Bit #23: Choose a mate wisely

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 23: Choose a mate wisely and remember that Mom is always right.

"Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery." ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

There should be a class in school on picking a good mate. This is such an important choice in life and so many people make the wrong ones over and over again or go into marriage or life commitment without really thinking and deciding if this is what is best for him/her.

Again, I hope my children will read this many years down the road, so remember that MOM IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!

Remember that saying "love is blind." If your parents, family, friends, support system don't think the person is right for you, chances are they are right. LISTEN TO THEM!

Make sure you know the person well.

Do they make you happy?
Are they fun to be with?
Do you have the same morals and values?
Are you compatible?
Are you attracted to your mate?
This goes much beyond physical attraction...looks fade quickly and the rest is what you will have for life, so be sure you like what you have.

Have those often difficult conversations about money, religion, or parenting BEFORE you marry. Trust me, you will have them MANY times after marriage too, but starting off on the same page will help tremendously.

Take your time...don't be in a rush to find someone and settle. The right person is out there and you will be so glad you waited when he/she comes along. It will make all of those "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" relationships worth it and put everything in to perspective.

All relationships are a constant struggle and one that needs daily attention and efforts. Make sure you are working together and not against each other.

There is no such thing as a perfect person, but there is such thing as a perfect person for YOU!! Enjoy the journey in finding each other.

Bit #22: Lessons in Lyrics~Let It Be

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 22: Let it be!

I know we have all heard this song by The Beatles many, many times, but take a moment to read these lyrics. You will also probably be singing this song all day. (You're welcome or sorry about that.)

My children who hopefully will read this many years down the road. We have a children's Beatles CD and we listen it to it in the car just about everyday. My son loves to sing along to this song and I hope he thinks about this song and it's meaning, but with happy childhood thoughts...Let it be, let it be!

"Let It Be"

The Beatles

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

The idea of letting something be is something that I struggle with on a daily basis. It is hard for me to relinquish control on somethings that are ultimately out of my control. And as humans, we have this innate desire to be right and sometimes it really is best to "let it be."

Bit #21: Be part of the Team

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 21: TEAMWORK!

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. ~Henry Ford

We've all heard the saying "there is no I in team." How true!

Working as part of a team will be something you will be required to do your entire life: school projects, school plays, clubs, organizations, sports teams, work department teams, spousal/parenting teams, etc.

The only way to be truly successful and "climb the ladder" in all the roles of our crazy lives, we must be an active and willing team worker and plater. It takes constant work and attention when working in a team. So many times I have thought "this would be so much easier if I did it myself" or "I should do this by myself," but then we are always thrown in to team work situations and we must adapt. Working in teams can be a wonderful experience. People bring different view and areas of expertise to the table.

Be sure that you are looking within and evaluating your own skills as a team player and worker...you want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Be a good and gracious member of all teams you are on. Everyone will appreciate it!

"No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." ~H.E. Luccock

{Thanks to flickr for the picture.}

Bit #20: The Material Myth

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 20: MAterial Things Do Not = Happiness

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~Frederick Koenig

(Feel free to hum or sing along to this song snippet. If you find yourself singing it all weekend, I am either incredibly sorry or "you're welcome.")

....Living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl...

Oh, Madonna is so wise! (What's that? That adjective isn't in the first 100 you would use to describe Madonna???)

We do live in a material world and the term "keeping up with the Joneses" is so true in this crazy world that we live.

I have lived many days of my life thinking (and I still have those days) when I believe that those material things will make me happy and make my life perfect.

If I only had a bigger house with the perfect yard or that newer and nicer sport utility card, I would be just so content!

Oooohhh, I MUST HAVE those shoes, that fabulous new Kate Spade handbag, that necklace is just perfect, oh I need those expensive clothes for the minis (even though they will outgrow some that that currently have before they wear more than twice).

Me to husband: "If I could just have the entire Pottery Barn catalog to outfit that new, bigger house, I won't ask for anything again."

