Warm Thoughts

One of the most faithful readers of this warm thoughts column has sent his significant insights from the book entitled, "Never Give In." This book was written by Stephen Mansfield and is about the extraordinary character of Winston Churchill. In a recent issue of the US News and World Report, it asked about heroes and the magazine shares the lives of 20 men and women who risked it all to make a difference. Winston Churchill was truly one of the heroes of England, although he was hated and rejected in various ways.

He was born in 1874 and died in 1965. Churchill truly gives us lessons and courage and significant living. The author of the book on Winston Churchill gives interesting insights about his childhood and how his nanny had such an influence on his life. While his parents neglected him in pursuit of their social and political dreams, Mrs. Everest or "Woom," as the boy called her, was the center of Winston's existence. She was also a passionate woman of prayer and she taught young Winston well. She helped him memorize his scriptures, knelt with him daily as he recited his prayers and explained the world to him in simple but distinctly Christian terms.

Winston Churchill was a most unusual man who lived a very full life. He had abundant energy to lead his country in time of need, which was related to his basic faith. The author summed it up in one paragraph that makes a person think about how we do have a duty to serve and give. This man fought and four wars, served in his nation's parliament over a period of 63 years, led his country as prime minister for almost 10 years, wrote 50 books, published hundreds of articles, gave 1000s of speeches, reared four children, and worked to keep a marriage intact for over 55 years. The man was Winston Churchill, and he knew something about stress but he also knew about rest. Winston Churchill was indeed an unusual man. He was indeed a brilliant man who had courage and a willingness to serve. He was what we would call a "tough minded optimist who found a way." The book helps in finding some of the reasons behind the sacrifices that he made. He genuinely believed in the inspiration and truth of the Bible, and he knew his power to order his private world. That he could be such a momentous leader was due in part to the fact that he in turn, was led by a truth beyond himself - the truth of Holy Scripture.

Do you have a hero who can inspire you for a day or even for an hour? Children in this present generation are looking for a hero in their life. More than ever, people are looking for heroes. In the book "A Hero in Every Heart," H. Jackson Browne Jr. states, "Let perseverance be your engine and hope your fuel." Do you know someone who is a living example of the character and spirit of an unsung hero in America? Would love to hear who is the hero in your life. Thanks for sharing your warm thoughts! It is so good to hear from the readers of this one thoughts column every week.

Warm Thoughts from Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record August 30th, 2001.

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I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

I recently read an article about how our attitude depends on what we eat and when we eat as it has a major impact on our performance and moods. We have heard often, "You are what you eat." According to Dr. Jack Gropple, a well known nutrition and fitness expert, he tells us how to have a better attitude.

He states that we need to remember what your mother said about breakfast - don't skip it. Gropple says, "No ifs, ands, and buts - eat breakfast. Breakfast is most important. He tells us why it is so important. "After a good night's sleep, your body is nearly devoid of glucose or blood sugar. You need to replenish. When you eat a proper breakfast, your cognitive abilities, your energy, and your attitude are better. Cereals and grains are good and even a little fat is okay." He tells us that eating for attitude and energy is a day long project. The rule, according to Gropple is simple. Eat four or five small meals, not three big meals. A hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner is old thinking. To keep your metabolism up, your blood sugar from dropping, and yourself energized, you need to eat a small breakfast, a healthy mid morning snack, a small dinner, and a healthy snack. He even suggest certain foods for certain times of the day. For energy in the afternoon, for example, many people opt for a light lunch like a salad. This is one of the worst things you can do because when you eat carbohydrates your body releases an amino acid called tritophan. "That amino acid," he says, "triggers a hormone that has a relaxing effect. Not good if you have a busy afternoon planned. Select a chicken sandwich on rye bread and skip the mayonnaise," he says, "the protein causes a release of the amino acid triosine, another big word with a simple meaning - energy." And what about that late night snack? "Carbohydrates make you feel calm. If you have to eat late, eat carbohydrates," he concludes.

Did you expect another warm thoughts column on attitudes? Thanks to Dr. Jack Gropple, a very well known nutrition and fitness expert on the subject. I'd love to discuss this a little more with him. Yes, you guessed it, just over a cup of tea.

