention from our Heavenly Father? When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious. Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice. Thinking of things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin

KVETCH THIS.

Boy would I love to read this book! It would teach me even more about that magnetic-yiddish-poetry-set that my mom (I mean SANTA) got me for Christmas.



kvetch (yiddish):

verb [intrans]

a chronic complaint, or to complain with whining persistence. To nag.
"a rambling kvetch against the system"

Oxford Dictionary Term 2

tran-syl-vania:
[noun]

Latin: the land beyond the forest. A region and former province in central Romania: formerly part of Hungary. 24,027 sq. mi.

Get Thee To a Library, Elmo

Why is it always so fun to hear that furry guy laugh? "Words! Words! Words!"

Oxford Dictionary Term 1

suc-cumb: 

verb [intrans]

fail to resist (pressure, temptation, or some other negative force) : he has become the latest to succumb to the strain.

I love my complete "Oxford American Dictionary." It's a feature on my mac dashboard that I use CONSTANTLY. During classes I frequently look up words just to be sure they mean what I think they mean. I also look up historical events and terms in case they're in there, and then I can sound really smart when the teacher asks a question about them and I just read about it in my dictionary. HA! Anyway.... "succumb" is the word of choice right now because.... (my family will cringe when they find this out) 

I have succumbed, and now listen to country music on a regular basis. I can blame several things for this, (my idolization for Carrie Underwood included) but really I just like it. :)