Eight Gifts that Don’t Cost A Cent…

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING… But, you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION… Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER… Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE… It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT… A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,” “You did a super job” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR… Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE… There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION… The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it’s not that hard to say, “Hello” or “Thank You”.

Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.

Nativity

The blessedness of Christmas
Is the miracle of birth,
When Christ, a child, called Jesus,
Was born upon this earth.

A star shone in the heavens
As darkness touched the night,
Attracting the poor shepherds
Who watched in awesome fright.

The wise men in the cities
Had heard the story told,
That a King, Lord and Saviour,
Lay in a manger cold.

The shepherds and the wise men
Who saw the brilliant star,
Followed it in wonder
To Bethlehem afar.
And there they found the manger
Enshrined in golden light,
Where laid the Christ Child Jesus
In swaddling clothes of white.

They knelt before their Master
As angels sang above,
A song that made it Christmas
So filled with joy and love.

Three Christmas Gifts

by : Mildred Goff
The wise men brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This Christmas, try adding three gifts to your list. Yes, I know your Christmas gift list is already overly long, that you have neither time nor money for extra gifts. But these will cost you little in time, and less in money, and they will capture for you the true Christmas spirit so often lost in the rush and flurry of the season.

First gift: to a stranger. This might be a note to the bus company, mentioning that bus driver who is unfailingly pleasant and courteous, even under the most trying conditions. Send a Christmas card to the waitress who is so cheerful and quick to serve you. Write a letter to the author whose book, story, or poem you have enjoyed recently. Drop a note to the department store whose windows entice you, with a word of praise for the work of the window dresser. You can think of many more. Choose at least one.

Second gift: to someone you find it hard to like, or someone you feel does not like you very much. It might be your cross old great-aunt, or a sharp-tongued cousin; perhaps it is a business associate who annoys you, or an irritable neighbor. Send a small, inexpensive, but thoughtful gift to one in this group. It might be no more than a clipping or an article about some hobby for the neighbor; a magazine you know she would enjoy for the cranky relative. Remember, it is easy to give to those we love, but God’s love includes the whole world.

Third gift: to someone in trouble. Think of those enduring a cheerless old age, who would be so grateful for an unexpected caller. There are many in hospitals who have no one to visit them, to read to them, to talk to them. And consider those in prisons; yes, we are told we should visit them, too. An hour spent with one of these lonely and half-forgotten persons will do much for them, and more for you.

This Christmas, give these three gifts. You will be repaid a thousand-fold.

Improvement Era
Dec. 1957;
Christmas Classics p. 95

When Love Comes Down

by Mabel Jones Gabbott

The night was still, and then a song awakened shepherds ’round
their fire,
And hastened them to Bethlehem! Hosannas from a heav’nly choir!
This was the night when Love came down, as promised in God’s holy word.
The angels heralded in song the blessed birth of Christ, our Lord.
This was the night the King was born, as stars foretold in distant
space;
And three who watched the skies were led to Bethlehem, that holy place.
This was the night when Love came down, as promised in God’s holy word.
The angels heralded in song the blessed birth of Christ, our Lord.
This was the night, that holy night, when Love came down to bless the
earth.
And men and angels worshipped Him this night, the night of Jesus’ birth.
This was the night when Love came down, as promised in God’s holy word.
The angels heralded in song the blessed birth of Christ, our Lord.
This was the birth of Christ, our Lord.

The Savior’s Christmas Gifts

by :Spencer W. Kimball

Love involves giving of oneself, as Christ did. Christmastime is a glorious time of happy friendliness and unselfish sacrifice; a time of increased hospitality, devotion, and love; a time of the subduing of selfish impulses; a time of renewing friendships, cementing loosening ties, and the swelling of the heart. It transcends the individual, the family, the community, the nation; it approaches the universal, crosses borders, and touches many nations of the earth. Our caroling voices sing the sweet songs of Christmas reminiscent somewhat of the host of heavenly angelic voices in the long ago, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

We set up the evergreen tree with its gleaming, brightly colored lights; we hang wreaths and bells; and we light candles — all to remind us of that wondrous gift, the coming of our Lord into the world of mortality.

