11:50 P. M.

The most basic and yet profound blessings, such as the food we eat and the water we drink, are often not even recognized - let alone acknowledged or appreciated. As we rush about, meals are often eaten mindlessly without a thought, let alone a ceremony of appreciation. No matter what your religion, taking a moment to 'give thanks' will help foster appreciation and gratitude. (Patti Teel) - www.pattiteel.blogharbor.com

Do you know when you're having fun, when you're joyful, when you're appreciating yourself and your life, you are - at that moment - fully aligned with your higher self? You are fully aligned with, and in tune with, the wiser, powerful part of you who exists eternally in the realms of spirit. That wise, loving, powerful part of you lives in a continual state of bliss and joy. And when you are fully aligned with it, through your human joy, you will find your life becoming so easy and effortless. And you'll wonder why you ever bothered to live any other way. We used the word "bothered" just now. It truly is a bother to live your lives joylessly, with struggle and suffering. But it's become such a seemingly "normal" way of life, and you think that's the way it's supposed to be. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

You've become so accustomed to life being difficult, you forget it can also be easy. In fact, it's supposed to be easy! If you're finding yourself struggling with any aspect of your life, know this: You've really had to work at getting to where you are today – to getting to the struggling and suffering. You've probably had to work hard at it. With a fraction of that effort, you can make your life as easy tomorrow as it was hard today.

Well-being is your natural state. Struggle and suffering are not your natural state. It is always easier to create your life, your reality, when you are aligned with your natural state, the state of well-being. You did not come to earth to suffer through long years of struggle. You came here to play, to create, to love passionately, to live joyously. In short - to have fun! And then when you're done with this lifetime, you move on to another passionately joyful adventure. You'll never get it done, friends. You live forever. What you call "death" is not the end, only a new beginning.

However, many of you consider death the end. And that's okay. But ask yourself this question every morning, even before you get your body out of bed: What would I do today if I knew this was my last day on earth? Then answer the question honestly. And then begin to live every day as it if was your last. Live it freely, joyfully, passionately. Live like you were dying. (Chief Joseph through John Cali) - www.greatwesternpublishing.org