Warm Thoughts: The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day. We cannot change the past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and this is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes. Charles Swindoll.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record August 23rd, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

In last week's column, I closed my column with a youthful and warm thought. On my way to The Clipper to deliver the column, I stopped at the store to pick up a card for a very special friend in another state who was celebrating that special 50th birthday. I find myself amused at some of the deep thoughts and brilliant sayings on some greeting cards. This one stated on the front of the card, "On your birthday, remember, with age comes wisdom, with wisdom comes deep thought, with deep thought comes thought lines, creases and wrinkles."

Words and thoughts change and affect our lives. And sometimes it is the little words that make the difference. During the past year we have been challenged, often with a word "change." It seems, to be the year that this word has been used very often and we ponder in deep thought over this word so often used in the media and newspapers. We realized that two small words like, "I do," can change our lives for a lifetime. Gallup Polls have proved that communication is a problem in many relationships.

I am reminded of the young woman who sought legal counsel because she felt there was no other solution to her communication problems but to get a divorce. The first question the lawyer asked was, "Do you have grounds?" "Oh, yes, we have an acre," she replied. "Do you have a grudge?" He asked. "No, but we have a carport," she stated. "Does your husband beat you up?" the lawyer asked. "No. I'm usually up an hour before him." the woman said. Finally, the frustrated lawyer asked, "Lady why do you want this divorce?" "Because it is impossible to hold a conversation with that man," she replied. That great big word "communication" can present some challenges, alright.

Last Thursday, I had many warm thoughts when I attended the commencement exercises at the warm auditorium in Slagle Hall, on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion. Listening to the commencement address by John W. Larson, professor emeritus of law, communicate to his audience on the topic: What is Success? brought my mind to many thoughts. And as I saw some international students receive their degrees, my thoughts went down memory lane as I remembered the many students I had been mum and international grandma to, while they received their education in the States. It has been a real joy to hear from them throughout the years after they have returned to their homeland and become leaders and educators for their people. They have been my colleagues too and continually inspire me as we communicate with one another across the miles. It was just a year ago that I graduated with many of them at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. What warm thoughts overwhelm us as we realize how much we have to share as we sing that alma mater song together.

So how do we communicate what success is in our lives? Sometimes we can communicate best with a poem thought. "If you're the kind that wants to succeed, just try to help those in distress. A life that is clean, a heart that is true, and doing your best - that's success." A warm thought for the week: The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt. Have a great week and always have a dream.

Warm Thoughts from Little Home on the Prairie over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Canestota Clipper, August 12th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Summertime. Good, Ol' summertime. It is a good time to get in some summer reading. My grandchildren from Ohio sent me the book, "If Tea Cups Could Talk" by Emily Barnes. I have enjoyed reading the many warm thoughts in this book over a cup of tea. I have also had many special moments with the grandchildren as we have our tea party.

I have learned some interesting lessons about tea cups. China dishes, recovered from shipwrecks, are often good as new long after the ship itself has dissolved in the saltwater. Porcelain is fragile but it is also remarkably durable - like us, like life. Humans are beautiful and breakable like china cups. Humans can heal and grow and move beyond disaster. We can reach out to one another and encouragement and comfort. Nancy Reagan has stated that, "A woman is like a tea bag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is." Tea Time offers so many wonderful possibilities for nurturing friendships.

And if tea cups could talk, they would say so much about the past and also about the future. For hundreds of years, "come for tea" has been another way of saying, "Come, let's share a little bit of our lives together." If tea cups could talk, their message no doubt would be, "use me."

Warm Thoughts over the tea cup: If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are exhausted, it will calm you. William Gladstone. She was passionately interested in everything I did. She spoke with candor and good grace. Then, define the reality of crutches and straightened knee on wings of hospitality, she flew to brew the tea. Tom Hegg from "A Cup of Christmas Tea." Have many warm thoughts over a cup of tea.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record August 8th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Recently, I read a book by H. Jackson Brown Jr. entitled, "Live and Learn and Pass it On." In the book, people ages 5 to 95 share what they have discovered about life, love, and other good stuff. Some of the thoughts are a bit humorous, but somehow we can get the message. I've personally discovered throughout my years that if we really listen, we can learn so much.

