Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!


~ Steve Maraboli

Apple Berry Pie

A wonderful pie brimming with apples and berries

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 teaspoons tapioca
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups fresh blackberries or blueberries
• 3 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one crust, and place in a 9 inch pie plate. Roll out top crust, and set aside.

• In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, tapioca, and cinnamon. Add blackberries and apple slices. Toss gently to coat without mashing the berries. Let stand for 20 minutes.

• Spoon filling into pastry lined pan. Dot with butter. Moisten the edge of the pastry with water. Cover with top crust; trim and crimp edge. Cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape during baking. Cover edge with foil to prevent over-browning.

• Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Cool on wire rack

Make Your Move

As you're reading this, your life's getting shorter.
It's ticking away.
I'm not saying this to frighten you.
Or even scare you.
Though it may.

I'm saying this to awaken you.
To inspire you.
To rise you out of your deep slumber.
To really know you won't live forever.
To share your unique gifts.

To ignite your great inner fire.
To ignite your great inner strength.
To ignite your great inner light.
To shine.
Brightly shine.
To awaken your great inner beauty.

To motivate.
Yourself and others.
To love.
Yourself and others.

To paint.
To write.
To teach.
To innovate.
To sing.
To dance.
To care.
To feel.
To listen.
To learn.
To laugh.

The clock's ticking.
The world needs you.
Make your move.

~ Mike Litman

Body Beautiful

Body my steady companion
without whom I would be
only a thought or a breeze or
rain passing over the sea,
my ready vessel for
children who never came,
you trundled my dark soul
patiently, Herculean task,
over the mountains of my
sadness and endured
decades of demands for
better or thinner.
Even so, you dip
to country music,
soar with love’s caress,
and sing aloud while walking
down the street.
I stop for this moment
to give you praise.

~ Rosanne Olson 2004