We send Christmas cards to numerous friends and relatives, pulling back into happy memories the loved ones who have moved out of our immediate association. Like the wise men who opened their treasury and presented to Jesus gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh, we present to our loved ones things to eat and wear and enjoy. Though we make an effort to follow the pattern of gift giving, sometimes our program becomes an exchange — gift given for gift expected. Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in his life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. Never did he give shoes, hose, or a vehicle; never did he give perfume, a shirt, or a fur wrap. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value. His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the down-trodden, freedom to the oppressed, light in the darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing. His friends gave him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of himself, his love, his service, his life. The wise men brought him gold and frankincense. He gave them and all their fellow mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life. We should strive to give as he gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift.

Christmas Joy

By: Reverend J. Harold Gwynne

The angel herald spoke of joy
God’s gift to humankind
And humble shepherds quickly came,
Incarnate joy to find.

The wise men, guided by the star,
Rejoiced with purest joy;
Their journey led them where they found
The Mother and Her Boy!

And now this blessed Christmas joy
Is known throughout the earth,
As joyful people everywhere
Observe the Christ Child’s birth.

And still the joy of Christmas comes
To fill our hearts with cheer;
This joy of which the angels sang
Grows sweeter every year.

This CHristmas joy within our hearts
Is deep and full and free;
It is the spirit of our Lord,
The Man of Galilee.

Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings

by :Thomas S. Monson

“What did you get for Christmas?” This is the universal question among children for days following that most celebrated holiday of the year. A small girl might reply, “I received a doll, a new dress, and a fun game.” A boy might respond, “I received a pocketknife, a train, and a truck with lights.” Newly acquired possessions are displayed and admired as Christmas day dawns, then departs.

The gifts so acquired are fleeting. Dolls break, dresses wear out, and fun games become boring. Pocketknives are lost, trains do nothing but go in circles, and trucks are abandoned when the batteries that power them dim and die.

If we change but one word in our Christmas question, the outcome is vastly different. “What did you give for Christmas?” prompts stimulating thought, causes tender feelings to well up and memory’s fires to glow ever brighter.

Someone has appropriately said, “We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give.”

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas Spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The Spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the Spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part

Christmas Eve (hushed was the)

By: Anne Stubbe

Hushed was the night on the Judean hill.
The weary shepherds with their charges lay
under a darkened sky, serene until
There shone the wonder of eternal day.
Then was the sky ablaze with glorious light;
The white-robed angels of the Lord came down:
” Peace on earth, good will to men this night…
Forever blessings on your little town.”
Now, under centuries the shepherds lie,
And quiet is the little town, but still
The blessings holds.The word that will not die
Proclaims once more, as on that faded hill,
The love of God; and in the hearts of men,
The star still glows- and Christ is born again.

What is Christmas? (is it just)

Is it just a day at the end of the year,
A season of joy, merry making and cheer,
Is it people and presents and glittering trees?
Ah no, it is more than any if these.
For under the tinsel and hidden from sight,
Is the promise and meaning of that first Christmas night,
When the shepherds stood in wondering awe,
And felt transformed by what they saw.
So let us not in our search for pleasure.
Forget our right to this priceless treasure.
For Christmas is still a God given day,
And let us remember to keep it that way.

Mother’s Christmas Wish, A (come dear)

Come dear family, gather ’round our Christmas tree;
Let us spend a little time in love and harmony.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord,
But I’ve a wish this year to see it’s meaning’s not ignored.

The gifts are neatly set about with names and tags and bows.
And Christmas goodies are in sight, the stockings are in rows.
But as I look into your faces, what I wish to see.
Is a love for Christ our Savior, not “What’s Santa bringing me?”
Each time one of you were born and laid here in my arm,
I thought about the Christ child in the manger safe and warm.
I thought of how his life began, and all the things he taught.
I thought of how he died for us–that death could conquer not.

I wonder how his face would look, if these gifts to him we gave–
A shirt, a train, a story book. .which of these would he save?
I think he’d rather see us give kindness to each other,
To say our thanks and give our love to him, our oldest brother.

So, as the colored Christmas iights are blinking in your heads,
I hope to find you each with love, kneeling at your beds,
And giving him a birthday wish that will be sure to please:
Just vow to love your fellow man, and promise from your knees.

Then in the morning when you pass your Christmas gifts around,
Give the gift of love and joy. .let true peace here be found.
For Jesus will be here to join, he’s told us so, you see.
“If you do it unto the least of these. .you do it unto me.”

