Tom & Mary's Page |
"A Teaspoon of Spiritual Nourishment"
Mary & I were contributing editors for Cruisereviews.com and had our own page, "'Tom and Mary's Cruise Reviews," on that site.
During the six years we wrote reviews, 2000-2006, more than 200 hundred thousand cruise enthusiasts visited our page. We stopped writing
reviews when our editor and owner Tom Ogg, sold cruiseReviews.com two years ago. Our page, with our articles and 25 of our past cruise
reviews are still being shown on that site; many of them expressing our view of life. (Find out why Tom's cruise persona is 'Wimpy')
During the six years we wrote reviews, 2000-2006, more than 200 hundred thousand cruise enthusiasts visited our page. We stopped writing
reviews when our editor and owner Tom Ogg, sold cruiseReviews.com two years ago. Our page, with our articles and 25 of our past cruise
reviews are still being shown on that site; many of them expressing our view of life. (Find out why Tom's cruise persona is 'Wimpy')
Begin Your Day By Filling Your Mind With These Inspiring, Uplifting Thoughts!
| Take the sage advice of Henry David Thoreau, and begin your day by filling your mind with these beautiful, inspiring, uplifting thoughts. **** "What you allow to enter your mind the first hours you are awake will set the tone of you entire day" |
A student of my Love Class once told me that there were times
when she felt that the entire world was deaf to the sound do her
voice. “I get no response. I speak and end up feeling that I am
talking to myself. Am I going Mad?”
*
I assured her that she was not, and that she was also not the only
one who felt this. Most of us have experienced the emptiness that
comes from feeling tuned out. Listening is an act of love, or at a
more basic level, an act of simple consideration. All communication
requires two basic things, a speaking voice and a listening ear. This
sounds pretty simple, but it’s not. Most of us are very selective
listeners, tuning in and tuning out as our interest dictates. With all
the extraneous noise and worthless static that bombards us daily,
this skill can be a blessing. It is something else, however, when we
find ourselves tuning out those we say we love.
*
Over the years, as attention fades, as more distractions intrude
and voices grow dimmer, a deaf ear is too often turned to the ones
who most need to be heard. And then, as so often happens, when
we realize what we’ve done and try to tune back, it’s too
late…Born for Love/Buscaglia
when she felt that the entire world was deaf to the sound do her
voice. “I get no response. I speak and end up feeling that I am
talking to myself. Am I going Mad?”
*
I assured her that she was not, and that she was also not the only
one who felt this. Most of us have experienced the emptiness that
comes from feeling tuned out. Listening is an act of love, or at a
more basic level, an act of simple consideration. All communication
requires two basic things, a speaking voice and a listening ear. This
sounds pretty simple, but it’s not. Most of us are very selective
listeners, tuning in and tuning out as our interest dictates. With all
the extraneous noise and worthless static that bombards us daily,
this skill can be a blessing. It is something else, however, when we
find ourselves tuning out those we say we love.
*
Over the years, as attention fades, as more distractions intrude
and voices grow dimmer, a deaf ear is too often turned to the ones
who most need to be heard. And then, as so often happens, when
we realize what we’ve done and try to tune back, it’s too
late…Born for Love/Buscaglia
Aren’t you, like me, hoping that some person, thing or event will
come along to give you that final feeling of inner well-being you
desire? Don’t you often hope: “May this book, idea, course, trip,
job, country or relationship fulfill my deepest desire.” But as long
as you are waiting for that mysterious moment you will go on
running helter-skelter, always anxious and restless, always lustful
and angry, never fully satisfied. You know that this is the
compulsiveness that keeps us going and busy, but at the same time
makes us wonder whether we are getting anywhere in the long run.
This is the way to spiritual exhaustion and burn-out. This is the way
to spiritual death.
*
Well, you and I don’t have to kill ourselves. We are the Beloved.
We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers,
spouses, children and friends loved or wounded us. That’s the truth
of our lives. That's the truth I want you to claim for yourself. That's
the truth spoken by our Father that says, “You are my Beloved. I
have called you by name, from the very beginning, You are mine
and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have
molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in
your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands
and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I go with you and
wherever you rest, I keep watch. Wherever you are I will be.