The list, conversations, thoughts, and scenarios could go on forever. We all want something else and covet what our friends and neighbors may have. "They have it, so should I or "That is the perfect ______...just what I need."

It can become an addiction, but if we sit back and think about all of those things that we have acquired thinking they will make us happy, we will realize that the "happy high" is short lived and then we are seeking that next thing.

We could get deep in this little thought process and idea, but let's not dive that far down and I am certianly not an expert on this.

I do know that we can all be rich. Rich in friends, family, health, love, and HAPPINESS.

Happy Weekend!

Bit #19: Finding That Girl...

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 19: Find Yourself in Life-it takes time!

{Editor's Note: We are super excited to have my dear friend Whitney write for us each week. She has stumbled upon a great idea here and I can't wait to read what she has to say. She is fun, funny, witty, smart, honest, and kind. I think we can agree that we all have some form of "identity" issues. As life changes around us, those issues are different, some more complex and indepth than others, but always apparent. I hope you'll welcome Whitney with open arms and tell a friend about Good Will Grace. Thanks again Whitney...you're the best!}

"Finding That Girl"

....lessons in life, love and the pursuit of happiness{whatever that means to you}.....

Hi! I'm Whitney and you probably know me from That Girl & Her Pug. If you don't know me, then you must go check out my blog. I'm super fun!

I first want to thank Mrs. Molly Lou for asking me to be a guest poster on this blog, it's such an amazing thing she has going here and I'm so thankful to be a little part of it. We all need these daily reminders in our lives.

My segment will be here every Monday, and as you can see from the title it will be about finding me. But not just me - we're not playing "Where's Waldo" here - but finding you, too! You see, whether we are young and single, old and single, young and married, married with children, single with children, 65 and retired or any combination of those things we all struggle with identity issues. If you don't, then well, you should probably win an award. And teach a class. Because to me, there isn't one woman out there who doesn't have questions, reservations or even doubts or fears about where she is in life and where she is going.In this weekly segment, I'm going to talk about life's lessons; things that I want to learn, things that I have learned and things that I'm learning right now.

Please know that I am not trying to be condescending or act like I have it all together, because I don't. This weekly post is just as much about bettering myself as it is anything else. I believe that through this blog and this series of posts, women of all ages and statuses can come together and help each other deal with life's hardest lessons. And we all know that the hard ones are the ones we really need to learn the most.

So, I'll be here every Monday! Every other day I'll be here as a reader because I cannot get enough of the little "bits" of wisdom Mrs. Molly Lou throws at us! Don't you agree that especially in this day and age we need every single reminder we can get?

Love,

Whitney

Bit #18: Take Pictures...

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 18: Take pictures...you will cherish them later

They say a picture is worth a thousand pictures and how true! Take pictures, have others take pictures, be in pictures, document your life!

Our lives are full of so many wonderful moments and some at the time, we don't think are big moments. Having pictures is such a wonderful posession and reminder of this crazy road we are travelling.

One of my favorite things is to sit for sometimes hour and look back on pictures. It is fun to relive some of those memories and events, some that I had forgotten.

Pictures are such a wonderful history that we can leave for loved ones. Pictures tell the stories of our lives, but also those that we love and hold close. They will last for years and you will thank yourself one day when you have your life in pictures.

Take funny, serious, loving, spontaneous, adorable, exciting, compelling, compassionate, or somber pictures...just take them.

"A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people." ~Annie Leibovitz

Bit #17: Lessons in Lyrics~How You Live

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 17: Live life to the fullest...you are the only one to choose how you live.

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." ~Melody Beattie

Thanks so much to my dear friend, Whitney for sending this fantastic song our way. What a perfect lesson in lyrics for this Wednesday. This song comes from a Christian band, Point of Grace and is appropriately titled "How you Live." Putting religious beliefs aside, this song is awesome and so incredibly beautiful. Read over the lyrics a few times.