–Suzanne Dean

A Small Step?

by Tom Norvell
________________________________________

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 TNIV).

Progress and positive change takes time. Maybe you've been there. Maybe you are there. You are convicted that a change needs to occur and you take the initial steps that produce a sense of exhilaration about what lies ahead, then progress slows. You begin to feel frustrated, you get impatient, and before long you begin to question the need for change.

When that happens here's a simple principle that might be helpful. Remember: A small step is still a step. Here's what I mean:

• You know you need to lose weight. Not notice that some of your clothes are a bit snug, but assume the clothes were left in the dryer too long. Then, you are looking through a box of old family photos and you ask, "Who is that?" Your wife says, "It's you." Then, to make matters worse your doctor gently reminds you, "You gotta lose some weight!" You agree and confidently say, "I'm going to do it!" You set your goal. You buy new exercise clothes and shoes. You pick a place and a time and start running. You run about half a block when you realize that you are out of breath and every muscle in your body hurts. You think you are going to die right there. You question your sanity. You want to quit. Please don't. Remember: a small step is still a step.
• You and your spouse are not getting along. In fact, you both admit that you cannot remember the last time you were happy. In the heat of an argument one of you uses the word divorce. It scares you both. You agree to see a counselor. You tell your story to the counselor and she lays out a plan to improve your relationship to save your marriage. You both agree and commit to do the hard work. The first week goes well, but about midway in the second week you have another argument. "We're right back where we started!" You both get so discouraged that you wonder if there is any hope. There is. Remember: a small step is still a step.

• You decide the best thing for your career is to go back to school and finish your education. You get the catalog. You apply. You are accepted. You buy your books. You begin going to class. Then, everything piles up on you. Going to school and holding down a full-time job is too much! You feel like you are getting behind and losing ground. In the middle of another late night of studies you say to yourself, "What in the world am I doing?" You doubt whether you'll ever finish. You think about dropping out. Please don't. Remember: a small step is still a step.
• Someone you love has passed away. The holidays are approaching. You are not sure what you are supposed to feel. You are not sure what you are supposed to do. All that you know is that there is an ache in your soul that will not go away. Nothing you do makes the pain any less. You pray for strength, you get out of bed and somehow you make it through the day. The next day you do it again. Remember: a small step is still a step.
• You decide to learn to play a musical instrument. You buy the instrument. You take a lesson or two. You set aside time for practice. You work hard for several weeks, but then you begin to feel like you are not making any progress, so you set it aside and try to forget about. Please don't quit. Remember: a small step is still a step.
• A group of spiritual searchers agree that something has to change. One more Sunday of the same old stuff is not acceptable. Dreams of what could be are shared. Plans are made. Decisions are made. Then, the opposition strikes. Criticism escalates. You wonder if this really is what the Lord wants. You entertain the thought of going back to the way it was. Please don't. Remember: a small step is still a step.

Everything we do begins with one small step. The idea. Sharing the dream. Walking around the block. A baby learns to walk by taking a small step. We learn to ride a bike with a small step. Businesses are built because someone took a small step. Ordinary athletes become great athletes by taking a small step. Addictions are conquered by one small step at a time. Churches develop great ministries by taking a small step. Couples celebrate anniversaries because they take small steps that turn into years. Remember: a small step is still a step.
When Jesus was beginning His ministry and preparing for the coming of the Kingdom, He selected a small group of men and challenged them to take one step: "Follow me." They did. The world was changed. Our faith walk begins with a step of faith: "I believe." We are not sure what all is involved or what it means, but we are willing to take the small step in faith. Without that small step, nothing changes.
Are you facing a crossroad in your life? Are you wondering if the dream you have is possible, if it is worth the effort, if you even want to continue the pursuit? Are you wanting to see change, but it's happening too slow? Remember: a small step is still a step.

Remember: a small step is still a step. Don't give up. Take the small step.

My day so far..

Dear Lord Jesus,

So far today Lord, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, “cursed,”
or lost my temper. I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish,
or overindulgent. I am really glad about these things.
But, in a few minutes Lord, I’m going to get out of bed, and from
then on I’m probably going to need a lot more help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Tired (Dear Lord)

Dear Lord I want to ask You a question ’bout my life…
The struggles and the trials and the pain and all the strife;
I just can’t see an end you know, heaven seems so far away;
Dear Lord would You hurry up and bring the judgment day?
All I want is to go home and see my Savior there;
I know it must seem selfish when lost souls are everywhere.
But Lord, You know I’m homesick and I’m tired and worn out;
This world of sin is so mixed up, Lord, what’s it all about?
Did You ever feel this way when You lived as a man?
Did You ever tell the Father You’d had all that You could stand?
Did You ever for a moment wish You weren’t so all alone?
Did You ever want to give it up and just go on back home?
I know You know just how I feel and to admit it is no sin;
So is the battle ever over and do Christians really win?
Is the master of deception ever really bound in hell?
The lies he’s told about me are too numerous to tell.
Will anyone ever like me or even think that I’m ok?
Enemies are everywhere there’s a new one every day.
How can I go on like this and hold my head up high?
Lord, You surely don’t expect me to go on and try.
Dear Jesus, did you ever find it difficult to pray?
Or did You ever scowl at the dawn of a new day?
Or did You resent the fact that you hung upon a tree,
And died the death of a criminal to save someone like me?
Dear Lord help me remember when things get really tough,
And all I think or pray about is that I’ve had enough;
Please remind me that You were shamed but didn’t hang Your head;
And please remind me that it was also for your enemies You bled.
Dear Jesus please remind me in Your gentle loving way
That you never once complained about the price You had to pay.
And please keep my heart in tune to all You want to do
In the lives of my enemies who need to know You too.

Melody Powell Rindfuss
Copyright@1995

Hobbies for Success

Do not try to reach the success if you want it, just do what do you like most and believe then success will come to you. It’s a word from David Frost. I’ve admired every rich man in my family, I always want to be like them. But, I choose the wrong path. I ended up by doing what they’ve done. I supposed to choose my own path, not just based on what another people’s path. It looks easier to walk on another people’s path but its not fun. You’ll get depressed, and then you will stuck in your works and become their slaves.

Why don’t do what you like most and keep training and exercising until you become an expert, you won’t get depressed because its your hobbies after all and you have additional surplus. You know how to do it better, do it your way because you have your own taste.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::
Do not try to reach the success if you want it, just do what do you like and believe most then success will come to you

When Does It Start?

Probably there is something that you want to do or working on? A passion to do something that you’ve dream about it. When does it start? Why not today? Today is the perfect time to start. Than all of the days in your entire life, there are no other times as perfect as today.

Do you want to start when your preparation has complete? Whoa.. You’ll never ever start (trust me). Fix it one by one along the road and what you’ve been dreaming will come true. A masterpiece doesn’t created in one shot.

Do something is very easy. Everything is in your reach, including today. So what are you waiting for?? The most important thing is start right know because, it belongs to you.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::
When does it start?

Can Still Smile

Have a bad day? This little article might help you out. I am in bad day too, do not ask about the problems just to compare your problems to mine and bragging about how difficult your problems are. People just love to doing that, they bragging about they problem. Stop that!!

Why don’t you smile and keep that stance for about 1 minute? And see your face in the mirror. You can see a friend smiling at you. If you can do that, then you know your problem not as big as it used to. Yell this out to your friend in the mirror who smiles to you : ‘Its not that bad, coz I can still can smile!!’

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou::
Stop bragging about your problem, but brags about how you solve it

The Real Failure

I am an ordinary person. In fact, it’s lower than ordinary person. I have done a lot of mistakes, and failures are something that always in my days. The feeling when what I was doing are failures makes me depressed and frustrated. I even get scared to doing it again, and it makes the job never done.

There is a movie that I have watched. This movie told me that I have to keep trying even though I have failed once, twice or more. Because the real failure is when I stop trying. I found it right because sitting, crying and terrified just don’t solve the problem. When you start to give up, there will be nothing except an empty space in your life, not the red of failure or the green of success. Its better to keep trying according to me especially if you don’t have anything else to do or if the result is worthy.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::
The real failure is when you stop trying

Enjoy Your Life

This life is a very short one, it only last for 70 or 90 years and then you’ll die. Dying is not that bad, there will be no problem to be solved, there will be no tax collector coming to your graves, and you won’t have to worry about the foods (coz you’re dead of course). And about where will you go, if you believe in Jesus then you’re go straight to Heaven and if you believe in Devil, you’re go straight to Hell as simple as that. So let’s not talk about it. We’ll talk about how you’re dead.

I’ve read a book about two seriously sick person with no cure? The first one, tries to prolong his life by using a painful medication. And the second one, not even try to prolong his life instead enjoys the rest of his life with his family and his friend. In the book I’ve read the second one die in peace with smile in his face.

It’s not about how long you live. It’s not about how rich you are. But it’s all about how you enjoy your life. It doesn’t matter if you life 50 years or 50 minutes as long as you enjoy your life there won’t be a regret. Both of seriously sick person with no cure that you’ve read above no matter which one if he enjoy it he will die happier.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::

It doesn’t matter if you life 50 years or 50 minutes as long as you ENJOY your life then there won’t be a regret.

STOP and THINK!!

It’s been a while since my last depressed-and-frustrated-tight-schedules condition. It drives me mad when I had to rush in every thing I did. And of course, the result was not in 100%. I can’t think clear which makes me more and more frustrated. Right now, if you are in a condition just like what I was, it’s better if you just STOP and THINK!! You must calm down and try to relax, try to see the whole problems. In that way, you can rearrange about your schedules. And don’t forget one thing, enjoy it. It helps (I know..).

The common mistake that every one did, they’d never STOP and THINK! Not just to think about efficient ways to do your tasks, but to ALSO THINK about the purpose, the goal, the reason why you are doing the tasks. Is it to buy a house? Or to propose the girl of your life? Or you are doing this for the children at home? STOP and THINK! When you know your reason, it will encourage you especially when you know that it worth to be done.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::

STOP and THINK!!.

Give Thanks

Bad weather, leaked roof, muddy road, expensive price and people’s bad habit around me can make me depressed, frustrated and absolutely upset. GIVE THANKS are something that hard to be done especially when I face unexpected condition. Just by knowing the advantages of GIVE THANKS itself will help me to GIVE THANKS even in not-able-to-GIVE-THANKS situations. This is a nice advice from someone about GIVE THANKS, hope it will help you just like it helps me to GIVE THANKS in every situation and condition.
GIVE THANKS if you don’t have all of things that you wanted, because when you have everything you will stop trying.
GIVE THANKS if you don’t know about one thing, because it’s a perfect opportunity for you to learn.
GIVE THANKS for the hard times, because it’s the perfect time for you to grow.
GIVE THANKS for your limitedness, it gives you perfect time to improve, fix and correcting yourself.
GIVE THANKS for every challenge and obstacle in your way, it will help you build your character and personality.
GIVE THANKS for every mistake that you have make, because it teach you a valuable lesson.
GIVE THANKS when you fell tired, because you have made a difference.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::

GIVE THANKS in every situation and condition.

Secret Weapon

Hey, I’m really love professional-secret-agent type movie. You know like James Bond, Cody Banks and etc. They have a lot of cool gadget, like ordinary-look-but-can-kill-or-save-you gadget. Maybe in his watch, his clothes, his glasses or his shoes and his car (they absolutely have 'it' in the car..).

The Agent (in the movie) never show they secret gadget, not even to that beautiful girl beside him. It’s because there will be no fun to show it plus it can also make him lose his life. Recently, I always have my not-stand-above-others attitude with me. Cause its no fun to do such thing. It makes me easier to attract girl you know, especially when you show your secret weapon at the right moment and you pretend it’s just a no-big-deal thing.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::

Never show your secret weapon, that why its called SECRET

Now the problem is: Do you have a secret weapon? Well, its not to late to find out…

Map

Think about a long journey that you have to take. Who will you take with you? You can take anyone, but just make sure you DO NOT FORGET to bring the ‘map’! Without the ‘map’, you won’t make it to reach your destination. . Perhaps by ask someone or beg to the police to guide you (Ha ha..!) you’ll finally reach it more or less. But, sometimes you just DO NOT want to bring the ‘map’. Why?

1. You think you’re so smart and confidence that won’t get lost.
2. The ‘map’ just don’t fit your style
3. If you looking for an option for you to say ‘I forgot!’ then it’s the same with number 1.

Why don’t you try to think about it in WisdomDojou ::

Bring the ‘map’ with you, to guide you. Because you are not as good as you think you are.

Now the problem is: Who/What is your ‘map’?