The following are a few quotes from individuals and it lists their age when they said these words. "I've learned that goldfish don't eat jello." Age 5. "I've learned that trust is the single most important factor in both personal and professional relationships." Age 20. "I've learned that nothing of value comes without effort." Age 64. "I've learned that if you care, it shows." Age 30. "I've learned that kindness is more important than perfection." Age 70. "I've learned that education, experience, and memories are three things no one can take away from you." Age 67. "I've learned that self pity is a waste of time." Age 81. "I've learned that anger manages everything poorly." Age 53. "I've learned that some money costs too much." Age 51. "I've learned that if your children feel safe, wanted, and loved you are a successful parent." Age 39 "I've learned that encouragement from a good teacher can turn a student's life around." Age 44. "I've learned that I don't feel my age as long as I focus on my dreams instead of my regrets." Age 83. "I've learned that it is impossible to teach without learning something yourself." Age 51. "I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice." Age 15. "I've learned that I still have a lot to learn." Age 92.

Warm Thought: A life, like a garden, requires cultivation. Have many warm thoughts every day!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record August 1st, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

The world watched the passing of the torch for the Olympic Games. Whether one has the dream of carrying that torch or winning a gold medal, we all have some dreams and goals in our lives. Recently, I read an article by a noted doctor stating that everyone has dreams. What is your dream of dreams? The following thoughts by Amanda Bradley have blessed the lives of many people. I have often used it when closing a speech or at the end of a seminar or workshop. I would like to share it with all my special readers of this column.

"Always have a dream. Forget about the days when it's been cloudy, but don't forget your hours in the sun. Forget about the times you've been defeated but don't forget the victories you've won. Forget about mistakes that you can't change now, but don't forget the lessons that you've learned. Forget about misfortunes you've encountered but don't forget the times your luck has turned. Forget about the days when you've been lonely, but don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen. Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right. But don't forget to always have a dream."

We may not have been one of the special people who carried the torch for the Olympic Games. We can, however, give a word of encouragement to others who realize their dream and work at realizing our own dreams.

Warm Thought: Pass the torch. Pass on the torch, pass on the flame. Remember whence the glory came? And eyes are on you as you run beyond the shining of the sun. Allen Eastman Cross. Each dream is an opportunity to face a problem. Learn about yourself. It is an opportunity to grow. Always have a dream.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, July 25th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

Of all the Warm Thoughts columns I have ever written, perhaps the ones pertaining to "thoughts on attitude" have received the most favorable comments from my readers. Recently I read about Jerry who had a very positive attitude. It inspired me so much and it may have a positive effect on any summertime blues that may be coming our way in this season of the year.

Jerry was the kind of guy who was always in a good mood and had something positive to say at all times. He owned his own business and his employees love to work with him. He was a natural motivator. If an employee had a bad day, Jerry was there talking about how to look at the positive side of the situation. "Employees who learn from their mistakes are better employees," he would always say. When he was asked how he could be so positive, he would reply, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Jerry, you have two choices today: You can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. I choose a good mood.' Each time something bad happens I can learn every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaints, or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive."

One day Jerry left the back door of his business open and he was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed off to the local trauma center. After eighteen hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of bullets still in his body. When asked what had gone through his mind when the robbery took place, he told his story: "The first thing was that I should have locked the back door. Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I choose to live. The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses I really got scared. In their eyes, I read, "He's a dead man." I just knew I needed to take action. But they were shouting questions at me. The nurse asked me if I was allergic to anything. "Yes," I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working just waiting for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Bullets!!" Over their laughter I told them I am choosing to live, operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Yes, Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. We all can learn from him that every day we have a choice to live fully.

Winsome Words: The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Charles Swindoll. May you have many warm thoughts on attitude!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record July 16th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

It is always a joy to receive thoughts from faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column. They share with me thoughts so precious that I feel the need to share with others. A faithful reader from Florida who has lived a long life and has a contagious attitude worth catching, sent me thoughts by Charles Swindoll on attitude. "The longer I live, the more I realized the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than the facts, it is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on this one string we have and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes."

