Richelle E. Goodrich

Bad habits are demons that often push us into isolation because they know that in our loneliness they stand little chance of being overcome.

Sadness is the heart withdrawing to seek shelter from the pain.

To be a rainbow in someone__ cloud is commendable, but I prefer to be the rain because it dampens cheeks and washes away tears.

God cries for us in the same way we cry for others. His tears most often spill over for the pain and suffering caused from the mortal misuse of a gift called agency. He will not revoke the gift. It was promised to us for the duration of our time on Earth. But He will hold each one of us accountable in the end for how we applied this power of agency.

If you suffer lingering doubts; if the consolation you cling to is __t will probably be okay,_ then run the other way because what you__e contemplating is not a good choice.

Man is dust. Rue is rain. Life is mud.

It is in the midst of laughter that our perspective alters and we realize this trying life can still be enjoyed.

Life has me trapped in a cocoon of earth where I must grow and change until the day I sprout wings. And on that day I shall burst free, no longer marooned on a pebble of dust in a universe that only waits for me to find a means to fly.

Life is not about having perfect days. Life is not about handling days perfectly. Life is about perfecting one__ character through the having and handling of every given day.

Many of us draw lines which we intend never to cross. But life tests our resolve, mercilessly at times, and a foot budges, nudged past that thinly-drawn line. So we draw another, resolving never to cross this one. Days grow dark and fog creeps in to blind our view, clouding the reason for the line__ existence from our minds. We draw another mark, ashamed that the last was crossed with less coaxing than we imagined it would require. Shadows and doubts give further need to draw a new line, and then another and another. Lines, I think, are too slim and obscure to be dependable deterrents for behavior. Too often, too easily, people stumble into places they later regret entering. What, then, keeps some individuals from crossing those narrow lines?It is the power of values. For if a person possessing values were to step one foot outside their line, they would be forced to release hands with those inflexible values and consciously abandon them. But their values are persuasive, keeping a tight grip, warding off the luring temptations beckoning one to test the line. Thus values maintained keep a person safely away from areas they dare not travel, steering a life between the lines, enhancing willpower and shaping mighty strength of character.

Life is a fierce duel with emotions and a slow war with psychology.

No one can convince a man of his erring ways as persuasively as experience.

Not every day is awful.Not every day is good.Despite the way the hours passI__ living like I should.Not every day is all wrong.Not every day is right.At least I__ not a spider trying to scamper out of sight.Not every day is ideal.Not every day is bad.At any rate I have my senseseven if they__e mad.Not every day is happy.Not every day is glum.When sadness drags me in the dumpsA simple tune I hum.Not every day I smile.Not every day I frown.With effort, I can take a scowland turn it upside down.Not every day is crazy.Not every day is sane.If consequence nips at my heelsI don__ pass on the blame.Not every day is giddy.Not every day is blah.Yet I can still appreciatea giggle and guffaw.Not every day is timid.Not every day is proud.I may not be a dragonbut I roar about as loud.Not every day has rainbows.Not every day has rain.Despite the fact I__ stiff and sore,I__ not in chronic pain.On every day the sun shines,so every night I praythat I might see the morning lightand live another day.

A sunrise is a wondrous marvel, but in reality the sun never rises. It is the earth that rotates to face the sun. Life too can be a wondrous marvel, but like the earth, we must turn our eyes toward brighter things.

I sometimes wonder if life isn__ a giant mirror that reflects back at me everything I hold up to it.

Life is a test. Without problems to solve, it wouldn__ be much of a test.

Ma'am," he said, reaching for the door. He held it open, his posture as erect and sturdy as a pole.I eyed the man's uniform, the pins and badges that signified his military rank and position. At that moment I felt opposing forces wash over me, clashing internally like a cold and warm front meeting in the air.At first I was hit by a burning sense of respect and gratitude. How privileged a person I was to have this soldier unbar the way for me, maintaining a clear path that I might advance unhindered. The symbolism marked by his actions did strike me with remarkable intensity. How many virtual doors would be shut in my face if not for dutiful soldiers like him?As I went to step forward, my feet nearly faltered as if they felt unworthy. It was I who ought to be holding open the door for this gentleman__his representative of great heroes present and past who did fight and sacrifice and continue to do so to keep doors open, paths free and clear for all of humanity.I moved through the entrance and thanked him."Yes, ma'am," he said.How strange that I should feel such pride while passing through his open door.

On this day, take time to remember those who have fallen. But on every day after, do more; put the freedoms they died for to greater and nobler uses.