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress, use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want, but want what you have

And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances and let it all out

'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did I

t's how you live

So go to the ballgames and go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children, dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth 'cause you can't get away, no

Face it and you'll be okay

(Chorus)

Oh, wherever you are and wherever you've been

Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy, and pray for the grieving

Even when you don't think that you can

'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So think of your fellow man

And make peace with God, and make peace with yourself

'Cause in the end, there's nobody else

(Chorus)

Bit #16: Remember the Golden Rule

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 16: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Follow the Golden Rule. There is a reason it has stuck around for centuries.

This is really an easy one that ties everything we have been taught together. Stop and think before you act or speak on if this is how you would like to be treated.

(Photo courtesy here)

Check out this amazing photo. Last week, a year's worth of rain fell in just 6 hours in the Phillipine capital. This photo embodies the Golden Rule and all that we should strive to do. People are working together to help rescue those boys from the flood waters!

We are all humans and will make mistakes, but just think of how fabulous the world would be if we all followed the Golden Rule.

Would I want to be yelled at by someone because their drink wasn't exactly correct? "No, so I better not yell at this poor girl. I have already screwed up 7 things this morning."

Would I want someone to be rude to me because they are mad about something completely unrelated to me and the situation that I am dealing with them? "No, so I should remember that the next time that I am having a bad day."

Would I want to hurt someone's feelings by saying mean things? "No, so I should remember that and try to always lift someone's spirits."

Would I like to be shot today? "No, so I better not shoot anyone else."

See it's REALLY EASY. Stop and think about it each day and eventually it will become a habit and will stick to others too.

Have a great day!
{Editor's Note: Here's a little history on this idea. The Golden Rule is also known as Ethic of Reciprocity. Thanks to wikipedia for the 411. Ethic of Reciprocity is an ethical code that states one has a right to just treatment, and a responsibility to ensure justice for others. Reciprocity is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights. A key element of the golden rule is that a person attempting to live by this rule treats all people, not just members of his or her in-group, with consideration. It exists in both positive (generally structured in the form of "do to others what you would like to be done to you") and negative form (structured in the form of "do not do to others what you would not like to be done to you"). While similar, these forms are not strictly the same; they differ in what to do with what you would like to be done to you and the other party would not like to be done upon it. The Golden rule appears to have an evolutionary basis. The golden rule has its roots in a wide range of world cultures, and is a standard which different cultures use to resolve conflicts; it was present in the philosophies of ancient Judaism, India, Greece, and China. Principal philosophers and religious figures have stated it in different ways, but its most common English phrasing is attributed to Jesus of Nazarethin the Biblical book of Luke: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The "Do unto others" wording first appeared in English in a Catholic Catechism around 1567, but certainly in the reprint of 1583.

Versions Of The Golden Rule In Different Religions _________________________________________________________________ HINDU: This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.

ZOROASTRIAN: That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself.

TAOIST: Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain, and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.

BUDDHIST: Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful.

CONFUCIAN: Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you.

JAIN: In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.

JEWISH: Whatever thou hatest thyself, that do not to another.

CHRISTIAN: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.

ISLAMIC: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

SIKH: As thou deemest thyself, so deem others.}

Bit 15: Bring on the Manners

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 15: Use your manners.

"Good Manners will open doors that the best education cannot."~Clarence Thomas

As the world grows and the pace of life increases, it seems the worse manners become. Good manners become even more important as this happens and should be practiced daily.

Manners start with respect. When you use manners, others know that you RESPECT them and yourself.

Common courtesies such as holding a door open for someone, saying "please" and "thank you," and allowing an elderly or disabled person to go to the head of the line all make the world a nicer place to live in.

Good manners do not cost anything, and it takes little extra time to practice them.

You've heard the saying "talk the talk, walk the walk." Check your own common courtesy routines and habits in order to help pass them along to others.

People remember manners and as Clarence Thomas said above, they really open doors. It is the smallest gestures that make all the difference to people.