Nothing will ever separate us. We are one…Henri J.M. Nouven
come along to give you that final feeling of inner well-being you
desire? Don’t you often hope: “May this book, idea, course, trip,
job, country or relationship fulfill my deepest desire.” But as long
as you are waiting for that mysterious moment you will go on
running helter-skelter, always anxious and restless, always lustful
and angry, never fully satisfied. You know that this is the
compulsiveness that keeps us going and busy, but at the same time
makes us wonder whether we are getting anywhere in the long run.
This is the way to spiritual exhaustion and burn-out. This is the way
to spiritual death.
*
Well, you and I don’t have to kill ourselves. We are the Beloved.
We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers,
spouses, children and friends loved or wounded us. That’s the truth
of our lives. That's the truth I want you to claim for yourself. That's
the truth spoken by our Father that says, “You are my Beloved. I
have called you by name, from the very beginning, You are mine
and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have
molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in
your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands
and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I go with you and
wherever you rest, I keep watch. Wherever you are I will be.
Nothing will ever separate us. We are one…Henri J.M. Nouven
Our Manners Are Who We Are
| *** I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you ~Anon~ **** Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feeling of others. If you have that awareness you have good manners, no matter which fork you use. ~Emily Post~ **** The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any. ~Fred Astaire~ **** Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you-- not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Anon~ |
Listening Is An Act Of Love
| Send This Link To Your Loved Ones & Friends--tomandmaryspage.com New Inspiring Meditations Every Saturday--Become a Weekly Visitor. |
Are You Like This
| * |
Call them anything you want—courtesy, respect, politeness, kindness, consideration, etiquette,
thoughtfulness, graciousness, etc.—our manners are who we are. We’ll always be known by the way we
treat others. And the way we treat others will always be a key factor in determining how successful we
become. Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, in their famous book 'In Search of Excellence,' write,
“Treat people like adults. Treat them as partners; treat them with dignity’ treat them with respect.”
That’s great advice for the business world; it’s also great advice for everyday living. In the history of
the world, no one ever went wrong by being polite.
*
In the 1700s Edmund Burke, a British statesman, said, “Manners are of more importance than laws.”
In other words, if all of us showed respect and consideration for others, we wouldn’t need laws to
regulate our behavior. Life is better when we treat each other with respect. More recent commentary
on manners comes from public-relations expert Henry Rogers in 1984. He says,” If manners were an
animal, it would be an endangered species.”
*
Unfortunately, Rogers’ comment has a sad ring of truth. He says he’s astounded that more people don't
seem to understand the importance of treating others with respect: “I simply can’t comprehend how
everyone doesn’t see that good manners are one of the most important keys to success. . . .” And the
truth is that there has been a decline in good manners in recent years. This is as true of adults as it is of
kids. Somehow, being cool has become more important than being courteous. Whether we like to admit
it or not, we do try to impress others. But what many people don’t recognize is that the best way we can
leave a good impression with others it to treat them the way we’d like them to treat us: with respect and
dignity. The world’s a better place, and we’re better people when we have good manners…
Life’s Greatest Lessons…Hal Urban
thoughtfulness, graciousness, etc.—our manners are who we are. We’ll always be known by the way we
treat others. And the way we treat others will always be a key factor in determining how successful we
become. Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, in their famous book 'In Search of Excellence,' write,
“Treat people like adults. Treat them as partners; treat them with dignity’ treat them with respect.”
That’s great advice for the business world; it’s also great advice for everyday living. In the history of
the world, no one ever went wrong by being polite.
*
In the 1700s Edmund Burke, a British statesman, said, “Manners are of more importance than laws.”
In other words, if all of us showed respect and consideration for others, we wouldn’t need laws to
regulate our behavior. Life is better when we treat each other with respect. More recent commentary
on manners comes from public-relations expert Henry Rogers in 1984. He says,” If manners were an
animal, it would be an endangered species.”
*
Unfortunately, Rogers’ comment has a sad ring of truth. He says he’s astounded that more people don't
seem to understand the importance of treating others with respect: “I simply can’t comprehend how
everyone doesn’t see that good manners are one of the most important keys to success. . . .” And the
truth is that there has been a decline in good manners in recent years. This is as true of adults as it is of
kids. Somehow, being cool has become more important than being courteous. Whether we like to admit
it or not, we do try to impress others. But what many people don’t recognize is that the best way we can
leave a good impression with others it to treat them the way we’d like them to treat us: with respect and
dignity. The world’s a better place, and we’re better people when we have good manners…
Life’s Greatest Lessons…Hal Urban
We know this title might shock you, but we think it important that you give it some thought. Author Amy E. Dean writes in her book,
'Growing Older, Growing Better,' “Today there are more than 85,000 men and women in America that live up to and even beyond the age
of 100, and the numbers are increasing every year. Over half of the centenarians are in good health, physically, mentally and spiritually."
