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“The true measure of a man (or woman) is not how he/she behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he/she stands at times of controversy and challenges.” Martin Luther King Jr. (I added woman and she, Garry)

When the road is smooth it is just too easy to coast. On a smooth road you can even let your mind wonder and look at different things or the scenery around you. You are just sailing along listening to music and humming. Life is so good! In fact, you might even think to yourself how easy life is and allow yourself the luxury of not thinking about those around you. But that is not how we find out about ourselves and our motives, our whims, our desires, our make up. The true measure of a man or woman cannot be obvious to those around us when life is that easy. Oh, I am not saying there shouldn’t be easy times in our life, there should be and will be. But the true measure of a man or woman comes when adversity hits like a hurricane. Or when controversy is so strong it might act as a divisive tool to split up a friendship or relationship. Now that we are faced with that challenge how will we react? It is times like this that gives each of us the chance to prove to ourselves what we are really made of. Will we shrink back into the shadows and refuse to face this challenge head on? We could and that would be the easy way. Or will we mediate on the problem, analyze it thoroughly, talk to others about solutions and then step in front of the challenge with a convinced mind and a sound solution? By doing that we can prove to others and ourselves our true measure.

Take 10 minutes today and look around you. The trees are starting to bud, flowers are popping up from their winter sleep, spring is here! To all my friends in the areas where you are getting rain, you are in my thoughts.

Have a great week-

Garry (OnlyGarry from IPlay)
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“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Unknown author

Laughter, what a gift we were given at birth. I think of all the times I didn’t laugh at something when I could have. Notice I said: “could have”. Sometimes we get so bogged down with life’s demands that even when we could have laughed we keep a solemn face. Yet, that laughter could have helped build a bridge between a developing friendship or relationship. On my office wall I have a saying: “Always make someone laugh TODAY because when they are laughing, so are YOU.” I try to do this every single day and it helps relieve the stress of every day living.

Laugh whenever you can, after all, it is the cheapest medicine we can buy. Laughter is great for an emotional and physical release of tension and stress. Laughter is not only good for us personally but it helps those around us. You doing or saying things that make others laugh will help them cut their stress level.

Sometimes it is very difficult to laugh. I have found myself in this situation in the last couple of weeks. In fact, sometimes it boils down to either laughing or crying over certain circumstances in our lives. It is at these moments that it is necessary to seek out those individuals that make us laugh. Or it could be a movie or a TV show. Realize too that some day you will look back on the situation that is causing stress now and be able to laugh at it. I find my greatest release from stress is playing cards with friends that always make me laugh. I thank them from my heart.

This is not written to you, it is written to me but I hope it helps someone else too.

Have a great week and KEEP SMILING…..
Garry

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