We are afraid to share things with others, but manners will never make you sick and can only make you feel better after you have shared with someone else.

PLEASE go out there, show the world that you "weren't raised in a barn" and use those manners that your mom, dad, grandparents, friends, siblings, neighbors, teachers, aunts and uncles have taught you.

Everyone will THANK YOU!

"A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait."~JohannWolfgang von Goethe

Bit #14: Read.

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 14: Read. Read. Read.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." ~Dr. Seuss

Read. Read. Read some more. Reading really is the most powerful tool and can take you anywhere. Reading is such a powerful tool in this crazy world. Reading fuels the imagination and gives you the power to think and share ideas on a higher level.
Create a passion for reading. Read magazines, newspapers, classics, novellas, articles, short stories, best sellers,"chick lit," historical fiction, non-fiction, biographies...just read.

Take time to read the classics. In school, you will be required to read certain books that you may think you won't like. Take the time to read them as you will appreciate them and re-read them as an adult.

Read children's books even as an adult. The stories and pictures make for a great combination and can take you back to those lovely childhood days. Read to children if you get the opportunity. When you read to a child and see that love of a story, it really is electrifying.

Allow yourself to get lost in a library or bookstore. You never know what you will find when browsing those aisles.

"Today a reader. Tomorrow a leader." ~Margaret Fuller

Here is a link to Newsweek's Top 100 Books list. Looks like I've got some work to do!!!

Bit #13: Lessons in Lyrics~It Won't Be Like This For Long

Little Life Lesson and Bit of Grace 13: Take time to enjoy even the smallest things as "It Won't Be Like This For Long"
We all know how powerful music is and there are fantastic life lessons found in music lyrics. Each Wednesday, we feature a song's lyrics that express a life lesson we want to share. Have a suggestion for a song that has a special meaning or life lesson you think should be shared, please email us.

I love Hootie and the Blowfish. I grew up in Columbia, SC where they started and it during those teenage years that I could so "relate" to their songs. Now, Darius Rucker has started a new journey and has a fantastic song, "It Won't Be Like This For Long."

This song touches on those precious moments with your children and how quickly they pass. This is so true. I have really tried to make a conscious effort to enjoy my children, but already have a hard time wrapping my head around how quickly they are growing.

This song also relates to everything in life...time really does fly. We all should take a deep breath and take some time to enjoy those small, but precious moments in our life. Here are the lyrics:

He didnt have to wake up

He'd been up all night

Lay'n there in bed listenin'

To his new born baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee

He splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says

It gonna be OK

It wont be like this for long

One day soon we'll look back laughin'

At the week we brought her home

This phase is gonna fly by

So baby just hold on

It wont be like this for long

Four years later 'bout four thirty

She's crawling in there bed

And when he drops her off at preschool

She's clinging to his leg

The teacher peels her off of him

He says what can I do

She says now dont you worry

This will only last a week or two

It wont be like this for long

One day soon we'll drop her off

And she wont even know your gone

This phase is gonna fly by

If you can just hold on

It wont be like this for long

One day soon she'll be a teenager

And at times you'll think she hates him

Then he'll walk her down the aisle

And he'll raise her veil

But right now she up and cryin'

And the truth is that he dont mind

As he kisses her good night

And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her

Till her eyes are finally closed

And just watchin' her it breaks his heart

Cause he already knows

It wont be like this for long

One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

Yeah this phase is gonna fly by

He's tryin' to hold on

It wont be like this for long

It wont be like this for long

We're back...

Good Will Grace is up and running AGAIN! We apologize for the lapse in posts, but life takes crazy twists and turns sometimes. We are excited for the future here at GWG. We have some fabulous things in the works.

Help us spread the word of Good Will Grace to your friends. If you have any suggestions, ideas, comments, thoughts for any posts or Lessons in Lyrics, we would love to hear from you. Email us at goodwillgrace@gmail.com!