*
During the years Mary & I we were writing cruise reviews, we mentioned the above excerpt in one of our reviews. Shortly after, we
received a very interesting e-mail from a man that is a shining example of what Amy wrote. The following is an excerpt from that e-mail:
*
Hi to our Florida cruisers Tom & Mary,
We love reading your reviews. My wife and I can relate to several things that you touched on in your recent review. We also refer to our
cruises as 'Honeymoons,' and we both love to dance.
*
Four years ago my wife and I were at a dance and after we finished our dance, a scout from a cruise line approached us and asked if we
would be interested in teaching dancing aboard a cruise ship. We readily accepted and in a little more than four years we have made 61
cruises. We have completed fourteen cruises this year and have another four scheduled through the end of the year. It’s a hobby for us. We
don’t get paid. We exchange services. My wife and I hope we can continue this hobby of ours for many, many years. I am 82 years young
and going strong. We love what we’re doing and someday we hope we can meet you and Mary on one of our cruises...Mel & Teri Gatte.
*
Mel and Teri are living testimony that an active, fruitful life can be lived at an advanced age. If your fifty, just think, you might live another
fifty years. If you’re in your sixties and seventies, you have the potential to live another twenty to thirty years. Remember the comedians
often used line, the one that goes like this, “If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.” Now that we
know there's a good possibility that we will have a long life, what are we going to do about it?
*
I recently read an article entitled, “People Take Better Care of Their Cars Than Their Bodies,” that said, “Research shows that most of
the popular ideas about ‘aging’ just aren’t true.' The clear implication is that our notion about "taking it easy' as we age needs to be
reexamined. Muscular weakness, frailty, illness, the characteristics that have been considered the inevitable results of aging, are partly
due to the aging process, but its mostly due to lack of exercise. All the recent scientific studies tell us that regardless how old we are, we
can live longer, have a better life, if we start taking better care of our bodies by starting an exercise program...Tom & Mary
'Growing Older, Growing Better,' “Today there are more than 85,000 men and women in America that live up to and even beyond the age
of 100, and the numbers are increasing every year. Over half of the centenarians are in good health, physically, mentally and spiritually."
*
During the years Mary & I we were writing cruise reviews, we mentioned the above excerpt in one of our reviews. Shortly after, we
received a very interesting e-mail from a man that is a shining example of what Amy wrote. The following is an excerpt from that e-mail:
*
Hi to our Florida cruisers Tom & Mary,
We love reading your reviews. My wife and I can relate to several things that you touched on in your recent review. We also refer to our
cruises as 'Honeymoons,' and we both love to dance.
*
Four years ago my wife and I were at a dance and after we finished our dance, a scout from a cruise line approached us and asked if we
would be interested in teaching dancing aboard a cruise ship. We readily accepted and in a little more than four years we have made 61
cruises. We have completed fourteen cruises this year and have another four scheduled through the end of the year. It’s a hobby for us. We
don’t get paid. We exchange services. My wife and I hope we can continue this hobby of ours for many, many years. I am 82 years young
and going strong. We love what we’re doing and someday we hope we can meet you and Mary on one of our cruises...Mel & Teri Gatte.
*
Mel and Teri are living testimony that an active, fruitful life can be lived at an advanced age. If your fifty, just think, you might live another
fifty years. If you’re in your sixties and seventies, you have the potential to live another twenty to thirty years. Remember the comedians
often used line, the one that goes like this, “If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.” Now that we
know there's a good possibility that we will have a long life, what are we going to do about it?