Attitudes are contagious! Are yours and mine worth catching? Positive attitudes are a choice we can make. The control center of our lives is our attitude. Our health and happiness depends on our relaxed attitudes. Our attitude controls our future. Edgar Jackson wrote in his book, "Your Health and You," one of the best lines: "No one can go to the drugstore and order a bottle of attitude pills." He wrote the book when he was recovering from a stroke.

Attitudes create the atmosphere of life. We are aware that if the attitude is good, positive, and enthusiastic that life welcomes adventure and discovery. Throughout the years, we have observed how attitudes are contagious. Parents pass their attitudes on to their children, teachers to their students, a coach to his players, and a boss to his employee. It is a blessing when those at the top have a good attitude. I am reminded from the familiar strains of music from Oklahoma, "Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day." Let's make it a beautiful day with our attitude!

Warm Thoughts: I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it is only a choice of attitude. Abraham Lincoln. The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any set of circumstances. Dr. Viktor Frankl. Have a beautiful day and a positive attitude!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, July 11th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

It is that time of year when many patriotic thoughts arise as we see the flag flying high in the sky. I am very impressed in my travels to note where homes fly the flag on a daily basis.

There are special days of the year beginning with January 1st, when we fly the flag resolving to keep our nation free. On January 20th, it is Inauguration Day. February 12th, Lincoln's birthday and February 22nd, Washington's Day, and also on Presidents Day in February. In April, we have Army Day on April 6th. On Easter Sunday, we proclaim our freedom source anew. In May, we have Mother's Day and Memorial Day. June brings us Flag Day and Father's Day. July 4th is Independence Day - the birthday of our freedom. A day when those stars and stripes wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. Labor Day is when our flag speaks for the workmen in our country. September 17th is Constitution Day. October 12th is Columbus Day - the day America was discovered. October 27th is Navy Day, when the flag floats on ship or shore. In November we have Veterans Day, when the flag speaks peace. November also brings us Thanksgiving Day, a day of thanks for our freedom. December 25th is Christmas day, when we honor Him who came to give to everyone healing liberty.

The American flag has the colors of red, white and blue. Most national flags use one or a combination of seven basic colors: red, white, blue, green, yellow, black, and orange. It was on June 14th, 1777 that Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes Flag. Whoever the mother or father of this flag may be, we know it represents America the Beautiful and God bless America.

Patriotic Thought: On guard then, oh America, let nothing ever dim, the flame of true democracy nor still the fervent hymn of liberty and justice and noble destiny. Again, we raise our thanks to God America for thee. God bless America!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record, June 26th, 1996.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina

To the readers of this column: a favorite column of the readers is being repeated by request. It seems there is a special interest in angels and this topic has especially interested my grandchildren. My five-year-old granddaughter has a great need to hold her birthday angel like a security blanket as she travels on vacations.

As we were traveling along together I heard her say, "Grandma, do you believe in angels?" Deep in thought, and before I had a chance to give her a long recital about the many times I felt protection in my travels alone by air, sea, and land. And the many dark times, and the storms of life, I could hear her soft voice saying, "Grandma? Are you listening? Grandma? Do angels have wings?" "What do you think?" I asked. "Grandma, that was my question!" she reminded me. For some reason, my thoughts were carried immediately to my childhood and I shared with her that I remembered the picture on the wall at the foot of my bed and that angel in the picture had wings. Even though we could not have the kerosene lamp lit all night long, I always felt a protecting angel throughout the dark night.

We both began to feel very tired, but my thoughts carried me to a church in Cleveland, Ohio. I remembered how my heart was warmed and touched as I listened to the beautiful, soft music that a blind girl named Ruth played and sang. As her fingers touch the strings of her harp, her angelic voice sang, "When at night I go to sleep, fourteen angels watch to keep. Two, my head are guarding. Two, my feet are guiding. Two are on my right. Two are on my left hand. Two who warmly cover. Two who o'er me hover. Two, to whom tis given to guide my steps to heaven."

I was then reminded that NP Willis stated, "If there is anything that keeps the mind open to angel visits and repels the ministry to evil, it is a pure human love." Warmth Thought: It takes a heap of living to make a house a home. Have a great day and the heart of your home.

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, June 20th, 1996.
Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina