"The winner's edge is not in a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner's edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success." ~ Denis Waitley ~

Father’s Day For The Fatherless

It's different than living through Valentine's Day without a valentine. It's different than being a Jew on Christmas. It's a day that most of us feel entitled to celebrate - yet, many people either do not have fathers or do not have relationships with their fathers. For this minority, Father's Day is, at best, bittersweet.

The origins of Father's Day have been debated for some time. Critics claim that it is a holiday invented by the greeting card industry, (its first observance actually pre-dates Hallmark's incorporation by 2 years; 1910/1908 respectively). Regardless of whether you're pro or con, like clockwork, on the third Sunday of every June, we come face-to-face with a reminder of our paternity - or the absence thereof.

So what can you do when there's no one to honor on Father's Day? Here are some suggestions to help you through the day:

· Join someone else's celebration. Most of us have friends who would be happy to include us in their Father's Day celebration.

· Create your own ritual, which can include visiting his grave, lighting a candle, connecting with siblings who have shared your loss or doing something completely unrelated.

· Take stock of the good male role models in your life. Send a note of gratitude to a teacher, mentor, or a friend's father who has had a positive influence on your life.

· Volunteer. Giving is a great conduit to healing.

Most importantly, be good to yourself. Be gentle, nurturing and accepting of whatever emotions surface. Make this Sunday a peaceful one.


Source : http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ask-dr...-the-fatherless

"You must never feel badly about making mistakes," explained Reason quietly, "as long as you take the trouble to learn from them. For you often learn more by being wrong for the right reasons than you do by being right for the wrong reasons." ~ Norton J ~

Portia Nelson reports that she has written her autobiography in just five short chapters. It goes like this:

CHAPTER ONE
I walk down the street.
There's a hole in the sidewalk.
It is a very deep hole.
I fall in... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in... again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place, but it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER THREE
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in... it's a habit, but my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down the same street.
There's a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down another street.

What a marvelous progression from... a helpless victim of life... to a victim of self... to taking responsibility... to self-discipline... to making better choices!

THE SHIPWRECK

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground - it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
~ Thomas Jefferson - 3rd president of US (1743-1826) ~