*
I recently read an article entitled, “People Take Better Care of Their Cars Than Their Bodies,” that said, “Research shows that most of
the popular ideas about ‘aging’ just aren’t true.' The clear implication is that our notion about "taking it easy' as we age needs to be
reexamined. Muscular weakness, frailty, illness, the characteristics that have been considered the inevitable results of aging, are partly
due to the aging process, but its mostly due to lack of exercise. All the recent scientific studies tell us that regardless how old we are, we
can live longer, have a better life, if we start taking better care of our bodies by starting an exercise program...Tom & Mary
| There's a Distinct Possibility We Will Live To be 100 Tom & Mary |
Quotes
| * Expect the best from life and you’ll generally get it. Your expectations play a key role in the reality of your life. Your mind is a powerful goal-seeking device. When you point it in the right direction, with positive expectations, it will do whatever is necessary to get you where you want to go. The more consistently you keep your mind on your positive expectations, the faster they will become a reality. * R.S.Martsen. Jr. |
| "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel...Maya Angelou |
| A major reason why some relationships break down is that one of the parties hasn't learned to listen. Listening is a learned skill and will increase our ability to maintain healthy relationships. |
| Remember, that old saying? Researchers have proven it to be true! If we don't use it , we're gonna lose it! |
Our daily prayer work creates a context for the transformation of
who we are and what we do. Every morning, we ask to be made
new. Every evening, we take stock of how well we did this day,
where we rose up in glory, and where we stumbled and fell.
*
It's very powerful to go over the events of our day, mentally, as
honestly as we can. God is not our judge but our Healer. If there
is someone we are holding grievances toward, a prayer of
forgiveness is vital. If we can see an area where we ourselves did
not fulfill our most noble potential, let us pray for correction and
miraculous transformation. What can we consciously give thanks
for? What things were wonderful, in others, in ourselves? Where
did we snap at someone, fail to forgive or act out of integrity?
*
Then ask God to help you tomorrow do all the things you would
have liked to do today...Illuminata/Marianne Williamson
who we are and what we do. Every morning, we ask to be made
new. Every evening, we take stock of how well we did this day,
where we rose up in glory, and where we stumbled and fell.
*
It's very powerful to go over the events of our day, mentally, as
honestly as we can. God is not our judge but our Healer. If there
is someone we are holding grievances toward, a prayer of
forgiveness is vital. If we can see an area where we ourselves did
not fulfill our most noble potential, let us pray for correction and
miraculous transformation. What can we consciously give thanks
for? What things were wonderful, in others, in ourselves? Where
did we snap at someone, fail to forgive or act out of integrity?
*
Then ask God to help you tomorrow do all the things you would
have liked to do today...Illuminata/Marianne Williamson
The Twelve Apostles: Like any other rabbi and itinerant preacher
of his times, Jesus chose a small group pf twelve men, whom he
invited to be his constant companions and preachers of his gospel.
(Mark 3:14) All of these men, except Judas Iscariot, are now
canonized for our admiration and imitation. But, in all honesty, they
were not born saints. In fact, when Jesus called them they were a
rather strange assortment of human misery. They are classic
examples of men who were loved into greatness by the patience of
Jesus. All greatness, it would seem, is somehow born out of the
patience of love; and these men were not exceptions. They were all
rather slow learners. They found an egocentric prudence the better
part of valor, when their own safety was threatened; they were
cowards. Their number included a loudmouth, two mama’s boys, a
bullhead, an apparent bird-brain. They were just as weak as you or
I can be...John Powell, S.J./Seasons of the Heart
of his times, Jesus chose a small group pf twelve men, whom he
invited to be his constant companions and preachers of his gospel.
(Mark 3:14) All of these men, except Judas Iscariot, are now
canonized for our admiration and imitation. But, in all honesty, they
were not born saints. In fact, when Jesus called them they were a
rather strange assortment of human misery. They are classic
examples of men who were loved into greatness by the patience of
Jesus. All greatness, it would seem, is somehow born out of the
patience of love; and these men were not exceptions. They were all
rather slow learners. They found an egocentric prudence the better
part of valor, when their own safety was threatened; they were
cowards. Their number included a loudmouth, two mama’s boys, a
bullhead, an apparent bird-brain. They were just as weak as you or
I can be...John Powell, S.J./Seasons of the Heart
A New Day
The Twelve Apostles
Your Mind Is Your Ship-You Are the Captain
| Y If we don’t use the power, wisdom and understanding available to us to build our thoughts and direct our mind where we want it to go; we can be like a ship adrift on the high seas. We, too, may become lost— subject to the direction of the strongest wave of influence to come our way, Your mind is your ship, and you are the captain. The thoughts you focus on will determine where you go in life. Your potential is unlimited. Usually you can go wherever you want to go: you can do whatever you want to do; you can become whatever you want to become, as long as you fill your mind with positive thoughts that will guide you to your desired destination… * J.M. Templeton |